The Brexit chaos

Slate - EU officials are now reportedly preparing for the possibility that Britain will ask for an extension. This could be granted, though it would have to be agreed on unanimously by EU member states. But even with unlimited time, it’s not at all clear that May, or whoever might replace her, could come up with a “better” deal than the one rejected .

The main sticking point is that no side of this debate wants to impose a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. To avoid this, under May’s proposal, the entire United Kingdom would remain in a customs union with the EU for at least a 21-month transition period after leaving the union. Nobody is a fan of this, since Britain would be bound to economic and legal policies that it no longer has a role in shaping and would be unable to negotiate its own trade deals. After the 21 months, if no solution to the Northern Irish dilemma is agreed to, Northern Ireland would remain in the customs union when the rest of the U.K. exits. Many Conservatives, particularly May’s Unionist coalition allies, are aghast at this solution, since it would effectively economically separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the country.

Renewed enthusiasm is growing among some MPs in both parties for a “Norway-style” Brexit deal that would leave Britain with a much closer economic relationship with Europe, though it’s not clear this would satisfy Brexit supporters given that the country wouldn’t have full control over immigration policy—one of the key selling points of the whole Brexit concept. There’s also the possibility of a new referendum: Thousands of “people’s vote” supporters cheered outside Parliament as May’s deal was voted down on Tuesday. But this is still a tough sell for MPs of all parties from districts whose constituents supported Brexit and would see a do-over as a betrayal.