Brexit: now it’s a battle over who governs Britain | Martin Kettle

May has survived, for now. But parliament is stalemated in a clash between referendums and representative democracy

On Tuesday evening the Commons witnessed a scene worthy of a cliffhanger finale to a blockbuster television series that we all know will resume in the autumn. Just before 7pm, with all Theresa May’s enemies closing in for the kill after a long and engrossing buildup, Tory MPs produced a twist in the plot. They saved the prime minister’s skin at the last minute by voting not to keep the UK inside the EU customs union after Brexit. As the Commons chamber emptied and the credits metaphorically rolled, a government whip rose and announced that the summer recess was now not going to be brought forward after all.

Related: May sees off rebellion on customs union as amendment is defeated

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2zNZtMY