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Brexit live: Crabb and Fox out of Tory race after May wins first round of voting Brexit live: Crabb and Fox out of Tory race after May wins first round of voting
(35 minutes later)
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Evening SummaryEvening Summary
• Theresa May stormed ahead in the race to become the next prime minister, winning the backing of half of all Conservative MPs in a first round contest that saw Stephen Crabb drop out of the race and endorse her after he slipped into fourth place.The home secretary won the support of 165 MPs while Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister, came second in the contest with 66, beating the justice secretary, Michael Gove, into third place on 48. Fifth-place finisher Liam Fox, on 16 votes, was eliminated.Just over an hour after the result was declared, Crabb said he was offering May his “wholehearted support”, arguing that her ability to secure the backing of 165 MPs showed that she was the only candidate who had any hope of unifying the party and country.• Theresa May stormed ahead in the race to become the next prime minister, winning the backing of half of all Conservative MPs in a first round contest that saw Stephen Crabb drop out of the race and endorse her after he slipped into fourth place.The home secretary won the support of 165 MPs while Andrea Leadsom, the energy minister, came second in the contest with 66, beating the justice secretary, Michael Gove, into third place on 48. Fifth-place finisher Liam Fox, on 16 votes, was eliminated.Just over an hour after the result was declared, Crabb said he was offering May his “wholehearted support”, arguing that her ability to secure the backing of 165 MPs showed that she was the only candidate who had any hope of unifying the party and country.
• Ken Clarke has been caught on camera describing Theresa May as a “bloody difficult woman” and predicting that Michael Gove as prime minister would go to war with three countries at once, as he made a series of unguarded remarks about the Conservative leadership candidates.The veteran Tory, who has served in five cabinet roles including home secretary and chancellor, made disobliging comments about each of the candidates in turn after giving a television interview to Sky• Ken Clarke has been caught on camera describing Theresa May as a “bloody difficult woman” and predicting that Michael Gove as prime minister would go to war with three countries at once, as he made a series of unguarded remarks about the Conservative leadership candidates.The veteran Tory, who has served in five cabinet roles including home secretary and chancellor, made disobliging comments about each of the candidates in turn after giving a television interview to Sky
• Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet has agreed to begin formal peace negotiations between the warring factions of the Labour party to try to prevent all-out war.Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, met Corbyn and his deputy leader, Tom Watson, on Tuesday in what some Corbyn loyalists hope will be the first step towards a brokered deal – involving MPs, unions and the party’s national executive committee – that could ensure a dignified exit for the embattled leader.• Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet has agreed to begin formal peace negotiations between the warring factions of the Labour party to try to prevent all-out war.Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, met Corbyn and his deputy leader, Tom Watson, on Tuesday in what some Corbyn loyalists hope will be the first step towards a brokered deal – involving MPs, unions and the party’s national executive committee – that could ensure a dignified exit for the embattled leader.
• NHS junior doctors have voted to reject the government’s final offer on their new contract, despite weeks of talks to try to broker a settlement.Almost six in 10 junior doctors and medical students (58%) working in England who belong to the British Medical Association refused to accept the deal, with only 42% endorsing it.About 37,000 BMA members, or 68% of the 54,000 trainee doctors and final and penultimate-year medical students who were eligible to vote, took part in the ballot, which closed on Friday.• NHS junior doctors have voted to reject the government’s final offer on their new contract, despite weeks of talks to try to broker a settlement.Almost six in 10 junior doctors and medical students (58%) working in England who belong to the British Medical Association refused to accept the deal, with only 42% endorsing it.About 37,000 BMA members, or 68% of the 54,000 trainee doctors and final and penultimate-year medical students who were eligible to vote, took part in the ballot, which closed on Friday.
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Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet has agreed to begin formal peace negotiations between the warring factions of the Labour party to try to prevent all-out war.Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet has agreed to begin formal peace negotiations between the warring factions of the Labour party to try to prevent all-out war.
The Guardian’s political team report:The Guardian’s political team report:
Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, met Corbyn and his deputy leader, Tom Watson, on Tuesday in what some Corbyn loyalists hope will be the first step towards a brokered deal – involving MPs, unions and the party’s national executive committee – that could ensure a dignified exit for the embattled leader.Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union, met Corbyn and his deputy leader, Tom Watson, on Tuesday in what some Corbyn loyalists hope will be the first step towards a brokered deal – involving MPs, unions and the party’s national executive committee – that could ensure a dignified exit for the embattled leader.
One source involved in the discussions said the process could result in Corbyn stepping aside before a 2020 general election, but that there could be no pre-conditions.One source involved in the discussions said the process could result in Corbyn stepping aside before a 2020 general election, but that there could be no pre-conditions.
