Two more sleeps to Brexit. But where's the drama, Boris?

That date is (almost) upon us. Brexit delayed isn't Brexit denied.

By Vicky Kapur (From the Executive Editor's Desk)

Published: Wed 29 Jan 2020, 9:30 PM

This time it's for real. The clock is ticking and Friday, January 31 (it's the day after) will mark the official exit of Britain from the European Union (EU). What a journey it has been since the June 23, 2016, referendum, in which a surprise majority (wafer-thin but a majority, nevertheless) told the government to 'leave' the EU. The political upheaval has, so far, claimed the heads of two British Prime Ministers (David Cameron and Theresa May) while installing an 'unlikely hero' Boris Johnson at the helm of the Conservative Party and as the British PM.

While the UK was initially supposed to leave at 11pm on March 29, 2019, the House of Commons could not agree with the EU on the terms of the deal, which led to a series of delays. By the first week of June, having failed to convince the House to accept her deal and get Brexit done, May resigned as the head of the Conservative Party, with Boris 'no if, no buts' Johnson winning the contest and becoming PM on July 24, 2019. Even Boris, who was as keen as one can be to exit on October 31 could not meet that deadline which was pushed to January 31. That date is (almost) upon us. Brexit delayed isn't Brexit denied.

One thing, however, which was in more than ample supply earlier and which has now suddenly gone missing is the drama. No more histrionics, no more dancing-on-the-stage PM, no late-night deal-making or delicate negotiations or teary-eyed speeches or even a hissy fit. none of the dramatics associated with the multi-year Brexit journey is there now. So much so that Megxit seems to have overshadowed Brexit in Google search as well as real life. It's an anti-climax, really. One expected better from Boris, the man who cannot be accused of having a boring personality. What happens next? Oh, wait. Even as January 31 comes (and goes), the drama may yet unfold - as the 11-month transition period gets underway and trade talks resume, there's every reason to expect histrionics, late-night wrangling, suspense, and even a hissy fit or two. Hope Boris doesn't disappoint again.