May is certainly heading into ever more dangerous territory. The Sunday Times headline this week was a bit OTT: "PM enters the killing zone", apparently quoting an ally of David Davis. Another said she should bring her own noose to Wednesday's meeting of the 1922 committee. One MP who said she had 72 hours to save her job sounded almost reasonable. Don't forget this is her own side.
Can she survive? I doubt it, but she may well limp through another few weeks. Bad as she is, the alternatives all look worse. Kier Starmer, the opposition Brexit Secretary thinks that even if a deal of some kind is reached before Christmas, it won't last until the New Year (HERE). I don't believe any deal is sustainable unless it commands wide support in the cabinet, the Tory party and parliament and at the moment I do not see what that consensus looks like or even if it would be acceptable to the EU. The next couple of months will be fascinating.
The Telegraph leader column thinks it no wonder so many voters are disillusioned and angry, recalling the slogan "take back control" it says it now feels "as if Britain and the electorate are losing control". I don't see any talk now of the EU needing us more than we need them. Reality may finally be coming into view at 111, Buckingham Palace Road.
Writing in The Telegraph, Dominic Raab reassures readers of the government's resolve to secure a "real Brexit", I assume as opposed to the fake one we were sold during the campaign. It sounds more like a threat. He says, "As Brexit negotiations enter the final stage, we need to hold our nerve and keep our eye on the prize - a good deal with our EU partners". This is the prize we voted to give up but are now desperately trying to regain. A bit like giving your house away and then buying a ticket in a lottery to win most of it back. It's that kind of "prize".
Raab threatens not to extend the transition period (the one we asked for) unless the EU drop the backstop idea (HERE). I think Barnier will shortly ask the UN to put this country on permanent suicide watch. Nobody outside some very secure institutions for people with serious mental health issues thinks a trade deal can be negotiated in 21 months. Except Dominic Raab that is, a lawyer who has never negotiated a trade deal in his life
Janet Daley has taken over Charles "imbecile" Moore's column this week. A wise choice since she is even dafter than he is, and that's saying something. She claims she was told by bankers and business men after the leave victory that Brexit will never happen. She dismissed it then but now thinks a secret cabal is somehow conspiring to stop us leaving. She still doesn't get it. It isn't those carrying out the task, but the task itself that is the problem.
And listen to this from Ms Daley, someone supposedly well informed:
"You may recall that there was scarcely any mention of the now famous Irish border problem during the referendum debate ".
Only by the then Home Secretary, now the Prime Minister speaking (HERE) on June 21st 2016 said:
“Just think about it. If we are out of the European Union with tariffs on exporting goods into the EU, there’d have to be something to recognise that, between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
“And if you pulled out of the EU and came out of free movement, then how could you have a situation where there was an open border with a country that was in the EU and has access to free movement.”
Daley's problem is that as well as the PM, people like John Major and Tony Blair also said Brexit would create problems (HERE) but were attacked by Theresa Villiers, the then Northern Ireland Secretary, and Arlene Foster for even suggesting it. The Irish PM at the time, Bertie Ahern said (HERE) Brexit would be a "catastrophe for Northern Ireland and Republic".
But this is how every Brexiteer problem is treated now isn't it. There was plenty of foresight but the Brexiteers just shouted it down. At first they said it was scaremongering, now they deny anything was said at all. They must never be allowed to get away with it.
At some point in the future we need an enquiry into Brexit. Who financed it, who organised it, who told the lies, who encouraged it so we all know where to point the finger. A price must be paid.
At some point in the future we need an enquiry into Brexit. Who financed it, who organised it, who told the lies, who encouraged it so we all know where to point the finger. A price must be paid.
