The PM appears to be having a giant hissy fit.. Parliament won't do exactly what he wants - so he is refusing to come out to play and will stay inside No.10 playing video games
but remember where he is. Parliament voted to approve his deal in principle - but asked for more than 2 days to scrutinise it. They were right to do so - me for @prospect_uk ukandeu.ac.uk/withdrawal-agr… and @DrHannahWhite instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/governmen…
Then later in the week the Government had a majority for its Queens Speech - the speech remember that was so important that they needed to suspend Parliament for 5 weeks to prepare.. until @UKSupremeCourt told them to go back to work
So there is a lot of government business that could be scheduled over coming weeks.. a chance for MPs to look at the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - and see if their support sustains to 3rd reading..
If the PM was serious about leaving the EU "do or die" though a bit later than hallowe'en he could be relatively relaxed about amendments.. he can reverse them after an election when/if he had a majority.. even one on a customs union.
With a sensible timetable UK could still leave by 31 December.. #NewYearbrexit - and he could then head for a post-Brexit election (we need a govt able to negotiate part 2 the imminence of the June 2020 transition deadline)
he could also make progress if he understood that he needs the skill to govern as a minority govt.. This may be a skill that will stand him in good stead post-election. How about getting that domestic abuse bill on the statute book?
But the PM is threatening to take all his bills away until he gets his way. he has already refused to show up to be quizzed by @CommonsLiaison. Hardly the vote of confidence in UK political institutions brexit could be argued to represent.
Maybe Mr Johnson's Brexit-supporting mother could tell him to stop behaving like a spoilt brat.
