Sentamu calls for Brexit unity

The importance of compromise

THE GOVERNMENT’S default response to any public figure who has the temerity to question its Brexit strategy is to think the worst of those concerned and their motives. Ministers could not be more mistaken – or misguided. Most have the best interests of Britain at heart as the country prepares for a political journey into the unknown.

This is borne out by the pragmatism shown by Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, when the House of Lords debated the Queen’s Speech and how Theresa May’s minority government intends to pave the way for Britain’s exit from the EU. He’s a realist. Because the country had voted to leave the EU on June 23 last year, he endorsed the triggering of Article 50 at the end of March. And, because Mrs May lost her Parliamentary majority in this month’s election, he says ministers will have to work with others if Brexit legislation is to be passed.

The Archbishop is correct. The Tories and Labour, who won more than 80 per cent of the votes between them, both promised to implement Brexit and the amount of common ground between the rival parties was considerable when MPs debated the issue earlier this week. If it wasn’t for party politics, at least 400 MPs could probably reach an agreed position – the problem is the most ardent Europhiles and Brexiteers who appear unwilling to compromise.

All the more reason, therefore, for some form of cross-party commission – first proposed by The Yorkshire Post and now backed by senior figures – to support the Government’s negotiations with the EU and ensure continuity if, for example, Mrs May falls. As Dr Sentamu implies, there’s a greater likelihood of the Government succeeding, and therefore surviving, if its attitude is far more “open minded” than at present. Given this, the Archbishop’s speech – reproduced on the opposite page – is required reading for every individual, politician or business leader who believes that imprecise terms like ‘soft Brexit’ and ‘hard Brexit’ detract from securing the best Brexit for both Yorkshire and Britain. That’s the priority.