This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jan/11/brexit-latest-news-debate-commons-jeremy-hunt-claims-commons-votes-this-week-have-made-staying-in-eu-more-likely-p
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Brexit would be similar to 'national suicide', says leading Tory pro-European Dominic Grieve - as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Dominic Grieve, a leading Conservative pro-European, has said that Brexit would be similar to “national suicide”. He was speaking at The Convention: Another Vote is Possible, a conference promoting a second referendum. (See 4.42pm.) At the same event Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, said that there was a valid message behind the leave vote in 2016 and that any new remain campaign should include inspiring plans for radical democratic reform. (See 1.37pm.) | Dominic Grieve, a leading Conservative pro-European, has said that Brexit would be similar to “national suicide”. He was speaking at The Convention: Another Vote is Possible, a conference promoting a second referendum. (See 4.42pm.) At the same event Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, said that there was a valid message behind the leave vote in 2016 and that any new remain campaign should include inspiring plans for radical democratic reform. (See 1.37pm.) |
| Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, has claimed that events in the Commons this week have increased the chances of Brexit being halted. (See 9.35am.) | Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, has claimed that events in the Commons this week have increased the chances of Brexit being halted. (See 9.35am.) |
| One of Japan’s largest banks has blamed Brexit for its decision to move part of its business to Amsterdam, 24 hours after Theresa May sought to enlist the Japanese prime minister in the fight to save her deal with the EU. | One of Japan’s largest banks has blamed Brexit for its decision to move part of its business to Amsterdam, 24 hours after Theresa May sought to enlist the Japanese prime minister in the fight to save her deal with the EU. |
| The government will seek to make universal credit payments to women if they are the household’s main carer, Amber Rudd has said, as part of a package of changes to the heavily criticised benefits system that have been unveiled by the work and pensions secretary. | The government will seek to make universal credit payments to women if they are the household’s main carer, Amber Rudd has said, as part of a package of changes to the heavily criticised benefits system that have been unveiled by the work and pensions secretary. |
| Four working single mothers have won a legal victory that could force the government to radically overhaul the way it operates the controversial universal credit scheme. | Four working single mothers have won a legal victory that could force the government to radically overhaul the way it operates the controversial universal credit scheme. |
| Boris Johnson received £23,000 in loans and donations last month from a company run by the Australian political strategist Lynton Crosby, official documents have revealed. | Boris Johnson received £23,000 in loans and donations last month from a company run by the Australian political strategist Lynton Crosby, official documents have revealed. |
| The government has been accused of defying parliament by delaying plans to require British tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands to bring in public registers that reveal the true identity of owners of companies sheltering assets. | The government has been accused of defying parliament by delaying plans to require British tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands to bring in public registers that reveal the true identity of owners of companies sheltering assets. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| Have a good weekend. | Have a good weekend. |
| Comments will close around 6pm. | |
| In his speech to the second referendum convention in London this morning Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former attorney general, described Brexit as “national suicide”. He told the audience: | In his speech to the second referendum convention in London this morning Dominic Grieve, the Conservative former attorney general, described Brexit as “national suicide”. He told the audience: |
| My friend the prime minister has been doing her very best to try to find a way out of this problem that minimises the damage while trying to honour the referendum result. | My friend the prime minister has been doing her very best to try to find a way out of this problem that minimises the damage while trying to honour the referendum result. |
| The unpleasant truth for her is that it can satisfy no one. | The unpleasant truth for her is that it can satisfy no one. |
| There is only one way out. When the PM’s deal is defeated, what else can we possibly offer to the British public which has any chance at all, but to go back to ask them to reconsider their decision. | There is only one way out. When the PM’s deal is defeated, what else can we possibly offer to the British public which has any chance at all, but to go back to ask them to reconsider their decision. |
| Parliamentarians do have some duties and one of them is to prevent people from committing national suicide. | Parliamentarians do have some duties and one of them is to prevent people from committing national suicide. |
| Grieve, who received a standing ovation, said that options such as a Norway-style deal or customs union with the EU would just “brush problems under the carpet” and the only option was to go back to the public. | Grieve, who received a standing ovation, said that options such as a Norway-style deal or customs union with the EU would just “brush problems under the carpet” and the only option was to go back to the public. |
