@davidallengreen David - interested in your views on the process from here, and timetable to a/any vote in Parliament, hinted at in this exchange: 1/
Seems to me that s13(1)(a) of the Withdrawal Act has been satisfied legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/16/… ("The withdrawal agreement may be ratified only if a Minister of the Crown has laid before each House of Parliament a statement that political agreement has been reached") /2
As we had a 26 November statement that political agreement had been reached gov.uk/government/pub… that kicked off the "meaningful vote" debate /3
The 2 sections of the Act that deal with "what if not deal have been reached" are ss13(7) and 13(10), and apply if before 21 Jan "the Prime Minister makes a statement that no agreement in principle can be reached" or "there is no agreement in principle in negotiations" /4
The government has announced that agreement in principle has been reached (see 26 Nov statement), so now ss13(7) and (10) cannot be engaged (unless the government announces that the deal has been unagreed in principle?!) /5
So the 21 Jan date is no longer of any importance. The government can keep the House in limbo by essentially saying "there is agreement in principle, but we will not let you vote on it". /6
It seems this was @HouseofCommons initial view in that ask me anything, but that it has backed off that view and now says "matter for legal advice". But I think their initial view could well be correct (per tweets above). Quite the loophole /7 ends
PS @davidallengreen UQ now being raised by @YvetteCooperMP. From the latest news it seems May will commit to bringing the meaningful vote before 21 Jan, but will MPs accept this commitment or demand a legal requirement to do so?
PPS Currently (per above) there isn't a legal requirement. Given the gvt's record (no election - whoops, there it is; will be a vote - whoops, no there isn't), I hope MPs do not accept a mere assurance and demand something binding. Well done in raising this @YvetteCooperMP
