When you go to the ballot box, think first of Brexit | Timothy Garton Ash

With EU leaders warning that negotiations could quickly collapse, we’ll need all the pro-remain MPs we can get. So vote strategically

If you are still deciding how to vote on Thursday, you should know that Britain is heading straight for the rocks in its negotiations with the European Union. Since Brexit is the pivotal issue for Britain over the next five years, we should prioritise electing the parliament that will give us the least-worst Brexit deal, and keep us in the EU for as long as it takes until that deal is made. People call this tactical voting – but if ever an issue in British politics was strategic, it was this. So let’s vote strategically.

But first, a word about those rapidly approaching rocks. Over the past few weeks, I have talked to quite a few European leaders. Shockingly, they all say that Britain’s Brexit talks with the remaining 27 members of the EU will most probably break down: a 90% probability, reckons one very significant European figure; 60%, wagers another.

Since we can’t rely on the tin lady, we need a parliament that will stand up for national interests

Related: Fear of Brexit brain drain as EU nationals leave British universities

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