Shropshire Star

COMMENT: Nul points for Brexit plan during PMQs as Theresa May clings on

The expressions on the faces behind her said it all.

Published
The PM's friends appear to be few and far between on the benches behind her

As Theresa May – our embattled and irrevocably scarred Prime Minister (for the next few days, at least) – rose to address MPs during PMQs, she did so in front of a mass of angry looking Tories.

With the Cabinet set to revolt, and the few backbenchers that supported her Brexit deal falling away in despair at its latest incarnation, the PM must have known she was in for a rough ride.

Within minutes she was told that she "may not have long left", but fortunately for her Jeremy Corbyn was on hand with a barrage of questions about the big issue of the day: school funding.

He was keeping his power dry – there would be plenty of time for Brexit later once the national pencil shortage had been dealt with.

Others were less hospitable.

Jeremy Corbyn focused his questions in PMQs on the pencil shortage

"The Prime Minister is fooling no one but herself," opined the SNP's Ian Blackfoot, prompting a look from May that suggested she might actually agree with him.

Her 10-point plan – revealed in a rush on Tuesday evening in front of an already outdated-looking new slogan – had been examined by MPs and given "nul points", as they say in Strasbourg.

In an already record-breaking spell in Number 10 (biggest ever Commons defeat for a PM, highest number of defeats for a Tory PM), she had achieved something many thought was impossible by somehow making a bad deal even worse.

It was so bad, in fact, that no one seemed to know whether it would even get put to the vote.

Thankfully Tory leadership hopeful Michael Gove was on hand to clarify the Government's position.

MPs listened to the PM's Brexit statement

A vote on the withdrawal deal could take place in the first week of June, as promised. Then again it might not, depending on, well, who knows?

"It is important that we all take a little bit of time and step back," said Gove, before revealing his "huge admiration" for Boris Johnson, the guy whose leadership ambitions he destroyed three years ago.

While May desperately tries to hang on until recess, others also appear to be flagging.

The ultra-Remainers at Change UK have been bombarding Facebook with adverts saying the party is campaigning to “remain in the UK" and Farage is busy chastising his security staff for allowing the milkshake assassin to slip through.

Meanwhile Lib Dem leader Vince Cable was telling reporters he was "pleased" with the PM's new deal, after apparently being given duff information about the prospects of a second referendum by an over-eager member of his staff.

Oh, and British Steel has collapsed.

What a time to be alive.