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Brexit deal will return to MPs for vote before 21 January – Politics live Brexit minister tells MPs they will have meaningful vote on 'plan B' – Politics live
(35 minutes later)
Labour’s Stephen Doughty says the problem for Walker is that MPs don’t believe anything the government says anymore.
Labour’s Vernon Coaker asks for an assurance that there are “absolutely no circumstances” in which MPs will be denied a vote on the deal. He says there is very little trust in the government.
Walker says he is happy to give that assurance. There will be a vote, he says.
Labour’s Lisa Nandy asks for an assurance that the government will explore every option, including extending article 50, rather than allowing a no deal Brexit.
Walker says Theresa May is trying to get a good deal through parliament.
Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, says MPs won’t be satisfied with Walker’s assurances. He says MPs learnt yesterday that assurances can go up “in a puff of smoke”.
Walker says the government is committed to making a statement about its future intentions (which is at the point that the Grieve amendment would allow MPs to have a say, by tabling amendments) either in the case of there being no deal, or in the case of the deal being voted down.
Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former attorney general who tabled the amendment last week saying that, if the deal gets voted down, MPs will be able to have a say on what happens next by tabling amendments to the government motion, asks if his amendment is now accepted by the government.
Walker says it is.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow solicitor general, says the reassurance given by Robin Walker means nothing without a legal opinion from the attorney general backing it up.
Walker says there will be a meaningful vote.
Nicky Morgan, the Conservative chair of the Treasury committee, asks for an assurance that there will be “no trickery by the government to stop parliament having a say”.
Walker says he can give that assurance.
The Labour MP Yvette Cooper says Walker’s assurances are not satisfactory.The Labour MP Yvette Cooper says Walker’s assurances are not satisfactory.
She says the government should give MPs a written assurance that, if MPs have not had a vote by then, it will allow one.She says the government should give MPs a written assurance that, if MPs have not had a vote by then, it will allow one.
She says oral assurances are not enough. She says ministers repeatedly said there would be a vote yesterday until they pulled the vote.She says oral assurances are not enough. She says ministers repeatedly said there would be a vote yesterday until they pulled the vote.
Walker says Cooper came to the Commons expecting a row.Walker says Cooper came to the Commons expecting a row.
He says the government will put a motion to the Commons by 21 January.He says the government will put a motion to the Commons by 21 January.
He also says he “fully expects” the vote to take place sooner.He also says he “fully expects” the vote to take place sooner.
He urges MPs not to believe the conspiracy theories about this.He urges MPs not to believe the conspiracy theories about this.
Robin Walker, the Brexit minister, is now responding to Yvette Cooper’s urgent question about the meaningful vote. (See 11.25am.)Robin Walker, the Brexit minister, is now responding to Yvette Cooper’s urgent question about the meaningful vote. (See 11.25am.)
He says he accepts there was some debate about this yesterday.He says he accepts there was some debate about this yesterday.
He says the government is committed to holding the Brexit vote before 21 January.He says the government is committed to holding the Brexit vote before 21 January.
He says that, if the deal is defeated, the government will bring forward a motion, and MPs will get a vote.He says that, if the deal is defeated, the government will bring forward a motion, and MPs will get a vote.
And if for any reason there is no deal agreed by then, then the government will make a statement and allow a vote.And if for any reason there is no deal agreed by then, then the government will make a statement and allow a vote.
Walker insists MPs will definitely get a “meaningful vote” on Brexit.
Sir John Major has called for article 50 to be revoked immediately.Sir John Major has called for article 50 to be revoked immediately.
In his second speech in Ireland in as many days, the former prime minister told the Institute of International and European Affairs, that the people of Northern Ireland would be the first to lose if old enmities were awoken.In his second speech in Ireland in as many days, the former prime minister told the Institute of International and European Affairs, that the people of Northern Ireland would be the first to lose if old enmities were awoken.
