Editorial Comment:
It is easy to lose count of the number of crunch moments in the Brexit process. Since the resignation of David Cameron following the referendum result two years ago we have had drama in the courts, cliff-hanger votes in Parliament, showdown summits, protest marches and even a general election for good measure. It has been one of the most extraordinary times in post-war British politics, a reflection of the importance of the decision that was taken by the British voters in 2016. And that is the point. A decision to leave was taken and it is the Government’s task to fulfil it, whatever Tony Blair and other Remainers may say.
Unfortunately, the Government is making heavy weather of the process, partly because of the obduracy of the EU, currently preoccupied with other matters, but mainly because of a failure among ministers to agree a common negotiating position. All that is about to end, or so we are assured. On Friday, Theresa May will gather the Cabinet at Chequers and thrash out a compromise policy around which they will all be expected to unite. It is conceivable one or two might find this impossible and they will have to walk out.
We will not see the details of what the Cabinet has agreed until a white paper is published the following week but it is clear that the time for fudge has passed. With the summer holidays approaching there are just six working weeks to sort out a deal with the EU ahead of the October summit at which this matter is supposed to be settled. Since it is getting so late in the day, there is no choice but to set out a negotiating position which addresses all the outstanding areas on customs, regulations and the Irish border.
Until we do, the EU is in no position to respond. And when we do there is no guarantee the EU will agree. Leavers, like Jacob Rees-mogg writing on the page opposite, fear we will end up with Brexit In Name Only, still tied to the EU but without the political input and clout. This is an outcome the EU will welcome; but it is not what people voted for. We risk being in the worst of all worlds – out of Europe but still run by it. The Government’s stated aim is to obtain a deal and if it fails to do so there will be unknown political and economic consequences. But it cannot be a deal at any price.