So today was the day that the United Kingdom (UK) was set to leave the European Union. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK would be leaving with or without a deal and he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than agree a Brexit extension. Yet a (fl)extension has been granted for the UK to leave on or before 31st January 2020.
I had written previously that I was sure there would be plenty of twists and turns ahead and there have been many. The prorogation of parliament, it's subsequent appeal and reinstatement, the passing of the Benn Act making it illegal for the UK to leave without a deal, a new deal being agreed with the EU, Parliament passing an amendment witholding support until full legislation of the withdrawal agreement has been scrutinised and now the announcement that a general election will take place on December 12th. Much debate has been held, emotions fraught and column inches written and the forthcoming General Election is now a potential roadblock to prevent Brexit from ever taking place.
There have even been difficulties in agreeing the General Election date, with some politicians unhappy about a winter election. What is clear is that there are many politicians who are trying to stop Brexit (486 politicians want to remain opposed to 160 to leave was a meme I saw recently) and so far they have succeeded, twice.
Thus overall, since my last post on the subject in August I feel that the likelihood of Brexit taking place has decreased. Although it is difficult to predict, my view remains that by the beginning of February a true Brexit will not have taken place and for now, the saga continues.