Daily Times

As the Brexit deadline approaches in less than three weeks, the British government still doesn’t have any concrete plans on how to cope with a crisis of its own doing. The European Union’s (EU) has remained cautiously patient ever since the June 2016 referendum was held and has given numerous chances for either a viable transition deal or opting to withdraw Article 50.

British Prime Minister Theresa May is essentially struggling to save her revised deal which is due for a parliamentary vote tomorrow (12thMarch). As for the Labour Party, it has endorsed to back a second referendum by popular demand.

Nevertheless, after May’s insistence for help from the EU last week, officials in Brussels thought about Britain leaving the union unilaterally but termed it ‘unrealistic and not sensible’. Hence, they advised for a mutually agreed deal.

Interestingly, May had concerns that if her deal is rejected once again then Britain may never be able to leave the EU. This implies that Brexit could be cancelled altogether with everything returning to as it was on 22nd June 2016. A remainer’s dream come true!

Leaving without a deal is the last thing Britain could afford since it would be equivalent to falling into an economic trap and potential security risks.

Speaking of these risks, rioting and crime rates could increase exponentially in urban hubs as such London. In economic terms, travel disruptions and stockpiling may prevail for some time. This would be similar to a war-like situation which has already been forewarned by Whitehall officials in documents prepared in advance.

All recent polls suggest that if Brexit is cancelled or a second referendum is held, the risks could reduce drastically. An overwhelming majority is already pressuring to hold the referendum which Labour and other likeminded parties have backed, including those from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In democracy, opinions evolve and change over time but are the power corridors in London listening? Perhaps, the time has come for deep introspections and avoid actions that resemble mere theatrics. Britain, being the fifth largest economy in the world, should think about the future of its upcoming generations and do the right thing by listening to those who matter instead of being held hostage by self-serving groups in the form of the Eurosceptics. *

Published in Daily Times, March 11^th 2019.