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Government's new deadline for passing Brexit deal is 2 July, says Lidington – live news Government's new deadline for passing Brexit deal is 2 July, says Lidington – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
We’re going to close down this live blog now. Thanks for reading and commenting. For a summary of the day’s events, it’s worth taking in the previous post and reading the afternoon summary (see: 6.06pm).
Following the breakup of talks between the government and the Labour party this evening, Rebecca Long-Bailey – the shadow business secretary – acknowledged that the previous three weeks of discussions had brought no sign of compromise from Downing Street. But she insisted it was worth continuing talks nevertheless.
Nothing has been agreed yet. The discussions today were very robust and we are having further meetings this week where we hope to make some progress.
Long-Bailey added that the two parties plan to “hold further more detailed discussions as the week progresses” and said both sides are “hopeful that progress can be made”. She said:
As we’ve said previously, the government needs to move on its red lines. We expect to make compromises but, without a government that is willing to compromise, it’s difficult to see how any agreement can be reached and I think the government is aware of that.
Asked if there was any point in continuing, given the lack of willingness to compromise she said had been shown by the government, she said:
Of course there’s a point continuing. We want to resolve this issue for all of our constituencies, whether they were leave seats or remain seats and there certainly is, from my perception of the meetings that we have had so far, a willingness on both sides to move towards some kind of consensus and we certainly need to try.
Long-Bailey also confirmed that Labour would seek to press Downing Street on detailed plans for a customs union but reiterated that the government had so far declined to move from its initial position.
And she said Labour’s had not altered its position on a public vote, which she said was “one of many options on the table”.
Today's Brexit talks were "the most robust to date", and "occasionally tense", according to one Labour source - with John McDonnell and Keir Starmer picking apart the Tories' claim to have made concessions on a customs union.
Labour source close to talks adds, "What was on the table was politically and legally worthless."
The talks between Labour and the Tories have broken up without an agreement this evening – and will reconvene in search of one tomorrow:The talks between Labour and the Tories have broken up without an agreement this evening – and will reconvene in search of one tomorrow:
Talks are over for tonight: Downing Street spox says they were "constructive and detailed," and teams will meet again tomorrow. https://t.co/77gO30Y5ACTalks are over for tonight: Downing Street spox says they were "constructive and detailed," and teams will meet again tomorrow. https://t.co/77gO30Y5AC
Commenting on the Cabinet Office’s confirmation that the UK will take part in the European elections, Change UK’s Chuka Umunna, has said:Commenting on the Cabinet Office’s confirmation that the UK will take part in the European elections, Change UK’s Chuka Umunna, has said:
Brexit in the form it was promised to the British people is impossible to deliver. The only way to end the Brexit chaos is to give people the final say, so they can vote based on the reality of Brexit today as opposed to the fantasy sold to people three years ago.Brexit in the form it was promised to the British people is impossible to deliver. The only way to end the Brexit chaos is to give people the final say, so they can vote based on the reality of Brexit today as opposed to the fantasy sold to people three years ago.
Whilst the main parties engage in their secret talks to facilitate a job-destroying Brexit, Change UK is campaigning in these European elections for a People’s Vote in which we will argue unequivocally to remain in the EU.Whilst the main parties engage in their secret talks to facilitate a job-destroying Brexit, Change UK is campaigning in these European elections for a People’s Vote in which we will argue unequivocally to remain in the EU.
Voting for Change UK will send the clearest possible message to Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn that you want to end this Brexit nightmare.Voting for Change UK will send the clearest possible message to Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn that you want to end this Brexit nightmare.
As we mentioned earlier, the prime minister and the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, Sir Graham Brady, have been meeting to discuss the former’s future this evening.As we mentioned earlier, the prime minister and the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs, Sir Graham Brady, have been meeting to discuss the former’s future this evening.
That meeting’s now concluded but Downing Street is remaining tight-lipped about what, if anything, has come out of it.That meeting’s now concluded but Downing Street is remaining tight-lipped about what, if anything, has come out of it.
A source would not comment on the meeting, though it was understood to have included discussions on setting a detailed timetable for when May would step down as Conservative leader.A source would not comment on the meeting, though it was understood to have included discussions on setting a detailed timetable for when May would step down as Conservative leader.
