Summary: 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: - Kenneth Armstrong on the Cooper-Letwin Article 50 extension proposal Further Learning: - The last time we talked about Brexit… - The Fate of Theresa May - Who is Jeremy Corbyn? - The Next Referendum? And as ever, recommended reading curated by our friends at the LRB can be found here: lrb.co.uk/talking <br><hr><p style="color: grey;">See <a style="color: grey;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://acast.com/privacy">acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>
