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Jeremy Hunt says no-deal Brexit would be 'political suicide' – live news Jeremy Hunt says no-deal Brexit would be 'political suicide' – live news
(32 minutes later)
Tony Blair has urged Jeremy Corbyn to “stop equivocating” and back a second referendum.
Speaking to Sky News he said: “The risk for Labour is that if it doesn’t put forward a set of policies that can command support in the centre as well as on the left then it can’t get to a majority. On Europe he [Corbyn] has just got to come to a clear position. Both party leaderships have made the same mistake which is to think that it is possible to sit on the fence on Europe and appeal to both sides. The European elections show that isn’t possible.”
Tony Blair says the Labour Party needs to "stop equivocating" on Brexit, and says the country is "profoundly divided".Read more about the fallout from #EP2019 here: https://t.co/hs4aot14ZY pic.twitter.com/gDxHVqa3Hp
Blair also praised Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, who has been pushing for a second referendum. He said: “I think Tom Watson has shown a lot of leadership in the last year or so and I support what he is trying to do within the Labour party which is to give a broad shelter to those MPs that believe Labour wins when it wins from a centre left position.”
Asked if he was talking to Watson, Blair said: “Yes of course. I talk to a lot of Labour MPs.
The former Labour prime minister said he voted Labour in the European elections with “no enthusiasm”.
On the Conservative leadership race, Blair said: “There is no Tory leader that would be crazy enough to try and tip this country into no-deal Brexit without going back to the people.”
He added: “What Jeremy Hunt has said is absolutely right: the Conservatives would be certifiably insane to do a general election in the shadow of Brexit. This Tory leadership competition is going to a competition in Brexitness. Whoever emerges will go back to Europe, they are still trying to pitch this idea that Europe is going to allow us access into the market without abiding by the rules. They will find that Europe says no to that. Europe will not make concessions to a hardline Tory leader that they were not prepared to give to Theresa May.”
Sajid Javid has ducked the question of whether he would take the UK out of the EU without a deal.
Challenged on a no-deal Brexit by reporters outside his home the home secretary said: “Brexit is clearly going to be one of the big issues that has to be addressed properly and every candidate has to come forward with a credible plan. So I will have much more to say on that in the coming days.”
His use of the words “credible plan” appears to be a swipe at some of the candidates who have called for UK to leave the EU with or without deal on 31 October.
He added:
“What the public wants to see is much more trust with their politicians. A much stronger more confident relationship and I am concerned about the future and how we do that and that’s why I think we need the right type of leadership.
“Sadly I think there are too many divides in our country today, whether someone was Leave or Remain, or whether in the north or the south, whether they are young or they are old. And I think we shouldn’t be exploiting any of these divisions. What we need to do is bring people together.”
Home Secretary Sajid Javid says the next PM will need to "promote unity" rather than "exploit divisions", after launching his bid to replace Theresa May https://t.co/WlAQjMa1Ri pic.twitter.com/nnmHLun9QS
Here’s more on Jeremy Hunt’s warning that pursuing no-deal would be catastrophic for the Tories and his call for finding a different way of getting a deal. He said:Here’s more on Jeremy Hunt’s warning that pursuing no-deal would be catastrophic for the Tories and his call for finding a different way of getting a deal. He said:
“I’m worried that if we don’t solve it (Brexit), we will face a political crisis that is far bigger actually than our legal relationship with the EU, it could lead to the destruction of our party system and the end of my own party,” he told Today.“I’m worried that if we don’t solve it (Brexit), we will face a political crisis that is far bigger actually than our legal relationship with the EU, it could lead to the destruction of our party system and the end of my own party,” he told Today.
“I’ve always believed we should keep no deal on the table, I’ve always thought that’s the best way of getting a good deal and I’ve always thought that ultimately our economy would find a way to flourish even with the shock of no deal, but the biggest risk to Brexit now is ... a general election.”“I’ve always believed we should keep no deal on the table, I’ve always thought that’s the best way of getting a good deal and I’ve always thought that ultimately our economy would find a way to flourish even with the shock of no deal, but the biggest risk to Brexit now is ... a general election.”
