Dr Sarah Wolff, Director of the Centre for European Research was interviewed by Radio Canada on 15 January. In her view the defeat of Theresa May's Brexit deal in Parliament marks the beginning of the end of Brexit. She argued that the most possible scenario is that Theresa May requests more time to the EU to find a domestic solution. She explained that the options left were becoming increasingly limited but that from the perspective of Europeans, while they might agree to give more time to the UK, their objective would be to pressure the UK government to find a solution before the European elections.
Dr Wolff believes that Europeans will continue to remain united and will not re-open the divorce deal. "This is an existential issue for European integration. The EU cannot facilitate the departure of one of its members," she said. Regarding the personal responsibility of Theresa May in this vote, she asserts that it was a collective responsibility. "British politicians, including Jeremy Corbyn, decided to impose incompatible red lines for themselves in their negotiations with Brussels," added Dr Wolff. She explained that it is not possible to claim to 'regain control' and to send Polish immigrants back home while continuing to trade with Europe and to have peace in Northern Ireland.
Listen to the interview.