Brexit: Clean Break Needed.

Angela Merkel's refusal to let Britain win a good Brexit will boost the case for a quick, clean break from the EU

• ASA BENNETT.

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  Theresa May and Angela Merkel talk Brexit CREDIT: KRISZTIAN BOCSI/BLOOMBERG

  Theresa May's overriding mission as Prime Minister is clear: to secure Britain's exit from the European Union under terms that will satisfy the British people.

  Her fellow EU leaders, on the other hand, need to deny her that success. Those more central to the European project, like Germany and France, have even more reason to play hardball. Any sign of Britain getting a good deal could give other member-states ideas about leaving, killing off an EU project that is already is very poor health. 

  As ever, the key player will be Angela Merkel, the unreadable German chancellor.