The Guardian view on Boris Johnson’s strategy: split party, divide country, win election | Editorial

The prime minister intuitively understands that hard-Brexit chaos will sustain his premiership. He must be stoppedBrexit: Johnson tables motion for general election – live newsFull report: Johnson suffers Commons defeatThe defeat of Boris Johnson’s government by the opposition and 21 of his own MPs is the first shot in a battle for the soul of the Conservative party. Six weeks after he took office, the prime minister looks certain to be forced by law to break his promise to leave the