Theresa Meerkat Tells MPs To Back Her Brexit Deal – 'Simples'

Who knew it was that easy?
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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.

Theresa May borrows the “simples” catch phrase of compare the market meerkat, gladly taking a proud cultural baron passed to her, I believe, by Jay from The Inbetweeners.

— Tom Peck (@tompeck) February 26, 2019

We regret to inform you that the prime minister of the United Kingdom just said "simples" in the House of Commons

— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) February 26, 2019

Why oh why did @theresa_may say "simples" to @IanBlackfordMP. Profoundly upsetting

— Robert Peston (@Peston) February 26, 2019

Oh my days the PM just said her latest Brexit update is... 'simples'

— Kate Proctor (@KateProctorES) February 26, 2019

Theresa May, the actual prime minister, just said "simples"

— Henry Zeffman (@hzeffman) February 26, 2019

Inevitably, Compare The Market jumped at the advertising opportunity.

We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to keeping life Simples. Whilst we are not experts on her deal, we are preparing a new deal on energy bills which we will be putting to the people in the near future. #Simples

— Compare The Market (@comparethemkt) February 26, 2019

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.

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