By Ben Kerrigan-
The moment for extending Brexit beyond its scheduled date has passed, Michael Gove said today. The will not extend Brexit beyond the original date of Dec. 31.
“We have informed the EU today that we will not extend the transition period,” U.K. Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove tweeted. “The moment for extension has now passed.”
Gove’s tweet is an expression of determination that an extension is not necessary , but that the UK will be ready to go through with Brexit come what may. Whether that means the UK will thrive with or without an extension, or that we will cross that bridge when we get there is what we don’t all know. It is hoped the government at least believe the former.
The message coming out from Boris Johnson’s government is that the UK will be ready to move on with Brexit and start 2021 feeling on top of things. This will have to mean that the government has an answer for all the sticky issues that require a deal moving forward. The public will want to hear them.
The only delay the government is prepared to consider is the implementation of full-scale border controls for goods entering Great Britain from Europe until July. Controls will instead be gradually introduced in three phases.
Mr Gove said Britain would now phase in changes so businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic can have the “time to adjust”
The U.K left the EU on Jan. 31 and was dealing with the transition phase of the separation when the pandemic took over and became a dominant matter of interest.
The EU was open to an extension after requests from Wales and Scotland , but Gove opted against it, maintaining the prime minister’s original stance for the final departure date to remain the same.
Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier reacted to the decision not to extend the deadline.“To give every chance to the negotiations, we agreed to intensify talks in the next weeks and months,” he said
The announcement reduces the chance of a deal, which could worsen the damage associated with the economic losses from Covid-19 about which Britain has not yet recovered from Boris Johnson and his team may have a tick or two up their sleeves for making them feel confident that the UK will be fine with or without a deal.
Many experts predict gloom in a no deal scenario, but this British government believes the country will be fine whether a deal materialises or not.
Johnson is expected to meet European Commission President other EU leaders on Monday to discuss the continuity of Brexit arrangements, but EU leaders have always displayed a level of defiance in the face of all proposals made in the past. Britain has been accused of making irrational requests but EU leaders have been perceived to making it completely difficult for a deal to be struck.
The decision not to extend the date of the UK leaving the EU means negotiators have just six months to get it right. Brexit must work out for the British people if it is to be the direction for future generations.