As our government navigates the complexity of leaving the EU after 44 years, the harsh reality of the two-year timetable – which shrinks to just 18 months when allowing approximately six months for ratifying any deal – appears to have finally dawned on politicians. We are now being told that more time is needed to settle phase one – people, money and Ireland – so the phase two – negotiating the new relationship and deal – will be pushed back from October 2017 to the December.
That equates to 10 months to negotiate the UK’s future. How will it be possible to have any deal agreed in that time and voted on by the 27 member states? Leaving is in effect a reversion of the accession process which was long and complex.
