KT edit: Brexit 'flextension' is more chaos

Uncertainties have been a constant in the arduous process, and patience with the political class is running out.

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Published: Mon 28 Oct 2019, 8:00 PM

Last updated: Mon 28 Oct 2019, 10:59 PM

Another Brexit extension will make this the UK's fourth winter of discontent since 2016 when the people voted in a referendum to quit the EU. Going by precedent little will come of this episode unless the ruling Tories return with a brute majority if elections are held by December 12. A Conservative victory will make it easy for Prime Minister Boris Johnson whose position has weakened after parliament turned against his new agreement. The EU has agreed to an extension only if the terms of the deal it struck with Johnson remain unchanged. The Opposition still wants Brexit on its terms, which it will not get; the people have chosen to break with Brussels, deal or no deal, and Johnson is pushing for another election to make the break with the EU pleasant - if that happens at all.
Uncertainties have been a constant in the arduous process, and patience with the political class is running out. Many people have given up as lawmakers flatter and deceive them. Britain's politicians have shown a lot of enthusiasm to make a mockery of any agreement governments have struck with Brussels.
Former PM Theresa May tried twice only to fail. Johnson may have struck a fair deal, but his agreement is being torpedoed and he can do nothing about it. Parliamentarians have disagreed with gusto on just about anything with party infighting also coming to the fore. Which begs these questions: Will Brexit happen at all? And by when? Who will deliver it? Will the UK start all over again with a second referendum? Wouldn't that be against the will of the people? This is a critical time for the UK that must get its act together, and the lack of clarity means Brexit will drag on. What's certain, however, is that the UK will not leave the EU on Thursday. MPs will first vote on whether a general election should be held or not. EU Council President Donald Tusk called it a "flextension" under which the UK could leave before the new deadline if the deal is approved by Parliament. Predictions are futile in this fragile political environment that has descended into a farce of epic proportions.



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