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Brexit: MPs told to pass deal by next Wednesday or face long article 50 extension - Politics live Brexit: MPs told to pass deal by next Wednesday or face long article 50 extension - Politics live
(30 minutes later)
Greetings, I’m taking over from my colleague Andrew Sparrow and will gather some reactions to tonight’s events in parliament.
And what an evening it’s been.
I normally try very, very, hard not to say things like this, but have never actually seen anything like what's happened tonight
No one knows how the Brexit crisis will end up being resolved, but it is escalating, and getting closer to the point where something decisive will happen. Tonight’s votes have shoved events quite some way in that direction. Here are the key developments.
Theresa May has now finally issued her MPs with an ultimatum; back her deal, or face a long delay to Brexit. (See 8.21pm.) Until now she has sought to threaten Brexiters with the prospect of Brexit being delayed or cancelled, and pro-Europeans, and Labour, with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, in an effort to get MPs to vote for her plan. Tonight, with MPs voting against no deal, she has gone further than ever before in putting the squeeze on the ERG (European Research Group).
But her authority within her party is vanishing. May only agreed to offer today’s debate on ruling out no deal because last month pro-European ministers threatened to resign en masse if she didn’t. Tonight’s events were a shambles for the Conservative parliamentary party, and May has been openly defied by ministers who abstained rather than follow the party whip. (See 8.49pm.) This is not a normal state of affairs, and in the long run having such a weak PM is probably unsustainable.
Increasingly parliament really is taking control. May was defeated today on an amendment tabled by a Tory backbencher (Caroline Spelman) and pushed to a vote by a Labour backbencher (Yvette Cooper), although it was the PLP (parliamentary Labour party) that provided the muscle to defeat May. Tomorrow we are likely to see further votes on backbench amendments indicating that the legislature, not the executive, is taking the initiative. No 10 says it is not supporting calls for “indicative votes” on Brexit alternatives, but it seems they may well happen anyway in some form or another, via backbench amendments.
The threat of a no-deal Brexit on 29 March - a prospect that for the last two years May has repeatedly kept on the table - has almost certainly been removed. That does not mean tonight’s votes kill off no deal for good (see 7.29pm), but May has accepted it must not happen this month.
The notion that the Malthouse compromise offers an acceptable way forward has been comprehensively dismissed. This amendment was rejected by a majority of 210. (See 7.35pm.) Given the enormous faith placed in Malthouse by Tory Brexiters, this was a colossal defeat for them.
Here is our main story tonight.
May’s final warning to Tory rebels: back me or lose Brexit
My colleague Jedidajah Otte is now taking over to cover any further reaction.
The DUP are not minded to flinch, according to the Telegraph’s Jack Maidment.The DUP are not minded to flinch, according to the Telegraph’s Jack Maidment.
DUP super chilled about tonight's events. No plans to budge on their backstop red lines.DUP source: “We are quite relaxed about the current situation. We have been in this type of position before. Things tend to go down to the wire. We will keep pushing for a good deal.”DUP super chilled about tonight's events. No plans to budge on their backstop red lines.DUP source: “We are quite relaxed about the current situation. We have been in this type of position before. Things tend to go down to the wire. We will keep pushing for a good deal.”
This is from Sky’s Faisal Islam.This is from Sky’s Faisal Islam.
Another minister: “There is utter fury and despair by MPs and Ministers at the breakdown of collective responsibility. Voting against a 3 line whip especially as a Cabinet Minister and no repercussions- it’s free fall...”Another minister: “There is utter fury and despair by MPs and Ministers at the breakdown of collective responsibility. Voting against a 3 line whip especially as a Cabinet Minister and no repercussions- it’s free fall...”
And here is the statement Jeremy Corbyn put out after tonight’s votes.And here is the statement Jeremy Corbyn put out after tonight’s votes.
Tonight this house has once again definitely ruled out no deal. The prime minister said the choice was between her deal and no deal. In the last 24 hours parliament has decisively rejected both her deal and no deal. While an extension of article 50 is now inevitable, the responsibility for that extension lies solely and squarely at the prime minister’s door.Tonight this house has once again definitely ruled out no deal. The prime minister said the choice was between her deal and no deal. In the last 24 hours parliament has decisively rejected both her deal and no deal. While an extension of article 50 is now inevitable, the responsibility for that extension lies solely and squarely at the prime minister’s door.
But extending article 50 without a clear objective is not a solution. parliament must now take control of the situation. In the days that follow, myself, the shadow Brexit secretary and others will have meetings with members across this House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House. This means doing what the prime minister failed to do two years ago: search for a consensus on the way forward.But extending article 50 without a clear objective is not a solution. parliament must now take control of the situation. In the days that follow, myself, the shadow Brexit secretary and others will have meetings with members across this House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House. This means doing what the prime minister failed to do two years ago: search for a consensus on the way forward.
