Thread by @HenryNewman

1) I just can't get over how bad @10DowningStreet's handling of all this is.

Of course - putting aside merits or not of deal - it's good to get agreement but by desperately pushing this, she lost Brexit Secretary (+ others) so ensuring a) she's at risk b) deal's at risk

2) there was no actual urgent need to do at this this week - or certainly not at any cost. Remember lessons of Cameron rush to February Council deal in 2016. Even from a theatrical point of view refusing this offer would have been smart.

3) Raab genuinely believed he had a chance of getting a better exit mechanism agreed from backstop. We know he argued for more time. Why not let him go to Brussels and try himself? Why put this to Cabinet before he thinks it's ready?

4) What's the point of having a Brexit Secretary at all - especially one who is so talented and across detail (as my civil service contacts all agree) - if you don't listen to him and more damagingly exclude them from process & do things behind his back?

5) My understanding is team Raab were presented with changes to texts which had been agreed without their approval or knowledge. These were shown to them at the last minute and had been done behind their back. Staggering.

6) Raab became a Brexit secretary in office but not in power. No wonder he personally felt he had to resign. May is entitled to give a free hand to her officials and Sherpas but don't expect Brexit ministers to stay on board in those circumstances

7) without being too solemn Secretaries of State *are* their department constitutionally. It is wrong to exclude them from decision making on their policy areas.

8) I also understand that there is a much more detailed document on the future partnership. Why was this not published now? Instead we have a terribly thin and weak 6.5 pages of loose bullet points

9) Yet again a major Brexit moment is not defined by the PM setting out why we need to compromise to get things through Brussels and Parliament, but by resignations eroding her authority at home & abroad

10) Even yesterday the PM was saying we would have control over our trade policy and would leave the customs union. This risks being seen as seriously mendacious. Little wonder MPs now doubt her motives

11/11) she made similar commitments on Northern Ireland and the Union which can't be squared with text or agreement.

A basic failure to explain honestly the trade offs of this deal & her overall policy is the single biggest problem. Instead we have slogans & empty reassurances