How Brexit Britain Managed to Lose All of Its Friends
Theresa May’s original negotiating stance didn’t help, but even the U.K.’s most euroskeptic allies have other reasons to toe the Brussels line.
The only thing that unites the European Union is Brexit.
Photographer: GEERT VANDEN WIJNGAERT/AFPThe sight of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, a self-professed “best friend” to Britain, berating Theresa May’s Brexit strategy this week was telling. Even at a time when France and Italy are at diplomatic loggerheads, Viktor Orban is painting the European Union as a menace to society, and Ireland’s Big Tech-friendly tax model is under fire from the European Commission, the bloc’s 27 member states have more or less stuck together in talks with the U.K. They’ve certainly toed the negotiating line laid down by Brussels.
All of this matters as Theresa May considers requesting a possible delay to Brexit. Given that she would need the unanimous support of EU leaders, there will be strings attached.