Brexit seems to have hit some significant roadblocks. The Conservative party have seen a number of high-profile departures, including Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis. A recent YouGov poll found that a majority thought that Theresa May should stand down:
As leader of the Conservatives, Theresa May should…
Remain: 36% (-6)
Stand down: 43% (+11)via @YouGov, 10 – 11 Jul
Chgs. w/ 08 Nov— Britain Elects (@britainelects) July 12, 2018
An overwhelming majority see the current terms as hugely negative:
The Brexit deal agreed at Chequers is…
Good for Britain: 13% (-1)
Bad for Britain: 42% (+9)via @YouGov, 10 – 11 Jul
Chgs. w/ 09 Jul— Britain Elects (@britainelects) July 12, 2018
It seems also that most would rather Britain not leave at all if a good deal cannot be salvaged:
On "no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain":
Agree: 51%
Disagree: 20%via @OpiniumResearch
— Britain Elects (@britainelects) July 15, 2018
It’s safe to say that this is not the smooth Brexit promised by the Leave campaign, with clarity still lacking on the government’s vision.
Theresa May’s headache will only have worsened today. The Leave campaign has been fined £61,000 by the Electoral Commission and has been reported for potentially breaking the electoral law. With Brexit looming around the corner, there is more uncertainty than ever.
In the wake of these seemingly endless revelations, a former Brighton student has gotten embroiled in the scandal. Darren Grimes, a former Brighton University fashion student, has been fined £20,000 by the Electoral Commission and faces an investigation.
It is speculated that the 25-year-old was funnelling money for the Leave campaign, who are believed to have overspent by around £500,000.
Grimes founded a pro-Brexit youth group called BeLeave. He had a spending cap of £10,000 but is alleged to have spent over £675,000. He is said to have falsely claimed the expenses as his own.
Grimes has hit back, however, at the Electoral Commission, who he feels have victimised him for making a minor mistake:
Incredible: It has taken the Electoral Commission two years and three investigations to reach the conclusion that a 22-year-old apparently ticked the wrong box when registering his campaign and subsequently deserves their maximum penalty of £20,000 and a criminal investigation.
— Darren Grimes (@darrengrimes_) July 17, 2018
Whatever the case, the matter of Brexit is becoming a more complex and convoluted issue by the day. It is increasingly unclear as to how any positives can be salvaged.