Labour has set out a credible alternative plan. Honourable members across this house are coming forward with proposals, whether that’s for a permanent customs union, a public vote, Norway plus or other ideas.Labour has set out a credible alternative plan. Honourable members across this house are coming forward with proposals, whether that’s for a permanent customs union, a public vote, Norway plus or other ideas.
Let us, as a House of Commons work now to find a solution - to deal with the crisis facing the country and the deep concerns that many people have for their livelihood, their lives, their future, their jobs, their communities and their factories. It’s up to us, as the House of Commons, to look for and find a solution to their concerns. That is what we were elected to do.Let us, as a House of Commons work now to find a solution - to deal with the crisis facing the country and the deep concerns that many people have for their livelihood, their lives, their future, their jobs, their communities and their factories. It’s up to us, as the House of Commons, to look for and find a solution to their concerns. That is what we were elected to do.
Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP who pushed the Spelman amendment to a vote, has issued this statement about tonight’s votes. She said:Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP who pushed the Spelman amendment to a vote, has issued this statement about tonight’s votes. She said:
The House of Commons has voted decisively tonight against the chaos of no deal. We are in this position because the prime minister has refused to consult or build consensus, and refused to allow votes on other Brexit options. That needs to be urgently sorted out now. The government should come forward with plans to hold indicative votes on different options, including a customs union, so we can get on with this. If the prime minister won’t sort this out and build some consensus on the way forward then parliament will need to instead.The House of Commons has voted decisively tonight against the chaos of no deal. We are in this position because the prime minister has refused to consult or build consensus, and refused to allow votes on other Brexit options. That needs to be urgently sorted out now. The government should come forward with plans to hold indicative votes on different options, including a customs union, so we can get on with this. If the prime minister won’t sort this out and build some consensus on the way forward then parliament will need to instead.
This is from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham.This is from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham.
ERG MPs saying they will vote for the deal at MV3 on the condition May goesERG MPs saying they will vote for the deal at MV3 on the condition May goes
Those ERG MPs obviously don’t include Steve Baker. See 9.07pm.Those ERG MPs obviously don’t include Steve Baker. See 9.07pm.
The People’s Vote campaign, which wants a second referendum, has accused Theresa May of trying to blackmail MPs into supporting her deal. It issued this statement from the Tory pro-European Guto Bebb. He said:The People’s Vote campaign, which wants a second referendum, has accused Theresa May of trying to blackmail MPs into supporting her deal. It issued this statement from the Tory pro-European Guto Bebb. He said:
Tonight another government minister has resigned on principle rather than be part of a process designed to browbeat parliament into accepting a broken Brexit that the whole country knows fails to honour the promises of 2016 and would leave people poorer.Tonight another government minister has resigned on principle rather than be part of a process designed to browbeat parliament into accepting a broken Brexit that the whole country knows fails to honour the promises of 2016 and would leave people poorer.
But, within minutes of losing key votes on this issue, the government has decided to deploy a new false threat. The effort to turn a necessary and sensible extension to the Brexit deadline into a bogeyman that will scare MPs back into line is both irresponsible and unedifying. It deserves to be treated with the same contempt that greeted previous efforts to browbeat or blackmail MPs into supporting a Brexit deal that neither they nor the country want.But, within minutes of losing key votes on this issue, the government has decided to deploy a new false threat. The effort to turn a necessary and sensible extension to the Brexit deadline into a bogeyman that will scare MPs back into line is both irresponsible and unedifying. It deserves to be treated with the same contempt that greeted previous efforts to browbeat or blackmail MPs into supporting a Brexit deal that neither they nor the country want.
Some of us did not always find it easy following the parliamentary proceedings tonight. According to my colleague Heather Stewart, we were in good company ...Some of us did not always find it easy following the parliamentary proceedings tonight. According to my colleague Heather Stewart, we were in good company ...
Eek: government source claims that at the early-evening informal cabinet meeting, Greg Clark asked about whipping arrangements. "Julian Smith didn't know what was going on, and the PM didn't understand what was going on"...Hence chaos...Eek: government source claims that at the early-evening informal cabinet meeting, Greg Clark asked about whipping arrangements. "Julian Smith didn't know what was going on, and the PM didn't understand what was going on"...Hence chaos...
Unlike Steve Baker, the deputy chair of the ERG (see 9.07pm), Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ERG chair, hinted tonight that he could be persuaded to back the PM’s deal.Unlike Steve Baker, the deputy chair of the ERG (see 9.07pm), Jacob Rees-Mogg, the ERG chair, hinted tonight that he could be persuaded to back the PM’s deal.
Asked if he would continue to vote against it, he replied:Asked if he would continue to vote against it, he replied:
We will have to see if there is any change.We will have to see if there is any change.
There are discussions today in relation to what Geoffrey Cox has had to say to the DUP and, crucially, what may be put in the withdrawal and implementation bill which could have an effect on how people vote.There are discussions today in relation to what Geoffrey Cox has had to say to the DUP and, crucially, what may be put in the withdrawal and implementation bill which could have an effect on how people vote.
So I’m not the immovable object facing the irresistible force.So I’m not the immovable object facing the irresistible force.
Here is a mini profile of Sarah Newton, who resigned tonight from the government to vote to rule out no deal for good, from the Press Association. (See 9.04pm.)Here is a mini profile of Sarah Newton, who resigned tonight from the government to vote to rule out no deal for good, from the Press Association. (See 9.04pm.)
Sarah Newton’s quiet rise within the Conservative ranks was dealt a fatal, self-inflicted blow, following her decision to vote against the government over Brexit. In doing so, she became the second minister from Cornwall to resign over the issue in a fortnight, after Leave-backing George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) opted to return to the backbenches from the agriculture brief “to be free to participate in the critical” Brexit debate.Sarah Newton’s quiet rise within the Conservative ranks was dealt a fatal, self-inflicted blow, following her decision to vote against the government over Brexit. In doing so, she became the second minister from Cornwall to resign over the issue in a fortnight, after Leave-backing George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) opted to return to the backbenches from the agriculture brief “to be free to participate in the critical” Brexit debate.
History graduate Newton, a former director of Age Concern England, was among the 2010 intake of MPs, becoming the first person to win the newly created seat of Truro and Falmouth as boundary changes meant Cornwall increased its MPs from five to six. She has held it ever since.History graduate Newton, a former director of Age Concern England, was among the 2010 intake of MPs, becoming the first person to win the newly created seat of Truro and Falmouth as boundary changes meant Cornwall increased its MPs from five to six. She has held it ever since.
And in 2012, at the height of the furore surrounding the introduction of the so-called “pasty tax”, the Cornish MP spoke in the Commons about the cherished delicacy.And in 2012, at the height of the furore surrounding the introduction of the so-called “pasty tax”, the Cornish MP spoke in the Commons about the cherished delicacy.
Issuing a warning to then-chancellor George Osborne, she said: “There is growing concern throughout Cornwall about the possible unintended consequences of the Budget and about the undoubtedly real threat to the Cornish pasty of the pasty tax.”Issuing a warning to then-chancellor George Osborne, she said: “There is growing concern throughout Cornwall about the possible unintended consequences of the Budget and about the undoubtedly real threat to the Cornish pasty of the pasty tax.”
From May 2015 to July 2016, Newton was a Government whip with departmental responsibility for Defra, and moved to the Home Office as parliamentary under-secretary of state for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability.From May 2015 to July 2016, Newton was a Government whip with departmental responsibility for Defra, and moved to the Home Office as parliamentary under-secretary of state for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability.
The mother-of-three, who backed Theresa May in the Tory leadership election in 2016, was later appointed minister for disabled people, health and work, before becoming work and pensions minister in November 2017.The mother-of-three, who backed Theresa May in the Tory leadership election in 2016, was later appointed minister for disabled people, health and work, before becoming work and pensions minister in November 2017.
She resigned on Wednesday evening, moments after defying the whips to vote for the cross-party amendment rejecting a no-deal Brexit.She resigned on Wednesday evening, moments after defying the whips to vote for the cross-party amendment rejecting a no-deal Brexit.
Steve Baker, the Tory Brexiter and deputy chair of the European Research Group, told Sky News that he would continue to vote against the PM’s deal, regardless of her threat to seek a long Brexit delay. He explained:Steve Baker, the Tory Brexiter and deputy chair of the European Research Group, told Sky News that he would continue to vote against the PM’s deal, regardless of her threat to seek a long Brexit delay. He explained:
I’ll say to the government now, when meaningful vote three comes back, I will see to it that we keep voting this down however many times it’s brought back, whatever pressure we’re put under and come what may. Please don’t do it. Keep going back to the EU and say, ‘It wont pass.’I’ll say to the government now, when meaningful vote three comes back, I will see to it that we keep voting this down however many times it’s brought back, whatever pressure we’re put under and come what may. Please don’t do it. Keep going back to the EU and say, ‘It wont pass.’
Sarah Newton resigned as minister for disabled people in the work and pensions department tonight as she voted against the Tory whip in the final vote and in favour of the the amended motion ruling out a no-deal Brexit for good.Sarah Newton resigned as minister for disabled people in the work and pensions department tonight as she voted against the Tory whip in the final vote and in favour of the the amended motion ruling out a no-deal Brexit for good.