May’s deal is a Brexit-in-name-only agreement, drawn up to defend capitalist interests. While it leaves the details of the future relationship with the remaining EU27 member states to negotiations during the transition period after March 2019, it keeps the UK within the EU’s pro-big business regulatory orbit. And yet parliamentary approval of the deal can only be secured by May, if at all, by her bulldozing it through. Forcing it through on this basis would not be a sign of strength, however. The whole situation reflects the underlying social isolation and weakness of the ruling class, buffeted by the economic, social and political contradictions of declining British capitalism.