The new Leader of the House on how he was “gulled” by Theresa May over Brexit, and why it’s “a little bit premature” to talk about resigning if the October deadline isn’t met.
Had he not founded the European Research Group, we might very well be subject to the Withdrawal Agreement or have never had the chance to vote Leave.
Leavers insist correctly that the EU is a political project first and foremost. Which helps to explain why this scheme is unlikely to fly.
He says he’s best placed to deliver Brexit, slash corporation tax and beat Corbyn. And adds “I am not going to criticise Boris for going to a posher public school than me.”
Gove, Stewart and perhaps others too could see their standing and prospects damaged this afternoon.
The anti-business, anti-private property trajectory is doing it just as much damage – as exemplified in the field of housing and rent.
Will they now seek to appease turbulent voters by rushing her-deal-plus-the-Customs-Union through the Commons?
Amidst verbal and actual violence, it is tempting to seek to shut down, say, Farage or Lammy altogether. But politics without anger would be impossible – and undesirable.
A Remainer parliament will never be willing to properly implement Brexit. And there is only one other decision-making body: the people.
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.
PS: We make that 28 Spartans and six Remainers. The Prime Minister won only nine votes from across the floor, and lost the DUP.
In the end, it may well prefer to hold out for a general election – and the likelihood of a Brexit delay – in the hope that something better turns up.