After nearly three years of torturous negotiation, the loss of countless cabinet ministers and deep divisions in British society, Theresa May has declared the solution to Brexit is “simples”.
The PMs decision to channel Aleksandr the Meerkat from the Compare the Market adverts was met by cries of surprised bemusement in the Commons and by those watching on TV.
May was responding to the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford, who had warned about the danger of a no-deal Brexit.
“If he wants to end the uncertainty and deal with the issues he raised in his response to my statement then he should vote for a deal. Simples,” she said.
Inevitably, Compare The Market jumped at the advertising opportunity.
The unexpected comment came as May promised to give MPs a vote on extending Brexit negotiations or withdrawing from the EU without a deal if her plan is rejected next month.
In a dramatic statement, the PM confirmed that she will put her Withdrawal Agreement – including whatever additional assurances she has secured from Brussels – to a “meaningful vote” by March 12.
If that fails, MPs will be offered two separate votes on the following days – one on a no-deal Brexit and, if that is defeated, the other on requesting an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process to delay EU withdrawal beyond March 29.