Confusing, disastrous, shambolic and a country in political turmoil.
All of the above perfectly describe the current position Britain finds itself with Brexit dominating the headlines. The government is in crisis and ordinary people across the country don’t have the foggiest clue as to what happens next.
This is Brexit and it’s an issue with so many conflicting arguments.
Let’s put things into perspective.
Returning from the EU after two and a half years of negotiations, the Prime Minister comes back with a deal that arguably delivers on the result of the 2016 referendum.
There is however the loud noise of grumbles and groans from within the walls of Westminster. Inside the Commons, MP’s from all sides have a sour feeling towards Mrs May’s deal, a deal which she has to get through parliament.
Brexiteers on all sides of the political spectrum won’t vote for the deal and neither will those who want a people’s vote. Crucially, the Northern Ireland Ulster Unionist Party (the DUP) are against the deal, a party that Mrs May needs to keep her government going.
To make things more complicated the Brexit vote has been postponed as the PM heads out to Europe to seek more assurance. The EU says this is the only deal on the table, they won’t budge one inch, understandable as the EU is arguably looking after its own interests.
On top of that the PM has faced a leadership challenge from within her own party, with 200 MP’s backing her and 117 against her premiership. Mrs May says she won’t stand in the next general election in 2022. Up to a point, can we really blame her? Some parts of the UK have admired her determination and tenacity.
This is perhaps the biggest moment in British political history since the end of World War Two and for sure it’s a complicated one.
What on earth happens next?
Arguments are on both sides but what is the conflict within the very issue itself?
There are so many interests, views, opinions and beliefs on Brexit not only from inside the political parties but also the general public.
Britain is divided and the Prime Minister’s belief that her deal is the correct way to deliver on the referendum is causing a ruckus. It supposedly leaves the UK in a weaker position than being in the EU in the first place.
The backstop plan is also the conflicting reason why there’s so much confusion and uncertainty. Divisions are created where the EU believes the backstop should keep Northern Ireland within the single market and the customs union.
There’s no easy way around this issue, and nobody can call what can happen, but for sure the backstop is where Brexit falls apart. Mrs May wants to keep the UK in a customs union only until after the transition period – the backstop should only be a temporary option.
Brexit can be seen as a situation where Brexiteers cannot have everything and for sure it was never going to be easy, the EU were always going to make it hard for us.
Who knows what will happen next.
Many want a people’s vote; some within the Conservative party are supportive of the PM’s deal and some believe a no deal scenario could work for the country. With so much noise coming from Westminster, it sometimes feels as if no progress is being made.
Is it the case that a second referendum or a people’s vote is the answer?
The chair of Cheltenham 4 Europe Philip Cole believes that is the case. “We had a vote in 2016 on one particular question, do you want to leave? We now have to have a vote on whether the people are happy with the deal Mrs May has reached so far. This is a way of putting the debate to bed once and for all”.
A second vote to change the result of a referendum doesn’t sit well with the other side of the argument. There’s the view that a people’s vote is a blow to democracy.
UKIP candidate at the 2015 general election in Cheltenham, Christina Simmonds says we’ve already had a vote, “it was a people’s vote, the people voted to leave. Any future vote should not be about whether we are in or out, but it could be a question of whether we accept Mrs May’s deal”.
Is it really a blow to democracy? People can change their minds and as a democratic country, freedom of speech is allowed.
Despite Mrs May surviving the confidence vote, parliament is still solely against the withdrawal agreement. A second vote could resolve the problem but there are also the risks for the political parties.
Some public opinion is behind the deal and behind Mrs May’s tenacity as the leader of the country, a job which has been ridiculously hard.
Is there a conflict within the political parties?
The Conservative party has been torn on the issue of Europe for decades and it has always been the downfall for previous leaders, Thatcher, Major and recently David Cameron. Theresa May has been left with the mess but arguably it is of her own making. Yes, she has been put into a difficult position that is undoubtedly impossible to manage but on the other hand Mrs May’s 2017 election gamble failed and she did stand for remain during the referendum campaign.
Labour aren’t in a good position either.
There seems to be a confusion as to what Jeremy Corbyn actually wants as the leader of the opposition, with Labour MP’s calling for Mr Corbyn to push for a second referendum according to numerous reports in the media.
The University of Gloucestershire’s Labour Student group has its own views on the issue of Brexit. President Ewan Trehearne feels it is not a good idea, “a second referendum itself is a vote on the deal, a people’s vote would like to overturn the Brexit result. We as a party cannot allow for a democratic vote to be overturned”.
The referendum result saw a huge number of Labour constituents vote to leave. In Sunderland, a traditional safe Labour seat saw 61% of voters decide to leave. If Mr Corbyn does take the stand for a second vote then does that go against the ballot of strong Labour heartland?
Is a general election the answer?
If Labour win then Mr Corbyn will be left with the Brexit mess to deal with. Surely the public are so fed up to see another election.
People’s votes, no deals and general elections, what is the solution?
One solution that needs to be sorted is the Northern Ireland problem – the biggest sticky point.
By keeping the backstop plan it is a real risk to breaking up and dividing the country. Cutting Northern Ireland and keeping it within the single market is what the EU believes should happen, a temporary solution to the transition period.
The DUP are the key ally in supporting Mrs May’s minority government, so the Prime Minister effectively cannot win on the issue, it risks breaking up the UK but it could risk a no deal divorce.
There’s only one group of people that Brexit will affect – the people.
We are all in the dark on the whole situation. There has been the constant argument that maybe politicians from all sides come together. Opinion suggests that we want to get on with it and leave, but can all parties come together?
“I think it’s partly because of male egos”, says Christina Simmonds. “I think it would be the most sensible approach because there are undoubtedly both Labour and Conservative MP’s who vote the same way. There is a good argument that from both sides of the house they should together to respect the vote to leave”.
On the flip side, Philip Cole for Cheltenham 4 Europe believes, “there’s two for and opposite views here, you are either for Brexit or you’re against it. It’s about policy and beliefs and it’s difficult to find a compromise”.
From a Labour perspective, Ewan Trehearne has the idea that politicians can come together, “of course MP’s and important people in politics are entitled to their own individual opinion, but I think there are sometimes moments where we must step aside and unite to get a good deal”.
Therefore, can the country be mended and the question is open to debate. Whether you voted remain or leave, can the country be mended?
Can the conflict of Brexit possibly be resolved?
There are so many views, conflicting interests and beliefs with the Prime Minister at the centre of everything. The EU believe this is the best possible deal, no more time for negotiations and why would they clearly needing to keep their own interests at heart. In Brussels, Jean-Claude Juncker, Donald Tusk and the 27 EU leaders certainly don’t want other countries to leave.
We to ask ourselves what is happening to our country?
Across all sides of the political spectrum, opinion is divided and across the UK. The feeling is getting restless. After two and a half years of negotiations, the uncertainty and growing amounts of political chaos is causing great swathes of conflict and how it can be resolved is anyone’s guess.