“The bottom line is, there can be no gun to Jeremy’s head,” one shadow cabinet source said.“The bottom line is, there can be no gun to Jeremy’s head,” one shadow cabinet source said.
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Michael Gove has been giving his reaction to those comments earlier today from Ken Clarke, who was apparently caught on camera warning that the UK would quickly be at war with ‘at least three countries’ if the Justice Secretary became prime minister. Michael Gove has been giving his reaction to those comments earlier today from Ken Clarke, who was apparently caught on camera warning that the UK would quickly be at war with ‘at least three countries’ if the justice secretary became prime minister.
Faisal Islam interviewed Gove for Sky News and has been tweeting some of the highlights:Faisal Islam interviewed Gove for Sky News and has been tweeting some of the highlights:
Gove on Clarke comment "Ken is Ken, and one of the things I absolutely believe in is a strong defence, but we should be careful and prudent"Gove on Clarke comment "Ken is Ken, and one of the things I absolutely believe in is a strong defence, but we should be careful and prudent"
AAA lost? Gove: "Of course there has been an impact and the world is looking afresh at the challenges and the opportunities"AAA lost? Gove: "Of course there has been an impact and the world is looking afresh at the challenges and the opportunities"
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Theresa May has published her tax returns for the past four years now, leaving the ball in the court of Andrea Leadsom, the only remaining Tory leadership candidate not to do so.Theresa May has published her tax returns for the past four years now, leaving the ball in the court of Andrea Leadsom, the only remaining Tory leadership candidate not to do so.
On Sunday night the business minister Leadsom refused to publish her tax details, saying she only plans to do so if she becomes one of the final two candidates whose names are put before the party’s members. On Sunday night, the business minister Leadsom refused to publish her tax details, saying she only planned to do so if she became one of the final two candidates whose names were put before the party’s members.
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Diane Abbott, Labour’s new shadow secretary of state for health, has said that the current turmoil in the party over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership “is about party membership versus MPs.” Diane Abbott, the new shadow secretary of state for health, has said that the current turmoil in the party over Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership “is about party membership versus MPs.”
I didn’t get chance to post what she said earlier in an interview on Sky News. She rejected suggestions that the new Labour shadow cabinet, with a number of members doing more than one job, was an “embarrassment” telling the channel: “you are obsesses with what is happening in Westminster. I didn’t get chance to post what she said earlier in an interview on Sky News. She rejected suggestions that the new shadow cabinet, with a number of members doing more than one job, was an “embarrassment” telling the channel: “You are obsessed with what is happening in Westminster. The public want to see us roll up our sleeves and get on with the job of fighting the Tories and do less of this westminster maneuvering.
“The public want to see us roll up our sleeves and get on with the job of fighting the Tories and do less of this westminster maneuvering,” she added.
“If people want to have a leadership contest then let them put forward a leadership candidate.”“If people want to have a leadership contest then let them put forward a leadership candidate.”
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Caroline Lucas calls forcross party electoral pactCaroline Lucas calls forcross party electoral pact
Speaking alongside Lewis, Green MP Caroline Lucas called for an electoral pact between Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Plaid Cymru. Speaking alongside Lewis, Green party MP Caroline Lucas called for an electoral pact between Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and Plaid Cymru.
The former Green party leader - who is again running for the party’s leadership on a joint ticket - said that a progressive electoral alliance should be formed with a commitment to proportional representation, reports Harrison Jones for the Guardian.The former Green party leader - who is again running for the party’s leadership on a joint ticket - said that a progressive electoral alliance should be formed with a commitment to proportional representation, reports Harrison Jones for the Guardian.
Lucas said: “I believe we need to lobby for an early election, because no politician has a mandate to design a specific Brexit negotiation stance and to prevent the formulation of a Tory-Ukip government that would enact an ultra-right Brexit scenario.Lucas said: “I believe we need to lobby for an early election, because no politician has a mandate to design a specific Brexit negotiation stance and to prevent the formulation of a Tory-Ukip government that would enact an ultra-right Brexit scenario.
“There should be a pre-election pact between Labour, the Greens, the Lib Dems and Plaid and the glue holding together such a pact should be a commitment to proportional representation.”“There should be a pre-election pact between Labour, the Greens, the Lib Dems and Plaid and the glue holding together such a pact should be a commitment to proportional representation.”
She also revealed that last week the Greens had sent out letters to three other left leaning parties - though notably not the Scottish National Party - and that “conversations are beginning to happen”. She also revealed that last week the Greens had sent out letters to three other left leaning parties - though notably not the Scottish National party - and that “conversations are beginning to happen”.
Big applause for @CarolineLucas She calls for electoral reform #ProgressiveAlliance pic.twitter.com/vop3Fq8abGBig applause for @CarolineLucas She calls for electoral reform #ProgressiveAlliance pic.twitter.com/vop3Fq8abG
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The Labour Party is fighting for its survival and faces losing out to Ukip in areas that backed leaving the European Union, the shadow defence minister Clive Lewis has admitted. The Labour party is fighting for its survival and faces losing out to Ukip in areas that backed leaving the European Union, the shadow defence minister Clive Lewis has admitted.
The Guardian’s Matt Weaver was listening to Lewis speak earlier alongside Green party MP Caroline Lucas at a Compass event on the progressive response to Brexit and reportsThe Guardian’s Matt Weaver was listening to Lewis speak earlier alongside Green party MP Caroline Lucas at a Compass event on the progressive response to Brexit and reports
Lewis who was promoted to Labour’s front bench after last week’s coup against Jeremy Corbyn, has been put forward by some as a potential new leader to resolve the current impasse.Lewis who was promoted to Labour’s front bench after last week’s coup against Jeremy Corbyn, has been put forward by some as a potential new leader to resolve the current impasse.
He said: “The current crisis with the Parliamentary Labour Party is not some ego-led squabble between wantabe leaders, it is the expression of a much deeper crisis within the Labour party and its relationship with its voters.” He said: “The current crisis with the parliamentary Labour party is not some ego-led squabble between wantabe leaders, it is the expression of a much deeper crisis within the Labour party and its relationship with its voters.”
“In May 2015 we lost votes to Ukip, the SNP and the Greens. Three parties with wildly different positions on the left right axis. We failed to get anywhere near enough LibDems who should have been flocking to us. This means the Labour party is fighting for its survival on several different flanks at once. Politically that is a very dangerous place to be.” “In May 2015, we lost votes to Ukip, the SNP and the Greens – three parties with wildly different positions on the left right axis. We failed to get anywhere near enough Lib Dems who should have been flocking to us. This means the Labour party is fighting for its survival on several different flanks at once. Politically that is a very dangerous place to be.”
Lewis said the Labour risked alienating voters if it shifted to the or the right. He said: “This referendum results confirms what 2015 told us about where many working class Labour voters are going. They feel abandoned by the Labour party and now they in their turn have abandoned the Labour party in growing numbers.” Lewis said the Labour risked alienating voters if it shifted to the left or the right. He said: “This referendum results confirms what 2015 told us about where many working class Labour voters are going. They feel abandoned by the Labour party and now they in their turn have abandoned the Labour party in growing numbers.”
'This shit just got real' @labourlewis tells @CompassOffice live event'This shit just got real' @labourlewis tells @CompassOffice live event
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Stephen Crabb has warned that the Conservative Party risking being split if those within it persist in labelling each other either as remainers or leavers.Stephen Crabb has warned that the Conservative Party risking being split if those within it persist in labelling each other either as remainers or leavers.
In a thinly veiled swipe at Andrea Leadsom’s camp, which has recently been attacking Theresa May over her support for the remain side during the referendum campaign, Crabb said that people should avoid creating what he called “a new litmus test.”In a thinly veiled swipe at Andrea Leadsom’s camp, which has recently been attacking Theresa May over her support for the remain side during the referendum campaign, Crabb said that people should avoid creating what he called “a new litmus test.”
“Every day that goes by that we continue to use these labels we will risk splitting the party irrevocably and the weaker we will get,” Crabb told Sky News after announcing that he was dropping out of the race and throwing his support behind May’s candidacy.“Every day that goes by that we continue to use these labels we will risk splitting the party irrevocably and the weaker we will get,” Crabb told Sky News after announcing that he was dropping out of the race and throwing his support behind May’s candidacy.
It’s no longer a question of where the candidates stood on the EU, he said, adding: “We are all committed now to taking Britain out of the EU.”It’s no longer a question of where the candidates stood on the EU, he said, adding: “We are all committed now to taking Britain out of the EU.”
As for where the Tory membership comes into the race, Crabb said that he was confident that they would look beyond the labels and recognised the qualities and strengths of May.As for where the Tory membership comes into the race, Crabb said that he was confident that they would look beyond the labels and recognised the qualities and strengths of May.
The latest survey by ConservativeHome, released on Monday, showed that Leadsom is vying closely with Theresa May for the support of party members. it’s important to note however that May performed better a recent YouGov poll of Party members.The latest survey by ConservativeHome, released on Monday, showed that Leadsom is vying closely with Theresa May for the support of party members. it’s important to note however that May performed better a recent YouGov poll of Party members.
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Michael Gove: I will not withdraw from raceMichael Gove: I will not withdraw from race
Michael Gove has given his response to the results of the Tory leadership ballot, in which he finished third. Trying again to carve out a unique selling point for himself, he emphasises his status as a Brexiteer (unlike May) and as someone with experience at the “highest levels of government” (unlike Leadsom).Michael Gove has given his response to the results of the Tory leadership ballot, in which he finished third. Trying again to carve out a unique selling point for himself, he emphasises his status as a Brexiteer (unlike May) and as someone with experience at the “highest levels of government” (unlike Leadsom).
He said:He said:
I am delighted by the support I have received from colleagues. It reflects the optimistic message that I’ve been putting forward.I am delighted by the support I have received from colleagues. It reflects the optimistic message that I’ve been putting forward.
Now that Britain has voted to leave, I think the country deserves to have a leader who believes in Britain outside the European Union and who also has experience at the highest level of government.Now that Britain has voted to leave, I think the country deserves to have a leader who believes in Britain outside the European Union and who also has experience at the highest level of government.
I hope that in the days to come, I’ll be able to convince my colleagues that I should be one of the candidates that Conservative party members can choose from. I think they should have a choice between two candidates of experience, two candidates who have delivered in government departments.I hope that in the days to come, I’ll be able to convince my colleagues that I should be one of the candidates that Conservative party members can choose from. I think they should have a choice between two candidates of experience, two candidates who have delivered in government departments.
I think that the message I have of optimism and hope about Britain’s bright future outside the European Union is shared by many Conservative members and voters - indeed by a majority of the country.I think that the message I have of optimism and hope about Britain’s bright future outside the European Union is shared by many Conservative members and voters - indeed by a majority of the country.
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Liam Fox backs Theresa May in Tory leadership raceLiam Fox backs Theresa May in Tory leadership race
Liam Fox has said that he is backing Theresa May, which he says will be a “very fine prime minister.”Liam Fox has said that he is backing Theresa May, which he says will be a “very fine prime minister.”
“In this leadership election we have nine weeks before the candidate who is successful becomes the prime minister. It is essential that they have an understanding of the top levels of government, international affairs and how the process in Whitehall operates,” he told reporters outside Westminster in the last ten minutes.“In this leadership election we have nine weeks before the candidate who is successful becomes the prime minister. It is essential that they have an understanding of the top levels of government, international affairs and how the process in Whitehall operates,” he told reporters outside Westminster in the last ten minutes.
Fox says that he intends to campaign for her and work closely with her. His reasons for running included raising the profile of national security as an issue, as well as emphasising the need for experience.Fox says that he intends to campaign for her and work closely with her. His reasons for running included raising the profile of national security as an issue, as well as emphasising the need for experience.
There were no questions as Fox hurried off. It’s clear however that many will be thinking that he is angling for a return to government, perhaps to his old defence porfolio.There were no questions as Fox hurried off. It’s clear however that many will be thinking that he is angling for a return to government, perhaps to his old defence porfolio.
Fox resigned that position in 2011, folding under the pressure of daily revelations about the man he gave access to the heart of government and British defence strategy.Fox resigned that position in 2011, folding under the pressure of daily revelations about the man he gave access to the heart of government and British defence strategy.
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Crabb said that he spoke earlier to Theresa May and was now giving her his “wholehearted” support.Crabb said that he spoke earlier to Theresa May and was now giving her his “wholehearted” support.
Asked on BBC if he had asked for anything from May, he replied: “I asked for nothing from Theresa. She asked for nothing from me. That’s not the way we work.”Asked on BBC if he had asked for anything from May, he replied: “I asked for nothing from Theresa. She asked for nothing from me. That’s not the way we work.”
Crabb added: “Let’s not underestimate the seriousness of the challenge. We have a deeply divided party. We have a deeply divided country. And that’s why I think we need to recognise there’s only one candidate in this race who has got any hope of bringing together our party, and providing a strong government to unite our country, and that is Theresa May.”Crabb added: “Let’s not underestimate the seriousness of the challenge. We have a deeply divided party. We have a deeply divided country. And that’s why I think we need to recognise there’s only one candidate in this race who has got any hope of bringing together our party, and providing a strong government to unite our country, and that is Theresa May.”
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Stephen Crabb drops out of Tory leadership raceStephen Crabb drops out of Tory leadership race
Stephen Crabb has dropped out of the Tory leadership race following the results of the first round of voting. He’s backing Theresa May.Stephen Crabb has dropped out of the Tory leadership race following the results of the first round of voting. He’s backing Theresa May.
The secretary of state for work and pensions had been considering his position after finishing second last (with 34 voters) in voting, which saw Liam Fox eliminated earlier.The secretary of state for work and pensions had been considering his position after finishing second last (with 34 voters) in voting, which saw Liam Fox eliminated earlier.
The next round of voting takes place on Thursday.The next round of voting takes place on Thursday.
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