John Major, speaking at #iiea now, says nobody wants chaos. Revoke Article 50 with ‘immediate effect’ he urges. pic.twitter.com/QGGmBAX2fPJohn Major, speaking at #iiea now, says nobody wants chaos. Revoke Article 50 with ‘immediate effect’ he urges. pic.twitter.com/QGGmBAX2fP
Last night he told a separate Irish audience that “a hard border, now or at the end of a long transition period or at any time would be disastrous. Peace isn’t secure, it never is and any new border would be a focus for the wild men on the fringes to reactivate old disputes and hatreds that should be laid to rest forever.”Last night he told a separate Irish audience that “a hard border, now or at the end of a long transition period or at any time would be disastrous. Peace isn’t secure, it never is and any new border would be a focus for the wild men on the fringes to reactivate old disputes and hatreds that should be laid to rest forever.”
The Met police have issued this statement about the incident at the Houses of Parliament where a man was tasered.The Met police have issued this statement about the incident at the Houses of Parliament where a man was tasered.
A man was arrested by Carriage Gates, inside the Palace of Westminster, on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site at around 11.55hrs on Tuesday, 11 December. A Taser was deployed. Enquiries into the circumstances continue. https://t.co/bzmTJwgLVU pic.twitter.com/NIujTT61eTA man was arrested by Carriage Gates, inside the Palace of Westminster, on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site at around 11.55hrs on Tuesday, 11 December. A Taser was deployed. Enquiries into the circumstances continue. https://t.co/bzmTJwgLVU pic.twitter.com/NIujTT61eT
On the subject of a referendum, Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, now sees that as more likely than any of the other possible resolutions to the Brexit crisis.On the subject of a referendum, Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, now sees that as more likely than any of the other possible resolutions to the Brexit crisis.
My take on Brexit probabilities. UK leaves with no deal, 15% chance. Parliament finally passes May's deal, slightly modified with EU 'assurances', 20%. Or it passes the deal with new political declaration sketching Norway, 20%. General election, 15%. Referendum, 30%. @CER_EUMy take on Brexit probabilities. UK leaves with no deal, 15% chance. Parliament finally passes May's deal, slightly modified with EU 'assurances', 20%. Or it passes the deal with new political declaration sketching Norway, 20%. General election, 15%. Referendum, 30%. @CER_EU
At a People’s Vote press conference this morning the leaders of four opposition parties at Westminster - Ian Blackford, Vince Cable, Liz Saville Roberts and Caroline Lucas - have been challenging Labour to table a motion of no confidence in the government. See 10.42am for the details.
But the four MPs, and the campaign, are also issuing challenges to the EU and to the government.
They are asking the EU to accept the case for extending article 50, to allow time for a second referendum. And they are asking the government to start preparing legislation for a referendum.
Dame Margaret Beckett, the Labour former foreign secretary, was also speaking at the news conference. She said:
In recent days, three of the most important actors in this drama have with varying degrees of intent, opened up the pathway to what now appears to be the only way forward.
Today we are making a challenge to all three of them.
To the government, we are calling on ministers now to begin preparations for a People’s Vote including drafting the legislation for the public to be given the final say that the prime minister admits is a realistic outcome of this crisis.
To the European Union, we are calling on it to begin discussions on Thursday to extend article 50 so that our democratic process has the time and space it needs to explore the option - outlined by Mr Tusk - of the UK deciding to stay.
And to Jeremy, we are asking that in the days ahead you think very hard about adding your signature to those of the other leaders here today, table a motion of no confidence so that, if you cannot get the general election we want, you can campaign for the People’s Vote that Labour’s members and voters so desperately desire.
Theresa May has arrived in Berlin for her talks with Angela Merkel. As Sky reports, she had some difficulty getting out of the car.
Theresa May gets locked inside her car as she attempts to meet German Chancellor Angela MerkelRead the latest on Theresa May's tour of European leaders here: https://t.co/BdWa4K5WMy pic.twitter.com/h6066HP7o3
During the referendum campaign in 2016 Michael Gove, the environment secretary who was then a leader of the Vote Leave campaign, warned that, if the UK stayed in the EU, we would be like “hostages locked in the back of the car”. He said:
If we vote to stay we’re not settling for a secure status quo. We’re voting to be hostages locked in the back of the car and driven headlong towards deeper EU integration.
