Earlier today, Theresa May spoke from Bahrain to the BBC’s deputy political editor John Pienaar, about the type of Brexit deal she is looking to make. The most we’ve heard from the prime minister so far on this most significant of consitutional issues is the much repeated “Brexit means Brexit.” Yet now it seems May has a new catchphrase — what she is really looking for is a “red, white and blue Brexit”.
The remark was a response to the suggestion that the chancellor Philip Hammond and the Brexit secretary, David Davis favour a so-called “grey Brexit” which would involve the UK exiting the single market while retaining Canada-style access to parts of the free trade zone, and limits on immigration apart for skilled migrants in specific sectors. This is the mid-range option between a “white Brexit”, which would see the UK attempt to remain in the single market, and a “black Brexit” which would see the UK exit the EU without a viable future deal.
May told reporters: “I’m interested in all these terms that have been identified – hard Brexit, soft Brexit, black Brexit, white Brexit, grey Brexit – and actually what we should be looking for is a red, white and blue Brexit.”
The people of Twitter, as always, have responded to the prime minister’s possibly ill-advised attempt to inject some patriotic colour into the debate with suggestions for the type of Brexit they would like to see.
Some Twitter users were just clowning around.
#redwhiteandbluebrexit pic.twitter.com/MTHSIk564x
— Alex Finnis (@AlexFinnis) December 6, 2016
Some would like to see a festive Brexit.
Nearly Christmas. Shouldn’t we have a silver, sparkley, twinkling brexit that smells slightly of cloves and cinnamon? #RedWhiteAndBlueBrexit
— Cen (@CenLD) December 6, 2016
While others would like to sweeten the deal.
We can all play this game. I’ve just ordered a lemon drizzle Brexit with mint choc chip icing. #redwhiteandbluebrexit
— Gareth P Jones (@jonesgarethp) December 6, 2016
Some are auditioning for the Great British Brexit Bake Off.
Will #redwhiteandbluebrexit pro ide inspiration for an episode of #GBBO pic.twitter.com/ZutAUn28At
— Natasha Akhtar (@Natasha_Akhtar) December 6, 2016
And some are just staring at Twitter in confusion.
I don’t get it?!? #redwhiteandbluebrexit
— Shine Bright James (@ShineBriteJames) December 6, 2016