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Brexit deal: May in crunch meeting to decide fate of agreement – Politics live Brexit deal: May in crunch meeting to decide fate of agreement – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has been watching ministers arriving at No 10 for the 2pm cabinet meeting.
Cabinet ministers arriving - all pretty grim faced
In Germany, there was a cautious welcome for last night’s Brexit breakthrough, though most politicians left it up to Brussels to comment. Speaking to the German broadcaster ARD, Manfred Weber, the head of the European People’s party (EPP) in the European parliament and a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) said:
The white smoke is rising. We have positive signals that, after months and weeks of torturous debate, it will now come to an agreement. We Europeans have put a lot of suggestions on the table about what a potential solution would look like. And now we’re really, so to speak, at completion.
Concretely that means we will get a transition phase to avoid damage, above all for the economy but also for affected citizens, for instance Germans in Great Britain. And we want to clarify in the long term that there will be no border in Northern Ireland. It was successful. The Northern Irish border will not be set up as a hard border and to that extent we have achieved some of the goals that we have as Europeans.
Asked whether he thought the current agreement will be enough for the EU, Weber said:
We will look at the text, just the same as our colleagues in the British parliament. I can’t promise anything today.
Meanwhile, Katja Leikert, the deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction, used Twitter to praise the breakthrough as “good news” and said it was “high time” for an agreement. “Now it’s about getting over a few more hurdles. The next thing is for British cabinet and parliament to approve the draft,” she said.
Die Einigung zwischen EU-Kommission und Großbritannien zum #Brexit ist eine gute Nachricht. Dafür wurde es höchste Zeit. Nun gilt es noch einige Hürden zu überwinden ➡️ Als nächstes müssen in Großbritannien Kabinett und Parlament dem Entwurf zustimmen. 🗳
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has described Theresa May’s Brexit deal as “devastating” for Scotland. Speaking to the BBC, she said that, from what she knows of the deal so far, it would mean “the worst of all possible worlds for Scotland”. She added:
It would take Scotland out of the single market, which would be bad enough in and of itself.
But it would do so while leaving us competing for investment and jobs with Northern Ireland, which would effectively be staying in the single market.
That would be devastating for jobs and investment in Scotland and not something that anybody should be prepared to accept.
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, confirmed this morning that his party’s 35 MPs would oppose the deal in its current form.
But Sturgeon insisted that rejecting the current proposals in the House of Commons would not make a no-deal Brexit inevitable, but opened up the possibility for getting “better options like full single market and customs union membership back on the table”.
She added that it would also allow those arguing for another referendum to be held on the Brexit terms – as the SNP has done - to make their case.
Here is my colleague Rafael Behr’s take on the Brexit deal.
And here is an extract.
During the past few weeks two contradictory propositions have been circulating in Westminster with roughly equal currency. One is that somehow a strain of pragmatism that is innate to British politics, coupled with raw terror of chaos, will drive May’s bargain into law. The other is that, with hardline Tories, the DUP and Labour all finding reasons to hate May’s plan, there simply aren’t the votes for it. Only one of those propositions can hold.
Overnight, Brexit has ceased to be a haze of slogans, ambitions, pledges and myths. It is now a piece of paper in the prime minister’s hand. There is no more “Brexit means Brexit”. There is a deal that either serves the national interest or betrays it. The detail will emerge in the days to come, but two things can be said with certainty. First, May’s route presents safer passage to the future than is envisaged in the wild fantasy of quitting the EU with no deal at all. Second, the terms that May has negotiated offer inferior status, market access, influence and power on the European continent and in the world than Britain has enjoyed as an EU member. Plenty of MPs know it, too; comfortably a majority. The question now is how many have the courage to say so.
Germany’s economy minister, Peter Altmaier, has warned that both Britain and the European Union will be worse off once Brexit has taken place.
Whenever an integrated single market will be split again this will lead to an Lose/Lose situatian on both sides. We can soften the impact but will never prevent it completely. https://t.co/gNl89Gvxde
Last year, Altmaier was critical of UK ministers who had urged him to help make Brexit a win-win for both sides, something he sees as impossible.