More than two thousand people joined the Lib Dems in the days after the local elections, the party has said. The Lib Dems’ Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake, said:More than two thousand people joined the Lib Dems in the days after the local elections, the party has said. The Lib Dems’ Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake, said:
This surge in membership shows that more and more people have had enough of the national embarrassment Brexit has become. They deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better.This surge in membership shows that more and more people have had enough of the national embarrassment Brexit has become. They deserve better, and the Liberal Democrats demand better.
The Liberal Democrats, with over 100,00 members and nearly three thousand councillors across the country, are clearly the strongest party for remain going into the European elections. Every Liberal Democrat vote is a vote to stop Brexit.The Liberal Democrats, with over 100,00 members and nearly three thousand councillors across the country, are clearly the strongest party for remain going into the European elections. Every Liberal Democrat vote is a vote to stop Brexit.
Earlier today, the Labour MP, Jess Phillips, discussed the effects of the waves of online abuse she has suffered in recent years.Earlier today, the Labour MP, Jess Phillips, discussed the effects of the waves of online abuse she has suffered in recent years.
That came as police confirmed they were investigating whether Carl Benjamin – a Ukip European elections candidate who has made comments speculating whether or not he would rape her – has committed an offence.That came as police confirmed they were investigating whether Carl Benjamin – a Ukip European elections candidate who has made comments speculating whether or not he would rape her – has committed an offence.
This evening, she has tweeted this:This evening, she has tweeted this:
Just leaving Westminster and and man ran down the street along side me asking me about why Carl Benjamin shouldn't be able to joke about my rape. Shouting "I pay your wages".Just leaving Westminster and and man ran down the street along side me asking me about why Carl Benjamin shouldn't be able to joke about my rape. Shouting "I pay your wages".
Speaking to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire earlier today, Phillips said she had recently broke down in tears under the weight of years of abuse.Speaking to the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire earlier today, Phillips said she had recently broke down in tears under the weight of years of abuse.
I realised that I did what all women do in these situations – I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I could cope.I realised that I did what all women do in these situations – I had been putting a brave face on it and pretending that it was all fine and that I could cope.
It dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed. I felt ‘How can somebody say that they would rape me if forced, and be a legitimate candidate in an election?’It dawned on me that, for four years essentially, this man had made a career out of harassing me. And I felt harassed. I felt ‘How can somebody say that they would rape me if forced, and be a legitimate candidate in an election?’
Theresa May “deeply regrets” that Britain will have to take part in European elections on 23 May, and is pinning her hopes on completing the Brexit process in time to avoid MEPs having to take their seats.Theresa May “deeply regrets” that Britain will have to take part in European elections on 23 May, and is pinning her hopes on completing the Brexit process in time to avoid MEPs having to take their seats.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has said the cross-party Brexit talks have reached “crunch time”. (See 4.39pm.) He was speaking as he arrived for today’s round of negotiations at the Cabinet Office. Here my colleague Heather Stewart assesses how the talks are going.Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has said the cross-party Brexit talks have reached “crunch time”. (See 4.39pm.) He was speaking as he arrived for today’s round of negotiations at the Cabinet Office. Here my colleague Heather Stewart assesses how the talks are going.
Labour wary of Tory divisions as Brexit talks resumeLabour wary of Tory divisions as Brexit talks resume
Political leaders in Northern Ireland have begun talks in a fresh effort to break the protracted impasse on power-sharing, with the prime minister, Theresa May, and the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, pledging to review progress at the end of the month.Political leaders in Northern Ireland have begun talks in a fresh effort to break the protracted impasse on power-sharing, with the prime minister, Theresa May, and the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, pledging to review progress at the end of the month.
Rory Stewart has told MPs that his ambition to become next Tory leader will not interfere with his new job as international development secretary. Stewart has openly said he will stand in the forthcoming Tory leadership contest but, as he gave evidence to the Commons international development committee, the Tory MP Nigel Evans asked how he could be fully committed to his new job when “you could be in a leadership election in the next few weeks”. Stewart replied:Rory Stewart has told MPs that his ambition to become next Tory leader will not interfere with his new job as international development secretary. Stewart has openly said he will stand in the forthcoming Tory leadership contest but, as he gave evidence to the Commons international development committee, the Tory MP Nigel Evans asked how he could be fully committed to his new job when “you could be in a leadership election in the next few weeks”. Stewart replied:
I completely understand where you are coming from.I completely understand where you are coming from.
