Negotiations begin over British split from European Union

“They can be more relaxed about Britain crashing out without a deal that could destabilize the EU economy and destabilize the euro zone,” said Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.

Though the basic outlines of a deal could be struck within the allotted time, he said, uncertain British politics could add a challenge. “The more that Britain is unstable politically, the more difficult it is to complete the talks on time,” Grant said.