Opinion | As Theresa May’s Brexit deal lies in tatters, the EU should remember it’s not blameless
- Andrew Hammond says the incompetence of Theresa May’s government has been on full display this week, but the European Union has also displayed a lack of imagination in negotiations
British governments have only been defeated in the House of Commons by more than 100 votes three times in the past century, and Tuesday’s vote easily exceeded those. All those previous votes were in 1924, underlining what a historic reversal Tuesday's vote represented, and why May’s remaining authority has been shredded.
With May's Brexit withdrawal deal now looking dead, and a change of government ever more likely, pressure will also intensify on Brussels to show more political imagination to reach a resolution to the impasse. This includes potentially extending the two-year Article 50 process, which would require the unanimous support of the 27 members of the EU, with current end-of-March deadlines fast approaching.
As a remainer in 2016, who wishes Brussels well and wants to see Britain continue to be in a close, cooperative relationship with the EU going forward, it has been painful to watch May’s hapless administration make mistake after mistake with the Brexit process. A different tone in negotiations could have made a real difference, alongside a coherent negotiating strategy that didn't artificially draw so many supposed “red lines” so early.
Yet, the backstory here is that the EU itself has not played a faultless game, either. This is despite the plaudits it rightfully receives for proving to be a far more disciplined, effective negotiator than many in London anticipated two years ago.
