How can the Tories lead Britain when they barely understand it? | Martin Kettle

The Irish border debacle reveals an uncomfortable truth: neither Theresa May nor her cabinet grasp the dynamics of these islands

No mainstream British political party is more comfortable with the rhetoric of unionism than the Conservatives. It never takes long before Tory ministers, confronted with some challenge or other from Irish, Scottish or Welsh nationalists, fall back on the mantra that they represent the Conservative and Unionist party. Theresa May does this all the time. The implication is always the same. The union is axiomatically safe in Tory hands, because they, the Tories, uniquely understand and are uniquely committed to it.

Related: Hard Brexiters have just discovered Britain is weaker than Ireland | Fintan O’Toole

Counties and customs

Related: There is a solution to the Irish border imbroglio. But blind ideology prevents it | Caoimhín de Barra

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