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| Brexit: No 10 refuses to rule out holding indicative votes on Brexit next week - as it happened | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The prospect of Theresa May getting parliament to pass a Brexit deal looks more remote than ever this afternoon after the cross-party talks with Labour aimed at finding a compromise plan collapsed. The two sides blamed each other, with Jeremy Corbyn saying he called off the negotiations because the government’s “weakness and instability” meant he could not be sure any deal would be honoured (see 10.50am), while May said a key problem was that some in Labour were pushing for a second referendum. (See 12.33pm.) According to a leaked document, the government has been considering asking MPs to vote on a series of Brexit propositions on Wednesday next week to see if the Commons can agree on something and Downing Street hasn’t ruled out going ahead with these so-called indicative votes despite today’s setback. Tory Brexiters have welcomed the collapse of the talks, supporters of a second referendum say the impasse makes the case for a people’s vote even stronger, but some MPs are claiming that without a cross-party compromise on the EU withdrawal agreement bill there will be no opportunity to legislate for a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit will become more likely. (See 3.15pm.) Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s explainer on what might happen next. | The prospect of Theresa May getting parliament to pass a Brexit deal looks more remote than ever this afternoon after the cross-party talks with Labour aimed at finding a compromise plan collapsed. The two sides blamed each other, with Jeremy Corbyn saying he called off the negotiations because the government’s “weakness and instability” meant he could not be sure any deal would be honoured (see 10.50am), while May said a key problem was that some in Labour were pushing for a second referendum. (See 12.33pm.) According to a leaked document, the government has been considering asking MPs to vote on a series of Brexit propositions on Wednesday next week to see if the Commons can agree on something and Downing Street hasn’t ruled out going ahead with these so-called indicative votes despite today’s setback. Tory Brexiters have welcomed the collapse of the talks, supporters of a second referendum say the impasse makes the case for a people’s vote even stronger, but some MPs are claiming that without a cross-party compromise on the EU withdrawal agreement bill there will be no opportunity to legislate for a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit will become more likely. (See 3.15pm.) Here is my colleague Peter Walker’s explainer on what might happen next. |
| Cross-party Brexit talks have collapsed – so what happens now? | Cross-party Brexit talks have collapsed – so what happens now? |
| Nicola Sturgeon has urged voters across Scotland to support the SNP in next week’s EU elections “whether you’re for or against independence”, to send a convincing message about the country’s opposition to Brexit. | Nicola Sturgeon has urged voters across Scotland to support the SNP in next week’s EU elections “whether you’re for or against independence”, to send a convincing message about the country’s opposition to Brexit. |
| A neo-Nazi who admitted plotting the murder of the Labour MP Rosie Cooper has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 20 years. | A neo-Nazi who admitted plotting the murder of the Labour MP Rosie Cooper has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 20 years. |
| That’s all from me for today. | That’s all from me for today. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| Have a good weekend. | Have a good weekend. |
| David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, has not ruled out his party revisiting Brexit talks with the Labour party. Speaking on a visit to Northern Ireland, he said: | David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, has not ruled out his party revisiting Brexit talks with the Labour party. Speaking on a visit to Northern Ireland, he said: |
| The prime minister and Jeremy Corbyn have both said today that they are willing to explore any ideas that there are to overcome the remaining differences, and I think both leaders have said the talks, though we have not so far been successful, have been serious and constructive, both sides have entered into them into them in a genuine spirit, and so let’s see what happens. | The prime minister and Jeremy Corbyn have both said today that they are willing to explore any ideas that there are to overcome the remaining differences, and I think both leaders have said the talks, though we have not so far been successful, have been serious and constructive, both sides have entered into them into them in a genuine spirit, and so let’s see what happens. |
| This is from Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, on the collapse of the Brexit talks. | This is from Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, on the collapse of the Brexit talks. |
| The Prime Minister is trying to blame everyone but herself for the collapse of cross-party talks. She knows the reality is she couldn’t carry her own side or offer a realistic compromise. Any deal agreed wouldn’t last a day under a new Tory leader. https://t.co/y4JRLoYZbr | The Prime Minister is trying to blame everyone but herself for the collapse of cross-party talks. She knows the reality is she couldn’t carry her own side or offer a realistic compromise. Any deal agreed wouldn’t last a day under a new Tory leader. https://t.co/y4JRLoYZbr |
| And here are two Tory Brexiters who have welcomed the breakdown of the cross-party Brexit talks. | And here are two Tory Brexiters who have welcomed the breakdown of the cross-party Brexit talks. |
| From Priti Patel, the former international development secretary | From Priti Patel, the former international development secretary |
| Many of us did question the judgement of the Cabinet when they approved those talks... https://t.co/YO9qPfrWNN | Many of us did question the judgement of the Cabinet when they approved those talks... https://t.co/YO9qPfrWNN |
| From Simon Clarke | From Simon Clarke |
| Thank God. They ought never to have happened. https://t.co/ndOJFkh2oy | Thank God. They ought never to have happened. https://t.co/ndOJFkh2oy |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, and Lord Hesletine, the Conservative former deputy prime minister, may have expressed their hostility towards Boris Johnson today, but there is some good news for him in a Hanbury poll for Politico Europe. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, and Lord Hesletine, the Conservative former deputy prime minister, may have expressed their hostility towards Boris Johnson today, but there is some good news for him in a Hanbury poll for Politico Europe. |
| Hanbury asked voters about six of the potential candidates to replace Theresa May and found that Johnson was the only one who would make people who voted Conservative in 2017 say they would be more, not less, likely to vote Tory at the next general election. He was also the only one who made Brexit party supporters say they were more likely to vote Conservative at the next general election. | Hanbury asked voters about six of the potential candidates to replace Theresa May and found that Johnson was the only one who would make people who voted Conservative in 2017 say they would be more, not less, likely to vote Tory at the next general election. He was also the only one who made Brexit party supporters say they were more likely to vote Conservative at the next general election. |
| The other five Tories who popularity was surveyed were: Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt. | The other five Tories who popularity was surveyed were: Michael Gove, Amber Rudd, Dominic Raab, Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt. |
| Worryingly for the party, amongst the electorate as a whole, all six potential leaders would have a negative impact on the party’s performance, the poll suggests. | Worryingly for the party, amongst the electorate as a whole, all six potential leaders would have a negative impact on the party’s performance, the poll suggests. |
| In his write-up Politico’s James Randerson explains: | In his write-up Politico’s James Randerson explains: |
| None of the leading candidates to replace May look capable of winning mass appeal with voters across the leave-remain spectrum. Asked whether each of the six potential candidates would make respondents more or less likely to support the Tories, all were rejected overall by margins ranging from -17% (the difference between “more likely” and “less likely” responses) and -25%. | None of the leading candidates to replace May look capable of winning mass appeal with voters across the leave-remain spectrum. Asked whether each of the six potential candidates would make respondents more or less likely to support the Tories, all were rejected overall by margins ranging from -17% (the difference between “more likely” and “less likely” responses) and -25%. |
| When it comes to the less ambitious goal of maintaining the backing of Tory voters at the last general election, only Johnson achieved a positive score (2%), suggesting that only he would be capable of holding that electoral coalition together. | When it comes to the less ambitious goal of maintaining the backing of Tory voters at the last general election, only Johnson achieved a positive score (2%), suggesting that only he would be capable of holding that electoral coalition together. |
| Fellow Brexiteers Michael Gove, the environment secretary, and Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, put off more of the 2017 Tory voters than they attracted, scoring -13% and -11%, respectively. | Fellow Brexiteers Michael Gove, the environment secretary, and Dominic Raab, the former Brexit secretary, put off more of the 2017 Tory voters than they attracted, scoring -13% and -11%, respectively. |
| Three cabinet ministers who backed remain in the referendum — and would be likely to throw their hat into the ring — were also unpopular with Tory voters. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd scored -15%, Home Secretary Sajid Javid achieved -8% and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt polled -9%. | Three cabinet ministers who backed remain in the referendum — and would be likely to throw their hat into the ring — were also unpopular with Tory voters. Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd scored -15%, Home Secretary Sajid Javid achieved -8% and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt polled -9%. |
| These are from Nick Boles, the former Conservative MP who now sits as an independent who has been one of the leading supporters of the compromise common market 2.0 plan for a soft Brexit. | These are from Nick Boles, the former Conservative MP who now sits as an independent who has been one of the leading supporters of the compromise common market 2.0 plan for a soft Brexit. |
| I am amazed by how few understand this obvious truth. Just because we managed to stop no-deal Brexit at the end of March does not mean we will have either the mechanism (amendable Section 13 motions) or the numbers to do it again at end October. https://t.co/BIYQCJqOCJ | I am amazed by how few understand this obvious truth. Just because we managed to stop no-deal Brexit at the end of March does not mean we will have either the mechanism (amendable Section 13 motions) or the numbers to do it again at end October. https://t.co/BIYQCJqOCJ |
| Now that @Keir_Starmer has scuppered the cross-party talks, maybe he and his backers in the PV campaign can tell us how they think they will get the legislation for a second referendum through Parliament before end October? What bill are they going to amend? | Now that @Keir_Starmer has scuppered the cross-party talks, maybe he and his backers in the PV campaign can tell us how they think they will get the legislation for a second referendum through Parliament before end October? What bill are they going to amend? |
| The WAB will only be amendable if it passes 2nd Reading. If Labour MPs are whipped to vote against it, as Starmer has promised, they will defeat the only vehicle that could actually deliver a second referendum. Smart move, Keir. https://t.co/rLorP836ym | The WAB will only be amendable if it passes 2nd Reading. If Labour MPs are whipped to vote against it, as Starmer has promised, they will defeat the only vehicle that could actually deliver a second referendum. Smart move, Keir. https://t.co/rLorP836ym |
| And this is from Labour’s Lucy Powell, another common market 2.0 supporter. | And this is from Labour’s Lucy Powell, another common market 2.0 supporter. |
| So we will have spent the 6 month EU extension on a Tory leadership contest. The outcome of which will be a new PM committed to a no deal exit. Parliament won’t be able to stop this (we won Yvette’s Bill by one, incl Peterborough MP & Tory rebels) and the EU won’t stop it either | So we will have spent the 6 month EU extension on a Tory leadership contest. The outcome of which will be a new PM committed to a no deal exit. Parliament won’t be able to stop this (we won Yvette’s Bill by one, incl Peterborough MP & Tory rebels) and the EU won’t stop it either |
| Some points worth considering from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg .... | Some points worth considering from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg .... |
| 1. So what are the chances of MP s moving to back bill without any more changes now Labour talks have failed? Seems v slim but... two VERY important things to note @NickBoles and @LucyMPowell both pointing out (and frankly they know a LOT about this legislation) | 1. So what are the chances of MP s moving to back bill without any more changes now Labour talks have failed? Seems v slim but... two VERY important things to note @NickBoles and @LucyMPowell both pointing out (and frankly they know a LOT about this legislation) |
| 2. As things stand, there IS no route in law to block us leaving with no deal in Oct - if there is no Bill + no meaningful votes, there is no technical route to do it- although the politics look like it's impossible, as things stand don't assume Parliament would stop it happening | 2. As things stand, there IS no route in law to block us leaving with no deal in Oct - if there is no Bill + no meaningful votes, there is no technical route to do it- although the politics look like it's impossible, as things stand don't assume Parliament would stop it happening |
| 3. Those who want another referendum need a way of changing the law to make that happen - without no bill to amend, there is no way they can change the law | 3. Those who want another referendum need a way of changing the law to make that happen - without no bill to amend, there is no way they can change the law |
| 4. Of course MPs are pretty inventive + have found ways round what have seemed like brick walls before BUT | 4. Of course MPs are pretty inventive + have found ways round what have seemed like brick walls before BUT |
| 5. Two of the assumptions in this debate - on the impossibility of MPs allowing No Deal and and how you could make a referendum happen if mood changed in Parly- are not as solid as you might imagine | 5. Two of the assumptions in this debate - on the impossibility of MPs allowing No Deal and and how you could make a referendum happen if mood changed in Parly- are not as solid as you might imagine |
| On the World at One the Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who is backing Boris Johnson for the Conservative leadership, said that if Johnson became PM, he would go to Brussels and negotiate a version of Brexit without the backstop. This had not been properly tried by Theresa May, she said. | On the World at One the Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who is backing Boris Johnson for the Conservative leadership, said that if Johnson became PM, he would go to Brussels and negotiate a version of Brexit without the backstop. This had not been properly tried by Theresa May, she said. |
| Lord Heseltine, the pro-European former Conservative deputy prime minister, was also on the programme and he said Dorries’ claim was ridiculous. He said: | Lord Heseltine, the pro-European former Conservative deputy prime minister, was also on the programme and he said Dorries’ claim was ridiculous. He said: |
| Boris was foreign secretary for a year at the head, at the front, of the European inter-relationship. Are you seriously telling me that these ideas he has were not tried, tested and rejected? It’s ridiculous. | Boris was foreign secretary for a year at the head, at the front, of the European inter-relationship. Are you seriously telling me that these ideas he has were not tried, tested and rejected? It’s ridiculous. |
| Theresa May has her critics, but what you cannot deny is that when she became prime minister, she put in charge of the negotiations three leading Brexiteers. And they cocked it up. And the only way she could make progress was to do what traditionally prime ministers do, hand it over to the civil servants to try and bring professionalism to our activity. | Theresa May has her critics, but what you cannot deny is that when she became prime minister, she put in charge of the negotiations three leading Brexiteers. And they cocked it up. And the only way she could make progress was to do what traditionally prime ministers do, hand it over to the civil servants to try and bring professionalism to our activity. |
| It hasn’t got her anywhere because there is no majority for Brexit in parliament or, in my view, in the county. So the only solution now is to go back to the country and confront them with the reality of the delusions with which they were confronted at the time of the first referendum. | It hasn’t got her anywhere because there is no majority for Brexit in parliament or, in my view, in the county. So the only solution now is to go back to the country and confront them with the reality of the delusions with which they were confronted at the time of the first referendum. |
| This is from Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, on the breakdown of the Labour/government talks on Brexit. | This is from Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, on the breakdown of the Labour/government talks on Brexit. |
| The weakness of the government and the vacillation of the Labour Party put their talks on very shaky ground from the beginning. Remain voters will not be fooled by Corbyn walking out now. He still wants Brexit to happen. Every vote for the @libdems is a vote to #StopBrexit. | The weakness of the government and the vacillation of the Labour Party put their talks on very shaky ground from the beginning. Remain voters will not be fooled by Corbyn walking out now. He still wants Brexit to happen. Every vote for the @libdems is a vote to #StopBrexit. |
| Downing Street sources are stressing that some of the concessions offered by the government to Labour in the cross-party talks that have now been terminated will find their way into the Brexit bill being debated in early June. “The withdrawal agreement bill is not going to be the same thing that parliament has rejected three times already,” one insider said. | Downing Street sources are stressing that some of the concessions offered by the government to Labour in the cross-party talks that have now been terminated will find their way into the Brexit bill being debated in early June. “The withdrawal agreement bill is not going to be the same thing that parliament has rejected three times already,” one insider said. |
| Danny Kennedy, the Ulster Unionist candidate for the European parliament has ruled out a no-deal Brexit as a “step into the unknown”. As the Press Association reports, Kennedy said a sensible agreement would protect businesses and the agri-food sector while maximising future opportunities for young people in Northern Ireland. He said holding a second referendum would only deepen division. | Danny Kennedy, the Ulster Unionist candidate for the European parliament has ruled out a no-deal Brexit as a “step into the unknown”. As the Press Association reports, Kennedy said a sensible agreement would protect businesses and the agri-food sector while maximising future opportunities for young people in Northern Ireland. He said holding a second referendum would only deepen division. |
| At the launch of his manifesto in Belfast he said: | At the launch of his manifesto in Belfast he said: |
| We simply cannot afford to take a step into the unknown. I understand that people are keen to see Brexit delivered, but it has to be done in a way which protects business, our agri-food sector and gives maximum opportunity to our young people for the future. | We simply cannot afford to take a step into the unknown. I understand that people are keen to see Brexit delivered, but it has to be done in a way which protects business, our agri-food sector and gives maximum opportunity to our young people for the future. |
| It is not in Northern Ireland’s interests and it is certainly not in the interests of the pro-union population here. | It is not in Northern Ireland’s interests and it is certainly not in the interests of the pro-union population here. |
| Northern Ireland elects three MEPs using the single transferable vote system. Sinn Fein’s Martina Anderson and Democratic Unionist Diane Dodds are almost certain to be elected. Kennedy is seen as competing against the nationalist SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance party leader Naomi Long are also competing for the third seat. | Northern Ireland elects three MEPs using the single transferable vote system. Sinn Fein’s Martina Anderson and Democratic Unionist Diane Dodds are almost certain to be elected. Kennedy is seen as competing against the nationalist SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance party leader Naomi Long are also competing for the third seat. |
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