THERESA May is desperately pushing through her Government's vision of a hard Brexit, and the Tories are even willing to break with Commons tradition to do it.
Usually, Westminster conventions are archaic procedures that either delay time or let Tory MPs bask in the glory of days gone by.
Yet this is a fairly sensible one. Sick MPs are usually "nodded through" by the opposition party for key votes. Their vote is counted, but they don't have to be in Parliament for that to be the case.
So, if there's a crunch vote, even an especially ill elected representative can have their say.
The Tories have ditched that for the "meaningful vote" amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill. It would give parliament a say on the UK leaving the EU with no deal.
A spokesperson for Jeremy Corbyn revealed: "As I understand it there has been a refusal to nod through people who are not in a state to vote in the normal way and that is obviously unacceptable."
Scotland is well used to the Tories trampling all over our democracy, so we can sympathise.
John Prescott offered some historical context, and condemned the Tories in strong terms.
In all my years in Parliament - even in the 1970s - I have NEVER seen this. This is absolutely bloody shameful.
— John Prescott (@johnprescott) June 20, 2018
I trust Labour MPs will be disgusted by these desperate and heartless Tory tactics, vote against the Government and back the meaningful vote. https://t.co/4OLNNUfttJ
Although a fudge now looks likely to allow May to kick the Brexit dilemma to a later date, the move came amid fears the votes of her pro-EU backbenchers would spell defeat.
When the Tories are desperate – be it ripping up devolution or refusing the "meaningful vote" – they'll go to any lengths to protect their power.
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