It almost works

Were it not for the backstop, May’s deal would get over the line – with support from an overwhelming majority of Conservatives, including us.

Iain Dale: It’s going to be a White Christmas – because there are snowflakes, snowflakes everywhere.

Plus: Tory MPs, the world’s most duplicitous electorate. But a certain long-serving woman Labour MP is sending Christmas cards to them all…

Two pledges to MPs helped the Prime Minister over the line yesterday – but now she must fulfil them

A guarantee of a legally binding change to the backstop, and a more vague promise not to go on and on as leader, both present challenges.

WATCH: May – “I’ve heard loud and clear the concerns of those who didn’t feel they were able to support me”

The Prime Minister is meeting EU leaders to seek the “legal and political assurances” on the backstop she promised MPs yesterday.

Henry Hill: The strange Scottish Conservative rebellion against the Withdrawal Agreement

If you’d had to guess which of their MPs would rebel on the deal, Lamont and Ross wouldn’t have made the top six.

Rebecca Lowe: Leave isn’t right-wing, Remain isn’t left-wing

Len McCluskey’s opposition to a second referendum is explicit, Seamus Milne’s Euroscepticism is unshakeable, and so on. The People’s Voters need Labour’s whipping power, but they won’t get it.

Get ready to play May’s Chicken Game again before too long

“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”

Stalemate

May wins – but not by enough to break free from her internal opponents. Too strong to fall and too weak to win, she is, if anything, more exposed to them than before.

WATCH: May – “We now need to get on with the job – delivering Brexit for the British people.”

“A significant number of colleagues did cast their votes against me, and I’ve listened to what they said.”

WATCH: North Korean ovation from Conservative MPs as Brady announces that May has won

The Chairman of the 1922 Executive Committee then reads out the figures. And someone says: “oooh”.

Jonathan Clark: Brexit has reopened two constitutional conflicts which must be resolved

Does authority reside with Parliament or the People? And are MPs representatives or delegates? Both must be answered.

Andrew Gimson’s Westminster sketch: A carnival in which even the Prime Minister’s inhibitions start to break down

Rumour and counter-rumour fly round the Palace, and those with walk-on parts have a wonderful time.

WATCH: Hammond describes Conservative MPs who vote against May tonight as “extremists”

The Chancellor said the ballot will “flush out” those who are “trying to advance a particular agenda” harmful to the national interest.

WATCH: May blasts Corbyn’s “henchman”, the “inconstant Gardiner”, for fronting Labour’s Brexit u-turns

“The biggest threat to people and this country isn’t leaving the EU, it’s a Corbyn government,” the Prime Minister warned.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Conservative MPs do not look nearly as loyal as one would think to listen to them

The Prime Minister saw off the Leader of the Opposition, but her own backbenchers seemed glum and thoughtful.