author-image
LEADING ARTICLE

No Soft Option

In signalling a Brexit date in 2019, Theresa May has given herself room for realistic negotiation on trade and borders. But she needs to be clear on what Britain will cede

The Times

It is slightly more than 100 days since Britain voted to leave the European Union, Theresa May yesterday belatedly sought to explain what happens next. She told the Conservative Party conference that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which begins the process of negotiation with our EU partners, would be triggered by the end of March. That implies Britain’s departure in 2019.

Beyond that commitment to a date, the prime minister was short on specifics. That is scarcely her fault but it demonstrates the risk at the heart of negotiations for Brexit, which the government must try to mitigate. A narrow majority voted in June to leave the EU but no plan was offered by Leave campaigners as to what would replace membership. Mrs May