We suspect that they are alarmed by the prospect of the legal and publicity circus that a trial here might well bring with it.
The Prime Minister’s backing has actually gone backwards since she stepped up her efforts to sell her new position.
Two of the four were lost last year; two more were last held over 25 years ago. All are now non-southern marginals – or should be.
An e-mail with a link to the survey should now be in the inboxes of panel members.
If Tory MPs think that No Deal would collapse Brexit altogether, or that it would be unmanageable next March, they need a Plan B. But we stress: if.
The Government is in crisis. MPs need to ponder deeply should be done for the best. That means not quitting Westminster this week.
Is the Witney MP’s decision a one-off, or part of a co-ordinated plan – with more to come? Downing Street and the Whips will be searching for an answer.
And, late in the day, the Prime Minister bows to our advice, and rushes on to Marr, today, to make the case for her new proposals.
As a split in the Conservative Party finally threatens for real, May must explain why and when she backed off mutual recognition.
Ministers and others are mulling whether checks already in place across the Irish Sea could be extended.
We don’t claim that the EU would accept it – but neither will the Commission nor the 27 necessarily accept the Prime Minister’s new plan.
As the meaning of legal texts moves centre-stage, Brexit-wise, May sends for a top QC to champion her case – and pore the documents.