Interview: Francois insists that the ERG wants the backstop ditched altogether – not tweaked

“In my personal opinion, Olly Robbins should go to the Tower, in which case he should arrive by river.”

No Deal can’t be “taken off the table”

The only way of ruling it out is to change the table itself: in other words, to abandon Brexit, or prepare to – as Remainers should admit.

Next, watch pro-Remain and pro-Soft Brexit Ministers push for the postponement of Brexit

Today, May is swinging towards her Party’s leavers. The logic of the Chancellor’s position, and that of his allies, is to block her – or try to.

WATCH: Francois – The ERG will vote with the Government today

He tells the Prime Minister that it “will walk through the lobbies with her to vote this nonsense down.”

Almost good enough isn’t good enough

Strangely but truly, the best way of helping the Prime Minister is to send her back to Brussels to win concessions on the backstop.

The Moggcast. “Most of the poison is in the backstop.” Were it removed, Rees-Mogg might support May’s plan.

But though such a change might win his support, would it persuade his colleagues? Plus: he believes Bercow made “an honest error” last week.

Will this be the year in which the British people “come to heel”?

If May’s deal goes down, three words from John Kerr last year will highlight a choice for this new one.

The Moggcast. Why British “fair play” could lead the Queen to send for Corbyn if the Government loses a confidence vote.

“I’m not interested in being an irreconcilable…the leadership question is settled.” Rees-Mogg accepts defeat – but reserves the right to differ over policy.

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.

Drained of authority? Yes. Rudderless? Certainly. Humiliated? Absolutely. But May’s very weakness is becoming a strange strength.

She looks increasingly like the captive of pro-Remain cross-party MPs working together against the pro-Leave referendum mandate.

Joel Davidson and Amir Sadjady: Treat claims of treason with disdain. As Leavers, we wholeheartedly back this agreement. Here’s why.

By remaining in a customs arrangement which retains high standards and open access, it will be good for London – and the rest of the country too.

Bob Seely: This deal isn’t perfect. If it can be improved, great. But let’s not make the best the enemy of the good.

We need to get back to our focus, governing for the people. They are fed up with Brexit and we are running out of time

Terror of No Deal is driving May to risk splitting her Party and fall back on Labour MPs instead

That’s the single fact that stands out from the “low tragedy, high farce” of resignations, splits, divisions, principles and ambitions consuming British and Brexit politics.

Changing the Prime Minister, in itself, would solve nothing

A new leader would need a new plan to reverse this evident humiliation of May’s leadership and of British statecraft.

Will the ERG vote against the Government today?

Labour’s debate on the disclosure of legal advice about any Brexit agreement will be well worth keeping an eye on.