BIRMINGHAM, England—Britain finally has the all clear to hand its official notice to the European Union, but Brexit isn’t done and dusted by a long shot.
After her government faced two legal battles and a white-knuckle ride through Parliament, on March 13 British Prime Minister Theresa May was given authority to sign Article 50, which triggers the Brexit process.
May is expected to sign Article 50 by the end of the month. The United Kingdom then has two years to renegotiate its relationship with the EU. The outcome will determine what Brexit really looks like—and if it delivers the expectations of the 52 percent who voted leave.
Some—including former Prime Minister Tony Blair—believe the public may change their minds as the reality is revealed.
“I accept right now there is no widespread appetite to re-think. But the people voted without knowledge of the terms of Brexit. As these terms become clear, it is their right to change their mind,” Blair said in a speech in London on Feb. 17.
“The one incontrovertible characteristic of politics today is its propensity for revolt. The Brexiteers were the beneficiaries of this wave; now they want to freeze it to a day in June 2016. They will say the will of the people can’t alter. It can. They will say Leaving is inevitable. It isn’t.”
Following the speech, the British press dubbed Blair the “remoaner in chief.” A “remoaner” is a label slapped on those talking negatively about Brexit—a tabloid blend of “Remain” (the slogan of those who voted against Brexit) and “moaner.”