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Michael Gove announces surprise bid for Tory leadership - Brexit live Michael Gove announces surprise bid for Tory leadership as Theresa May says 'Brexit means Brexit' – live
(35 minutes later)
10.23am BST
10:23
The Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has announced he is switching his support to Michael Gove from Boris Johnson.
I am transferring my support to Michael Gove for the leadership of the @Conservatives and Prime @Number10gov. pic.twitter.com/C8yUvy9mhg
10.13am BST
10:13
Q: What would you do about the border with Ireland?
May says there is a common travel area in Ireland. The government is speaking to the Irish government about this.
And that’s it. I will post a summary soon.
10.12am BST
10:12
May says she is opposed to an early election
Q: Given the government is abandoning so many policies, aren’t voters entitled to another election?
May says the government was elected on a clear manifesto. It should deliver on that. And, given the uncertainties around at the moment, it would be wrong to introduce further uncertainty by having an election.
10.11am BST
10:11
May says she has abandoned plans to try to get Britain to withdraw from ECHR
Q: Can you guarantee that EU citizens living in the EU will be allowed to stay?
May says this will be part of the negotiation.
But it is not about whether people are welcome here, she says, implying they are.
Q: [From Newsnight’s Nick Watt] You say there must be no backdoor pitch to remain. Is your pitch that you are Theresa May, the remainer, who will deliver leave, unlike Boris Johnson, the leaver, who will deliver remain.
(Terrific question.)
May says her pitch is that she is the best person to be prime minister.
Q: [From my colleague Rowena Mason] Are you still committed to pulling out of the European convention on human rights?
May says she set our her views on this in a speech. But there is no parliamentary majority for leaving the ECHR, and so she will not be pursuing it.
10.06am BST
10:06
Q: Are you committed to getting net migration below 100,000?
May says it was in the manifesto in 2010 and 2015. The government will have to negotiate controls on free movement.
Q: What is your red line? Preserving access to the single market? Or curbs on free movement?
May says you should not declare you red lines in advance. You should go into a negotiation looking for the best deal you can get. That includes progress on both. And access to the single market for services is important.
10.05am BST
10:05
Q: Would leaving the EU bring down net migration below 100,000?
May says you cannot simply pull a lever and bring down immigration. You have to work at this through various policy means.
Q: Would it make a difference having a woman as prime minister?
May says she has always championed having more women in politics. But the key thing is how you do the job?
Q: Would you give Boris Johnson a job?
May says she thinks talent from all wings of the party should be in the government. But she is not going around offering jobs.
Q: What do you think of Michael Gove’s comments about Johnson, and the fact he is standing?
May says it is for Gove to explain what he meant. She welcomes the fact that there is a contest. It would not be good for the leadership to be decided by a deal done behind closed doors.
10.01am BST
10:01
Q: You are home secretary, and responsible for immigration. And remain lost because of immigration. So why should people trust you to control it?
May says she has done this. She has sat around the table in Europe. And she delivered in Europe. Other people have delivered in Europe too. Like Boris Johnson. The last time he did a deal with the Germans, he came back with three nearly new water cannon.
Q: Why should the Conservative membership trust you?
May says the leadership contest should not just be about Europe. The government was elected on a manifesto.
Q: Would you keep the target of getting immigration below 100,000?
May says she has introduced measures to bring immigration down. And it is vital to secure controls on free movement in the Brexit negotiations.
She says leaving the EU will not on its own address people’s concerns about immigration.
Q: Do you see parallels between yourself and Angela Merkel?
May says she is not showy. And she never compares herself to other politician. She just focuses on doing her own thing.
9.57am BST
09:57
Theresa May's Q&A
I will summarise Theresa May’s speech soon. It was substantial.
She is now taking questions.
Q: Why should you be leader?
May says she can offer strong leadership and honesty.
9.56am BST
09:56
Gove's declaration - reaction from the Twitter commentariat
This is what political journalists are saying about Michael Gove’s declaration that he is standing for the Conservative leadership.
This massively helps Theresa May look like unifying, stable candidate while Gove and Johnson fight it out
The other interesting thing about Michael Gove's statement is that the pitch he's making is continuity Vote Leave.
