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| Theresa May appoints hardliner Steve Baker as Brexit minister - politics live | Theresa May appoints hardliner Steve Baker as Brexit minister - politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.56pm BST | |
| 18:56 | |
| More on the PLP meeting, where Jeremy Corbyn told Labour MPs and peers that Theresa May’s premiership has no mandate and declared: “We are now a government in waiting.” | |
| The party leader was greeted with cheers and a 45-second ovation as he arrived at the meeting. The scenes were in marked contrast to the difficult meetings Corbyn had with his critics in the parliamentary party before the election. | |
| “Last Thursday, we turned the tables on Theresa May’s gamble and gained seats in every region and nation of Britain and I’m particularly delighted that we have increased our representation in Scotland. We increased the Labour vote by the largest margin in any election since 1945 and gained seats as a party for the first time since 1997,” Corbyn said. | |
| “So now the election is over, the next phase of our campaign to win power for the majority has already begun. We must remain in permanent campaign mode on a general election footing. We achieved what we did last Thursday because we were a united party during the campaign and we need to maintain that unity and collective discipline in the weeks and months ahead.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.57pm BST | |
| 6.49pm BST | |
| 18:49 | |
| The parliamentary Labour party is holding its first meeting since the election in Westminster this evening and MP Clive Lewis tweets: | |
| I know leaking PLP meetings is naughty but given the two years we've had: @jeremycorbyn receiving a rapturous PLP standing ovation ✌🏾#unity pic.twitter.com/SEQhkr5sQQ | |
| 6.32pm BST | |
| 18:32 | |
| Theresa May has made it to the Élysée in Paris - in a Range Rover, of course. | |
| Theresa May arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris - the friendly football match tonight is unlikely to be the first thing on her mind though pic.twitter.com/Bi8cON3pxL | |
| Updated | |
| at 6.44pm BST | |
| 6.18pm BST | 6.18pm BST |
| 18:18 | 18:18 |
| Tory MP Nigel Evans tells Sky News it’s understandable why the Queen’s speech is going to be delayed for a week or so given the time it will take to sort out a deal with the DUP. | |
| Meanwhile, Labour peer Lord Foulkes, who has been something of a Jeremy Corbyn critic, admits he is eating humble pie following the election result and says he has not seen as much joy among Labour MPs since Tony Blair’s election in 1997. | Meanwhile, Labour peer Lord Foulkes, who has been something of a Jeremy Corbyn critic, admits he is eating humble pie following the election result and says he has not seen as much joy among Labour MPs since Tony Blair’s election in 1997. |
| “We are beating the Tories, we are beating the SNP – and we are looking forward to another election – bring it on,” he tells Sky, adding: “Jeremy ran a brilliant campaign.” | |
| Sky’s Jon Craig notes that the 170-odd majority Blair won 20 years ago is a little different to Thursday’s result for Labour, however. | Sky’s Jon Craig notes that the 170-odd majority Blair won 20 years ago is a little different to Thursday’s result for Labour, however. |
| Updated | |
| at 6.44pm BST | |
| 5.59pm BST | 5.59pm BST |
| 17:59 | 17:59 |
| The Guardian’s Jessica Elgot in in Paris, where Theresa May is about to meet the French president, Emmanuel Macron, for the first time since his election. | The Guardian’s Jessica Elgot in in Paris, where Theresa May is about to meet the French president, Emmanuel Macron, for the first time since his election. |
| Awaiting the PM's arrival at the Élysée which was probably supposed to be triumphant - and had ended up a bit of a sideshow. pic.twitter.com/75PXpOJuvA | Awaiting the PM's arrival at the Élysée which was probably supposed to be triumphant - and had ended up a bit of a sideshow. pic.twitter.com/75PXpOJuvA |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.12pm BST | at 6.12pm BST |
| 5.47pm BST | 5.47pm BST |
| 17:47 | 17:47 |
| Afternoon summary | Afternoon summary |
| Sir John Major, the Conservative former prime minister, has warned that a Tory/DUP deal at Westminster could threaten the Northern Ireland peace process. (See 2.27pm.) | Sir John Major, the Conservative former prime minister, has warned that a Tory/DUP deal at Westminster could threaten the Northern Ireland peace process. (See 2.27pm.) |
| Talks on an informal coalition between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists have progressed well, the leader of the Northern Irish party has said following talks at Downing Street. | Talks on an informal coalition between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionists have progressed well, the leader of the Northern Irish party has said following talks at Downing Street. |
| The idea that the Westminster parties should cooperate on Brexit negotiations is gaining support from the public, businesses and senior politicians from across the political spectrum. | The idea that the Westminster parties should cooperate on Brexit negotiations is gaining support from the public, businesses and senior politicians from across the political spectrum. |
| Steve Baker, one of the most prominent and influential hardline Tory Brexiteers, has been appointed a junior minister in the Brexit department. Intriguingly, shortly before his appointment was announced, he used Twitter to try to recast the debate about soft/hard Brexit by calling for the “softest” version of a real Brexit. (See 4.12pm and 4.24pm.) | Steve Baker, one of the most prominent and influential hardline Tory Brexiteers, has been appointed a junior minister in the Brexit department. Intriguingly, shortly before his appointment was announced, he used Twitter to try to recast the debate about soft/hard Brexit by calling for the “softest” version of a real Brexit. (See 4.12pm and 4.24pm.) |
| Theresa May has marked her return to parliament with a notably more conciliatory approach, telling the new contingent of MPs that parliament should “come together in a spirit of national unity” to tackle issues such as terrorism and Brexit. As Peter Walker reports, in a brief address to the Commons following the re-election of John Bercow as Speaker – formal parliamentary business does not resume until next week – May employed some self-mockery over the surprise election result. She began by congratulating Bercow for his unanimous re-election, adding to laughter: “At least somebody got a landslide.” | Theresa May has marked her return to parliament with a notably more conciliatory approach, telling the new contingent of MPs that parliament should “come together in a spirit of national unity” to tackle issues such as terrorism and Brexit. As Peter Walker reports, in a brief address to the Commons following the re-election of John Bercow as Speaker – formal parliamentary business does not resume until next week – May employed some self-mockery over the surprise election result. She began by congratulating Bercow for his unanimous re-election, adding to laughter: “At least somebody got a landslide.” |
| The government is under pressure from Labour and the Social Democratic and Labour party to deliver a pre-election pledge to force Northern Irish political parties to declare their donors. | The government is under pressure from Labour and the Social Democratic and Labour party to deliver a pre-election pledge to force Northern Irish political parties to declare their donors. |
| Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, has called on the Conservatives to guarantee that they will reject the Democratic Unionist party’s pledge to scrap the BBC licence fee in talks to secure a parliamentary deal. | Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, has called on the Conservatives to guarantee that they will reject the Democratic Unionist party’s pledge to scrap the BBC licence fee in talks to secure a parliamentary deal. |
| The Welsh assembly has decided to call itself a parliament after the public backed the idea in a consultation. | The Welsh assembly has decided to call itself a parliament after the public backed the idea in a consultation. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| My colleague Chris Johnston is taking over the blog now. | My colleague Chris Johnston is taking over the blog now. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.00pm BST | at 6.00pm BST |
| 5.10pm BST | 5.10pm BST |
| 17:10 | 17:10 |
| The Lib Dems have criticised the appointment of Steve Baker as a Brexit minister. (See 4.24pm.) This is from the Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael. | The Lib Dems have criticised the appointment of Steve Baker as a Brexit minister. (See 4.24pm.) This is from the Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael. |
| Far from softening her stance on Brexit, Theresa May is doubling down by appointing an arch Brexiteer to help lead the negotiations. | Far from softening her stance on Brexit, Theresa May is doubling down by appointing an arch Brexiteer to help lead the negotiations. |
| It flies in the face of last week’s election in which the British people clearly rejected her extreme version of Brexit. | It flies in the face of last week’s election in which the British people clearly rejected her extreme version of Brexit. |
| She is putting a fox in charge of guarding the henhouse. | She is putting a fox in charge of guarding the henhouse. |
| That is one interpretation. It is just as likely, or perhaps even more likely, that Theresa May has appointed Baker in the hope that he will be able to persuade his fellow hardline Tory Brexiteers to accept the compromises that DExEU is likely to end up negotiating. | That is one interpretation. It is just as likely, or perhaps even more likely, that Theresa May has appointed Baker in the hope that he will be able to persuade his fellow hardline Tory Brexiteers to accept the compromises that DExEU is likely to end up negotiating. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.47pm BST | at 5.47pm BST |
| 4.46pm BST | 4.46pm BST |
| 16:46 | 16:46 |
| Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, has been using Twitter today to urge Britain to get on with clarifying its Brexit position. | Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, has been using Twitter today to urge Britain to get on with clarifying its Brexit position. |
| We are impatiently waiting for the negotiating position of the UK gov. The current uncertainty cannot continue. | We are impatiently waiting for the negotiating position of the UK gov. The current uncertainty cannot continue. |
| He expanded on this point earlier today during a press conference. | He expanded on this point earlier today during a press conference. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.01pm BST | at 5.01pm BST |
| 4.39pm BST | 4.39pm BST |
| 16:39 | 16:39 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) is not just taking on new ministers. It has also in the past week advertised for spin doctors to help in “shaping government messages” in Brexit talks. | The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) is not just taking on new ministers. It has also in the past week advertised for spin doctors to help in “shaping government messages” in Brexit talks. |
| In an advert for press officers, it says it’s “not often an opportunity comes along to work on a subject as big as Brexit”. | In an advert for press officers, it says it’s “not often an opportunity comes along to work on a subject as big as Brexit”. |
| It also says that “it’s arguably the greatest issue facing the country for a generation” and that DExEU is looking at hiring on a two-year timeframe. Which might be a tad optimistic ... | It also says that “it’s arguably the greatest issue facing the country for a generation” and that DExEU is looking at hiring on a two-year timeframe. Which might be a tad optimistic ... |
| 4.28pm BST | 4.28pm BST |
| 16:28 | 16:28 |
| It is probably worth reminding readers what Dominic Cummings, the Vote Leave campaign director, once said about Steve Baker and his colleagues. This is from Tim Shipman’s excellent book about the EU referendum campaign, All Out War. | It is probably worth reminding readers what Dominic Cummings, the Vote Leave campaign director, once said about Steve Baker and his colleagues. This is from Tim Shipman’s excellent book about the EU referendum campaign, All Out War. |
| After Michael Heseltine’s attack on Boris Johnson, [Paul] Stephenson [VL’s communications director] remembered a conversation he had had with Cummings weeks before about how some of the more hotheaded Eurosceptics would have their uses at points in the campaign. Cummings, with his usual delicacy where MPs were concerned, had said, ‘We just need to kick the flying monkeys in the cage and release them at the right point.’ Now Stephenson went in search of a flying monkey to turn up the pressure on Cameron. He called Steve Baker [chair of Conservatives for Britain] ... | After Michael Heseltine’s attack on Boris Johnson, [Paul] Stephenson [VL’s communications director] remembered a conversation he had had with Cummings weeks before about how some of the more hotheaded Eurosceptics would have their uses at points in the campaign. Cummings, with his usual delicacy where MPs were concerned, had said, ‘We just need to kick the flying monkeys in the cage and release them at the right point.’ Now Stephenson went in search of a flying monkey to turn up the pressure on Cameron. He called Steve Baker [chair of Conservatives for Britain] ... |
| 4.24pm BST | 4.24pm BST |
| 16:24 | 16:24 |
| Leading Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker appointed Brexit minister | Leading Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker appointed Brexit minister |
| Good job I got that last post up in time. No 10 has just announced that Steve Baker, the shop steward of the hardline Tory Brexiteers, has been made a Brexit minister. | Good job I got that last post up in time. No 10 has just announced that Steve Baker, the shop steward of the hardline Tory Brexiteers, has been made a Brexit minister. |
| This is from the No 10 news release | This is from the No 10 news release |
| The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Steve Baker MP as parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Exiting the EU. | The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Steve Baker MP as parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Exiting the EU. |
| Baker replaced David Jones, who has been sacked as a Brexit minister. As the Telegraph reports, Jones was also a hardcore Brexiteer. | Baker replaced David Jones, who has been sacked as a Brexit minister. As the Telegraph reports, Jones was also a hardcore Brexiteer. |
| Baker’s appointment may help to explain his tweeting earlier. (See 4.12pm.) | Baker’s appointment may help to explain his tweeting earlier. (See 4.12pm.) |
| 4.12pm BST | 4.12pm BST |
| 16:12 | 16:12 |
| The Conservative MP Steve Baker has been tweeting about the “whither Brexit?” debate going on within his party. Baker is effectively leader of hardline Tory anti-European MPs (or “flying monkeys”, as Vote Leave’s Dominic Cummings once called them) and heads the European Research Group, a caucus of Tory MPs. The ERG are generally seen as champions of a hard Brexit, but Baker is trying to reclaim the language, saying what he wants is the “softest” version of a real Brexit. | The Conservative MP Steve Baker has been tweeting about the “whither Brexit?” debate going on within his party. Baker is effectively leader of hardline Tory anti-European MPs (or “flying monkeys”, as Vote Leave’s Dominic Cummings once called them) and heads the European Research Group, a caucus of Tory MPs. The ERG are generally seen as champions of a hard Brexit, but Baker is trying to reclaim the language, saying what he wants is the “softest” version of a real Brexit. |
| 1. The language of "hard" vs "soft" Brexit is so misleading. We need a good, clean exit which minimises disruption and maximises opportunity | 1. The language of "hard" vs "soft" Brexit is so misleading. We need a good, clean exit which minimises disruption and maximises opportunity |
| 2. In other words, we need the "softest" exit consistent with actually leaving and controlling laws, money, borders and trade | 2. In other words, we need the "softest" exit consistent with actually leaving and controlling laws, money, borders and trade |
| 3. (of 3) and that means delivering on the whitepaper so @tradegovuk can get on with improving UK and global trade https://t.co/SXGuwKNLES | 3. (of 3) and that means delivering on the whitepaper so @tradegovuk can get on with improving UK and global trade https://t.co/SXGuwKNLES |
| Baker’s tweet suggest he thinks the term “hard” Brexit is pejorative. But there is evidence from focus groups suggesting that some leave supporters like the idea of “hard” Brexit because that implies a firm stance on immigration. This is from a Britain Thinks presentation (pdf) based on the findings of focus groups earlier this year. | Baker’s tweet suggest he thinks the term “hard” Brexit is pejorative. But there is evidence from focus groups suggesting that some leave supporters like the idea of “hard” Brexit because that implies a firm stance on immigration. This is from a Britain Thinks presentation (pdf) based on the findings of focus groups earlier this year. |
| 3.44pm BST | 3.44pm BST |
| 15:44 | 15:44 |
| Downing Street has announced another series of appointments. | Downing Street has announced another series of appointments. |
| Here are the promotions. These five have all been made minister of state (a middle-ranking minister – better than parliamentary under-secretary, not cabinet rank). | Here are the promotions. These five have all been made minister of state (a middle-ranking minister – better than parliamentary under-secretary, not cabinet rank). |
| Foreign Office – Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (previously a more junior minister) and Mark Field (previously a Conservative party vice-chairman). | Foreign Office – Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (previously a more junior minister) and Mark Field (previously a Conservative party vice-chairman). |
| Communities department – Alok Sharma (previously a more junior minister). | Communities department – Alok Sharma (previously a more junior minister). |
| Defence – Mark Lancaster (previously a more junior minister). | Defence – Mark Lancaster (previously a more junior minister). |
| Foreign Office and International Development (joint post) – Alistair Burt (a minister of state until last summer). | Foreign Office and International Development (joint post) – Alistair Burt (a minister of state until last summer). |
| This is the fourth time Burt has joined a government as a minister. His three previous ministerial careers came to an end when he was sacked by the electorate (in 1997), by David Cameron (in 2013) and by himself (he stood down voluntarily last summer). | This is the fourth time Burt has joined a government as a minister. His three previous ministerial careers came to an end when he was sacked by the electorate (in 1997), by David Cameron (in 2013) and by himself (he stood down voluntarily last summer). |
| This is from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. | This is from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. |
| V interesting - Mark Field and Alistair Burt, two Remainers have gone back into govt | V interesting - Mark Field and Alistair Burt, two Remainers have gone back into govt |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.51pm BST | at 3.51pm BST |
| 3.29pm BST | 3.29pm BST |
| 15:29 | 15:29 |
| The Commons has now adjourned. It meets again tomorrow, when MPs will start being sworn in. | The Commons has now adjourned. It meets again tomorrow, when MPs will start being sworn in. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.58pm BST | at 3.58pm BST |
| 3.26pm BST | 3.26pm BST |
| 15:26 | 15:26 |
| The SNP’s Stewart Hosie and the Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, have spoken in the debate welcoming John Bercow’s election and Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminster, is speaking now. | The SNP’s Stewart Hosie and the Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, have spoken in the debate welcoming John Bercow’s election and Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminster, is speaking now. |
| He says the DUP is looking forward to this parliament. And he says his party is looking forward to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. | He says the DUP is looking forward to this parliament. And he says his party is looking forward to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.59pm BST | at 3.59pm BST |
| 3.17pm BST | 3.17pm BST |
| 15:17 | 15:17 |
| Jeremy Corbyn is speaking now. | Jeremy Corbyn is speaking now. |
| He starts by congratulating Ken Clarke on being father of the house. He jokes about seeing Clarke in the tearoom smoking, drinking lager and eating a bacon sandwich while taking a break from a debate on healthy living. | He starts by congratulating Ken Clarke on being father of the house. He jokes about seeing Clarke in the tearoom smoking, drinking lager and eating a bacon sandwich while taking a break from a debate on healthy living. |
| He says he hopes that May will agree with him that democracy is a wonderful thing, and can throw up unexpected results. He says he looks forward to the Queen’s speech, when the “coalition of chaos” is ready. If it cannot form a government, the Labour party is ready to provide “strong and stable” government, he says. | He says he hopes that May will agree with him that democracy is a wonderful thing, and can throw up unexpected results. He says he looks forward to the Queen’s speech, when the “coalition of chaos” is ready. If it cannot form a government, the Labour party is ready to provide “strong and stable” government, he says. |
| He says this weekend marks the election of four black MPs 30 years ago, including Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott. It is vital all voices are represented in the Commons, he says. | He says this weekend marks the election of four black MPs 30 years ago, including Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott. It is vital all voices are represented in the Commons, he says. |
| He says Labour looks forward to this parliament, “however short it might be”. | He says Labour looks forward to this parliament, “however short it might be”. |
| He welcomes the fact that so many young people took part in the election. He is looking forward to this parliament to bring about change, he says. | He welcomes the fact that so many young people took part in the election. He is looking forward to this parliament to bring about change, he says. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.59pm BST | at 3.59pm BST |