In the last few months, we have witnessed theatrical politics in the UK that opted for Brexit in 2016. In 2016, the UK through a referendum decided to exit the EU. It was a very polarised debate with 48.1 per cent who voted in the referendum voted to remain in the EU, and a mere 3 per cent (51.89%) more have voted for the exit. In a democracy it is about the majority; thus, the retreat was accepted by the UK.
Brexit was accepted, but it failed to move from there. Even in the referendum, the nation remained divided. Out of four constituents of the UK, only England and Wales opted for exit whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland voted in favour of remain.
Name
|
Leave (%)
|
Remain (%)
|
England
|
53.4
|
46.6
|
Northern Ireland
|
44.2
|
55.8
|
Scotland
|
38
|
62
|
Wales
|
52.5
|
47.5
|
Source: BBC URL https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/eu_referendum/results
In this, we can clearly see that in Scotland and Nothern Ireland there were sentiments for remain. In the overall terms, the leave emerged as the choice of the UK but not in strong terms. Yes, it was not a decisive mandate for leave, and therefore there is so much of confusion even to this day. The most visible manifestation of that is two extensions that were given to the UK for formal Breixt.
The UK by the invocation of article 50 of the Treaty of the EU was set to leave on 12th March 2019, but it failed to decide on terms of divorce with the EU. It was given an extension till May 22 (with a deal) and 12 April without a deal. The UK Parliament failed to decide on the deal but still was not ready to respect the 12th April deadline. The British PM Theresa May sought another extension that was duly granted by the EU. Thus, the UK now have time until 31st October to withdraw.
After the Brexit, it was argued that the EU will be strict with the UK but now it appears to be soft. How to explain this. The simple answer is that the EU also wanted to secure a deal with the UK before its formal departure from the organisation. While much has been written on the UK's necessity to obtain a deal from the EU before the official departure not much is said on the EU. To be honest, a deal is also in the interest of the EU. It is like the two business partners with the overlapping interests cannot depart without making formal arrangements so that estimated loss will be minimised. Germany is one of the EU members that will certainly like to see an EU-UK deal before the Brexit. The UK is a big market for German cars. As per estimates, the 20 per cent is the share of the UK in German car's international import. The no-deal exit will be harmful from the German car industry. Likewise many are worried about remittance from the UK that is coming to the other EU members. Thirdly, many industries of other EU members may have to face problems in the case of hard Breixt. Therefore, both sides are interested in a deal but the lack of political consensus to arrive on a formula is the problem emitting mainly from the UK.
Moving from the economic concerns no deal Brexit may also not be suitable for Europe as a whole. Without any legal attachment to the EU, there are possibilities that the UK decides its own political and economic path. Remember, the political objective of the EU was to reduce conflict and struggles between the European states. To bring them together in the regional integration process. In case the UK depart without a deal it could lead to new power politics in the whole of Europe that will have both short and long terms ramifications. The EU would not like to see a different kind of politics pursued by an influential European country and love to minimise it. When Brexit is a certainty, the next best possible option is to have a deal and slowly convert the UK as a close trading and political partner of the EU.
In short Brexit with a deal is in the interest of the UK but the same is also true for the EU. No exit will be most desirable, looking at the UK politics it now appears as a popular imagination. Anyway, to conclude we can say -Deal Brexit is good.
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