Watch: Chief Whip’s failed attempt to woo Philip Davies over Brexit

Oh dear. With the government on course for a historic defeat next week on Theresa May’s deal, this is the point in the campaign that Downing Street had hoped to see MPs coming round. Alas not.

So, it was a curious choice by the government to allow ITV exclusive access to Chief Whip Julian Smith’s attempts to woo unruly MPs. Smith was filmed trying to convince Leaver Philip Davies to back the deal:

ITV News was granted rare access to the Chief Whip's office, as he tries to rally support for the PM's Brexit deal ahead of Tuesday's vote.
We caught the argument as vocal Brexiteer Philip Davies insisted he was voting 'no' https://t.co/KHDQTdnQtA pic.twitter.com/MJjE7vdaXb

— ITV News (@itvnews) December 6, 2018

What ever the intention, Mr S know who he thinks emerges as the voice of reason…