Eurosceptic Tory rebels have put Theresa May in an untenable position
SIR – The current, semi-permanent look of fear on the Prime Minister’s face reflects an awareness of the poisoned chalice that she is holding.
Either she must succeed in negotiating a soft Brexit and face a rebellion from Jacob Rees-mogg and his fellow Brexiteers (report, July 3) – or she must walk away from the EU with no deal, leading to an uncertain market position with reduced tax revenues and a poorer country. Either way, she knows that her ongoing leadership is untenable. Tim Mason
London SW1
SIR – Before proceeding in his attack on Theresa May, Jacob Rees-mogg would do well to reflect on the bitter divisions in society, splitting families and friendships, caused by the referendum two years ago.
Those divisions would continue indefinitely if he and his friends succeeded in their ideological commitment against any sharing of sovereignty with our European neighbours. The Prime Minister’s “red lines” should be seen as an initial negotiating position, not as divine law. Alan Pavelin
Chislehurst, Kent
SIR – William Hague (Comment, July 3) is wrong to suggest that any Cabinet minister considering resignation over Brexit is not fit to hold office.
Were Theresa May to break her own red lines and the Conservatives’ manifesto pledge to leave the single market and the customs union, any minister who disagreed would be honourably bound to resign on the grounds that the Government had betrayed the electorate. Michael Staples
Seaford, East Sussex
SIR – A horrifying sentence leapt out from yesterday’s front page: “It also emerged that Mrs May signed up to a European Council document that allows for Britain to keep its MEPS – and remain in the EU – if its withdrawal is delayed beyond March 2019.”
What is Mrs May doing in signing such a document? She keeps repeating that we are going to leave the EU in March 2019, but does she have a hidden agenda?
Her Government has made such a hash of negotiating our withdrawal that perhaps she believes staying in the EU is now the best option. Mary Lanch
Harrow, Middlesex
SIR – I feel that this would be a fitting juncture for Theresa May to listen to the chorus from the Kenny Rogers song The Gambler:
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money While you’re sitting at the table There’ll be time enough for countin’ When the dealing’s done
She should then play her cards accordingly. Michael Greenway
Attleborough, Norfolk