Theresa May’s weak position allows compromise
Every step, no matter how faltering, along the long, difficult way to divorce seems to exacerbate personal or philosophical differences.
Each dismissed have-your-cake-and-eat-it position paper deepens delusion and, in a small country with so much to lose, adds to the concern about how our economy will be affected.
Though the more ardent Brexiteers, those utterly indifferent to the collateral consequences of their actions, seem to have dismissed the possibility that any such border might re-energise the dark forces — “they haven’t gone away, you know” — that once plagued this island. However, anyone with even a Ladybird understanding of Irish history and contemporary politics appreciates how very real that prospect is.
The celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Indian independence and the terrible carnage that flowed from that event show that this indifference to the consequences of seismic geopolitical change brought about by the end of the British empire is a recurring theme in Britain’s relationship with countries it once subjugated.
Old habits die hard. Against this background, it is indeed cheering that a considerable advance seems have been made in how the EU frontier straddling this island might be administered.
A British guarantee to preserve free movement for all EU citizens between Ireland and Britain seems a considerable step forward even if EU citizens’ right to work in Britain is not recognised.
Even if there is many a slip between cup and lip, and even if there is much more to achieve, the agreement is a very welcome advance in negotiations that are unlikely to meet any of the deadlines set in legislation.
At this point, it may be worth considering how this snail’s-pace separation will play among the loudest Brexiteers who, sooner or later, will convince themselves that Brexit delayed is Brexit denied. Should that transpire, their contribution to the process is unlikely to be positive.
There is, though, a growing sense that, as ever, compromise will be the lubricant of success.
This week in Dublin, chancellor Philip Hammond spoke in pastel tones and argued for a softer Brexit than the one imagined by some of his colleagues.
And, right on cue, British trade minister Liam Fox warned that Britain would not be blackmailed on the cost of leaving and urged Brussels to move negotiations on to discuss Britain’s relationship with the bloc.
That Mr Fox sought to change the timetable despite repeated assertions the process will follow a sequence shows how much must change. This inconsistency at the heart of Theresa May’s government does not inspire confidence.
Ironically, that May seems a prime minister on borrowed time suggests she could make compromises that a successor could not.
Whether this weakness can become a strength remains to be seen. So too does the ultimate position of the hard exit camp.
Labour’s change in position may provoke an early move against May, making compromise even more remote. Challenging times indeed.
