Theresa May urged to ditch her Brexit approach for pragmatism
A Cabinet source says the public want "fewer things ruled out" on Brexit rather than an "ideologically driven" approach.
Sunday 11 June 2017 21:53, UK
Some Conservative Cabinet ministers are privately lobbying Theresa May to alter her Brexit plan from an "ideologically driven" approach to a "pragmatic Brexit".
The new approach would have "fewer things being ruled out" after the Prime Minister's failure to secure an increased mandate at the General Election.
One senior Cabinet source told Sky News: "What we were proposing genuinely didn't get enough buy-in.
"The British public themselves haven't reached a conclusion on what they want from Brexit.
"We need to recognise the outcome...people want practical pragmatism with fewer things being ruled out - not an ideologically driven approach."
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The election result also raises a question about the democratic legitimacy of the overall approach to Brexit.
"How do you get a legitimate decision? How does it have legitimacy? It's not instantly obvious," said the Cabinet minister.
The fact that the PM asked British voters to strengthen her hand in negotiations but instead reduced her majority might now mean a clear parliamentary vote is required after any Brexit deal.
This weekend it was reported that Philip Hammond also insisted Mrs May softened her hardline approach to Brexit when he was asked to stay on as Chancellor.
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The PM's stance has included leaving the single market and the customs union - as well as threatening the EU that the UK could leave without a deal.
Negotiations are set to start in a week's time, but it is still not clear what form of Brexit David Davis will present. The PM will debate with EU leaders at the European Summit later this month.
Other Conservative MPs told Sky News that Theresa May has to recognise that "our hand is now weaker" and adjust expectations of a deal.
Sky News understands that the Government, with no majority, may choose to offer to strengthen consultations with the Opposition on Brexit negotiations and look to take on board some Labour concerns.
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Sources in the Brexit Department also acknowledge that there will be a tonal shift in the Brexit plan after the loss of the Government's majority - but they questioned exactly how much could realistically be changed, given what has been ruled out from Europe already.
Former chancellor George Osborne has suggested that the inclusion of the DUP in a confidence deal with the Conservatives ruled out the possibility of "no deal". The DUP has promised a soft border with the Republic of Ireland.
European politicians have interpreted the election result as a weakening of Mrs May's Brexit mandate ahead of discussions beginning next week in Brussels.