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Starmer is talking to the DUP in the hope that a new alliance can be formed which will, it is hoped, force the government into a softer departure or/and confirmatory vote on whether to leave at all.
The softer departure will take the form of a customs union, which is obviously attractive to the DUP.
It is thought that there is enough cross party support for a CU. amendment.
Johnson is trying to rush through all stages of the Brexit legislation before the EU summit pencilled in for next week, but parliament may reject this rushed timetable because it doesn’t give sufficient time to scrutinise such a hugely important bill, and there will be a vote on this tomorrow. It is hoped that parliament will insist on giving itself more time over the extended transition period.
Johnson is attempting to get parliamentary backing for his Brexit deal in a straight yes/no vote today. Hoping to show support for his agreement. But it is expected that a Bercow will enforce parliamentary rules that say that parliament can’t keep bringing the same vote back, as was voted on, on Saturday and Johnson lost.
One suspicion is that if Johnson can get a meaningful vote through he will withdraw his extension letter.
