The various controversial issues just identified in the WAB, and others, may well be the subject of amendment if it emerges from its present
‘in limbo’ status (this, apparently, is the correct term for it, and it could just as well be applied to the entire Brexit situation). If so, it may yet pass, and Brexit may yet happen. However, the possibility is now intensifying that events will be delayed by a General Election and, if so, that represents possibly the last chance for Brexit to be averted.
That may sound a strange thing to say, given that
Johnson himself is pushing for an election, now, weirdly, tying this giving more time to debate the WAB (not that much more, in fact). But - barring some very dramatic event - the only realistic route to remain now lies in a Labour administration – whether majority or minority – organizing another referendum (this would in turn entail yet another request to the EU for an extension).
The present parliament almost certainly isn’t going to vote, and legislate, for another referendum. On the other hand, if the WAB ever is debated by the present parliament then it is quite likely to end up passing. The Second Reading, after all,
passed by 30 votes – allowing
Johnson to make the wholly
dishonest claim that his deal had been “passed” – and although
many of those votes (it would only take 15) could peel away at Third Reading it looks
plausible that it could squeak though. Even if it were heavily amended, most amendments (e.g. to seek a customs union) could easily be undone by a future government whereas, so long as it passed, then Brexit would have happened and there would be no way back. Also relevant here is that after 31 October there will be a new Speaker, who may well be less robust in defending the rights of parliament than John Bercow.