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| Cabinet sets summer recess as deadline for passing Brexit deal, even though Labour talks unresolved - live news | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| I’m just back from the Number 10 lobby briefing, and it sounds as if today’s longer-than-usual cabinet did not resolve a great deal. | |
| This is how the prime minister’s spokesman summed up the cabinet discussion on Brexit. | |
| Cabinet held an extensive discussion on the Brexit talks which are taking place with Labour and on the pressing need to get on with delivering the result of the referendum. Ministers involved in the negotiations set out details of the compromises which the government was prepared to consider in order to secure an agreement which would allow the UK to leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible. | |
| Cabinet agreed to continue discussions with Labour to see what was possible. However, it was agreed that it is imperative to bring forward the withdrawal agreement bill in time for it to receive royal assent by the summer parliamentary recess. | |
| And this is what it means. | |
| Cabinet has set the summer recess as a deadline for passing the EU withdrawal agreement bill - without agreeing a strategy for getting it through parliament. The summer recess normally starts mid/late July, but the exact date has not been set yet. Arguably you could describe this as the deadline being set back again, because David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, said last week the government would like the legislation passed before the new European parliament meets for the first time on 2 July (although Lidington also said the summer recess would be the deadline if the 2 July one was not achievable.) In theory the Commons could sit through August, although the prime minister’s spokesman played down the prospect of MPs being asked to give up their holidays. | |
| Cabinet has agreed to continue the talks with Labour - although nothing said at the briefing implied that ministers are confident an agreement will actually be reached. It also sounded as though ministers were divided about what compromises the government should be offering to the opposition. | |
| I will post a more detailed summary soon. | |
| Speaking at the Lib Dem election poster launch this morning (see 11.28am), Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem deputy leader, accused Labour of being “all over the place” on a second referendum. She said: | Speaking at the Lib Dem election poster launch this morning (see 11.28am), Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem deputy leader, accused Labour of being “all over the place” on a second referendum. She said: |
| Labour are refusing to take the chances to stop Brexit. They’re in the room negotiating but negotiating to try to make Brexit happen. | Labour are refusing to take the chances to stop Brexit. They’re in the room negotiating but negotiating to try to make Brexit happen. |
| A vote for Labour is a vote for Brexit in these elections. If you want to stop Brexit, the Liberal Democrats are the strongest, biggest, most consistent force for remain. | A vote for Labour is a vote for Brexit in these elections. If you want to stop Brexit, the Liberal Democrats are the strongest, biggest, most consistent force for remain. |
| Labour have been all over the place on whether or not they support a people’s vote. | Labour have been all over the place on whether or not they support a people’s vote. |
| Some Labour MPs who I’ve worked with absolutely do, but unfortunately they haven’t convinced their leadership to come out unequivocally backing a people’s vote. | Some Labour MPs who I’ve worked with absolutely do, but unfortunately they haven’t convinced their leadership to come out unequivocally backing a people’s vote. |
| I’m off to the Number 10 lobby briefing about cabinet now. I will post again after 2pm. | I’m off to the Number 10 lobby briefing about cabinet now. I will post again after 2pm. |
| Labour party sources are suggesting that Bridget Prentice’s decision to resign from the party (see 11.01am) may have been influenced by the fact she was “aggrieved” that she was not re-nominated to serve as Labour’s representative to the Electoral Commission. | Labour party sources are suggesting that Bridget Prentice’s decision to resign from the party (see 11.01am) may have been influenced by the fact she was “aggrieved” that she was not re-nominated to serve as Labour’s representative to the Electoral Commission. |
| Former Liberal leader Lord Steel said he was “relieved” that an investigation launched after he gave evidence about child abuse allegations against former MP Sir Cyril Smith concluded there were “no grounds for action”. As the Press Association reports, Steel had been suspended by the Liberal Democrats while the probe - sparked by evidence he gave to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - was carried out. The former Holyrood presiding officer said a conversation with Smith had left him “assuming” the allegations were correct, but that the party did not investigate them. | Former Liberal leader Lord Steel said he was “relieved” that an investigation launched after he gave evidence about child abuse allegations against former MP Sir Cyril Smith concluded there were “no grounds for action”. As the Press Association reports, Steel had been suspended by the Liberal Democrats while the probe - sparked by evidence he gave to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - was carried out. The former Holyrood presiding officer said a conversation with Smith had left him “assuming” the allegations were correct, but that the party did not investigate them. |
| An internal party investigation was carried out by the executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Scottish party leader Willie Rennie said this had “determined, after careful consideration, that there are no grounds for action against David Steel”. As the Press Association reports, his suspension has now been lifted, with Lord Steel saying the party has “cleared my name”. | An internal party investigation was carried out by the executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Scottish party leader Willie Rennie said this had “determined, after careful consideration, that there are no grounds for action against David Steel”. As the Press Association reports, his suspension has now been lifted, with Lord Steel saying the party has “cleared my name”. |
| Cabinet has only just finished, the BBC reports. That means it went on for around three hours , which is about an hour longer than usual. | Cabinet has only just finished, the BBC reports. That means it went on for around three hours , which is about an hour longer than usual. |
| Cabinet only just finished... | Cabinet only just finished... |
| Here are the main points from Sir Vince Cable’s LBC phone-in this morning. | Here are the main points from Sir Vince Cable’s LBC phone-in this morning. |
| Cable, the Lib Dem leader, said the WTO system was “disintegrating”, which was why the WTO Brexit favoured by Nigel Farage was “a pathetic, weak option”. He said: | Cable, the Lib Dem leader, said the WTO system was “disintegrating”, which was why the WTO Brexit favoured by Nigel Farage was “a pathetic, weak option”. He said: |
| I think it’s important we confront the no-deal option, what Nigel Farage calls WTO rules. This has become a very glib phrase that people use without realising, I think, that the WTO system is actually disintegrating. The only two countries in the world that operate under WTO rules, major countries, are Russia and China. Russia is covered by economic sanctions. China is getting into a trade war with the United States. The World Trade Organisation no longer functions. It has no authority. It’s a bit like saying let’s get rid of our army and Nato and rely on the United Nations declarations to preserve our defence. It is a pathetic, weak option and it needs to be exposed. | I think it’s important we confront the no-deal option, what Nigel Farage calls WTO rules. This has become a very glib phrase that people use without realising, I think, that the WTO system is actually disintegrating. The only two countries in the world that operate under WTO rules, major countries, are Russia and China. Russia is covered by economic sanctions. China is getting into a trade war with the United States. The World Trade Organisation no longer functions. It has no authority. It’s a bit like saying let’s get rid of our army and Nato and rely on the United Nations declarations to preserve our defence. It is a pathetic, weak option and it needs to be exposed. |
| Cable said the economic impact of Brexit would be more like a “slow puncture” than a “blow-out”. He explained: | Cable said the economic impact of Brexit would be more like a “slow puncture” than a “blow-out”. He explained: |
| I’ve always likened leaving the European Union - it’s a slow puncture, rather than a blow-out. Five or 10 years time, we would really feel the economic cost. | I’ve always likened leaving the European Union - it’s a slow puncture, rather than a blow-out. Five or 10 years time, we would really feel the economic cost. |
| He criticised George Osborne, the former chancellor, for promoting scare stories about the impact of Brexit in the 2016 referendum. He said: | He criticised George Osborne, the former chancellor, for promoting scare stories about the impact of Brexit in the 2016 referendum. He said: |
| Unfortunately some of the remainers, and you have mentioned Mr Osborne, produced a cataclysmic view of the world that clearly wasn’t right. And Project Fear didn’t work. It was counter-productive, and I accept that. | Unfortunately some of the remainers, and you have mentioned Mr Osborne, produced a cataclysmic view of the world that clearly wasn’t right. And Project Fear didn’t work. It was counter-productive, and I accept that. |
| Cable said that he disagreed with Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the liberal group in the European parliament (the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) on many issues, even though they campaigned together last week. He said: | Cable said that he disagreed with Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the liberal group in the European parliament (the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) on many issues, even though they campaigned together last week. He said: |
| I welcomed [Verhofstad], and he does represent the wider liberal family in Europe. I don’t agree with him on a lot of issues, to be frank. He is a very strong believer in a more federal Europe, closer integration. I think the balance we have got at the moment, which keeps Britain out of the monetary union, and out of the deeper kinds of integration, it probably suits the British better than some of the other versions. So I do disagree with him about that. But he’s a good man, and he fights for liberal values and after these elections he will be leading a very powerful liberal force in the European parliament fighting the extremism and populism that we are getting across Europe. | I welcomed [Verhofstad], and he does represent the wider liberal family in Europe. I don’t agree with him on a lot of issues, to be frank. He is a very strong believer in a more federal Europe, closer integration. I think the balance we have got at the moment, which keeps Britain out of the monetary union, and out of the deeper kinds of integration, it probably suits the British better than some of the other versions. So I do disagree with him about that. But he’s a good man, and he fights for liberal values and after these elections he will be leading a very powerful liberal force in the European parliament fighting the extremism and populism that we are getting across Europe. |
| Cable said the Lib Dems would have to work together with Change UK and the Green party after the European elections. He said: | Cable said the Lib Dems would have to work together with Change UK and the Green party after the European elections. He said: |
| When the election is over, we are going to have to get together with the Change party, and the Greens, I would hope - we share a lot in common with them - and work constructively together. I think that’s what the electorate want. | When the election is over, we are going to have to get together with the Change party, and the Greens, I would hope - we share a lot in common with them - and work constructively together. I think that’s what the electorate want. |
| The last time there was a division in the House of Commons was more than a month ago, on Wednesday 10 April, on a motion about the Trident nuclear deterrent. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is not impressed. | The last time there was a division in the House of Commons was more than a month ago, on Wednesday 10 April, on a motion about the Trident nuclear deterrent. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is not impressed. |
| It is now over a month since the House of Commons had a vote on anything. UK government is in complete paralysis. There’s no sign of the day job - or indeed any job - being done. https://t.co/UwZpL3QAtS | It is now over a month since the House of Commons had a vote on anything. UK government is in complete paralysis. There’s no sign of the day job - or indeed any job - being done. https://t.co/UwZpL3QAtS |
| It is not quite true to say there have been no votes in the last month. There have been no divisions (ie, contested votes), but some government business has gone through on the nod (ie, without opposition), like the non-domestic rating (preparation for digital services bill) which got a second reading yesterday. However, anything passed in this way tends to be non-controversial and of low importance. | It is not quite true to say there have been no votes in the last month. There have been no divisions (ie, contested votes), but some government business has gone through on the nod (ie, without opposition), like the non-domestic rating (preparation for digital services bill) which got a second reading yesterday. However, anything passed in this way tends to be non-controversial and of low importance. |
| The Lib Dem MP Layla Moran will not be standing for the leadership when Sir Vince Cable stands down, which he has said he will do later this year, the Evening Standard reports. A new MP, she had been seen as a potential outside-chance, fresh face candidate. Her decision means that Jo Swinson, the current deputy, must be the clear favourite. | The Lib Dem MP Layla Moran will not be standing for the leadership when Sir Vince Cable stands down, which he has said he will do later this year, the Evening Standard reports. A new MP, she had been seen as a potential outside-chance, fresh face candidate. Her decision means that Jo Swinson, the current deputy, must be the clear favourite. |
| Here is the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on the current state of the cross-party Brexit talks. | Here is the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on the current state of the cross-party Brexit talks. |
| 1. As we all look forward to another day of arguing about customs relationships in Westminster - senior minister says the point is to 'agree to disagree' but sign off a process that leaves long term customs deal open to the next govt | 1. As we all look forward to another day of arguing about customs relationships in Westminster - senior minister says the point is to 'agree to disagree' but sign off a process that leaves long term customs deal open to the next govt |
| 2. As ever, row over customs has rather a lot of faux rage involved on all sides - govt IS worried about what @NickBoles suggested this morning that clash in Labour over stalling or signing up is a problem | 2. As ever, row over customs has rather a lot of faux rage involved on all sides - govt IS worried about what @NickBoles suggested this morning that clash in Labour over stalling or signing up is a problem |
| 3. Some ministers suspect Starmer playing long to allow Labour time to move more firmly to backing a second referendum - and different to Corbyn position which would sign something off if they could deliver it, but that's totally rejected by sources close to Starmer | 3. Some ministers suspect Starmer playing long to allow Labour time to move more firmly to backing a second referendum - and different to Corbyn position which would sign something off if they could deliver it, but that's totally rejected by sources close to Starmer |
| The European commission is not getting excited about the news that Olly Robbins, the prime minister’s chief Brexit spokesman, is heading to Brussels to renegotiate the political declaration. | The European commission is not getting excited about the news that Olly Robbins, the prime minister’s chief Brexit spokesman, is heading to Brussels to renegotiate the political declaration. |
| Asked about this at his regular briefing, Margaritis Schinas, the European commission’s chief spokesman, said: | Asked about this at his regular briefing, Margaritis Schinas, the European commission’s chief spokesman, said: |
| We continue on our Brexit break. | We continue on our Brexit break. |
| We will come out of the Brexit break if there is something happening in London. | We will come out of the Brexit break if there is something happening in London. |
| We will listen to Olly Robbins tomorrow. | We will listen to Olly Robbins tomorrow. |
| Here are some of the main points from Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in earlier. | Here are some of the main points from Nigel Farage’s LBC phone-in earlier. |
| Farage claimed that some remainers as well as leavers would be voting for his new Brexit party. During his phone-in with the LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, he referred to his own experience hosting a phone-in programme on the station. He said: | Farage claimed that some remainers as well as leavers would be voting for his new Brexit party. During his phone-in with the LBC presenter Nick Ferrari, he referred to his own experience hosting a phone-in programme on the station. He said: |
| One of the things I learnt sitting in that chair doing a show for LBC is, you get outside the central London boroughs, and there is huge anger in this country, and it is not just coming from leave voters. A lot of it is coming from remain voters as well ... | One of the things I learnt sitting in that chair doing a show for LBC is, you get outside the central London boroughs, and there is huge anger in this country, and it is not just coming from leave voters. A lot of it is coming from remain voters as well ... |
| There will be remain voters who will vote for the Brexit party. Indeed, we have even got a candidate standing for us in eastern England who voted remain in the referendum. | There will be remain voters who will vote for the Brexit party. Indeed, we have even got a candidate standing for us in eastern England who voted remain in the referendum. |
| For us to be a credible nation, the bedrock on which it is founded is our democratic system, because that is the bond of trust that needs to exist between people and those that govern them. And that at the moment is fundamentally breaking down. | For us to be a credible nation, the bedrock on which it is founded is our democratic system, because that is the bond of trust that needs to exist between people and those that govern them. And that at the moment is fundamentally breaking down. |
| He claimed the Brexit party would become “the most open political party” in Britain, with supporters directly deciding policy. As the Guardian has reported, Farage set up the party as a private company, with registered supporters rather than members. It is not publishing policies before next week’s European elections. Farage said he had chosen this structure because he had to set it up quickly, but he said that this would “evolve over time” and that he wanted supporters to decide policy directly. He explained: | He claimed the Brexit party would become “the most open political party” in Britain, with supporters directly deciding policy. As the Guardian has reported, Farage set up the party as a private company, with registered supporters rather than members. It is not publishing policies before next week’s European elections. Farage said he had chosen this structure because he had to set it up quickly, but he said that this would “evolve over time” and that he wanted supporters to decide policy directly. He explained: |
| This is going to be the most open political party that you have ever seen in Britain. We are getting rid of those delegated layers that political parties have, like national executive committees, where everything tends to get lost and tied up ... We are going to directly liaise and have votes amongst our registered supporters to shape policy and shape our future direction. I want this to be a really, really engaged group of people. And we will produce policy on the basis of of what our supporters think. And that, I think, is quite a radical departure. | This is going to be the most open political party that you have ever seen in Britain. We are getting rid of those delegated layers that political parties have, like national executive committees, where everything tends to get lost and tied up ... We are going to directly liaise and have votes amongst our registered supporters to shape policy and shape our future direction. I want this to be a really, really engaged group of people. And we will produce policy on the basis of of what our supporters think. And that, I think, is quite a radical departure. |
| This is how Italy’s Five Star Movement (M5S) operates although, as a Guardian report earlier this year explains, there are doubts about how democratic such processes really are. | This is how Italy’s Five Star Movement (M5S) operates although, as a Guardian report earlier this year explains, there are doubts about how democratic such processes really are. |
| Farage said his party now had nearly 100,000 registered supporters, each paying £25. | Farage said his party now had nearly 100,000 registered supporters, each paying £25. |