Must assume Murdoch and Dacre could not endorse Boris - step forward the proprietors choice Michael Gove.
To the extent official Leave campaign had a policy prospectus, Michael Gove will attempt to fulfil it. The @odysseanproject continues.
Important: Gove wants to leave the single market https://t.co/7fleFljNkb
Nick Boles abandons Boris Johnson to chair Gove campaign
So if you were a conspiracy theorist, you would say that Mr Gove was behind the leaking of the prophetic Mrs Gove email, to soften us up
The power of a determined wife: Gove runs!
Or is Gove's running he power of Dacre and Murdoch..who are said to doubt Boris?
The 3 people who spent the last few months working hand-in-glove with Boris—Gove, Leadsom and Boles—all abandon him at once. Fancy that.
Maybe Boris didn't see this quote from Cameron: "(Gove is) basically a bit of a Maoist. He believes in...a process of creative destruction.”
9.48am BST9.48am BST
09:4809:48
This is a terrific Gove profile by Decca Aitkenhead from four years ago https://t.co/FZU2TdPhEeThis is a terrific Gove profile by Decca Aitkenhead from four years ago https://t.co/FZU2TdPhEe
9.47am BST9.47am BST
09:4709:47
This is from the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn.This is from the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn.
A text arrives from a senior Team Boris figure: "Gove is a c*** who set this up form start". This is going to be bloody.A text arrives from a senior Team Boris figure: "Gove is a c*** who set this up form start". This is going to be bloody.
9.44am BST9.44am BST
09:4409:44
Gove's declaration for the Conservative leadership - Snap analysisGove's declaration for the Conservative leadership - Snap analysis
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Last week Michael Gove’s Vote Leave campaign ended the career of David Cameron - a man that Gove has counted as a close friend for more than a decade.Last week Michael Gove’s Vote Leave campaign ended the career of David Cameron - a man that Gove has counted as a close friend for more than a decade.
Today the Gove career-destroying machine has turned on Boris Johnson, who until about half an hour ago was the favourite to win the Conservative leadership. Gove, who is respected by colleagues, Tory members and the media, has just published a damning character reference about the man with whom he jointly ran the victorious Vote Leave campaign. Here it is again:Today the Gove career-destroying machine has turned on Boris Johnson, who until about half an hour ago was the favourite to win the Conservative leadership. Gove, who is respected by colleagues, Tory members and the media, has just published a damning character reference about the man with whom he jointly ran the victorious Vote Leave campaign. Here it is again:
I respect and admire all the candidates running for the leadership. In particular, I wanted to help build a team behindBoris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future.I respect and admire all the candidates running for the leadership. In particular, I wanted to help build a team behindBoris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future.
But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.
Gove does not explain why he has come to this conclusion, but presumably we will learn more later today, or in the days ahead. Gove was never particularly close to Johnson and it was reported that at a dinner with Rupert Murdoch two years ago he told the media tycoon Johnson was not fit to be prime minister. “A ‘tipsy’ Michael Gove has launched an extraordinary wine-fuelled attack on Boris Johnson, saying he ‘has no gravitas and is unfit to lead the nation’,” is how the Mail on Sunday reported it. But Gove and Johnson appeared to get on during the EU referendum camaign and afterwards Gove’s supporter briefed journalists that Gove had developed new respect for Johnson. This is what the well-informed James Forsyth wrote at the weekend in the Sun.Gove does not explain why he has come to this conclusion, but presumably we will learn more later today, or in the days ahead. Gove was never particularly close to Johnson and it was reported that at a dinner with Rupert Murdoch two years ago he told the media tycoon Johnson was not fit to be prime minister. “A ‘tipsy’ Michael Gove has launched an extraordinary wine-fuelled attack on Boris Johnson, saying he ‘has no gravitas and is unfit to lead the nation’,” is how the Mail on Sunday reported it. But Gove and Johnson appeared to get on during the EU referendum camaign and afterwards Gove’s supporter briefed journalists that Gove had developed new respect for Johnson. This is what the well-informed James Forsyth wrote at the weekend in the Sun.
But I understand that Gove is not planning to put himself forward.But I understand that Gove is not planning to put himself forward.
One influential figure in the Leave campaign says: “Michael has acquired a new respect for Boris in this process.”One influential figure in the Leave campaign says: “Michael has acquired a new respect for Boris in this process.”
Those on the Vote Leave team have bonded during this campaign: “They have become a band of brothers and sisters. There is a logic to them taking on the challenge they have created,” I am told.Those on the Vote Leave team have bonded during this campaign: “They have become a band of brothers and sisters. There is a logic to them taking on the challenge they have created,” I am told.
So something has changed. Yesterday we learned, from a leaked email written by Gove’s wife Sarah Vine, that she feared Johnson might fail to honour promises made to her husband. Gove has now decided his wife was right.So something has changed. Yesterday we learned, from a leaked email written by Gove’s wife Sarah Vine, that she feared Johnson might fail to honour promises made to her husband. Gove has now decided his wife was right.
Gove’s intervention is, at one level, a stop Johnson operation, and it may well succeed.Gove’s intervention is, at one level, a stop Johnson operation, and it may well succeed.
But it would be a mistake to think this is just about sabotaging Johnson. In the past Gove has repeatedly said that he does not want to be prime minster, with an apparent sincerity that led journalists and colleagues to think he meant it. He hinted that he accepted that his own personal limitations (he is famously impractical, he’s not good with numbers, he does not like flying, and some of his intellectual interests border on the eccentric) meant he was not suitable for the job. But it is a rare politician who turns down the chance to be prime minister. Yesterday a ConservativeHome survey of party members had Theresa May and Boris Johnson as joint favourites. But that may be because they did not ask about Gove, because ConservativeHome thought Gove was not running. When ConservativeHome asked the same question in a survey in May, Gove came top. There is a real chance he could win.But it would be a mistake to think this is just about sabotaging Johnson. In the past Gove has repeatedly said that he does not want to be prime minster, with an apparent sincerity that led journalists and colleagues to think he meant it. He hinted that he accepted that his own personal limitations (he is famously impractical, he’s not good with numbers, he does not like flying, and some of his intellectual interests border on the eccentric) meant he was not suitable for the job. But it is a rare politician who turns down the chance to be prime minister. Yesterday a ConservativeHome survey of party members had Theresa May and Boris Johnson as joint favourites. But that may be because they did not ask about Gove, because ConservativeHome thought Gove was not running. When ConservativeHome asked the same question in a survey in May, Gove came top. There is a real chance he could win.
9.35am BST9.35am BST
09:3509:35
Chris Grayling, the leader of the Commons, is introducing Theresa May. He is chairing her campaign.Chris Grayling, the leader of the Commons, is introducing Theresa May. He is chairing her campaign.
That is significant because he was as significant leave campaigner.That is significant because he was as significant leave campaigner.
9.34am BST9.34am BST
09:3409:34
Theresa May, the home secretary, is launching her leadership bid with a speech around now.Theresa May, the home secretary, is launching her leadership bid with a speech around now.
She has set out her case in a long post on Facebook.She has set out her case in a long post on Facebook.
9.17am BST9.17am BST
09:1709:17
Andrea Leadsom, the pro-Brexit energy minister, has announced that she is also running for the Conservative leadership.Andrea Leadsom, the pro-Brexit energy minister, has announced that she is also running for the Conservative leadership.
Delighted to say I'm running for the @Conservatives Leadership.Let's make the most of the Brexit opportunities!#FreshStartDelighted to say I'm running for the @Conservatives Leadership.Let's make the most of the Brexit opportunities!#FreshStart
9.05am BST9.05am BST
09:0509:05
Michael Gove announces he is standing for Conservative leadershipMichael Gove announces he is standing for Conservative leadership
Andrew SparrowAndrew Sparrow
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Nadia.Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Nadia.
Michael Gove has announced that he is standing for the Conservative leadership.Michael Gove has announced that he is standing for the Conservative leadership.
Here is his statement.Here is his statement.
The British people voted for change last Thursday. They sent us a clear instruction that they want Britain to leave the European Union and end the supremacy of EU law. They told us to restore democratic control of immigration policy and to spend their money on national priorities such as health, education and science instead of giving it to Brussels. They rejected politics as usual and government as usual. They want and need a new approach to running this country.The British people voted for change last Thursday. They sent us a clear instruction that they want Britain to leave the European Union and end the supremacy of EU law. They told us to restore democratic control of immigration policy and to spend their money on national priorities such as health, education and science instead of giving it to Brussels. They rejected politics as usual and government as usual. They want and need a new approach to running this country.
There are huge challenges ahead for this country but also huge opportunities. We can make this country stronger and fairer. We have a unique chance to heal divisions, give everyone a stake in the future and set an example as the most creative, innovative and progressive country in the world.There are huge challenges ahead for this country but also huge opportunities. We can make this country stronger and fairer. We have a unique chance to heal divisions, give everyone a stake in the future and set an example as the most creative, innovative and progressive country in the world.
If we are to make the most of the opportunities ahead we need a bold break with the past.If we are to make the most of the opportunities ahead we need a bold break with the past.
I have repeatedly said that I do not want to be Prime Minister. That has always been my view. But events since last Thursday have weighed heavily with me.I have repeatedly said that I do not want to be Prime Minister. That has always been my view. But events since last Thursday have weighed heavily with me.
I respect and admire all the candidates running for the leadership. In particular, I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future.I respect and admire all the candidates running for the leadership. In particular, I wanted to help build a team behind Boris Johnson so that a politician who argued for leaving the European Union could lead us to a better future.
But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.But I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead.
I have, therefore, decided to put my name forward for the leadership. I want there to be an open and positive debate about the path the country will now take. Whatever the verdict of that debate I will respect it. In the next few days I will lay out my plan for the United Kingdom which I hope can provide unity and change.I have, therefore, decided to put my name forward for the leadership. I want there to be an open and positive debate about the path the country will now take. Whatever the verdict of that debate I will respect it. In the next few days I will lay out my plan for the United Kingdom which I hope can provide unity and change.
8.58am BST
08:58
Owen Smith reportedly planning Labour leadership challenge
Anushka Asthana
The gossip among some MPs and their researchers is that Owen Smith, the former shadow work and pensions secretary is also collecting names as a possible alternative Labour leadership challenger.
MPs do not want two contenders as that would split the vote, but some are concerned that Eagle will be characterised as not left wing enough to challenge Corbyn. Smith is seen by some as closer to the leadership and perhaps more likely to be able to beat the leader.
One Mp tells me that this isn’t resolved - that there is a belief that Smith can win the soft left and that Corbynites will use Chilcott to hit Eagle on Iraq.
“In general lots of disquiet that she might unilaterally declare. PLP feel strongly that we should take a collective view about who can beat him, not simply one person just decide to declare themselves,” they said.
Another source saying Smith now has more nominations than Angela.
When writing for Guardian yesterday Lisa Nandy hinted that the search was still on for a unity candidate, although it wasn’t clear whether she thought Eagle fit the bill or not.
She wrote: “The battle lines in the leadership contest have been drawn, and both sides have signalled they are unwilling to stop. In taking this path we are consigning ourselves to irrelevance at a time when the sensible majority in the country – who want to see a sensible, measured, respectful conversation focused on the things that unite us – desperately need a voice.”
But Eagle has widespread support with many thinking it was down to her or Tom Watson so swinging behind her when he dropped out.
8.50am BST
08:50
Today’s Telegraph cartoon gives us food for thought:
Superb Matt this morning pic.twitter.com/62vu3tF6oL
On that note, I’m handing over to Andrew Sparrow.
8.42am BST
08:42
In an opinion piece for the Telegraph, Nigel Farage says he believes the next Tory leader should be a Brexiteer. He writes:
It is an absolutely vital task and so we need somebody who has the courage and vision to deliver.
It is inconceivable that the next Prime Minister, whose most urgent task would be to implement the brexit process, could be someone who only days ago was insisting we Remain in.
8.39am BST
08:39
Shami Chakrabarti’s report on anti-Semitism in Labour is due at 11am today. Corbyn is expected to speak at the launch. As Buzzfeed’s Jim Waterson points out, what a day for it...
