Stand by for the next showdown
Commons bars open for thirsty MPs to refuel themselves, would only heighten tensions.
MPs expect the Government to cave in and accept several Lords’ amendments to take the heat out of the occasion. But offers of accommodation to rebels coming so far in advance of the votes are frustrating Brexiteer MPs. “The whips told me there would be no compromise, then later I heard they had been discussing potential compromises with the rebels,” one said.
“Telling lies that are going to be exposed within a few hours is just stupid. It shows how shambolic the operation is becoming.”
Many Tories are furious that the views of voters are being ignored by the most militant Remain supporters in the Commons. “What is crucial is how many of these Remoaner MPs are standing down before the next election,” a senior Eurosceptic backbencher said.
“They will be reckoning they can get away with ignoring the fact that a majority of voters in their constituencies backed leaving the EU in the 2016 referendum. The result in next week’s Commons votes could come down to how many Remoaners don’t expect to have to face the voters again.”
Mrs May’s muddle-through approach to Brexit will be tested to the utmost in the Commons next week. Fresh setbacks for her Bill can only stiffen the resolve among the EU’s bullying negotiators. Given the doom-laden forecasts from both Remainer and Brexiteer MPs, the Prime Minister must be hoping the outcome of the votes will be as confounding for the Westminster pundits as that of last year’s general election.