I have some advantages taking over this job. I am probably the only secretary of state who occupied every Commons junior ministerial role in this department before I took over.I have some advantages taking over this job. I am probably the only secretary of state who occupied every Commons junior ministerial role in this department before I took over.
I understand therefore our programmes in the Middle East, Asia and Africa in enormous detail ...I understand therefore our programmes in the Middle East, Asia and Africa in enormous detail ...
It is true that the prime minister has signalled that she is stepping down and therefore I, and at least half-a-dozen other cabinet colleagues, have expressed interest in succeeding her.It is true that the prime minister has signalled that she is stepping down and therefore I, and at least half-a-dozen other cabinet colleagues, have expressed interest in succeeding her.
But I am sure they, like me, will remain entirely committed to doing our jobs as powerfully as possible.But I am sure they, like me, will remain entirely committed to doing our jobs as powerfully as possible.
The Scottish government has dropped controversial plans to cut its taxes on aviation after Nicola Sturgeon declared last week the world faces a climate emergency.The Scottish government has dropped controversial plans to cut its taxes on aviation after Nicola Sturgeon declared last week the world faces a climate emergency.
That’s all from me for today.That’s all from me for today.
My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is now taking over.My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is now taking over.
The Daily Mirror’s Pippa Crerar thinks several Brexiters are starting to think a second referendum could now happen, like Daniel Kawczynski. (See 5.14pm.)The Daily Mirror’s Pippa Crerar thinks several Brexiters are starting to think a second referendum could now happen, like Daniel Kawczynski. (See 5.14pm.)
Shifting sands? I've spoken to several Brexiteers in the last few weeks who think that a second referendum may now happen - and aren't entirely unhappy about it. After all, presumably it's a way of getting the no deal Brexit they desire. https://t.co/IexCYWskbaShifting sands? I've spoken to several Brexiteers in the last few weeks who think that a second referendum may now happen - and aren't entirely unhappy about it. After all, presumably it's a way of getting the no deal Brexit they desire. https://t.co/IexCYWskba
These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on today’s cabinet.These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on today’s cabinet.
1. Cabinet sources say Brexit Sec Steve Barclay raised prospect of leaving EU in October without a deal at meeting this morning - big discussion on deal prep planned for next week - source suggests push back from Clark saying position was clear now that couldn't happen1. Cabinet sources say Brexit Sec Steve Barclay raised prospect of leaving EU in October without a deal at meeting this morning - big discussion on deal prep planned for next week - source suggests push back from Clark saying position was clear now that couldn't happen
2. No substantive discussion of cross party talks at Cabinet this morning - PM apparently also raised Williamson's sacking and said again there was compelling evidence - sources close to him say he still hasn't been told what it is2. No substantive discussion of cross party talks at Cabinet this morning - PM apparently also raised Williamson's sacking and said again there was compelling evidence - sources close to him say he still hasn't been told what it is
Almost all the MPs who have publicly backed a second referendum on Brexit are opposition MPs who would vote remain again if given the chance. Only a handful of Tories have backed the idea. But there are some signs now that that is starting to change.Almost all the MPs who have publicly backed a second referendum on Brexit are opposition MPs who would vote remain again if given the chance. Only a handful of Tories have backed the idea. But there are some signs now that that is starting to change.
On Friday Eric Pickles, a former Tory MP who now sits in the House of Lords, said that, much to his own surprise, he had now come round to the view that, if MPs cannot pass a deal, the public should be asked to decide.On Friday Eric Pickles, a former Tory MP who now sits in the House of Lords, said that, much to his own surprise, he had now come round to the view that, if MPs cannot pass a deal, the public should be asked to decide.
And today Daniel Kawczynski told Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live that, if the Commons cannot reach an agreement, a second referendum will become “inevitable”. He said:And today Daniel Kawczynski told Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live that, if the Commons cannot reach an agreement, a second referendum will become “inevitable”. He said:
If we cannot do this, if this is beyond us, and if we fail, then another referendum is inevitable.If we cannot do this, if this is beyond us, and if we fail, then another referendum is inevitable.
If we fail, if there can be no compromise between the parties, I can actually see then the logic, and other people will be demanding another referendum. And those like me who have genuine concerns about what will happen to our society if we go through this process again, we will lose that debate over the referendum, because it will be the only option then left available to try to break the gridlock that we’ve entered into.If we fail, if there can be no compromise between the parties, I can actually see then the logic, and other people will be demanding another referendum. And those like me who have genuine concerns about what will happen to our society if we go through this process again, we will lose that debate over the referendum, because it will be the only option then left available to try to break the gridlock that we’ve entered into.
