-Public pressure on PM is growing for second Brexit referendum
Despite U.K. Prime Minister’s ongoing efforts to conduct successful Brexit negotiations, growing uncertainty is emerging regarding the country’s exit process. The British media reveals that PM Theresa May is even considering staying in the customs union for the foreseeable future to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
British and EU leaders are expected to further discuss the potential next steps to advance talks to avoid a no-deal scenario following an impasse reached over the Irish border last week. The main disagreement over the border issue has been over an EU-suggested backstop -- keeping Northern Ireland in the EU single market and customs union after Brexit until a solution is found -- creating a border of sorts within the U.K. in the Irish Sea. May has reiterated they will not give in to any solution that would divide the U.K.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Northern Ireland’s biggest political party, has said it would not agree on any final deal that would separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.
The DUP’s support is crucial for the continuation of May’s government after her party lost the majority in Parliament, following a snap election last year. Later, The Tories and the DUP signed a confidence-and-supply deal that effectively means the DUP is keeping the Conservatives in power.
But what is public opinion now?
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in central London on Saturday, Oct. 20 to stage the biggest pro-EU rally to urge the government to hold a second referendum on the final Brexit deal. The protest, which was organized over the past weeks, saw 700,000 people gather starting midday for the biggest anti-Brexit rally since the 2016 referendum.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Conservative MP Anna Soubry, Labour MP Chuka Umunna and the Liberal Democrat Party Leader Vince Cable addressed the crowd after reaching Parliament Square.
May will almost certainly face a domestic impasse as well, as up to 40 Tory MPs signaled that they would trigger a vote of no confidence against her as they think she will not deliver a Brexit that people voted for. In particular, they are against the idea of leaving the country anchored to EU rules and laws without any say in the EU’s decision-making mechanisms.
May is set to also face reservations from the DUP over any possible concession regarding the backstop that the EU says is needed for a final deal.
Britain voted to leave the bloc by 52 percent to 48 percent in a referendum held in June 2016. The U.K. is set to leave the EU in March 2019.
