Today's papers are not surprisingly full of the Brexit politics. But too dominated by Parliament, important though it now is, and too little about (1) what is going on in business world, and (2) the PM's numerous mistakes which have brought us to this point
First from a business point of view we are losing sight of why the vote was being pushed now - as the last date before business contingency plans would have to trigger, and business investment leave the UK. Impression is this is now happening 2/
The events of the last two weeks have managed to do what seemed impossible - make business even less impressed with this Government and the UK business climate. We are heading into serious political risk territory for outside investors 3/
There is no doubt that business engagement with Government has increased in recent weeks - but the legacy of what is increasingly coming to look like the worst administration in UK modern political history cannot be overcome 4/
Why so bad? Essentially under this PM the centre of Government has no effective decision making process. There are lots of people discussing decisions, few of whom seem to have the requisite knowledge, but few decisions get made 5/
The heart of Government is for the PM to shape. Early Blair was very good, Cameron also, Brown poor, but this PM disastrous. She trusts few people, they are usually equally uncollegiate, Olly Robbins being seen as a case in point 6/
Net result - few people have ever been trusted in this Government, those that have aren't team players, and this has led to huge x-Government tensions - in particular a number of Departments including FCO and HMT think Number 10 is incompetent 7/
So Conservative MPs haven't been properly kept informed about Brexit negotiations, there has been virtually no confidential sharing of information with Labour, Government departments are rebelling - hence the likely margin of defeat 8/
Now we see in the weekend papers the usual panic associated with this Government. But at some point the dams had to break, it cannot be run like this at any time, still less during such an important negotiation. 9/
Pulling the vote will solve nothing. We got here through lack of consultation and honesty, it was inevitable that once the deal was scrutinised properly there would be trouble. But equally infighting is an indulgence for which there isn't time 10/
I am more convinced than ever that the only possible solution is one that can command a reasonable majority across the House of Commons. It isn't clear which that may be right now, but something passing by one vote will only extend the trouble 11/
This PM has clearly failed in the challenge. We need a PM who understands political, business, and negotiating realities and then explains that to the country and brings people with them. I don't see one right now, but perhaps cometh the hour... 12/ end
PS Hadn't seen this earlier from @pmdfoster - I agree with him of course.
