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TALKING POLITICS

Endgame?

Feb 28, 2019
30:10

We weigh up where we've reached with Brexit, now that the big choices can't be avoided for much longer. Is a second referendum any more likely than it was a week ago? What terms will the EU demand for an extension of article 50? And can May finally prevail? With Helen Thompson and Chris Bickerton.


Talking Points:

  • Are we finally approaching the endgame on Brexit? The sequence became more clear this week: 1) a vote on May’s deal; 2) A vote on no deal; 3) A vote for an extension
  • The case for an extension remains unclear: the EU states will want something concrete.
  • Kenneth Armstrong thinks that the key question around an extension is whether it would last 3 months or 2 years. What the extension would mean is also an open question.
  • What would happen if May’s deal went down? Neither side has an alternative.
  • David thinks that there are only two possible outcomes at this point: May’s deal or a general election
  • Although Helen argues that this logic leaves the EU out of the equation.
  • Even the Financial Times is talking about a second referendum, but how would you actually get the legislation through Parliament?
  • Chris says that Corbyn’s strategy seems to be to edge Brexit over the line while distancing Labour and himself from it.
  • The withdrawal and the political agreement still contain a lot of possibilities for a harder or softer Brexit.


Mentioned in this Episode:


Further Learning:


And as ever, recommended reading curated by our friends at the LRB can be found here: lrb.co.uk/talking

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