Boris Johnson's “big win” last night was not as big as he would like you to think it was.
MPs allowed the prime minister’s Brexit deal to pass its first hurdle in the House of Commons on Tuesday - by approving its second reading - but rejected Johnson’s attempt to force the deal through in three days.
Now, the Conservatives are trying to convince voters that they passed a Brexit deal and Labour voted to block it…
#BREAKING: @BorisJohnson's Brexit deal has passed Parliament tonight. But now Jeremy Corbyn and Labour have voted… https://t.co/EGN6M5VHbd— Conservatives (@Conservatives) 1571770861
The only problem with that argument is... it's not true.
No it hasn't "passed Parliament". If it had, by definition, Labour couldn't delay it. https://t.co/HyCTOV5FaE— Lewis Goodall (@Lewis Goodall) 1571779052
Yesterday’s vote wasn’t insignificant - as it was the first time a Brexit deal has been supported by parliament - but Johnson’s deal is still far from becoming law.
That’s because bills have to go through multiple stages in the Commons and some MPs who voted for the deal yesterday did so because they wanted to scrutinise it or potentially add amendments to it at a later stage.
Labour also didn't "block" the deal on their own - in fact, Johnson’s attempt to fast-track the deal was defeated thanks to the DUP and a group of former Conservatives MPs who he kicked out of the party.
Find out how your MP voted: https://t.co/bM26C7axbd— UK House of Commons (@UK House of Commons) 1571770540
And as Sky News’ Lewis Goodall pointed out last night, the Conservatives know it's not true to say Johnson’s deal “passed” parliament - but they said it anyway.
It's hard to describe this ad as anything other than a lie, as those who designed it know it isn't true.— Lewis Goodall (@Lewis Goodall) 1571779475
Even if they didn’t realise it before, the official Conservatives Twitter account has tweeted the false claim four more times since last night and been roasted for it every time.
NARRATOR: It hadn't 'passed' https://t.co/wjyEbMm0gM— John Bull (@John Bull) 1571777492
Nonsense. Untrue. https://t.co/JYLpkloGHk— Otto English (@Otto English) 1571779909
@Conservatives @BorisJohnson Calm down on the straight-up lies, it's only Tuesday ffs— 🏳️🌈 snide narwhal 🏳️🌈 (@🏳️🌈 snide narwhal 🏳️🌈) 1571773656
That is a blatant, bare-faced lie. Nothing passed. https://t.co/itCOaGuyKb— Suffolk 🔶 🇪🇺 #FBPE #BrexitHasFailed (@Suffolk 🔶 🇪🇺 #FBPE #BrexitHasFailed) 1571810384
Some people have also pointed out that the 19 Labour MPs who voted to approve the second reading of the bill are now seeing their vote being used against them.
All those Labour MPs who voted for Johnson's bill tonight, here is how the Tories are using your vote. To campaign… https://t.co/2S0YIDtUH6— Mark Thompson (@Mark Thompson) 1571772739
Untrue from the liar's party when the deal hasn't "passed Parliament" by clearing only a Commons 2nd reading(commit… https://t.co/lp8NKJj4Xg— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin Maguire) 1571774326
Ironically, Johnson decided to pause his Brexit legislation after last night's vote - effectively putting Brexit in limbo - but you won't see Conservatives complaining that he's delaying Brexit.