Midnight
The option has now expired for the United Kingdom to extend the Brexit transition period
The transition period will now end, by automatic operation of law, on 31 December 2020
There are currently no alternative arrangements in place
Brace, brace
The option has now expired for the United Kingdom to extend the Brexit transition period
The transition period will now end, by automatic operation of law, on 31 December 2020
There are currently no alternative arrangements in place
Brace, brace
And you thought "by automatic operation of law" was in the past?
The biggest automatic operation of law is yet to come
The transition period safety net will vanish completely in six months
And unless something is quickly put in its place there is only the cold hard floor below
The biggest automatic operation of law is yet to come
The transition period safety net will vanish completely in six months
And unless something is quickly put in its place there is only the cold hard floor below
There is theoretical possibility of a political fix to extend transition period - but the withdrawal agreement is structured so as to make this very difficult to impossible, and it would require considerable goodwill and speed from a unanimous EU27
So practically, not an option
So practically, not an option
So yesterday& #39;s date - when politicians and those who watch them were distracted by so many other things - was as significant for Brexit as, say, 29 March 2017
And it slipped past, with few knowing or caring
And it slipped past, with few knowing or caring
Not being able to extend the transition period means that, at a stroke, UK& #39;s negotiating position is profoundly weakened
UK will have to accept what EU offers, and get Johnson to declare it a triumph
It also necessarily limits options available
A few months is not a long time
UK will have to accept what EU offers, and get Johnson to declare it a triumph
It also necessarily limits options available
A few months is not a long time
Since 31 January 2020, UK has been artificially protected from almost all the effects of Brexit by the transition arrangements
This provided for a false sense of continuity
The abrupt removal of all those arrangements on 31 December 2020 is now the default position
This provided for a false sense of continuity
The abrupt removal of all those arrangements on 31 December 2020 is now the default position
There will, no doubt, be a deal or deals by 31 December 2020
Minds will focus, and EU will look to protect its interests as best it can
But understanding this default position means you understand the power dynamic for the months ahead
And UK government just let this happen
Minds will focus, and EU will look to protect its interests as best it can
But understanding this default position means you understand the power dynamic for the months ahead
And UK government just let this happen