Whatever Brexit deal Theresa May can do is the answer to reduce the pain of divorce

As the Brexit deadline approaches and negotiations continue amid ever-more intense scrutiny, the actual detail of Theresa May’s talks with the EU becomes less and less important.

Leaving the EU has been compared to a divorce. While I am fortunate enough never to have gone through one myself, I have witnessed plenty and it is fair to say that the process is a difficult and unhappy one for all involved. While the intent is that the separation leads to a more favourable way of life, that only happens once a new status quo has been found. The details of the divorce settlement are relatively inconsequential: years down the line, who got the TV, microwave or car is rarely even remembered, let alone a significant factor in long-term happiness.

In Britain’s divorce from the EU, three camps appear to have emerged.

Many hard Brexiteers would sooner leave with no deal and trade on WTO rules rather than accept a compromise. Exports would be subject to EU tariffs, putting British businesses at a disadvantage in the EU market, which currently represents around 44 per cent of UK exports. The costs, complexities and impact of moving to WTO rules have yet to be properly explained and are far from understood by the vast majority of the population. This solution would also provide short-term instability and delay long-term clarity.

Meanwhile, supporters of the people’s vote are keen to think again about the divorce, by holding another referendum. While this might appeal to the significant number of people who never wanted to leave the EU in the first place, the value of canvassing opinions on Brexit again is questionable. It is highly unlikely that a clear consensus would emerge and it would extend the period of uncertainty and serve as a catalyst for division, opening up old sores. Even if Remain won, the ‘Leavers’ would surely ask for a best-of-three tie break.

I find myself in the ‘whatever Theresa May comes back with’ camp. The best outcome for Britain is to establish some kind of deal with Brussels, set out what the future looks like for British business and give us time to get used to it. Of course, not everyone will be happy in the short term, but anyone who believed in a divorce without compromise must have been seriously deluded.

The problem with politicians is that they are political. Our prime minister has been grappling with the complexities of Brexit for the last two years. She is the best placed person to do a deal and deserves our support.

Too many people are keen to criticise and complain to serve their own agenda. Now is the time for politicians to put Britain’s interests first and for pragmatism to triumph over dogma. We need to look at the bigger picture: what is vital for UK business right now is clarity; if that means compromising on the minor details of a deal, that is what we should do.

This is a divorce that we asked for and we must accept that we cannot have everything our own way. The sooner we agree a deal – whatever that may look like – the sooner we can move on and focus on building our economy in post-Brexit Britain.