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| Brexit: Hammond tells MPs UK cannot afford economic costs of no deal Brexit - Politics live | Brexit: Hammond tells MPs UK cannot afford economic costs of no deal Brexit - Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox left Number 10 after their meeting with the PM (see 2.18pm) without answering reporters’ questions about the vote next week, the Press Association reports. | |
| This is from the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn. | |
| "I served in the Cameron Government, and then May's, I've been a member of the Conservative Party for two decades, and I voted for Brexit because I passionately believed in it. I loved all three, and now all three are in ruin. I'm very depressed". A senior Tory figure. | |
| Channel 4 has announced that broadcast a Brexit debate on Sunday. It will feature “four high profile politicians” (as yet unnamed) “reflecting the main divisions in the House of Commons on this issue, Theresa May’s Deal, a softer Brexit, a harder Brexit and People’s Vote/Remain”. | Channel 4 has announced that broadcast a Brexit debate on Sunday. It will feature “four high profile politicians” (as yet unnamed) “reflecting the main divisions in the House of Commons on this issue, Theresa May’s Deal, a softer Brexit, a harder Brexit and People’s Vote/Remain”. |
| In the Commons debate Antoinette Sandbach, a Conservative, has said that she will vote for Theresa May’s Brexit deal. A pro-European, she was one of the 12 Tories who defied the party whip on the “meaningful vote” issue in December last year, triggering May’s first Commons defeat on Brexit. But she said he would back the deal because it honoured the referendum result. “It may not be perfect, but it is a good deal,” she said. | In the Commons debate Antoinette Sandbach, a Conservative, has said that she will vote for Theresa May’s Brexit deal. A pro-European, she was one of the 12 Tories who defied the party whip on the “meaningful vote” issue in December last year, triggering May’s first Commons defeat on Brexit. But she said he would back the deal because it honoured the referendum result. “It may not be perfect, but it is a good deal,” she said. |
| Tony Blair has been speaking at a press gallery lunch. As prime minister, he was notorious for being lukewarm about parliament as an institution. He said as much in his final PMQs. But, in his speech to journalists, he said that parliament was now operating “like a shadow government” over Brexit, and that he was “heartily thankful”. | Tony Blair has been speaking at a press gallery lunch. As prime minister, he was notorious for being lukewarm about parliament as an institution. He said as much in his final PMQs. But, in his speech to journalists, he said that parliament was now operating “like a shadow government” over Brexit, and that he was “heartily thankful”. |
| For the first time in my political memory, parliament is operating like a shadow government. It has taken effective charge of the process surrounding Brexit through the Grieve amendment, ensuring that all options can be voted upon. It has asserted itself with a vigour and clarity of purpose frankly missing from the actual government. It is articulating the different outcomes with a blatant disregard for the government mantra that it is this deal or no deal. | For the first time in my political memory, parliament is operating like a shadow government. It has taken effective charge of the process surrounding Brexit through the Grieve amendment, ensuring that all options can be voted upon. It has asserted itself with a vigour and clarity of purpose frankly missing from the actual government. It is articulating the different outcomes with a blatant disregard for the government mantra that it is this deal or no deal. |
| I am heartily thankful that parliament is doing so. There is as much leadership on the back benches as on the front. At a moment of supreme importance for the nation, with so much at stake and such bitter divisions in the population, they’re doing what I always hoped they would do: behave like leaders, recognising that at this time, party whips can’t matter more than genuine appreciation of where the national interest lies. | I am heartily thankful that parliament is doing so. There is as much leadership on the back benches as on the front. At a moment of supreme importance for the nation, with so much at stake and such bitter divisions in the population, they’re doing what I always hoped they would do: behave like leaders, recognising that at this time, party whips can’t matter more than genuine appreciation of where the national interest lies. |
| He also included a self-deprecatory “third way” joke. | He also included a self-deprecatory “third way” joke. |
| As I have discovered every time I address groups of people on Brexit, on one thing the nation is united: do Brexit; or don’t; but no half in and half out. This is a sentiment which unites many leavers and remainers. It is a belief that Britain should determine its path to the future with confidence one way or another, not remain lost in nervous indecision. There is no acceptable third way. | As I have discovered every time I address groups of people on Brexit, on one thing the nation is united: do Brexit; or don’t; but no half in and half out. This is a sentiment which unites many leavers and remainers. It is a belief that Britain should determine its path to the future with confidence one way or another, not remain lost in nervous indecision. There is no acceptable third way. |
| Tony Blair, speaking to the parliamentary press gallery (& guests, including Jacob Rees-Mogg) pic.twitter.com/Cm3AJUWfNI | Tony Blair, speaking to the parliamentary press gallery (& guests, including Jacob Rees-Mogg) pic.twitter.com/Cm3AJUWfNI |
