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| Michael Gove rules out resigning over Brexit deal - Politics live | Michael Gove rules out resigning over Brexit deal - Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Katarina Barley, the German justice minister, has called for a second referendum in the UK. She told the German broadcaster ARD. | |
| If ... the government falls apart, if the lower house doesn’t consent, I would think it right to give the people the chance to speak again. | |
| No one could have guessed it would turn out like this. | |
| Sie "leider noch immer unter der Grundentscheidung, überhaupt rauszugehen", sagt @katarinabarley und fordert, dass die Briten in einem zweiten #Referendum nochmals über den #Brexit entscheiden darf. pic.twitter.com/a0Wkabys3p | |
| Liam Fox, the Brexiter international development secretary, has also expressed his support for the prime minister. Speaking in Bristol, he said: | |
| I have full confidence in the prime minister. I think she is taking us forward with confidence and - I have to say - with resilience, and I very much agree with Michael Gove that what we need now is stability. | |
| Liam Fox must be a strong candidate to replace Dominic Raab as Brexit secretary - assuming that Theresa May does replace him, and doesn’t decide instead wind down the Brexit department (which was only meant to be temporary anyway) on the grounds that the Brexit deal has been negotiated. | |
| In certain countries posts in government are allocated along religious or tribal lines. (Lebanon is the most commonly cited example, but Northern Ireland is not entirely dissimilar.) The same principle now seems to apply, unofficially, in the Tory cabinet, where DExEU is a leaver fiefdom. With Michael Gove turning the post down, Fox is the next most senior member of the Brexiter tribe in government, so the job could be his. | |
| Anushka Asthana, who presents the Guardian’s new Today in Focus podcast, was in Westminster yesterday to cover the latest developments in the Brexit crisis. You can hear her “Day of Brexit Chaos” episode here. | |
| Katya Adler, the BBC’s Europe editor, has posted a very good thread on Twitter explaining what the EU think about the Brexit deal. It starts here. | Katya Adler, the BBC’s Europe editor, has posted a very good thread on Twitter explaining what the EU think about the Brexit deal. It starts here. |
| 1) Again and again I’m struck by the chasm in thinking between leading MP’s on #Brexit and the viewpoint of EU leaders - and remember, if you want a deal, it takes two to tango | 1) Again and again I’m struck by the chasm in thinking between leading MP’s on #Brexit and the viewpoint of EU leaders - and remember, if you want a deal, it takes two to tango |
| It is well worth reading the whole thing, but this is probably her most important point. | It is well worth reading the whole thing, but this is probably her most important point. |
| 2) There is ZERO appetite or intention in EU circles to renegotiate this withdrawal deal | 2) There is ZERO appetite or intention in EU circles to renegotiate this withdrawal deal |
| This is very awkward for Brexiters like David Davis, who want to renegotiate the Brexit deal (see 7.47am), but also for Labour, which is claiming that it could go back to Brussels and get a better deal too (see 10.27am). | This is very awkward for Brexiters like David Davis, who want to renegotiate the Brexit deal (see 7.47am), but also for Labour, which is claiming that it could go back to Brussels and get a better deal too (see 10.27am). |
| Of course, the Brexiter definition of a “better deal” and the Labour definition are not the same ... | Of course, the Brexiter definition of a “better deal” and the Labour definition are not the same ... |
| The UK Government has applied to the country’s highest court for permission to appeal over a cross-party legal challenge on Brexit, the Press Association reports. It has applied to the supreme court seeking permission to appeal against a court ruling to ask the European court if the UK can unilaterally revoke its article 50 request to leave the European Union. The court of session in Edinburgh ruled in September to refer the question to the court of justice of the EU (CJEU) after a case brought by a cross-party group of politicians. The CJEU applied its expedited procedure, as requested by the court of session, to the case and an oral hearing is fixed for November 27. | The UK Government has applied to the country’s highest court for permission to appeal over a cross-party legal challenge on Brexit, the Press Association reports. It has applied to the supreme court seeking permission to appeal against a court ruling to ask the European court if the UK can unilaterally revoke its article 50 request to leave the European Union. The court of session in Edinburgh ruled in September to refer the question to the court of justice of the EU (CJEU) after a case brought by a cross-party group of politicians. The CJEU applied its expedited procedure, as requested by the court of session, to the case and an oral hearing is fixed for November 27. |