Not saying they chose a busy news day to launch the report into Labour anti-Semitism but it's up against two Tory leader launches and a coup
Updated
at 8.40am BST
8.31am BST
08:31
Damian Green, former Home Office minister for immigration and the campaign spokesman for Theresa May was just on the Today programme.
Green said the ideal position for the UK “is the one that gives us the most ability to trade with the single market in both goods and services.”
He said there’s a spectrum, where at one end is the status quo, now rejected by the British people, and at the other end is not being in the single market. “Both of those are undesirable, we need to negotiate the deal that gives us ability to trade as well as take control,” he said.
What the british people have said is the freedom of movement is unacceptable therefore we have to negotiate a new arrangement. It’s clear this morning we’ve had slightly different responses from a French minister and a German minister... we don’t know what the negotiating position of the other side is yet.
Green said May has been the most successful home secretary anyone can remember.
She has done more to bring immigration down and abolish things like bogus colleges... one of the things that has been a problem is the amount of immigration from the EU... there are two key principles here, one is that you want to bring in people who are going to be useful but you want to keep people out who are just coming here to claim benefits. We have been much more successful at that than other countries... nobody could have been tougher and more consistent than the home secretary.
On May’s invisibility during the referendum campaign, he said “she made her views clear and made a very thoughtful speech”.
We have to consider who is going to be the best prime minister to take on a “one nation” agenda. A form of conservatism that makes clear we have problems in this country, it’s not just about individualism, we have to help people who feel they’re being failed by the system.. When [May] says something she means it and she gets her way.
Also on the programme was Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon, who’s supporting Boris Johnson’s leadership bid. Raab said we have to deliver for the 17m people who voted to leave, and that the prime minister was right to say in his resignation speech that the new leader has to be passionate about the new agenda. “This isn’t a trade-off between controlling our borders and stopping freedom of movement,” he said.
Pressed on Johnson’s position, Zahawi said:
The simple answer is that is we have to have an Australian style point system, where we control our borders and economy, and we still get access to single market.
You don’t have to have a trade-off, you can negotiate on both sides.
The point is Boris is going to deliver a positive message about us believing in ourselves and this country.
Asked why Johnson was not present during PMQs, Zahawi said “this week the chief whip asked for May and Boris to turn up to unite the party, he turned up, Theresa didn’t. He’s about uniting the party.” On Sarah vine’s email to Gove on not trusting the former London mayor, he added: “Wives have all sorts of pieces of advice for husbands, mine certainly does...”
Updated
at 8.34am BST
8.10am BST
08:10
On the theme of angry letters regarding Jeremy Corbyn, here’s one from Alan Johnson to his constituency Labour party. Johnson writes that “three of Corbyn’s closest associates were actively undermining the party’s Remajn campaign”.
This is quite the letter. Alan Johnson to his Constituency Labour Party. pic.twitter.com/gzVEJchCxi
8.03am BST
08:03
Head of Germany's federal chancellery says UK cannot have access to single market
Peter Walker
Peter Altmaier, head of the federal chancellery in Germany, and a key ally of Angela Merkel, has poured more cold water on the idea that the UK could have post-Brexit access to the EU’s single market while also imposing limits on the arrival of people from the bloc.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that while anything could be negotiated, this idea, mooted earlier this week by Boris Johnson among others, would seem unacceptable:
There will be a process where the British government is considering what they are putting on the table. But nobody in this negotiation will be obliged to accept anything that is put on the table. It is a negotiation...
What you can find from the past is that freedom of movement is at least as important as freedom of goods, services and capital. These four fundamental freedoms are at the heart of the single market. That means that any country that would like to participate in the single market, basically has to accept the single market as it exists.
Updated
at 8.22am BST
8.02am BST
08:02
Despite statements from various political figures yesterday that Brexit is definitely going to happen, in London and Scotland the message is still yet to fully hit home. The Evening Standard reported that the Chief Minister of Gibraltar has revealed he is in talks with Sadiq Khan and Nicola Sturgeon to draw up plans for protection against Brexit.
Labour’s Tam Dalyell also told the BBC’s Newsnight that MPs should have the courage to overrule the Brexit vote.
7.50am BST
07:50
Brexit continues to dominate the news agenda beyond the front pages. Although global stock markets had a much better day yesterday after a torrid week, the governor of Bank of England Mark Carney is expected to speak today to reassure the city that contingency plans will keep the funds flowing.
But this sobering 23-tweet forecast from Alan White of the Economist Intelligence Unit is worth a read (if you want to depress yourself further):
EIU Brexit Take 1. Brexit has plunged the UK into political, economic and market turmoil. We expect this turmoil to be sustained
2. Financial market volatility will persist, while uncertainty over the future of the UK's relationship with EU will feed into real economy
3. We significantly revised our economic fcast. After growth of 1.5% this year, we expect contraction of 1% in 2017 pic.twitter.com/MuaeHpav6m
4. We expect to see decline in investment of 8% and decline in private consumption of 3% in 2017 with the pound levelling out at $1.24
5. The vote has transformed our fiscal forecasts. Falling tax rev & higher social transfers as unemployment rises pic.twitter.com/DEg0Qu9gpq
6. We now expect the UK's public debt burden to reach 100% of GDP by 2018 pic.twitter.com/Qj3cjsHAcj
7. This hit brings UK's post-crisis recovery to a halt. 2018 real GDP will be almost 4% below pre-referendum forecast (2020 = 6% below)
8. While this is going on, politics will remain deeply fractious. The Govt, the main parties, parliament & the Union all face big threats
9. We expect two months of chaos in the near-term. New PM Johnson (or May) will be in post in Sept, and start to figure out way ahead
10. The UK will likely invoke Art 50 before year end, implying that negotiations will conclude in late 2018
11. UK will agree an EEA minus deal with significant constraints on services access in return for limitations on migration
12. Much of the financial services sector may be left in the cold
13. New PM will eat heroic quantities of humble pie to get the deal; UK will be permanently out of the room on big decisions
14: This new deal will be confirmed through either a second referendum or a general election at the end of the process
15. Leavers will tell voters they wont get what they want on migration. Will lead to major backlash = structural rise for radical right
16. This is a particular threat for Labour. We expect UKIP etc to mount a serious challenge in Labour heartlands (even with Corbyn gone)
17. UK establishment will take time to fully reassert itself. Lack of planning / credibility will lead to ongoing doubts about capacity
18. Much of the UK's 'political stability premium' based on predictability / reliability etc could be lost for long time
19. As UK leaves, recovery will be underway but economy & politics will look structurally different
20. We are not predicting second Scot ref at this stage, but constitutional settlement needs to change (inc London / FPTP?)
21. Impacts across Europe will be substantial. We have taken 0.2% off growth and see larger political risks – particularly in Italy/France
22. The region is capable of managing Brexit, and other crises in isolation. It may not be capable of managing several crises at once
23. We expect things to hold together, but see major downside risks – include possibility EU wont deal, or that crises spin out of control
Updated
at 7.53am BST
7.31am BST
07:31
Morning briefing
Nadia Khomami
Good morning and welcome to our daily EU referendum live blog.
Here’s the morning briefing to run you through the latest developments and what we expect to happen throughout the day. Please do leave your comments below the line, or you can find me on Twitter @nadiakhomami.
Theresa May and Boris Johnson set to announce bids
The coming battle between Theresa May and Boris Johnson is the focus of the Guardian’s splash. Both Tory “big beasts” will today announce they are running to become leader of the Conservative party, with each claiming to be the unifying candidate Britain needs as its prime minister after the divisive EU referendum.
The home secretary will be the first to make her ambitions known in a speech at around 9.30am, saying the UK needs to be “a country that works not for a privileged few but for every one of us”. Johnson, who is widely considered the frontrunner after leading the leave campaign, will make his own declaration at around 11.30am – just half an hour before the deadline for nominations closes.
Angela Eagle set to launch Labour leadership bid
Meanwhile, in the Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn continues to resist pressure to resign, including from his deputy Tom Watson. Today Angela Eagle, the former shadow business secretary, is expected to launch a bid for the leadership, pledging to reunify the fractured party, which has been locked in a vicious internal battle since the weekend. “We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the big hitters, it will probably be [Thursday] afternoon,” said an ally of Eagle.
