Interesting take by a political commentator, somewhat more eloquent (and brighter) than I.
Today has been a pretty tumultuous day for the Tory party, but I think contrary to the general impression, this has actually been a blinding win for May and Dominic Grieve.
A few months ago we were fairly up in the air, progressing with the Brexit bill which would set the terms for negotiating authority. Grieve, a serious details-man, raised an amendment which would have necessitated a return to parliament for a "meaningful vote" on whatever it was Theresa May came back with. Soubry et al joined in and it was plastered all over the pro-Brexit press. Any parliamentary vote was tantamount to treason. The leading Brexiters struck out and emphasised how vital it was that the government not have its hands bound.
With minutes to spare, Grieve and others had a private meeting with May just before the final vote, and under some "personal assurances", suddenly backed down, setting in statute the government's ability to return to parliament with a take-it-or-leave-it deal. This was a great "humiliation" for the remain camp, etc.
What this has meant, though, is power has effectively now been placed squarely in May's lap. The consequences of that weren't entirely clear, but it looks as though she co-ordinated a plan without consulting DExEU or leaving thinking time (considerable for Davis). That, plus the whole taxi insult, drove him over the edge into resigning, followed by Boris (who seemingly wasn't brave enough to jump first).
Now, Boris and Davis have gone and Gove has been forced to seemingly stick by May. The ERG are furious, but thanks to their own push for no meaningful vote, they can do absolutely nothing about it other than try and oust May. They can start the election, but it looks highly unlikely that the Tories will abandon May, meaning it would be a pointless exercise.
Parliament has a strong majority against "No Deal", which means they will almost certainly accept whatever May gets, even if they vote with their noses held, because most MPs recognise the consequences of a no-deal exit would be pretty awful.
The Tories now can't oust May, they're highly unlikely to want to risk Corbyn so they can't try and force an election, and they're stuck with whatever May comes back with - thanks to a policy they themselves insisted on. May can now use that to negotiate as she wishes, and possibly force a compromise Brexit.
Unless I'm mistaken, it's checkmate.
