Westminstenders: For Whom the Bell Tolls

[RedToothBrush]

Although another round of Indicative Votes is scheduled, arguably the chance for a soft Brexit has gone for two reasons.

Parliament was unable to show a majority because those on the opposition benches were too busy saying 'I want this but only on these terms' or still being too unwilling to compromise. Thus the opportunity and point for a third round starts to look weak.

The second is that Tory MPs were resolute in an opposition to a soft Brexit.

Unless May decides to be the next Robert Peel and go for a soft Brexit on the back of opposition vote its not going to happen.

This leaves May's deal as it stands or no deal.

May seems to have actually lost a few supporters of her deal since Friday, and given the performance of the opposition tonight and the prospect of round 3 of indicative votes they will still be unwilling to go for May's deal.

Which leaves no deal.

There is talk of a managed no deal. There is no such thing. The EU plan for that is essentially to push us into the deal in order to get a trading relationship.

And that will push us closer to the us. Which is what many torys want. And what polling seems to suggest they will have surprising support for.

Sorry folks but it don't look great tonight.

The opposition benches may look back on tonight and think they screwed it. I hope I'm wrong. But I fear tonight might have sealed our fate.

Tomorrow may has a 5hr cabinet. And a secret document dmfor the cabinet to study first.

It's going to get bumpy from here on in...

Thanks red 💐

Revoke, or even soft Brexit, has been described by some Tories as being like the Repeal of the Corn Laws, for how savagely it split their party

They make the comparison as a supposedly dire warning
However, that Repeal was the right decision to take

So would Revoke be

Unfortunately, I doubt if May has the moral courage - or indeed the moral sense - of Robert Peel

.

Ta red

I'm still on the high of my MP voting as requested, nagged and lectured by me. In a 60+% leave area my MP voted Revoke!

Now that's hope.

It's only taken 2 years of one sided communication.

Revoke, or even soft Brexit, has been described by some Tories as being like the Repeal of the Corn Laws, for how savagely it split their party

The problem is they are already that savagely split! The only thing that could save them now is a long stint in opposition where it doesn't matter what they agree/ disagree on because they're not in power... and I've probably answered my own question about how labour being ahead in the polls will affect TM's decision to old an election, there.

Tom Newton Dunn
@tnewtondunn
Excl: Cabinet's massive dust up tomorrow - some Brexiteer Cabinet ministers will demand Theresa May issue a final ultimatum to the EU to improve the backstop, or its No Deal on April 12: "All we can do now is take this to the wire".
www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8768859/brexit-theresa-may-backstop-eu-ultimatum/ …
(1/2)

• But other Cabinet ministers say there is growing consensus to reluctantly accept a customs union if PM’s deal is defeated, to get any Brexit "over the line".
• Only Liam Fox and Penny Mordaunt's resignations feared, other Brexiteers said to begrudgingly accept the plan (2/2)

Well done Hazard!

Thanks
It’s all hideous

Unfortunately, I doubt if May has the moral courage - or indeed the moral sense - of Robert Peel

Indeed.

Sigh.

I guess No Deal will be an education and we get to test the theory of Project Fear.

I'm really not liking the 27% figure for a new party that is harsh on crime, wants to cut most ties with the EU and thinks climate change is made up. That's near tipping point and pure trumpian.

.

Sam Coates Times
@SamCoatesTimes
On the matter of Nick Boles resignation, one government source said: "Nothing worse than a sore loser"

It's the wild west in here, folks....

Only Liam Fox and Penny Mordaunt's resignations feared...

The cheers you would hear here if Penny resigns.

Alex Wickham@alexwickham
Ahead of cabinet... here is where Tory MPs currently stand on each Brexit option

May's deal: For 277, Against 34

CU: For 37, Against 236

CM 2.0: For 33, Against 228

PV: For 15, Against 253

Revoke: For 10, Against 260

Mark Francois making a tit of himself as usual on news 24. Looks a bit pissed. Very red in the face.

What are the chances of a last minute revocation of Article 50? Obviously the motion to allow this was defeated tonight, but might it get enough support if we're really facing No Deal by 11 April?

I need some hope. This is getting terrifying.

Very red faced.

"Nothing worse than a sore loser"

I dunno. The incredibly angry winners of the past 3 years certainly give sore losers a run for their money.

Pmk and thanks red

Pmk

Sam Coates Times @samcoatestimes
Exclusive from @MattChorley: Philip Hammond will tell Cabinet today Tories may have to consider a referendum since neither party nor country could afford an election

Well if they've been partying then likely he is a bit pissed.

No wonder Nick Boles walked. If he's spending his time worrying about how to prevent no deal and the destruction of the economy and half his party are getting pissed and cheering on no deal. Probably working out how to maximize their no deal profits.

The cabinet will hear tomorrow that the party has insufficient funds to fight an election atm.

Wow things are bad for the tories!

Having seen how much closer the motion to even have the debate on the indicative votes was today than last week, I can envisage the strong possibility that the indicative vote process won't even happen on Wednesday Unless of course May decides to try to sneak her MV2+x in amongst them

Definitely in need of the most relaxing of regal cat finding sunny places (in this case, the greenhouse in the process of being erected)

Philip Hammond will tell Cabinet today Tories may have to consider a referendum since neither party nor country could afford an election

but what the hell would they put on the ballot if that was the only reason for allowing a referendum? Doesn't bear thinking about.