Take-aways from last two nights in Parliament?
1/
1/
Most immediately, hard Brexiters have a more imposing position.
Not only in actual voting weight (inc LAB rebels), but also in threat ( No.10 accepted amendments to avoid display of size w/in CON)
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Not only in actual voting weight (inc LAB rebels), but also in threat ( No.10 accepted amendments to avoid display of size w/in CON)
2/
However, also worth noting that soft CON rebels also toughening up. Refused buy-offs and threats last night, suggesting there's increased determination to fight corner
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3/
In policy terms, still unclear how consequential any of the votes might be. No.10 still seems to think White Paper is an option, and pressing it in BRX now
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4/
And finally, essential to underline none of this addresses the immediate elephant in the room: the Irish dimension
So expect focus to swing back to that now, esp on EU side (who never stopped focusing on it, BTW)
5/
So expect focus to swing back to that now, esp on EU side (who never stopped focusing on it, BTW)
5/
In short, maybe another nail in May's coffin, maybe a storm in a teacup
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