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| Brexit debate between May and Corbyn will not go ahead – Politics live | Brexit debate between May and Corbyn will not go ahead – Politics live |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Members of the European Parliament are watching the Brexit debates with mounting dismay with many hoping – some would say praying – next week’s vote will pave the way to a second referendum. | |
| This is not a moment MEPs ever wanted and, increasingly, the rthetoic is reflecting it. Stelios Koulouglou, who represents Greece’s ruling leftist Syriza party in the European Parliament, told the Guardian: | |
| Theresa May has a last chance to save her country and her political career. She has to tell the British parliament and the people of Great Britain that this is a disaster and we have to change course and hold a new referendum. Of course, that means confronting Brexiters but she is going to have to do that anyway because they are not satisfied with the deal she has come up with. | |
| A lot of us here [in Brussels] hold the view that it is better to die heroically that go down this way ... As things stand, she seems to be losing control completely. | |
| During the Brexit debate in the Commons on Tuesday, the Conservative MP Philip Dunne asked Corbyn to “explain to the House why he has not got the courage to debate” the prime minister on Sunday. Corbyn responded: | During the Brexit debate in the Commons on Tuesday, the Conservative MP Philip Dunne asked Corbyn to “explain to the House why he has not got the courage to debate” the prime minister on Sunday. Corbyn responded: |
| I am quite happy to debate with the prime minister. I notice she was not very keen to debate with anybody during the general election, but we understand that. | I am quite happy to debate with the prime minister. I notice she was not very keen to debate with anybody during the general election, but we understand that. |
| It is understood Downing Street preferred the BBC’s proposed format, which would have involved a panel of experts and representatives of smaller parties. Labour was happy with ITV’s offer of a head-to-head debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, hosted by Julie Etchingham. | It is understood Downing Street preferred the BBC’s proposed format, which would have involved a panel of experts and representatives of smaller parties. Labour was happy with ITV’s offer of a head-to-head debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, hosted by Julie Etchingham. |
| Reacting to the news the debate has been cancelled, a Labour spokeswoman said: | Reacting to the news the debate has been cancelled, a Labour spokeswoman said: |
| Theresa May is once again running scared of debating Jeremy Corbyn, just as she did in the general election. Jeremy Corbyn accepted the prime minister’s offer of a debate on Brexit immediately. He said he would relish the opportunity to debate her, and that remains the case. | Theresa May is once again running scared of debating Jeremy Corbyn, just as she did in the general election. Jeremy Corbyn accepted the prime minister’s offer of a debate on Brexit immediately. He said he would relish the opportunity to debate her, and that remains the case. |
| Labour believed the head-to-head offer from ITV was the most straight forward format. A head-to-head would give viewers the greatest clarity and allow both speakers to get into detail. | Labour believed the head-to-head offer from ITV was the most straight forward format. A head-to-head would give viewers the greatest clarity and allow both speakers to get into detail. |
| The prime minister has refused to join Jeremy in a head-to-head debate. Her team tried to confuse people with a convoluted format. But the British public will see this for what it is – Theresa May unable to face real scrutiny over her crumbling deal. | The prime minister has refused to join Jeremy in a head-to-head debate. Her team tried to confuse people with a convoluted format. But the British public will see this for what it is – Theresa May unable to face real scrutiny over her crumbling deal. |
| On Sunday 25 November, Labour had said Corbyn would “relish a head-to-head debate with Theresa May”. | On Sunday 25 November, Labour had said Corbyn would “relish a head-to-head debate with Theresa May”. |
| ITV says it has scrapped plans to host a televised Brexit debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday. Confirming the debate would not go ahead, an ITV spokeswoman said: | ITV says it has scrapped plans to host a televised Brexit debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday. Confirming the debate would not go ahead, an ITV spokeswoman said: |
| ITV invited the prime minister and the leader of the opposition to appear in a programme this Sunday evening and we have been clear that it is up to those invited to decide whether they want to accept the invitation. | ITV invited the prime minister and the leader of the opposition to appear in a programme this Sunday evening and we have been clear that it is up to those invited to decide whether they want to accept the invitation. |
| ITV is developing its plans for covering the build-up and reaction to the crucial Commons vote next Tuesday, and a range of voices and opinions will be represented on the subject of Brexit in our output. | ITV is developing its plans for covering the build-up and reaction to the crucial Commons vote next Tuesday, and a range of voices and opinions will be represented on the subject of Brexit in our output. |
| Philip Hammond, the chancellor, has told MPs that the UK cannot afford the economic costs of a no-deal Brexit. Speaking on the third day of the Brexit debate, he said: | Philip Hammond, the chancellor, has told MPs that the UK cannot afford the economic costs of a no-deal Brexit. Speaking on the third day of the Brexit debate, he said: |
