I do agree with you that the EU needs to take a hard stance and the UK's position is very weak. However, it's possible to push too hard. ie my "emergency break" thing (see post #421 explaining why it's a bit too much). This would explain why May suddenly pushed for hard Brexit at this time and Labour isn't taking a party-line vote against her (they would have some idea of what's going on due to the 'shadow cabinet').
However, you explanation of May being a closet Brexiteer would also work. May delaying her speech to this point makes it harder for Labour to react and the it's leader might have thought that Article 50 is going to be triggered no matter what, there was nothing to fight for, and wanted to be on the winning side (there's something to fight for "hard" vs "soft" and he just messed up).
I think it depends if May is a closet Brexiteer or not. If she is then #2 is much more likely then the EU going full retard. If she isn't #2 isn't possible which would leave #1. So what makes you think that May is a closet Brexiteer?
However, you explanation of May being a closet Brexiteer would also work. May delaying her speech to this point makes it harder for Labour to react and the it's leader might have thought that Article 50 is going to be triggered no matter what, there was nothing to fight for, and wanted to be on the winning side (there's something to fight for "hard" vs "soft" and he just messed up).
I think it depends if May is a closet Brexiteer or not. If she is then #2 is much more likely then the EU going full retard. If she isn't #2 isn't possible which would leave #1. So what makes you think that May is a closet Brexiteer?