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Brexit: May's plan for cross-party talks under fire as MPs condemn her for sidelining Corbyn - Politics live | |
(43 minutes later) | |
Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Matthew Weaver. | |
The Andrea Leadsom Today programme interview, in which she played down the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn being included in the cross-party talks on an alternative Brexit plan that Theresa May is planning, does not seem to have gone down well. | |
Here is some political reaction. | |
From Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader: | |
Refusing to talk to the Leader of the Opposition and sticking to failed red lines would be a woeful failure to rise to the moment. Strongly urge the Prime Minister to try and do so. | |
From Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the Commons home affairs committee (and exactly the sort of senior parliamentarian that May seemed to have in mind when she announced her plan for cross-party talks): | |
Andrea Leadsom making a mockery of Theresa May’s proposal for cross party talks this morning. Ludicrous & unworkable if PM won’t even talk to @jeremycorbyn & other party leaders. PM has to accept she failed by 230 votes - she can’t just keep digging in | |
And this is from Lucy Powell, another senior Labour MP: | |
Totally agree https://t.co/saAsEM2621 | |
From the Labour party: | |
Disappointed @BBCr4today failed to correct @andrealeadsom's obviously inaccurate claim that Labour doesn't have an alternative plan. We have been promoting it for months: a new CU, a close relationship with SM, no race to the bottom on rights. | |
And here is some comment from journalists. | |
From the BBC’s Norman Smith: | |
Sounds like Govt's definition of "senior parliamentarians" does not include Jeremy Corbyn | |
Hmm...Govt decision not to delay article 50 wd seem to blow a hole in prospects for any cross party consensus. | |
The leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, has defended the government’s failure to discuss a compromise plan with Labour’s frontbench. | |
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today programme, she said: | |
The government has been collaborating across the house ever since the beginning of this parliament. It simply isn’t the case that the government isn’t engaging with senior parliamentarians. | |
Asked why the prime minister had not spoken to Jeremy Corbyn about a compromise, Leadsom said: “She will be speaking with senior parliamentarians.” | |
She also played down the prospect of Theresa May including Jeremy Corbyn when she reaches out to opposition MPs to discuss a possible way forward. She added: | |
Jeremy Corbyn had the opportunity yesterday to put to the house exactly what his alternative proposals were. He clearly has none. He needs to come to the table and tell us what he wants to do. The country wants to know what the Labour party is actually proposing. | |
Leadsom plays down prospect of May including Corbyn in her planned cross-party talks on an alternative approach to Brexit. | |
Leadsom insisted that the withdrawal deal that was defeated last night remained the best “basis” for a way to avoid a no deal. | |
And she claimed the government would not be seeking to delay or revoke article 50. | |
Leadsom said: | |
I have struggled with the prime minister’s deal but ultimately it is a deal that balances the various interests, the country has been divided on it but leaving the EU we have to deliver on that. And the prime minister has shown her determination to do that. | |
She added that the legal default position is that we leave in March without a deal so it is “vitally important” that we put a deal in place | |
Leadsom also insisted that whatever compromise was reached would not “not necessarily” involve a softer Brexit. | |
Leadsom rejects claims government defeat inevitably makes softer Brexit more likely. | |
Barnier added: | Barnier added: |
It is up to the British authorities to indicate how we can take things forward towards an orderly withdrawal. | It is up to the British authorities to indicate how we can take things forward towards an orderly withdrawal. |
The agreement that we reached with the British government is a good agreement. It is the best possible compromise. Protecting the rights of citizens will continue to be the priority whatever the outcome. | The agreement that we reached with the British government is a good agreement. It is the best possible compromise. Protecting the rights of citizens will continue to be the priority whatever the outcome. |
The backstop must remain a credible backstop. | The backstop must remain a credible backstop. |
An orderly withdrawal must remain our absolute priority. The scenario we have always wanted to avoid is a no deal. We are stepping up our preparations for that contingency. | An orderly withdrawal must remain our absolute priority. The scenario we have always wanted to avoid is a no deal. We are stepping up our preparations for that contingency. |
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier has insisted that the Irish backstop must remain credible in any Brexit deal. | The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier has insisted that the Irish backstop must remain credible in any Brexit deal. |
Speaking in the European parliament in Strasbourg, he said “we regret profoundly” the Commons vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement after two years of negotiation “based on the red lines of the British government”. | Speaking in the European parliament in Strasbourg, he said “we regret profoundly” the Commons vote on Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement after two years of negotiation “based on the red lines of the British government”. |
Nathalie Loiseau, the Europe minister, told France Inter this morning: “It’s bad news, because this withdrawal agreement negotiated for nearly two years is a good agreement and the only agreement possible. It’s for the British to decide what they want. We see there is no majority for this agreement, but we don’t know what there IS a majority for… they want to leave the European Union to do what?” | Nathalie Loiseau, the Europe minister, told France Inter this morning: “It’s bad news, because this withdrawal agreement negotiated for nearly two years is a good agreement and the only agreement possible. It’s for the British to decide what they want. We see there is no majority for this agreement, but we don’t know what there IS a majority for… they want to leave the European Union to do what?” |
