After the crushing majority won by Rishi Sunak for the ‘Stormont brake’ element of his new deal on the terms of trade in Northern Ireland, a single question is on the lips of many MPs: whither the ERG?
For the once-mighty European Research Group – the Tory party’s formidably well organised Praetorian Guard which shielded the Brexit flame from Remain – was able to field fewer than two dozen votes against this key element of the Windsor Framework this week.
At one crucial juncture back in 2019, a mere sub-element of the European Research Group, the ‘Brexit Spartans’, played a decisive role in killing off Theresa May’s terrible proposed sovereignty giveaway. And there were 28 of them.
But once you strip the DUP’s votes out of the 29 registered against Sunak this week, you are left with just 22 names. At its height the ERG could put a solid block of 100 MPs through the division lobby of its choosing, marshalled by its then formidable leader Steve Baker.
But Baker, now a Northern Ireland minister, is out and proud as an enthusiast for Sunak’s fudge.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in