The deadline for the UK’s “Brexit” from the European Union is looming

The new Brexit deadline of April 12, 2019, is approaching — and British Prime Minister Theresa May has officially asked the European Union for yet another short Brexit delay, until June 30.

This is the second time May has asked for a June 30 Brexit delay as she works toward a deal; she’s now trying to find a compromise with opposition Labour leaders. European Council President Donald Tusk has already offered a counterproposal to her latest request: a one-year “flextension,” which would push the Brexit deadline a full year, until March 31, 2020.

May has offered a Brexit deal that has been soundly defeated twice in Parliament. She is now encouraging other members of Parliament to work with her “to achieve consensus,” and has offered to resign if her deal is passed.

If an agreement isn’t ratified by the European and UK Parliaments by the deadline, the UK’s membership in the EU will still expire, deal or no deal.

“Brexiting” without a formal plan in place would lead to potentially catastrophic results, which could include food and medicine shortages, grounded flights, backed up ports of entry, and deployed troops to help with any unrest. Some businesses are taking their operations to other countries as a precaution, but it’s unclear what will play out over the next few weeks.