With no alternative, we must take the deal

THESE are worrying times for those who, like this newspaper, are determined to uphold the result of the referendum and ensure our departure from the European Union is as smooth as possible.

Indeed, as one estimate suggests as many as 100 Tory MPs could vote against her deal, no one should be in any doubt about the scale of the challenge facing Theresa May in the next 11 days.

Meanwhile, on the Opposition benches, Jeremy Corbyn shows every sign of betraying his promise to Labour voters to implement Brexit, while his shadow chancellor appears intent to force a second referendum and Nicola Sturgeon is ready to pounce on anything that boosts her independence dream.

The Mail accepts that the deal – for all its merits – is flawed. But at this late stage, the alternatives are much, much worse.

Though we take Bank of England governor Mark Carney’s figures with a pinch of salt, it would be foolish indeed to dismiss the potential economic consequences of no deal. Yesterday we learned the worrying consequences for security co-operation of crashing out.

For Tory Brexiteers, the very real risk of no Brexit at all and the prospect of a destructive Marxist government should focus minds.

With five days of Commons debates to come, there is still time for MPs on all sides of the Brexit divide carefully to consider the paths this country could take if the deal falls – and come to their senses.

They should consider the words of Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox, who will say today: ‘In politics we cannot always have the luxury of doing what we want for ourselves, but we have an abiding duty to do what is right for our country.’