Brexit ‘muddled thinking’: Unconvincing

Anyone who still believes that Britain might quit the EU in an organised, clear way, one more easily described as a “soft” exit rather than a “hard” one, cannot have been reassured by prime minister Theresa May’s interview yesterday.

She rejected the charge that her government was afflicted by “muddled thinking”. She also insisted that, despite clear warning, after unambiguous warning, from senior EU figures, that the reintroduction of border controls would not have an impact on free trade. It is as difficult to understand this position as it is to have sympathy with it.

Ms May was trying to sound convincing just days after Britain’s ambassador to the EU, Ivan Rogers, quit because, he said, the ministers responsible for exit negotiation strategy lacked focus and refused to listen to unwelcome advice from experienced diplomats.