United Kingdom: Deal or no deal, the EU is in control of Brexit

Having been deeply involved in the Brexit debate from the very outset FedEE has recently disengaged from the debate. This is because all the central players in the UK fail to realise that the UK’s departure from EU Membership on October 31st, with or without a deal, is no longer in their hands. It is the European Union – principally the European Commission and Council of Ministers – who have the power to allow the UK to remain in the EU, or leave it. The current UK debate is entirely stale and it is irrelevant what any UK court decides – especially as there is no written UK constitution. Voting not to leave the EU without a deal will have no affect on the departure unless the EU gives the UK more time – and there is no indication that this will be given whilst the UK has its current Prime Minister.