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PMQs: May faces Corbyn after new free vote concession to Brexiters ahead of no-deal debate – Politics live Brexit: May makes new free vote concession ahead of no-deal debate – Politics live
(30 minutes later)
In his spring statement Philip Hammond, the chancellor, says that if there is a Brexit deal, he will launch a three-year spending review before the summer.
“I intend to launch a full three-year Spending Review before the summer recess, to be concluded alongside an Autumn Budget.” - @PhilipHammondUK #SpringStatement pic.twitter.com/4TIHxUJN0Y
But he says a no-deal Brexit would deliver “a significant short to medium-term reduction in the productive capacity of the the British economy”.
He says it would lead to lower growth, higher unemployment and higher prices.
During PMQs Theresa May accused Jeremy Corbyn of not referring to Labour’s second referendum commitment in the Commons yesterday.
Labour’s Dawn Butler has accused her of lying, because Corbyn did refer to the policy in his main speech.
The Prime Minister has just lied to the house. @jeremycorbyn spoke and edorsed #PeoplesVote in yesterday's debate. I've located the text below. #Brexit #Brexitvote @BBCPolitics @SkyNews @SkyNewsBreak @Channel4News @channel5_tv @itvnews pic.twitter.com/ORF26oYZI7
But, as HuffPost’s Paul Waugh points out, May seemed to be referring to the fact that Corbyn did not mention a public vote in his statement to MPs after May’s deal was defeated.
Corbyn did keep the option of PV open in his opening statement in debate (having not done so earlier in week). It was his failure to mention it after May defeat last night that some MPs objected to.
The Brexit debate is due to start at around 3.30pm. Theresa May will be opening it. It will run until 7pm, when MPs will vote.
There are six amendments on the order paper (pdf). And two more manuscript amendments have been tabled.
Two manuscript amendments tabled for the no-deal debate. pic.twitter.com/toIW9B6qz3
PMQs is now over. And Philip Hammond, the chancellor, is about to deliver his spring statement.
I will cover any Brexit-related news from the statement, but our main coverage of the statement will be on my colleague Graeme Wearden’s business live blog.
Spring statement: Philip Hammond reveals state of UK's economy and finances - live
The Tory MP Alberto Costa says the media call his place a failing parliament. But there was nothing failing when it passed his amendment on the rights of British citizens in the EU three weeks ago. What has May done to get EU leaders to agree to this?
May says she has spoken to a number of EU leaders about this.
Mark Pawsey, a Conservative, asks about Rugby council’s housebuilding programme. May says she is please to hear it is providing more homes.
Mark Francois, the Tory Brexiter, says on 29 January the Commons, and most Tory MPs, voted for the Brady amendment (saying the backstop should be replaced). Brady was designed to facilitate the Malthouse compromise. If the Malthouse compromise amendment is called later, will Tories get a free vote, and how will May herself vote?
May says she addressed this earlier. (See 12.33pm.) She says her agreement with the EU says alternative arrangements for the backstop should be worked up. That is what Malthouse was asking for, she says.
The Tory MP David Tredinnick asks May if Labour should allow a free vote on no deal tonight.
May says it would be better if all MPs had a free vote.
The Tory MP Peter Bone asked May about the Malthouse compromise amendment. In her response, May said the government had already accepted two of its four demands (1 and 4 - see 11.22am for the full text) and that MPs were getting a vote on an article 50 extension. But on the key demand (number 3), she said it was unacceptable to the EU.The Tory MP Peter Bone asked May about the Malthouse compromise amendment. In her response, May said the government had already accepted two of its four demands (1 and 4 - see 11.22am for the full text) and that MPs were getting a vote on an article 50 extension. But on the key demand (number 3), she said it was unacceptable to the EU.
