Theresa May’s third meaningful vote might now be cancelled

All the talk among Cabinet ministers – who as usual in Theresa May’s government know next-to-nothing about what the PM is actually going to do – is that the bloomin’ meaningful vote won’t be held next week after all. “The DUP don’t look as though they are coming on board,” said one. “It looks as though she’ll lose by a bit more than last time,” said another. “Why would she do that to herself?”

If they are right and she does not bring her Brexit deal back for ratification by MPs, then dead too (probably) is the idea she’ll imminently announce the date of her resignation as PM. According to a senior minister, between 30 and 40 Tory MPs had told her directly or through the whips they would probably vote for her deal if she pledged to go as soon as Brexit became a reality – so she would have no involvement in negotiating the important future relationship with the EU.