Theresa May has asked for a Brexit extension, pushing the UK’s proposed leaving date back to the middle of summer and – if the government’s strategy goes to plan – the music could still be playing at Glastonbury as we depart the European Union.
On Wednesday, the prime minister wrote to European Council president Donald Tusk asking to extended the Article 50 process until June 30, after parliament passed a motion seeking an extension last week.
In the letter, May outlined her intention to try for a third time to get her deal through parliament, even though the speaker of the House ruled on Monday she could not put it to another vote without offering something “fundamentally different.”
The EU can still in theory reject the request, which would mean we would still leave on March 29, probably without a deal.
But if it is approved by the bloc, and parliament passes May’s deal – a big ask – that could mean the UK would exit on June 30. And if it isn’t, the date could be the new no-deal Brexit deadline.
Glastonbury this year runs from June 26-30, which would mean the last band would probably still be playing as the UK finally left the EU.
Ironically, the Brexit referendum itself was held at the same time as Glastonbury 2016, much to the dismay of many campers.
Muse, Adele and Coldplay headlined that year, but this year stars including The Killers, The Cure and Stormzy will be joined by artists like George Ezra, Liam Gallagher, Two Door Cinema Club and Bastille.
A lot of moving parts need to fall into place to for us to leave in June. If parliament fails to approve May’s deal again, the government may ask for an even longer extension – meaning the turmoil could continue for another year or more.
If we do exit then, some festival-goers might think the unfortunate timing will cast a metaphorical rain cloud over their weekend. Others might view it as an opportunity to escape the madness of Brexit – and we could all use it.