Brexit: Crunch time for PM May

LONDON: Buffeted by demands from hardliners at home and tough negotiators in Brussels, Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday sought unity among her cabinet colleagues, while EU leaders said the worst case scenario of a no-deal Brexit is now more likely. Among several intractable issues is the future relationship between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and geographically contiguous Ireland both bound together by more than history, economy, politics and culture as well as conflict.

After Brexit – due to come into effect on March 29, 2019 – the UK will share a border with a European Union country (Ireland), but strong reservations on the way forward on both sides have so far prevented any agreement.

To avoid a hard border, May’s Chequers plan envisages a “common rulebook” with the EU, which is strongly opposed by hardliners, who interpret it as keeping the UK in hock to Brussels. The EU is keen to retain Northern Ireland in the customs union and the single market, which is seen as challenging the unity of the UK.

There was a sense of urgency in London on Tuesday due to the scheduled meeting of EU leaders in Luxembourg on Wednesday, when a more advanced version of the withdrawal agreement is to be reached. However, some cabinet ministers met on Monday night to discuss the impasse over Brexit amid calls from former Brexit secretary David Davis for them to rebel against May over her Chequers plan.