Hard Brexit is unravelling

Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform, a think-tank, expects these considerations to trigger ministerial resignations this summer. Mr Johnson, who was this week ridiculed even by fellow Tories for flying to Afghanistan to avoid a vote on Heathrow airport (see article), may quit, now that his leadership hopes are going down the pan. So might Liam Fox, the trade secretary. Yet Mr Grant also notes the irony that, although losing hardliners like these may please Brussels, the EU is still likely to say no to Mrs May’s softer Brexit plans.