Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Syt]

From Grauniad:

Theresa May says she understands some people are so fed up that they want to leave with no deal. But she supports leaving with one and says we need a short extension to article 50.

She says the debate cannot be allowed to drag on and adds that the Commons' approach has not worked.

May says she is offering to sit down with the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, to come up with a plan to leave with a deal. But she says that deal must include her withdrawal agreement.

May says the extension would be "as short as possible" and would end once a deal was struck.

She says any plan both she and Corbyn agreed upon would then be put to MPs for approval with a view to it being taken to next week's European council meeting.

If she and Corbyn cannot agree a unified approach, May says, then a series of options for the future relationship would be put to the Commons in a series of votes. The prime minister adds that the government would abide by the decision of the house – but only if Labour did so too.

May also says she wants the process to be finished by 22 May so that the UK does not have to take part in the European parliament elections.

It kinda seems to discount that the EU would, you know, have to agree to a) extension b) a new deal?

[Zanza]

I don't see any reason why the EU should agree to that. The British should present a decision that parliament voted into law at the EU Council on the 10th or they should leave on the 12th.

[HisMajestyBOB]

Calling it now, on April 12th the UK will undergo hard Brexit.

On the same day Trump will shut the southern border and call it Mexit.

The danger is a no-deal Brexit. A "hard Brexit" refers to a Brexit where we don't remain part of the single market and/or customs union.

Actually, the MPs voted down no-deal Brexit, so there's no longer any danger. 

[jimmy olsen]

Calling it now, on April 12th the UK will undergo hard Brexit.

On the same day Trump will shut the southern border and call it Mexit.

The danger is a no-deal Brexit. A "hard Brexit" refers to a Brexit where we don't remain part of the single market and/or customs union.

Ah, I meant no deal. Thanks for the clarification.

[Josquius]

I doubt a people's vote would have no deal as an option.
Most likely imo is mays deal vs something else.
For the longest time I've been guessing accept mays deal or not but now mays deal vs remain seems most likely. It makes since as a political tactic for may to

[Tamas]

I doubt a people's vote would have no deal as an option.
Most likely imo is mays deal vs something else.
For the longest time I've been guessing accept mays deal or not but now mays deal vs remain seems most likely. It makes since as a political tactic for may to

Still, others are convinced remaining should be on the ballot in a second referendum and it should be a deal and no-deal exit.

And then what really made me give up hope was the new Independent Group, and like half the LibDems voting NO on the customs union alternate plan, because they want a second referendum (no doubt to force remaining). I understand WHY they want that, but they and everyone else keep fighting their battles with no room to give like they still had years ahead of them to figure things out. No, they had several years, which they spent doing nothing. It's over, and it is time for damage control, not forcing their ideal outcome they were too lazy or scared to pursue for the past three years.


The only positive thing about British politics I see in all of this is just the fact of these internal divisions in the parties. In a country like the one I hail from, it is  unheard of to have MPs vote based on their opinion and not on the party line. I think it is great overall, but of course no particular help in this case.

But otherwise you have an entire political class that has failed to grow up to this crisis. Chiefly I mean the governing party of course as ultimately it is their responsibility. But the opposition has also failed utterly to show any signs of statesman(person)ship.

[Josquius]

Deal vs no deal is a fake referendum. That choice isn't a choice at all. Those who suggest this this are simply trying to game things in mays direction. Way too transparent to be signed off as a legit referendum

[dps]

The only positive thing about British politics I see in all of this is just the fact of these internal divisions in the parties. In a country like the one I hail from, it is  unheard of to have MPs vote based on their opinion and not on the party line. I think it is great overall, but of course no particular help in this case.

That's the norm for parliamentary systems.  To my understanding, it's very unusual for an MP to vote against the party line.  Though given some of the reports we see, I'm not sure any of Britain's major parties actually have a coherent party line on the issue.

[Tamas]

The only positive thing about British politics I see in all of this is just the fact of these internal divisions in the parties. In a country like the one I hail from, it is  unheard of to have MPs vote based on their opinion and not on the party line. I think it is great overall, but of course no particular help in this case.

That's the norm for parliamentary systems.  To my understanding, it's very unusual for an MP to vote against the party line.  Though given some of the reports we see, I'm not sure any of Britain's major parties actually have a coherent party line on the issue.

True. I guess a big part of the whole mess is that the two party system doesn't reflect the real modern divide (open vs. closed societies) at all. But First Past The Post won't change so what can you do.

[mongers]

A lot of the Tory right are fuming, two ministers have resigned.

Amusing if it weren't such an important issue.

[Solmyr]

That's the worst 'photoshop' I've ever seen.


Has it perchance a microsoft advert for MS paint?

Better?

[dps]

The only positive thing about British politics I see in all of this is just the fact of these internal divisions in the parties. In a country like the one I hail from, it is  unheard of to have MPs vote based on their opinion and not on the party line. I think it is great overall, but of course no particular help in this case.

That's the norm for parliamentary systems.  To my understanding, it's very unusual for an MP to vote against the party line.  Though given some of the reports we see, I'm not sure any of Britain's major parties actually have a coherent party line on the issue.

True. I guess a big part of the whole mess is that the two party system doesn't reflect the real modern divide (open vs. closed societies) at all. But First Past The Post won't change so what can you do.

.

Well, Britain is unusual among parliamentary democracies (though not unique) in that it is a two-party system.  Then tendency is for presidential systems to be two-party and parliamentary systems to be multi-party.

[Valmy]

Britain is not a two party system

I mean it is dominated by two large parties but so is Germany.

[Oexmelin]

Well, Britain is unusual among parliamentary democracies (though not unique) in that it is a two-party system.  Then tendency is for presidential systems to be two-party and parliamentary systems to be multi-party.

It's rather more: countries which drew their inspirations from British models tend to have had strong two-party systems, and other countries tend to have been, and continue to be, multi-party...

[dps]

Well, Britain is unusual among parliamentary democracies (though not unique) in that it is a two-party system.  Then tendency is for presidential systems to be two-party and parliamentary systems to be multi-party.

It's rather more: countries which drew their inspirations from British models tend to have had strong two-party systems, and other countries tend to have been, and continue to be, multi-party...

Hmm.  That's probably more accurate than what I posted, yes.