Get tough, Theresa

FORMING governments in the TRNC might appear complicated, but we Brits don’t have a lot to be smug about. All political parties are, to some extent, coalitions, but the Tory party is increasingly looking like a fractured one.

The battle between those who want out of the EU and those who want to remain (in all but name) reaches right into the UK Cabinet. Theresa May, who appeared to have wrested back control over the New Year, is looking vulnerable all over again. She needs to get a grip of those like Chancellor Hammond, who appear to be doing everything to frustrate Brexit that they can. No wonder the EU feels it can demand the impossible of the UK when some ministers make it perfectly clear their heart isn’t in Brexit.

The UK may have secured a deal on the so-called “divorce bill” that Britain has to pay on “leaving” and consequently moved the talks on to our future trading relationship, but the EU (thanks to disunity in UK Cabinet ranks) is now setting terms on obtaining a trade deal that effectively means we will still be subject to EU law and rules long after we supposedly “leave” (minus our present voting rights in deciding such matters). That is no Brexit at all. It would be a “soft Brexit” betrayal.

Theresa May should make clear that is not what Britain voted for and there is no way she will accept it. She should sack any ministers who disagree and threaten to walk away with no deal. The EU would wet themselves. We’d have a proper NEW trade deal in no time. If she doesn’t, the British people will walk away from her. Hello, Jeremy Corbyn. God help us.