HARRY Bradbury (Star, January 11) can be rest assured. Brexit will happen on March 29, 2019, at 11pm. Once Article 50 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union has been invoked as it was by Theresa May on March 29, 2017, the process is automatic.

The only way this could be changed would be for Theresa May to send a new letter to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council informing him that the UK government had changed its mind about leaving before March 29, 2019.

Neither Theresa May or any potential successor is likely to take this step without clear evidence that the UK electorate had changed its mind.

It is, of course, possible for the UK to request additional time to negotiate with the EU beyond March 29, 2019, but this would require the unanimous approval of the other member states.

So, Brexit will happen on March 29, 2019 automatically unless the UK electorate changes its mind in the remaining 14 months. The tone of H. Bradbury’s letter suggests that he is afraid that this might actually happen.

Incidentally, a conference to examine the future of Europe is due to convene in Romania on March 30, 2019, the day after Brexit. All the remaining 27 EU member states will be there as will those countries applying for EU membership. Britain is not being invited because of Brexit.

Name and address submitted