If the government cannot pass its major measure of the day, then a general election is the constitutionally appropriate response. So after the meaningful vote, Labour may be confronted with a choice between no deal and a second referendum. That’s why there have been many credible reports of No 10 and Conservative central office ramping up preparations for a second referendum. Paradoxically, it may be that Downing Street is talking up no deal precisely in anticipation of a second referendum – so that it can claim that it was willing to go ahead with no deal but that Labour forced a second referendum. If there is a second referendum, only Labour can win it – and winning it might be Labour’s path to power.

Source: The Guardian December 31, 2018 15:45 UTC