A Brexit deal will not end Theresa May's political woes

THERESA May will meet with Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron this weekend on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. The conversations come amid growing speculation that a fudged Brexit deal could be agreed before Christmas, and possibly even this month.

After the best part of two years of negotiations, a Brexit deal would be greeted with much relief by the administrations in London, Brussels and many continental Europe capitals, despite the fact that key issues will need to be kicked into the political long grass for resolution later. Yet, even if such an exit agreement can finally be put on the table, the biggest challenge could lie ahead in December and early next year, especially in Westminster, with the need to secure ratification in the UK and EU Parliaments.

This is, in large part, because of the continuing UK-wide divisions over Brexit which leave Mrs May's tenure in Downing Street precarious. These problems were meant to have been put to bed by publication of the government's Brexit White Paper in July.