More Brexit May-hem.

Theresa May must seek an extension to Article 50 (the process a country must follow to leave the EU) before the 12th of April, to avoid leaving without a withdrawal deal with the EU. If her deal had been passed last Friday, the UK could have received an extension until the 22nd of May to arrange paperwork, and May would have agreed to stand down as Prime Minister, but this is no longer possible. This leaves the UK with an increased probability of a no-deal Brexit. A Brexit without a deal would mean the UK leaving the EU on the 12th of April, using World Trade Organisation rules to trade with countries both in and out of the EU.

Tomorrow MPs will vote on alternatives to the deal May proposed. I asked the Labour Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Morden, Siabhain Macdonagh, several questions regarding the muddled state of UK politics:

Do you believe that if Theresa May were to resign, it would do good for the country?

“On issue after issue, from Universal Credit to the deeply flawed hostile environment policy which led to the Windrush Scandal, Theresa May's Conservative Government has proven itself to be entirely unfit to hold office. When the Leader of the Opposition held a vote of no confidence in the Government earlier this year, I voted against the Government and I would do so again.

Of course, when most people speak of Theresa May resigning now, what they really seem to be asking is whether her departure could break the impasse in the Brexit process. What is clear is that Theresa May has now put her Brexit deal before Parliament three times now, and three times it has been heavily defeated, but the Prime Minister's departure alone would not change the make-up of Parliament. Without a general election, her resignation would simply mean the same Conservative Government being led by a different individual - possibly one more unpalatable than Theresa May. “

What would be your response to the use of an excerpt from an old speech by the former Brexit Secretary, David Davis, “If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy”, as an argument for a second referendum?

“I think that the quote you have shared from the former Brexit Secretary is incredibly sensible; the power of the people to choose is what makes a democracy a democracy. I couldn't help but notice that David Davis, formerly an opponent of the Prime Minister's deal, happened to change his mind and decided to vote in favour of it both at the second Meaningful Vote and again [Friday] afternoon. If he and so many of his Conservative colleagues in Parliament are able to change their minds, why does he not feel that the people of Britain should be offered the same opportunity?”

Would you deem stockpiling in preparation for Brexit to be ridiculous?

“I think it is deeply, deeply sad and telling of this Government's chaotic and inept handling of Brexit that some British people have been made to feel it is necessary for them to begin stockpiling foodstuffs and crucial medicines. A no-deal scenario would lead to unprecedented chaos, rendering long-established and vitally important supply chains unworkable overnight. Until this option is taken off the table by the Prime Minister, many, many people will continue to feel that their future and the future of this country is deeply insecure.”

Is there a great chance May’s deal will be approved by the 12th of April?

“This is an unprecedented and critical moment in our national politics. It has been repeatedly been made clear by votes in Parliament that there is no majority in favour of leaving the EU without a deal in place; this is certainly a relief. Particularly over the past week we have seen a number of very determined Eurosceptics reluctantly come to support the Prime Minister's deal for fear that the could lose Brexit altogether. At this point in time, particularly after having been defeated in Parliament for a third time today, I find it difficult to see how the Prime Minister could succeed in having her deal approved before 12 April.”

Her answers convey her belief that the Government’s handling of Brexit has been poor and that a second referendum should be held.

Although this past week has been confusing, it is clear that Brexit has left May’s government in chaos.