Leo right to stand firm over Brexit

THE Taoiseach is right to tell the British Government this country is not in the mood to play games over Brexit.

While many people might not agree with Leo Varadkar on many other issues it is imperative we present a united front at this critical time.

There can be little doubt the Irish Government will come under increased pressure to relent on the backstop in the coming weeks.

Indeed it appears to be the British Government’s strategy to run down the clock and Theresa May’s decision to postpone the so-called meaningful vote until March 12 confirms this is her intention.

Should her revised Withdrawal Agreement be rejected again in the House of Commons it will leave little more than two weeks to find an alternative or Britain will crash out of the EU without a deal.

This doomsday scenario is the worst possible option for this country but the chances of a hard Brexit increase as each day passes.

That is why the Taoiseach is correct to call out Mrs May for playing a dangerous game which may have a negative effect on the lives of millions of ordinary people.

When the Taoiseach meets Mrs May on the fringes of the conference in Egypt he should make it clear it is the UK which has made these disastrous choices and it is her Government which will have to face the consequences of them.