Dear Prime Minister
I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. Whether it is the progressive dilution of what I thought was a firm Chequers agreement in February on right to diverge, or the unnecessary delays of the start of the White Paper, or the presentation of a backstop proposal that omitted the strict conditions that I requested and believed that we had agreed, the general direction of policy will leave us in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one.
The Cabinet decision on Friday crystallised this problem. In my view the inevitable consequence of the proposed policies will be to make the supposed control by Parliament illusory rather than real. As I said at Cabinet, the “common rule book” policy hands control of large swathes of our economy to the EU and is certainly not returning control of our laws in any real sense.
I am also unpersuaded that our negotiating approach will not just lead to further demands for concessions.
Of course this is a complex area of judgement and it is possible that you are right and I am wrong. However, even in that event it seems to me that the national interest requires a Secretary of State in my Department that is an enthusiastic believer in your approach, and not merely a reluctant conscript. While I have been grateful to you for the opportunity to serve, it is with great regret that I tender my resignation from the Cabinet with immediate effect.
Yours ever
David
英式含蓄表达
英国人向来以含蓄著称，这个特点也体现在他们的日常表达上。他们有些日常用语表达的意思很微妙，有时连其他英语国家人士都无法完全理解，下面总结了一些，我们一起来看看吧。
英式客套：I hear what you say. 我听见你说什么了。
你以为的：He accepts my point of view. 他同意我的观点。
真正意思：I disagree and do not want to discuss it further. 我不赞同你，这个问题的讨论就此打住吧。
英式客套：He's remotely interesting. 他这个人有点有趣。
你以为的：He likes the way I am. 他还算蛮喜欢我这个人的嘛。
真正意思：He's damn boring. 他这个人无聊透顶。
英式客套：I almost agree. 我差不多同意。
你以为的：He's not far from agreement. 他离同意也不远了。
真正意思：I don't agree at all. 我根本不同意。
英式客套：Could we consider some other options? 我们还有其他备选项吗？
你以为的：They have not yet decided. 他们还没决定（需要进一步讨论）。
真正意思：I don't like your idea. 我觉得你的主意不怎么样。
英式客套：With the greatest respect... 洗耳恭听
你以为的：He is listening to me. 他在认真听。
真正意思：You are an idiot. 你个傻瓜。
英式客套：Quite good. 挺好的。
你以为的：Quite good. 挺好的。
真正意思：A bit disappointing. 不尽如人意。
英式客套：That is a very brave proposal. 这个提议挺大胆的。
你以为的：He thinks I have courage. 他赞赏我的勇气。
真正意思：You are insane. 你疯了吧。
英式客套：I would suggest... 我的建议就是（建议内容）。
你以为的：Think about the idea, but do what you like. 考虑一下这个建议，但最终由你决定。
真正意思：Do it or be prepared to justify yourself. 就按这个来，否则说出你自己的理由。
英式客套：Oh, incidentally/by the way... 哎，对了（还有个事儿）。
你以为的：That is not very important. 不是什么重要的事儿。
真正意思：The primary purpose of our discussion is... 此次讨论的主题就是（这件事）。
英式客套：Very interesting. 挺有意思的。
你以为的：They are impressed. 他们觉得这个很好。
真正意思：That is clearly nonsense. 简直胡扯。
英式客套：I'll bear it in mind. 我会记下的。
你以为的：They will probably do it. 他们会记得做这件事。
真正意思：I've forgotten it already. 谁还记得那个啊。
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