Editorial Board

Damage Control in the European Union

Managing Brexit will demand patience and flexibility.

What now?

Photographer: Thierry Charlier/AFP/Getty Images

Resolving the crisis over Britain’s vote to leave the European Union will require flexibility on both sides -- something there’s little sign of so far. Whatever happens, it’s in the EU’s interests as well as Britain’s to work together to minimize the economic fallout.

A workable deal should aim to keep the U.K.’s economy as closely integrated with Europe’s as possible, while restoring a degree of control over immigration to the Westminster government. The EU’s leaders are saying any such bargain is unthinkable. They should think again.