After Theresa May’s election disaster, the Tory leader and her cabinet are preparing to do business with the socialists from Labour in order to push through Brexit:
Michael Gove has indicated the Government is ready to pursue a softer Brexit deal and work with Labour to get it through Parliament.
The new Environment Secretary said the EU referendum result must be honoured but it is “really important” that the exit package is “in the interests of the whole country”.
It came as The Daily Telegraph revealed senior Cabinet ministers are engaged in secret talks with Labour MPs to secure cross-party backing for a soft Brexit.
Before the elections, May had explained on different occasions that she was willing to pursue a hard Brexit deal if necessary. The difference between those two approaches is that with a “hard Brexit,” May wouldn’t have to make any concessions on immigration, the Customs Union, or the single market. With the “soft Brexit,” on the other hand, she does has to give in to at least some of Brussels’ demands.
Of course, the EU’s Brexit negotiator, the Belgian liberal Guy Verhofstadt, is wasting no time pouring some oil on the fire:
#Brexit isn’t just about the Tories leaving the EU, it’s about the whole UK. Everyone’s voice should be heard. pic.twitter.com/JuUlfwS2Y8
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) June 13, 2017
I hope U.K. students can continue to participate in #ErasmusPlus program & the reverse. We should avoid a trade off on this! #IamEuropean
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) June 13, 2017
We are impatiently waiting for the negotiating position of the UK gov. The current uncertainty cannot continue.
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) June 13, 2017
We now see happening what those of us who worried about what would happen if the Tories would lose the elections feared: Brexit is coming under pressure. Yes, the government still seems to be going ahead with Britain’s break from the European Union, but its negotiation position has been weakened tremendously. Labour may say they’re in favor of Brexit now, but it’s crystal clear that the socialists are in their hearts Europhiles. That will have an impact on the talks between the EU and Britain; Labour will want to give Brussels more than Britain should be willing to give.
Sadly, the truth of the matter is that British voters voted for this: they had the chance to guarantee Brexit, a hard or a soft one, but have failed to do so. As a result, the entire position of the British government needs to be reviewed… and possibly changed. A worse nightmare was hardly possible for those of us who wish Britain well, and who hope that Brexit marks the end of the Grand European Project.
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