Another extraordinary day in Parliament. To cope with all the shenanigans, my morning run is not only vital it's essential. It keeps me sane! Today the Withdrawal Bill had its Second Reading, with a vote on the Programme Motion, which basically outlines how the Bill will progress and what monies are needed to ensure it can be implemented. Those two votes were due at about 1900. Before that I dealt with routine matters to midday, when I headed to Room N at PCH to attend a meeting organised by Conor Burns, now a minister in the Department for International Trade. He'd invited MPs from the SW to attend. In essence, he was keen to tell us how to help SMEs export far more than they do. The idea is for businesses in an area to organise a get-together with the Department, where ideas and advice can be given. I am keen to see if we can organise this for S Dorset. I remained in the same room for what I thought was a gathering of our veterans' team, but it was the APPG instead. Back to the office, and then two private meetings in the afternoon with colleagues and the ERG. At about 1900 the votes came. We won the first, to pass the Second Reading of the Bill, helped by several Labour MPs. But we lost the second, as those same Labour MPs were heavily whipped not to let the Bill continue. They had fulfilled their duty to their electorate by supporting the Bill, but then capitulated under pressure from their Whips, using the excuse three days was not enough time to debate the Bill. That when this issue has been thrashed out for more than three years. Sadly, nine of our own MPs behaved similarly, but there were no surprises there! The PM had no choice but to make a Point of Order, to the effect the Bill was put on immediate hold while the EU decided what to do next with us. The irony of that situation will not be lost on anyone. Here we are, trying desperately to regain our independence, with the EU holding the whip hand. Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg then made a Business Statement, telling us that we would return to debating the Queens' Speech tomorrow and Thursday and not sit Friday. The dishonourable behaviour of some MPs in this place is unimaginable.