Opinion

Analysis: Meaningful vote 2.5 is the parliamentary equivalent of the panic button

Is MV2.5 Theresa May's final roll of the dice? Picture by House of Commons/PA Wire
Is MV2.5 Theresa May's final roll of the dice? Picture by House of Commons/PA Wire Is MV2.5 Theresa May's final roll of the dice? Picture by House of Commons/PA Wire

THE good ship Britannia remains rudderless and all at sea, its compass going haywire, its skipper ready to jump overboard in an act of desperation.

Today was supposed to be Brexit day but 11am is expected to pass without incident and despite an unscheduled sitting at Westminster, it's likely that by the end of the day we'll be no closer to finding a resolution to this all-consuming mess.

The greater clarity many hoped would emerge from Wednesday evening's indicative votes failed to materialise but that process can continue next week and may yet yield something that a majority of MPs can get behind. In this process, however, the only certainty is uncertainty.

As MPs mulled the options that varied from a second referendum to leaving with no deal, Theresa May created a diversion by unveiling her 'back me then sack me' strategy, which appears to have convinced some already wavering Brexiteers but not yet enough.

Having earlier indicated that he would take his cue from the DUP, Jacob Rees-Mogg was saying yesterday that he still backed the withdrawal agreement over the prospect of no Brexit. He hopes the DUP will "come over" but despite weeks of speculation about when Arlene Foster's party would capitulate, they are doggedly sticking to their guns and remaining resolutely opposed to the backstop.

Ian Knox cartoon 29/3/19: Concerned that their beloved hard brexit project might disappear in the long grass of delay, and scenting blood from their badly wounded political leader, the sharks of the ERG turn into pussy cats and move centre. Their erstwhile allies in the DUP are shafted 
Ian Knox cartoon 29/3/19: Concerned that their beloved hard brexit project might disappear in the long grass of delay, and scenting blood from their badly wounded political leader, the sharks of the ERG turn into pussy cats and move centre. Their erstwhil Ian Knox cartoon 29/3/19: Concerned that their beloved hard brexit project might disappear in the long grass of delay, and scenting blood from their badly wounded political leader, the sharks of the ERG turn into pussy cats and move centre. Their erstwhile allies in the DUP are shafted 

And as if things weren't complicated enough, Mrs May's pledge to fall on her sword should her deal succeed has created another element to this drama, as her Tory colleagues begin positioning themselves ahead of a leadership contest proper.

Her nemesis Boris Johnson has brazenly performed a double reverse ferret, first saying he would back the prime minister's deal before yesterday declaring it "dead". It's not often you'll read praise for the DUP within the pages of The Irish News, but at least they are consistent compared to their Tory allies.

Today's vote on the withdrawal agreement, which the speaker accepted as "new and substantially different", is said to represent a last roll of the dice – but how many times have we heard that? Dubbed meaningful vote 2.5, it is the parliamentary equivalent of the panic button, cooked up in hurry to ensure the government doesn't completely lose control of the process.

It is presented as offering finality and an opportunity to leave the EU on May 22 but don't bet on order suddenly emerging from this unprecedented chaos.