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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) | |
| 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. | |
| 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 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| This is from the Sunday Times’ Tim Shipman. | |
| BREAKING: Gove, Fox, Grayling, Mordaunt and Leadsom have agreed collectively to stay and will work together “to get this in a better place” says a vg source. “Resigning and joining a rebellion is not going to help anything”. | |
| When asked if 48 letters of no confidence had been received by the 1922 Committee as he left his Westminster home on Friday morning, according to the Press Association the Tory Brexiter Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “We’ll see” and raised his eyebrows. | |
| The PA reporter is right about the eyebrows. Take a look ... | |
| John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, told the Today programme this morning that Labour could secure a Commons majority for a compromise Brexit plan. As the Press Association reports, he said that when the government of the day was unable to command a Commons majority, the constitutional convention was that the opposition should be invited to form an administration. He also suggested Labour could seek support for an alternative agreement with the EU based on a permanent customs union and a “close collaborative relationship” with the single market. | |
| McDonnell told the programme: | |
| I think we can secure a majority. What is absolutely certain is that the government’s proposal won’t command a majority in the House of Commons. | |
| Anyone having seen what happened in the House of Commons yesterday realises that the proposals that the prime minister brought forward will not command a majority and therefore there has to be some discussions. There has to be some movement. | |
| You saw in the debate yesterday, and certainly some of the discussions that have taken place around the House of Commons, people have looked over the edge of a no-deal Brexit and realised it could be catastrophic for our economy. | |
| I think our European partners also have looked over the edge of a no-deal Brexit and seen what an impact it could have on their economies. | |
| So I think what is emerging within the House of Commons now is almost a unity platform to avoid a no deal, and therefore get down to serious discussions about what could construct a deal which would enable us to protect jobs and the economy. | |
| I think that is beginning to emerge around the permanency of the customs union, the relationship with the single market. | |
| He also rejected claims that it was too late to re-open negotiations with Brussels on the terms of the withdrawal agreement. | |
| We have met [EU chief negotiator] Michel Barnier and others. If you can create the right atmosphere and relationship, there can be negotiations that are constructive. | |
| I think everyone realises the dangers that there are of a no-deal Brexit, both for the UK but also for Europe itself. I think there is a sense of urgency now about getting on with a proper negotiation. | |
| Michael Gove is not resigning, sources close to him have announced. | Michael Gove is not resigning, sources close to him have announced. |
| Gove is NOT resigning - source close to him says ‘Michael is staying at Defra. He thinks it is important to continue working with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the best outcome for the country’ | Gove is NOT resigning - source close to him says ‘Michael is staying at Defra. He thinks it is important to continue working with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the best outcome for the country’ |
| James Forsyth, the Spectator’s political editor, has written a good blog setting out Gove’s thinking in more detail. Here is an extract: | James Forsyth, the Spectator’s political editor, has written a good blog setting out Gove’s thinking in more detail. Here is an extract: |
| So, why is he staying? Well, I understand that he didn’t see what would be achieved by going. It might doom this deal, but there would be nothing to put in its place. He felt it would be a nihilistic act, not a constructive one. With fewer and fewer Brexiteers around the Cabinet table, government policy might drift even further with more softening to try and gain support from opposition parties. | So, why is he staying? Well, I understand that he didn’t see what would be achieved by going. It might doom this deal, but there would be nothing to put in its place. He felt it would be a nihilistic act, not a constructive one. With fewer and fewer Brexiteers around the Cabinet table, government policy might drift even further with more softening to try and gain support from opposition parties. |
| Here are the main points from Theresa May’s LBC phone-in. | Here are the main points from Theresa May’s LBC phone-in. |
| May was unable to say that the DUP would vote for her Brexit deal. Under the confidence and supply agreement, the DUP are supposed to vote with the Tories on Brexit legislation. But when asked if they would vote for the deal, she replied: | May was unable to say that the DUP would vote for her Brexit deal. Under the confidence and supply agreement, the DUP are supposed to vote with the Tories on Brexit legislation. But when asked if they would vote for the deal, she replied: |
