Stop Brexit posturing

IT took a senior peer nine words to hit the nail squarely on the head regarding Brexit: ‘The country is heartily sick of the political shenanigans.’

With laudable succinctness, Baroness [Virginia] Bottomley, a former Tory health secretary, described the nation’s mood outside Westminster – and delivered a pointed message to rebellious Tories.

Following protracted and painful negotiations, Theresa May finally signed the EU divorce deal – a titanic effort under enormous pressure.

Yes, it has its flaws – but all other options are immeasurably worse. And on the plus side, it ends free movement and gargantuan membership payments to Brussels, while allowing a smooth exit that avoids plunging the country into economic turmoil.

So it is imperative that divided Britain – where families and neighbours have been bitterly split – now comes together and compromises in the national interest.

But self-indulgent Tory Brexiteers – including the ‘Dad’s Army’ plotters – have threatened to reject the deal in the Commons – in the vain hope of squeezing fresh concessions from the EU. They are joined by Remainer colleagues who simply want to scupper Brexit.

This is madness. Die-hards on either side should be careful what they wish for.

If the Prime Minister suffers a crushing defeat, she risks being toppled – with the terrifying prospect of a Marxist government led by Jeremy Corbyn and no Brexit at all.

We therefore beseech the malcontents to be pragmatic and resist the temptation to needlessly land a free hit on Mrs May.

Despite the ridiculous preening of French president Emmanuel Macron over fishing rights, Mrs May’s deal is a solid building block on which to secure a free trade agreement – boosting Britain’s prosperity.

She must reassure the rebels the UK will not cede more sovereignty. And she must insist they stop bickering – and listen to the public who want Brexit delivered.