The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
May an ‘appalling’ leader – Belgian MEP
A Belgian MEP has claimed Theresa May has shown appalling leadership and should go back to the voters on Brexit.
Phillippe Lamberts said he had been surprised at how badly she campaigned during the general election.
But the co-leader of the EU Greens, which counts the SNP among its members, said he still preferred Ms May to the alternatives in the Conservative Party.
He said: “When I saw how she campaigned, it was clear she had difficulty making her case.
“I felt she was really out of her depth.
“Even if you believe she’s depleted, you don’t want to humiliate her because that puts her even more into the hands of the right wing.” Mr Lamberts insisted her position was too weak to lead and urged her to go back to the people over Brexit.
He said: “She has been weakened by the British vote and the atmosphere has substantially changed since the Brexit vote.
“We have to respect the right of the voters to change their mind.
“Voters need to see the deal. The wise thing to do would be to go back to the British voter.”
Mr Lamberts was clear he did not think Ms May had a mandate for the hard Brexit she has been calling for.
He added: “She chose the most radical interpretation of Brexit, then, over the months between January and April, she seemed to be coming to terms with the fact Brexit would have consequences.
“Brexit is very negative for the UK and the EU. Both sides will lose, there should be no doubt about that.
“I’d be surprised if the UK was prepared to go for something like Norway as they wouldn’t have a seat at the negotiating table. Membership is better than association.”
On trade, Mr Lamberts added the UK should remember it is no longer a superpower.
He said: “The only degree of influence you can have globally nowadays is by sharing sovereignty and being part of something bigger, like the EU.
“I still believe the UK and France used to be superpowers and they’re having a hard time dealing with the fact they are not anymore.
“It’s the only way we can exert some influence and that’s my message to the British people.”