Pro and anti-Brexit campaigners have descended on Westminster today to lobby MPs, ahead of this afternoon’s crunch cabinet meeting:
PMQs - Snap verdict: That was difficult for Theresa May, but not debilitating. Relatively few MPs asked about Brexit - on the understandable grounds, probably, that they will have the chance to do so tomorrow, and that it always helps to read the document first - and as a result it was Jeremy Corbyn and Ian Blackford who primarily had to do the business. Blackford asked about the procedure for the meaningful vote (important, but arcane) and why Scotland won’t get the same benefits as Northern Ireland (an argument made more pithily by his boss on Twitter - see 9.14am.) Corbyn was more effective. He achieved relatively easy hits by quoting Jo Johnson and Dominic Raab, but he was at his strongest with the questions that May couldn’t or wouldn’t answer, about the UK being able to withdraw unilaterally from the backstop and progress on signing new trade deals. (See 12.09am.) There is a certain irony in Corbyn using a European Research Group attack line against May, but that didn’t really undermine the point he was making. Perhaps, though, the most important intervention was the one from the arch Tory Brexiter Peter Bone. You would expect him to denounce the plan, as he did, what was most significant was his claim that by agreeing it May will be losing the backing of Tory MPs and Tory voters. Maybe he’s bluffing. But if he is even half right, then that’s a real problem ...PMQs - Snap verdict: That was difficult for Theresa May, but not debilitating. Relatively few MPs asked about Brexit - on the understandable grounds, probably, that they will have the chance to do so tomorrow, and that it always helps to read the document first - and as a result it was Jeremy Corbyn and Ian Blackford who primarily had to do the business. Blackford asked about the procedure for the meaningful vote (important, but arcane) and why Scotland won’t get the same benefits as Northern Ireland (an argument made more pithily by his boss on Twitter - see 9.14am.) Corbyn was more effective. He achieved relatively easy hits by quoting Jo Johnson and Dominic Raab, but he was at his strongest with the questions that May couldn’t or wouldn’t answer, about the UK being able to withdraw unilaterally from the backstop and progress on signing new trade deals. (See 12.09am.) There is a certain irony in Corbyn using a European Research Group attack line against May, but that didn’t really undermine the point he was making. Perhaps, though, the most important intervention was the one from the arch Tory Brexiter Peter Bone. You would expect him to denounce the plan, as he did, what was most significant was his claim that by agreeing it May will be losing the backing of Tory MPs and Tory voters. Maybe he’s bluffing. But if he is even half right, then that’s a real problem ...
Another point of order. The SNP’s Kirsty Blackman says the first minister of Gibraltar has been briefed on the Brexit deal, but not the first minister of Scotland.Another point of order. The SNP’s Kirsty Blackman says the first minister of Gibraltar has been briefed on the Brexit deal, but not the first minister of Scotland.
David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, responds with his own point of order. He says the Scottish and Welsh first ministers will be briefed on the deal once cabinet has taken a decision.David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, responds with his own point of order. He says the Scottish and Welsh first ministers will be briefed on the deal once cabinet has taken a decision.
PMQs is over. But Liz Kendall, the Labour MP, asks on a point of order if John Bercow knows when the Brexit statement will come. MPs have commitments tomorrow, she says. She says today they are just having a debate to mark the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday. Couldn’t MPs debate the Brexit deal later today?PMQs is over. But Liz Kendall, the Labour MP, asks on a point of order if John Bercow knows when the Brexit statement will come. MPs have commitments tomorrow, she says. She says today they are just having a debate to mark the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday. Couldn’t MPs debate the Brexit deal later today?
Bercow says he has been led to believe that the statement will come tomorrow.Bercow says he has been led to believe that the statement will come tomorrow.
May likely to make statement to MPs on the Brexit deal tomorrow, Bercow says.May likely to make statement to MPs on the Brexit deal tomorrow, Bercow says.
He says MPs with commitments tomorrow could reschedule them. He says, when there is a statement, he will ensure MPs all get the chance to asks questions.He says MPs with commitments tomorrow could reschedule them. He says, when there is a statement, he will ensure MPs all get the chance to asks questions.
Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, says it used to be the case the parliament was informed first when policies like this were announced.Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, says it used to be the case the parliament was informed first when policies like this were announced.
Bercow says we have in this country cabinet government. He says it would not be unreasonable to have the statement tomorrow, if cabinet is meeting this afternoon. But he says, if the statement can come later today, he would be in favour. He thinks statements should come as quickly as possible.Bercow says we have in this country cabinet government. He says it would not be unreasonable to have the statement tomorrow, if cabinet is meeting this afternoon. But he says, if the statement can come later today, he would be in favour. He thinks statements should come as quickly as possible.
Tim Brake, the Lib Dem’s Brexit spokesman, asks May to confirm that her Brexit plan will leave the UK a rule-taker. Will May agree to a people’s vote?Tim Brake, the Lib Dem’s Brexit spokesman, asks May to confirm that her Brexit plan will leave the UK a rule-taker. Will May agree to a people’s vote?
May says the people voted to leave. The government will deliver on that, she says.May says the people voted to leave. The government will deliver on that, she says.
Martin Vickers, a Conservative, asks if it will be for the UK to decide on its own who fishes in UK waters after Brexit.Martin Vickers, a Conservative, asks if it will be for the UK to decide on its own who fishes in UK waters after Brexit.
May says after Brexit the UK will have control of its own waters.May says after Brexit the UK will have control of its own waters.
Labour’s Mike Kane asks about Asia Bibi, and asks if May agrees the UK should be a beacon for human rights.Labour’s Mike Kane asks about Asia Bibi, and asks if May agrees the UK should be a beacon for human rights.
May says the government’s main concern is for the safety of Bibi. A number of countries are in discussion about providing a safe haven for her. It would not be right to say more at this state, she says.May says the government’s main concern is for the safety of Bibi. A number of countries are in discussion about providing a safe haven for her. It would not be right to say more at this state, she says.
Labour’s Rosena Allin-Khan says the Brexit deal will be bad for jobs and the economy. Will May put it to the people, either through a general election or a referendum.Labour’s Rosena Allin-Khan says the Brexit deal will be bad for jobs and the economy. Will May put it to the people, either through a general election or a referendum.
May says the deal will be good for the economy. There was a referendum, and people voted to leave. That is what the government will deliver, she says.May says the deal will be good for the economy. There was a referendum, and people voted to leave. That is what the government will deliver, she says.
Sir Roger Gale, the Conservative MP, asks if the government will publish details of the Brexit deal as soon as possible, so that MPs can comment on the facts.Sir Roger Gale, the Conservative MP, asks if the government will publish details of the Brexit deal as soon as possible, so that MPs can comment on the facts.
May says, if this deal is taken forward, the details will be published.May says, if this deal is taken forward, the details will be published.
Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory Brexiter, says he will not be asking about Brexit “for now”. Instead he asks about fixed odds betting terminals. He says he was very proud the government decided to lower the maximum stake. Can May confirm, in the light of the amendment signed by Tory MPs, the £2 maximum stake will come into effect in April next year, not October.Iain Duncan Smith, the Tory Brexiter, says he will not be asking about Brexit “for now”. Instead he asks about fixed odds betting terminals. He says he was very proud the government decided to lower the maximum stake. Can May confirm, in the light of the amendment signed by Tory MPs, the £2 maximum stake will come into effect in April next year, not October.
May says the government is listening to colleagues. Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary, will make a statement later today.May says the government is listening to colleagues. Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary, will make a statement later today.
May gives a strong hint that the government will back down over fixed odds better terminals in the face of a potential Tory revolt and bring forward the reduction in the maximum stake to April 2019.May gives a strong hint that the government will back down over fixed odds better terminals in the face of a potential Tory revolt and bring forward the reduction in the maximum stake to April 2019.
Labour’s Joan Ryan asks about knife crime. May says the government has protected police funding.
Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, says one rumour about Brexit is that the government will publish a white paper later today with details of the Brexit deal. Will a statement be made when it is produced? This parliament must decide what will happen next. Parliament should not have to wait another 24 hours. He says he wishes May well for obtaining a majority for a course of action in the national interest.
May says the cabinet will meet to look at the draft agreements produced by the negotiating teams. She will act in the national interest. And she says she will return to the House to explain the outcome.
MPs should “when?” May just says she will return to the House.
She says, subsequently, there will be briefings for MPs before the meaningful vote.
Labour’s Ruth Smeeth asks about universal credit, and its impact on claimants. May says the previous system did not work
Kwasi Kwarteng, a Conservative, asks about a 100-year-old bellringer in his constituency, believed to be the oldest in the world. May says this is a considerable record and wishes the constituent happy birthday.
Labour’s Yvonne Fovargue asks about funding for language teaching in her constituency. May says funding is set to be higher than at any time in history.
Alec Shelbrooke, a Conservative, asks about investment in the railways. May says the investment is not millions but billions. But it is vital that Network Rail delivers on time.
Labour’s Wes Streeting asks about a pregnant mother in his constituency shot with a crossbow. He says weapons like this should not be readily on sale.
May says this is a terrible and tragic case. Crossbow are already under strict controls, she says, but she says the government will consider the case for tighter legislation.
Mike Wood, a Conservative, asks about reductions in business rates. May says these changes should help local businesses.
Political journalists are watching the front bench closely as PMQs unfolds...
Penny Morduant and Geoffrey Cox just ducked out of #pmqs together...
Geoffrey Cox just popped back in, had a chat with Dominic Grieve, and then left again #pmqs
Oh! Now Penny Mordaunt has nipped out of #PMQs to chat to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox #plotthickens
As far as I can see no sign of @EstherMcVey1 or @PennyMordaunt in #PMQs
Labour’s Chris Elmore says the Brexit deal will leave the UK weaker. Not his words, but Jo Johnson’s. Why won’t May admit she does not have support in parliament?
May says parliament will have a lock on the new rules.