Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 46
INSIDE EUROPE
is a reality with which anti-Brexiteers on both sides of the
Channel must now contend.
The result of Brexit was like a seismic upheaval. It split
the United Kingdom between England and Wales on one hand
and Scotland and Northern Ireland on the other. It sharply
demonstrated the divide between upwardly mobile, well
educated, multicultural English youth who voted to remain,
especially in the city of London and the conservative, white,
often racist, older and aging sections of English society who
equated all of UK’s ills with EU membership. It sharply
impacted world markets and brought the Pound to a new low.
It brought to an end Prime Minister Cameron’s political career
and now threatens that of Prime Minister May.
There is no doubt that Brexit also represents the rise of
right wing populism in UK and across Europe. This will
infl uence the agenda for mainstream political parties. It
would also weaken the EU and its ability to tackle security
issues or the problem of migrants. The divorce with Britain,
scheduled for 29th March 2019, will make Britain inward
looking, less prosperous and isolated from Europe. It would
ultimately leave EU and Britain weaker, more divided and less
capable of addressing the multiple challenges to international
peace and security.
As the clock moves inexorably towards 29th March
2019, both sides seem to be running out of options. In
dramatic developments on 29th January 2019 and under euro
sceptic pressure, the House of Commons narrowly passed a
Government backed amendment pledging to replace the Irish
backstop with ‘other arrangements’. Another amendment
passed by a razor thin majority of 318 to 310 votes, tabled
by Labour Jack Dromey and Conservative Caroline Spelman,
ruled out a no deal exit. This will be important during the
fi nal vote.
May was at that time given a two week deadline till 13th
February 2019 to revive the deal. EU Council President Tusk
immediately announced that EU will not reopen the deal
noting: “The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement
and the withdrawal agreement is not open to negotiation.”
May left for Brussels on 8th February ’19, but EU did
not relent. Prior to her departure, an unyielding EU Council
President Donald Tusk said: “The EU will make no new off er
on Brexit. Those who promoted Britain’s exit without any
understanding of how to deliver it deserve a special place in
hell.” Tusk added that he had lost hope that Brexit might be
stopped. The EU’s priority, he noted, was to avert a ‘fi asco’
when UK leaves. Quick to respond, veteran Brexiteer Nigel
Farage retorted: “After Brexit, we will be free of unelected,
arrogant bullies like you- sounds like heaven to me.”
It is now clear that the EU will not compromise on the
backstop arrangement. Their position was clearly articulated
by their chief negotiator Michel Barnier, who said: “Backstop
Prime Minister Theresa May has
matched their arrogant obduracy,
imposing a patently unworkable
timetable of two years on Brexit and
laying down red lines that undermined
negotiations with Brussels and doomed
her deal to resoundingly bipartisan
rejection in Parliament.”
is the only operational solution to address Irish border
issue. EU is ready to work on alternative solutions during
transition.”
With Brexit now days away, many nervous British
lawmakers wish to seize control and steer the country
towards a soft exit. Some lawmakers apprehend that May is
deliberately wasting time so that Parliament will face a last
minute choice between her deal and no deal.
In the backdrop of 43 former British Ambassadors and
High Commissioners adding their voices to calls for the UK
Government to delay Brexit and consider holding a new
46 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 3 • March 2019, Noida