So I have been doing more productive things in the last 2.5 hours, principally enjoying the pub. What have I missed?
Gove doesn't seem to have resigned yet, nor does Mordaunt. Has anyone else gone since the press conference?
I presume we haven't quite got to 48 letters yet, remarkably enough.
Has anyone worked out what May thought she was doing at the press conference?
Seems pretty straightforward to me. It had been a chaotic day with plenty of resignations, even speculation that she would resign then and there or call for a GE. She held it to publicly reiterate that she is sticking to her position, in effect telling her opponents they have to actually take her down, not threaten to do it and expect her to fold.
I think she was just 24 hours late for the press conference she had planned to give yesterday (and I don't think she bothered to change the text in between).
I think he's waiting to see which way the win is blowing - He'll go in the end.
Ultimately I don't think this will even go to 28 letters/VONC. I think the Cabinet will force her to resign in the end....
Hunt and Javid are key. If either of them resign she's done.
And yet...
7:25pm, and apparently still not 48 letters, never mind a head of steam for a full VoNC.
perhaps OGH's continual cry that the ERG are all piss and wind is looking correct tonight?
That's what I say. This won't get to VONC/28 letters. The Cabinet will step in after Gove and Hunt and/or/Javid resign.
OK. So May goes, and then what?
You tell me...
I'd like the ERG to tell us. It's them who are trying to get rid of her. So what's their plan if they succeed?
I thought the ERG wanted a No Deal Brexit?
So how are they going to get that one through the HoC?
By voting down the only deal on offer, and not reversing A50, we leave with No Deal by default.
I don't really think the 500+ MPs who see No Deal as a disaster for the country would allow that to happen.
That's what they claim to think, but if that were true they would not risk no deal so much at all, and they are. Their actions speak louder than words. I do think something would be organised to avoid no deal, but they are clearly prioritising other things - remain, a better deal, a GE - which increases the risk of no deal.
The point is that the change from PM BINO May to PM No Deal Raab would change the dynamic completely - and not just in the HoC, but in the country too.
You mean the Raab who did not have a clue during the negotiations? The Raab who polling today shows is the last person British voters want negotiating Brexit, behind Boris, Mogg and even Corbyn while May is top?
I think he's waiting to see which way the win is blowing - He'll go in the end.
Ultimately I don't think this will even go to 28 letters/VONC. I think the Cabinet will force her to resign in the end....
Hunt and Javid are key. If either of them resign she's done.
And yet...
7:25pm, and apparently still not 48 letters, never mind a head of steam for a full VoNC.
perhaps OGH's continual cry that the ERG are all piss and wind is looking correct tonight?
That's what I say. This won't get to VONC/28 letters. The Cabinet will step in after Gove and Hunt and/or/Javid resign.
OK. So May goes, and then what?
You tell me...
I'd like the ERG to tell us. It's them who are trying to get rid of her. So what's their plan if they succeed?
I thought the ERG wanted a No Deal Brexit?
So how are they going to get that one through the HoC?
By voting down the only deal on offer, and not reversing A50, we leave with No Deal by default.
I don't really think the 500+ MPs who see No Deal as a disaster for the country would allow that to happen.
That's what they claim to think, but if that were true they would not risk no deal so much at all, and they are. Their actions speak louder than words. I do think something would be organised to avoid no deal, but they are clearly prioritising other things - remain, a better deal, a GE - which increases the risk of no deal.
The point is that the change from PM BINO May to PM No Deal Raab would change the dynamic completely - and not just in the HoC, but in the country too.
You mean the Raab who did not have a clue during the negotiations? The Raab who polling today shows is the last person British voters want negotiating Brexit, behind Boris, Mogg and even Corbyn while May is top?
The letters thing is amazing, despite apparently being in the 40's weeks ago and everyone and their dog tweeting their letter today apparently we still don't have 48? Are they being mysteriously "misplaced" after submission?
So I have been doing more productive things in the last 2.5 hours, principally enjoying the pub. What have I missed?
Gove doesn't seem to have resigned yet, nor does Mordaunt. Has anyone else gone since the press conference?
I presume we haven't quite got to 48 letters yet, remarkably enough.
Has anyone worked out what May thought she was doing at the press conference?
How quickly does the consigliere have to announce the dispatch after receiving the magic number of letters. Is he allowed to sit on it for a number of days?
