Brexit will be replaced by Britstay

Britain seems to be facing a crisis as how to implement the 2016 referendum endorsing its withdrawal from the European Union.

Although British Prime Minister Theresa May is managing to hang on, her agreement with the EU for an orderly Brexit is facing opposition from backbenchers of her own Conservative Party.

The proposal May negotiated with the EU would require all of the United Kingdom to remain bound to the EU customs union for years after the March 29 Brexit deadline.

This would last until the U.K. and the EU can agree on a plan to avoid installing border controls between the Republic of Ireland (a member of the EU) and Northern Ireland (a part of Britain).

Border controls might undermine the Easter Agreement which calls for free movement between the two parts of Ireland.

Facing the prospect of a defeat, May said on Dec. 10 that she would postpone a parliamentary vote on her plan for leaving the European Union, throwing the process into disarray. A vote may be held by Jan. 21, but it is uncertain.

To complicate the matter, many who voted for Brexit are having second thoughts. In a news report: “In a Pro-Brexit City, Doubts Arise,” the New York Times reported on Dec. 15 that two years after the referendum in which 61 percent of the people of the northeastern city of Sunderland voted to leave the European Union, recent polls have shown a cooling of attitudes toward withdrawal.

Many have come to doubt the promises of the Brexit campaign, including new trade deals, an infusion of money into the healthcare system and complete independence from the European Union. Now nothing seems to be certain.

Sunderland is also the site of a Nissan car plant — Britain’s largest — which exports more than half of its cars to other European Union countries. After Nissan hinted at pulling investments following the referendum, the government assured to protect the carmaker from any negative economic impact. Still the doubt remains.

Many in Sunderland say they are mindful that northeastern England has received considerable funding from the EU — more than 426 million pounds, or about $445 million, from 2014 to now. All these are at stake now.

In 2016, the United Kingdom voted narrowly to withdraw from the EU in a highly controversial referendum. The Brexit campaign made some unrealistic promises to further their cause. Now Prime Minister Theresa May finds herself in a bind.

Her threat of a no-deal Brexit has also backfired as a parliamentary majority have rejected such a proposition.

As a result, the British Parliament might be forced hold a second referendum — asking voters to choose either May’s deal or the status quo of Britain to stay within the EU. This time Britstay will win in a landslide.