Brexit has become a dirty word
The fatigue of nearly three years is more dangerous than ever
With the news this week that the UKs departure from the EU has been pushed back until at least April 12th something important has become clearer than ever: Brexit fatigue is growing ever more dangerous.
The original 29th March date was always looking unlikely and after a series of votes in parliament last week and a plea to the EU, the UK has been given a much more decisive choice to make. The ruling by the EU has also put Brexit into the hands of MPs.
It boils down to this. If MPs vote against Theresa Mays deal again next week then the UK will leave the EU with no deal on April 12th. If it is voted in, then the deal will be worked on and the UK will officially leave at the end of May.
The PMs deal is not the most attractive looking offer, but it looks a lot more appealing than the prospect of leaving the EU with no deal in place.
If it does end up with these two versions of leave, depending on how successful the petition to revoke article 50 is, then MPs need to put their own personal agendas a side and realise that no deal is the worst outcome for their country and their constituents.
The need for cross-party negotiations is long overdue. Things looked to be improving between Britain’s political parties until Jeremy Corbyn refused to meet with Independent Group representative Chuka Umunna. On the one hand Corbyns’ reluctance shows pride for his party, but strongly on the other hand he’s just making a tough situation harder. Corbyn is both not fulfilling the hopes of Labour voters by continuing to not support a second referendum and frustrating wider party representatives by trying to repeatedly block any chances of progressive talks.
The Independent Group represents 11 seats and therefore votes in Parliament. Corbyn needs to put this view behind him and stand alongside other party leaders. The Labour Party once prided itself on being the true left wing alternative and it can be once more, but it must find a way to use their history in the current affair of Brexit.
Brexit fatigue is real and after almost three years many people, both directly and indirectly involved, are fed up and losing interest. It’s at this point that a poor decision to ‘get it over with’ is most likely. It’s been a long complicated and often catastrophic run of events since the summer of 2016 and it is one which, for the good of the country, must be resolved soon in order for UK politicians to move on to other issues closer to home.