Theresa May was probably saved by there being two separate movements against her, causing would-be letter-writers to hold off until they saw if the ministerial resignations had done the trick. And now, if there are only 30 letters, why should Sir Bufton Tufton endanger his peerage by making it 31?
I think he's waiting to see which way the win is blowing - He'll go in the end.
Ultimately I don't think this will even go to 28 letters/VONC. I think the Cabinet will force her to resign in the end....
Hunt and Javid are key. If either of them resign she's done.
And yet...
7:25pm, and apparently still not 48 letters, never mind a head of steam for a full VoNC.
perhaps OGH's continual cry that the ERG are all piss and wind is looking correct tonight?
That's what I say. This won't get to VONC/28 letters. The Cabinet will step in after Gove and Hunt and/or/Javid resign.
OK. So May goes, and then what?
You tell me...
I'd like the ERG to tell us. It's them who are trying to get rid of her. So what's their plan if they succeed?
I thought the ERG wanted a No Deal Brexit?
So how are they going to get that one through the HoC?
By voting down the only deal on offer, and not reversing A50, we leave with No Deal by default.
I don't really think the 500+ MPs who see No Deal as a disaster for the country would allow that to happen.
That's what they claim to think, but if that were true they would not risk no deal so much at all, and they are. Their actions speak louder than words. I do think something would be organised to avoid no deal, but they are clearly prioritising other things - remain, a better deal, a GE - which increases the risk of no deal.
The point is that the change from PM BINO May to PM No Deal Raab would change the dynamic completely - and not just in the HoC, but in the country too.
You mean the Raab who did not have a clue during the negotiations? The Raab who polling today shows is the last person British voters want negotiating Brexit, behind Boris, Mogg and even Corbyn while May is top?
Sky News has Remain getting 50% support or more compared to No Brexit or May's Deal with every age group and every UK region bar over 55s and those living in the Midlands and Wales (where it still has a plurality, though 40% of over 55s back No Deal). The Midlands and Wales, the South and over 55s also give the strongest backing to May's Deal
Theresa May was probably saved by there being two separate movements against her, causing would-be letter-writers to hold off until they saw if the ministerial resignations had done the trick. And now, if there are only 30 letters, why should Sir Bufton Tufton endanger his peerage by making it 31?
We clearly have no idea if it is 30, 39 or 47.5, but I'm guessing a few are waiting until tomorrow to either think on it or at least look like they are thinking on it.
Considering Brexit has been one of the Conservatives biggest advantages* that poll with Corbyn just 6% behind May and ahead of the other Tories on negotiating it is actually quite good, from a progress perspective anyway.
*In terms of polling questions regarding leading Brexit negotiations.
Sky News has Remain getting 50% support or more compared to No Brexit or May's Deal with every age group and every UK region bar over 55s and those living in the Midlands and Wales (where it still has a plurality, though 40% of over 50s back No Deal)
Sky News has Remain getting 50% support or more compared to No Brexit or May's Deal with every age group and every UK region bar over 55s and those living in the Midlands and Wales (where it still has a plurality, though 40% of over 50s back No Deal)
You wonder what he has to do to get a top job. It is really quite odd. He appears well liked, he has been loyal to the government positions, but the call never comes.
Sky News has Remain getting 50% support or more compared to No Brexit or May's Deal with every age group and every UK region bar over 55s and those living in the Midlands and Wales (where it still has a plurality, though 40% of over 55s back No Deal). The Midlands and Wales, the South and over 55s also give the strongest backing to May's Deal
She’ll be shit at that, and give stock answers to every question that will wind people up, but at least she gets she has to engage and has worked out she needs the balls to try.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
The main silences are Hammond and Clark. TM would have thought they would have been straight out to support her.
I am reminded of Maggie. She did a public "consultation" and got verbally handbagged by an angry woman. It got replayed for years.
She also lost the confidence of her party and then held a Presser to say she would go on and on (echoes of today's 5pm Presser). She was gone shortly after.
I think I am having Deja Vu. The Iron Lady and Tin-eared Tessie.... what a pair!
That was one incident.
She usually made mincemeat of interviewers and gave impressive (and proper) answers to questions.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
Sky had him on for 5m after MrsMay declared 'nothing has changed' @1745.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
The main silences are Hammond and Clarke. TM would have thought they would have been straight out to support her.
Clarke has publically voiced support for the deal.
