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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/29/brexit-live-sad-cameron-eu-immigration-corbyn-leadership
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brexit live: 'sad' Cameron says EU must deal with immigration concerns | Brexit live: 'sad' Cameron says EU must deal with immigration concerns |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 8.47am BST | |
| 08:47 | |
| Q: You are part of a government that has failed to control immigration. | |
| Morgan says we have ended up with a bit of a soundbite political era. She says it is important for politicians to level with people. | |
| 8.44am BST | |
| 08:44 | |
| Nicky Morgan confirms she is considering running for Conservative leadership | |
| Andrew Sparrow | |
| Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Claire. | |
| Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, is on the Today programme now. She say she is actively considering running for the party leadership. | |
| Q: On what basis would you run? | |
| Morgan says the Tories cannot just be defined by Europe. She won a marginal seat, she says, and she understands the need to appeal to the centre. | |
| Q: What would be the best deal in Europe look like? | |
| Morgan says there would have to be access to the single market. And she says we need a much better debate on immigration. Immigrants make a contribution. | |
| Q: But if someone wanted an end to free movement, you would not be their candidate? | |
| Morgan says she thinks there has not been a proper debate on this. | |
| She represents a diverse constituency. | |
| Q: So are you saying we would have to accept we cannot end free movement. | |
| Morgan says she thinks what people want is control over immigration. | |
| But the Conservatives cannot only be about the EU. | |
| Last wee’s results showed a divided nation, she says. | |
| She says intergenerational unfairness is an issue. She says they should consider letting 16 and 17-year-olds vote. That is an issue raised with her in schools often, she says. | |
| Updated | |
| at 8.51am BST | |
| 8.31am BST | |
| 08:31 | |
| Claire Phipps | |
| As 27 EU members – minus the UK – begin the second day of the Brussels summit, I’m handing over the live blog to Andrew Sparrow. Thanks for reading and stay with us. | |
| Tusk @eucopresident has rung the bell to start first informal #EU27 meeting | |
| 8.15am BST | 8.15am BST |
| 08:15 | 08:15 |
| Stephen Crabb, who is planting his name firmly on the nominations list to be the next Tory leader and prime minister this morning, sets out in the Telegraph what he wants to do with “the government I intend to lead”: | Stephen Crabb, who is planting his name firmly on the nominations list to be the next Tory leader and prime minister this morning, sets out in the Telegraph what he wants to do with “the government I intend to lead”: |
| First, we must unite. Just over a year ago, every Conservative MP was elected on a manifesto that committed us to holding a referendum. The campaign is now over. | First, we must unite. Just over a year ago, every Conservative MP was elected on a manifesto that committed us to holding a referendum. The campaign is now over. |
| We cannot allow this leadership election to be defined by divisive labels like remainer and Brexiteer. The quicker we can focus on the future, the better chance we have to unite our party and the country. | |
| Second, we will enact the British people’s wishes on the EU. The verdict was clear: there is no going back. A second referendum is out of the question. What the country needs now is a clear direction, not further instability. | Second, we will enact the British people’s wishes on the EU. The verdict was clear: there is no going back. A second referendum is out of the question. What the country needs now is a clear direction, not further instability. |
| I want to lead a government that delivers on the expectations of the 17 million people who voted for Britain to leave the EU. One of the overwhelming messages from that vote was the need to take back control of immigration policy in the UK. So for me, freedom of movement is a red line. | I want to lead a government that delivers on the expectations of the 17 million people who voted for Britain to leave the EU. One of the overwhelming messages from that vote was the need to take back control of immigration policy in the UK. So for me, freedom of movement is a red line. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.29am BST | |
| 8.04am BST | 8.04am BST |
| 08:04 | 08:04 |
| Sajid Javid: 'We're all Brexiteers now' | Sajid Javid: 'We're all Brexiteers now' |
| Sajid Javid – the business secretary who’s backing Stephen Crabb for Tory leader in a joint ticket that would see him in the Treasury – has been speaking to the Today programme. | Sajid Javid – the business secretary who’s backing Stephen Crabb for Tory leader in a joint ticket that would see him in the Treasury – has been speaking to the Today programme. |
| Batting away the fact that both he and Crabb were pro-remainers hoping to lead the country through its exit from the UK, Javid said: | Batting away the fact that both he and Crabb were pro-remainers hoping to lead the country through its exit from the UK, Javid said: |
| There’s no distinction any more … In some ways we’re all Brexiteers now … It is really all about how we get on with it. | There’s no distinction any more … In some ways we’re all Brexiteers now … It is really all about how we get on with it. |
| Describing the months ahead as “the most difficult period in a generation”, Javid said Crabb, the work and pensions secretary, would as leader put together a team from “all sides of the campaign”. | |
| But Javid confirmed – for this leadership ticket, at least: | But Javid confirmed – for this leadership ticket, at least: |
| There’ll be no going back on the decision; there’ll be no second referendum. | There’ll be no going back on the decision; there’ll be no second referendum. |
| He set out what sounded remarkably similar to the proposal floated by Boris Johnson, another leadership candidate: access to the single market but without unrestricted freedom of movement. On immigration, Javid said: | He set out what sounded remarkably similar to the proposal floated by Boris Johnson, another leadership candidate: access to the single market but without unrestricted freedom of movement. On immigration, Javid said: |
| The British people want to know it is a policy in full control of the UK. | The British people want to know it is a policy in full control of the UK. |
| But on why Tory MPs and party member should then back the Crabb-Javid ticket over Johnson, he said: | But on why Tory MPs and party member should then back the Crabb-Javid ticket over Johnson, he said: |
| It’s all about delivery now … No one knows yet what kind of deal we’re going to get with the EU. We need people who can do the negotiations. | It’s all about delivery now … No one knows yet what kind of deal we’re going to get with the EU. We need people who can do the negotiations. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.30am BST | |
| 7.51am BST | 7.51am BST |
| 07:51 | 07:51 |
| SNP will ask to be official opposition in Commons | SNP will ask to be official opposition in Commons |
| As I mentioned in the morning briefing, the SNP in Westminster will apparently today ask the Speaker to recognise that party – rather than Labour – as Her Majesty’s Opposition. | As I mentioned in the morning briefing, the SNP in Westminster will apparently today ask the Speaker to recognise that party – rather than Labour – as Her Majesty’s Opposition. |
| The SNP’s leader in Westminster, Angus Robertson, does now technically command the support of 14 more MPs than the Labour leader, following the no-confidence vote in Jeremy Corbyn. That vote saw just 40 MPs back Corbyn, with 172 against. | The SNP’s leader in Westminster, Angus Robertson, does now technically command the support of 14 more MPs than the Labour leader, following the no-confidence vote in Jeremy Corbyn. That vote saw just 40 MPs back Corbyn, with 172 against. |
| The SNP’s shadow leader of the house, Pete Wishart, says the party has “shadows in every department and ministry” and would be “prepared to assume office” – the requirement placed on the official opposition. Wishart says the rules allowing the SNP to make the request are set out in Erskine May, which details parliamentary practice. | The SNP’s shadow leader of the house, Pete Wishart, says the party has “shadows in every department and ministry” and would be “prepared to assume office” – the requirement placed on the official opposition. Wishart says the rules allowing the SNP to make the request are set out in Erskine May, which details parliamentary practice. |
| And if that’s not enough constitutional confusion for you, here’s another oddity: | And if that’s not enough constitutional confusion for you, here’s another oddity: |
| Interesting thought. Ministers of Crown Act 1937 gives Speaker power to choose official leader of Opposition if uncertainty over who it is. | Interesting thought. Ministers of Crown Act 1937 gives Speaker power to choose official leader of Opposition if uncertainty over who it is. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.52am BST | at 7.52am BST |
| 7.41am BST | 7.41am BST |
| 07:41 | 07:41 |
| It’s a question a lot of people are asking: is there a way back from a Brexit vote? (Can I be the first to call it an EU-turn?) | It’s a question a lot of people are asking: is there a way back from a Brexit vote? (Can I be the first to call it an EU-turn?) |
| Angela Merkel last night said no: | Angela Merkel last night said no: |
| I see no possibility to reverse this. We would do well to accept this reality. | I see no possibility to reverse this. We would do well to accept this reality. |
| The US secretary of state, John Kerry, when asked if the decision could be “walked back”, said: | The US secretary of state, John Kerry, when asked if the decision could be “walked back”, said: |
| I think there are a number of ways. | I think there are a number of ways. |
| The Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, looks at whether there are ways and what they might be: | The Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour, looks at whether there are ways and what they might be: |
| The short answer is yes, just about, but many forces would have to align. | The short answer is yes, just about, but many forces would have to align. |
| Read more here: I’d pick some out, but as you might imagine – it’s complicated. | Read more here: I’d pick some out, but as you might imagine – it’s complicated. |
| Related: UK voted for Brexit – but is there a way back? | Related: UK voted for Brexit – but is there a way back? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.51am BST | at 7.51am BST |
| 7.30am BST | 7.30am BST |
| 07:30 | 07:30 |
| Margaret Beckett: some would rather see Labour split than Corbyn go | Margaret Beckett: some would rather see Labour split than Corbyn go |
| Margaret Beckett – formerly an acting leader of the Labour party – is in tears on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as she explains why she thinks Jeremy Corbyn needs to stand down. | Margaret Beckett – formerly an acting leader of the Labour party – is in tears on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as she explains why she thinks Jeremy Corbyn needs to stand down. |
| She praises his integrity and principles – “but they don’t of themselves make you a leader”. | She praises his integrity and principles – “but they don’t of themselves make you a leader”. |
| He has no experience at all of the problems of leadership … the hassle, the scrutiny, the compromises you have to make to get to the best common ground. | He has no experience at all of the problems of leadership … the hassle, the scrutiny, the compromises you have to make to get to the best common ground. |
| She says people were willing to try to support him to get to where he needed to be, including many of those Corbyn brought into his original shadow cabinet. | She says people were willing to try to support him to get to where he needed to be, including many of those Corbyn brought into his original shadow cabinet. |
| Jeremy has brought on a whole new raft of talent … and they have gone because they felt they could no longer deal with the situation in which they found themselves. | Jeremy has brought on a whole new raft of talent … and they have gone because they felt they could no longer deal with the situation in which they found themselves. |
| Beckett says much of the fault lies with those close to Corbyn: | Beckett says much of the fault lies with those close to Corbyn: |
| I’m afraid the people in the leader’s office act like a separate unit from the Labour party … There are people around Jeremy who are prepared to see the Labour party split rather than for him to go. The Labour party has to survive … because we need an alternative government. | I’m afraid the people in the leader’s office act like a separate unit from the Labour party … There are people around Jeremy who are prepared to see the Labour party split rather than for him to go. The Labour party has to survive … because we need an alternative government. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.50am BST | at 7.50am BST |
| 7.21am BST | 7.21am BST |
| 07:21 | 07:21 |
| The Guardian’s front page today documents those scenes in the European parliament yesterday, as Nigel Farage was met with boos by most MEPs – but praise from the Front National president, Marine Le Pen: | The Guardian’s front page today documents those scenes in the European parliament yesterday, as Nigel Farage was met with boos by most MEPs – but praise from the Front National president, Marine Le Pen: |
| The Guardian front page, Wednesday 29.06.16: As Farage looked on, Le Pen said: ‘Look how beautiful history is ...’ pic.twitter.com/ENNMFREZOc | The Guardian front page, Wednesday 29.06.16: As Farage looked on, Le Pen said: ‘Look how beautiful history is ...’ pic.twitter.com/ENNMFREZOc |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.24am BST | at 7.24am BST |
| 6.52am BST | 6.52am BST |
| 06:52 | 06:52 |
| Morning briefing | Morning briefing |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| Another day, another Brexit live blog: welcome. | Another day, another Brexit live blog: welcome. |
| Here’s the morning briefing to run you through the key developments and what we expect to happen today (as far as anyone can predict this stuff any more). Do come and chat in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Claire_Phipps. | Here’s the morning briefing to run you through the key developments and what we expect to happen today (as far as anyone can predict this stuff any more). Do come and chat in the comments below or find me on Twitter @Claire_Phipps. |
| David Cameron leaves Europe | David Cameron leaves Europe |
| Not for ever – yet. After his one-day trip to the two-day Brussels summit, David Cameron is back in London today so the 27 EU leaders can spare his blushes and discuss Brexit openly without having to pretend he’s not in the room. | Not for ever – yet. After his one-day trip to the two-day Brussels summit, David Cameron is back in London today so the 27 EU leaders can spare his blushes and discuss Brexit openly without having to pretend he’s not in the room. |
| The prime minister rounded off a working dinner with his soon-to-be-former European colleagues on Tuesday night with a press conference in which he revealed he had told them that immigration must be addressed: | The prime minister rounded off a working dinner with his soon-to-be-former European colleagues on Tuesday night with a press conference in which he revealed he had told them that immigration must be addressed: |
| I think [British] people recognised the strength of the economic case for staying, but there was a very great concern about the movement of people and immigration, and I think that is coupled with a concern about the issues of sovereignty and the absence of control there has been. | I think [British] people recognised the strength of the economic case for staying, but there was a very great concern about the movement of people and immigration, and I think that is coupled with a concern about the issues of sovereignty and the absence of control there has been. |
| I think we need to think about that, Europe needs to think about that and I think that is going to be one of the major tests for the next prime minister. | I think we need to think about that, Europe needs to think about that and I think that is going to be one of the major tests for the next prime minister. |
| Regrets, he’s had a few: | Regrets, he’s had a few: |
| It’s a sad night for me – I didn’t want to be in this position. I wanted Britain to stay in a reformed European Union … I fought very hard for what I believed in. I didn’t stand back. I threw myself in head, heart and soul to keep Britain in the European Union and I didn’t succeed. | It’s a sad night for me – I didn’t want to be in this position. I wanted Britain to stay in a reformed European Union … I fought very hard for what I believed in. I didn’t stand back. I threw myself in head, heart and soul to keep Britain in the European Union and I didn’t succeed. |
| And how are the other leaders taking the breakup? Not so well, as it happens. Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, said Britain couldn’t simply switch its Facebook status to “it’s complicated” – it’s “marriage or divorce, but not something in between”. | And how are the other leaders taking the breakup? Not so well, as it happens. Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, said Britain couldn’t simply switch its Facebook status to “it’s complicated” – it’s “marriage or divorce, but not something in between”. |
| The divorce settlement mustn’t be allowed to drag on and on and on, EU leaders said. The European council president, Donald Tusk, said they all wanted the plan “to be specified as soon as possible”. | The divorce settlement mustn’t be allowed to drag on and on and on, EU leaders said. The European council president, Donald Tusk, said they all wanted the plan “to be specified as soon as possible”. |
| If only someone had mentioned before that we needed a plan, or indeed someone prepared to come up with one. George Osborne said on Tuesday that job fell to … somebody else: | If only someone had mentioned before that we needed a plan, or indeed someone prepared to come up with one. George Osborne said on Tuesday that job fell to … somebody else: |
| It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU. | It was not the responsibility of those who wanted to remain in the EU to explain what plan we would follow if we voted to quit the EU. |
| The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is adamant there will be no cherry-picking of the best bits of Europe (and she doesn’t just mean the cheese, the wine, the salami …): | The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is adamant there will be no cherry-picking of the best bits of Europe (and she doesn’t just mean the cheese, the wine, the salami …): |
| There must be, and there will be, a palpable difference between those countries who want to be members of the European family and those who don’t … If you wish to have free access to the single market then you have to accept the fundamental European rights as well as obligations that come from it. This is as true for Great Britain as for anybody else. | There must be, and there will be, a palpable difference between those countries who want to be members of the European family and those who don’t … If you wish to have free access to the single market then you have to accept the fundamental European rights as well as obligations that come from it. This is as true for Great Britain as for anybody else. |
| On Cameron’s decision not to trigger article 50 – which sets the clock ticking on a two-year deadline to exit – until his successor is in place, and with some voices wondering if it will ever be triggered, Merkel said: | On Cameron’s decision not to trigger article 50 – which sets the clock ticking on a two-year deadline to exit – until his successor is in place, and with some voices wondering if it will ever be triggered, Merkel said: |
| We did not discuss the possibility that the UK will not invoke article 50, and I consider this an impossibility. | We did not discuss the possibility that the UK will not invoke article 50, and I consider this an impossibility. |
| Leaders reiterated the view that the UK couldn’t start the process with informal chats or with one eye on a potential EU-turn. Merkel told reporters: | Leaders reiterated the view that the UK couldn’t start the process with informal chats or with one eye on a potential EU-turn. Merkel told reporters: |
| I see no possibility to reverse this. We would do well to accept this reality. | I see no possibility to reverse this. We would do well to accept this reality. |
| … as Nicola Sturgeon flies in | … as Nicola Sturgeon flies in |
| Scotland’s first minister drops in on Brussels today. Sturgeon won’t meet Tusk, whose spokesman said “he feels it is not appropriate” at this point, but a spokeswoman for Jean-Claude Juncker said the European commission president would hold talks with her this afternoon. | Scotland’s first minister drops in on Brussels today. Sturgeon won’t meet Tusk, whose spokesman said “he feels it is not appropriate” at this point, but a spokeswoman for Jean-Claude Juncker said the European commission president would hold talks with her this afternoon. |
| Sturgeon will also have a meeting with the European parliament president, Martin Schulz, and other officials on how Scotland – which voted to remain – might be able to salvage a relationship with the EU. She’s likely to find some sympathetic ears, if the standing ovation given to SNP MEP Alyn Smith yesterday is any indication of Europe’s enduring fondness for at least part of the UK. | Sturgeon will also have a meeting with the European parliament president, Martin Schulz, and other officials on how Scotland – which voted to remain – might be able to salvage a relationship with the EU. She’s likely to find some sympathetic ears, if the standing ovation given to SNP MEP Alyn Smith yesterday is any indication of Europe’s enduring fondness for at least part of the UK. |
| MSPs on Tuesday voted to give Sturgeon a mandate for discussions with the EU, as she told them: | MSPs on Tuesday voted to give Sturgeon a mandate for discussions with the EU, as she told them: |
| Everything must be on the table to protect Scotland’s place in Europe. | Everything must be on the table to protect Scotland’s place in Europe. |
| Conservative leadership nominations open | Conservative leadership nominations open |
| It’s mere days since Cameron announced he’d be off and now the whispers and the toyings and the “seriously considerings” are going to have to actually turn into names on paper. Or perhaps via email or a WhatsApp group. I’m not sure of the rules on that one. | It’s mere days since Cameron announced he’d be off and now the whispers and the toyings and the “seriously considerings” are going to have to actually turn into names on paper. Or perhaps via email or a WhatsApp group. I’m not sure of the rules on that one. |
| What we do know is that the new leader/PM will be in place by 9 September, the timetable pushed back a week because hey, what’s the rush? Candidates need only two MPs to back them to get on the list so it could be a crowded one, topped by Boris Johnson and Theresa May, but also finding room for Stephen Crabb (teaming up with Sajid Javid on a “dream ticket”; please come forward and identify yourself if you have had this dream), and potentially Nicky Morgan, Liam Fox and Jeremy Hunt. Andrea Leadsom might have a pop, say some. | What we do know is that the new leader/PM will be in place by 9 September, the timetable pushed back a week because hey, what’s the rush? Candidates need only two MPs to back them to get on the list so it could be a crowded one, topped by Boris Johnson and Theresa May, but also finding room for Stephen Crabb (teaming up with Sajid Javid on a “dream ticket”; please come forward and identify yourself if you have had this dream), and potentially Nicky Morgan, Liam Fox and Jeremy Hunt. Andrea Leadsom might have a pop, say some. |
| Crabb announces his bid in a Telegraph column today on “the government I intend to lead”; while the environment secretary, Liz Truss, says she is backing Johnson as leader (and Michael Gove and Nick Boles, though it’s not clear as what). | Crabb announces his bid in a Telegraph column today on “the government I intend to lead”; while the environment secretary, Liz Truss, says she is backing Johnson as leader (and Michael Gove and Nick Boles, though it’s not clear as what). |
| The Guardian also reports today that Johnson is attempting to win the backing of Amber Rudd, the energy secretary and pro-remain campaigner, who memorably mocked him during a referendum debate by saying: | The Guardian also reports today that Johnson is attempting to win the backing of Amber Rudd, the energy secretary and pro-remain campaigner, who memorably mocked him during a referendum debate by saying: |
| He isn’t the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening! | He isn’t the man you want driving you home at the end of the evening! |
| Still, a week and an enormous constitutional rupture is a long time in politics. | Still, a week and an enormous constitutional rupture is a long time in politics. |
| So then what? Nominations close at midday tomorrow. Then we’re treated to twice-weekly votes until the list is ground down to a final two, before party members have their say. | So then what? Nominations close at midday tomorrow. Then we’re treated to twice-weekly votes until the list is ground down to a final two, before party members have their say. |
| Jeremy Corbyn v Labour MPs | Jeremy Corbyn v Labour MPs |
| Just 40 Labour MPs backed the Labour leader in Tuesday’s confidence vote – and one of them, Liz McInnes, resigned last night as shadow local government minister after the overwhelming majority of her colleagues (172 of them) voted against him. | Just 40 Labour MPs backed the Labour leader in Tuesday’s confidence vote – and one of them, Liz McInnes, resigned last night as shadow local government minister after the overwhelming majority of her colleagues (172 of them) voted against him. |
| And so we ask again: what happens next? As with Brexit, some urge speed and decisiveness, while others want to take their time, think it over, maybe cross their fingers that it didn’t really happen. | And so we ask again: what happens next? As with Brexit, some urge speed and decisiveness, while others want to take their time, think it over, maybe cross their fingers that it didn’t really happen. |
| Jeremy Corbyn, at any rate, knows what he’s doing: exactly what he was doing before. | Jeremy Corbyn, at any rate, knows what he’s doing: exactly what he was doing before. |
| I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today’s vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy. | I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today’s vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy. |
| The no-confidence vote, thumping as it was, doesn’t oblige him to step aside. Instead Labour MPs need to decide whether and when to launch a leadership contest, and who the anyone-but-Corbyn candidate would be. Angela Eagle and Tom Watson remain the likely runners. | The no-confidence vote, thumping as it was, doesn’t oblige him to step aside. Instead Labour MPs need to decide whether and when to launch a leadership contest, and who the anyone-but-Corbyn candidate would be. Angela Eagle and Tom Watson remain the likely runners. |
| Meanwhile, a YouGov poll conducted for the party revealed that 27% of people who voted for Labour at the last general election said they were less likely to do so again following the referendum campaign, with 11% saying they were more likely to do so. | Meanwhile, a YouGov poll conducted for the party revealed that 27% of people who voted for Labour at the last general election said they were less likely to do so again following the referendum campaign, with 11% saying they were more likely to do so. |
| You should also know: | You should also know: |
| Audacious claim of the day | Audacious claim of the day |
| The SNP in Westminster is reportedly set to demand that it be recognised as Her Majesty’s Opposition now that Angus Robertson technically commands the support of 14 more MPs than the Labour leader, following his no-confidence vote. The SNP’s shadow leader of the house, Pete Wishart, says the party has “shadows in every department and ministry”. | The SNP in Westminster is reportedly set to demand that it be recognised as Her Majesty’s Opposition now that Angus Robertson technically commands the support of 14 more MPs than the Labour leader, following his no-confidence vote. The SNP’s shadow leader of the house, Pete Wishart, says the party has “shadows in every department and ministry”. |
| For those asking how this is possible it's in Erskine May. The official opposition must be 'prepared to assume office'. Labour can't anymore | For those asking how this is possible it's in Erskine May. The official opposition must be 'prepared to assume office'. Labour can't anymore |
| (Erskine May sets out parliamentary practice. Constitutional experts: expect to be in demand today. In fact, maybe set aside a few months.) | (Erskine May sets out parliamentary practice. Constitutional experts: expect to be in demand today. In fact, maybe set aside a few months.) |
| Diary | Diary |
| Read these | Read these |
| Richard Dawkins, writing in Prospect, says there ought to be a second referendum – and there’s only one politician who can make it happen: | Richard Dawkins, writing in Prospect, says there ought to be a second referendum – and there’s only one politician who can make it happen: |
| If Brexit really is the will of the people, a second referendum will confirm it … What possible prime minister would have the courage, the chutzpah, to call a second referendum? Certainly not Damaged Goods Cameron. Not any ‘safe pair of hands ship-steadier’ from either party. It would have to be a leading Brexiteer. Only such a one could carry the country with him, and get away with such a bold decision. I can think of only one British politician with the sheer bottle, the idiosyncratic contrariness, the endearingly impudent bloody cheek, to get away with it. Boris Johnson, of course … | If Brexit really is the will of the people, a second referendum will confirm it … What possible prime minister would have the courage, the chutzpah, to call a second referendum? Certainly not Damaged Goods Cameron. Not any ‘safe pair of hands ship-steadier’ from either party. It would have to be a leading Brexiteer. Only such a one could carry the country with him, and get away with such a bold decision. I can think of only one British politician with the sheer bottle, the idiosyncratic contrariness, the endearingly impudent bloody cheek, to get away with it. Boris Johnson, of course … |
| Johnson is probably the only British politician who is in a position to remove the poison from the chalice, and who has the ability to do so. And the way he could do it is by calling a second referendum. | Johnson is probably the only British politician who is in a position to remove the poison from the chalice, and who has the ability to do so. And the way he could do it is by calling a second referendum. |
| Isabel Hardman in the Spectator offers a rundown of the latest Tory leadership jostling: | Isabel Hardman in the Spectator offers a rundown of the latest Tory leadership jostling: |
| The Conservatives decided to move back the date by which their leader must be confirmed to 9 September, which will come as a relief to those Tories who were grumbling about being hauled back from the Mediterranean a week early. The consensus in the party is that the two frontrunners in the leadership contest are Boris Johnson and Theresa May. Both have significant operations around them. May has supporters in the whips’ office, while Boris has Lynton Crosby signed up to advise him, and Michael Gove working on his behalf to charm MPs from across the party … | The Conservatives decided to move back the date by which their leader must be confirmed to 9 September, which will come as a relief to those Tories who were grumbling about being hauled back from the Mediterranean a week early. The consensus in the party is that the two frontrunners in the leadership contest are Boris Johnson and Theresa May. Both have significant operations around them. May has supporters in the whips’ office, while Boris has Lynton Crosby signed up to advise him, and Michael Gove working on his behalf to charm MPs from across the party … |
| Some Tories claim that there is resentment building against Boris from members who feel that he wasn’t really sincerely in favour of Brexit, but has caused a colossal mess, though his supporters point out that the Uxbridge MP at least put his heart and soul into the Leave campaign, whereas the home secretary practically went into hiding after declaring for Remain. | Some Tories claim that there is resentment building against Boris from members who feel that he wasn’t really sincerely in favour of Brexit, but has caused a colossal mess, though his supporters point out that the Uxbridge MP at least put his heart and soul into the Leave campaign, whereas the home secretary practically went into hiding after declaring for Remain. |
| In the New Statesman, Michael Chessum writes in defence of Jeremy Corbyn’s referendum campaign – and leadership: | In the New Statesman, Michael Chessum writes in defence of Jeremy Corbyn’s referendum campaign – and leadership: |
| The only argument that could have stopped Brexit was that austerity and neo-liberalism caused the housing crisis, falling wages and stretched public services – not Romanians and Bulgarians … | The only argument that could have stopped Brexit was that austerity and neo-liberalism caused the housing crisis, falling wages and stretched public services – not Romanians and Bulgarians … |
| Corbyn’s main mistake was not to take tighter control of Labour’s campaign from the outset – although, of course, had he done so he would have been roundly denounced. Like so many quandaries of the Corbyn leadership, the referendum campaign was characterised by a need for footwork and firefighting within the parliamentary Labour party rather than a strategic focus on winning the vote. The Labour right created an impossible situation and are now attempting to exploit the aftermath. If it wasn’t so desperate and irresponsible, it could be described as shrewd. | Corbyn’s main mistake was not to take tighter control of Labour’s campaign from the outset – although, of course, had he done so he would have been roundly denounced. Like so many quandaries of the Corbyn leadership, the referendum campaign was characterised by a need for footwork and firefighting within the parliamentary Labour party rather than a strategic focus on winning the vote. The Labour right created an impossible situation and are now attempting to exploit the aftermath. If it wasn’t so desperate and irresponsible, it could be described as shrewd. |
| And do please read this by Marina Hyde on Nigel Farage at the European parliament yesterday: “There is soft power, and then there is politics as erectile dysfunction.” | And do please read this by Marina Hyde on Nigel Farage at the European parliament yesterday: “There is soft power, and then there is politics as erectile dysfunction.” |
| Celebrity endorsement of the day | Celebrity endorsement of the day |
| Rupert Murdoch thinks the Brexit vote was “wonderful”, likening it to a “prison break … we’re out”. There was also a warning of sorts for the man who chiselled the bricks out of the cell wall: | Rupert Murdoch thinks the Brexit vote was “wonderful”, likening it to a “prison break … we’re out”. There was also a warning of sorts for the man who chiselled the bricks out of the cell wall: |
| Rupert Murdoch: if [Boris] backtracks on serious things there’ll be another bloody revolt #TimesCeoSummit | Rupert Murdoch: if [Boris] backtracks on serious things there’ll be another bloody revolt #TimesCeoSummit |
| Murdoch’s UK newspapers had both outcomes covered, of course, with the Sun urging a vote for leave, and the Times backing remain. Sun columnist Kelvin MacKenzie has already expressed “buyer’s remorse” over his out vote. | Murdoch’s UK newspapers had both outcomes covered, of course, with the Sun urging a vote for leave, and the Times backing remain. Sun columnist Kelvin MacKenzie has already expressed “buyer’s remorse” over his out vote. |
| The day in a tweet | The day in a tweet |
| 4.15am on day 1 of fight to protect Scotland's place in Europe - off to Brussels. | 4.15am on day 1 of fight to protect Scotland's place in Europe - off to Brussels. |
| If today were a Beatles song ... | If today were a Beatles song ... |
| It would be Hello Goodbye. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello. You say why and I say I don’t know. | It would be Hello Goodbye. I don’t know why you say goodbye, I say hello. You say why and I say I don’t know. |
| And another thing | And another thing |
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| Updated | Updated |
| at 7.04am BST | at 7.04am BST |