The Prime Minister In Name Only awaits the Prime Minister In All But Name
In other words, May waits for Letwin. Which adds a new dimension to her chicken game. Her message is: “vote for my deal soon – or get his.”
It’s third time lucky for Letwin. His amendment passes by 329 – 302. He gains and May loses control.
He, Cooper et al have seized control of parts of Commons and Brexit business, and we wait to see what happens next.
The Beckett amendment falls by 311 – 314
This was the amendment that sought to ensure that No Deal doesn’t happen without the Commons sitting – and having a chance to stop it.
Brine, Burt and Harrington resign to vote for the Letwin amendment
All credit to them for quitting on principle rather than, as the Cabinet “Gang of Three” did, defying the whip and staying on in Government.
The Conservatives and anti-Muslim prejudice. A role for the Extremism Commissioner.
Sara Khan should hold an investigation into racial and religious prejudice among all the main parties.
Coronation (headless) chicken
May should go in mid-April. But attempts to appoint a successor uncontested will only stir further chaos in the hen coop.
The price May is paying for survival is powerlessness
She yesterday achieved the outcome most likely to prop her up – at least for the time being. But Cooper, Letwin and Bercow are waiting in the wings.
Would May really be prepared to attempt No Deal? We offer you the Varadkar Test.
If he starts ringing alarm bells over the next few days, the possibility may be real. If he doesn’t – or only goes through the motions – then it probably isn’t.
May. Treating you like a fool.
New Labour’s legacy is alive and well. When it trouble, don’t accept responsibility. Instead, blame someone else.
Extension. Never mind the quality, feel the length.
The Prime Minister knows that a short extension is most likely to keep her in Downing Street. Which is why she always likely ultimately to back one.
What will the EU do now?
There is no sign that the Prime Minister would win MV3 this week even were she to get the DUP onside – and Bercow to allow a vote.
The moment for which Bercow has waited since he was a tiny boy
The crude effect of his ruling, crafted and sprung on a hapless Downing Street, is to make a third meaningful vote unlikely this week, and perhaps next week too.
The truth about Nick Boles and Grantham & Stamford’s Conservative Association
Or as close to it as a site well-disposed to both can get in this fallen world. This is the story of a marriage gone horribly wrong.
Enter – or rather exit – the Spartans
A dedicated band of Conservative pro-Brexit holdouts stands ready to perish rather than let May’s deal pass.
Would May agree to go quickly to get her deal through? She may yet hint at it. But watch the small print.
The idea might suit the leadership aspirations of some potential successors. But wishful thinking and stubborn reality don’t mix – at least not in this case.