Four plans are being floated:
- The Commons votes on the Withdrawal Agreement only, not both it and the Political Declaration. That would represent a different plan. And the EU wouldn’t object to it, which seems vital these days. The Speaker couldn’t veto it, could he? (Answer: probably not, but who knows – since he makes it up as he goes along?)
- The Withdrawal Agreement Bill is introduced. It abolishes the Meaningful Vote requirement…and the deal gets through Parliament that way. But it is a very high-risk strategy. If the Bill didn’t get a Second Reading – kapow! The deal is dead. What would the timetable be, anyway – and would it require a further extension? And Bercow couldn’t throw a spanner in the works, could he? (One has to ask.)
- Parliament is prorogued and we start all over again. Again, what would the implications be for the timetable?
- The Speaker is removed by a no confidence vote. Good luck with that one. He’s Labour’s creature and Labour will keep him in place. Unless a body of its MPs lose patience with him.