For the third time in as many years, Brexit will be the focus of my birthday. Ever since the vote in June 2016 the House of Commons has been engulfed in some major form of Brexit debate or legislation during the last week of January. This year will be different. This year the House will not be debating any Brexit matters this week because, Brexit will begin on my birthday.

After nearly four years, the UK will begin the process of leaving the European Union. The European Parliament has been fair throughout this process culminating with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and lighting up Brussels' Grand Place in the colours of the Union Flag. Compare that with the gloating politicians in London who tout the, as yet unseen, benefits of Brexit.

It will be a sad day for me as I do not view Brexit as a benefit but, a dangerous right-wing fantasy with severe real-world consequences. Brexit, from beginning to end, has been a narrow political exercise to increase Conservative vote share and solidify the Conservative party. In that way, it is a success but, the success was gained by using all the time-tested troupes of immigration causing all of England’s problems. Not French, German, Italian or Scandinavian immigration but, I think you all know who I’m talking about.

Unsurprisingly, it worked. Members of the public were sold a great story about taking back control but, the authors of that story left out the part about trade. Now, those same communities that thought they were getting back control are asking for special protection for their industries from the very Brexit for which they voted! It is hard to watch the beginning of this process but, someone has to go through it. Right-wingers are excellent at winning the election but, awful at running countries.

At 23:01 today, the UK will have just 11 months to negotiate and, secure a trade deal, with the EU that replicates every aspect of being a member of the EU without any of the alignment and, at the same time, conduct negotiations with the United States who will have already set out its plans for negotiation which include pharmaceuticals and food. Additionally, the UK will also have to deal with China who just secured access to the telecommunications network.

The problem is that the UK will have to, relatively quickly, choose a side and, it looks like they might choose the US. When a country freely trades with another it needs to have an agreement on regulations. That was the essence of the EU. Every country was on the same page. All goods would have to meet certain requirements around the EU to be freely traded. If the UK decides to partner with the US, they have to adapt to the US standards. The US will not have to adapt to UK standards because the US is bigger and has the larger economy. The UK will be a rule taker, not a rule maker, the opposite position that they held in the EU. Adapting to US standards will naturally create divergence from EU standards creating a disruption with their geographically closest trading partner meaning slower, inefficient trade. To get a better idea on why that's a huge problem read this.

On December 31st this all becomes very real. The real-world consequences of Brexit are serious but, if you look at the responses of Brexit supporters, they are more interested in making you feel bad. They are interested in laughing at remainer tears and reminding everyone that remain lost.

This is the greatest sign that Brexitters have no idea what’s coming their way. If your answer to hard questions is, “You lost!” there’s a severe split between your rhetoric and reality. Unfortunately, the rhetoric and reality don’t exist in the same universe. It is like matter and anti-matter.

At the end of the year. Reality WILL hit Britain which means today is just the beginning.
I could be wrong and, if I’m wrong, there will be no downside to Brexit. If they are wrong, I have to hoard toilet paper…again.

On my birthday, the Government will be working very hard ring the bells for Brexit because, as this tweet indicates, the rest of the year may not be as bright.