<No.737> |
Fears of Street Riots as British Economy Takes Brexit Hit
|
|
For decades,
Britain has been used
as a gateway to Europe
by Japanese firms.
Nissan's decision
to move production of its X-trail SUV back to Japan
has been met with dismay.
"It concerns me
that they have noted the uncertainty
around Brexit
and I think
that is a serious signal
to all of us in Parliament
that now is the time
to resolve that uncertainty."
As Britain's ties stumble,
Japan and the European Union are celebrating a trade deal
that will cover a third of global GDP.
Visiting Tokyo Monday,
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said
a Brexit deal was still possible.
The threat of a no deal Brexit is growing starker
by the day.
Government contingency plans
leaked to British media
purportedly entail evacuating the Royal Family
from Buckingham Palace.
Worst-case scenarios include rioting on the streets
amid food and medicine shortages,
as waste export restrictions create mountains of garbage.
"Obviously it's a very complicated scenario,
which entails incredible implications
for citizens, for businesses
on both sides of the Channel.
But the other option is to rethink the Withdrawal Agreement.
But not entirely -
it's just about arranging the process
(that) might lead the Withdrawal Agreement
to finally find a majority in the Houses."
That might not be enough.
Britain is demanding changes
to the so-called "Irish backstop,"
which seeks to keep Britain tied to EU rules
until a trade deal is in place -
aimed at preventing a hard border
between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland,
which will become the EU's external border.
A reminder
that the current deadlock is just the beginning
of Britain's recasting its relationship
with a changing Europe -
a process
that could take years,
if not decades.
Henry Ridgwell for VOA News, London
|
|
|
|