In June of 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum over the issue of whether or not they should leave the European Union. The vote had a very high turnout, with 52% of citizens electing to leave the European Union. More than three years later, the United Kingdom has failed to approve any of the negotiated deals with the European Union due to the chaos in Parliament (they have had three different prime ministers since the referendum). They have already received two extensions to negotiate a Brexit deal that satisfies the majority of Parliament.

Source: Vox

So, why has there been such a delay in passing a deal with the European Union in the British parliament? Because there is a split in Parliament between two very distinct avenues for leaving the European Union. There is a “no-deal” or hardline Brexit, where Britain leaves the European Union completely and would likely destroy the British economy. This is the avenue most favored by the Conservative party and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Labour party, conversely, is in favor of a “soft” Brexit, where the United Kingdom would essentially remain a part of the European Union. In an attempt to force a no-deal Brexit, Prime Minister Boris Johnson went to the Queen to suspend Parliament in the weeks leading up to the October 31 deadline. The Queen approved his request (so as not to cause a constitutional crisis in the United Kingdom,) however the Supreme Court ruled that Prime Minister Johnson acted unlawfully and Parliament resumed.

Source: The Mercury News

Currently, the deadline for the United Kingdom to agree upon the newly negotiated deal with the European Union is October 31 of 2019. However, when the deadline to vote upon the deal (October 19) passed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to send a request to the European Union asking for another extension till January of 2020. There was no vote held on October 19 because members of parliament passed a law stating that they cannot vote upon the deal until the legislation to incorporate the deal for the United Kingdom is passed. When Prime Minister Johnson attempted to reintroduce the deal in parliament today, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow ruled that he could not do so as it would be “repetitive and disorderly.”

Source: The New York Times

In my opinion, a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous for the United Kingdom and the ramifications would mostly affect them, not the European Union. Many businesses have begun to think about leaving the United Kingdom, with its own government projecting that the British economy would fall “between 4% and 9% depending on how they leave.” Furthermore, there is the issue with borders, whether they will remain relatively open for citizens in the European Union and whether or not to close down the Northern Ireland border. Moreover, Scotland was highly in favor of staying within the European Union and is currently debating whether or not to leave the United Kingdom. Overall, the United Kingdom does not stand to gain from its departure with the European Union. I believe that the first referendum was not well-done as it was rushed and a lot of false information was spread leading up to the vote. At this point, it would be in Britain’s best interest to hold a second referendum, likely resulting in a decision to remain within the European Union.