The Big Queue Drama and Theresa May’s Oops Moment
Picture the scene: Parliament hustled, the air thick with Brexit buzz, and Prime Minister Theresa May got called out for a comment that rang louder than a broken horn.
What Went Wrong?
- Last week, May told a room of business leaders that EU migrant workers would no longer be able to “jump the queue” after Britain left the European Union.
- “Jump the queue”—the phrase that people actually use to skip lines at the grocery store—just turned into a diplomatic glitch.
- Fast forward to today, and the debate didn’t end. A Scottish National Party (SNP) MP, Philippa Whitford, stepped in.
Whitford’s Bump‑in
During the session, Whitford challenged May to put the blame behind a more respectful, human‑friendly stance. She asked:
“Will you apologize for managing to insult and upset 3 million European citizens who live and work in this country?”
And, in true May‑style fashion, she took a moment to keep the drama to a minimum.
May’s Road‑Map to Redemption
She clapped her hands together and said, “I should not have used that language in that speech.”
She went on to emphasize that
“Right from the very beginning I said that citizens’ rights were a key issue I wanted addressed in the withdrawal agreement.”
In short, May tried to move the conversation back to the fundamentals: ensuring European workers—and indeed all citizens—remain protected and respected, even if Britain is charting its own course.
Bottom Line
May’s apology serves as a reminder that politics is about people, not just policy. When the Big Queue of Brexit opens, the best strategy is to keep doorways open for everyone.