Earlier, Watson became the most senior party figure to call on Corbyn to resign, telling the BBC: “It’s a great tragedy. He does have a members’ mandate, but those members who join a political party know that you also need a parliamentary mandate if you are to form a government. You have to have the authority of the members and your members of parliament, and I’m afraid he doesn’t have that with our MPs.”
Former Labour leaders Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband added their voices to those calling for him to go. Corbyn’s response?
“Leave it, Jez, ‘e ain’t worth it. We’ve all ‘ad a drink.” - “Come back here, Miliband, and say that to my face.” pic.twitter.com/zOWQdBXZ8D
Last night, Jamie Reed, the MP for Copeland, tweeted a strong-worded letter he sent to the Labour leader outlining why he should resign, in which he says his “duplicitous behaviour is not worthy of any democratic politician. There is nothing Labour about it.”
My letter to @jeremycorbyn tonight. pic.twitter.com/QHYkhs7sx0
None the less Corbyn continues to draw crowds and addressed a rally a SOAS last night.
A new political party
Arron Banks, the Brexit campaign’s biggest financial donor, has said he is considering backing a new political party taking in members of Ukip, Labour and the Conservatives.
In a sign that the referendum aftershocks already rocking the Conservative and Labour parties could be spreading to Ukip, the insurance multi-millionaire and Ukip funder criticised the party’s growth and proposed harnessing Brexit support in a new party. When asked if Farage would be in charge, he said the Ukip leader “may have had enough”. He added:
I think Ukip needs to be reformed root and branch and we will be looking at that. With a million supporters there’s also a wonderful opportunity if we want to do something, to back something. I think a new party, a brand new party.
Ukip grew so rapidly it had problems with personnel and all sorts of issues and I believe that could be better tackled with a new party.
What the papers say
The splash across the front of The Times is drawn from an opinion piece inside the paper by May, in which she seeks to cast herself as a “One Nation” Tory figure who can unite the UK and her party amid divisions in the wake of last week’s Brexit vote as she set out her pitch for the Tory leadership.
It includes a not so subtle dig at Boris Johnson, when which she writes about the struggles of some in society: “Frankly, not everybody in Westminster understands what it’s like to live like this. And some need to be told that what the government does isn’t a game.”
A photo of Michael Gove and his wife, the journalist Sarah Vine, are splashed across the front of the Telegraph, which focuses on the leaked email in which she warned him about the risks of backing Boris Johnson for the Tory Party leadership without ‘specific’ guarantees on immigration controls.
The Telegraph goes on to report that “friends” of Johnson said he would set out a “positive” vision for Britain as he is joined by Gove today during the launch of a bid to succeed David Cameron at the helm of the Tory Party and the country.
The Financial Times features Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, exchanging pleasantries with Jean Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission.
Its splash reports how European leaders “issued a stark rebuff” to British hopes of a favourable new trade deal with the EU yesterday, hardening their conditions for allowing access to the single market after the UK leaves the union.
The FT reports that Dalia Grybauskaite, Lithuania’s president, summed up the “stoical” mood at the summit in Brussels, when she said: “Today is about us. Of course we will move on. Who will stop us?”
The Daily Mail splashes on follow-on talks from last week’s referendum with a story - “Europe starts to crack on migrants” - reporting that France has signalled that the EU could strike a deal with Britain on immigration.
“In a major boost for hopes of a smooth exit for the UK, finance minister Michel Sapin said there would be no ‘red lines’ in talks over the single market,” it says.
The Daily Mirror splashes on Labour’s bloodletting, featuring a picture of deputy leader Tom Watson scrutinising Jeremy Corbyn, with the headline “Now it’s civil war”.
The Sun forsakes Brexit and the Tory and Labour leadership tussles to continue heaping opprobrium on England’s hapless Euro 2016’s footballers, with a report alleging that “flop” Raheem Sterling was on the receiving end of a backlash from fans for supposedly showing off his wealth.
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Thought for the day
Jeremy Corbyn must do the decent thing. Prune that rosebush outside his front door so he doesn’t have to duck under it every morning.
Updated
at 7.57am BST