Talks are getting fractious, which should hold no surprises.
What is interesting and something that I have been reading is what happens if the talks break down completely - what happens then?
Well, apparently we have to go back to the A50, which states that we leave either at the end if 2 years after notification or after any withdrawal agreement has been drawn up.
If we look at UK law, our membership is outlined in the EC Act 1972. So we are members as long as it says we are.
What's key here is who owns the act.
If it is Parliaments hands, it is for parliament to decide how we proceed if the talks break down. It could for instance choose to Repeal the Act.
It could choose another form of action.
Leaving without a deal will be calamitous , so Parliament might for example decide to hold another referendum.
But what If the Act is not in Parliaments hands but in the aGovernments ?
Clause one states that the EU Act 1972 is repealed on exit day.
The exit day is decided by a minister of the government without any parliamentary control at all.
Having such unfettered control is the very opposite to the vote which included taking back control.
Parliament must not vote for clause one.