Sky News has Remain getting 50% support or more compared to No Brexit or May's Deal with every age group and every UK region bar over 55s and those living in the Midlands and Wales (where it still has a plurality, though 40% of over 50s back No Deal)
Really not surprising. ERG have put me in remain if TM deal falls
Give over Big G. You've been remain all the way along.
I have absolutely not been remain. You either have not followed by posts over the years or you are just insulting me
I have fought for TM deal all along, loyally and consistently, but I turned against ERG when Boris told Airbus to FO and ERG said they are willing to sacrifice JIT manufacturing, which of course they do not understand, and they couldnt care less attitude to the union.
You do not seem to realise how much damage ERG are doing to their cause
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
He was full on this afternoon saying he will have to return to fight for his brexit
She’ll be shit at that, and give stock answers to every question that will wind people up, but at least she gets she has to engage and has worked out she needs the balls to try.
Can't wait for her answer to Ferrari's "Would you vote for Brexit now Primeminister".
If Gove resigns, can I finally compare him to Mark Reckless?
For his betrayal of David Cameron I compared to Gove to Mark Reckless.
So I can say 'traitorous pig dog?'
If you've seen Bohemian Rhapsody, my current favourite insult is 'treacherous pissflap'.
We Will Rock You was released in 1980, of course Freddie was diagnosed with HIV BEFORE Live Aid, of course Queen hadn't recorded together for YEARS before Live Aid, of course
I sometimes wonder if your account is operated by some sort of Dadaist art collective
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
He was full on this afternoon saying he will have to return to fight for his brexit
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
The main silences are Hammond and Clarke. TM would have thought they would have been straight out to support her.
Clarke has publically voiced support for the deal.
You read too quick I meant Greg not Ken, but got the e on the end wrong.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
The main silences are Hammond and Clark. TM would have thought they would have been straight out to support her.
They have been obtaining business approval with business leaders coming out openly in suppott
One thing I suppose problematic Brexit could do (beyond the short term) is create expansion at most British ports. I guess the reason Dover is so critical these days is that it is the shortest route to the continent, and the lack of Trade barriers means that there is little reason for most not to use it. I presume that most companies no deal plans involve switching to other less used ports and allowing the load to be shared more evenly. One reason why some of the direst warnings are possibly overblown. Just because Dover is currently the port of choice, doesn’t mean it is the only port available.
Chief Whip seems dazzlingly effective, I must say. He keeps getting damaging resignations done in such a way that they irretrievably damage the outgoing ministers.
In addition to silence from Javid....I tell you who we haven’t heard a peep from. Nige. Normally anything EU related and he appears infront of the camera complete with pint and ciggie to tell the nation how bad the EU is.
The main silences are Hammond and Clarke. TM would have thought they would have been straight out to support her.
Clarke has publically voiced support for the deal.
You read too quick I meant Greg not Ken, but got the e on the end wrong.
That’s who I assumed you meant. If Ken’s voiced his support that’s a bit of a coup!
LibDem MP for Eastbourne Stephen Lloyd has said he will back Theresa May’s abysmal Brexit ‘deal‘, which will remove the UK from the EU with none of the advantages of leaving while retaining almost all of the obligations of membership.
Stephen, like so many others it seems, has been taken in by the apocalyptic warnings of Carney and others but ultimately it's the Prime Minister's last card. She, who got to the top job because of the failure of one Project Fear, may yet survive because of the success of another.
Not a good look for Vince he only has 11 MPs to keep on track
I presume we haven't quite got to 48 letters yet, remarkably enough.
We seem to have gone backwards, apparently the current estimate is the number of letters is "in the 30s".
The ERG is a joke where everyone goes around talking to themselves and congratulating themselves on being so clever. Deselection is the only way forward.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
LibDem MP for Eastbourne Stephen Lloyd has said he will back Theresa May’s abysmal Brexit ‘deal‘, which will remove the UK from the EU with none of the advantages of leaving while retaining almost all of the obligations of membership.
Stephen, like so many others it seems, has been taken in by the apocalyptic warnings of Carney and others but ultimately it's the Prime Minister's last card. She, who got to the top job because of the failure of one Project Fear, may yet survive because of the success of another.
Not a good look for Vince he only has 11 MPs to keep on track
Peoples vote is LD policy isn't it??
Eastbourne voted leave.
I don't think Lamb would vote against the deal either.
