On Brexit, May’s undoing may be Europe’s salvation

The British PM’s deal to leave Europe is so unpopular a second referendum is likely

LONDON— Britain’s Theresa May can huff and puff as much as she wants about the “historic” draft Brexit agreement worked out in recent days with the European negotiators. But a simple fact remains: Due to her ineptitude and that of her Conservative government, there is now, incredibly, a realistic possibility that Brexit — aptly described a year ago by billionaire Michael Bloomberg as the “single stupidest thing any country has ever done” apart from the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president — may soon be undone.

In Britain, step-by-step, the momen- tum in this direction is building.

For the first time since the stunning vote in 2016 — 51.9 per cent in favour of leaving the EU vs. 48.1 per cent who wanted to “remain” — there is actually now a road ahead that could lead to another referendum.

Of course, there is no certainty about this. The country is still bitterly divided. And even though the ruling political and business class shows every sign of being overwhelmed, the fact is that the 2016 vote still stands, at least for the time being.

But the Brexit fever seems to be abating. To more and more Britons — a clear majority, according to recent polls — what appears to be on offer seems less appealing than the status quo.

Not only are the harsh economic realities of Britain-outside-Europe intruding, and anti-immigrant sentiments easing, but many people are discovering that divorcing from Europe