| The UK government made an application for permission to appeal against the ruling to the supreme court, which was refused by Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge and lord president of the court of session in Edinburgh, last week. However the Brexit department has now applied to the supreme court for permission to appeal, the Press Association reports. A statement issued by the supreme court said: | The UK government made an application for permission to appeal against the ruling to the supreme court, which was refused by Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge and lord president of the court of session in Edinburgh, last week. However the Brexit department has now applied to the supreme court for permission to appeal, the Press Association reports. A statement issued by the supreme court said: |
| The supreme court has received an application for permission to appeal in the matter of secretary of state for exiting the European Union (Appellant) v Wightman and others (respondents). The application has been referred to three supreme court justices - Lady Hale (president), Lord Reed (deputy president) and Lord Hodge - who will form the decision panel. The court is aware of the urgency of this matter. | The supreme court has received an application for permission to appeal in the matter of secretary of state for exiting the European Union (Appellant) v Wightman and others (respondents). The application has been referred to three supreme court justices - Lady Hale (president), Lord Reed (deputy president) and Lord Hodge - who will form the decision panel. The court is aware of the urgency of this matter. |
| And here is a clip of Michael Gove speaking about his confidence in the PM. | And here is a clip of Michael Gove speaking about his confidence in the PM. |
| "It's absolutely vital that we focus on getting the right deal in the future" - Michael Gove happy to stay in government amid #Brexit agreement fallout https://t.co/gT2skeTkoe pic.twitter.com/GKqzqUd6hT | "It's absolutely vital that we focus on getting the right deal in the future" - Michael Gove happy to stay in government amid #Brexit agreement fallout https://t.co/gT2skeTkoe pic.twitter.com/GKqzqUd6hT |
| Michael Gove, who is staying as environment secretary, was asked as he left his office this morning if he had confidence in the prime minister. He replied: “I absolutely do.” And he went on: | Michael Gove, who is staying as environment secretary, was asked as he left his office this morning if he had confidence in the prime minister. He replied: “I absolutely do.” And he went on: |
| I am looking forward to continuing to work with all colleagues in government and in parliament to get the best future for Britain. | I am looking forward to continuing to work with all colleagues in government and in parliament to get the best future for Britain. |
| Asked at the lobby briefing for Theresa May’s response to Gove’s decision to remain in cabinet, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “She is very pleased that he will continue doing the important work he is doing there.” | Asked at the lobby briefing for Theresa May’s response to Gove’s decision to remain in cabinet, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “She is very pleased that he will continue doing the important work he is doing there.” |
| Austria’s chancellor Sebastian Kurz has voiced hope that MPs will back Theresa May’s Brexit deal to avoid the UK crashing out of the European Union, saying that “nobody has been cheated”. | Austria’s chancellor Sebastian Kurz has voiced hope that MPs will back Theresa May’s Brexit deal to avoid the UK crashing out of the European Union, saying that “nobody has been cheated”. |
| Arriving at a meeting in Brussels, Kurz said: | Arriving at a meeting in Brussels, Kurz said: |
| It is a good deal for both sides, nobody has been cheated. This deal prevents a hard Brexit [meaning a no deal Brexit]. Therefore it helps us in Europe, but even more so it helps Great Britain because a hard Brexit would hit Great Britain significantly more severely. | It is a good deal for both sides, nobody has been cheated. This deal prevents a hard Brexit [meaning a no deal Brexit]. Therefore it helps us in Europe, but even more so it helps Great Britain because a hard Brexit would hit Great Britain significantly more severely. |
| I very much hope that there will be the necessary agreement in the British parliament for this deal. | I very much hope that there will be the necessary agreement in the British parliament for this deal. |
