Supreme Court President Lady Hale
The Supreme Court decision is a constitutional big deal, but has it changed anything in the Brexit timetable? The Conservative party with most if not all of the dissidents included will not overthrow Boris Johnson and plunge themselves into another leadership crisis. The DUP will endorse that. If Johnson wants to continue slash’n burn, he challenges Corbyn to an immediate general election tomorrow. This means he’s compelled to abandon withdrawal “ no if’s not buts “ on 31 October and ask the EU for an extension due to unforeseen circumstances beyond his control. It will be granted.
In the election both party leaders are forced to come clean. Johnson is forced to reveal his Deal proposals and expose whatever reality lies in the No Deal default. The absurdity of Labour withholding a decision on Leave or Remain until after the election is nakedly exposed. Will either leader risk exposure and opt as before to confront the moment of truth after the EU Council meeting on 17 October? Will Parliament with its new found authority let them get away with it and reach the agreement that has eluded them for three years?
Former BBC journalist and manager in Belfast, Manchester and London, Editor Spolight; Political Editor BBC NI; Current Affairs Commissioning editor BBC Radio 4; Editor Political and Parliamentary Programmes, BBC Westminster; former London Editor Belfast Telegraph. Hon Senior Research Fellow, The Constitution Unit, Univ Coll. London