LibDem MP for Eastbourne Stephen Lloyd has said he will back Theresa May’s abysmal Brexit ‘deal‘, which will remove the UK from the EU with none of the advantages of leaving while retaining almost all of the obligations of membership.
Stephen, like so many others it seems, has been taken in by the apocalyptic warnings of Carney and others but ultimately it's the Prime Minister's last card. She, who got to the top job because of the failure of one Project Fear, may yet survive because of the success of another.
Not a good look for Vince he only has 11 MPs to keep on track
The letters thing is amazing, despite apparently being in the 40's weeks ago and everyone and their dog tweeting their letter today apparently we still don't have 48? Are they being mysteriously "misplaced" after submission?
If they had a public running count of the number of letters, or a register of who had sent letters in, then it would have stopped all the pointless wolf-crying that has gone on for months.
Not surprising that the Brexiters who have been doing it are a mix of fantasists and liars, but it might be a good idea to put a stop to it.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
LibDem MP for Eastbourne Stephen Lloyd has said he will back Theresa May’s abysmal Brexit ‘deal‘, which will remove the UK from the EU with none of the advantages of leaving while retaining almost all of the obligations of membership.
Stephen, like so many others it seems, has been taken in by the apocalyptic warnings of Carney and others but ultimately it's the Prime Minister's last card. She, who got to the top job because of the failure of one Project Fear, may yet survive because of the success of another.
Not a good look for Vince he only has 11 MPs to keep on track
Peoples vote is LD policy isn't it??
Eastbourne voted leave.
I don't think Lamb would vote against the deal either.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
if there is a VONC, she is likely to win, so stays on, yet her main policy may collapse.
Subtle shift in Corbyn's position spotted by the Gusardian:
"... If we cannot get a general election, in line with our conference policy, we will support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote."
[Guardian comment] So, Corbyn is being explicit with members: He will back another referendum if he cannot force a general election.
Subtle shift in Corbyn's position spotted by the Gusardian:
"... If we cannot get a general election, in line with our conference policy, we will support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote."
[Guardian comment] So, Corbyn is being explicit with members: He will back another referendum if he cannot force a general election.
Was he influenced by all the protestors making themselves heard today? His philosophy has always been that what happens outside parliament is as important as what goes on inside it.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
Was talking about some twat out the crowd but I can see how my description could be confused with baldy shrek.
Rooney getting a final game and being treated like we owe him something has been the final nail in the coffin for me and the national team. I'm done with them.
Given the current political turmoil I've decided instead to head to the Bank of England website and nominate John Locke for the £50 note. Not necessarily the best idea since Locke surely belongs on the £5/£10/£20 rather than the currency of choice of criminal gangs but I'm doing my bit to save western liberalism.
It's only a thought but I can't help wondering if England's current political woes and the mainstream disregard of its greatest philosopher might have some connection.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
So: nobody from the cabinet.
Of course the majority of the cabinet
Well the 'cabinet supported' her yesterday. She said so in Downing st.
Mysterious that NONE of them could be found on any TV channel today.
What kind of sense does that even make? Either he supports it or he doesn't. Maybe he doesn't fancy being Brexit secretary but if he supports it he stays if he doesn't he should get the hell out.
Was talking about some twat out the crowd but I can see how my description could be confused with baldy shrek.
Rooney getting a final game and being treated like we owe him something has been the final nail in the coffin for me and the national team. I'm done with them.
Especially after that debacle we saw this summer....I mean England were minutes away from a World Cup final..what a shower
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
So: nobody from the cabinet.
Of course the majority of the cabinet
Well the 'cabinet supported' her yesterday. She said so in Downing st.
Mysterious that NONE of them could be found on any TV channel today.
More important things to do?
It does seem indefensible - if they are not all quitting, why re the most senior ones not out there pushing this thing damn hard? I stand by earlier comments that the likes of Javid and Hunt are losing what respect I had for them.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
Except TMay has lost the confidence of the MP's, not just of the Conservatives, but of the house. The Tories know that if they go down there will be a Corbyn government and that scares them silly.
Reflecting on JRM ridiculous cavorting today I wonder just how many enemies ERG have created in the conservative mps. It surely has been a total misjudgement
Have you been counting the cabinet members supporting your Primeminister today?
Actually McVey is no loss, Raab seems to have followed the ERG policy of not having a clue, and others so be it
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
Except TMay has lost the confidence of the MP's, not just of the Conservatives, but of the house. The Tories know that if they go down there will be a Corbyn government and that scares them silly.