| When this vote comes back every individual MP will decide how they will vote, whether they are DUP, Conservative, Labour, all parties within the House of Commons. | When this vote comes back every individual MP will decide how they will vote, whether they are DUP, Conservative, Labour, all parties within the House of Commons. |
| My job is to persuade first and foremost my Conservative benches, those who are working with us - the DUP are working with us, obviously, confidence and supply - but I want to be able to say to every MP I believe this is the best deal for the UK. | My job is to persuade first and foremost my Conservative benches, those who are working with us - the DUP are working with us, obviously, confidence and supply - but I want to be able to say to every MP I believe this is the best deal for the UK. |
| She suggested a new Brexit secretary might not be announced today, saying she would make an appointment, “over the next day or so.” | She suggested a new Brexit secretary might not be announced today, saying she would make an appointment, “over the next day or so.” |
| She would not deny reports that she offered to make Michael Gove Brexit secretary. Asked how important it was to keep him in the cabinet, in the light of reports that he is considering resigning, she said: | She would not deny reports that she offered to make Michael Gove Brexit secretary. Asked how important it was to keep him in the cabinet, in the light of reports that he is considering resigning, she said: |
| Michael has done a really important job at Defra. Often people don’t think about how individual Government departments are having to prepare for leaving the EU. Actually, Michael’s department is the one that has, in terms of legislation, probably more than anybody else. He’s been doing a great job and particularly doing a great job ... on the fishing industry. | Michael has done a really important job at Defra. Often people don’t think about how individual Government departments are having to prepare for leaving the EU. Actually, Michael’s department is the one that has, in terms of legislation, probably more than anybody else. He’s been doing a great job and particularly doing a great job ... on the fishing industry. |
| May faced strong criticism from some callers over her Brexit deal. One accused her of being like Neville Chamberlain, saying she “came back having appeased that foreign power and not stood up for our country”. Another suggested Jacob Rees-Mogg would make a better leader. And another said she should “do the right thing in the national interest”. May responded to the criticism calmly, and repeatedly defended the deal, making the arguments she made in the Commons yesterday. She told one caller: | May faced strong criticism from some callers over her Brexit deal. One accused her of being like Neville Chamberlain, saying she “came back having appeased that foreign power and not stood up for our country”. Another suggested Jacob Rees-Mogg would make a better leader. And another said she should “do the right thing in the national interest”. May responded to the criticism calmly, and repeatedly defended the deal, making the arguments she made in the Commons yesterday. She told one caller: |
| What we are doing is negotiating a deal that means we can take back control of our borders, free movement will end once and for all. We take back control of our money, we won’t be sending vast sums of money to the EU every year. | What we are doing is negotiating a deal that means we can take back control of our borders, free movement will end once and for all. We take back control of our money, we won’t be sending vast sums of money to the EU every year. |
| She said that there were “questions” about the Vote Leave claim that leaving the EU would free up £350m a week for the NHS, but she said the point Boris Johnson and the Vote Leave campaign were making in the campaign was that “if we don’t send vast amounts of money to the EU we can spend it on our priorities back home.” | She said that there were “questions” about the Vote Leave claim that leaving the EU would free up £350m a week for the NHS, but she said the point Boris Johnson and the Vote Leave campaign were making in the campaign was that “if we don’t send vast amounts of money to the EU we can spend it on our priorities back home.” |
| She did not specifically rule out giving MPs a free vote on the Brexit deal when asked - although she did stress the importance of “collective responsibility” and a Number 10 source subsequently said there would not be a free vote. (See 8.29am and 9.01am.) | She did not specifically rule out giving MPs a free vote on the Brexit deal when asked - although she did stress the importance of “collective responsibility” and a Number 10 source subsequently said there would not be a free vote. (See 8.29am and 9.01am.) |
| This is from Sky News. | This is from Sky News. |
| Sky sources: All government whips have been told to cancel any engagements today and return to London as a source close to the whip's office says a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister is now "likely" | Sky sources: All government whips have been told to cancel any engagements today and return to London as a source close to the whip's office says a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister is now "likely" |