And it will be the fault of these people in the Conservative party – in the ERG [European Research Group], and others – who refuse to compromise. I can’t begin to explain how worried and angry I am at their lack of being able to compromise and listen to what their constituents have to say.And it will be the fault of these people in the Conservative party – in the ERG [European Research Group], and others – who refuse to compromise. I can’t begin to explain how worried and angry I am at their lack of being able to compromise and listen to what their constituents have to say.
What is significant about this is that Kawczynski is a Brexiter. And not just a routine Brexiter but someone who at one point felt so strongly about this that he took the unusual step of writing to the Polish government (he was born in Poland) asking it to veto an article 50 extension. But a few weeks ago Kawczynski had a change of heart. He resigned from the ERG, which represents hardline Tory Brexiters, and he voted for Theresa May’s deal at the end of March, having previously voted against it. Today he told Radio 5 Live that the ERG were so intransigent that their tactics could lead to Brexit being overturned. He said:What is significant about this is that Kawczynski is a Brexiter. And not just a routine Brexiter but someone who at one point felt so strongly about this that he took the unusual step of writing to the Polish government (he was born in Poland) asking it to veto an article 50 extension. But a few weeks ago Kawczynski had a change of heart. He resigned from the ERG, which represents hardline Tory Brexiters, and he voted for Theresa May’s deal at the end of March, having previously voted against it. Today he told Radio 5 Live that the ERG were so intransigent that their tactics could lead to Brexit being overturned. He said:
Talking to them, I think they are so obsessed with this issue, and they are so determined not to compromise in any way, they feel almost as if any form of compromise is some sort of betrayal. And certainly that narrative, one gets a great deal on Twitter: ‘This is a betrayal’, ‘This is a betrayal to the country’, ‘We are not fulfilling what the British people voted for’. I think that’s for the birds – it’s crazy …Talking to them, I think they are so obsessed with this issue, and they are so determined not to compromise in any way, they feel almost as if any form of compromise is some sort of betrayal. And certainly that narrative, one gets a great deal on Twitter: ‘This is a betrayal’, ‘This is a betrayal to the country’, ‘We are not fulfilling what the British people voted for’. I think that’s for the birds – it’s crazy …
I have to say, wouldn’t it be ironic if the ERG, the Eurosceptic caucus, through their intransigence, actually result in another referendum which will potentially overturn the previous result.I have to say, wouldn’t it be ironic if the ERG, the Eurosceptic caucus, through their intransigence, actually result in another referendum which will potentially overturn the previous result.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, who is leading the Labour team in the cross-party Brexit talks with the government, told journalists as he arrived at the Cabinet Office for this afternoon’s negotiating session that this was “crunch time”. He told reporters:
Talks have been going on for some time as we know, but I think the time has now come to a crunch time where the government has to decide whether it’s serious about significant changes capable of actually carrying a majority in the House of Commons.
We’re going to be pressing them hard on that this afternoon.
Obviously the evidence this weekend was not promising but that’s what we will be discussing this afternoon, whether we can have that significant change that’s actually capable of carrying a majority in the House of Commons.
That’s the substance, but also the process, including how we deal with an incoming Tory leader and of course a confirmatory vote will also be on the agenda, and we’re going to discuss that this afternoon.
As the Press Association reports, Michael Gove, the environment secretary, followed shortly after the Labour team, telling journalists he was “optimistic” about today’s negotiations.
The Lidington announcement does confirms what Jean-Claude Juncker said earlier: “I don’t get the impression that the UK is very accommodating in terms of deadlines.” (See 2.57pm.)
Here is the full quote from David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, on the European elections.
Parliament has had several occasions to vote on leaving the European Union.
So far, every time there has been a majority against leaving with any particularly orderly deal, so we are engaged as a government in talks with the opposition, and with others across parliament, to try and find a way forward that has maximum possible support amongst politicians of all political parties.
But what this now means, given how little time there is, is that it is regrettably not going to be possible to finish that process before the date that is legally due for European parliamentary elections.
We very much hoped that we would be able to get our exit sorted and have the treaty concluded so that those elections did not have to take place. But legally, they do have to take place - unless our withdrawal has been given legal effect - so those will now go ahead.