| Mark Drakeford has been elected as the new Welsh Labour leader, replacing Carwyn Jones, ITV’s Adrian Masters reports. | Mark Drakeford has been elected as the new Welsh Labour leader, replacing Carwyn Jones, ITV’s Adrian Masters reports. |
| Welsh Labour leadership result: round 1 pic.twitter.com/ww3dI79CSX | Welsh Labour leadership result: round 1 pic.twitter.com/ww3dI79CSX |
| Welsh Labour leadership result round 2 Mark Drakeford wins. pic.twitter.com/Dr4vf0k12M | Welsh Labour leadership result round 2 Mark Drakeford wins. pic.twitter.com/Dr4vf0k12M |
| Mark Drakeford has been the favourite all along but his victory was much closer than expected. Vaughan Gething won a strong second place despite struggling with nominations, union support &c. | Mark Drakeford has been the favourite all along but his victory was much closer than expected. Vaughan Gething won a strong second place despite struggling with nominations, union support &c. |
| The Lib Dem MP Stephen Lloyd has resigned the party whip because he is backing Theresa May’s Brexit deal, the party has announced. | The Lib Dem MP Stephen Lloyd has resigned the party whip because he is backing Theresa May’s Brexit deal, the party has announced. |
| A party spokesman said: | A party spokesman said: |
| We respect what we know was a difficult decision for Stephen ahead of next week’s vote and are sorry to see him go. Liberal Democrats are clear that we will be voting against Theresa May’s deal. | We respect what we know was a difficult decision for Stephen ahead of next week’s vote and are sorry to see him go. Liberal Democrats are clear that we will be voting against Theresa May’s deal. |
| The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for an exit from Brexit and a People’s Vote where people can choose to remain in the European Union since the referendum was held. | The Liberal Democrats have campaigned for an exit from Brexit and a People’s Vote where people can choose to remain in the European Union since the referendum was held. |
| We will continue to fight for this in parliament. | We will continue to fight for this in parliament. |
| Ben Weisz from BBC Sussex has more. | Ben Weisz from BBC Sussex has more. |
| BREAKING: Eastbourne MP @StephenLloydEBN to sit as an independent - he resigns the Lib Dem whip, saying that controversy over his stance on the Brexit deal was too much of a distraction for the Party. | BREAKING: Eastbourne MP @StephenLloydEBN to sit as an independent - he resigns the Lib Dem whip, saying that controversy over his stance on the Brexit deal was too much of a distraction for the Party. |
| He tells me he wasn't asked to quit by @vincecable or anyone else in the Lib Dems - but that choosing to quit was the "honourable thing". He'll remain a card-carrying Lib Dem member. | He tells me he wasn't asked to quit by @vincecable or anyone else in the Lib Dems - but that choosing to quit was the "honourable thing". He'll remain a card-carrying Lib Dem member. |
| Reminder - he is a Remainer, but promised Leave-voting Eastbourne he'd back whatever Brexit deal the PM came back with at the 2017 Election all the same. The Party knew this. I asked @timfarron about it when he visited Lewes that summer. They have not asked him to step down. | Reminder - he is a Remainer, but promised Leave-voting Eastbourne he'd back whatever Brexit deal the PM came back with at the 2017 Election all the same. The Party knew this. I asked @timfarron about it when he visited Lewes that summer. They have not asked him to step down. |
| He told me: “I hoped that that would be sustainable, but to be honest when it went nationwide, through one of your excellent tweets...a lot of pressure was put on @vincecable and @amcarmichaelMP my chief whip, that they must do something about it.” | He told me: “I hoped that that would be sustainable, but to be honest when it went nationwide, through one of your excellent tweets...a lot of pressure was put on @vincecable and @amcarmichaelMP my chief whip, that they must do something about it.” |
| Will he return to the Parliamentary Lib Dem Party? "Oh good lord! Absolutely! I mean, it's not in my hands..." | Will he return to the Parliamentary Lib Dem Party? "Oh good lord! Absolutely! I mean, it's not in my hands..." |
| The Eastbourne Herald has a full story here. | The Eastbourne Herald has a full story here. |
| The Lib Dems only have, or had, 12 MPs. So Vince Cable has lost 8.3% of his party. That would be equivalent to Theresa May losing 26 MPs, or Jeremy Corbyn losing 21 of his. | The Lib Dems only have, or had, 12 MPs. So Vince Cable has lost 8.3% of his party. That would be equivalent to Theresa May losing 26 MPs, or Jeremy Corbyn losing 21 of his. |
| My colleague Jessica Elgot has more on the cabinet minsters going into Number 10 to see Theresa May. (See 1.52pm.) | My colleague Jessica Elgot has more on the cabinet minsters going into Number 10 to see Theresa May. (See 1.52pm.) |
| Cast list is Smith, Lidington, Gauke, Hammond, Rudd, Bradley, Leadsom, Fox, Barclay and Gove | Cast list is Smith, Lidington, Gauke, Hammond, Rudd, Bradley, Leadsom, Fox, Barclay and Gove |
| On the subject of the value of trade deals, it is worth flagging up this chart from the government’s Brexit economic impact analysis (pdf) - which confirms that the government does disagree with David Davis. (See 2.02pm.) | On the subject of the value of trade deals, it is worth flagging up this chart from the government’s Brexit economic impact analysis (pdf) - which confirms that the government does disagree with David Davis. (See 2.02pm.) |
