Two Brexit Scapegoats Suggest a Government Adrift

Given its overstretched resources, a parliamentary minority and the mind-boggling complexities of Brexit, it makes sense for Prime Minister Theresa May to adopt a simple litmus test for all government action: Every new government measure must aim to mitigate the damage that Britain's departure from Europe will do to investment, confidence and opportunity. Instead, the government is rounding up the Brexit scapegoats.

This week's leaked Home Office draft plan for reducing low-skilled immigration fails the test by a mile. If it becomes policy, the Home Office plan would reduce the number of migrant workers (when Britain needs the labor) and further alienate Britain's EU negotiation partners (when Britain needs their cooperation). Brexit is already having a chilling effect on EU job-seekers, who provide a net benefit to the U.K. economy. It's hard to think of a better example of an own goal, apart from Brexit itself.