Just like cabinet support, MrsMay has the support of tory mps and indeed the HoC.
Just as long as it doesn't actually come to a vote on anything important..
The monster of Berlaymont's hatred of Britain wins through.
Fraser:
But the risk, here was always that the EU would take Britain’s best offer then demand more. This is precisely what has just happened. Raab discovered at the last minute that the “backstop” clause for Northern Ireland was no longer a last resort, no longer a bridge to a proper free-trade deal. It was to become the basis on which the final Brexit deal would be built. This had been sneaked into the text at the last minute – with Raab only finding about it once the deal was agreed by No 10.
Perhaps the worst of it was the union. British negotiators picked up word that Martin Selmayr, the chief Brussels bureaucrat, had told his officials that the UK must pay a price for Brexit – and that the price is Northern Ireland. He wanted the Brexit transition deal to be written in such a way that, if the United Kingdom wanted to break free and strike a new arrangement, it would have no choice but to leave Northern Ireland behind.
Given the current political turmoil I've decided instead to head to the Bank of England website and nominate John Locke for the £50 note. Not necessarily the best idea since Locke surely belongs on the £5/£10/£20 rather than the currency of choice of criminal gangs but I'm doing my bit to save western liberalism.
It's only a thought but I can't help wondering if England's current political woes and the mainstream disregard of its greatest philosopher might have some connection.
I might follow you. Better idea than most of the scientists that were being named the other day for other notes.
Comments
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF50ZfNajHA
https://twitter.com/EdConwaySky/status/1063105263153172483?s=20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS5n7Ur5_U8
All well for Con tonight HYUFD?
https://interactive.news.sky.com/BREXIT1_151118.pdf
Edit - oh, of the full house? Only if it's a tie, in which he case he votes for the government.
*In terms of polling questions regarding leading Brexit negotiations.
Doubtless there's a conspiracy theory starting that letters are in but it's being suppressed
She usually made mincemeat of interviewers and gave impressive (and proper) answers to questions.
I have fought for TM deal all along, loyally and consistently, but I turned against ERG when Boris told Airbus to FO and ERG said they are willing to sacrifice JIT manufacturing, which of course they do not understand, and they couldnt care less attitude to the union.
You do not seem to realise how much damage ERG are doing to their cause
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/11/15/reconstruction-michael-gove-has-left-theresa-mays-future-hands/
p.s. "yesterday" is today
If he is, he hides it awfully well.
Not surprising that the Brexiters who have been doing it are a mix of fantasists and liars, but it might be a good idea to put a stop to it.
https://twitter.com/normanlamb/status/1063161053532577792?s=19
TM has majority support within her mps and even after all this still tops the poll on who the Country wants as PM
She may be forced to go down with the ship.
Maybe he is just classing half as them as misdelivered threats from the ERG.
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesTimes/status/1063185826622902272
At least she hasn't gone the whole hog and had her gnashers whitened.....
Given the current political turmoil I've decided instead to head to the Bank of England website and nominate John Locke for the £50 note. Not necessarily the best idea since Locke surely belongs on the £5/£10/£20 rather than the currency of choice of criminal gangs but I'm doing my bit to save western liberalism.
It's only a thought but I can't help wondering if England's current political woes and the mainstream disregard of its greatest philosopher might have some connection.
Mysterious that NONE of them could be found on any TV channel today.
More important things to do?
Just as long as it doesn't actually come to a vote on anything important..
Then she's toast.
Fraser:
But the risk, here was always that the EU would take Britain’s best offer then demand more. This is precisely what has just happened. Raab discovered at the last minute that the “backstop” clause for Northern Ireland was no longer a last resort, no longer a bridge to a proper free-trade deal. It was to become the basis on which the final Brexit deal would be built. This had been sneaked into the text at the last minute – with Raab only finding about it once the deal was agreed by No 10.
Perhaps the worst of it was the union. British negotiators picked up word that Martin Selmayr, the chief Brussels bureaucrat, had told his officials that the UK must pay a price for Brexit – and that the price is Northern Ireland. He wanted the Brexit transition deal to be written in such a way that, if the United Kingdom wanted to break free and strike a new arrangement, it would have no choice but to leave Northern Ireland behind.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/11/15/despite-revulsion-mrs-mays-deal-confident-opponents-wont-move/