It seems he has a point ...
While we’re on the subject of John Bercow, the Speaker had another go at the government during Treasury questions for not holding a vote on the Brexit deal, the Independent’s Ashley Cowburn reports.
Ouch. Philip Hammond tells John McDonnell to vote for Brexit deal on the table at the moment. Speaker Bercow interrupts: "It's quite difficult to vote for something if there isn't a vote"
More in the incident at the Commons.
From Business Insider’s Adam Bienkov
Here’s the scene at Parliament’s gates. Lots of shouting but individual quickly dealt with pic.twitter.com/DNb9cISYZA
From the Telegraph’s Christopher Hope
BREAKING About 10 police officers are milling around. Looks like the situation has now calmed down. Two police cars outside carriage gates.
There are reports of an incident at the gates to the Houses of Parliament.
From the Telegraph’s Christopher Hope
BREAKING Disturbance at the gates of Parliament. Police running towards carriage gates. I heard a scream moments before. A man has been tasered.
From the Mirror’s Ben Glaze
Armed police have someone on the ground at Carriage Gates Parliament
The Press Association has filed more from the lobby briefing about Number 10 saying the Brexit vote will be held before 21 January. PA reports:
Theresa May will bring her Brexit deal back to the House of Commons “before January 21”, the prime minister’s official spokesman has said.
The spokesman said that May would observe the “spirit” of the EU Withdrawal Act, which requires the prime minister to make a statement to the Commons “before the end of January 21” if no agreement in principle has been reached with Brussels.
There was confusion at Westminster on Monday over whether the January 21 deadline applied, as a withdrawal deal has been reached.
But Commons authorities suggested it did not, saying that in principle the ratification vote could take place as late as 28 March – the day before Brexit is scheduled to happen.
The delayed cabinet meeting, which was due to take place on Tuesday, will now happen on Wednesday following PMQs in the Commons.
At the Number 10 lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman was asked if Theresa May thinks John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, is impartial – in the light of Andrea Leadsom’s suggestion this morning that he isn’t. (See 9.08am.) The spokesman replied:
That’s not a question I’ve ever discussed directly with the prime minister. What I would say is that established convention is that the Speaker must remain politically impartial at all times. It is for the house to determine if this is not the case.
Asked whether the PM believed Bercow should stand aside during the remaining Brexit debate and allow a deputy to take the chair, the spokesman said: “It’s for the house to determine these matters.”
Downing Street has said that MPs will get to vote on the Brexit deal “before January 21”. The prime minister’s spokesman said so at the lobby briefing.
That quashes speculation that Theresa May could put it off until the end of March. And it means the “Grieve amendment” is still in play. (See 11.25am.)
And before the emergency debate we will get an urgent question on whether or not the government has to make a statement to MPs by 21 January if no Brexit deal has been agreed.
In the Commons yesterday Theresa May implied this deadline still stood. But House of Commons officials have said that, because the government has agreed a deal (even though it has not passed the Commons), that deadline no longer stands.
Hopefully the UQ should clear the matter up.
This may sound like a procedural yawnathon, but in fact it is quite important, because if the Commons officials are right, and May does not have to hold her vote until 28 March, then the “Grieve amendment”, which would enable MPs to vote for a “plan B” (and arguably take control of the whole process), might turn out to be of no or little value.
Breaking: Very Important UQ granted at 1230 to @YvetteCooperMP to ask Geoffrey Cox QC to make a statement on the Government's duty under section 13 of the European Union (withdrawal) act 2018 if no deal is reached by 21 January 2019.
Last night the Speaker, John Bercow, accepted a request from Jeremy Corbyn for an emergency debate on the government’s management of the meaningful vote debate. It will start after 1pm and Corbyn will open for Labour. David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, will respond for the government.
The Government have confirmed that in place of the Prime Minister, @DLidington will respond to the emergency 🚨 SO24 debate granted to @jeremycorbyn today. pic.twitter.com/7IENkltQRB