Thread by @Usherwood

Let's consider how today has gone for what we'll now have to call the Windsor Framework

tl;dr about as well as could be hoped for, maybe better

Run-in over past weeks was distinctly hazy - no grass-rolling, no consultation, mixed signals about how much was actually settled

However, did also draw some of the sting today, given text came with no major surprises

Confusion of mixing in VdL's trip to visit King didn't help, although I think it was really a curtesy thing rather than a sell (Windsor branding didn't hurt for selling to Unionists though)

However, action through this afternoon has been very strong: lots of very positive words and coordination of positions, with no-one stepping on anyone else's toes

Hasn't been a presser that chummy since, well, ever in post-#EURef period

Legal texts came a bit late, and with full-on "we're not going to make this easy for you non-lawyers" mode, but the depth of briefing materials suggests much more thought about how this is to be sold

In terms of responses, govt has benefited from lack of leadership from opponents: no-one (still) seems to want to ride at the front in attacking

https://twitter.com/Usherwood/status/1630185860011372544

I have no idea about balance of luck and judgment on this, but No.10 has held on long enough to this to suggest latter was certainly in play

ERG seem very quiet

DUP are thinking about it

Johnson is 'studying' it

None of that was given 24 hours ago

So push today was been a very good step in resetting things: VdL's dangling of Horizon helps too in keeping movement going on this

Lots of +ve comments from abroad also weigh here: shows that others have been watching and reinforce Sunak's hand

Pitfalls still remain: DUP needs to step up or step off this deal and re-entering Executive; backbench might be unhappy about timing/form of Commons 'having its say' (although tonight's debate suggests not so much); a legal bod might discover a big issue

But for now, Sunak and VdL will take today and hope they can build from it

/end (of the beginning?)