Prime minister Boris Johnson

• WHAT’S the game being played by this prime minister over Brexit? Having taken a reported pro-European Union stance in the past, he has now achieved his ambition to become the PM, leader of the Tories and the darling of Brexiteers.

But he seems to have let the Speaker’s ruling pass that the Benn Act could pass to a third reading when it is argued that as an act, this required royal assent and would appear to have enabled him as the PM to advise against it on the principle that constitutional process has not been properly complied with.

As for Article 50 and an extension, it is also argued that the previous PM had no authority/assent to proceed with any Article 50 delay earlier this year and accordingly the UK had thus already left the EU at that time. Take your choice.

So what rabbit is this PM planning to produce from his hat(s) when he has already had the opportunity to act in a constitutionally acceptable way to see Brexit through?

Does he see his role as some do-or-die saviour of Brexit, on terms very similar to those of the former PM, but claiming a virtuous victory insofar that he tried and was confounded by an intransigent parliament… the flawed hero of the hour who saw off the multi-party threat that threatened the very existence of the Conservatives as a political force?

The lack of media reports of what has or – rather – has not happened also commands comment in the overall context of “the establishment”, its proponents and connections.

MARK NEWBERRY
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