A few thoughts on the nonsense which is 'taking no deal off the table'. First, the Benn Act (last month's holy grail... sigh) only defers the cliff edge to Jan 31, and only if the EU-27 agree to the UK request. [?] 1/4
Second, if we get the Jan extension, and if there's a GE, and if Lab (or a Lab coalition) win a majority... we will need a new, quite long, extension in order to carry out Lab's stated policy (renegotiation then PV). Will it be granted? [?] 2/4
And third, the (new) Lab aspiration to take no deal off the table permanently (beyond eg 2020) simply cannot be achieved... unless a new WA is agreed with the EU, or unless A50 is revoked. Even then, a future Govt with a majority could set a course for no deal. 3/4
Essentially, the only way to ensure that no deal doesn't happen, is to ensure that there is never a Parliamentary majority for it. That's not an ask with Corbyn can make of Johnson now... 4/4
