This refers to the editorial, “Britain left high and dry” (June 12). Contrary to expectations, the snap general election in the UK has thrown up a hung Parliament with the Tories emerging as the largest party, but falling short of a majority. Britain Prime Minister Theresa May is now left to form and lead a minority Government with the backing of North Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party with divergent views on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. May’s gamble has spectacularly backfired and her claim that the Conservative Party has the legitimacy and the ability to provide certainty and keep the nation safe and secure appears to have been made to save her political career.
The fine details of the UK poll result do not alter the Brexit decision. But the verdict has certainly diluted the emphatic ‘yes’ to Brexit in the referendum held last year. The verdict has to be now taken more as a mandate for ‘soft Brexit’, as against a ‘hard Brexit’. Given the diminution of her political power and stature, May is now on shaky ground and she cannot negotiate from a position of strength. European leaders favour sticking to the Brexit talks schedule and seem to be in no mood to make any concessions. A surge in support for labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn has the potential to change Britain’s political landscape. Corbyn’s stellar showing was largely due to the support of the young voters to him.