Brexit intensifies

[andrewducker]

So, today the only government ever to be found in contempt of parliament lost a vote by the largest margin ever suffered by a British government, losing by 230 votes (previous "winner" was Ramsay Macdonald's minority Labour government, losing by 166 votes).

Immediately afterwards, Corbyn lodged a vote of no confidence in the government. The DUP have said they will back the Conservatives, which almost certainly means that the vote will fail*.

The EU wants us to make our mind up, and has now repeatedly said that the withdrawal deal is not open for renegotiation. Which greatly reduces the options we have remaining. So once we the no confidence fails I can't see what else Labour can do but move towards a second referendum.

Which is, according to all recent polls, what the people want. (46% to 28% last I checked).

*It's _possible_ that a few Conservatives will rebel. But incredibly unlikely.

Comments

[danieldwilliam]

The Electoral Commission (who have an eye on the substance of our constitution and not just the letter of it) would take a really, really dim view of us trying to organise a referendum in less than six months. I would not be surprised if they resigned en masse if it were attempted.

[alithea]

Yeah, I was just going to say, we're not Greece and I can't see that flying with the Civil Service even if parliament thought it was a good idea!