“We must not go back to the electorate asking for their mandate until we’ve delivered what we promised we would do last time, which is to deliver Brexit, it would be absolutely catastrophic for us as a party.”“We must not go back to the electorate asking for their mandate until we’ve delivered what we promised we would do last time, which is to deliver Brexit, it would be absolutely catastrophic for us as a party.”
In his interview Hunt suggested he would also involve Scotland and Wales in the negotiations as well as the DUP and the ERG.In his interview Hunt suggested he would also involve Scotland and Wales in the negotiations as well as the DUP and the ERG.
He said: “I think what we need to do is have a new negotiating team. In that team needs to to be not just the Government, but the DUP, the ERG, I think you should have someone from Scotland and Wales so that the Union side of these issues is properly thought through.”He said: “I think what we need to do is have a new negotiating team. In that team needs to to be not just the Government, but the DUP, the ERG, I think you should have someone from Scotland and Wales so that the Union side of these issues is properly thought through.”
His team has since clarified that he meant Tory representatives from these countries, according to Huff Post’s Paul WaughHis team has since clarified that he meant Tory representatives from these countries, according to Huff Post’s Paul Waugh
Sources close to Hunt stress he meant *Tory* representatives in Scot and Wales. @NicolaSturgeon and @MarkDrakeford won't be on his negotiating team.Sources close to Hunt stress he meant *Tory* representatives in Scot and Wales. @NicolaSturgeon and @MarkDrakeford won't be on his negotiating team.
Hunt said the Labour frontbench “has shown that they aren’t prepared to do this in good faith, so I don’t think that would work”. Nigel Farage, he added, was not in parliament and did not want a deal.Hunt said the Labour frontbench “has shown that they aren’t prepared to do this in good faith, so I don’t think that would work”. Nigel Farage, he added, was not in parliament and did not want a deal.
Hunt added that having “proper representation” in the negotiating team from “other voices ... can then give Brussels confidence that they are talking to someone who can deliver a deal”.Hunt added that having “proper representation” in the negotiating team from “other voices ... can then give Brussels confidence that they are talking to someone who can deliver a deal”.
A team of DUP, ERG, Scottish & Welsh representatives would be Foreign Sec @Jeremy_Hunt's plan for renegotiating a Brexit deal with the EU. "It would include people who say if we can't get the right deal we should leave with no-deal" #r4today https://t.co/pUfzHiRulA pic.twitter.com/H0PeP8L867A team of DUP, ERG, Scottish & Welsh representatives would be Foreign Sec @Jeremy_Hunt's plan for renegotiating a Brexit deal with the EU. "It would include people who say if we can't get the right deal we should leave with no-deal" #r4today https://t.co/pUfzHiRulA pic.twitter.com/H0PeP8L867
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has insisted there would be no contradiction between having a second referendum and respecting the result of the one in 2016, as another senior Labour MP warned the party would lose the trust of its traditional voters.The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has insisted there would be no contradiction between having a second referendum and respecting the result of the one in 2016, as another senior Labour MP warned the party would lose the trust of its traditional voters.
Abbott said the party was “supporting a people’s vote strongly now because it’s the right thing to do and it’s the democratic thing to do” – though she said it was uncertain that remain would win a fresh poll.Abbott said the party was “supporting a people’s vote strongly now because it’s the right thing to do and it’s the democratic thing to do” – though she said it was uncertain that remain would win a fresh poll.
“Now at minutes to midnight on these negotiations, the Tories have plunged into their leadership contest so we get no sense out of them for a few months. We think it’s important to foreground the people’s vote,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.“Now at minutes to midnight on these negotiations, the Tories have plunged into their leadership contest so we get no sense out of them for a few months. We think it’s important to foreground the people’s vote,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Labour MP Lisa Nandy warned a second referendum would lead to the country voting for no deal with the EU and said it would destroy trust in Labour.Earlier on Tuesday, the Labour MP Lisa Nandy warned a second referendum would lead to the country voting for no deal with the EU and said it would destroy trust in Labour.
