The UK is holding snap elections that could pave the way for Brexit under Prime Minister Boris Johnson or propel Britain towards another referendum that could reverse the decision to leave the European Union. The elections – the third in five years – were called to end the political impasse over the issue.
Johnson called for fresh elections to break the political paralysis that has sapped the British economy. The parliament missed the final October 31 deadline leaving the entire process in a limbo. Johnson was the face of the “Leave’ campaign that favoured Brexit in the 2016 referendum. He has promised to end the deadlock after regaining public confidence.
Johnson’s main opponent is Labour party leader and veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn who has promised another referendum on Brexit along with nationalisation of key services, taxes on wealthy and higher public spending. A win for the Corbyn could reverse the Brexit process and give Britain its most leftist government in decades.
All major polls suggest that Johnson will win but pollsters are unreliable. There are different outcomes with some suggesting a narrow margin and even the biggest landslide for the Conservatives since Margaret Thatcher’s era. The polls were even wrong about the 2016 referendum stunning global financial markets and creating a deadline which still persists.
Boris Johnson has always aspired to be the British prime minister and politically maneuvered all his life for the post. Aside from becoming the prime minister, he has always wanted to be remembered in history. He could be remembered as the man who ended Britain’s four-decade involvement in the European single-market project.
Despite the outcome of the elections, the complex divorce between Britain and EU would linger on. This raises the prospect of a no-deal scenario which could force Britain to crash out of the economic bloc. The EU has indicated that Johnson’s plan to secure a trade deal by December 2020 to smooth relations is unrealistic, leading to even further economic uncertainty.
This current election is dominated by Brexit which has turned political allegiances and shocking results are on the cards. Johnson has lately been riding high on the ‘Get Brexit Done’ slogan and could benefit from voter fatigue along with the torturous political process. Corbyn has called Conservatives as the party of billionaires while Labour represents the many. Britons will be voting for their future as the elections will finally end the Brexit saga.
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