May on the fence

Media focus is on the DUP. But we can’t help suspecting that near the heart of policy is a preoccupation with those just-in-time supply chains.

Interview. David Owen’s Brexit plan. Move from transition through the EEA into Canada Plus Plus Plus – before the next election.

The former Foreign Secretary says May’s team are inexperienced in EU negotiations and are “pushing out disinformation”.

Lord Ashcroft: The Tory MPs who say “they have sent in letters they haven’t”. Or “withdrawn letters they never sent”.

Brady reports no confidence moves against May that might not be no confidence moves at all.

“Official and significant”. The ERG declares that it will vote against Chequers.

Francois “was chosen specifically to send a signal from one of life’s natural whips to the current ones,” we are told.

Nicky Morgan: Chequers is dead. And the only plan that MPs will now vote for is Norway.

There is no Commons majority for no deal, for a Canada deal mark two, or at the moment for a second referendum. But there is a majority for EFTA/EEA.

Our special survey. Only one in ten party members says that May should stick with Chequers.

Our panel has clearly given up almost altogether on the belief that it is practical or negotiable. Canada is the most popular option.

Around the black cloud of Salzburg one can glimpse a silver lining

The EU’s rejection of Chequers gives May a chance to unite her party around Canada Plus Plus Plus – the only strategic Brexit option now open to her.

Lee Rowley: The EEA/EFTA ‘safe harbour’ is not the Brexit Britain needs

The idea that we park the difficult challenges for a few years, by remaining in the EU in all but name, is for the birds.

Cheqada

Or: how May could seek to get a deal through the Commons with the support of Soft and Hard Brexiteers alike.

Nick Boles: So you don’t like Chequers. In which case, you need a workable altenative. Here’s mine. What’s yours?

In the long-term, we should be pursuing a Canada-style free trade agreement. In the short, we should park ourselves in the EEA.

Daniel Hannan: It should be obvious, not controversial, to seek a deep friendship with our EU neighbours

In the third piece in our mini-series evaluating the EEA, our columnist wonders how both sides managed to become so hostile to moderate concepts.

Kathrine Kleveland: Here in Norway, we can do much better than the EEA. And so can you in Britain when you quit the EU.

In the second piece of our mini-series evaluating the EEA, the leader of the county’s No to EU movement says that the arrangement is entangling Norway in the Union.

Henry Newman: Has the Prime Minister’s change of tack on Brexit bought any goodwill with her EU counterparts?

We will know soon enough, when the leaders reassemble for the next opportunity to break the impasse.

John Penrose: Why we need a new rule to balance the budget

This fiscal rule would leave governments free to borrow for infrastructure investments – but day-to-day spending would be paid through your and my taxes.

James Cartlidge: It’s time to board the EEA lifeboat – and set sail towards a New Common Market

The UK plus EFTA would have a greater GDP than Germany. As one, we would be the largest economy in Europe.