A Prime Minister Unshackled

EU law has been the biggest check on British government power since 1973. It has prevented the British government from coddling favoured industries or discriminating against immigrants from the EU. Theresa May’s decision to pursue a hard Brexit, leaving the EU’s legal framework entirely, will remove an important constraint on executive power in Britain. This will ultimately damage the country’s interests abroad and raise the likelihood of policy mistakes at home. And her decision to call a general election will strengthen the power of Number 10 over parliament, which further raises the risks.