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.
The morning after the day on which Brexit may have died. On which the politicians failed the people – and deliberately defied the referendum result.
Some will say that this is the day on which Brexit died. On which the politicians failed the people – and deliberately defied the referendum result.
Key to her victory is yesterday’s Remainer / Soft Brexit Cabinet and other rebels falling into line after a Party backlash today.
This was a scheme to steer the Commons in the direction of a Norway-style softer Brexit settlement.
No wonder: there’s fundamental division among the move’s backers at having today’s vote at all. Labour abstains.
The thinking of most of the 78 per cent will be that Britain should leave the EU on March 29 as expected.
A majority of our respondents still oppose it. But the trend is clear: fear of No Brexit is driving activists reluctantly to back the Withdrawal Agreement.
Though there may have been extenuating circumstances – namely, contradictory instructions from Number Ten and the Whips respectively.
The bulk of these responses came in before this evening’s shambles. But there is no means of challenging her in a confidence ballot until late next autumn.
Two of them, Sarah Newton and Paul Masterton, were members of the Government, and have resigned.
The motion ruling out No Deal passes by 321 votes to 278. It’s another evening of humiliation for May.
That’s roughly half the Conservative Parliamentary Party, plus presumably some DUP MPs.
The vote has no legal force, but it sends an important signal. The former Cabinet Minister didn’t move her amendment, but others did in any event.
Only one of those selected this evening, that tabled in the name of Damian Green (“the Malthouse amendment”) does so.
