Hokey cokey PM knows this bill is a disaster for us

THIS hokey cokey Prime Minister could end up flat on her back.

She was in, then out and now Theresa May wants to be in and out of Europe at the same time. In Parliament, she sounded like Mrs Frighteningly Confused of Downing Street.

Most of what she professed to want for Britain, our country already enjoys as a leading player in the EU. Free trade? Tick. Workers rights? Tick. Good neighbourliness? Tick (sometimes). Outward-looking? Tick. Security? Tick.

For her to threaten to disrupt counter-terrorism if she doesn’t get her way is beneath the dignity of a PM.

I hope she ends a bluff which is particularly distasteful after last week’s

terror outrage. Co-operation is a far better tactic than confrontation.

Mrs May seeking to sustain free trade in our nation’s biggest market is a justifiable goal when so many jobs and businesses depend on our relationship with states over the English Channel.

To my ear, her tone was for a softer Brexit than in past speeches. Tory rebel Anna Soubry sensibly advised the tin-eared PM to listen for signs that Europe could compromise on migration. Brexit has been missold as an easy, money-spinning, NHS-boosting miraculous answer to every problem. But it is a potential disaster for Britain.

Mrs May knows that. It’s why she acts as if all will be OK when it won’t.

Jeremy Corbyn highlighted her contradictions and Tory divisions – but he and Labour are tied in similar knots. Remainers like me don’t accept Brexit is inevitable with the stakes so high. A second referendum could trump last June’s narrow decision to quit Europe. Let’s ignore the contemptible treachery charges from Leavers who want to intimidate critics into silence.

I accept a majority of one is sufficient in a ballot but 51% is no overwhelming majority. A split country could easily swing the other way if the Brexit bill is delivered to working people.