In the two years since the referendum, politics in Britain has been framed by questions about how and when we Brexit. But with less than 250 days to go before our EU membership is due to expire, there is still no clarity about what sort of an exit deal might be achievable, how such a deal can get through parliament and whether the government can hold together for long enough to see it through. And so another question is rearing its head: whether to Brexit.
But just as the Brexiteers face formidable challenges in seeing their project through, some almighty obstacles also stand in the way of those who still hope Britain might still be persuaded to remain. Zoe Williams (p18) says the best hope is to embrace the anti-establishment spirit of the 2016 vote, and walk a radical left road back to remain, which would not only mean bold social reforms at home but also working with others in Europe to challenge its institutions. Nick Clegg feels the same urgency (p22) but reads the politics entirely differently; for him, the way to “Remain” begins with shoring up and selling the advantages of the status quo, before working with others in Europe to quell the populist tide by placing limits on immigration.
A host of other authors—including Wolfgang Münchau, Caroline Lucas and Marie Le Conte (p26 to p30)—survey the many and varied frightening, exciting and surprising things that just might start if Brexit stops.