Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
May’s ‘marriage’ could be a problem
THERESA May’s “marriage of convenience” with the DUP is preventing her taking courageous decisions on the long-term future of the UK post-brexit, Sir Nick Clegg said yesterday.
The former Lib Dem leader said the Prime Minister’s reliance on the Northern Irish party’s votes was harming the national interest when it came to the Brexit negotiations.
The high-profile Remain advocate expressed concern about the impact of the confidence and supply deal as he met politicians in Dublin.
He said Mrs May was hamstrung from taking “wise” decisions on how to avoid a hard border.
He said of the pact: “It complicates things enormously. It significantly restricts her ability to act more courageously on this crucial issue of the border issue.
“It has further hemmed in the ability of the British government to act wisely and courageously for the long-term future of the United Kingdom and also all these issues that affect the island of Ireland. It would seem in this great and historical moment, when so many things are at stake, pretty peculiar that a here-todaygone-tomorrow marriage of convenience between the DUP and Conservatives – because the Conservatives triggered and failed to win a general election – should be the thing upon which all these great decisions hinge.”
Sir Nick was in Dublin with fellow Remainers Lord Heseltine and Lord Adonis to discuss Brexit issues.
Lord Heseltine said he did not think the confidence and supply deal was affecting the Brexit negotiations.
He added: “I don’t think it is because I think that within the Conservative
Party there is obviously a divide of opinion but a significant part of that divide would identify itself with the views of the
DUP.
“So even without the
DUP, the same issues would be of crucial importance for Mrs May and the judgment she reaches.”