SKETCH
THERESA May donned full battle dress to sound the Brexit charge yesterday.
For her big speech, the Prime Minister wore the Black Watch tartan trouser suit she often favours on landmark occasions.
The £1,190 Vivienne Westwood number had an outing at the launch of her Tory leadership campaign last year.
It felt like an appropriate choice for an address warning Brussels that she is ready to fight for British interests – the motto on the regiment’s cap badge is: “No one provokes me with impunity.”
In the gilded splendour of Lancaster House, the Prime Minister was at her stateswoman-like best, delivering a tightly argued speech of cold clarity. She spoke of her hopes for a deal to benefit both the UK and the US while signalling her readiness to walk away if EU leaders try to impose punitive departure terms on Britain.
Her European counterparts were warned who will come off worse if any punishments are to be meted out.
It will be a case of this is going to hurt you more than me, she effectively said.
By her side, video screens displayed the words “Plan for Britain”.
Someone in the audience pointed out the screen was completely blank beyond the title.
Yet, after 45 minutes of explanation of every detail of her aims for the forthcoming negotiations, no one in the hall was left with any doubt about her blueprint for the country’s future – and her determination to fight for it.
At the end of the speech, the invited audience of European ambassadors and other worthies applauded politely.
Many of the diplomats would have been itching to get to the embassies and report back on just what an implacable opponent their national leaders are to face across the negotiating table.
Veteran Eurosceptics might recall that Lancaster House was the venue where Margaret Thatcher declared her ambition to take Britain into the European single market with her “Europe open for business” speech.
Yesterday, the country’s second Iron Lady was vowing to pull the country out of membership of the trade zone.
The direction of travel may have been different but she spoke with the same resolve.
EU leaders may need to brace themselves for a hand-bagging.
Mrs May delivered her speech in front of a canvas of King George III, who was on the throne when Britain lost the North American colonies in the American Revolution.
The Prime Minister’s tough rhetoric suggested she is in no mood for any foreign policy surrender in her coming battle.
This time, it will be the Brits declaring Independence Day.