IN THE CENTER RING - Brexit Update

"Ahead of election, British voters grapple with Brexit, division and distrust" PBS NewsHour 12/11/2019

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SUMMARY:  The United Kingdom goes to the polls Thursday in what is being considered the most significant election since the end of World War II.  Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs a clear majority in Parliament to force through a deal for a January Brexit.  But as special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports, British voters have trust issues with both Johnson and Labour rival Jeremy Corbyn.

"With overwhelming Conservative win, Boris Johnson can deliver Brexit" PBS NewsHour 12/12/2019

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SUMMARY:  The United Kingdom has voted in its third parliamentary election since 2015.  The country is sharply divided, and the outcome will result in fundamental changes to British policy for generations to come.  Nick Schifrin reports on what appears to be a decisive Conservative victory, according to exit polls, and talks to Chatham House’s Robin Niblett and CSIS’s Heather Conley about what it means.

IN THE CENTER RING - Brexit Off Ramp

"The EU approved Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan — but will Parliament?" PBS NewsHour 10/17/2019

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SUMMARY:  European Union leaders unanimously backed a Brexit deal with the United Kingdom on Thursday.  The next major hurdle is for British Parliament to approve the agreement -- no easy feat for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.  Nick Schifrin reports and talks to Chatham House’s Robin Niblett about how the deal would handle the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and the outlook for passing it.

"Brexit’s fate unknown after vote to delay agreement with EU" PBS NewsHour 10/19/2019

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SUMMARY:  The fate of Brexit, Britain’s long-running plan to exit the European Union, remains unknown after an extraordinary session in the country's parliament Saturday that ended with a vote to delay a decision on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s negotiated agreement with the EU.  Frank Langfitt, an NPR correspondent and author of, "The Shanghai Free Taxi," joins Alison Stewart from London to discuss.

BREXIT - Johnson Left Stranded

"UK court ruling leaves Johnson with fewer options on Brexit" PBS NewsHour 9/24/2019

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SUMMARY:  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's campaign to leave the European Union hit another roadblock when the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled that his decision to recess parliament was illegal.  Ciaran Jenkins of Independent Television News reports on the details, and John Yang gets analysis on the impact on Brexit from former National Security Council staff Charles Kupchan.

BREXIT - Britain Going Down the Rabbit Hole

"Prolonged Brexit impasse causes rising angst in the UK" PBS NewsHour 3/25/2019

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SUMMARY:  European leaders agreed to delay the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union for at least a few weeks, but there is still no deal for how the withdrawal will occur.  As the impasse drags on, protesters take to the streets and it's clear that “Brexiters” and “Remainers” alike are growing increasingly impatient and uneasy about their country's fate.  Malcolm Brabant reports from Yorkshire.

"On Brexit, Parliament’s only consensus comes as rejection" PBS NewsHour 3/27/2019

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SUMMARY:  British Parliament voted Wednesday on eight proposals for how the United Kingdom should handle a stalled Brexit, yielding no consensus beyond disapproval for exiting the European Union without a deal.  As a result, is the outlook brightening for Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan, which Parliament has rejected twice?  Nick Schifrin talks to Allie Renison of the Institute of Directors for analysis.

"After another failed vote, what’s next for Brexit?" PBS NewsHour 3/29/2019

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SUMMARY:  Parliament rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal for a third time Friday, though by a smaller margin than in the prior two votes.  While May vowed to keep trying to secure her deal’s approval, both the UK government and its people remain divided.  Judy Woodruff talks to Robin Niblett, director of Chatham House a London think tank, about the lack of consensus and May’s outlook.

UNITED KINGDOM - Brexit Goes Down in Flames

As I've said before, Brexit was a very bad idea promoted by extreme nationalism.

"Parliament rejects Brexit deal, leaving May to scramble for a plan B" PBS NewsHour 1/15/2019

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SUMMARY:  Just 10 weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May vowed to press ahead despite the overwhelming rejection of her Brexit deal in Parliament on Tuesday.  If the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, many worry it could plunge the economy in recession or worse.  Special correspondent Ryan Chilcote joins Judy Woodruff for more.