Brexit could be delayed until 2021, EU sources reveal [View all]

[Denzil_DC]

Brexit could be delayed until 2021 under plans being explored by the EU’s most senior officials, at a time of growing exasperation over Theresa May’s handling of the talks, the Guardian can reveal.

A lengthy extension of the negotiating period is gaining traction as the EU’s default position should the Commons continue to reject May’s deal, and a request emerge.

Replacing the 21-month transition period with extra time as a member state would allow the UK and the EU to develop their plans for the future relationship with the aim of making the contentious Irish backstop redundant.

Brussels is determined to avoid offering a short extension only to have to revisit the issue in the summer when the government again fails to win round parliament.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/24/brexit-could-be-delayed-until-2021-eu-sources-reveal

I can hear the frantic squawking from the hardline Leavers as I type.

The three-month deadline extension that's been floated elsewhere sounded worse than useless, so this seems like an eminently sensible suggestion that would allow time for a possible second referendum, a general election/new party leaderships to emerge, and if Brexit's to go ahead, the government to do all the preparatory work it appallingly failed to do over the last 30 months or so. Which means it probably won't happen.

It's something of a shame that this has been "leaked" as a suggested position of the EU, as that's going to set Leaver hackles on edge with a vengeance.