Brexit deadline pushed out to October 31

Posted by Jim on April 11, 2019

European Union leaders have agreed to a request by British Prime
Minister Theresa May for an extension to the Brexit date. They have
agreed to a ‘flexible’ extension to the end of October, subject to
certain conditions, including one which calls for elections to the
European Parliament to take place in Britain and the north of Ireland
next month.

Mrs May’s hand had been forced by an act of parliament by backbench MPs,
rushed through Westminster and which became law on Monday, requiring May
to seek an extension to prevent a sudden ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.

It has been a humiliating week for the British PM, who is now likely to
come under renewed pressure to quit as Tory leader and call a British
general election.

The terms of the extension will allow Britain to leave the EU as soon as
Westminster passes a deal. Other conditions of the deal include
guarantees Britain will not try to undermine the EU during the extra
time it has been offered, and a review of the extension at the next EU
summit in June to ensure the conditions are being met.

The outcome averts a potential disaster at 11pm on Friday, which would
have seen Britain suddenly drop out of the EU and require the sudden
imposition of customs and security controls for the border through
Ireland.

While Britain will not suddenly leave the EU on Friday evening, a
no-deal Brexit still cannot be ruled out in the coming months. Under
tonight’s agreement, a failure by London to hold elections to the
European Parliament without a deal in place would force a crash-out
Brexit on June 1.

Britain could still avoid the humiliating process of holding European
elections if Westminster agrees a Brexit deal before the elections take
place on May 23. Despite the uncertainty, plans to hold European
elections in Britain and the Six Counties are being set in train. This
will have the knock-on effect of reducing the number of MEPs to be
elected in the 26 Counties on the same day, which had been set to
increase by two.

The DUP, which has supported May’s minority government, are unhappy at
the failure to deliver Brexit by Friday’s expected departure date — the
second, two weeks after the original Brexit day of March 29.

DUP leader Arlene Foster accused May of trying to force her party into
backing the already negotiated Withdrawal Agreement. The party continues
to oppose the deal’s ‘backstop’ clause for the Irish border, which is
intended to prevent a remilitarisation of the border area, but could see
regulations ultimately differ on either side of the Irish Sea.

“Despite the prime minister being warned about the opposition to her
withdrawal agreement, she has limped along and tried to force people
into a cul-de-sac where they have no option but to support her deal,”
she said.

“That is a weak approach and demeans the strength of this great nation.
It is also foolish as it traps the UK and burdens future generations
with a bad deal.”

In a statement early this morning, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald
said the British government “must use this extension to ratify the
Withdrawal Agreement and the minimal protections of the Backstop”.

Ms McDonald also welcomed the prospect of European elections in the
North which she said would “give the people a chance to have their say”.

“Never again can a British government have the power to impose a border
across Ireland and act against the wishes of the people,” she said. “Now
is the time to look to the future and to begin to plan for a unity
referendum in line with the Good Friday Agreement.”