
With everything going on right now, you might have forgotten that (contrary to what the government said earlier this year) Brexit is not officially “done” yet.
The UK is still in a “transition period”, which was widely expected to be extended because of the coronavirus crisis. But now Britain has told the EU it will not seek an extension of the Brexit transition period beyond 31 December, according to Michael Gove.
Gove spoke with European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič and EU negotiator Michel Barnier at the second meeting of the EU-UK Joint Committee on implementing the Withdrawal Agreement, where he reiterated Downing Street's refusal to extend the transition.
BREAKING: Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove has confirmed the UK will not extend the Brexit transition period.… https://t.co/RSKw6u57Eo— Sky News (@Sky News) 1591962066
Experts had previously warned that the initial transition period was far too short in normal circumstances, but factoring in the unexpected pandemic it seems even more ambitious. Lots of people are now worrying that a no-deal Brexit is even more likely.
With this in mind, people aren’t happy that the government has decided against adding a few months to the transition to accommodate the very unusual circumstances we’re currently in.
This is despite the fact that well-known Brexiteers have said they thought extending the transition period is "inevitable" and were fine with that.
I now think it is inevitable the Brexit transition period will be extended and as a Brexiteer I am cool with this.… https://t.co/SfOivA3NMb— Isabel Oakeshott (@Isabel Oakeshott) 1586517102
Many think the Tories are now putting “politics ahead of peoples’ lives”.
Not extending the transition period is simply a wrong political decision - based on pure ideology instead of the wi… https://t.co/Hrb7hLq9bj— Terry Reintke (@Terry Reintke) 1591976477
There is a crass logic of any Brexiter who thinks that the lockdown must end to save our economy but wants the UK t… https://t.co/YDZD58BiOY— James Melville (@James Melville) 1592033143
Why don’t the government realise altering the decision not to extend the transition period isn’t a sign of weakness… https://t.co/3JYkknhRhi— Vegandyary 🏴 🏴 🏳️🌈 🌱 (@Vegandyary 🏴 🏴 🏳️🌈 🌱) 1592039255
The Government is putting ideology over national interest by delaying my Brexit extension bill 👇 https://t.co/R4KjTVPvKN— Ed Davey MP 🔶 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Ed Davey MP 🔶 🇬🇧 🇪🇺) 1591978089
Worst fears confirmed. This Government is simply more concerned with politics and ideology than peoples lives and l… https://t.co/DgkBdpEAWX— Layla Moran 🔶 (@Layla Moran 🔶) 1591962498
It's an unwelcome reminder that, beyond the pandemic, the uncertainty of Brexit looms.