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| EU deal: Cameron takes Brussels plan to cabinet as Gove leans towards Brexit – live | EU deal: Cameron takes Brussels plan to cabinet as Gove leans towards Brexit – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.43am GMT | |
| 11:43 | |
| The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has been talking about the approach he will take to the referendum, insisting that there has not bee a “change of heart” by him on the issue of the European Union. | |
| Asked how he voted in the 1975 referendum on Britain’s membership of what was then called the European Economic Community, Corbyn said that he had voted against the UK’s continued membership, but told Sky News in the last few minutes: | |
| Things have obviously changed particularly in the sense of the economic direction in this country and the number of jobs that are dependent on Europe. If Britain was not part of the EU there could be enormous difficulties. | |
| Asked if it was important that the EU existed as a unit in the first place, he responded: | |
| I think the EU is a strong economic unit and it is important that it is a strong economic unit but it has to deliver for all. | |
| David Cameron and others in the EU, he said, were pursuing an “austerity agenda”. Labour was opposed to this and wanted to work with others in the EU for change. | |
| In relation to the referendum, he added | |
| There is not going to be a joint campaign . There is going to be a Labour campaign asking people to vote in the direction I have indicated. | |
| Asked what the approach would be towards members of the party who disagreed with his position on Europe and the upcoming referendum, he replied. | |
| Every member of parliament and the shadow cabinet will make up their minds. There won’t be any sanctions against people who take a different point of view. | |
| So far, notable Labour MPs who will be campaigning for Britain to leave the EU include Kate Hoey and Frank Field. | |
| Doubts still remain about Corbyn’s enthusiasm too however: | |
| Listening to Corbyn talk to @adamboultonSKY. Lab leader does not sound convincing at all about merits of EU, sounds like reluctant passenger | |
| 11.25am GMT | |
| 11:25 | |
| From Spain, Stephen Burgen reports that the Spanish media has yet to get too worked up about last night’s deal, although here’s a line from Eliseo Oliveras in El Periódico: | |
| The concession to British blackmail consolidates the EU’s double standards: a generous accommodation of the demands of the powerful countries (Great Britain, Germany, France) and the implacable imposition of diktats on the weak (Greece and Spain). | |
| 11.19am GMT | |
| 11:19 | |
| The veteran Tory eurosceptic MP, Bill Cash, has been attacking the deal this morning, describing it as a “spin operation on very flimsy and insubstantial grounds.” | |
| The bottom line is that it’s not legally binding and irreversible. There is no reference to irreversibility and that matters | |
| When the British voter goes to the polls on the basis of this package they will want to have a guarantee that what has actually been negotiated will actually happen - and the answer is no, there is none. | |
| It’s “the emperor with hardly any clothes on,” he added. | |
| 11.14am GMT | 11.14am GMT |
| 11:14 | 11:14 |
| Alex Duval Smith | Alex Duval Smith |
| Some reaction from Poland now. That country’s Europe minister, Konrad Szymański, told Polish journalists in Brussels overnight that the deal reached in Brussels will consolidate his country’s links with Britain as an ally against French, German and Euro zone dominace of the EU. | Some reaction from Poland now. That country’s Europe minister, Konrad Szymański, told Polish journalists in Brussels overnight that the deal reached in Brussels will consolidate his country’s links with Britain as an ally against French, German and Euro zone dominace of the EU. |
| He said: | He said: |
| The presence of Great Britain in the EU has a huge meaning because of the political balance Poland brings into the EU. This is particularly important for central Europe because there is a shared sensitivity concerning both transatlantic relations and the common market. | The presence of Great Britain in the EU has a huge meaning because of the political balance Poland brings into the EU. This is particularly important for central Europe because there is a shared sensitivity concerning both transatlantic relations and the common market. |
| Alex Duval Smith reports for the Guardian: | Alex Duval Smith reports for the Guardian: |
| Poland’s current foreign policy priority - which has topped the agenda in the government’s talks with Cameron ahead of the EU deal - is to secure a permanent Nato troop presence on its territory. | Poland’s current foreign policy priority - which has topped the agenda in the government’s talks with Cameron ahead of the EU deal - is to secure a permanent Nato troop presence on its territory. |
| The position is supported by the broader so-called Visegrad group, including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, and by the Baltic States. | The position is supported by the broader so-called Visegrad group, including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, and by the Baltic States. |
| But historic agreements prevent Nato from creating bases in countries of the former Eastern bloc. The current solution, which Britain has signalled it will support, is a calendar of rolling troop exercises in central Europe - with a focus on Poland - that would, de facto, ensure there are always alliance troops in Poland. | But historic agreements prevent Nato from creating bases in countries of the former Eastern bloc. The current solution, which Britain has signalled it will support, is a calendar of rolling troop exercises in central Europe - with a focus on Poland - that would, de facto, ensure there are always alliance troops in Poland. |
| The Polish prime minister,Beata Szydło, welcomed the deal. She told Polish journalists in Brussels overnight: “There is an agreement and it has not been reached at any price. This was our starting point. | The Polish prime minister,Beata Szydło, welcomed the deal. She told Polish journalists in Brussels overnight: “There is an agreement and it has not been reached at any price. This was our starting point. |
| When we went to Brussels we had the goal of defending the rights of Polish workers and citizens living and working in Great Britain. I can say with satisfaction that after difficult negotiations we have succeeded in realising out goals.” | When we went to Brussels we had the goal of defending the rights of Polish workers and citizens living and working in Great Britain. I can say with satisfaction that after difficult negotiations we have succeeded in realising out goals.” |
| The issue of benefit payments collected by Poles working in Britain and sent home as part of remittance payments has receded in recent years, amid evidence that Polish emigration to the rest of the EU is in decline due to improved economic opportunities in Poland. | The issue of benefit payments collected by Poles working in Britain and sent home as part of remittance payments has receded in recent years, amid evidence that Polish emigration to the rest of the EU is in decline due to improved economic opportunities in Poland. |
| 11.08am GMT | 11.08am GMT |
| 11:08 | 11:08 |
| Philip Oltermann | Philip Oltermann |
| The Guardian’s Berlin Bureau Chief, Phillip Oltermann, reports on reaction in Germany to Friday night’s deal. | The Guardian’s Berlin Bureau Chief, Phillip Oltermann, reports on reaction in Germany to Friday night’s deal. |
| According to German weekly Spiegel, what looked like a staged drama came close to being a real tragedy: “It was the Cameron show we expected. With numerous crises facing the EU at the moment, it was in no one’s interest that the Brits leave the union and weaken it further. | According to German weekly Spiegel, what looked like a staged drama came close to being a real tragedy: “It was the Cameron show we expected. With numerous crises facing the EU at the moment, it was in no one’s interest that the Brits leave the union and weaken it further. |
| Therefore many observers expected EU leaders to put in a little drama even if an agreement was as good as certain, so that Cameron could present himself as the winner. Only then, the calculation went, he could sell the deal to his people as a roaring success.” | Therefore many observers expected EU leaders to put in a little drama even if an agreement was as good as certain, so that Cameron could present himself as the winner. Only then, the calculation went, he could sell the deal to his people as a roaring success.” |
| But when Greek PM Alexis Tsipras threatened his veto, however, it became clear: “this is no longer a show. The unity of the EU really was hanging in the balance.” | But when Greek PM Alexis Tsipras threatened his veto, however, it became clear: “this is no longer a show. The unity of the EU really was hanging in the balance.” |
| Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung doesn’t believe that Britain opting out of “ever closer union” has anything but symbolic value: “Sober realpolitician Merkel knows of course that neither the stated goal of the treaty or its newly agreed interpretation have any legal significance”. In the light of this, the paper’s Brussels correspondent wrote, it was nonsense to pretend the deal implied the kind of “thorough reform of the EU” that Cameron had originally proposed. | Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung doesn’t believe that Britain opting out of “ever closer union” has anything but symbolic value: “Sober realpolitician Merkel knows of course that neither the stated goal of the treaty or its newly agreed interpretation have any legal significance”. In the light of this, the paper’s Brussels correspondent wrote, it was nonsense to pretend the deal implied the kind of “thorough reform of the EU” that Cameron had originally proposed. |
| In tabloid Bild, commentator Nikolaus Blome is pleased to both Brits and EU leaders finally came to their senses: “Luckily, both the EU commission and other leaders eventually realised that while the Brits would damage themselves with a Brexit, the EU would practically be destroyed with it. That’s a change from a year ago, when the impression was that the Brits were “only” threatening us with their own suicide”. | In tabloid Bild, commentator Nikolaus Blome is pleased to both Brits and EU leaders finally came to their senses: “Luckily, both the EU commission and other leaders eventually realised that while the Brits would damage themselves with a Brexit, the EU would practically be destroyed with it. That’s a change from a year ago, when the impression was that the Brits were “only” threatening us with their own suicide”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.14am GMT | at 11.14am GMT |
| 10.51am GMT | 10.51am GMT |
| 10:51 | 10:51 |
| Here’s a round-up of political reaction from MPs, world leaders and others to the deal reached in Brussels. | Here’s a round-up of political reaction from MPs, world leaders and others to the deal reached in Brussels. |
| Related: Leaders react to news of UK's renegotiated EU membership | Related: Leaders react to news of UK's renegotiated EU membership |
| 10.45am GMT | 10.45am GMT |
| 10:45 | 10:45 |
| Corbyn: Cameron deal is a "sideshow" | Corbyn: Cameron deal is a "sideshow" |
| The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has described the deal which David Cameron negotiated in Brussels as a “sideshow”, but reiterated that Labour would be campaigning to keep Britain in the European Union. | The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has described the deal which David Cameron negotiated in Brussels as a “sideshow”, but reiterated that Labour would be campaigning to keep Britain in the European Union. |
| Here’s a statement issued by his office | Here’s a statement issued by his office |
| Despite the fanfare, the deal that David Cameron has made in Brussels on Britain’s relationship with the EU is a sideshow, and the changes he has negotiated are largely irrelevant to the problems most British people face and the decision we must now make. | Despite the fanfare, the deal that David Cameron has made in Brussels on Britain’s relationship with the EU is a sideshow, and the changes he has negotiated are largely irrelevant to the problems most British people face and the decision we must now make. |
| His priorities in these negotiations have been to appease his opponents in the Conservative Party. He has done nothing to promote secure jobs, protect our steel industry, or stop the spread of low pay and the undercutting of wages in Britain. Labour’s priorities for reform in the EU would be different, and David Cameron’s deal is a missed opportunity to make the real changes we need. | His priorities in these negotiations have been to appease his opponents in the Conservative Party. He has done nothing to promote secure jobs, protect our steel industry, or stop the spread of low pay and the undercutting of wages in Britain. Labour’s priorities for reform in the EU would be different, and David Cameron’s deal is a missed opportunity to make the real changes we need. |
| We will be campaigning to keep Britain in Europe in the coming referendum, regardless of David Cameron’s tinkering, because it brings investment, jobs and protection for British workers and consumers. | We will be campaigning to keep Britain in Europe in the coming referendum, regardless of David Cameron’s tinkering, because it brings investment, jobs and protection for British workers and consumers. |
| Labour believes the EU is a vital framework for European trade and cooperation in the 21st century, and that a vote to remain in Europe is in the best interests of our people. | Labour believes the EU is a vital framework for European trade and cooperation in the 21st century, and that a vote to remain in Europe is in the best interests of our people. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.48am GMT | at 10.48am GMT |
| 10.36am GMT | 10.36am GMT |
| 10:36 | 10:36 |
| Sajid Javid, another member of the cabinet who some commentators had thought was on the fence, will also back the campaign for the UK to remain in the UK, according to The Spectator. | Sajid Javid, another member of the cabinet who some commentators had thought was on the fence, will also back the campaign for the UK to remain in the UK, according to The Spectator. |
| James Forsyth writes: | James Forsyth writes: |
| Those familiar with the Business Secretary’s thinking say that what has swung Javid to IN is his sense that it is just too risky for Britain to leave right now given the parlous state of the global economy. | Those familiar with the Business Secretary’s thinking say that what has swung Javid to IN is his sense that it is just too risky for Britain to leave right now given the parlous state of the global economy. |
| I suspect that he will be deployed by the IN campaign to try and persuade those crucial swing voters who are attracted to the idea of getting Out of the EU but are worried about the risks in doing so. | I suspect that he will be deployed by the IN campaign to try and persuade those crucial swing voters who are attracted to the idea of getting Out of the EU but are worried about the risks in doing so. |
| Tim Shipman, Political Editor at the Sunday Times, tweets his thoughts on that: | Tim Shipman, Political Editor at the Sunday Times, tweets his thoughts on that: |
| In leadership terms Javid going in may be more significant for Boris than Gove going out. | In leadership terms Javid going in may be more significant for Boris than Gove going out. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.37am GMT | at 10.37am GMT |
| 10.31am GMT | 10.31am GMT |
| 10:31 | 10:31 |
| It’s going to be interesting to see how the Vote Leave campaign deals with Theresa May’s emphasis on security as convincing argument for why she is supporting a vote to remain in the EU. | It’s going to be interesting to see how the Vote Leave campaign deals with Theresa May’s emphasis on security as convincing argument for why she is supporting a vote to remain in the EU. |
| What a difference four months makes however. Back in November, UKIP leader Nigel Farage was saying that he would be delighted if the Home Secretary wanted to lead the official campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. | What a difference four months makes however. Back in November, UKIP leader Nigel Farage was saying that he would be delighted if the Home Secretary wanted to lead the official campaign for Britain to leave the European Union. |
| Related: Theresa May gets Nigel Farage backing to lead EU out campaign | Related: Theresa May gets Nigel Farage backing to lead EU out campaign |
| 10.23am GMT | 10.23am GMT |
| 10:23 | 10:23 |
| Here’s Theresa May’s statement on why she is backing David Cameron’s deal and will be campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU: | Here’s Theresa May’s statement on why she is backing David Cameron’s deal and will be campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU: |
| It means we keep control of our right to decide which criminal justice measures we participate in. It strengthens our ability to deport dangerous foreign criminals. | It means we keep control of our right to decide which criminal justice measures we participate in. It strengthens our ability to deport dangerous foreign criminals. |
| And while European countries must work together to tackle terrorism, it makes clear that our national security is ultimately our responsibility, not Europe’s. | And while European countries must work together to tackle terrorism, it makes clear that our national security is ultimately our responsibility, not Europe’s. |
| The EU is far from perfect, and no one should be in any doubt that this deal must be part of an ongoing process of change and reform – crucial if it is to succeed in a changing world. | The EU is far from perfect, and no one should be in any doubt that this deal must be part of an ongoing process of change and reform – crucial if it is to succeed in a changing world. |
| But in my view - for reasons of security, protection against crime and terrorism, trade with Europe, and access to markets around the world - it is in the national interest to remain a member of the European Union. | But in my view - for reasons of security, protection against crime and terrorism, trade with Europe, and access to markets around the world - it is in the national interest to remain a member of the European Union. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.31am GMT | at 10.31am GMT |
| 10.14am GMT | 10.14am GMT |
| 10:14 | 10:14 |
| Theresa May to campaign for UK to stay in EU | Theresa May to campaign for UK to stay in EU |
| Home Secretary Theresa May is to campaign to remain in the EU. | Home Secretary Theresa May is to campaign to remain in the EU. |
| It’s a potentially key development as, at one point last year, she was thought to be a possible leader of the ‘Leave’ campaign. | It’s a potentially key development as, at one point last year, she was thought to be a possible leader of the ‘Leave’ campaign. |
| 10.13am GMT | 10.13am GMT |
| 10:13 | 10:13 |
| Michael Gove has arrived at Downing Street, but told reporters as he left his home earlier that would be making a statement after the cabinet meeting today. | Michael Gove has arrived at Downing Street, but told reporters as he left his home earlier that would be making a statement after the cabinet meeting today. |
| Senior figures in the out campaign, and others, believe there are as many as five cabinet ministers ready to swing behind their drive to exit the EU. | Senior figures in the out campaign, and others, believe there are as many as five cabinet ministers ready to swing behind their drive to exit the EU. |
| These had been thought likely to include be Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith, Priti Patel, Theresa Villiers and John Whittingdale. | These had been thought likely to include be Chris Grayling, Iain Duncan Smith, Priti Patel, Theresa Villiers and John Whittingdale. |
| However, the headlines today will focus on those currently regarded as ‘swingers’, such as Sajid Javid. | However, the headlines today will focus on those currently regarded as ‘swingers’, such as Sajid Javid. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.22am GMT | at 10.22am GMT |