The Government is in crisis. MPs need to ponder deeply should be done for the best. That means not quitting Westminster this week.
That’s ten gone from the front bench or CCHQ – and it would be surprising were there not more today.
Downing Street sends a not-very-subtle message in its choice of successors in the mini-reshuffle.
He accuses them of making up claims about promotions being dangled – “as if any of us can be bribed”.
“I cannot support this policy with the sincerity and resolve which will be necessary,” he says in his letter to the Prime Minister.
Steve Baker follows him out, in a dual blow for the Prime Minister’s already embattled proposals.
Since she might not get an acceptable agreement, or indeed any at all, the Government must strain to get Ready for Day One, not Ready for Day 730.
Last-minute concessions appear to have saved the Government from defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill
She will be feeling a hand of history on her shoulder, and wondering if the other holds a knife at her back.
Plus: We’ll never know the truth about the rebels’ motives. If you have fewer MPs, you must also have fewer Ministers. And: doesn’t Steve Baker have a fine head of hair?
Then come Redwood and Tugendhat to make up the top five. Four of the top ten have been in the Commons for less than three years.
After leaving the EU, we must ensure we are well-positioned in terms of regulation, taxation, immigration and – crucially – foreign languages.