10/2019: Brexit: the Story of a Forewarned Tailspin

The realities that continue to divide the UK after three years

With a little over three weeks to go before the UK faces its moment of truth, the process of delivering Brexit seems anything but clear. Over the past three plus years since the electorate narrowly voted in favor of leaving the European Union (EU) by a 52% to 48% margin, the political climate has significantly deteriorated as opinions have become bitterly polarized. The upside—if there is one—is that by now it is abundantly clearer what Brexit would look like, with and without a deal. Along the way, the UK has seen three Prime Ministers (PM), the overwhelming rejection by Parliament of a negotiated deal and a negotiating team that has repeatedly stumbled in its approach and strategic objectives. The negotiators, however, are not the whole problem. Reality has repeatedly clashed with intent as the process became mired around four key fallacies driving the country’s public debate. Unfortunately, the solution is not easy, but there are a few lessons PR can learn.