Brexit chaos shatters Theresa May's illusion of unity

Mrs May told reporters last week that the transition deal would be “a period of practical implementation” and denied reports that Mr Robbins had told EU negotiators that Britain wanted it to stretch for three years. “We are not talking about something that goes on and on,” she said. But veteran Europe watchers note that in Brussels, temporary arrangements tend to last longer than first anticipated. “I think three to five years,” says Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform.