It is not really masterful as it will simply not be debated; now a motion of no confidence in the government would not and could not be ignored. He has to be ready for an election if he goes for that and he is biding his time.
Politics always was a dirty game - they are all the same.
This is truly a mess though. Waiting till mid-Jan to have a vote gains no-one anything at all; unless May thinks the nearer it gets to leave day, the less likely people are to vote against her deal out of sheer cowardice and fear of no deal - just brinkmanship.
What would an ideal far right country look right to those who would vote Reform?


.