Scott Adams used the term "pre-bribes" to describe those payouts. It's not really Theresa May being bribed with that money. It's a signal to current politicians that as long as they play ball, they too can get a big payday once they leave office.

shado_op

In certain types of repeated games, cooperation can only be sustained until one player perceives the end as approaching. From that point on, the strategy switches to grabbing as much for yourself as possible.

In recent years, I've felt like the western "elites" made an analogous strategic shift and it's made me wonder if it's because they saw the end coming.