Theresa May’s pitch is strong, stable—and short on detail

ON MAY 3rd Theresa May gave what began as a speech to mark the start of the general-election campaign and ended up sounding more like a declaration of war. “Threats against Britain have been issued by European politicians and officials,” she warned. “All of these acts have been deliberately timed to affect the result of the general election.”That is doubtful. But if this week’s war of words between Britain’s prime minister and the European Union does affect the vote, it will be in her favour. Mrs May’s Conservatives were already the racing favourites to win a big majority against a feeble Labour opposition. A frosty exchange with foreigners over Brexit will only reinforce the image of strength that she has been trying to project to voters. The snag, for Britain and the EU alike, is that the needless deterioration in relations will worsen the chances of the two parties signing a good—or perhaps any—Brexit deal (see ).