I see Brian Harvey has gone proper radio...

[Sir C]

On the other hand, she was on Today this morning calling for a 'Government of National Unity', which would seem to me to be a gross betrayal of the Party and voters she purports to represent. Meanwhile, of course, the ERG - who are actually seeking to ensure the Government sticks to its manifesto pledges - are described as 'rebels'. Go figure.

God, I can't bear to listen to it any more. I'm firmly fingers-in-ears-i-can't-hear-you.

Pretty soon it will all work out one way or another. The sun will continue to rise and set, life will go on.

Everyone needs to take a step back and just... breathe.

[Burney]

God, I can't bear to listen to it any more. I'm firmly fingers-in-ears-i-can't-hear-you.

Pretty soon it will all work out one way or another. The sun will continue to rise and set, life will go on.

Everyone needs to take a step back and just... breathe.

Rees-Mogg and Baker have played a bit of a blinder, though. I do wish Jacob weren't so attached to double-breasted suits, though. They really don't suit thin, rangy men.

[Monty92]

Rees-Mogg and Baker have played a bit of a blinder, though. I do wish Jacob weren't so attached to double-breasted suits, though. They really don't suit thin, rangy men.

Surely May is only conceding ground to them because when push comes to shove she knows she can rely on Parliament voting for whatever deal she brings back, because the alternative will be No Deal?

Or does the Parliamentary arithmetic not back that up?

[Burney]

Surely May is only conceding ground to them because when push comes to shove she knows she can rely on Parliament voting for whatever deal she brings back, because the alternative will be No Deal?

Or does the Parliamentary arithmetic not back that up?

You think Labour will back a deal rather than take the opportunity to bring down the government? Why? They haven't so far.

Equally, the ERG increasingly sees No Deal as the least worst option and it's looking like a deal isn't possible. Largely unnoticed the other day, the ERG slipped in an amendment to the Chequers Bill that effectively destroys the backstop clause for Northern Ireland, regarded as the guarantee there’ll be no hard border with the Republic. If that's the case, all bets are off. That would put in jeopardy the entire Withdrawal Agreement - which if it collapsed would mean a no-deal Brexit becomes virtually certain.

[Monty92]

You think Labour will back a deal rather than take the opportunity to bring down the government? Why? They haven't so far.

Equally, the ERG increasingly sees No Deal as the least worst option and it's looking like a deal isn't possible. Largely unnoticed the other day, the ERG slipped in an amendment to the Chequers Bill that effectively destroys the backstop clause for Northern Ireland, regarded as the guarantee there’ll be no hard border with the Republic. If that's the case, all bets are off. That would put in jeopardy the entire Withdrawal Agreement - which if it collapsed would mean a no-deal Brexit becomes virtually certain.

But wouldn't Labour be relying on Tory rebels to get the numbers required to vote down the deal? This is where my Parliamentary arithmetic fails me...

[Burney]

But wouldn't Labour be relying on Tory rebels to get the numbers required to vote down the deal? This is where my Parliamentary arithmetic fails me...

Of course, but why would that bother them? The ERG has shown it's better organised, better led and more committed than the Remain rebels. If you think it'll back down if offered an unsatisfactory fait accompli deal, I suspect you're mistaken.

[Monty92]

Of course, but why would that bother them? The ERG has shown it's better organised, better led and more committed than the Remain rebels. If you think it'll back down if offered an unsatisfactory fait accompli deal, I suspect you're mistaken.

.
Yes, but what both have in common is a refusal to push things far enough to risk a GE.

Which can only be achieved by concessions on both sides and the ERG falling into line come the vote.

[Sir C]

Rees-Mogg and Baker have played a bit of a blinder, though. I do wish Jacob weren't so attached to double-breasted suits, though. They really don't suit thin, rangy men.

I'm guessing that suit was built for his grandfather, and will last another 3 or 4 generations.