Everything You Need To Know About The Mess That Is Brexit

By Rachel Janfaza


The United Kingdom has been negotiating a potential departure from the EU soon after voting to leave in a public referendum in June 2016 — a decision you probably know as Brexit. But three years later, the result of that referendum has been delayed — time, and time, and time again.


Since the opening vote to leave, several rounds of negotiations, episodes of both in-party and between-party fighting between Conservative and Labour Party members, and waves of counter-activism, especially on behalf of young people — have kept the UK on a roller-coaster of ups and downs.


The UK is set to leave European Union on October 31, 2019. Nevertheless in spite of the fact that the debate has changed dramatically since the June 2016 vote, some initial reasons for their departure included economic stability and national security.


because the October 31 deadline rapidly approaches, the Brexit drama is heating up. Nevertheless as of September 4th, a no-deal Brexit (a scenario in which the UK would leave the EU overnight without measures for trade or customs in place to help with the transition) usually be off the table.


Here are the facts you have to know about three years of political mayhem, and also the most recent updates in this complex series of rather unfortunate events.


The Build-Up: The Brexit Referendum And Three Years Of Chaos


Brexit, the handle for Britain’s choice to exit the European Union, began in June 2016, any time the United Kingdom (which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) voted to leave the EU, one of the world’s most influential blocs, in a public referendum.


The referendum was close; the UK voted to leave by 52 percent to 48 percent. The votes differed by age, and, usually speaking, young people overwhelmingly voted to remain: case in point, 75 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds voted to remain in EU.


after the decision, critics voiced concerns that the choice to leave was not only racist and xenophobic but that it may have been caused by London-centric politicians. Proponents for Brexit insisted that there could be economic benefits, although it’s worth noting that the pound has fluctuated dramatically since the referendum. Immediately after the vote, it plummeted, and its value has a tendency to particularly sway on days of major parliamentary chaos, like September 4, 2019.


In the wake of the referendum, most discussions between members of parliament and EU officials have focused on how the UK would leave the EU and not whether or not the UK should actually mention visualize you later.


Third Time’s The Charm: Does Boris Johnson Have What It Takes To Leave The EU?


At this point, three UK Prime Ministers have overseen the Brexit negotiations. In June 2016, David Cameron, who was Prime Minister at the time, resigned immediately following the referendum vote. Theresa May was designated the new leader of the UK in July 2016 and oversaw attempts at a peaceful exit, known by several as a “soft” Brexit, which would let the UK to remain aligned with the EU. (A “hard” Brexit would force an immediate and serious divorce.)


Although as soon as May stepped down in May 2019, Boris Johnson became prime minister. Johnson was elected by the Conservative Party because of his promise to get the UK out of the EU by the October 31 deadline. He’s a polarizing figure who is often compared to President Donald Trump, and the reality of an all-or-nothing Brexit became all of the more likely if he assumed the role.


What’s Going On Right now? Parliament Says No To A No-Deal Brexit 


Right now that October 31 is rapidly approaching, the pressure is on. Johnson had suggested a general election to aide in the method of creating a “much better deal” ahead of the deadline and mentioned he hoped that new members of parliament could compromise on an agreement.


In reality, a snap election could have helped Johnson maintain a no-deal Brexit. The new faces in Westminster could be faced with the same Brexit problem and likely no new solutions.


So on September 4, in a mess of chaos driven by Labour party leaders, parliament officially voted (and passed a bill to secure) that a snap election before October 31 is off the table, at least up until a Brexit delay is secured. The bill would legally prevent a no-deal Brexit and force Johnson’s hand into a delayed departure. Opposition party members would only discuss the potential for a general election once that no-deal Brexit bill became a law. And it did, on Monday, September 9.


What’s Next? Johnson’s Hail Mary


Nevertheless Johnson has claimed he doesn’t even want an election, he mentioned he “rather be dead in a ditch” than delay Brexit any longer. On September 9 and into the hours of the early morning on September 10, Johnson desperately attempted to call another election to make sure that the UK will, case in point, leave the EU by October 31.


Nevertheless, given that opposition leaders still rejected the call for a snap election, Johnson lost the vote. He has nevertheless to win a vote as Prime Minister.


In late August, Johnson formally asked Queen Elizabeth II for permission to “prorogue,” AKA suspend, parliament, perhaps to run down the clock on Brexit. As mandated by the British constitution, the queen had no choice nevertheless to mention yes. And on September 10, Johnson suspended parliament for five weeks.


Right now, with just over a month up until the Brexit deadline, the UK parliament — and British democracy at large — has been put on hold.