MPS have handed our fate over to EU

Yesterday brought a very significant moment in the history of Brexit, as the Commons voted to request a delay to leaving the EU. The British political establishment is humiliated. The Commons has voted many times to say what it opposes, including the Government’s Withdrawal Agreement, a no-deal Brexit and a second referendum. It even voted against holding indicative votes to find out what MPS prefer instead (a cynic might say that they are wary of their own judgment). The basic problem is that the Commons has no earthly idea what it is for, and by voting for delay it signals to the EU – and the voters – its indecision and incompetence.

Almost no one comes out of this saga with their reputation intact. Brexiteers might have suffered a wounding defeat, but Remainers also seem unable to seize a victory. Consider what happened to an amendment calling for a rerun of the Brexit referendum: despite previously suggesting that it was in favour of the idea, Labour decided to abstain. The People’s Vote campaign – which exists to fight for a second referendum – also withheld its support on the grounds that now was not the right time. The argument goes that it is wiser to ask for a delay first, before agreeing what to do with the extra time, but does it not bother these so-called democrats that an extension hands power to the EU to decide the UK’S fate? European leaders will sit in judgment over our Parliament, waiting to see if it is capable of rescuing the Withdrawal Agreement, which might mean a short delay, or has no alternative whatsoever, which might mean a delay lasting years.

As a tired Government looks to put its deal to yet another vote, step forward John Bercow. Parliamentary convention as laid out by Erskine May says: “A motion or an amendment which is the same, in substance, as a question which has been decided during a session may not be brought forward again during that same session.” Who gets to decide if the motion is “substantively the same”? The Speaker. This wouldn’t necessarily be a problem if Mr Bercow had a reputation for impartiality, but he does not, and a political row could easily turn constitutional. Proof, again, that Brexit is not only about Europe. It is a stress test of Britain’s political institutions, to see whether or not they are capable of effective representation. They are currently failing that test in the most embarrassing manner.