UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal was rejected for the third time, leaving the UK slated to leave the European Union on April 12 without a deal.

A series of parliamentary votes in the United Kingdom (UK) has added to the Brexit turmoil; the Boeing 737 Max 8 has been grounded after an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after take-off; and mosque shootings in New Zealand left at least 49 people dead.

Viewed from Asia, Brexit invites puzzlement bordering on incomprehension. Britain's colonial heritage left a mixed legacy in this part of the world, but until recently the country was still admired for its competent government and economic prowess.

On 19 April 2017, the Institute of Policy Studies held a dialogue with Mr Roland Rudd on The Road to Brexit: Why does it matter to Asia? Mr Roland Rudd is Chairman of Open Britain, a cross-party group campaigning for the best deal that the United Kingdom (UK) can strike after its 23 June 2016 referendum decision to withdraw from the European Union (EU).