Zero compromise might actually be worse for Leavers

As the Brexit struggle unfolds could it be that a refusal to contemplate any form of compromise on the part of Brexiteers will ultimately result in the United Kingdom remaining within the European Union, or at the very least closely aligned '“ neither fully in, nor fully out?

As the DUP’s Strangford MP Jim Shannon recently pointed out, following the passing of a motion by Conservative Remainer Dominic Grieve, MPs will have the power to amend whatever motion the Prime Minister puts before Parliament.

No doubt any attempt by a majority of pro-Remain MPs to derail Brexit will result in the mother and father of all rows.

However while Brexiteers refer to the ‘will of the people’, and over 17 million voted to leave, that only equates to 36.6% of those entitled to vote, and with the margin of victory in the region of 4%, it wasn’t exactly a knockout.

It will be interesting to see how those Brexiteers who were happy to undermine Mrs May’s authority will respond to Remainers setting Brexit policy.

As history has taught the French with the guillotine, it may start with the King...

Alex Swan, member of the UUP executive and ex-chairman of its Lagan Valley association, Drumbo