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Brexit: Theresa May interviewed on Today - Politics live Brexit: May floats plan to give MPs vote on extending transition in bid to avert Commons defeat - Politics live
(34 minutes later)
There are reports around yesterday that Theresa May was considering promising MPs that, if the UK gets to the point in 2020 where the backstop might be needed (because the customs arrangements coming into force after the transition ends in December 2020 won’t avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland), they will get to choose whether the UK enters the backstop or extends the transition. Both options are allowed under the withdrawal agreement. What May did this morning was confirm in her own words what her aides were briefing yesterday.
Laura Kuenssberg is right to say that Tory Brexiters are unlikely to be impressed. This is what one of them, Nigel Evans, said about the suggestion in the debate yesterday.
I have heard a rumour that the prime minister is thinking about a change, by saying that parliament should be able to vote on putting us into the backstop, and giving parliament that power. I do not want that power. Getting into the backstop is not the problem; it is getting out that is the problem. That is where this parliament needs to be able to make a decision—the decision to say, “Thank you. We’re leaving.”
In the Today programme’s post-match analysis, the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, pours a bucket of cold water over the PM’s plan. (See 8.35am.) It is unlikely to win around many of her critics, she says.
She also says that May was wrong to say there are only three options: her deal, no deal, or no Brexit. There is increasing support at Westminster for a fourth option - parliament taking control (via the Grieve amendment).
I will post a summary and reaction soon.
Q: So what is the new idea? What might MPs do?
May says there are questions about how decisions are taken about whether the UK goes in to the backstop. It is not automatic. At the point it becomes necessary, when the future relationship is being negotiated, there is a choice between going into the backtop and extending the transition. Under the deal the UK could choose which of those options it would use. The terms of extending the transition would have to be negotiated. She is exploring what the role of parliament might be.
May hints that MPs could be given a vote on whether to extend the transition as an alternative if the backstop became necessary.
She says there are pros and cons to both sides.
People are worried about the backstop lasting indefinitely. But there would be no payments to the EU and no free movement, and only light regulatory controls.
Q: So you could be back here in the future discussing this.
May says she hopes to be back. Unlike Jeremy Corbyn, she does give interviews to the Today programme. She would like to be able to discuss other things too.
And that’s it.
Q: If, on Tuesday, parliament says no to you, are you going to say, ‘That’s it, there has to be a hard Brexit’.
May says they are in the middle of the debate. She is listening to colleagues.
Q: But you have given nothing to them. They say you just keep repeating the same mantra.
May says people are concerned that the EU could hold the UK in the backstop.
Q: How would your new proposal work?
May says that is what she is talking about at the moment.
But she says the backstop would not be automatic.
Q: A lot of people think you have worked hard on this. But they think you are not listening to other arguments.
May says she has been listening.
That is why she has been careful about elements of the withdrawal agreement and the future relationship.
For example, she has listened carefully to the concerns of fishermen. She has “rigorously and robustly” defended their interests in the talks.
She returns to the point about there being three options. She does not want to see parliament in some way frustrating Brexit.
May says MPs will not just be considering the withdrawal agreement.
Q: It is one step at a time.
They both come together, says May.
Q: You must have given a lot of thought to what happens if you lose the vote. Have you? And give us a clue what plan B might be?
May says she is focused on the deal, that does deliver on the referendum while protecting jobs and security.
Alongside the withdrawal agreement is a political declaration on the future.
She says, for most listeners, what will make a difference is the future relationship. She has negotiated a partnership that would involve having a good, friendly relationship with Europe.
Q: What happens next? Should there be another referendum?
No, says May. She does not think that. She says parliament put the question to the people. It should accept the answer.
She says a lot of people who want a second referendum hope there will be a different answer. She does not think that is right.
She says they are not just opposed to this deal. They are “trying to frustrate Brexit”.
May says those backing a second referendum are opposed not just to her deal, but to the whole idea of Brexit.
Humphrys quotes two senior Tory peers, Lord King and Lord Howard, opposing the deal.
Q: To some people it seems you are not listening?
May says the future relationship is about where the UK will be in the future.
This deal is clear about taking back sovereignty, she says.
Q: Geoffrey Cox said as a result of the backstop you won’t be taking back control.
May says Cox did not say that.
The backstop is something no one wants in the first place.
If it looks like it might be needed, the UK will have a choice (because it could extend the transition instead.)
Q: Cox says the UK will not be able to leave the backstop unilaterally.
May accepts that.
Q: So how are we reclaiming sovereignty.
May says that is part of the withdrawal agreement.
She says she has also negotiated a text on the future agreement.
Q: You have not been able to persuade enough of your colleagues to back the deal. It is highly likely to be voted down. Do you have a plan B?Q: You have not been able to persuade enough of your colleagues to back the deal. It is highly likely to be voted down. Do you have a plan B?
May says that question is for those who oppose the deal.May says that question is for those who oppose the deal.
May says it is up to her opponents to propose a “plan B”.May says it is up to her opponents to propose a “plan B”.
There is a risk of Brexit not happening, she says. She says she is clear that must not happen.There is a risk of Brexit not happening, she says. She says she is clear that must not happen.
May says there are three options: leaving the EU with a deal, leaving with no deal, or having no Brexit at all.May says there are three options: leaving the EU with a deal, leaving with no deal, or having no Brexit at all.
She is clear that she will deliver on the referendum, and the vote to leave.She is clear that she will deliver on the referendum, and the vote to leave.
Q: But you don’t have enough support to win?Q: But you don’t have enough support to win?
May says we have not had the vote yet.May says we have not had the vote yet.
She repeats the three options point.She repeats the three options point.
She says some people want to frustrate Brexit. That is not right.She says some people want to frustrate Brexit. That is not right.
Q: Would you give MPs a separate vote on the backstop?Q: Would you give MPs a separate vote on the backstop?
May says having a backstop would be an integral part of any deal.May says having a backstop would be an integral part of any deal.
John Humphrys starts by asking if Theresa May will delay the vote.John Humphrys starts by asking if Theresa May will delay the vote.
May says we are in the middle of five days of debate, which will lead up to a vote.May says we are in the middle of five days of debate, which will lead up to a vote.
They are voting on a deal that she has negotiated, she says.They are voting on a deal that she has negotiated, she says.
Part of it is about withdrawal from the EU. But the other part is about the future.Part of it is about withdrawal from the EU. But the other part is about the future.
She says he deal delivers on ending free movement, stopping the UK sending vast sums of money to the EU every year, and stopping the UK being subject to EU laws.She says he deal delivers on ending free movement, stopping the UK sending vast sums of money to the EU every year, and stopping the UK being subject to EU laws.
On the backstop, she says any deal would need one.On the backstop, she says any deal would need one.
No other plan delivers on the referendum.No other plan delivers on the referendum.
Q: Is there any possibility of the vote being delayed?Q: Is there any possibility of the vote being delayed?
May says what she is doing is leading up to a vote on Tuesday.May says what she is doing is leading up to a vote on Tuesday.
She says she has talked to colleagues, but not about delaying the vote.She says she has talked to colleagues, but not about delaying the vote.
May plays down prospect of next Tuesday’s vote being delayed.May plays down prospect of next Tuesday’s vote being delayed.
Among the rituals facing the prime minister at a moment of great national importance is an interview on the Today programme. Theresa May has taken countless questions on her Brexit plan in the Commons in recent weeks, but this morning John Humphrys is going to get his chance. The interview starts at 8.10am.Among the rituals facing the prime minister at a moment of great national importance is an interview on the Today programme. Theresa May has taken countless questions on her Brexit plan in the Commons in recent weeks, but this morning John Humphrys is going to get his chance. The interview starts at 8.10am.
Here is our overnight story with the latest developments in May’s struggle to get MPs to back her deal, ahead of the big vote on Tuesday.Here is our overnight story with the latest developments in May’s struggle to get MPs to back her deal, ahead of the big vote on Tuesday.
May tries to woo Brexit MPs with Irish backstop 'parliamentary lock'May tries to woo Brexit MPs with Irish backstop 'parliamentary lock'
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
9.15am: David Mundell, the Scottish secretary, gives a speech Brexit.9.15am: David Mundell, the Scottish secretary, gives a speech Brexit.
9.30am: Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, takes questions in the Commons.9.30am: Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, takes questions in the Commons.
Around 11.30am: Philip Hammond, the chancellor, opens day three of the Commons Brexit debate.Around 11.30am: Philip Hammond, the chancellor, opens day three of the Commons Brexit debate.
As usual, I will also be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web, although I will be focusing almost exclusively on Brexit.As usual, I will also be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web, although I will be focusing almost exclusively on Brexit.
Here is the Politico Europe round-up of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.Here is the Politico Europe round-up of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments BTL but normally I find it impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer direct questions, although sometimes I miss them or don’t have time.I try to monitor the comments BTL but normally I find it impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer direct questions, although sometimes I miss them or don’t have time.
If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter.