Reject May’s Brexit and Go Back to Voters

On Tuesday, the House of Commons is expected to — finally, maybe — vote on the terms of the U.K.’s exit from the European Union. The choice it faces is, if not simple, at least stark. The proposed plan would make the country poorer, weaker and less competitive. It will satisfy no one, confer no benefits, and settle nothing about Britain’s future. It should be voted down — and preparations should start for a second referendum.

The plan negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May would leave Britain’s economy half-in and half-out of the EU’s single market, introducing new trade frictions and imposing heavy costs. Exactly how big these might be is hard to say, and would depend on how things evolve. But under any plausible scenario, May’s Brexit would impede trade, harm growth, hinder businesses, slash public revenue, and leave everyone worse off.