But we will be redoubling our efforts and talks with MPs of all parties to try to make sure that the delay after that is as short as possible. Ideally we’d like to be in a situation where those MEPs never actually have to take their seat at European parliament, certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess.
That will mean effort, hard work and compromise from different political parties, people from both the leave side and the remain side in the European debate. But I think that is what is in the national interest - deal with the outcome, respect the outcome of the referendum of 2016 and leave the European Union with a deal that protects jobs, investment and living standards in this country.
This means that the government is, in practice, setting two new potential deadlines for getting the withdrawal agreement, and the accompanying legislation, passed.
Lidington says the government now hopes to get the Brexit agreement passed by Tuesday 2 July. That is when MEPs will take their seats in the newly-elected European parliament. Lidington says “ideally” British MEPs will not need to fall back. But, as a fallback, he says the agreement should “certainly” be passed by the summer recess. The date for the start of the summer recess has not been announced yet, but normally it is in mid/late July.
Today is the deadline for registering to vote in the European elections.
My colleague Martin Belam has written a guide about what you need to do to make sure you can take part.
How to make sure you can vote in the UK's European elections
The Press Association has just snapped this.
European parliament elections will go ahead in the UK on May 23, after the government determined that there is not enough time left to complete the ratification of Brexit before that date, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington has said.
This will be no surprise to anyone who has been following politics closely in recent weeks. It was almost inevitable as soon as Theresa May accepted a proposal to delay Brexit until 31 October at the emergency summit before Easter. But until this afternoon, in public at least, the government was insisting that there was a chance of the elections not actually going ahead because there was a possibility of the Brexit legislation being passed before 23 May, polling day.
Jean-Claude Juncker has said that taking David Cameron’s advice to stay out of the Brexit referendum campaign was one of his two major mistakes as European commission president.
During a press conference in Brussels, as the EU prepares to select Juncker’s replacement, the former prime minister of Luxembourg said his first error early in his tenure had been to react too late to Luxleaks scandal that revealed the scale of tax evasion in his country. He went on:
The second mistake I made was to listen too carefully to the British government - Cameron.
Because the then prime minister asked me not to interfere not to intervene in the referendum campaign. It was a mistake not to intervene and not to interfere because we would have been the only ones to destroy the lies which were circulated around. I was wrong to be silent at an important moment.
Juncker’s comments come ahead of a summit of the 27 leaders of the EU in the Romanian town of Sibiu where the intention is to discuss the big strategic questions facing the EU over the next five years.
Brexit is unlikely to feature in the EU’s thinking at the summit but Juncker made a series of barbs about the state of British politics during a pre-summit press conference.
Echoing Theresa May, Juncker said the EU27 meeting had been due to take place after the UK’s departure. “Brexit means brexit - but Brexit hasn’t taken place yet,” Juncker said.
While switching to English from German, Juncker noted:
Everyone understands English. No one understands England - but everyone understands English.
Asked about the slipping of the timetable in talks over future relations in the case of the UK and Switzerland, Juncker told reporters:
I don’t get the impression that the UK is very accommodating in terms of deadlines.
The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March. Juncker added of the potential for the UK to remain in the bloc:
I don’t have fears, I don’t have hopes.
I was saying the other day that by comparison to the British parliament the Egyptian sphinx are open books. Either they stay or they will leave. If they stay, they stay. If they leave, they leave.
Nigel Farage has said that, if his new Brexit party wins the European elections, that would amount to a vote for a WTO Brexit and that his party should be included in the team negotiating with the EU. (See 12.54pm.)
Theresa May has been warned that the chances of Tory MPs agreeing a Brexit deal are very slim. Speaking on the World at One, before the government/Labour talks resume later this afternoon, Charles Walker, a vice chair of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, said the chances of the Tory party pulling back together and backing a Brexit deal were “pretty slim” - about “one in five on a good day”. He also said he did not expect Labour to support the deal.
I can’t see that it’s in the Labour party’s interest to help the Conservative party out at the moment.
Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee, is also due to be meeting May this afternoon to tell her that Tory MPs want her to give a timetable for standing down if there is no Brexit deal. Nadine Dorries, one of the Tory MPs who wants May to go, posted this on Twitter this morning.
Theresa May walks up to the podium. She says, “l have listened to what you have to say. I have learnt the lesson and fully appreciate and understand, there is more I have to do and therefore,as of now, I am standing down as leader of the Conservative party.” And then I wake up.
