It's Brexit decision time for May and Corbyn: Mirror Politics morning briefing

It maybe Bank Holiday Monday but don't let the weekend's extra day lull you into a false sense of stasis.

A huge week for Brexit is coming up, with Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn finally having to decide just how much they want to upset their parties .

For the Prime Minister, who has already vowed to stand down, the choice is less painful because her personal ambitions peaked with her arrival in No10.

If she signs up to a customs arrangement/union/deal she will alienate much of her parliamentary party and the vast majority of activists – four out of five of whom want her to go .

The pair must decide which wings of their parties they want to please - and which they are prepared to alienate (Getty)

For the Labour leader, the decision is even less palatable: agree a deal with the Conservatives and be seen as facilitating a “Tory Brexit”, or find another reason not to sign-up to a pact and risk losing swathes of support across the North, Midlands and parts of the South Wales Valleys.

Second referendum campaigners – call it a “people's vote”, a “confirmatory vote” an opportunity to “exit from Brexit” (whatever happened to that slogan?), but that's what it is – point to swings from Labour to the Lib Dems in its heartlands .

That, of course, ignores Labour voters who stayed home because they didn't feel their vote would be respected, and others who voted Lib Dem or Green as a protest.

Both parties have traditionally benefited when electors shun the two main parties.

In truth, last week's council elections allow Labour MPs to interpret as they wish.

Here's Ruth Smeeth from Leave-supporting Stoke: “We need to deliver Brexit, not be seen as blocking it.”

(PA)

And here's Stephen Doughty from Remain-supporting Cardiff: “The last time the Lib Dems did this well was in the aftermath of the Iraq War and tuition fees and this should be a wake up call for our party - particularly given the risk of losing the support of younger voters. It is clear that voters want Brexit resolved, but the only way to do this is by letting the people have the final say on any deal.”

Leadership is about making decisions.

The time has come for Corbyn to decide.

Today's agenda:

Neither the Commons nor the Lords are sitting

1pm – Change UK rally in Nottingham

2pm – Brexit Party rally in Chester

What I am reading:

This fantastic piece by former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson's ex-press aide Rob Golledge on his boss playing with a ceremonial sword, losing crickets and stuffing McDonald's bags in ministerial red boxes

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