| It shows how, under various Brexit options, some economic factors would be good for growth (they are the shaded blocks above the line) and others would be bad for growth (the ones below the line). The gains to the economy from new trade deals are relatively minuscule compared to the extra costs generated by the UK being outside the single market or the customs union. | It shows how, under various Brexit options, some economic factors would be good for growth (they are the shaded blocks above the line) and others would be bad for growth (the ones below the line). The gains to the economy from new trade deals are relatively minuscule compared to the extra costs generated by the UK being outside the single market or the customs union. |
| David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, is speaking in the Commons now. He says that, while a no-deal Brexit would create some difficulties, it would not be as bad as some people claim. | David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, is speaking in the Commons now. He says that, while a no-deal Brexit would create some difficulties, it would not be as bad as some people claim. |
| He says trade through Calais would continue. And, if there were problems, up to 40% of trade could be diverted to other ports, he says. | He says trade through Calais would continue. And, if there were problems, up to 40% of trade could be diverted to other ports, he says. |
| He says he is sorry Philip Hammond, the chancellor, is not in the chamber now. He says he and Hammond disagree on the value of trade deals. Hammond does not think they deliver “a big bang for your buck”. Davis says he disagrees, and that trade deals have had a very big impact on growth in the last 40 years. | He says he is sorry Philip Hammond, the chancellor, is not in the chamber now. He says he and Hammond disagree on the value of trade deals. Hammond does not think they deliver “a big bang for your buck”. Davis says he disagrees, and that trade deals have had a very big impact on growth in the last 40 years. |
| In the Commons debate Sir Nicholas Soames, the Conservative pro-European, spoke after John McDonnell. He said that he voted remain, but that he thought the referendum result had to be honoured and was backing Theresa May’s deal because it did that. | In the Commons debate Sir Nicholas Soames, the Conservative pro-European, spoke after John McDonnell. He said that he voted remain, but that he thought the referendum result had to be honoured and was backing Theresa May’s deal because it did that. |
| He was followed by the SNP’s Stewart Hosie, who said that every single Brexit outcome would be bad for the country. Borrowing the language used by May about Scottish independence, he said that there was “no positive case for Brexit”, that “now is not the time for Brexit”, and that “Brexit must be taken off the table”. | He was followed by the SNP’s Stewart Hosie, who said that every single Brexit outcome would be bad for the country. Borrowing the language used by May about Scottish independence, he said that there was “no positive case for Brexit”, that “now is not the time for Brexit”, and that “Brexit must be taken off the table”. |
| This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot. | This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot. |
| Cabinet ministers seeing the PM in No10 now - seems to be informal Brexit discussion | Cabinet ministers seeing the PM in No10 now - seems to be informal Brexit discussion |
| The Brexit department has today published a paper (pdf) saying what the government would do to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and British citizens in the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit. | The Brexit department has today published a paper (pdf) saying what the government would do to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and British citizens in the EU in the event of a no-deal Brexit. |
| In a written ministerial statement announcing the publication of the document, Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, says the government is considering what it could do to help Britons living in the EU with access to benefits and housing if they have to return to the UK after a no-deal Brexit because they cannot stay where they are living now. He says: | In a written ministerial statement announcing the publication of the document, Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, says the government is considering what it could do to help Britons living in the EU with access to benefits and housing if they have to return to the UK after a no-deal Brexit because they cannot stay where they are living now. He says: |
| If UK nationals in the EU were unable to continue to live their lives in the EU as they do now in a no deal scenario and returned to the UK to live, there are a number of steps the government would consider to address concerns that they have raised. This includes access to healthcare, education, benefits, and housing. We recognise that these would be an important part of a transition back to life in the UK. | If UK nationals in the EU were unable to continue to live their lives in the EU as they do now in a no deal scenario and returned to the UK to live, there are a number of steps the government would consider to address concerns that they have raised. This includes access to healthcare, education, benefits, and housing. We recognise that these would be an important part of a transition back to life in the UK. |
| The document does not say what help the government might provide with housing but, on benefits, it says “arrangements will be made to ensure continuity of payments for those who return and are already in receipt of UK state pension or other UK benefits while living in the EU”. | The document does not say what help the government might provide with housing but, on benefits, it says “arrangements will be made to ensure continuity of payments for those who return and are already in receipt of UK state pension or other UK benefits while living in the EU”. |
