Baffled by Brexit? You’re not alone.
Two British staffers and one confused American staffer talk Brexit in a group message.
Rebecca Asoulin (engagement editor, representing the 99 percent of people confused by Brexit): Hey, Simon. How’s the future?
Simon Montlake (Brexit reporter, Brit): Hi, it’s March 30th and Brexit has happened.
In the end Britain left the European Union without a deal. Nothing could be agreed on time, and there was lots of finger pointing about who was to blame.
People stocked up on food and so far the day has started normally, no sign of panic, but more police on the streets. Still, life goes on.
Does that sound like a plausible future, Peter?
Peter Ford (senior global correspondent, Brit): Perhaps you are being unnecessarily alarmist. Your future is quite conceivable, but there are other possible futures.
For a start, British Prime Minister Theresa May might manage to strike a last minute deal with the European Union on the terms of an exit agreement and get it through Parliament by March 29th. The prospect of Britain falling off the edge of a cliff in a ‘no deal’ Brexit might concentrate Parliament’s mind.
And there is also a strong chance that London will run out of time, as you suggest, and simply ask Brussels for more time to work out a solution. The EU would probably agree, it doesn’t
