Watercolour Illustration showing a Bulldog and chalk outline of a body

As disappointment sets in, the search for a culprit will begin writes Tom Wainwright Britain editor, The Economist

Brexiteers said March 29th 2019 would be celebrated as Britain’s independence day. Red, white and blue bunting would line the streets to mark the country’s escape from the European Union after 46 years under its thumb. The terms of the divorce would be heavily in Britain’s favour, because in its negotiations with Brussels it would “hold all the cards”, as one cabinet minister put it. There would be “no downside…only a considerable upside”, another claimed.

Yet come Brexit day, Britain will not be celebrating but sulking. Assume the country leaves the EU in an orderly way (messier, though less likely, possibilities range from crashing out without a deal to holding a second referendum). Even those who voted Leave will feel short- changed. The version of Brexit they were sold, in which Britain would keep most of the benefits of EU membership without its costs, will bear little resemblance to the painful compromise they will get. To many it will feel like betrayal. March 29th will mark the start of a search for someone to blame. Whodunnit?

More information at www.economist.com

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