Theresa May Backs Off Key Brexit Promises

It was pretty clear that many voters in the UK who voted for Brexit did not fully understand exactly what they were voting for. And now, even the ones who clearly understood that it meant leaving the EU, reducing immigration, and using savings from less EU regulation to spend more on the NHS will be starting to wonder if that is what they are really going to get.  On Sunday, Prime Minister Theresa May cast doubt on at least two of those Brexit assumptions. First, she cast doubt on the effectiveness of a business-friendly “point-based” immigration system that was touted by Brexit leader and current Foreign Minister Boris Johnson as well as her current Trade Minister Liam Fox. May still insisted that a policy of tighter immigration that would pass muster with the EU and allow the UK access to the European single market could still be crafted, but provided no details on how that might be done. May then went on to say that she would not commit to increase spending on health care either. Now, the savings from leaving the EU that Brexit supporters said would be spent on the NHS were largely mythical, so it is not that surprising that May has backed away from that promise. On the other hand, May had supported remaining in the EU so she is already viewed by suspicion. Backing away from key promises made to Brexit voters will only add to the concern that May will implement a Brexit that is far different and much weaker than what they had voted for.