He’d d have faced shadow cabinet resignations left, right and centre. It would have been suicidal.

Quote Originally Posted by Burney View Post
They couldn't have stopped them from letting it through and a strong party leader would have been able to face down the membership and take the PLP with him. He could then - if need be - have gone on to push for a second referendum on May's deal with a degree of moral authority.

Essentially, his priority at all costs should have been to allow the tories to own brexit and then attack them in the aftermath, where he couldn't lose.

But he wasn't a strong leader and bent with the wind.

And just bent.