| The intervention follows warnings from the German chancellor Angela Merkel that the EU will not go back to the negotiating table, now a document has been agreed. | The intervention follows warnings from the German chancellor Angela Merkel that the EU will not go back to the negotiating table, now a document has been agreed. |
| The EU is swinging into action to organise a Brexit summit of EU leaders on Sunday 25 November. Ambassadors from the EU 27 countries will meet this Sunday, followed by a ministerial meeting on Monday to prepare for the summit, it was confirmed. | The EU is swinging into action to organise a Brexit summit of EU leaders on Sunday 25 November. Ambassadors from the EU 27 countries will meet this Sunday, followed by a ministerial meeting on Monday to prepare for the summit, it was confirmed. |
| Austria holds the EU rotating presidency until the end of the year and Kurz is meeting the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, to prepare the ground for those meetings. | Austria holds the EU rotating presidency until the end of the year and Kurz is meeting the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier and European commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, to prepare the ground for those meetings. |
| Diplomats in European capitals are still ploughing through the 585-page text of the draft Brexit withdrawal treaty, but so far no one has raised serious objections. | Diplomats in European capitals are still ploughing through the 585-page text of the draft Brexit withdrawal treaty, but so far no one has raised serious objections. |
| At a meeting of EU ambassadors on Friday morning, France and Germany agreed that the contested issue of fishing rights could be postponed into talks on the future relationship. This is a significant move, as several member states had wanted fish quotas tied to the compromise on the Irish backstop, which allows the UK to stay in a customs union. “The deal will not be brought down by fish,” one EU diplomat said. | At a meeting of EU ambassadors on Friday morning, France and Germany agreed that the contested issue of fishing rights could be postponed into talks on the future relationship. This is a significant move, as several member states had wanted fish quotas tied to the compromise on the Irish backstop, which allows the UK to stay in a customs union. “The deal will not be brought down by fish,” one EU diplomat said. |
| Spain’s ambassador voiced disappointment about arrangements on Gibraltar, but did not threaten to vote down the deal. The agreement on the Rock is a win for British diplomacy, as Spain had wanted an open-ended say on the British overseas territory. | Spain’s ambassador voiced disappointment about arrangements on Gibraltar, but did not threaten to vote down the deal. The agreement on the Rock is a win for British diplomacy, as Spain had wanted an open-ended say on the British overseas territory. |
| Some problem issues have not been discussed thoroughly by the EU - notably the politically-fraught question of extending the UK’s 21-month Brexit transition. Under the current text the UK will stay subject to EU rules - with no voting rights - until the end of 2020. That transition period can be extended once, but negotiators have not specified for how long. | Some problem issues have not been discussed thoroughly by the EU - notably the politically-fraught question of extending the UK’s 21-month Brexit transition. Under the current text the UK will stay subject to EU rules - with no voting rights - until the end of 2020. That transition period can be extended once, but negotiators have not specified for how long. |
| The issue has to be resolved before the Brexit treaty can be signed. | The issue has to be resolved before the Brexit treaty can be signed. |
| The Tory Brexiter Mark Francois has released the text of the letter that he has sent calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. | The Tory Brexiter Mark Francois has released the text of the letter that he has sent calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. |
| It starts: | It starts: |
| I am writing to ask for a vote of no confidence in Theresa May as prime minister and leader of the Conservative party. This is something I thought I would never do. | I am writing to ask for a vote of no confidence in Theresa May as prime minister and leader of the Conservative party. This is something I thought I would never do. |
| That claim may come as a surprise to colleagues, because Francois has been one of the most prominent European Research Group (ERG) Brexiters speaking out against May’s Brexit strategy. | That claim may come as a surprise to colleagues, because Francois has been one of the most prominent European Research Group (ERG) Brexiters speaking out against May’s Brexit strategy. |
