The European Tribune is a forum for thoughtful dialogue of European and international issues. You are invited to post comments and your own articles.
Please REGISTER to post.
The Tory leadership has mismanaged the UK membership of the EU for many years. Failed negotiations on the preference of the British in Brussels, the option of the referendum by David Cameron, the call by Theresa May for new elections to "increase" Conservative majority and her position to negotiate a good deal with Europe. She failed on all accounts and got the DUP as a breaker of any viable deal as a first result. It became a non-starter with the pure arrogance to place further Tory party red lines.
Am still surprised, as you are, for an acceptable deal for all 28 parties laid down for the vote before Parliament. Not uncommon, the British are in no hurry, they cue in line for each to take a stab at proposals for Brussels "to eat cake". 'Sapere aude'
The problem, now, is there is no good way out. May's deal, no deal, or a second referendum are all divisive options and few want to put their head on the block by opting for one. All are hoping that the final decision is made by others who will then reap the electoral damage.
I still think there is a small chance the European Council won't agree an A.50 extension if requested by the UK merely to extend the stalemate. Again, imagine the uproar if, say, Romania voted against extension effectively booting the UK out on March 29th.!
The Westminster debate is all about the UK and what various factions want. No one listens to the EU or Ireland and assumes that they will simply roll over and give the UK what it wants once they can agree on something.
Ridiculous proposals about a "managed Brexit" or the EU agreeing sectoral deals post Brexit are concocted out of thin air without any conception of how the EU actually works.
Apparently everyone has to change their laws and constitutions to accommodate the latest UK wheeze. Unreal... Index of Frank's Diaries
Clowns like Boris Johnson should just shut up!
STOP THE NONSENSE great BRITAIN 😡😪 'Sapere aude'
Again, imagine the uproar if, say, Romania voted against extension effectively booting the UK out on March 29th.!
From memory, one of the amendments proposed for the discussion on Tuesday 15th was that the UK should ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, subject to writing in unilaterally their own end date to the Backstop! That amendment was not proceeded with. Even before considering A.50 extension, I could imagine that attempting to modify the WA would have caused several of the 27 to reject the WA in the EP.
I found the opening contribution of Sir Geoffery Cox, Attorney General enlightening [top law adviser to the UK government]. I was surprised that 432 "lawmakers" chose to ignore his advice.
Orderly exit from the European Union would always require a withdrawal agreement along these lines. No alternative option now being canvassed in the House would not require the withdrawal agreement and now the backstop. Let us be clear: whatever solution may be fashioned if this motion and deal are defeated, this withdrawal agreement will have to return in much the same form and with much the same content. Therefore, there is no serious or credible objection that has been advanced by any party to the withdrawal agreement.
My emphasis added
It is useful to know that one government advisor has read Article 50, and understood the process, its inflexibility and consequences.
The complete official record of his contribution is here but more difficult to follow because of all the interruptions and his Shakespearean delivery.
by gmoke - Oct 4
by gmoke - Oct 1
by Frank Schnittger - Sep 24 3 comments
by Oui - Sep 19 19 comments
by Oui - Sep 13 38 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Sep 11 5 comments
by Cat - Sep 13 9 comments
by Oui - Sep 3025 comments
by Oui - Sep 29
by Oui - Sep 285 comments
by Oui - Sep 2722 comments
by Oui - Sep 2620 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Sep 243 comments
by Oui - Sep 1919 comments
by gmoke - Sep 173 comments
by Oui - Sep 153 comments
by Oui - Sep 15
by Oui - Sep 1411 comments
by Oui - Sep 1338 comments
by Cat - Sep 139 comments
by Oui - Sep 1210 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Sep 115 comments
by Oui - Sep 929 comments
by Oui - Sep 713 comments
by Oui - Sep 61 comment