Inside Politics: Tory rebels hope for deal with No 10 on extra scrutiny powers

Conservative backbenchers believe they are in line for a bigger say on coronavirus restrictions after a ‘cordial’ meeting with Jacob Rees-Mogg and the chief whip, writes Adam Forrest

Boris Johnson outside No 10 (Getty Images)

One Tory rebel has compared Boris Johnson to King Theoden from The Lord of the Rings – the ashen-faced leader kept under a spell by his evil advisor Grima Wormtongue (Dominic Cummings, of course). Can Johnson still assert himself on Brexit and get a trade deal? Does he even know whether he wants a deal? Diplomats in Brussels might get a clue about No 10’s true intentions today when trade talks resume today – the last realistic chance of a breakthrough to save us from Mordor-like darkness at the end of the year. Tory rebels, meanwhile, are hoping to rouse the spellbound king into a compromise deal on extra scrutiny powers for MPs.

Inside the bubble

Chief political commentator John Rentoul on what to look out for today: