Brexit isn’t a war... Mrs May needs support

THE Prime Minister has made a quietly impressive start in the long and intricate process of separating the United Kingdom from the European Union.

She has decided to adopt a tone which is both reasonable and determined.

The Mail on Sunday, like Mrs May herself, was not in favour of a British exit from the EU and has continuing concerns about the outcome of this course.

But, like her and all wise people in politics, we accept the referendum has decided that issue and must be honoured.

The difficulties lie in how it can and will be done, a process in which everyone – the EU, the UK, the Remainers and the Leavers, will all have to sacrifice treasured objectives.

If they keep their heads, all of them will also keep or gain many things which they desire. That is what negotiation is about.

This is not a war. It is the opposite of war – democratic, law-governed friends and trading partners peacefully and rationally settling profound differences.

It would be better for us all if partisan voices stopped portraying it as if it were some bitter conflict.

No doubt it will also involve moments of psychological warfare where London and Brussels both appear to be more intransigent than either really is – or can afford to be. But this is how such things are done.

As in all political affairs, the Premier faces as much danger (in this case possibly more) from her own side as from her official opponents.

She has shown a sure touch in keeping a disparate Cabinet united and in controlling the apparently uncontrollable, notably her brilliant but wayward Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson.

She is, as she promised to do from the start, governing on behalf of all the British people, not for partisan interest. She deserves widespread support in return.