Her motion is defeated. Will the EU now abandon her, and egg on Letwin and his supporters to try to take formal control of the negotiation?
The People’s Vote is bound up with New Labour and talk of a new party. This does nothing to help it among Tory MPs…and much to harm it among Labour ones.
In the night’s only defeat for the Government, it passed by 318 votes to 310 – and with the largest rebellion from Conservative MPs.
Despite their support, the amendment fell by 322 to 290 votes.
The proposal was defeated by 321 to 301 votes.
Freeman joins the rebellion. But the amendment fell by 321 to 298.
The Speaker defied all precedent to allow an amendment which forces the Prime Minister to present the Commons with a ‘Plan B’ much sooner than planned.
The Government is suggesting that it will make little difference in practical terms – but opposed it for symbolic and political reasons.
Some favour a Second Referendum; others, EEA membership. But they have combined to deal the Prime Minister a second bloody blow in a single day.
Plus: Cox, another possible. Plus 15 names in total. Women for May. And: I will make sure the Treasury backtracks on the loan charge scandal.
Meanwhile, the Government has quietly been appointing more trade emissaries during the last few months.
If Tory MPs think that No Deal would collapse Brexit altogether, or that it would be unmanageable next March, they need a Plan B. But we stress: if.