Diane Abbott: second Brexit referendum is democratic thing to doDiane Abbott: second Brexit referendum is democratic thing to do
Kit Malthouse has refused to rule out seeking an extension to article 50, unlike some of hard Brexit candidates in the race.Kit Malthouse has refused to rule out seeking an extension to article 50, unlike some of hard Brexit candidates in the race.
Speaking on BBC News he stopped short of saying he would take the UK out of the EU on 31 October, as Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey have all pledged.Speaking on BBC News he stopped short of saying he would take the UK out of the EU on 31 October, as Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey have all pledged.
Asked whether he could guarantee there would be no extension beyond 31 October, Malthouse said only: “An extension would be extremely difficult, I’ve never voted an extension in parliament.”Asked whether he could guarantee there would be no extension beyond 31 October, Malthouse said only: “An extension would be extremely difficult, I’ve never voted an extension in parliament.”
He added:He added:
This debate is coming down to the question of no deal and whether the prime minister is willing to go over the line on no deal. We delude ourselves if we think no deal is entirely in our control. President Macron has said that he wouldn’t allow us to go beyond 31 October.This debate is coming down to the question of no deal and whether the prime minister is willing to go over the line on no deal. We delude ourselves if we think no deal is entirely in our control. President Macron has said that he wouldn’t allow us to go beyond 31 October.
My primary objective is to get a deal around which we can all unite.My primary objective is to get a deal around which we can all unite.
We need to get to 31 October ready and able to take no deal if we want to. Those people who say no deal is going to be a catastrophe are wrong, but also so are those people who say it is going to be a walk in the park.We need to get to 31 October ready and able to take no deal if we want to. Those people who say no deal is going to be a catastrophe are wrong, but also so are those people who say it is going to be a walk in the park.
Malthouse said he had showed he could unite the party after securing the Malthouse compromise on the Irish border that was agreed by former Remainers like Nicky Morgan and Robert Buckland and Brexiters like Steve Baker.Malthouse said he had showed he could unite the party after securing the Malthouse compromise on the Irish border that was agreed by former Remainers like Nicky Morgan and Robert Buckland and Brexiters like Steve Baker.
He said:He said:
I’m the only candidate that has proven the ability to unify MPs around a Brexit plan which could deliver us out of this jam.I’m the only candidate that has proven the ability to unify MPs around a Brexit plan which could deliver us out of this jam.
That is going to be my primary appeal beyond this really compelling domestic agenda focussed around children and schools and investing in the future.That is going to be my primary appeal beyond this really compelling domestic agenda focussed around children and schools and investing in the future.
The country remains hopelessly divided still on this issue and we still have a mathematical problem in parliament. And unless the Conservative party can find a way to come together as a whole and take us over the line on 31 October, then we will remain in this jam.The country remains hopelessly divided still on this issue and we still have a mathematical problem in parliament. And unless the Conservative party can find a way to come together as a whole and take us over the line on 31 October, then we will remain in this jam.
Housing Minister Kit Malthouse set out his case to become Tory leader in the Sun.Housing Minister Kit Malthouse set out his case to become Tory leader in the Sun.
He said: “This leadership campaign cannot be about the same old faces, scarred by wars that have split the Tory party over three years.He said: “This leadership campaign cannot be about the same old faces, scarred by wars that have split the Tory party over three years.
“We need to end the Brexit paralysis, and while I voted to leave the EU, I know that without unity across the UK, we cannot get a deal over the line. “It’s time for a new generation to lead the charge into our future with boldness and vision.”“We need to end the Brexit paralysis, and while I voted to leave the EU, I know that without unity across the UK, we cannot get a deal over the line. “It’s time for a new generation to lead the charge into our future with boldness and vision.”
Malthouse, widely credited as the convener of both Conservative Leavers and Remainers to develop a compromise on May’s withdrawal agreement, said there was a “yearning for change”.Malthouse, widely credited as the convener of both Conservative Leavers and Remainers to develop a compromise on May’s withdrawal agreement, said there was a “yearning for change”.
The 52-year-old is a former deputy mayor of London and entered the Commons in 2015 as David Cameron’s Conservatives won a majority.The 52-year-old is a former deputy mayor of London and entered the Commons in 2015 as David Cameron’s Conservatives won a majority.
His name was given to the so-called Malthouse Compromise - a proposal drawn up by backbenchers from Leave and Remain wings of the Tory Party, which would have implemented May’s withdrawal deal with the backstop replaced by alternative arrangements.His name was given to the so-called Malthouse Compromise - a proposal drawn up by backbenchers from Leave and Remain wings of the Tory Party, which would have implemented May’s withdrawal deal with the backstop replaced by alternative arrangements.
Hunt claimed that inviting the DUP and the ERG into the negotiations would give the EU confidence that whatever was agreed would be passed in the House of Commons.Hunt claimed that inviting the DUP and the ERG into the negotiations would give the EU confidence that whatever was agreed would be passed in the House of Commons.
He also said it was important to get the tone right in the negotiations with Brussels. He claimed that a hardline stance would prompt a hardline response from the EU.He also said it was important to get the tone right in the negotiations with Brussels. He claimed that a hardline stance would prompt a hardline response from the EU.
Hunt admitted that he had not asked the DUP and the ERG whether they would be willing to join negotiations led by him.Hunt admitted that he had not asked the DUP and the ERG whether they would be willing to join negotiations led by him.
“We can’t escape the parliamentary arithmetic,” he said.“We can’t escape the parliamentary arithmetic,” he said.
Unlike Rory Stewart, Hunt said he would be “delighted” to serve in a government led by Boris Johnson.Unlike Rory Stewart, Hunt said he would be “delighted” to serve in a government led by Boris Johnson.
Jeremy Hunt has defended his warning that pursuing no-deal would be political suicide.Jeremy Hunt has defended his warning that pursuing no-deal would be political suicide.
He told Today that the biggest risk to the government and Brexit would be holding an election before Brexit had been delivered. “We would be very severely punished and we would risk having the most left wing prime minister in history,” Hunt said.He told Today that the biggest risk to the government and Brexit would be holding an election before Brexit had been delivered. “We would be very severely punished and we would risk having the most left wing prime minister in history,” Hunt said.
He insisted that the best way to secure Brexit was to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement secured by Theresa May. “We have to have a go at this”, he said.He insisted that the best way to secure Brexit was to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement secured by Theresa May. “We have to have a go at this”, he said.
Hunt said he would bring in the DUP and the ERG into the negotiations, but he ruled out inviting Nigel Farage into the talks as the Brexit leader has demanded.Hunt said he would bring in the DUP and the ERG into the negotiations, but he ruled out inviting Nigel Farage into the talks as the Brexit leader has demanded.
Here’s more from Diane Abbot’s interview. She said:Here’s more from Diane Abbot’s interview. She said:
The people’s vote has always been part of our policy package and as Kier Starmer put it, ‘we move through the gears’. But now at minutes to midnight on these negotiations, we think it is important to foreground the people’s vote.The people’s vote has always been part of our policy package and as Kier Starmer put it, ‘we move through the gears’. But now at minutes to midnight on these negotiations, we think it is important to foreground the people’s vote.
If we are not going to have a general election we would support a people’s vote. There is no inherent contradiction between respecting the result of the referendum and having a people’s vote. I’ve always argued that it is perfectly possible that Leave would win again.If we are not going to have a general election we would support a people’s vote. There is no inherent contradiction between respecting the result of the referendum and having a people’s vote. I’ve always argued that it is perfectly possible that Leave would win again.
