Now after the UK Parliament has rejected May's Deal thrice and amid confusion prevailing about what to do next, how can the UK Government deliver the Referendum Result on 12 April 2019 without the dreaded “Cliff Edge”.
The emotive phrase “Cliff Edge” is understood as “leaving the EU abruptly without adequate preparation”, which, of course, is a bad thing.
But the phrase “Cliff Edge” is usually used interchangeably with another phrase, “no deal”, which means exiting without, either the deal negotiated by Theresa May (the UK PM), which she cannot get approved by the UK Parliament, or some amended version of it which she has failed to come up with so far, and for which she seeks an extension of time.
Unlike “Cliff Edge”, which is bad, this “no [May] deal” is good, because it is this May Deal that has been the obstacle to the UK Government ending the UK Membership of the EU in an orderly way (i.e. without a “cliff edge”).
The UK Government cannot resolve the present “deadlock”, but the EU can. The EU can refuse the UK request for extension of time, and end the UK membership of the EU on 12 April 2019, and without a “cliff edge”.
To avoid the “cliff edge” the EU can propose that, while the UK membership will end on 12 April 2019, the EU will not make any substantive changes to the present relations with the UK without giving the UK at least 6 months notice, and it expects the UK to do the same.
Such proposal will give both the parties time to make preparations for the changes in their relationships arising out of the termination of the membership, while giving both the sides the freedom to change their relations as they see fit, in their new position of independent administrative entities.
By doing so the EU will do a great favour to the UK and itself by putting an end to the period of confusion and uncertainty which is destroying the UK system of governance and has adverse effect on the EU as well.