Whitehall must not try to block Brexit

Theresa May has wisely decided not to hold a parliamentary vote before opening negotiations to trigger Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. The idea that MPs might have vetoed Brexit is awful – and the very fact that such a threat existed attests to how out of touch so many politicians are. Alas, they are not alone. Government sources have told this newspaper that many civil servants are not keen on Brexit either. It should be made clear immediately that Whitehall cannot veto Brexit.

Consider the words of Lord O’Donnell, a former Cabinet secretary, who has said that there should be “no rush” to trigger exit negotiations. Lord O’Donnell is a man of great experience and often worth listening to, but his analysis is flawed. He seems to believe that Brexit “is not inevitable” because the referendum result will encourage the EU to reform and, therefore, create new, popular British enthusiasm for remaining in it after all.

Yet everything EU leaders have done since the referendum contradicts this hope. Last week the leaders of France, Germany and Italy stood on the deck of an aircraft carrier and spoke of increasing European cooperation in defence. Their instinct in the face of crisis is not to loosen the EU but to strengthen and centralise it: their answer to every question is “more Europe”. It is this mix of vanity and naivety that prompted 17.4 million Britons to vote Leave. They cannot be ignored.

The temptation of civil servants to drag their feet is reminiscent of Yes Minister. Its writers, Sir Antony Jay, who died this week, and Jonathan Lynn, personalised officialdom in the character of Sir Humphrey Appleby, who would terrify a minister out of a new policy by telling him that it was “courageous”. Brexit certainly is a courageous decision, but it is one that the mandarins must embrace – not just because it is their job to do so, but because the task is thrilling. The Department for Exiting the European Union ought to attract the very best – public servants who want to leave a mark on history and build a bright new future for the nation. That is real public service.

The mood of any government is set at the top. Mrs May has ordered all her Cabinet ministers to come to her with a plan of how they can contribute to Brexit. When it comes to Brexit, sound advice from officials is welcome. But the people have spoken and what they ultimately want to hear from the civil service is “Yes, minister”.