Prime Minister Theresa May had made it abundantly clear that she is going for hard Brexit which means a clean break from the European Union. She was very clear in her mind when she said on becoming Prime Minster that ‘Brexit means Brexit’. Even during the referendum campaign she kept a low profile and was not visible at all. Which shows she was sitting on the fence waiting to jump on the winning band wagon.
It will be unfair for the Theresa May and her Brexit team to ignore the voice of 48 per cent Remainers. The whitepaper submitted by the Brexit team is inadequate as it covers only general principles and no details. It seems they are trying to bulldoze their way through and did not want further discussion on this issue. That was stopped by the judgement of the Supreme Court saying they could not do soon on constitutional grounds.
The referendum’s remit was to leave the European Union and not on the terms and conditions of the negotiations without the in-put of the parliament. The Government has to take into account the adverse economic, political and social ramifications that would follow after clause 50 had been triggered and two years of trade agreement negotiations open up. They do not have a carte blanche.
Unpredictable, ham-fisted President Donald Trump is hell bent in breaking up the European Union and is a strong supporter of Brexit. That should not be an impediment for Theresa May to get the best deal from the European Union. He has already caused a lot of trouble with Mexico, Iran, the Arab countries and Australia and has made a dogs breakfast of the American foreign policy. This has sent shock waves throughout the world. He should not be allowed to mess up with British policy and interests in Europe. Even though he has agreed to fast tracked the trade agreement with UK because of our special relations, but remember he will always put America’s interests first and get the best deal from UK. It will not the other way round.
The UK should not be carried away by what Donald Trump has promised. He is not a politician is surrounded by a team of hawks, he shoots from the hip without caring what the consequences would be. Being a shrewd and experienced businessman and he will not sign any trade agreement which would not be more beneficial to America. So Theresa May has to tread carefully and not fall into his trap.
Baldev Sharma
Harrow
