Ten days

There are ten days left until the UK leaves the EU by simple operation of international law.

This will happen unless something stops it.

If nothing stops it, then the default is no deal.

There is no extra time, no nothing, just out. The articles of the EU will no longer apply to the UK, and for all intents and purposes, to the EU the UK will be no different to North Korea, a third country, slightly less stable though.

All day today, May and her band of Brave Brexiteers have been discussing options since the Speaker's statement yesterday.

There are not many options, never was. Time running out, and there is a need to be decisive.

But May is PM, and she doesn't do decisive, just silly dances and running through wheat fields.

She is going to ask for an extension. Not saying of how long, lest it get leaked, but probably until June 30th at least. If the DUP fails to back her WA, then maybe longer.

But the EU now see the UK as damaged goods. Quite rightly. And there is a view that they will be better off without us.

A leaked memo today seems to suggest that an extension of the status quo serves no purpose. What is new? What is the goal? If it is just can kicking, best stop that now.

All very interesting, and worrying, as the UK is 240 hours from chaos.

I explained to colleagues today about what would happen in a no deal. And they just gaped. I went on, enough about trade, what about cancer treatment? What about aircraft maintenance? What about ferry companies with no ferries?

The Speaker got both barrels from the Tory press today, for standing up for democracy and centuries of history. May has, quite literally, treated Parliament with contempt, and the press and BBC have just nodded along. So to see Bercow go down fighting is great. IOf only MPs could do the same, do what is right for the country, rather than their party or themselves.

Tomorrow the tension will be raised another notch as time slips away.

And still the German Car manufacturers and Italian Prosecco makers still haven't rode to save Brexit.