RECENT weeks have seen a flurry of activity on Brexit by both Labour and Conservatives.

Much of this activity is about internal politicking and/or seeking to gain political advantage against those they see as their main rivals.

The first major event, after increasing signs of disquiet in the Conservatives with both Leavers and Stoppers issuing their own discordant messages, was May’s cabinet meeting last Thursday to iron out EU policy. Rumours fed by Number 10 suggested that the cabinet had all come together in a show of unity. Now they can only agree on the transition’s terms, however long that may last.

What is still missing is any clear articulation over what our future relationship with the continental Europeans will be like. May will tell us all where we stand on Friday, or maybe not, but I suspect that we will all be disappointed.

Meanwhile, Corbyn has stolen a march on May by announcing a change of position (at least on his part) over establishing some formal joint market with the EU. Irrespective of Corbyn’s Marxist view that the EU is a big capitalist plot, close inspection of his proposal suggests that we will have the ability to influence EU policy without direct membership. This is another flight of fantasy in a crowded market. Even the least cynical voter sees the sudden change in Corbyn’s position as political opportunism.

Corbyn’s priority is destabilising the Conservative government and seeking a vote of no confidence as Labour thinks that it will win the next general election. If this vote of no confidence can be engineered on the back of Brexit, all the better.

Both parties, Labour and Conservative, are riddled with inconsistencies over Brexit, and may well decide on a third referendum (the first two being in 1975 and 2016) to let the public sort it out.

There are no clear approaches or unity of purpose.

Many of the policies proposed are unrealistic. ‘Brexit means Brexit’ is a slogan not a policy. Both parties appear to take the line that they can have their cake and eat it.

The problem is that if you are no longer a member of a club, and you are no longer paying its membership fees, then you cannot expect to take on all its benefits, flaunt its rules, and absolve yourself of all responsibilities.

As the Conservatives and Labour focus on Brexit to the detriment of all else, our NHS, Social Care, Education and Defence which are key to our national success, are being given the sticking plaster treatment. These areas are all going to be hit hard by Brexit, yet little thought has been given to address their problems.

It is all too difficult for May and Corbyn who are obsessed with next week’s headlines.

Luigi Gregori, Charlton Road, Andover.