| He also said had told sixth form students that what it meant to be a conservative was to believe in principals of “continuity” and “pragmatism” and to try to avoid “revolutionary changes”. He went on: | He also said had told sixth form students that what it meant to be a conservative was to believe in principals of “continuity” and “pragmatism” and to try to avoid “revolutionary changes”. He went on: |
| I then explained to them that we had blown it because we allowed a revolutionary change to take place in the name of tradition, and such things can never work. It ends up where you do not want to be. | I then explained to them that we had blown it because we allowed a revolutionary change to take place in the name of tradition, and such things can never work. It ends up where you do not want to be. |
| You can read the speeches from today’s Brexit debate on Hansard online, at least those delivered until 1pm, here. The rest will come online a bit later. | You can read the speeches from today’s Brexit debate on Hansard online, at least those delivered until 1pm, here. The rest will come online a bit later. |
| It wasn’t an especially memorable debate, but here are some of the highlights not already featured. | It wasn’t an especially memorable debate, but here are some of the highlights not already featured. |
| The Labour former minister Jim Fitzpatrick said he was close to backing Theresa May’s deal. He said: | The Labour former minister Jim Fitzpatrick said he was close to backing Theresa May’s deal. He said: |
| I’m talking myself into supporting the prime minister’s deal next Tuesday against no deal and against further delay. I’m not quite there yet but I’m not far away. | I’m talking myself into supporting the prime minister’s deal next Tuesday against no deal and against further delay. I’m not quite there yet but I’m not far away. |
| It seems the House isn’t yet there at all but at some point we need to recognise the danger of no deal is still there and the only real alternative on the table is the prime minister’s deal. | It seems the House isn’t yet there at all but at some point we need to recognise the danger of no deal is still there and the only real alternative on the table is the prime minister’s deal. |
| Labour’s Mike Gapes mocked his own party’s stance on Brexit. He said: | Labour’s Mike Gapes mocked his own party’s stance on Brexit. He said: |
| According to the brief from the PLP [parliamentary Labour party] this week we’re going for a sensible Brexit - whatever that is. | According to the brief from the PLP [parliamentary Labour party] this week we’re going for a sensible Brexit - whatever that is. |
| The reality is all over the country we know there is no such thing as a jobs-first Brexit, it is entirely about mitigating the damage ... | The reality is all over the country we know there is no such thing as a jobs-first Brexit, it is entirely about mitigating the damage ... |
| There’s no socialist Brexit, there’s no jobs-first Brexit, there’s no better Brexit. | There’s no socialist Brexit, there’s no jobs-first Brexit, there’s no better Brexit. |
| The Conservative Michael Tomlinson said he would not support May’s deal even though he considered himself a “serial loyalist”. He said: | The Conservative Michael Tomlinson said he would not support May’s deal even though he considered himself a “serial loyalist”. He said: |
| I have never rebelled against the government in my three-and-a-half years in this place, and I do so with a heavy heart but with a clear head that this is not the right deal. | I have never rebelled against the government in my three-and-a-half years in this place, and I do so with a heavy heart but with a clear head that this is not the right deal. |
| Sir Mike Penning, the Conservative Brexiter and former minister, recalled John Bercow’s Eurosceptic youth. He recalled campaigning against the EU some years ago. | Sir Mike Penning, the Conservative Brexiter and former minister, recalled John Bercow’s Eurosceptic youth. He recalled campaigning against the EU some years ago. |
| I remember vividly being in Blackpool in the Odeon for a fringe meeting. There was some chap called Norman Tebbit on that platform and a young upstart called John Bercow, and John Bercow made Mr Tebbit look a bit left wing. I think I’m absolutely right about that. | I remember vividly being in Blackpool in the Odeon for a fringe meeting. There was some chap called Norman Tebbit on that platform and a young upstart called John Bercow, and John Bercow made Mr Tebbit look a bit left wing. I think I’m absolutely right about that. |
| Following that excellent fringe meeting which was packed to the gunnels, mostly by Government whips trying to find out what we were up to, I got a phone call from the then said John Bercow, ‘could you make sure I’m on your fringe next year?’, I remember this very vividly, it’s in my diaries for future publication. | Following that excellent fringe meeting which was packed to the gunnels, mostly by Government whips trying to find out what we were up to, I got a phone call from the then said John Bercow, ‘could you make sure I’m on your fringe next year?’, I remember this very vividly, it’s in my diaries for future publication. |
| Peter Grant, the SNP’s Brexit spokesman, said that Michael Gove, the environment secretary, admitted in the debate yesterday that the “free movement” of race horses could be curtailed by a no-deal Brexit, affecting the Grand National. Grant went on: | Peter Grant, the SNP’s Brexit spokesman, said that Michael Gove, the environment secretary, admitted in the debate yesterday that the “free movement” of race horses could be curtailed by a no-deal Brexit, affecting the Grand National. Grant went on: |
| I find it astonishing from the comments from the secretary of state for environment yesterday that this party of government seems more concerned about the welfare and free movement of race horses than they are about the welfare and free movement of people. | I find it astonishing from the comments from the secretary of state for environment yesterday that this party of government seems more concerned about the welfare and free movement of race horses than they are about the welfare and free movement of people. |
| Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative Brexiter, said a no-deal Brexit would be better than extending article 50 or May’s deal. He went on: | Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative Brexiter, said a no-deal Brexit would be better than extending article 50 or May’s deal. He went on: |
| The leadership of this country, and that includes the government and the opposition, should stop reinforcing weakness and start talking up our strengths and building up our confidence. | The leadership of this country, and that includes the government and the opposition, should stop reinforcing weakness and start talking up our strengths and building up our confidence. |
| History has proved that our country can always rise to the challenge and our people will never forgive the politicians who allow the EU to inflict defeat, and it saddens me greatly that even some in my own party are promoting such a defeat. | History has proved that our country can always rise to the challenge and our people will never forgive the politicians who allow the EU to inflict defeat, and it saddens me greatly that even some in my own party are promoting such a defeat. |
| Mark Francois, another Tory Brexiter and vice chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said May’s deal would leave the UK a “vassal state”. He explained: | Mark Francois, another Tory Brexiter and vice chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, said May’s deal would leave the UK a “vassal state”. He explained: |
| This treaty, if we were to approve it, would involve us giving up £39bn for nothing, would leave us as a rule-taker, would potentially lead us into a backstop from which there’s no escape, would threaten the break-up of the UK, and would still leave us under the suzerainty of the European Court of Justice - a vassal state. | This treaty, if we were to approve it, would involve us giving up £39bn for nothing, would leave us as a rule-taker, would potentially lead us into a backstop from which there’s no escape, would threaten the break-up of the UK, and would still leave us under the suzerainty of the European Court of Justice - a vassal state. |
| This country has never bowed the knee to anyone in almost 1,000 years and I don’t believe we should start now. | This country has never bowed the knee to anyone in almost 1,000 years and I don’t believe we should start now. |
| We have never surrendered to anyone in this House and we never, ever will, including next Tuesday night. | We have never surrendered to anyone in this House and we never, ever will, including next Tuesday night. |
| According to Sam McBride, political editor of the Belfast News Letter, the civil service in Northern Ireland has contingency plans for fuel rationing. Officials have been asked to volunteer should it be necessary to set up 75 “strategically located” filling stations supplying “priority” vehicles if there is a major oil supply emergency. According to Stormont, this is routine planning, rather than Brexit-related, McBride reports. | According to Sam McBride, political editor of the Belfast News Letter, the civil service in Northern Ireland has contingency plans for fuel rationing. Officials have been asked to volunteer should it be necessary to set up 75 “strategically located” filling stations supplying “priority” vehicles if there is a major oil supply emergency. According to Stormont, this is routine planning, rather than Brexit-related, McBride reports. |
| The BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler, has a useful Twitter thread on what the EU might, or might not, do to help Theresa May get her deal through the Commons. It starts here. | The BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler, has a useful Twitter thread on what the EU might, or might not, do to help Theresa May get her deal through the Commons. It starts here. |
| 1) Pres Juncker just said on #Brexit "Don't force me to speculate, let me do what I can" (original in French: "laissez moi faire") | 1) Pres Juncker just said on #Brexit "Don't force me to speculate, let me do what I can" (original in French: "laissez moi faire") |
| The Commons debate is now over. | The Commons debate is now over. |
| Hunt says leave-voting Labour voters will never forgive the party if it uses parliamentary procedures to stop Brexit. | Hunt says leave-voting Labour voters will never forgive the party if it uses parliamentary procedures to stop Brexit. |
| Holding a second referendum would undermine trust in politics, he says. | Holding a second referendum would undermine trust in politics, he says. |
| Labour’s Jo Stevens intervenes. She asks Hunt if he accepts that the false claims and cheating by the leave campaign in the referendum undermined trust. | Labour’s Jo Stevens intervenes. She asks Hunt if he accepts that the false claims and cheating by the leave campaign in the referendum undermined trust. |
| Hunt says the allegations about broken rules are a matter for the Electoral Commission. But there were false claims on both sides of the campaign, he says. | Hunt says the allegations about broken rules are a matter for the Electoral Commission. But there were false claims on both sides of the campaign, he says. |
| Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is speaking now. | Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, is speaking now. |
| He says Thornberry confirmed that Labour wants to end free movement. But he says Labour also wants frictionless trade, as if it were still in the single market. Both of those will not be possible, he says. | He says Thornberry confirmed that Labour wants to end free movement. But he says Labour also wants frictionless trade, as if it were still in the single market. Both of those will not be possible, he says. |