Two questions will define what happens next.
Does Boris Johnson genuinely want a winter election? And, if so, can he get one?
Downing Street has yet to decide whether it is better to go to the polls in December with the promise to get Brexit done or wait until the Spring having hopefully got Brexit done.
Which path they choose will hinge on the length and terms of the extension offered by Brussels.
Some EU leaders are minded to offer a short delay to allow Johnson to get his deal through.
But this runs the risk of a no-deal Brexit if his plans go awry.
More likely they will offer an extension until January 31 with the proviso that Britain can leave before then if the deal is ratified by Parliament.
This will be tempting for Johnson if he believes the numbers are there in the Commons.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Some in No 10 think last night may have been his best shot .
The reason he wanted to railroad the Withdrawal Bill through Parliament was because the more time MPs have to scrutinise the legislation the more they will find its contents unpalatable.
Nor is there any guarantee it will pass through the Commons.
Many Labour MPs voted for the Withdrawal Bill last night so they could try to amend it.
If those amendments are not forthcoming then they could withdraw their support at the third reading.
Downing Street, of course, may be bluffing by saying it will push for an election if the EU insists on an extension to January 31.
But if Johnson is genuine then what happens next rests with Labour whose votes are needed to overturn the Fixed Term Parliament Act .
Jeremy Corbyn has previously signalled that he would only consider an election once an extension had been agreed and no-deal had been taken off the table.
Have those conditions now been satisfied?
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Some in the shadow Cabinet believe Labour can no longer continue to block an election.
This was line touted by shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon this morning, though he may have been freelancing.
Others are desperate to hold off for as long as possible fearing they will be routed.
Private polling seen by Labour is even more grim than the published surveys giving the Tories a 15 point lead.
Jeremy Corbyn’s personal ratings are dire, particularly in marginal seats.
Labour will also want to avoid an election in the winter months as it could struggle to get its vote out once the clocks have gone back and cold weather has set in.
In these circumstances it may be better to be accused of running scared than to be actively running towards obliteration.
This then is the current state of play:
The Conservatives are divided on whether to go for an early election or to try to seal a deal.
The EU is divided on whether to grant a short or a long extension.
Labour is divided on whether to back an early election or wait until conditions may be more favourable.
Today’s agenda:
9.30am – The Environment select committee takes evidence on puppy smuggling.
10am – Security minister Brandon Lewis appears before the Brexit select committee.
11.30am – Michael Gove takes Cabinet Office questions.
12pm – Boris Johnson makes a rare appearance at Prime Minister’s questions.
2pm – Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is questioned by the Defence select committee.
2.15pm – Home Secretary Priti Patel is quizzed by the Home Affairs select committee.
What I am reading:
Jonathan Freedland on what happened in the Commons last night
