At long last, May has had enough of shambles

PROCRASTINATION was traditionally in the frame for being the thief of time but that was before the advent of Brexit. Time appears to mean nothing at all since the vote to leave the EU. Deadlines are set only to dissolve and targets are missed routinely. Thankfully, Theresa May has had enough of the shambles. She has reminded her cabinet members they can be all too easily replaced by a “talented new generation” and quickly forgotten if they resign. But it is not just Mrs May’s patience that is fraying.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier had to issue his own warning to Mrs May yesterday that the EU cannot tear up its single market rulebook for Britain’s benefit.

He has sensibly signalled the bloc would be willing to compromise but only if Mrs May “pinked” her red lines, such as ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

Mr Barnier also cautioned London to “de-dramatise” the vexed issue of the Irish Border.

Mrs May simply must stamp her authority on her cabinet and demand a legally binding agreement to follow EU standards on many goods after Brexit, including food. And agreement that British judges will have to follow rulings from European judges is not expecting too much nor is acceptance of no hard Border.

Whether she risks a confidence vote or not, Mrs May has to take a gamble – better to go down fighting than to be politically atrophied.