Brussels, be warned

The approach of Theresa May’s Government to Brexit is going from strength to strength. Although she seemed hesitant last summer, it is now clear she was simply exercising her instinctive caution and determination to work through every option and detail. Doing so caused understandable frustration for those who wanted to get on with the process, but provided a firm foundation on which she felt confident to proceed.

The fruits of such an approach are now evident. Within the last month Mrs May has made a bravura speech outlining in detail her intentions for Brexit; secured parliamentary approval to trigger Article 50; and delivered a White Paper framing the legislation needed to leave the European Union. Every box has been ticked, every hurdle vaulted – from the Supreme Court to the Dispatch Box.

As confidence rises here, it diminishes in a European Union beset with problems, from how to deal with mass migration to propping up Italian banks or the Greek economy. During her visit to Washington last week, Mrs May secured promises of an early free trade agreement with the United States, which can only strengthen her hand in forthcoming negotiations with the EU. And as we report today, her Government is now giving itself further options by drafting legislation to create the kind of low-tax, low-regulation, Singapore-style economy that uncompetitive Europe so dreads having on its doorstep.

Mrs May has made it clear that Brexit Britain wants to work in friendly concert with a successful EU bloc. But if leaders on the Continent want to punish us for leaving, this legislation should give them pause. One thing is clear: this country will not go begging to Brussels.