It will probe whether or or not Sunak can prepare the country for that future – and perhaps succeed Johnson himself, “one fine day”.
But as ever, trying to make out a consensus position is like trying to pick out a tune when a drunk pianist is playing a broken piano.
The Prime Minister seems to be mulling some school re-openings pre-Easter. But how long will it last and who can really be sure?
The Government should begin to dash unrealistic expectations now, rather than be forced to do so later.
The sense that he hates the whole business is helping to carry him through it – for all the mistakes that have been made.
The commonsense presumption must be that he wouldn’t be going at all were a deal not at least possible.
We have seen it in the context of Europe; we are seeing it in the context of Covid restrictions. We may more of it in tackling the public finances.
The tellers for the Noes were Steve Baker and Robert Syms. 15 Labour MPs, 8 DUP ones and two independents also opposed the motion.
Every MP wants to make sure restrictions in their area are as limited as possible. But we’re close to the end now. Let’s not fall near the finish line.
O’Brien has arrived to find the MP for Havant already in place, who though not a former think tank head is no policy slouch.
Plus: Johnson’s sub-optimal Brexit trade deal choice. I’m not dreaming of a normal Christmas. And: green jobs – overall, a cost not a benefit.
America’s result is having knock-on effects in Downing Street: see yesterday’s green speech and today’s defence news.
There is deprivation and lower educational attainment in the southern new towns, coastal communities, inner cities and rural coldspots.
Fox floated a new Parliamentary committee to “determine that decisions across all parts of Government have been taken on the best available evidence”.
We urged the Government last week to do so. Others are also on the case – and the Daily Mail this morning publishes its own findings.