It’s time to bring submarine May to the surface

The prime minister is wrong: we do want a running commentary on Brexit. And MPs should work together to ensure we get it

Theresa May squeezed every drop of juice out of Brexit means Brexit. Now, the phrase has finally been despatched to the speechwriters’ knacker’s yard. It has served its purpose well, which was to persuade Tory leave voters – the majority of the party – that they could trust the former remainer with the Brexit cause. At Birmingham this week they decided that they can.

But as one banal catchphrase exits stage left, another enters stage right to fill its place. The new May cliche is that she is not going to provide a running commentary on the Brexit negotiations. She said it to Andrew Marr in an interview at the start of the conference on Sunday, and on Wednesday in her main address. She will doubtless say it again when MPs return to parliament next week.

Related: Theresa May consigns Cameron to history in populist conference speech

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