Gambling with jobs

WITH the stroke of a pen, Brussels could allay a crisis that threatens the stability of the banking system across Europe. Yet instead of guaranteeing that financial contracts cleared in London will be honoured after Brexit, the EU is recklessly using them as a bargaining chip in the talks.

as Europe’s biggest financial centre, only the City can handle these contracts, worth an unimaginable £41trillion. But so ruthless are Jean-Claude Juncker’s negotiators that they’ve shown themselves prepared to put the livelihoods of millions at risk.

This is what Mrs May is up against. Rather than constantly undermining her, by opposing every plan she puts forward, MPs on both sides of the Brexit argument and the House should rally behind her to face the common threat.