Asked why leaving the EU was proving so difficult, Loiseau said: “A certain number of British, including British politicians, didn’t realise what being a member of the EU meant.” She added that there had been “massive disinformation” during the referendum campaign. | Asked why leaving the EU was proving so difficult, Loiseau said: “A certain number of British, including British politicians, didn’t realise what being a member of the EU meant.” She added that there had been “massive disinformation” during the referendum campaign. |
Can the agreement be renegotiated? “The text cannot be reopened especially after we’ve gone 17 months with all the coming and going. It’s been one third of my work since I became minister, which is a bit excessive, and we have other things to do in Europe than busy ourselves with a divorce …” | Can the agreement be renegotiated? “The text cannot be reopened especially after we’ve gone 17 months with all the coming and going. It’s been one third of my work since I became minister, which is a bit excessive, and we have other things to do in Europe than busy ourselves with a divorce …” |
She added: “Nobody thinks a no deal is a good situation, but we are preparing for that”, but warned: “We aren’t going to unknit the European Union because the UK wants to leave.” | She added: “Nobody thinks a no deal is a good situation, but we are preparing for that”, but warned: “We aren’t going to unknit the European Union because the UK wants to leave.” |
Sophie in ‘t Veld, a deputy leader of the liberal group in the European parliament, is sticking to the Brussels line that this crisis is for the UK to sort out. | Sophie in ‘t Veld, a deputy leader of the liberal group in the European parliament, is sticking to the Brussels line that this crisis is for the UK to sort out. |
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: “We got a lot of questions last night saying ‘what is the EU going to do now?’. Well, all the options have been on the table, it is for the UK now to decide what to do. I would strongly recommend all the parties to come together and unite in the interest of the UK.” | Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said: “We got a lot of questions last night saying ‘what is the EU going to do now?’. Well, all the options have been on the table, it is for the UK now to decide what to do. I would strongly recommend all the parties to come together and unite in the interest of the UK.” |
Asked if she would prefer if the UK remained in the EU, she said: | Asked if she would prefer if the UK remained in the EU, she said: |
We never wanted the UK to leave, so if they come to that conclusion then we will be very happy, but it is not for us to say, it is for the British people to say. | We never wanted the UK to leave, so if they come to that conclusion then we will be very happy, but it is not for us to say, it is for the British people to say. |
But it will have to be a realistic, a workable solution, one that is taking into account the current arrangements within the EU, the Good Friday agreement, and the rights of citizens – the 3.5 million Europeans living in the UK and the 1.5 million British people living in the EU 27. | But it will have to be a realistic, a workable solution, one that is taking into account the current arrangements within the EU, the Good Friday agreement, and the rights of citizens – the 3.5 million Europeans living in the UK and the 1.5 million British people living in the EU 27. |
Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, says the ball is in Britain’s court to bring clarity to the chaos. | Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, says the ball is in Britain’s court to bring clarity to the chaos. |
“The MPs of the lower house have not made it known what they want, only what they don’t want,” he told the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk this morning. | “The MPs of the lower house have not made it known what they want, only what they don’t want,” he told the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk this morning. |
“That is not enough,” he said. He added he did not support the idea of renegotiating the deal, saying that many compromises had already been made by both sides. “If one had been able to offer more, we would have had to do that weeks ago.” | “That is not enough,” he said. He added he did not support the idea of renegotiating the deal, saying that many compromises had already been made by both sides. “If one had been able to offer more, we would have had to do that weeks ago.” |
He said the German government would follow closely the vote of confidence in Theresa May, but her fall would make the situation only more complicated. | He said the German government would follow closely the vote of confidence in Theresa May, but her fall would make the situation only more complicated. |
“For the negotiations we need a stable government,” he said. Extending article 50 would be complicated in the light of upcoming European elections, he said, and anyway, an extension would require a clear idea as to what London wanted. | “For the negotiations we need a stable government,” he said. Extending article 50 would be complicated in the light of upcoming European elections, he said, and anyway, an extension would require a clear idea as to what London wanted. |
“It will only make sense if there’s a way which has as its goal to reach a deal between the EU and Britain and at the moment there’s not a majority viewpoint in the British parliament”. | “It will only make sense if there’s a way which has as its goal to reach a deal between the EU and Britain and at the moment there’s not a majority viewpoint in the British parliament”. |
