The Tories are targeting Labour-held seats and the Liberal Democrats Tory-held ones, whilst Labour’s possible gains are probably out of reach.
Despite early talk, the Prime Minister’s foes have not adopted a common policy, strategy, or branding and are thus fighting forlorn individual battles.
Steve Brine and Greg Clark, who have also been deprived of the whip, voted with the Government – which lost by 289 votes to 306.
Mark Spencer has reportedly rung round to inform them that they have lost the Whip.
If Boris Johnson wants to pursue a No Deal exit, then he will have a fight on his hands with MPs.
The new Prime Minister will inherit the worst political legacy in living memory – with the very barest of working majorities.
Plus: The Chief Whip’s swift transformation from Francis Urquhart to Mr Bean. And: why I can’t bring myself to vote Tory in the local elections.
Though there may have been extenuating circumstances – namely, contradictory instructions from Number Ten and the Whips respectively.
Several Ministers helped to see off the Government’s best hope of avoiding a full-on crisis in the Party – and perhaps of saving Brexit too.
It is an extraordinarly inexperienced team. None of the four senior whips were appointed before July 2016, and no junior whip before June 2017.
Addressing this persistent under-representation is not political correctness, it is political common sense. Our Party would be the better for it.
T Levels are a much-needed addition, but they should not be the only option for the 16-year-old not wishing to take A levels. Save the BTEC.