A feeling of stalemate..

So we seem to be in a bit of a stand off at the moment in regards Brexit, and it all seems to revolve around whether Boris will obey the Benn Act or not.

Part of the problem is that since the last deadline was brushed aside so readily the word "deadline" itself has now lost all meaning. No one, on either side, really believes it is a deadline. It can never be the last minute, as more minutes can always just be added.

Of course, this doubles the danger in a way. As if someone does start believing it's a deadline. Or takes advantage of the option to do so. Then the other side will be even less prepared for that than they otherwise would be.

So communication issues are a huge problem. (Or opportunity if you choose to see it that way.)

I have no idea what will happen. I don't even have a good inkling, which is unusual for me.

Apparently, according to Twitter anyway, Dominic Cummings is telling government advisers that if we get a "no" from Brussels this week we'll be gone. No deal. I've actually been reading more of the Cummings blog too. You tend to get a good sense of someone once you've read enough of what they've written (I think). The more I read the more I like him. That doesn't mean that he's right about everything of course, or that people in government will end up listening to him. It does provide some optimism though.

Irish border..

Another thing perhaps worth mentioning now that I think of it is the Irish border issue. Obviously this is the big sticking point at the moment. Personally I believe all the problems are completely solvable and that it's just an unwillingness on the part of remainers to embrace the solutions. Or a deliberate use of the issue to block Brexit full stop.

I do wonder if they're overplaying the issue though in a way that will backfire. I think British people in general are getting quite sick of it. Obviously the blame for the problems in Ireland are often placed on Britain, but whatever the root cause no one alive today can be blamed for the Reformation. So people are starting to think; "why is this our problem?", "why are we constantly getting the blame for what's happening in Ireland?". After all, it's not like Northern Ireland is filled with gold mines or massive oil reserves that are being shipped across the Irish Sea to line English pockets.

So perhaps all this will lead to a unified Ireland in the long run. Not because of the process in Northern Ireland itself, but more because English people will start saying "right, okay Ireland, okay EU, you have the problem. It's yours now. We're off".

It's slightly similar with Scotland. We constantly have to put up with the SNP blaming England for everything, but it just gets annoying and you stop even listening. You almost start willing them to become independent. It's sad really as England has a great shared heritage with Scotland (as all these islands do). I myself am part Scottish. In fact, most people will have forebears coming from all parts of these islands - what about our heritage being destroyed, tut, tut (!) Plus it's a bit silly to crave an independent unified island of Ireland, based on the fact that it is indeed an island, while at the same time dreaming of a dis-unified other island.

Scotland was a huge partner in empire era Britain, and it all had its beginnings pretty much when the Scottish King James VI took the English throne and started ruling English people. So it's never as simple as England bad, Scotland good. Or English bad, Irish good for that matter.

Again though, as I've stated before. Even if England is the big bad heart of the British Empire, and owner of all its failings. Nevertheless, as things stand, and as they have been in recent decades;

Britain is giving sovereignty back to its constituent parts. The EU is taking it away.