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has again ducked the question of whether the Labour frontbench will back a second referendum. He insisted it was for Labour’s membership to decide. | The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has again ducked the question of whether the Labour frontbench will back a second referendum. He insisted it was for Labour’s membership to decide. |
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “If we secured a general election, our party then would have to decision about what goes into the manifesto. There is strong support that if there is an impasse we go back to the people. Our preference is a general election, if we get, there is also that view that there should be another referendum. | Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: “If we secured a general election, our party then would have to decision about what goes into the manifesto. There is strong support that if there is an impasse we go back to the people. Our preference is a general election, if we get, there is also that view that there should be another referendum. |
“”My view is that it will be decided by the democratic wishes of our party members. The options will be: we put forward our own proposals on a deal, or you put forward those plus the possibility of a referendum. | “”My view is that it will be decided by the democratic wishes of our party members. The options will be: we put forward our own proposals on a deal, or you put forward those plus the possibility of a referendum. |
“What went through our Labour party conference last year was: seek to get a deal that protects jobs and the economy, if you can’t do that, then it’s a referendum to ask people to think again. I think if we do move to a general election that that the sort of debate that we will have.” | “What went through our Labour party conference last year was: seek to get a deal that protects jobs and the economy, if you can’t do that, then it’s a referendum to ask people to think again. I think if we do move to a general election that that the sort of debate that we will have.” |
McDonnell insisted a compromise deal could be reached with the government. | McDonnell insisted a compromise deal could be reached with the government. |
My own view is that Theresa May could sort this now. If she had a real discussion, a real approach to compromise bring all the parties together I think there could be a compromise most probably on the basis of what Labour is advocating. But the problem that she’s got is that I don’t think people have any faith in her anymore to deliver that. | My own view is that Theresa May could sort this now. If she had a real discussion, a real approach to compromise bring all the parties together I think there could be a compromise most probably on the basis of what Labour is advocating. But the problem that she’s got is that I don’t think people have any faith in her anymore to deliver that. |
Clearly extending article 50 is now on the agenda but that is for the government to decide. | Clearly extending article 50 is now on the agenda but that is for the government to decide. |
He appeared to concede that it was unlikely that the government would lose today’s confidence vote. “People don’t expect us to win that, but who can tell?” | He appeared to concede that it was unlikely that the government would lose today’s confidence vote. “People don’t expect us to win that, but who can tell?” |
He added: | He added: |
If that goes down, parliament really has to take a strong role ... proper negotiations and discussions to see if there is a compromise that can be reached. Theresa May has said she is willing to enter into those discussions, but she hasn’t said she is willing to enter into them with Jeremy Corbyn. She has not contacted us. | If that goes down, parliament really has to take a strong role ... proper negotiations and discussions to see if there is a compromise that can be reached. Theresa May has said she is willing to enter into those discussions, but she hasn’t said she is willing to enter into them with Jeremy Corbyn. She has not contacted us. |
We haven’t been invited into those discussions yet. Then she’s set conditions, she’s ruling out by the looks of it a customs union which most of the opposition parties support. | We haven’t been invited into those discussions yet. Then she’s set conditions, she’s ruling out by the looks of it a customs union which most of the opposition parties support. |
We believe we should have a permanent customs union. The relationship with the single market should be a close and collaborative relationship. | We believe we should have a permanent customs union. The relationship with the single market should be a close and collaborative relationship. |
That’s it from me, I’m handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver now. Thanks for reading and tweeting, keeping following for updates. | That’s it from me, I’m handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver now. Thanks for reading and tweeting, keeping following for updates. |
A few more front pages coming in from readers and I think Frankfurter Rundschau may be my favourite so far... | A few more front pages coming in from readers and I think Frankfurter Rundschau may be my favourite so far... |
Splash on today's Frankfurter Rundschau. Quoting Hamlet: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." pic.twitter.com/WWrjIUo70m | Splash on today's Frankfurter Rundschau. Quoting Hamlet: "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't." pic.twitter.com/WWrjIUo70m |
@MsKateLyons Front page of Portugal's Publico: God Save UK - Failure of May's deal muddles Brexit calendar and sends country into political limbo. pic.twitter.com/xaEiIWwYNs | @MsKateLyons Front page of Portugal's Publico: God Save UK - Failure of May's deal muddles Brexit calendar and sends country into political limbo. pic.twitter.com/xaEiIWwYNs |
@MsKateLyons Portugal's Diario de Noticias - "Uncertainty is the only certainty" pic.twitter.com/98aWt0aPKh | @MsKateLyons Portugal's Diario de Noticias - "Uncertainty is the only certainty" pic.twitter.com/98aWt0aPKh |
The Italian newspaper il manifesto has the perplexing headline "Common mortals" on its story about Brexit. pic.twitter.com/uccRc9H0H3 | The Italian newspaper il manifesto has the perplexing headline "Common mortals" on its story about Brexit. pic.twitter.com/uccRc9H0H3 |