PMQs - Snap verdict: Profoundly uninspiring. There are times when a nation is in crisis when parliamentarians rise to the occasion. But there was no sign of that in those PMQs exchanges. Jeremy Corbyn was absolutely right, of course, when he said that Theresa May’s plan has been decisively rejected, but he did not get very far in challenging May to adopt Labour’s plan and he sounded relatively unengaged considering the seriousness of what’s at stake. Although he highlighted some of the horrors of a no-deal Brexit, if anything he probably understated the potential problems, and he sounded less passionate about the extent of the mess than he does when he is talking about issues like, say, homelessness or poverty. He restated the case for Labour’s Brexit, but he did not sound like someone poised to drive it through the House of Commons. But he had a a better case than May who, partly because of her problems with her voice, was literally pitiful. She had a carefully crafted soundbite (I may have lost my voice, but I understand the voice of the country), but it was not enough to restore her credibility. In the past May has frequently accused Corbyn of wanting to stop Brexit (a surprise to those who have actually studied his record.) But, interestingly, today she seemed to have dropped that line of attack, criticising him at one point for not restating his referendum policy yesterday and at another point highlighting his own Eurosceptic credentials.PMQs - Snap verdict: Profoundly uninspiring. There are times when a nation is in crisis when parliamentarians rise to the occasion. But there was no sign of that in those PMQs exchanges. Jeremy Corbyn was absolutely right, of course, when he said that Theresa May’s plan has been decisively rejected, but he did not get very far in challenging May to adopt Labour’s plan and he sounded relatively unengaged considering the seriousness of what’s at stake. Although he highlighted some of the horrors of a no-deal Brexit, if anything he probably understated the potential problems, and he sounded less passionate about the extent of the mess than he does when he is talking about issues like, say, homelessness or poverty. He restated the case for Labour’s Brexit, but he did not sound like someone poised to drive it through the House of Commons. But he had a a better case than May who, partly because of her problems with her voice, was literally pitiful. She had a carefully crafted soundbite (I may have lost my voice, but I understand the voice of the country), but it was not enough to restore her credibility. In the past May has frequently accused Corbyn of wanting to stop Brexit (a surprise to those who have actually studied his record.) But, interestingly, today she seemed to have dropped that line of attack, criticising him at one point for not restating his referendum policy yesterday and at another point highlighting his own Eurosceptic credentials.
Corbyn says Owen Paterson said during the referendum “Only a madman would leave the single market.” With May’s deal decisively rejected, what is May now for. Labour’s plan is the only credible show in town.Corbyn says Owen Paterson said during the referendum “Only a madman would leave the single market.” With May’s deal decisively rejected, what is May now for. Labour’s plan is the only credible show in town.
May says Corbyn says he opposes no deal, but he votes to bring it closer. Labour’s plan has been rejected several times by this house. She says she may not have her own voice, but she understands the voice of the country. People want to leave the EU, end free movement, have their own trade policy, and ensure laws are made in UK courts. Corbyn used to believe in this too. Why is he now against it?May says Corbyn says he opposes no deal, but he votes to bring it closer. Labour’s plan has been rejected several times by this house. She says she may not have her own voice, but she understands the voice of the country. People want to leave the EU, end free movement, have their own trade policy, and ensure laws are made in UK courts. Corbyn used to believe in this too. Why is he now against it?
Corbyn says May no longer has the ability to lead. It is rudderless. He says, where the PM has failed, the house needs to listen to the country. He says British citizens face uncertainty. May needs to show leadership. So what is her plan?Corbyn says May no longer has the ability to lead. It is rudderless. He says, where the PM has failed, the house needs to listen to the country. He says British citizens face uncertainty. May needs to show leadership. So what is her plan?
May says MPs will vote on no deal today, and then on extending article 50 tomorrow if no deal is rejected. MPs have to make choices. He says Corbyn does not agree with government policy, or even Labour policy. He has nothing to offer this country.May says MPs will vote on no deal today, and then on extending article 50 tomorrow if no deal is rejected. MPs have to make choices. He says Corbyn does not agree with government policy, or even Labour policy. He has nothing to offer this country.
Corbyn says the CBI have described a no-deal Brexit as as sledgehammer to the economy. Manufacturing is now in recession. May’s deal has been decisively rejected. When will May accept that there must be a negotiated customs union with the EU.Corbyn says the CBI have described a no-deal Brexit as as sledgehammer to the economy. Manufacturing is now in recession. May’s deal has been decisively rejected. When will May accept that there must be a negotiated customs union with the EU.
May says the CBI says Labour’s policies would lead to a drop in living standards. Corbyn claims to be in favour of a second referendum. But he did not even refer to that last night.May says the CBI says Labour’s policies would lead to a drop in living standards. Corbyn claims to be in favour of a second referendum. But he did not even refer to that last night.
Corbyn says May’s answer will not reassure people worried about their jobs. Food producers are also in despair. Will she now back close alignment to the single market to back their industry?Corbyn says May’s answer will not reassure people worried about their jobs. Food producers are also in despair. Will she now back close alignment to the single market to back their industry?
May says her deal does include access to the EU on the basis of no tariffs. It would help if Corbyn had read it.May says her deal does include access to the EU on the basis of no tariffs. It would help if Corbyn had read it.
Jeremy Corbyn also sends his condolences to those affected by the crash in Ethiopia.Jeremy Corbyn also sends his condolences to those affected by the crash in Ethiopia.
He says May says the only choice is between her deal and no deal. Last night her deal was finished off. And she will not whip her MPs on no deal. How will she vote?He says May says the only choice is between her deal and no deal. Last night her deal was finished off. And she will not whip her MPs on no deal. How will she vote?
May says she will vote for the government motion.May says she will vote for the government motion.
