January 1st 2020

If whatever Brexit shenanigans over the next month extent the Brexit deadline past the first of January, then there will be trouble.

2020 is the time that the secondary parts of the Lisbon treaty kick in, with lots more powers for the EU and  basically after that all nations are locked in, without the ability to exit unilaterally. Which is what the backstop of the withdrawal agreement was only ratifying. No unilateral withdrawal, no article 50. Instead nations will only be able to exit with the acceptance of the majority of nations.

Now I'm not one to spout conspiracies, but I do wonder if the pantomime in Parliament is a smokescreen to get us past that dealing and allow the trap to springs shut. Then our membership of the EU is assured in perpetuity, with no exit possible.