Method in May’s manoeuvering

Sir, – Just supposing Remainer Theresa May is an incredibly shrewd, calculating politician who has formulated a spectacular plan to achieve what she believes is best for the UK.

She was aware from the moment the result of the EU referendum was announced that it was logical and logistical nonsense, and that withdrawal would become deeply unpopular, polarising so many opposite-facing people that there was no way, in a democracy, that it could be implemented.

And she recognised that in negotiations with the EU it held all the trump cards, so whatever the outcome the UK would be vastly worse off. But she went through the motions, as instructed by the referendum and Parliament while, at the same time, pursuing Plan May, which would recognise that the only way out of the impasse would be a second EU referendum which would inevitably have the opposite outcome from the first.

That second referendum now looks inevitable. This is why she has arranged a very well-timed legal ruling that the UK could say to the EU: “Actually, we’ve changed our minds. Business as usual from tomorrow, eh?” Gordon Cook. Gowanlea, Friockheim.

Just supposing Remainer Theresa May is an incredibly shrewd, calculating politician who has formulated a spectacular plan to achieve what she believes is best for the UK