Today’s PMQs ought to have been the calm before the storm. With Theresa May unable to reveal details of the proposed Brexit deal to MPs until her Cabinet signs it off – with a crunch meeting at 2pm – the specifics are not known. However, thanks to a series of leaks from the Brussels side and the European Research Group quickly seeing red it proved to be rather tense affair.
As ever, Jeremy Corbyn failed to land a killer blow on the Prime Minister despite the rather wide goal posts. The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford had one of his more effective outings – using one question to ask why Scotland won’t get the same benefits as Northern Ireland when it comes to single market access. It’s not that Theresa May has any plans to win SNP votes for the deal – but this question highlights the issue of whether the union is weakened or strengthened by the proposed deal. The suspicion is it’s the former.
The most illuminating part of the session came in the way of backbencher questions. Peter Bone – the arch-Brexiteer – told May her deal would lose the support of Tory MPs and Tory voters. Heading up the discontent for the Remain side, Ken Clarke also voiced his concerns. Labour’s Kate Hoey suggested Theresa May needed to stop trying to be the more respectful of the two parties when it came to discussion with the Republic of Ireland.
For the most part, the bulk of MPs appeared to be keeping their powder dry until they know the specifics. However, it’s clear from the subdued back benches that the Conservative Parliamentary party is increasingly anxious about what their leader is prepared to sign up to.
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