The Gamble That Failed

Abstract

Invoking the legislation to start the clock ticking down to Brexit had proved to be a fierce parliamentary battle before being passed in March 2017 leaving just two years for negotiations. This chapter covers Prime Minister Theresa May’s sudden decision to hold a general election with the aim of increasing her majority to push through a Brexit deal. Her campaign proved to be a disaster while her much under-estimated opponent Jeremy Corbyn came into his own. The result was May losing her majority altogether and having to rely on the parliamentary votes of the Northern Ireland pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party. It was a disastrous start to two years of bitter negotiations for a Brexit deal.