| And here is some footage of Michael Gove leaving home, from the BBC’s Joey D’Urso. | And here is some footage of Michael Gove leaving home, from the BBC’s Joey D’Urso. |
| Morning pic.twitter.com/vlSZxDO2uS | Morning pic.twitter.com/vlSZxDO2uS |
| Michael Gove has arrived for work at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Westminster. But he did not comment to reporters as he went in, the Press Association reports. | Michael Gove has arrived for work at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Westminster. But he did not comment to reporters as he went in, the Press Association reports. |
| According to the Times, Gove is “tortured” about whether or not to resign. Sam Coates says in his story (paywall): | According to the Times, Gove is “tortured” about whether or not to resign. Sam Coates says in his story (paywall): |
| Many around Mr Gove expect him to quit by the end of the weekend. Friends said that he was in a “tortured” position, having rejected a deal that he had reluctantly endorsed the day before. | Many around Mr Gove expect him to quit by the end of the weekend. Friends said that he was in a “tortured” position, having rejected a deal that he had reluctantly endorsed the day before. |
| The Vote Leave veteran wants to make Brexit happen but believes the consequence of “no deal” could be disastrous. Some friends also believe that his wife, Sarah Vine, is not enthusiastic about him resigning and pointed to tweets she sent on Wednesday implicitly backing Mrs May’s deal. “Michael finds himself in these situations where he’s pulled in conflicting directions,” an ally said. “It’s clear he doesn’t enjoy the moment.” | The Vote Leave veteran wants to make Brexit happen but believes the consequence of “no deal” could be disastrous. Some friends also believe that his wife, Sarah Vine, is not enthusiastic about him resigning and pointed to tweets she sent on Wednesday implicitly backing Mrs May’s deal. “Michael finds himself in these situations where he’s pulled in conflicting directions,” an ally said. “It’s clear he doesn’t enjoy the moment.” |
| Here are three journalists on Theresa May’s LBC performance, with alternative interpretations. | Here are three journalists on Theresa May’s LBC performance, with alternative interpretations. |
| From the Guardian’s Dan Sabbagh | From the Guardian’s Dan Sabbagh |
| Who is this new conversational prime minister I am hearing on LBC radio, talking about her type one diabetes, asking listeners calling in what jobs they do. Did I fall asleep and miss a general election being called? | Who is this new conversational prime minister I am hearing on LBC radio, talking about her type one diabetes, asking listeners calling in what jobs they do. Did I fall asleep and miss a general election being called? |
| From the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush | From the New Statesman’s Stephen Bush |
| Why is May doing this? She doesn't do well in this format, it's not going to win her any new friends - a couple of commentators will call her "brave" but brave isn't a vote in the House of Commons.... | Why is May doing this? She doesn't do well in this format, it's not going to win her any new friends - a couple of commentators will call her "brave" but brave isn't a vote in the House of Commons.... |
| From BuzzFeed’s Stuart Millar | From BuzzFeed’s Stuart Millar |
| May did pretty well on LBC. Was engaged and non-defensive, even when accused of being a modern-day Chamberlain. But phone-ins should be an easy format for top politicians. Questions tend to be fairly general, few follow-ups and they pack a lot in.https://t.co/NHnxHo0a0D | May did pretty well on LBC. Was engaged and non-defensive, even when accused of being a modern-day Chamberlain. But phone-ins should be an easy format for top politicians. Questions tend to be fairly general, few follow-ups and they pack a lot in.https://t.co/NHnxHo0a0D |
| This is from Jonathan Isaby, editor of BrexitCentral, who, as you would expect, has good links with Tory Brexiters. | This is from Jonathan Isaby, editor of BrexitCentral, who, as you would expect, has good links with Tory Brexiters. |
| Unconfirmed and from a single (always previously reliable) source - but hearing that the 48 letters are in and Downing Street are preparing for a no confidence motion in Theresa May as Conservative leader... | Unconfirmed and from a single (always previously reliable) source - but hearing that the 48 letters are in and Downing Street are preparing for a no confidence motion in Theresa May as Conservative leader... |
| It turns out that I and other colleagues have been reading too much into how Theresa May answered the question about MPs having a free vote. “It’s not going to be a free vote,” a No 10 source says. In her answer May did talk about “collective responsibility”, that applies to ministers, not backbenchers. She did not give a clear no to Nick Ferrari on the free vote question, which is what set the alarm bells going. | It turns out that I and other colleagues have been reading too much into how Theresa May answered the question about MPs having a free vote. “It’s not going to be a free vote,” a No 10 source says. In her answer May did talk about “collective responsibility”, that applies to ministers, not backbenchers. She did not give a clear no to Nick Ferrari on the free vote question, which is what set the alarm bells going. |