Yet again, we’re all in the dark about what’s going to happen with Brexit, as the British parliament votes down Theresa May’s Brexit deal last night. This deal is the only deal on the table and there is no time to negotiate another. This leaves only two remaining options, extend article 50 or leave without a deal.
The uncertainty is real as the clock is ticking. There are only 16 days and 14 hours (ish) to go until the UK is due to leave the EU (29th March) and the UK is no closer to finding a solution. Not only are some British politicians fed up, but so are the British people and every other country in the EU (including NL).
The EU has claimed that nothing more can be done, causing extreme frustration on both sides. The EU has had enough of negotiating, especially with the EU elections coming up, which is something that the UK is worried about. With the EU already busy over the coming months, even if they extended article 50, negotiations would have to take a back seat.
Now what? The accurate representation of me watching last night
What does this mean for the UK and the Netherlands?
Well, today another vote will be held determining the next steps for the UK. Will a no-deal Brexit be off the table? We’ll have to wait and see – but for the love of god, it couldn’t get much worse than that, so SURELY that wouldn’t pass through parliament (but who honestly knows any more)! If the UK agrees to leave without a deal, then nobody knows what next. Thankfully, fellow Dutchies in the UK and Brits in the Netherlands have already received confirmation that they will be allowed to stay in the result of a no-deal Brexit. Despite this, it’s disgraceful that it’s even got to this point in the first place.
Even Mark Rutte tweeted his thoughts last night:
Should the UK hand in a reasoned request for an extension, I expect a credible and convincing justification. The #EU27 will consider the request and decide by unanimity. The smooth functioning of the EU institutions needs to be ensured.
— Mark Rutte (@MinPres) 12 March 2019
The next option is extending article 50, which makes no sense to anybody, including the EU. What reason would they extend it? The British parliament can’t agree, the EU and the UK can’t agree and even the British public can’t agree. So it’s likely that if this happens there is a chance of ‘a people’s vote’ (reelection) and/or a general election. This option is much safer for the UK and the Netherlands and its people, but what happens after that we don’t know, as the UK still needs to request an extension. This takes time, but there are only just over 2 weeks left.
You know it’s bad when Nigel Farage doesn’t even want to be interviewed after the vote last night. He’s certainly vocal when it comes to that, to say the least.
Now all that’s left to say is, what now?
Check out our other articles on Brexit:
How the Netherlands will benefit from Brexit
How the Netherlands will lose out from Brexit
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!
Cover pic source: Pixabay
