Johnson should be praised for getting a deal at all – once again. But as matters stand, MPs won’t be able properly to consider it.
MPs should be summoned to vote on the new tiering arrangements. Whether they’d have time to consider a trade bill is a different matter.
They owe him and Johnson their seats – and won’t save themselves by turning on him. If necessary, they should lose the whip.
As ERG Chairman his unyielding opposition to May’s Deal proved to be of great significance.
Leo Varadkar summed it up by saying, “I think it’s a positive thing that we have a decisive outcome in Britain.”
Twelve months on from Thursday’s election, Johnson faces an unpalatable choice – and Cabinet resignations…
In 2010, Eric Pickles gave my intake the benefit of his experience. Now, in turn, I offer a few lessons I’ve picked up.
The result of a general election next month would by no means be a foregone conclusion.
The Malthouse Amendment experience of different people coming together shows that unity is possible.
It may not be agreed at all with the EU – and if it is the numbers in the Commons are very tight indeed by our calculation.
(Assuming that the House indeed meets this weekend and assuming again that there are any votes.)
If it happens, he must not just win but keep the backing of the DUP, Spartans, Labour rebels and as many of the whipless 21 as he can – and stave off a referendum too.
We can begin to see how a deal can now be agreed and then pass Parliament. But the obstacles are still formidable.
You might blame Parliament for the fact that the Prime Minister will have broken his promise but Parliament didn’t force him to make that promise.
An influential voice and well respected, the ERG politician has put his beliefs ahead of short-term career opportunism.