1/8 The contrast between the unity of the 27 in the Brexit negotiations and the sheer disfunctionality of the Conservative Government could not be greater.
2/8 The PM has painted herself into a corner and is now discovering that complex contortion cannot get her out of it. Meanwhile it’s clear that Brexit-supporting current and former cabinet ministers simply do not have a plan. So what should we now do?
3/8 Say that the UK will remain in a customs union with the EU. This would solve part of the Irish border problem and end the threat of tariffs.
4/8 Say that we will join the EEA. This would solve the other part of the Irish border problem and ensure the continuation of friction-free trade which is so important to British business.
5/8 Say that we will introduce changes to the way in which we operate free movement - as we can under EU/EEA rules.
6/8 Tell the EU that we will review all this in five years.
7/8 Not everyone will be happy with this approach, but no-one will get everything they want out of this mess. For too long those who argued Leave have pretended that things would all go their way. And as Remainers we have found it hard to accept that we lost.
8/8 An outcome in which we leave the the EU next March, thus upholding the referendum result, but get the closest relationship with our nearest, biggest and most important trading partner, thereby minimising damage to our economy, is the best available. We should take it.
