There is always acres of coverage of Brexit in the British press, most of it speculation since nobody really understand all the complex issues involved. However, one small item caught my attention this morning. It's on the BBC website (HERE) and written by their political editor Laura Kuenssberg. She says, "the EU is still concerned that the UK government is yet to present a clear picture of what it really wants the long-term relationship to be. And it's still the case, sources tell me, that the full cabinet is yet to have a proper discussion that tries to find that answer".
This is utterly amazing but is what Ms Kuenssberg says is keeping the cabinet together! As if avoiding the subject will make it disappear. No wonder the EU is confused about what we want. Our own government hasn't actually discussed what it wants!! Mrs May is putting party unity before country.
And she is still refusing to confirm what Britain thinks it owes the EU under commitments made during our membership because to do so means others, including the press, will then be able to work out what the highly contentious Brexit bill actually is. This is according to another BBC correspondent this morning. It's probably true but it only demonstrates how weak she is.
It is symptomatic of the entire Brexit process. Do not confront any of the issues seriously. Do not think anything through. Never explain anything. Do not examine the details. Just think of what you want, regardless of how fantastic, and demand it. Demand it. If you meet with any difficulties, insist that others accommodate you. If they refuse and point to the rules, do not read or try to understand them. Demand they circumvent their own rules. When they explain it is impossible, make your demands even louder.
Demand, demand, demand. Brexiteers have spent a lifetime doing it. They have often succeeded and believe their method works and in many circumstances it did and it will. Until it doesn't.
May has a problem. She is listening to two choruses. On one side is the great majority of British industry and commerce, the banking sector and civil servants. They are singing quietly about the immense and catastrophic consequences of leaving the EU without a deal. On the other are the extreme Brexiteers belting out an anthem about a glorious future under WTO rules like an inebriated rugby club outing. Who does she listen to?
The voices of industry are only going to grow louder. Airlines are apparently planning to begin warning passengers who book on their websites that the flight they just booked may not actually fly after Brexit and if it doesn't, no compensation will be paid. I assume that might start to concentrate minds.
