The Leader of the Opposition looked totally incapable of taking over.
The Prime Minister doesn’t need to endorse every dot and comma of it. But she does need to show the EU that the Commons and her Party can agree on something.
Neither is at all likely indeed to succeed May if they nod reluctant assent to any scheme to sign up to the Customs Union – which might not succeed in any event.
The biggest defeat in modern times and the largest Tory rebellion won’t stop her trying to resurrect her deal.
Brexiteer MPs believe such hints are being leaked to try to frighten them. But some in Government have indeed toyed with the idea.
The challenge to “our precious union” will be as much constitutional as economic – Deal, No Brexit…or No Deal especially.
There are three contenders in double figures, one well ahead of the other two – and a very long tail of names in single figures,
We need a new strategic partnership with Ireland. At the moment, that end seems endlessly remote.
Plus: Bad Tory language. Cutting VAT, Good Conservative news for workers. And: a second referendum – not a People’s Vote but a Cheater’s Vote.
At the heart of May’s operation, this staunch Conservative is now mulling potential ways to a second referendum with Labour MPs.
The sequence of events: bow to a second referendum, lose the ERG, gain Blairites, contest a general election – and rebrand the Party.
Blue-on-blue fire over the Government’s pulling of the meaningful vote which was due today.
Theresa May’s deputy dismissed WTO Brexit, Norway, Canada, and a second referendum in short order.
He defended the absent Prime Minister with decency and moderation, but neither Labour nor Conservative MPs were persuaded.
Is she chickening out on Brexit? Or playing chicken with Commons and Party over her deal? Or merely a headless chicken herself – bent on daily survival?