How will this all affect Brexit?

[Lelophants]

I'm just curious! I can't even contemplate it now but I'm sure some smart people here have.

[vera99]

Will, there even be a functioning EU after all this, I doubt it and I'm a starch remainer. Sadly the world seems to be going down the route of look after yourself and beggar you neighbour which are profoundly Brexit positions.

[crazydiamond222]

I received this message from the government the other day in response to a petition to extend the transition period. It appears they are still living in cloud cuckoo land:

'The transition period ends on 31 December 2020, as enshrined in UK law. The Prime Minister has made clear he has no intention of changing this. We remain fully committed to negotiations with the EU.

We will not be extending the transition period – we will be recovering economic and political independence at the end of the year, which the British people voted for.

The transition period ends on 31 December 2020. The end date of the transition period is enshrined in UK law. Section 15A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 prohibits the Government from agreeing to an extension of the transition period.

The UK remains fully committed to the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU. However, in light on the current situation, the structure of negotiations has had to change and instead take place between the negotiating teams remotely. Last week, the UK held a series of conference calls, both sides discussed and provided technical clarifications on their respective legal texts and we have held conversations with the Commission to consider next steps. In the coming weeks we hope to have agreed a timetable for the negotiations by remote means in April and May. We remain committed to working closely with the devolved administrations (DAs) throughout negotiations with the EU to ensure a future relationship that works in the interests of the whole of the UK.

The first meeting of the Withdrawal Joint Committee (WAJC) was held as planned on 30 March. This meeting was held via teleconference, in line with the latest Government guidance, and is a good example of how we can continue our work on implementing the Withdrawal Agreement during this time.

We will, of course, continue to be guided by scientific advice about what is right for our workforce as we seek to develop these options'

[The80sweregreat]

Good question! Brexit hasn't been mentioned for weeks on the news. It might have been in the papers , but I've not seen anything myself.
I can imagine it will go ahead but I've no idea when anyone will be in a position to talk trade deals. Our PM will be out of action for a while recovering : the rest of Europe have bigger things to worry about too.
I hope they forget the whole thing but I'm sure the brexiteers won't let it drop that easily pandemic or no pandemic.
Has anyone else read anything ?

[vera99]

There is a good think piece in the Guardian today that has this to say...

In the same vein, Boris Johnson has been forced to unleash the state, but the impact in Britain seems more noticeable on civil society than politics. The famously standoffish British are no longer bowling alone. The sense of communal effort, the volunteer health workers, the unBritish clapping on doorsteps, all add to the sense that lost social capital is being reformed. But there is not yet much discussion of a new politics. Perhaps the nation, exhausted by Brexit, cannot cope with more introspection and upheaval.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/11/coronavirus-who-will-be-winners-and-losers-in-new-world-order

[crazydiamond222]

This was the petition on extending the transition period in light of coronavirus in case anyone is interested. It is still open for signatures
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300412

[HMSSophie]

Quite frankly CV has exposed Tory incompetence, and GB public's thickness, and the interconnected world, to suck an extent the whole fucking debacle should be cancelled.

[Emcont]

Does anyone really give a toss at the minute?

[TheWordWomanIsTaken]

Emcont
Yes we do Why wouldn't we? Most normal people can care about more than one thing at once.
I think this pathetic excuse of a government will stomp ahead with Brexit as this pandemic is the perfect cloak for the financial meltdown that Brexit would cause.

[GCAcademic]

Does anyone really give a toss at the minute?

Well, the economic and supply-chain impact of No Deal Brexit at the end of the year, on top of the destruction wreaked by this virus is something to seriously worry about. The government is adamant that there won't be an extension to the transition period, but realistically there is not enough time now to negotiate anything.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

Boris the buffoon and his moronic cronies are so wedded to the Brexit timetable that no reason would persuade them to delay it.
I except we will leave as planned and make a bad situation worse.

[OhCrumbsWhereNow]

We have already left the EU so Brexit in that sense is done and dusted.

The transition period can only be extended for a maximum of up to 1 or 2 years so anyone thinking it can all be cancelled and UK stay in the EU hasn’t understood how it works.

It would be better to deal with the fallout from CV19 and changes due to either an FTA or a no deal in one go, rather than try and reset and then still only have 6-12 months to do a deal and make necessary changes.

Those working on the negotiations are not involved in anything else, so not as if it takes away from the CV19 response.

Unless the EU backtracks on their insistence on ECJ oversight, the chances of anything but a very barebones mini deal are slim whenever the decision comes.

[BunsyGirl]

The transition period may be extended but it is going to be very interesting to see what happens to the EU as a whole. Italy and Spain are in a right old mess. How are the other EU nations going to deal with this?

[VivaLeBeaver]

My brother reckons that brexit will now be the best thing to happen to the uk (and he was a remainer). He reckons we now won’t have to help the likes of Italy, etc get back on their feet.

I pointed out it might be us that need help to get back on our feet but he’s adamant the uk will be fine.

[vera99]

The selfish bugger your neighbour may just be the saving grace for Brexit - but the problem with that as 2 world wars that started in Europe bear out - you pay a huge price down the line. A dystopian future is looking ever more likely sadly.