Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: May’s enraged backbenchers ask how she can cosy up to Corbyn
The Leader of the Opposition took the chance to do a bit of electioneering by praising Tony Blair’s achievements.
Is the DUP now more or less likely to join Corbyn in a no confidence vote – perhaps soon?
May has clearly given up on the party – not without reason – so will it now give up in her? What happens to what’s left of the confidence and supply deal?
Tacking a customs union on to May’s deal will make no difference to it – at least, if you’re a Unionist
The point is that we’re already signed up to a form of one under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. That’s what the backstop’s all about.
The Conservative message to voters. “Don’t go anywhere near Corbyn.” Their reply. “Why not? Your leader’s doing so.”
First, May denounces him as the devil. Next, she invites him to dine in Downing Street. The move cannot help Conservative local election candidates.
May makes her choice at last. She tears up her red lines.
By saying for the first time that “the Government stands ready to abide by the decision of the House”, she risks splitting her own Party.
Positions on both sides of the Commons are hardening, despite (or because of) the crusade for consensus
Not only are Leavers and Remainers drifting further apart, but the various Remain factions are now engaged in a furious blame game.
The worst Prime Minister in our history
We refer, of course, to Letwin – the Prime Minister In All But Name. Not because he’s making a mess of things. But because, unlike others, he’s unaccountable.
It’s Groundhog Letwin. MPs cast their indicative votes against [roll of drums]…everything. Again.
The supporters of the softer Brexit and pro-Remain options have helped to do each other in. And Boles has walked out on the Conservative Party (it seems).
Naked flesh does not stop the Brexit debate
The protesters were at length evicted from the Public Gallery, but no one really seemed to be in charge.
Our survey. How Party members would cast indicative votes. They are overwhelmingly for No Deal.
The only options they have backed in this month’s survey are forms of No Deal – or to a lesser extent May’s Deal.
Grieve’s candidacy. Whose Party is it, anyway?
A party needs members. And if its leaders treat them as serfs rather than as owners, they will leave. We wish it luck in holding marginal seats without any.
Next Tory Leader. It’s Johnson first, Raab second and Gove third in our first survey since May’s pledge to quit.
Next time round, we will try run-offs between some of the main candidates, which are a bit ovedue.
Three cheers for the Commons for the way it is conducting the necessary argument on Europe
Progressive commentators and saloon-bar orators are wrong to condemn MPs for finding the national issue hard to settle.
The Withdrawal Agreement motion. Ayes 286. Noes 344. The Government loses by 58.
First time round, it lost by 230. Second time, by 149. The text of today’s motion was different, but will the political impact be the same?
Our survey. Three in five party members back May’s deal. It has a majority among them for the first time.
Our take is that there is very little enthusiasm for the deal among Party members: merely a growing belief that it is the lesser of two evils.