When Michael Gove declares “winter is coming”, it’s tempting to look out of the window for crocuses. We’ve become so used to Machiavellian manoeuvres from the Game of Thrones fan since the referendum campaign, it’s hard not to doubt everything he says.
However, as Theresa May looks set for a historic loss in parliament, Gove is right. It really does feel like a chilly day for the British economy.
Not only does a no-deal Brexit loom larger than ever, but a vote of no confidence followed by a General Election is surging up towards the top of the bookies’ forecasts.
And that, with the potential it brings for a Jeremy Corbyn-led government, is as bad as it gets.
Most business bosses fear Corbyn more than Hard Brexit.
As one said yesterday, a no-deal departure will be costly and annoying, necessitating ridiculous red tape around product standards, labelling, intellectual property, staffing.
But he was ready for it, with stockpiles on both sides of the channel and a phalanx of lawyers braced for the nightmare ahead.
A nationalising, high-taxing Corbyn government was something he couldn’t prepare for.
If Theresa May “only” loses by 100 (a seemingly impossible feat), both those grim scenarios recede as it becomes more likely she will get a negotiated withdrawal agreement through eventually. Anything more than 150 and we are in Game of Thrones territory.
A chink of light, though. Amid the chaos of a massive defeat looms a fourth prospect — another referendum, which kicks the whole daft Brexit project into touch.
We can but hope.
