Indefinite "Leave" to "Remain": another name for Soft Brexit fudge

By George ILIEV
Brexit Metaphor No 24

Britain voted "Leave" in the 2016 referendum and is scheduled to leave the EU on March 29, 2019. The British prime minister, however, is trying to negotiate a Soft Brexit deal under which Britain will remain in the EU Customs Union and possibly in the EU Single Market. The duration of this continuing membership is subject to debate but may well end up being indefinite. So, ironically, "taking back control" will mean that Britain is losing its voting seat at the table, while at the same time trying to keep things running as they are, not to disrupt its economy. From the UK's perspective this compromise solution (commonly known as fudge) sounds like an "indefinite Leave to Remain". While from the EU perspective, given that every member state is wielding a veto on a futre UK-EU trade agreement, the EU position is "leave me if you can".

Leave & Remain vote percentages in 2016 EU referendum (Source: Wikipedia)

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Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a #BrexitMetaphors daily series, with 137 more Brexit Metaphors to follow until Brexit day, March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration.
3. Invitation: If you'd like to contribute to the debate, you are welcome to leave a comment below.