Something interesting is happening. The government is spoiling for a fight. Johnson was visibly desperate for Starmer to talk about Brexit in PMQs yesterday. No.10 clearly expect & want EU to take it to ECJ/walk away from table.
That then puts the government where they're comfortable - appealing to the culture war base, fighting off treacherous Remainers at home and dastardly Europeans abroad.
But what if neither side give them what they want. Starmer keeps well away. EU stays in talks, basically sitting it out, not pouring fuel on the fire.
Then there is no oxygen for the culture war fire, apart from that made within the Tory party by those who respect international law on one side and ERG on the other.
And without the tribalism, Tory MPs might be more likely to look at criticisms ie from Nancy Pelosi in Washington, or Michael Howard in the Lords and think: WTF are we actually doing here?
What happens to the culture war when people refuse to engage, when they won't play the game? We might be about to find out.
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