AIBU to wonder if TM could be playing the long game?

[AlexaShutUp]

Let me start by saying that I really don't like Theresa May, and I am very angry with how this whole mess has evolved (though I blame Cameron more than I blame May). The hard Brexiteers are even worse. In general, I feel despair at how things are working out and I'm really anxious about the growing likelihood that we may crash out of the EU without a deal.

However, it occurred to me today that Theresa May could just be playing a long game with a view to avoiding Brexit altogether while seeming to have at least tried to implement "the will of the people". She has doggedly said that we are going to leave the EU no matter what, and that there will be no second referendum, despite the huge marches, ostensibly because "Brexit means Brexit" or some such nonsense. However, I now find myself wondering if it is just possible that she has deliberately negotiated a deal that she knows doesn't have a cat in hell's chance of getting through parliament, so that the only option left on the table would then be a no-deal Brexit. The vast majority of people must know that a no deal Brexit would be absolutely catastrophic for the country, so it would surely be irresponsible not to have another referendum at that point, which "no Brexit" would almost certainly win by a significant margin. Theresa May would get to argue that she tried really hard to deliver on the original referendum result, we could stay in the EU, and then we could just put this whole sorry saga behind us.

Is it just wishful thinking to hope that this is actually her secret plan, and that our government is not actually just an incompetent bunch of bumbling idiots who are about to set us all on a path of complete and utter self-destruction?

This has crossed my mind a few times in the last few years but sadly she’s proved she’s not that bright.

The ultimate proof was her toddler tantrum after the EU were mean to her in Salzburg.

She’s too emotional and irrational to play the long game.

Yeah, you're probably right Bear. It's just so bloody depressing.

I used to hope this too but no longer believe for the same reasons.

imho she is a similar hard line leaver as Mogg but unlike him doesn't want to be blamed for the no-deal disaster, so comes up with this instead, the long game is for the UK to be a Singapore-on-sea off the coast of Europe.

This is only a WA, runs out in 20 months (with an option for only 1 extension) the future trading relationship is likely to be a FTA of some sort, leaving UK free to cut taxes/tariffs, whilst having its own free trade policy.

I just hope Labour still vote against this deal but i feel the direction of travel is that they'll abstain (as a party)

{ the long game is for the UK to be a Singapore-on-sea off the coast of Europe.}
Sadly I see that as a great 'divide'.
Financial services may be 'Singapore on Thames' but manufacturing will at the same time become 'Bangladesh in sea'.
The longer this theatre is played out, the more determined European and probably overseas manufacturers will pull out of the UK. Their survival depends on profit not supporting politicians wanting to stay in power.

Nah. She's dreaming of a month on a tropical island after the ineventable vote of no confidence.
If I was her I'd just want to stick two fingers up at JRM and tell them to get on with it.

For those mentioning Singapore- I don't even think that's it! Singapore has 80 % of its population in social housing, 80%! No way is that going to happen with the ERG types in power.
No, it would be neo-feudalism.

This has crossed my mind too

The 80% of Singapore's social housing is one that creates stability in the Singaporean workforce.

Singapore's education system is based on survival of the fittest. This is in line with with how Asian values their education. UK is not as such.

Singapore has CPF- Central Provident Fund which is an employment based contribution for retirement, housing, health care needs. Say goodbye to the welfare state and NHS. Anyway, the NHS is dying so I guess private health care will be here soon.

I can only live in hope.....

Id like to think so (as a remainer) but is that even possible. Didnt they say all 27 have to agree for us to stay and Guy V said it would be on very different terms (probably accepting euro and all the other goodies we used to get)

I concur with Bearbehind et al. I wish she was playing a long game but doubt she is. She just hates foreigners and has no imagination but a surfeit of ambition.

There won't be a vonc though.

I don’t think she had/has enough cards to play with for this to be true. Much as I’d be delighted with no Brexit and I’m no fan of hers, I think she negotiated a deal to the best of her ability. And despite the hardliners shouting “Brexit means Brexit” nobody stepped up earlier with a viable solution to the dealbreakers.