If no deal is better than a bad one, the sum of this policy is certainly a bad deal. Tory leavers now face a bleak choice.
Also: Grieve says Irish Sea border is ‘completely unacceptable’; Sturgeon reshuffles Cabinet as SNP delay flagship education bill.
This week was meant to be all about Tory rebellions and blue-on-blue conflict. Instead, the Opposition’s civil war has intensified.
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.
Grieve behaved with the prudence of the Grand Old Duke of York, but suggested everyone has gone mad.
The former rebel-in-chief says he is reassured by “the obvious acknowledgement of the sovereignty of this place…in black and white.”
Rees-Mogg argues “the upskirting ban should have been a Government Bill” from the outset, not left to backbenchers. Plus: is he watching the World Cup?
…but that now, “We might as well have not done the whole negotiation”.
The Brexit Secretary has taken control of the Government’s dealings with Grieve – for the moment, anyway. Watch for further twists and turns.
Long-standing Leavers, who stood out for personal conviction against the Party leadership, should understand Remainers who are now in the same position.
Seventy-five MPs disobeyed Corbyn to back the EEA, joined by three Conservatives. And six more Labour frontbenchers resigned.
Grieve may have backed off yesterday, but the Government backed down. May now risks losing control of her Brexit policy altogether.
Last-minute concessions appear to have saved the Government from defeat on the EU Withdrawal Bill
The Solicitor-General offers to meet the rebel-in-chief to discuss his amendment. Meanwhile, Rees-Mogg mounts a constitutional argument against it.