Revealed: Theresa May’s soft Brexit plan

This is one of the more important notes I’ve written recently, because it contains what well-placed sources tell me are the main elements of the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan – which will be put to her cabinet for approval on Friday. I would characterise the kernel of what she wants as the softest possible Brexit, subject to driving only the odd coach over her self-imposed red lines, as opposed to the full coach and horses. And I will start with my habitual apology: some of what follows is arcane, technical and – yes – a bit boring. But it matters.

Let’s start with the PM’s putative third way on a customs arrangement with the EU, which has been billed by her Downing Street officials as an amalgam of the best bits of the two precursor plans, the New Customs Partnership (NCP) and Maximum Facilitation (Max Fac).

Last night, I described this supposed third way as largely the NCP rebranded – which prompted howls of outrage from one Downing Street official.