New developments in the Brexit crisis: Scots Nats and Libdems now pushing for election on Mon 9 December (by definition ruling out a PV) - and Johnson might support it... so the stunt backfires. But what should Labour do? THREAD 1/ ..
2/ I want an election asap. But labour should only vote for an election once No Deal is off the table. That's not only about an extension until January 31. It's about removing the Dec 2020 cliff-edge from the Withdrawal Bill... also...
3/ As Johnson's deal was done with Europe, it's up to the government to either push it thru parliament or not: but if they do, we know they fear two critical amendments: customs union and subjecting the deal to a second referendum...
4/ The Libdem/SNP stunt bill tomorrow should be amendable. Labour should amend it to allow votes at 16 and to also set the date for a second referendum in May. Let's see the Libdems/SNP (who all want a second referendum) vote for that? My guess is they won't...
5/ So when Johnson's FTPA vote is defeated, and the Libdem/SNP stunt fails, the real business begins. Labour moves a) Customs Union b) No Cliff Edge in 2020 c) Second Referendum as amendments to the Johnson deal....
6/6 If the deal then passed, with customs union, ratification PV and no prospect of no deal, Labour would have a strong platform to appeal to Remain voters in a Feb/March election (prior to an already scheduled May PV). That's my advice (FWIW) to Labour MPs going into this week.
