It doesn't speak well of our democracy that the most important question in British politics depends entirely on the decision of one man. If Johnson agrees a deal, it happens. If he doesn't, tough. MPs, ministers, the public are all just bystanders, waiting to hear what he decides
As @stephenkb explains in this thread, a trade deal does not need parliamentary approval. If a deal requires changes in domestic law, Parliament may have to vote on those changes - but even there the votes can (and will) be carefully limited.
https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1334274182746673153?s=20
Concentrating power in the hands of the PM isn't just undemocratic. As @DavidHenigUK points out, it has shut down any serious discussion about what a trade deal *should* do. We've abandoned policy debate for punditry, trying to guess what Johnson might do.
https://twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status/1335504575860760578
The implications of this decision for jobs, the Union, living standards & NI peace are profound. But democratic debate has given way to "court politics": "Who has Johnson's ear?" "Does he want a deal?" "What does Carrie think?" This is not the mark of a serious or healthy polity.
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