If you are confused about the state of Brexit and the latest news out of Britain surrounding embattled Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have no fear, MSNBC Live host Hallie Jackson invited BBC North America editor Jon Sopel onto her Wednesday show to make sense of it all. After explaining the latest parliamentary maneuvers by both the government and opposition, Jackson asked Sopel what it all means for America and for President Trump. According to Sopel, the big takeaway is that Conservative MPs are willing to stand up to Boris Johnson, but Republicans are not willing to stand up to Donald Trump.
Just before that though, Sopel brought up a photo that was taken of former Prime Minister Theresa May with a smile on her face in the back of a car with her security detail, and said it was appropriate that, "The man who brought her down, Boris Johnson, now has this nightmare in his lap and what to do about it."
Jackson then asked what the events at Westminster mean for the U.S. and for Trump. "Well, so there has been a huge debate in the United States why aren't American senators standing up to Donald Trump more? I have seen a lot of comment today about looking at Parliament where actually Conservative members of parliament are standing up to their own government and saying we have got to do what is right," Sopel responded by referencing the 21 Conservative MPs who were thrown out of the party for crossing over, giving the opposition a majority to block a no deal-Brexit.
Jackson made the mistake of assuming just because something happened in Country A, there must be some hidden meaning for Country B. Sopel finished off the segment with a more reasonable answer, one he should've given initially, "What is the trade deal that will be negotiated between Britain and the United States, how long is it going to take? How long is Brexit going to take? This vote took place three years ago. We are no closer resolving this nightmarish issue than at start of start of I told I told you I'd make your headache worse, I apologize."
Here is a transcript of the September 4 show. Click "expand" to read more.
MSNBC
MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson
10:48 AM ET
JON SOPEL: So what happens if legislation is passed today, it means Britain cannot leave without a deal. So that the option of leaving on October 31st, which Boris Johnson said absolutely categorically we will.
HALLIE JACKSON: We’re leaving no matter what
SOPEL: We're going. We're off. It doesn't matter. It might not happen. He may be forced to ask for an extension from the European Union if this legislation gets passed. The MPs, the members of parliament, might not go to general election. You made this mess. Now you sit and stew in it. There is a possibility that this goes on and on and on. The nightmare that is Brexit, I mean, there was a photo last night, Hallie, of Theresa May leaving the Palace of Westminster, caught in the back of her car, security detail, and you see her with this huge smile on her face.
JACKSON: Oh, man.
SOPEL: The man who brought her down, Boris Johnson, now has this nightmare in his lap and what to do about it.
JACKSON: Bring it home to the United States. What does this mean for Americans and for President Trump?
SOPEL: Well, so there has been a huge debate in the United States why aren't American senators standing up to Donald Trump more? I have seen a lot of comment today about looking at Parliament where actually Conservative members of parliament are standing up to their own government and saying we have got to do what is right.
JACKSON: The equivalent of what would be Republicans standing up to Donald Trump.
SOPEL: Exactly, Republicans in the House or Senate saying, “No, you can't do this, Mr. President.” So we have seen that in the UK, but I think what it means is what is going to be the trade deal that is negotiated and that is a big ticket item. What is the trade deal that will be negotiated between Britain and the United States, how long is it going to take? How long is Brexit going to take? This vote took place three years ago. We are no closer resolving this nightmarish issue than at start of start of I told I told you I'd make your headache worse, I apologize.
JACKSON: You actually didn't. Professor Jon Sopel, you are preaching my friend, thank you for teaching that lecture. It's always nice to have you on. Jon Sopel from the BCC.