| I have heard that we have nothing to fear from no deal—nothing, that is, except a cliff-edge Brexit in just four months’ time; the end of frictionless trade with our biggest export market; restrictions on our citizens travelling in Europe; and being the only developed economy in the world trading with the EU on purely WTO terms with no customs facilitation agreements, no data sharing or protection agreements and no approvals regime to allow our industries to trade with their nearest customers and suppliers—just tariffs, paperwork and bureaucracy. | I have heard that we have nothing to fear from no deal—nothing, that is, except a cliff-edge Brexit in just four months’ time; the end of frictionless trade with our biggest export market; restrictions on our citizens travelling in Europe; and being the only developed economy in the world trading with the EU on purely WTO terms with no customs facilitation agreements, no data sharing or protection agreements and no approvals regime to allow our industries to trade with their nearest customers and suppliers—just tariffs, paperwork and bureaucracy. |
| UK car exports would face tariffs of 10%. Many clothing exports would face tariffs of 12%. Agricultural exports would face even higher tariffs. Almost 90% of UK beef exports and 95% of lamb exports go to the EU, where they could face tariffs of over 70% and 45% respectively ... | UK car exports would face tariffs of 10%. Many clothing exports would face tariffs of 12%. Agricultural exports would face even higher tariffs. Almost 90% of UK beef exports and 95% of lamb exports go to the EU, where they could face tariffs of over 70% and 45% respectively ... |
| I do not believe that we can afford the economic cost of a no-deal exit. | I do not believe that we can afford the economic cost of a no-deal exit. |
| Sir Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, has said that unless Theresa May can provide more clarity on how the UK can leave the backstop, the Brexit vote should be postponed. (See 4.26pm.) | Sir Graham Brady, chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, has said that unless Theresa May can provide more clarity on how the UK can leave the backstop, the Brexit vote should be postponed. (See 4.26pm.) |
| Boris Johnson has offered MPs a “full and unreserved apology” over the late declaration of more than £52,000 in income. | Boris Johnson has offered MPs a “full and unreserved apology” over the late declaration of more than £52,000 in income. |
| The next first minister of Wales will be Mark Drakeford, an experienced politician who describes himself as a 21st-century socialist and is a keen backer of Jeremy Corbyn. | The next first minister of Wales will be Mark Drakeford, an experienced politician who describes himself as a 21st-century socialist and is a keen backer of Jeremy Corbyn. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| For 100 years or more, the post of chief whip has been one that carries a certain mystique. The “chief”, as the Tories call him, was someone credited with considerable, and faintly sinister, powers of persuasion. In the US version, the main character in House of Cards was the president. In the UK original, it was Francis Urquhart, the PM’s fictional vote fixer. | For 100 years or more, the post of chief whip has been one that carries a certain mystique. The “chief”, as the Tories call him, was someone credited with considerable, and faintly sinister, powers of persuasion. In the US version, the main character in House of Cards was the president. In the UK original, it was Francis Urquhart, the PM’s fictional vote fixer. |
| Julian Smith, the current chief whip, may have just eliminated that mystique in a trice. He has allowed ITV to do some behind-the-scenes filming about his efforts to win next week’s vote, and it includes this footage of him trying to win over the hardline Brexiter Philip Davies in his office. There is no sign of thumbscrews, real or metaphorical. Instead Davies seems to be completely in charge of the conversation, and Smith is left almost tongue-tied. Perhaps he can be persuasive on other occasions, but he doesn’t look like it here. Urquhart would be appalled. | Julian Smith, the current chief whip, may have just eliminated that mystique in a trice. He has allowed ITV to do some behind-the-scenes filming about his efforts to win next week’s vote, and it includes this footage of him trying to win over the hardline Brexiter Philip Davies in his office. There is no sign of thumbscrews, real or metaphorical. Instead Davies seems to be completely in charge of the conversation, and Smith is left almost tongue-tied. Perhaps he can be persuasive on other occasions, but he doesn’t look like it here. Urquhart would be appalled. |
| ITV News was granted rare access to the Chief Whip's office, as he tries to rally support for the PM's Brexit deal ahead of Tuesday's vote.We caught the argument as vocal Brexiteer Philip Davies insisted he was voting 'no' https://t.co/KHDQTdnQtA pic.twitter.com/MJjE7vdaXb | ITV News was granted rare access to the Chief Whip's office, as he tries to rally support for the PM's Brexit deal ahead of Tuesday's vote.We caught the argument as vocal Brexiteer Philip Davies insisted he was voting 'no' https://t.co/KHDQTdnQtA pic.twitter.com/MJjE7vdaXb |
| A “not” got left out of an earlier post, which I have now corrected. The Tory MP Johnny Mercer told MPs he would not back the Brexit deal. (See 5.15pm.) | A “not” got left out of an earlier post, which I have now corrected. The Tory MP Johnny Mercer told MPs he would not back the Brexit deal. (See 5.15pm.) |
| And here are some highlights from the Lords Brexit debate. | And here are some highlights from the Lords Brexit debate. |
| Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist leader and an architect of the Good Friday agreement who is now a Conservative peer, said Theresa May’s deal had “perverse” implications for Northern Ireland and had to go. He said: | Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist leader and an architect of the Good Friday agreement who is now a Conservative peer, said Theresa May’s deal had “perverse” implications for Northern Ireland and had to go. He said: |
| It’s not the desire to leave the EU that’s causing the damage, it’s what the EU is doing by way of reprisal ... | It’s not the desire to leave the EU that’s causing the damage, it’s what the EU is doing by way of reprisal ... |
| If we don’t kill the backstop and this agreement now, it’s going to haunt us for years, decades, maybe even for generations as well. | If we don’t kill the backstop and this agreement now, it’s going to haunt us for years, decades, maybe even for generations as well. |
| Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, the former cabinet secretary, signalled his support for a second referendum. He said: | Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, the former cabinet secretary, signalled his support for a second referendum. He said: |
| I do not think that it is undemocratic to believe that the British people are entitled to be given the opportunity of changing their minds if they wish to do so in the light of all that has happened and all that has become known since June 2016. I also suspect that most of the British public are bored stone cold with Brexit and would like to see it go away altogether. | I do not think that it is undemocratic to believe that the British people are entitled to be given the opportunity of changing their minds if they wish to do so in the light of all that has happened and all that has become known since June 2016. I also suspect that most of the British public are bored stone cold with Brexit and would like to see it go away altogether. |
| Here are some highlights from the Commons Brexit debate this afternoon. | Here are some highlights from the Commons Brexit debate this afternoon. |
| The Conservative MP Johnny Mercer said he would not back Theresa May’s deal. He said: | The Conservative MP Johnny Mercer said he would not back Theresa May’s deal. He said: |
| I say to the prime minister ‘we must try again’, I don’t want no deal, and I’m afraid I believe that a second referendum would open up divisions in this country that frankly me and a lot of others in this country are sick of. | I say to the prime minister ‘we must try again’, I don’t want no deal, and I’m afraid I believe that a second referendum would open up divisions in this country that frankly me and a lot of others in this country are sick of. |
| This is a seminal moment, and we must be extremely careful to get this right. | This is a seminal moment, and we must be extremely careful to get this right. |
| But Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative chairman of the foreign affairs committee, said he would reluctantly back the deal. He said he could not support a second referendum or a no-deal Brexit. He went on: | But Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative chairman of the foreign affairs committee, said he would reluctantly back the deal. He said he could not support a second referendum or a no-deal Brexit. He went on: |
| I’m left really with only one choice. | I’m left really with only one choice. |
| Now I don’t say this with any joy but it is not our role to shirk responsibility, it’s not our role to avoid decisions but it’s our role to take them. | Now I don’t say this with any joy but it is not our role to shirk responsibility, it’s not our role to avoid decisions but it’s our role to take them. |
| When I have excluded the impossible I’m left with only one and that, I have to say, with a very heavy heart. | When I have excluded the impossible I’m left with only one and that, I have to say, with a very heavy heart. |
| There was a flurry of excitement in the office a moment ago when Sky News went live to Downing Street, where the PM was about to appear. But there no resignation statement; she was just turning on the Christmas tree lights. | There was a flurry of excitement in the office a moment ago when Sky News went live to Downing Street, where the PM was about to appear. But there no resignation statement; she was just turning on the Christmas tree lights. |
| Still, it’s got the Twitter commentariat going ... | Still, it’s got the Twitter commentariat going ... |
| BREAKING New Brexit secretary appointed pic.twitter.com/b88W0KqT1F | BREAKING New Brexit secretary appointed pic.twitter.com/b88W0KqT1F |
| Only in UK could the PM have to come out on the steps of Downing Street and lead a chorus of 'O Come All Ye Faithful' while their govt is on the edge of falling apart - I wonder if Dexter, Amelie and Chloe who just helped her turn on the Christmas lights know what's going on... | Only in UK could the PM have to come out on the steps of Downing Street and lead a chorus of 'O Come All Ye Faithful' while their govt is on the edge of falling apart - I wonder if Dexter, Amelie and Chloe who just helped her turn on the Christmas lights know what's going on... |
| May leads “O Come All Ye Faithful” in Downing Street Which faithful? | May leads “O Come All Ye Faithful” in Downing Street Which faithful? |
| "Back the Deal and I will release these children" pic.twitter.com/FbXboVJ1JX | "Back the Deal and I will release these children" pic.twitter.com/FbXboVJ1JX |
| Here is the Commons online Hansard for today’s debate. The speeches go up about three hours after they have been delivered, and currently it is up to Stewart Hosie. | Here is the Commons online Hansard for today’s debate. The speeches go up about three hours after they have been delivered, and currently it is up to Stewart Hosie. |