Tory rebel’s amendment prevents ‘meaningful’ vote

It was never going to be that simple, was it? Finally a crux House of Commons vote on the Boris Johnson-EU Brexit deal: the ayes down one lobby, the nayes down the other and the result predicted to be so tight there were suggestions the speaker might have to use his casting vote.

Some analysts had Mr Johnson getting exactly what was needed, the 320 votes in favour that would allow the UK to leave the EU with a deal, others believed there was a late surge behind his deal.

But now we won’t know what the result would have been.

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For in the end there was no such decision and the Brexit decision has been kicked down the road because an amendment that encourages further parliamentary delay and procrastination, was put forward by a Tory rebel, Sir Oliver Letwin.

The Letwin motion was passed and immediately constrained the Prime Minister by demanding he, or his government, fires off parliament’s demands for a three month Brexit extension and avoid a hard no-deal Brexit.

Lawmakers listen as Sir Oliver Letwin speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons in London on Saturday.

The vote was an insurance policy claimed Sir Oliver, insisting that the no deal Brexit on October 31 might happen by accident if Johnson’s deal was delayed, and the Democratic Unionist party, angry about the Johnson deal, climbed on board, ensuring the amendment passed 322-306.

So a parliament hostile to Mr Johnson, and hostile to Brexit, got its way once again.

Mr Johnson said he was undeterred and will bring forward his deal on Monday for a vote this week.

“Because this meaningful vote has been voided of meaning I am not daunted or dismayed,” he said.

Mr Johnson then delivered a bombshell to the parliament insisting: “I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so,’’ adding that a further delay will be bad for the UK, for the EU and for democracy.

The Scottish Nationalists have threatened Mr Johnson with jail unless the letter is sent by 9am Sunday, Australian time. It is unclear what the EU response to any extension beyond a short technical delay would be.

All the while Remainer politicians took to the stage outside parliament square like rock stars addressing hundreds of thousands of protesters demanding a second referendum. With the numbers on their side they can add fresh amendments to the Brexit deal this week, which will no doubt add further complications to the Brexit route.

While the odds of an election are easing — for the parliament is quite enjoying pushing the hapless minority Tory government around — the momentum for a second referendum (which will involve at least a six months Brexit delay) is moving very quickly indeed.