Thread by @JolyonMaugham

The Cooper/Letwin Bill looks like a dangerous distraction. First, the timescale is too long. Second, it is too vague. Third, it doesn’t specify what happens if the EU proposes a different date. Fourth, it doesn’t specify what happens if the EU imposes conditions for an extension.

First, the envisaged timescale - starting on Wednesday when we have nine days to go - is the Act passes both Houses THEN:
D1: Receives Royal Assent
D2: PM moves a Motion
DX: PM asks for an extension of time
DX+X (Y): EU responds
Day Y+1: PM moves a Motion
Day Y=2: then what?

Is this all really going to happen in nine days?

(Apols the Y=2 should read Y+2).

Second, it doesn't (see clause 1(4)) put any obligation on the PM as to *when* she seeks an extension. If she wanted to avoid Euro elections at all costs but her short extension date was voted down (a possibility envisaged by clause 1(5)) might she just delay making the request?

Third, it doesn't specify what is to happen if the EU proposes a different date to the date we have requested. It says (clause 1(7)) that she is to move a motion again in the form in clause 1(2). But then what? Do we make another request?

Fourth, what happens if the EU decides to impose conditions for granting an extension? What - in that completely foreseeable world - then? The Act is entirely silent. God knows.

(A small further point: the Bill refers to "the 2018 Act" (clause 2(1)). But what is that?)

This is hopeless when we are so very near to No Deal. Indeed, it's worse than hopeless - it's a dangerous distraction.

Practically, there is no solution better than that which was proposed by @joannaccherry yesterday - but which (tragically) Labour and Tories declined to back.

It's also worth noting that the Bill is absolutely silent if the EU says "no thanks. we want no further part in your psychodrama". Do we No Deal or Revoke? And who gets to decide? (thanks to @DevonKiwi)

God knows if anyone cares. But I am going to turn the Cherry Motion into a Bill - and post it on waitingfortax.com. When I'm done I'll tweet and lets see if we can crowd-source improvements.

You can find here a Bill setting out a practical, workable way forward for Parliament at this moment of genuine national crisis.

It makes no policy choices. It simply mandates that those choices are for Parliament rather than the Government. waitingfortax.com/2019/04/02/the…