The Saturday vote on Boris Johnson’s deal will be closer than people think.
Around 18 or 19 of the Tory rebel exiles will vote for it, subject to a Letwin-ish amendment that the Benn Act applies until the whole of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is law.
Boris Johnson will see that amendment as holding the feet to the flame of the Brexit Spartans.
He won’t hate it, whatever his public position. Because the ERG Spartans will fear if they vote against the deal and the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, that a Brexit delay and no Brexit will follow.
Now, the DUP’s opposition to Johnson’s deal is a challenge for Johnson.
But as I said earlier on ITV News there is genuinely a chance Johnson’s deal passes – and I never ever said that about any of Theresa May’s Meaningful Votes.
Robert Peston is ITV’s Political Editor. This article originally appeared on his ITV news blog.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in