A strange PMQs. Usually the session is dominated by honking throats and empurpled faces. Today there were interesting facts and useful opinions. Amazing!
An expertly briefed Jeremy Corbyn put Theresa May on the spot by noting that she’d omitted to say ‘Chequers’ in her conference speech or during recent performances in parliament. So is it dead? No, she said. And the question forced her to mention her orphaned love-child by its baptismal name – ‘the Chequers plan’ – for the first time in weeks.
Next, a financial shock. Corbyn asked her to confirm Philip Hammond’s warning that quitting without a deal will still land us with a divorce bill of 36 billion smackers. May hedged, but didn’t deny it.
Two strikes against her. Then, even scarier news. According to Corbyn, the PM signed the following agreement, last December, with no expiry date:
‘In the absence of agreed solutions, the UK will retain full alignment with the rules of the single market and the customs union.’
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