ANALYSIS Theresa May has alienated MPs again - but it could be worth it in the grand scheme of Brexit
2 min read
Theresa May has made an art of alienating MPs.
The Prime Minister is frequently criticised for failing to listen, for going back on her word and for her string of political strategy blunders.
Last night she dropped another clanger as she addressed the nation direct from Downing Street and landed her parliamentary colleagues right in it on Brexit.
She accused MPs of doing “everything possible to avoid making a choice” and insisted to Brits: “I am on your side.”
The comments sparked outrage from MPs - who accused her of making them a greater target for pro-Brexit activists than they already are. One told PoliticsHome it was “a licence for every right-wing scumbag in the country to go after MPs”.
With little else to focus on as the nation waits on the next move from Brussels, the blame game row has dominated the news agenda. Labour MP Lisa Nandy had made moves towards throwing her support behind the Brexit deal, but said she had changed her mind since the PM's statement.
Even Commons Speaker John Bercow weighed in, telling members in the Commons: “None of you is a traitor.”
But Downing Street is unlikely to care. The aim of the address last night was to appeal to the voting public to pile pressure on their MPs to vote for the deal next week and get Brexit done.
The PM also wanted a chance to explain to the nation why the UK is now seeking an extension, amid concerns Brits might not have understood after months of promises there would be no delay.
In any case, the PM is right. MPs have been refusing to play ball in efforts to drag the Government closer to their Brexit visions - many of which are fantastical non-starters. Her constant refrain that voting for the deal is the best way to avoid no-deal has the unpalatable quality of being true.
Downing Street will sense that the public knows that - and that MPs would be foolish to change their votes next week based on a little political cut and thrust from May.
Some fighting talk to get the rebels into line might just be what the country needs in the grander scheme of Brexit.
