Tabnak - Less than a year after the Brexit referendum results shower the desire of the most British citizens to leave the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May formally started the exit process. This is while she faces an increased pressure from the Scottish who had rejected Brexit and now want to pursue their own independent path.
BBC reported earlier today that British Prime Minister Theresa May has triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty starting a two year countdown to the UK's exit.
Britain's ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, hand-delivered a six page letter from May to EU Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels to formally begin divorce proceedings. It follows last June's referendum which resulted in a vote to leave the EU.
In a statement in the House of Commons, the prime minister is to tell MPs this marks "the moment for the country to come together". She will promise to "represent every person in the whole United Kingdom" during the negotiations - including EU nationals, whose status after Brexit has yet to be settled.
In an analytical report, the Washington Post focuses on the possible impacts of Brexit process, noting that Britain could be forced to reorient its economy — the world’s fifth largest — if it loses favorable terms with its biggest trade partner. It also may not survive the departure in one piece, with Scotland threatening to bolt.
At the same time, the European Union, which for decades has only expanded its integrative reach across a continent long divided, faces perhaps an even greater existential threat. If Britain is allowed to get a good deal, other countries that are already contemplating their own departures could speed toward the exits.
However, within the abovementioned points, it seems that the Scotland issue is more urgent for London to pay attention to. In fact, just hours before Britain started the formal Brexit process, Scotland’s Parliament underscored one of the risks along that path by voting to demand a new referendum on Scottish independence.
By a vote of 69 to 59, members of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh approved plans to request a referendum on independence that could take place just before Britain completes its withdrawal from the European Union.
The New York Times notes that the timing has already been rejected by Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain, who must agree to any legally binding referendum on Scotland’s future.
Nevertheless, the Scottish Parliament’s vote sets the stage for a constitutional tussle between London and Edinburgh, and it illustrates the far-reaching, and destabilizing, consequences of Britain’s divisive decision in June to withdraw from the European Union.
