So today the day is upon us that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union. A historic day which has been marked with mixed celebrations across the country and the minting of a new 50 pence piece. But what does it mean in reality?
In essence, very little will change in the coming months as the UK moves through its transition period to December 2020. No longer will the UK have voting rights in the Council or have MPs sitting in the European Parliament but the major issues of the free movement of people and goods will continue undisturbed until a withdrawal agreement is agreed.
I had written previously that I would be surprised if by January 31st 2020 a true Brexit had taken place and much work is still required. I argue that so far all this step has really achieved is the partial appeasement of the conflictive and emotional situation which has divided the British public since the referendum of 2016. Due to a Conservative majority in Parliament Boris Johnson will be confident that he can push through Brexit to completion but some important issues still need to be agreed and it remains unknown whether significant changes regarding immigration or trade will take place.
Thus, eleven more months of political debate and negotiation is on the horizon and despite today's billing as the day the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, 'Brexit Day' is just another chapter in this long running saga.
