What the papers say: Theresa May needs to show more Brexit optimism

Theresa May’s Brexit pitch today will deliver to the EU ‘divorce terms that she hopes it can’t refuse’, says the Times. An early draft of her speech suggests she will start by explaining the choice of location, Florence; a city, the PM will say, ‘that taught us what it is to be European’. This begs the questions of what it means to be ‘both British and European in the age of Brexit’, says the Times. Expect to hear mention of Britain being ’outward-looking’ and ‘global’ once again. But given that today’s address ‘must be the speech of her life’ she cannot rest on saying things she has already said. When she stands up in the basilica of Santa Maria Novella this afternoon, May ‘can make a virtue of her venue by distinguishing neatly between Europe and the EU, and flattering both’. She should, too, paint a ‘brighter vision of the future than she has managed to conjure so far’, concludes the Times.