A victory of sorts for May but what now?

Trying to satisfy both Remainers and Brexiteers may be perfectly honourable but not achievable

In the end it was close run thing but Prime Minister Theresa May won a victory of sorts.

Despite the efforts of rebels voting alongside the opposition, MPS yesterday failed to overturn a government decision to specify a date for Brexit. There will not – for now – be any extra time available in the event that a workable deal with the EU cannot be finalised within the deadline.

Nor will there be a “meaningful vote” on the final shape of the EU withdrawal bill. But, though the Prime Minister was spared parliamentary humiliation, confusion over how Brexit can be delivered without damage to the UK economy remains.

The resignation of junior minister, Dr Philip Lee, yesterday throws into the starkest focus the bleak irony of the Prime Minister’s position. He quit in order to be able to criticise the actions of a government led by a Prime Minister who didn’t vote for Brexit.

The widely accepted version of the contemporary British political story is that Theresa May is too weak to “take on” the hard Brexiteers in her cabinet, that she serves only at their pleasure and must act at all times in accordance with their wishes, regardless of problems with logic or practicality.

But we wonder who exactly among her Euro-sceptic colleagues would consider a move against her at all wise, right now? Would Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wish to step up to oversee a process that, right now, places the leader firmly between two increasingly fractious tribes? The political retirement home is full of leaders who regret their lack of action; they hang their heads as they think of the times they hoarded politics capital only for it to evaporate and wring their hands over the moments when they failed to rise to the occasion.

Mrs May’s instinct – to try to find a solution which satisfies both Remainers and Brexiteers – is perfectly honourable but it is increasingly clear that this is simply not achievable. Instead of looking consensual, the Prime Minister appears weak.

If more time is needed for Brexit negotiations to succeed then the government should be open to the suggestion. And If another referendum is needed to confirm public support for any agreement then those MPS who believe Brexit presents a real and imminent risk should, like Philip Lee, speak up and speak loudly in favour.