Oliver Letwin has tabled an amendment to the government’s Brexit motion that would, effectively amend it so it welcomed the government’s Brexit deal, but would fall short of the wording required by the Benn Act, thereby compelling the government to seek an extension to the Brexit process.
What does it mean if it passes? Well, I think it really depends on how Downing Street decides to play it. I now think they have the votes to pass the deal through Parliament and it is at least possible that means they can also simply see off the Letwin amendment (though the perverse outcome where Labour rebels kill off the Letwin amendment and Conservative opponents of no deal then vote down Boris Johnson’s deal cannot be ruled out, and in many ways is the quintessential Brexit outcome).
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