| BREAK: Mark Francois publishes His no confidence letter (h/t @katewilsea) pic.twitter.com/AzelD7GJpj | BREAK: Mark Francois publishes His no confidence letter (h/t @katewilsea) pic.twitter.com/AzelD7GJpj |
| My colleague Lisa O’Carroll has an interesting snippet that might say something about what Brexit is doing for relations between the Republic of Ireland and the UK. | My colleague Lisa O’Carroll has an interesting snippet that might say something about what Brexit is doing for relations between the Republic of Ireland and the UK. |
| Relations between DUP and Irish govt smoothed this morning after God Save the Queen booed at rugby match in Dublin - signs of tension over Brexit perhaps. Arlene Foster thanks Coveney for saying he was embarrassed by it | Relations between DUP and Irish govt smoothed this morning after God Save the Queen booed at rugby match in Dublin - signs of tension over Brexit perhaps. Arlene Foster thanks Coveney for saying he was embarrassed by it |
| Here is Simon Fraser, the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office between 2010 and 2015, responding to David Davis’s claim this morning (see 7.47am) that the UK should go back to Brussels and renegotiate the Brexit deal. | Here is Simon Fraser, the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office between 2010 and 2015, responding to David Davis’s claim this morning (see 7.47am) that the UK should go back to Brussels and renegotiate the Brexit deal. |
| David Davis was a terrible #Brexit Secretary. He could hardly be bothered to go to Brussels & rapidly lost respect there. Preposterous for him now to suggest that EU deliberately delayed negotiations. They spent months waiting for him to engage.. | David Davis was a terrible #Brexit Secretary. He could hardly be bothered to go to Brussels & rapidly lost respect there. Preposterous for him now to suggest that EU deliberately delayed negotiations. They spent months waiting for him to engage.. |
| Here is John Whittingdale, the Brexiter former culture secretary, explaining why he has submitted a letter calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. Whittingdale told the Press Association: | Here is John Whittingdale, the Brexiter former culture secretary, explaining why he has submitted a letter calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. Whittingdale told the Press Association: |
| I believe that the agreement that is being proposed does not deliver Brexit in the way that I and many others want to see. | I believe that the agreement that is being proposed does not deliver Brexit in the way that I and many others want to see. |
| It leaves us locked in indefinitely into the customs union. I also don’t think it can get through the House of Commons. | It leaves us locked in indefinitely into the customs union. I also don’t think it can get through the House of Commons. |
| I want the government to pursue a proper free trade agreement which does deliver the Brexit objectives but which keeps us as close to Europe as possible. | I want the government to pursue a proper free trade agreement which does deliver the Brexit objectives but which keeps us as close to Europe as possible. |
| I believe that is on offer from the European Union but it is clear that the prime minister is unwilling to move from her existing position. | I believe that is on offer from the European Union but it is clear that the prime minister is unwilling to move from her existing position. |
| Therefore I felt there is no alternative but to seek a vote of confidence. | Therefore I felt there is no alternative but to seek a vote of confidence. |
| My colleague Dan Sabbagh has an updated list of the Tory MPs who have said publicly that they have submitted a letter calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. | My colleague Dan Sabbagh has an updated list of the Tory MPs who have said publicly that they have submitted a letter calling for a no confidence vote in Theresa May. |
| REVISED List of Tory MPs w no confidence in May1 Rees-Mogg 2 Baker 3 Bradley 4 Dorries 5 Bridgen 6 Francois 7 Murray 8 Clark 9 Jenkyns 10 Dudderidge11 Morris 12 Bone 13 Rowley 14 Davies 15 Smith 16 Vickers 17 Roberston 18 Whittingdale 19 Caulfield 20 Holloway | REVISED List of Tory MPs w no confidence in May1 Rees-Mogg 2 Baker 3 Bradley 4 Dorries 5 Bridgen 6 Francois 7 Murray 8 Clark 9 Jenkyns 10 Dudderidge11 Morris 12 Bone 13 Rowley 14 Davies 15 Smith 16 Vickers 17 Roberston 18 Whittingdale 19 Caulfield 20 Holloway |
| MPs can also submit letters anonymously, and it is assumed that that is what many have done. If there is a no confidence motion, it’s a secret ballot, and MPs can choose not to reveal how they voted. | MPs can also submit letters anonymously, and it is assumed that that is what many have done. If there is a no confidence motion, it’s a secret ballot, and MPs can choose not to reveal how they voted. |