Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Brexit? New referendum? What’s at stake in UK vote
UTTOXTER, United Kingdom — Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative party leader Boris Johnsonspeaks during a general election campaign event at JCB construction company in Uttoxeter,Staffordshire, on December 10, 2019. (Photo: AFP)
Business
December 10, 2019

Brexit? New referendum? What’s at stake in UK vote

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain votes tomorrow in a crucial general election that will determine whether the country leaves the European Union next month or sets out a path to potentially reverse Brexit.

Here’s an outline of what could happen:

JOHNSON WINS

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the election after disputes within his own Conservative party and with his Northern Irish allies over Brexit left him unable to command a majority in the House of Commons.

Opinion polls indicate the Tories will win enough Mmembers of parliament (MPs) to get his divorce deal with the EU through Parliament in time for Britain to leave on the next Brexit deadline, January 31.

This would help calm years of turmoil sparked by the 2016 Brexit referendum but is not the end of the story.

Nothing will immediately change, thanks to a transition period intended to ease the shift to a new economic and security partnership with the EU.

Britain will have until December 31, 2020 to strike a new agreement which replaces decades of integration with its closest trading partners.

Most independent experts believe there is not enough time, saying London will have to extend the transition period; but Johnson denies this.

HUNG PARLIAMENT

The main Opposition Labour party is so far behind in opinion polls that few believe it can win outright, but it could secure enough seats to deprive the Conservatives of a majority.

Both Johnson and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn would then likely race to try to show they can govern with the help of other smaller parties.

Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, struck a deal to govern with the help of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), when she missed out on a majority in 2017.

Johnson could try this again but the DUP is opposed to his EU divorce deal, which puts at risk his plan for a smooth Brexit next month.

Labour has said it would try to govern alone, but the Scottish National Party (SNP) has indicated it could be willing to prop up a Corbyn-led government.

The price would be a new referendum on Scottish independence, after Scotland voted to stay part of the United Kingdom by 55 per cent in 2014.

SECOND BREXIT VOTE

Labour has promised to renegotiate Johnson’s Brexit deal and put it to a referendum within six months of taking office.

Corbyn says he will stay neutral but other members of his top team have said they would campaign to stay in the EU.

The SNP opposes Brexit, as do the smaller Liberal Democrats and the tiny Welsh nationalist, Plaid Cymru.

Polls currently show Britons remain divided over Brexit, although the balance has shifted slightly in favour of staying in the EU compared to 2016 when “Leave” won 52 per cent of the vote.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Yung Ras scores a double on Jamaica YouTube Trending chart
Entertainment, Latest News
Yung Ras scores a double on Jamaica YouTube Trending chart
BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer Writer 
December 1, 2025
Recording artiste Yung Ras has scored a double on the Jamaica YouTube Trending chart with Confident and We Shall Rise. Last weekend, Confident rose to...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Global lenders line up US$6.1 billion to support Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery
Latest News
Global lenders line up US$6.1 billion to support Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery
December 1, 2025
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — A coalition of major international financial institutions has pledged up to US$6.1 billion over the next three years...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Latest News, News
WATCH: Edwin Allen High mourns 14-y-o student killed in crash
December 1, 2025
CLARENDON, Jamaica — Students at Edwin Allen High School gathered quietly in their quadrangle on Monday, their faces heavy with grief as they mourned ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Top-notch Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano confirmed for Mouttet Mile in Caymanas Park
Latest News, Sports
Top-notch Venezuelan jockey Javier Castellano confirmed for Mouttet Mile in Caymanas Park
December 1, 2025
Top-notch Venezuelan Jockey Javier Castellano will grace the shores of Jamaica as he is set to ride Phillip Feanny’s RideAllDay in the Mouttet Mile on...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Dr Chang ‘recovering well’ after medical procedure
Latest News, News
Dr Chang ‘recovering well’ after medical procedure
December 1, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, is recovering well after undergoing an electiv...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Minor earthquake felt in St Elizabeth early Monday
Latest News, News
Minor earthquake felt in St Elizabeth early Monday
December 1, 2025
ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — A minor earthquake rattled parts of St Elizabeth early Monday morning, according to a preliminary bulletin from the Earthquake...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Budget-friendly Christmas: 9 ways to prevent overspending this holiday season
Latest News
Budget-friendly Christmas: 9 ways to prevent overspending this holiday season
December 1, 2025
Christmas is the season of giving, but with all its associated expenses, it's also a season that can break the bank, especially this year, as many hou...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
McKenzie fast-tracking temporary facility to replace Trelawny Infirmary
Latest News, News
McKenzie fast-tracking temporary facility to replace Trelawny Infirmary
BY HORACE HINES Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com 
December 1, 2025
FALMOUTH, Trelawny — The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is moving to establish a temporary home for inmates of the Trelawny In...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct