Theresa May today learned the word for “no” in 27 different languages.
She had hoped to use the EU summit in Salzburg to win approval for her controversial Brexit plans.
It proved yet another miscalculation by a Prime Minister who has misread almost every step of the negotiation process.
The flat rejection by the other EU leaders leaves Mrs May’s Chequers proposals at death’s door – and there is no shortage of Tory MPs willing to switch off the life-support machine.
At a time when we need a leader with diplomatic clout, we have a diminished figure who is at the mercy of her own party.
The shambles in Salzburg leaves us without a coherent or plausible Brexit plan. This is a humiliating and disastrous position to be in as the talks enter the most crucial, final period.
The PM appears unable to command any authority or come forward with a solution that satisfies her party, the country and the EU.
At stake is our future prosperity, our jobs and our livelihoods.
We need a Brexit deal that respects the referendum result, but also protects jobs, workers’ rights and business.
If Mrs May cannot deliver such an outcome, she should stand aside for someone who can.
Prisons reform
The state of England’s jails is a stain on the nation. Drug abuse is rife, violence out of control and officers face daily attacks.
So it is not surprising the chief executive of the Prison and Probation Service, Michael Spurr, has been shown the door.
But he should not be made the scapegoat.
The fault lies with Tory ministers who have cut the number of officers, starved the service of funds and handed contracts to incompetent private firms.
Booting out a respected public servant is not a solution. It is an abdication of responsibility.
Chocs away
Quality Street has replaced the Honeycomb Crunch with the Toffee Deluxe.
That will give fans something to chew over.
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