Police are investigating whether a Ukip candidate in the European elections who has made comments speculating whether he would or would not rape the MP Jess Phillips has committed an offence.
The Northern Ireland parties have arrived at Stormont for talks aimed at reviving the power-sharing executive. The BBC’s Jayne McCormack has this briefing note explaining how they are expected to proceed.
British and Irish govt briefing note on the Stormont talks ⬇️ here’s what they’ve agreed for next few weeks pic.twitter.com/99NGFg3MhP
A watchdog has called for the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales to be raised. As the Press Association reports, individuals suspected of offences can be arrested and charged from the age of 10 under the existing rules. This is lower than in many European countries and “inconsistent with accepted international standards”, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). It says criminalising children at the age of 10 or 11 can have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing and development, and risks making them more likely to reoffend as adults. The EHRC is calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be “significantly” raised.
The UK is not ruling out the warlord Khalifa Haftar from a role in a future Libyan government despite his attack on the capital, Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary has said.
Hunt has promised a review into how his department handled the case of Matthew Hedges, the British academic convicted on spying charges by the United Arab Emirates.
The organiser of a pro-independence march in Glasgow is facing prosecution over the event’s start time.
This morning the Progressive Economy Forum published a report (pdf) explaining how the government could run pilots to test the case for a universal basic income (UBI), a welfare policy that would involve everyone being entitled to a regular payment from the state. As my colleague Richard Partington reports in our preview story, John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, commissioned the report and is interested in the idea for possible inclusion in the next Labour manifesto.
Speaking at the launch, McDonnell said that there was a growing acknowledgment that means-tested benefits were flawed. He also described the ideas in the report as pragmatic. These tweets are from the RSA, which hosted the event, and from the Independent’s Ashley Cowburn.
.@johnmcdonnellMP speaking at the RSA on #BasicIncome. Says “there’s been a growing acknowledgment that the means-tested system is degrading & dehumanising.” People have moved on from ‘scroungers’ language & want a new way. Watch live: https://t.co/PyEBI8PtmU pic.twitter.com/Mj5ydzdrNL
.@johnmcdonnellMP speaking at the RSA. Says Finnish trial shows the well-being of people on Basic Income is increased. There are many models of #UBI, including the RSA’s own basic opportunity fund. #BasicIncome pic.twitter.com/IN20T445Ll
McDonnell dismisses criticism of the proposal as “pie in the sky” thinking and describes as a “pragmatic” idea. “We look forward to considering it,” he says.
The proposal was also backed by Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader.
.@Ed_Miliband speaking at the RSA on why #BasicIncome debate is important as a ‘big idea’:1 It gives people freedom - extending security to all people 2 It changes power in workplace - gives workers the power to say ‘no’3 It would “rewrite” the welfare system #UBI pic.twitter.com/2P35OvoEMh
In his speech Miliband warmly praised McDonnell for opening up a debate on UBI and for being willing to “think big”. Addressing the shadow chancellor, he said:
I think, John, you are showing an imagination and a willingness to think big which is incredibly important in our politics. It is important for what a Labour government can do, but also for opening up the space ....
There will be people who like UBI, people who hate UBI. But I think what I would say to critics is, this is playing on a big pitch. This is primed to answer big questions that people feel in their heart about the problems with our society. So, if you don’t like it, fine. But come up with ideas that are big enough to compete with us. And that is, I think, in the end the real strength of UBI. It asks big questions about the nature of our society and seeks to answer them.
Downing Street has just announced that two peers have left the government “for personal reasons”. They are Lady Fairhead, the former chair of the BBC Trust, who was an international trade minister, and Lady Manzoor, a former Lib Dem peer who defected to the Tories, who was a government whip.
At a poster launch in Islington, north London, where Jeremy Corbyn is an MP, the Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said he wanted to win over Labour voters. He said:
My main priority here is to get Labour voters who are rightfully disenchanted with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit, to get behind us in the European elections, that’s the objective.
We did extremely well in the local elections, it was unambiguous. It was predominately remain areas and remain voters but we did get a lot of others voting for us on the strength of our performance and credibility in the local government.
Liberal Democrats are ready to take our clear message to Britain in #EUelections2019 on 23 May - stop Brexit. pic.twitter.com/9ceNZCcmA8