After a historic landslide win, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated his Brexit promise and stated that Britain will retain control of their trade, money and borders.
Following a crushing election victory on Friday, Mr Johnson assured his Conservative backers that the UK would exit the European Union by the end of January 2020. The win was a “powerful new mandate to get Brexit done” Mr Johnson said at his victor’s speech on Friday.
Deputy director general of the CBI, Josh Hardie, embraced the hope of an end to the three-year issue because “a government with a mandate and a strong majority brings a bit more certainty”.
The British PM is expected to bring his Brexit deal to Parliament this week.
If the current withdrawal agreement is approved by Parliament, it will initiate an arduous transition during which the UK and EU are scheduled to work out a future deal. On Friday, EU Council President Charles Michel said that he “expected a vote on the withdrawal agreement” as quickly as possible.
When this period ends on 31 December next year, the UK is scheduled to leave the EU’s single market and customs union and begin the new agreements. While the British PM has often stated this period will not go beyond the end of next year, there remains a doubt as to whether an extensive deal can be agreed upon before then.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that conferring a deal in a short time span would be demanding.
Former European commission official Mujtaba Rahman said: “The commission hasn’t fully agreed how best to handle phase two, but it still wants to prioritise talks.” He continued that prolonging the exit would just provoke the UK.
Around the UK, the Scottish National Party has fought for an independent Scotland for years. After her party’s impressive win securing 48 of 59 Scottish seats, party leader Nicola Sturgeon stated the win indicated that most of the Scottish people had a different future desired than Brexit.
Northern Ireland has its own political agendas split between the Irish nationalist and British unionist ties. In recent times, political plates have shifted with many lawmakers agreeing to unite with Ireland instead of remaining as part of Britain. Jonathan Powell, chief British negotiator during Northern Ireland’s 1998 peace treaty, told the BBC: “Once you put a border between the UK and Northern Ireland, the latter is going to be part of a united Ireland for economic (and political) purposes.”
Sir Ed Davey, interim co-leader of the Liberal Democrats, brushed off Mr Johnson’s “One Nation” Brexit plan. “He wants to put a border down the Irish Sea and pursue policies which alienate Scottish people. If it is one nation Toryism, then we are in trouble.”
The Conservatives secured 364 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons and a convenient majority of 74 seats. It is their best election feat since Margaret Thatcher in 1987.