There were something like 250 abstainers. Personally, I find these worse than the people who voted against, as they were at least prepared to show the courage of their convictions.

There are valid reasons in a few cases for abstaining. But for the majority, I think they looked at their prospects come the next election and decided they could not afford to upset the remaining Boris fans, nor those who thought he needed to be found guilty, so as a matter of pure self interest did not vote.    Come the next election, they will not mention it or, if forced, take whatever line has seemed to have worked best for someone over the year or so between this vote and the election.

Sunak, by the way, has no valid reason for skipping the vote. Skipping the debate, possibly, but not the vote.