Left-wing economist Paul Mason: Conservative government 'will collapse' over Brexit

Prime minister Theresa May. Picture: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher

‘People need to get ready for this government to collapse in office’ – that is a leading left-wing economist’s prediction as the government heads towards defeat over its Brexit plan.

Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, former Newsnight journalist Paul Mason launched into the Tories for their divisions over Europe – saying: ‘The Tories are splitting. This is fantastic news for those of us who think they are basically a load of harsh, heartless clowns.’

However he also threw down a challenge to Labour to take advantage of the Conservatives’ divisions said: ‘As they split, the opportunity arises for Labour for them to make a cross-party appeal. We want to know what that is.’

However Mason said the prime minister should be doing more to try and bring the country together at a time of great divide, criticising a decision of hers to write an appeal to voters in today’s right-wing Sunday Express.

He added that he feared politics is becoming more polarised and that May ‘needs to be trying to bring the country together around something’.