While it is universally accepted that time never stands still, seasonal clock changes are a divisive part of modern life.
UK clocks change from GMT to summer time early Sunday. The US made the shift earlier this month. America is however angling to become a literal bellwether of global change by deliberating legislation to make daylight saving the permanent time zone setting come 2023.
'Don't let the sun go down on me' is the battle cry of campaigners for daylight saving hours
The European Union was set to make a similar move after its Parliament voted to abolish biannual time zone changes in 2019. The proposal garnered overwhelming support, with a public consultation finding 84 per cent of citizens across all 28 member states were in favour of ending the oscillation.
Four years later, however, the move has not been enacted, pushed down the agenda by the coronavirus pandemic.
Logistical difficulties stemming from Brexit have also contributed to the stasis. With Northern Ireland leaving the EU and the Republic of Ireland remaining, the island of Ireland would face being temporally cleft in two.
The UK could choose to align with the EU, but has to date shown no inclination to do so. And to date, the EU itself has been unable to find an aligned position with its southern members favouring permanent summer and its northern members tending to prefer winter hours.
Given the EU is already spread over three time zones, adding further variance could lead to economic mayhem.
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