Brexit fiasco is a cautionary tale about trying to unravel complex systems
The technical challenges inherent in the process were underestimated, and May’s red lines added to the complications
Brexit has become a political and constitutional fiasco due to a flawed process and lack of leadership. Brexit was to have taken place on March 29. This did not happen. The European Council granted the UK an extension until April 12, and then a second extension until October 31 to secure parliamentary support for a withdrawal agreement. The prospects do not look good. Not knowing if or when the UK will leave the EU, or what the future UK-EU relationship will be, creates grave policy uncertainty for business. Before the British general election of 2015, David Cameron had promised a referendum on UK membership of the EU. As prime minister, he made good on this promise. The June 23 2016 referendum set in motion the Brexit process. The referendum question was simply: “Should the UK remain a member of the EU or leave the EU?” Just under 52% of British voters supported the leave option. The Leavers campaigned primarily on issues related to sovereignty and migration. The Remain campaign f...
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