Thread by @sturdyAlex

MINI-THREAD: I know, absolutely, Labour MPs like @lisanandy, @RuthSmeeth, @DanJarvisMP and others, have a tough choice to make and are trying to do their best. But there are three strategic reasons why they must stay strong and vote AGAINST Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement:
1/5

1. If Brexit is not delivered, the blame will fall on those expected to support it - Brexiters on the gov’t side. Their side will fragment with recrimination. If Brexit, however, is delivered and goes wrong, the blame will fall squarely on those expected to oppose it. On you.
2/5

2. The moment May promised to go, Johnson flipped to supporting her. His ducks are in a row. The risk is clear. By voting for her deal, you may be delivering No.10 to Boris Johnson. None of your Labour voters, however they voted in the referendum, will thank you for that.
3/5

3. The moment you approve the WA you blow up the bridge behind you. Parliament will NOT be meaningfully involved further. The options will again be deal or no deal. And the people in charge after May is gone WANT no deal. They will dare you to resist what they come back with.
4/5

You are a handful of votes away from securing meaningful compromise. I return to my initial point: Nobody - NOBODY - expects the opposition to vote for a deal the government bungled. The pressure they’re putting on you is totally bogus. Stay strong. Stare them in the eye.
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Addendum: And if you don’t believe me, @lisanandy, @DanJarvisMP, @RuthSmeeth, then listen to @nigelmp making precisely those points: once we’re out there’s no going back and people like him who voted for no deal “get to choose a leader who believes in their mission”. @IanDunt 6/5

What was it Maya Angelou used to say? “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”