Quick #Brexit thread on why the Withdrawal Agreement is taking so long to pass Parliament.
At the first run at the meaningful vote in December, 163 MPs spoke.
69 Conservative MPs stood up - but only 27 spoke in favour of the deal, including the frontbench ministers (who must)!
At the first run at the meaningful vote in December, 163 MPs spoke.
69 Conservative MPs stood up - but only 27 spoke in favour of the deal, including the frontbench ministers (who must)!
This understates a lot of support for the Withdrawal Agreement in Parliament (because of the payroll vote @addadc is so fond of).
But without the DUP, who remain opposed to the backstop, it is unclear where more support could emerge besides a handful of rebels or independents.
But without the DUP, who remain opposed to the backstop, it is unclear where more support could emerge besides a handful of rebels or independents.
If the Withdrawal Agreement fails (as expected), the PM said there's a real chance of no deal or no Brexit. So what did MPs think?
Some didn't say. But there was massive resistance to the idea of no deal while a significant number (including Tories) backed a 2nd referendum
Some didn't say. But there was massive resistance to the idea of no deal while a significant number (including Tories) backed a 2nd referendum
Of course, the 7% of MPs who may be fine with no deal are in the comfortable position that no deal is the default outcome for the UK as set in UK and international law.
MPs against no deal need to agree (i.e. pass in Parliament) an alternative to stop that happening.
MPs against no deal need to agree (i.e. pass in Parliament) an alternative to stop that happening.
Postscript - if you excluded the 'Did not say' categories from the 2nd referendum or no deal camps, you get this:
65% of MPs open to another referendum.
A huge 88% of MPs against no deal.
65% of MPs open to another referendum.
A huge 88% of MPs against no deal.
