She was unable to get a parliamentary majority to support her Brexit deal. But she was also unable to get a parliamentary majority to accept any number of other Brexit deals. And in the end, the notoriously conniving British Conservative Party made her pay for their own divisions.
Still, history will record that Theresa May did a good job. Because the sum of her leadership is not merely the story of a flailing Brexit.
It is also the story of a leader who, for two hard years, negotiated a good deal with the European Union. It is the story of a leader who managed, at least until this week, to balance fiercely opposed wings of the Conservative Party. It is the story of a leader who maintained strong relations with America, and made clear her willingness — unlike her opponent — to defend Britain in any circumstances. It is the story of a leader who was unwilling to give in until she was forced out.
Whoever replaces May will have hard shoes to fill. They must now see Brexit carried thru. But it is hard to see what more they can do. The fractures that define British politics and Brexit are now calcified and weeping. I suspect a general election is coming soon. Let us pray that the fanatical anti-American, anti-Semitic socialist Jeremy Corbyn does not triumph.
