UK should take more time to reflect on its separation from EU

The UK and the EU are locked in an acrimonious “divorce” controversy called Brexit, whose final shape and form remains in a state of limbo pending the resolution of some complications that developed along the way.

London had petitioned for and decided on this "divorce" more than two years ago, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then.

From the looks of things, the "divorce" terms are going to be hard for both sides and the date for the final dissolution of the partnership is March 29, 2019; only eight months from now. As the usual divorce narratives go, when the partners cannot agree on the final settlement conditions, the wise thing to do is to avoid a crisis by putting off the date of the divorce until another time in the future, after a cooling off period. Besides, divorces are never win-win situations, and both sides would walk out with lingering bad tastes that do not seem to go away.

Against this backdrop, it would make more sense if British Prime Minister Theresa May takes more time to reflect on this separation from the EU, since the implications could be very dire and far-reaching, economically and financially, to her country.

A trial period in the form of a separation is always better than a one shot divorce. Reconciliation should not be ruled out either. The business community in the UK is up in arms against the "divorce" from the EU, and when the economic and financial implications are taken on board, the breakup of the UK from the EU would lose sense and justification.

The remedy contemplated in this case, Brexit, is worse than the problem. Ending a relationship is the easy, or rather the cowardly way out! One of the main concerns of London has been control over its borders, as it fears the free entrance not of the nationals of the other members of the EU but, and even more so, the free access of migrants to its territory.

Since the main concerns of the UK can be addressed on an ad hoc basis and without the surgical breakup of its union with the other European capitals, Prime Minister May would be well advised to deal with these concerns head on rather than seek a complete "divorce" from the EU nations.

Divorces are never a solution and they always leave sour consequences. Offering the UK citizens another occasion to express themselves on Brexit may still offer an amicable way out for all sides. After all, well intentioned people often change their minds, and most probably for a good reason. The past two years can be viewed as a cooling off period, a period for reflection. Who knows, the British people may, indeed, have changed their verdict.