"Mr Johnson offered to allow MPs extra time to debate and ratify his Brexit deal by 6 November if they approved the UK’s first December election in almost 100 years. But aides said he would pull the Withdrawal Agreement Bill altogether if they refuse."

Once again, the 'master strategy' is painful in its simplicity. If there is no GE, the Government will pull the bill and so there will be no Brexit debate until - let us suppose - the end of January. Faced with determined inaction, they hope the EU will decide there is no value in another extension and we get to 'no deal'. Not on 31st October, of course, but I am sure Nigel and co will find a way of saying that is compatible with Johnson's promises.

This relies on Parliament being unable to take control again via an SO24 or similar, and that relies on who is Speaker. If Bercow found a way of staying on, there would definitely be SO24s permitted. It is not so clear how the alternatives would behave.