Analysis

Brexiteers Come to Terms with Reality

At every point, Europe has called Britain’s bluff.

Euroskeptics in Britain’s ruling Conservative Party are finally coming to terms with the realities of Brexit.

  • They once rejected working out the terms of Britain’s exit before negotiating a trade deal. They have since accept Europe’s timetable.
  • They once suggested Britain could leave without a deal. Now they are willing to make the concessions necessary to avoid a “hard” Brexit.
  • They once ruled out paying an exit bill. Now they are prepared to cough up £50 billion for an amicable divorce.
  • They never during the 2016 referendum campaign mentioned a transition period, during which EU rules and regulations would continue to apply. That now looks inevitable.

It is only a matter of time before hardliners will also accept that the only way to prevent a hard border with Ireland is for Northern Ireland to remain in the EU customs union and single market in all but name.