The numbers in the Scottish government’s Brexit assessment are bound to be wrong, but the basic thrust is right. Outside a customs union with Europe, the UK’s trade and prosperity will be reduced. The single market was a largely British project to promote trade by reducing non-tariff barriers. Is Nicola Sturgeon pushing at a door that’s already opening? Theresa May has no European strategy, but she does have an approach: talk tough to temper her party’s continuing European nervous breakdown, but roll over when faced…

Source: The Times January 17, 2018 00:08 UTC