| The European court of justice has posted more on Twitter about the decision to announce its ruling in the article 50 case on Monday. | The European court of justice has posted more on Twitter about the decision to announce its ruling in the article 50 case on Monday. |
| Case C-621 Wightman (Judgment 10th December at 09:00 CET) has been dealt with using the ECJ’s expedited procedure at the request of the Court of Session “[i]n light of the urgency of the issue in terms of parliamentary consideration and voting” #Brexit | Case C-621 Wightman (Judgment 10th December at 09:00 CET) has been dealt with using the ECJ’s expedited procedure at the request of the Court of Session “[i]n light of the urgency of the issue in terms of parliamentary consideration and voting” #Brexit |
| This special procedure allows a national court to request that its case be treated urgently in light of the special circumstances. Using this procedure reduces the deadlines for the various stages and prioritises treatment of the case within the Court. | This special procedure allows a national court to request that its case be treated urgently in light of the special circumstances. Using this procedure reduces the deadlines for the various stages and prioritises treatment of the case within the Court. |
| The Order granting the accelerated procedure in Case C-621/18 Wightman can be found here: https://t.co/wdMdOubHRz | The Order granting the accelerated procedure in Case C-621/18 Wightman can be found here: https://t.co/wdMdOubHRz |
| This is from Sky’s Beth Rigby. | This is from Sky’s Beth Rigby. |
| NEW: Two cabinet sources tell me that at least four cabinet ministers - Gauke, Hammond, Clarke & Perry - have made it clear they could not support a move to No Deal. With Guake apparently saying as much in cabinet meeting (so it’s not just Brexiteers on resignation watch) | NEW: Two cabinet sources tell me that at least four cabinet ministers - Gauke, Hammond, Clarke & Perry - have made it clear they could not support a move to No Deal. With Guake apparently saying as much in cabinet meeting (so it’s not just Brexiteers on resignation watch) |
| The UK supreme court won’t deliver its judgement whether the Scottish and Welsh government’s emergency Brexit legislation breaches the law until after MPs stage their crucial vote on May’s deal next week. | The UK supreme court won’t deliver its judgement whether the Scottish and Welsh government’s emergency Brexit legislation breaches the law until after MPs stage their crucial vote on May’s deal next week. |
| The supreme court announced it would hand down its decision on the so-called “continuity bills” passed by the devolved legislatures on Thursday 13 December, effectively leaving MPs in the dark on whether those bills were legally valid or not when they decide whether to back Brexit or not next Tuesday. It heard the legal challenge by the UK government in July. | The supreme court announced it would hand down its decision on the so-called “continuity bills” passed by the devolved legislatures on Thursday 13 December, effectively leaving MPs in the dark on whether those bills were legally valid or not when they decide whether to back Brexit or not next Tuesday. It heard the legal challenge by the UK government in July. |
| By contrast the European court of justice will issue its judgement on 10 December, only two weeks after holding an emergency hearing on whether article 50 could be unilaterally revoked, in a case brought by a cross-party group of Scottish parliamentarians. | By contrast the European court of justice will issue its judgement on 10 December, only two weeks after holding an emergency hearing on whether article 50 could be unilaterally revoked, in a case brought by a cross-party group of Scottish parliamentarians. |
| The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments are at loggerheads over whether the devolved legislation is permissible, because it gives both legislatures legal powers over repatriating EU legislation. | The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments are at loggerheads over whether the devolved legislation is permissible, because it gives both legislatures legal powers over repatriating EU legislation. |
| The UK government insists that is ultra vires, since foreign treaties are reserved to Westminster; Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, and her former Welsh counterpart, Carwyn Jones, accused UK ministers of a “power grab” for taking control of some policy areas. | The UK government insists that is ultra vires, since foreign treaties are reserved to Westminster; Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, and her former Welsh counterpart, Carwyn Jones, accused UK ministers of a “power grab” for taking control of some policy areas. |
| Ken Clarke, the Conservative former chancellor, asks what McDonnell means by Labour collaborating with the single market. Is Labour advocating full regulatory convergence? | Ken Clarke, the Conservative former chancellor, asks what McDonnell means by Labour collaborating with the single market. Is Labour advocating full regulatory convergence? |
| McDonnell says Labour wants a permanent customs union, with the UK having a say in future EU trade deals. He says Labour wants close collaboration with the single market. That would be its opening negotiating position, he says. | McDonnell says Labour wants a permanent customs union, with the UK having a say in future EU trade deals. He says Labour wants close collaboration with the single market. That would be its opening negotiating position, he says. |