Voters want a Brexit deal, not posturing

THE vertiginous fall in Boris Johnson’s popularity since he marched out of Cabinet to launch a full-frontal assault on the Prime Minister’s Chequers strategy, should serve as a cautionary lesson to Tory MPs plotting to undermine their leader.

Once the darling of the party, a new poll suggests the former foreign secretary is now thoroughly distrusted by both Tory voters and the country at large.

There are two main reasons. First, the British people place a high value on loyalty and good faith – neither of which Mr Johnson has shown Theresa May in her time of need.

But more significantly, the public are fatigued and frustrated by relentless Punch and Judy politics. Whatever their views on Brexit, the overwhelming majority just want a deal done so we can get on with our lives.

Mrs May is admired for her determination to negotiate an orderly EU departure, under huge pressure from all sides. In a call for Tories to back their leader ‘to the hilt’, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt rebuked his predecessor, warning his posturing risks derailing the whole Brexit process. This is no exaggeration. It may be imperfect but the Prime Minister’s plan offers a viable Brexit blueprint – but only if her party gets behind her and the EU finally accepts there can’t be any customs arrangement which separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

european Council chief donald Tusk described the current impasse as ‘a new Gordian knot’. Instead of stonewalling, he must sharpen his sword and help cut it – or take responsibility for the chaos of no-deal.