May confirms she will vote to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 29 March.May confirms she will vote to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 29 March.
Corbyn asks why May is still ambivalent about a no-deal outcome.Corbyn asks why May is still ambivalent about a no-deal outcome.
May says she wants a deal. Businesses want that too. One thing they worry about more than no deal is a Corbyn government.May says she wants a deal. Businesses want that too. One thing they worry about more than no deal is a Corbyn government.
John Baron, a Tory Brexiter, says the UK trades with countries outside the EU profitably on WTO terms. Does May accept that a no-deal Brexit is the default position, and better than a bad deal.
May says she wants to leave with a good deal.
Theresa May get a loud cheer when she stands up. But her voice does not seem to have improved since yesterday.
She sends her condolences to those killed in the crash in Ethiopia.
PMQs is about to start.
Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.
And Lord Mandelson, the former Labour trade secretary and former European commissioner, has also criticised the no-deal tariff plan announced by the government this morning. In a statement released by the People’s Vote campaign, he said suspending customs checks in Ireland would be a serious mistake. He said:
Refusing to comply with our responsibilities under international trade law to operate a customs border at any frontier is not a serious or sustainable solution to the problem of a hard border that Brexit - of any variety - threatens.
Today’s ill thought-out proposals on tariffs and customs illustrate the political, economic and reputational risk that the government’s make-it-up-as-we-go-along approach poses to the United Kingdom.
Today the Commons must reject any prospect of a no-deal Brexit and on Thursday they should make sure any extension of the article 50 deadline is used to deliver the clarity about Brexit that has been missing from the last two-and-a-half years of debate.
Ireland ’s agriculture minister has said the UK’s decision to impose high tariffs on beef and cheddar in a no-deal scenario are “potentially a disaster” for Irish farmers.
Michael Creed also said that the logic of introducing a different regime for Northern Ireland defied Brexiter logic and accused the UK of being “selective” about tariffs to put pressure on the Irish to buckle over the backstop. He told RTE radio’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show:
It is interesting in the context of what is published today the UK contemplating bespoke arrangements for Northern Ireland, if we had the bespoke arrangements that are in the withdrawal agreement we would avoid a hard border.
He said the department of agriculture had modelled the impact of a full World Trade Organisation schedule would have add €1.7bn to the costs of products.
Ireland is the fifth largest beef exporter in the world with a trade with 50% of the meat going to the UK, a market worth €2.5 billion (£2.15bn)
Angus Woods, the Irish Farmers Association, national livestock chair told RTE.
The idea that Irish farmers and businesses would be able to pay a tariff and compete with the likes of South American goods into the UK market just wouldn’t work.
It doesn’t take a whole lot, targeting 50 or 60 container loads of the high value steak cuts into the UK market would be enough to drag the whole marketplace down and make it unviable for Irish farmers in the UK market.
This is what the Malthouse compromise amendment says.
At end, add “; notes the steps taken by the government, the EU and its member states to minimise any disruption that may occur should the UK leave the EU without an agreed withdrawal agreement and proposes that the government should build on this work as follows: 1. That the government should publish the UK’s day one tariff schedules immediately; 2. To allow businesses to prepare for the operation of those tariffs, that the government should seek an extension of the article 50 process to 10.59pm on 22 May 2019, at which point the UK would leave the EU; 3. Thereafter, in a spirit of co-operation and in order to begin discussions on the future relationship, the government should offer a further set of mutual standstill agreements with the EU and member states for an agreed period ending no later than 30 December 2021, during which period the UK would pay an agreed sum equivalent to its net EU contributions and satisfy its other public international law obligations; and 4. The government should unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens resident in the UK.”.
Hardcore Brexitologists will know that the amendment is actually based on the Malthouse compromise plan B. For more on Malthouse, you can read the full text here.
You can read all the amendments today’s motion on the order paper here (pdf). (Or at least all the ones tabled last night - John Bercow, the speaker, said yesterday he would also accept manuscript ones tabled this morning.)
Conservative MPs will get a free vote on the Malthouse compromise amendment, Downing Street has decided. (See 8.55am, 9.11am and 10.32am.)
Free vote now for Malthouse amendment too after threatened ministerial rebellion... but not (yet) Spelman-Dromey
This is from the BBC’s Norman Smith.
Am told AG didn’t get to see PMs revised deal until 1am on Tuesday morning. No wonder he wasn’t very keen on it....
Here is Stewart Jackson, the former Tory MP who was chief of staff to David Davis when he was Brexit secretary, on the Malthouse compromise amendment (see 8.55am, 9.11am and 10.32am.)
Memo to @10DowningStreet: Malthouse is your Willie Wonka golden ticket out of this shambles. Grasp it with both hands. https://t.co/qlzSKoor4k