But we are supporting a people’s vote strongly now, because it is the right thing to do and the democratic thing to do.But we are supporting a people’s vote strongly now, because it is the right thing to do and the democratic thing to do.
Asked if Labour was only supporting another vote in certain circumstances she said: “We are clear that our ideal situation would be a general election, in the event there was a people’s vote and remain was on the ballot paper, I personally would be supporting remain. We are consulting now with Members of Parliament. This is something we are going to have to decide collectively.”Asked if Labour was only supporting another vote in certain circumstances she said: “We are clear that our ideal situation would be a general election, in the event there was a people’s vote and remain was on the ballot paper, I personally would be supporting remain. We are consulting now with Members of Parliament. This is something we are going to have to decide collectively.”
"There is no inherent contradiction between respecting the referendum and having a People's Vote."Shadow home secretary @HackneyAbbott says Labour would want a general election otherwise would support another Brexit vote#r4today | @bbcnickrobinson | https://t.co/cZY6yGVr6f pic.twitter.com/qm9mHJu7s0"There is no inherent contradiction between respecting the referendum and having a People's Vote."Shadow home secretary @HackneyAbbott says Labour would want a general election otherwise would support another Brexit vote#r4today | @bbcnickrobinson | https://t.co/cZY6yGVr6f pic.twitter.com/qm9mHJu7s0
Earlier, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy warned a second referendum “would most likely result in a no-deal outcome”, adding “this could be the final breach of trust with that working-class electorate”.Earlier, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy warned a second referendum “would most likely result in a no-deal outcome”, adding “this could be the final breach of trust with that working-class electorate”.
She told Today:She told Today:
“Obviously in constituencies like Wigan you get very mixed views, you get different views like everywhere in the country, but to most people the idea of a second referendum just seems quite absurd.“Obviously in constituencies like Wigan you get very mixed views, you get different views like everywhere in the country, but to most people the idea of a second referendum just seems quite absurd.
“People were asked what they think, you can see from the results that we had here, that very few people have changed their minds and if there is a shift in this area of the country I think it’s towards no-deal Brexit.”“People were asked what they think, you can see from the results that we had here, that very few people have changed their minds and if there is a shift in this area of the country I think it’s towards no-deal Brexit.”
“I think we’ve got to wake up to the seriousness not just of what we’re about to do to the Labour Party, but what we’re about to do the country because I strongly suspect that if there is a second referendum people here would come out and vote in fairly large numbers and probably vote for no deal.”“I think we’ve got to wake up to the seriousness not just of what we’re about to do to the Labour Party, but what we’re about to do the country because I strongly suspect that if there is a second referendum people here would come out and vote in fairly large numbers and probably vote for no deal.”
“There is a huge frustration amongst Labour voters who voted Leave in towns like mine to see leading figures from the Labour Party out calling for a second referendum before there’s been any serious attempt to implement the result of the first.”“There is a huge frustration amongst Labour voters who voted Leave in towns like mine to see leading figures from the Labour Party out calling for a second referendum before there’s been any serious attempt to implement the result of the first.”
Shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has pushed Jeremy Corbyn to go further on backing a second referendum.Shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has pushed Jeremy Corbyn to go further on backing a second referendum.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she said the party was “moving towards a clearer line” on a people’s vote.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she said the party was “moving towards a clearer line” on a people’s vote.
“We do want a people’s vote on any deal” she told the programme. She claimed the party is now “foregrounding” what has always been Labour’s policy.“We do want a people’s vote on any deal” she told the programme. She claimed the party is now “foregrounding” what has always been Labour’s policy.
But Abbott refused to be drawn on Paul Mason’s Guardian article which called for members of Corbyn’s team to be sacked over their opposition to a second referendum.But Abbott refused to be drawn on Paul Mason’s Guardian article which called for members of Corbyn’s team to be sacked over their opposition to a second referendum.
Welcome to Politics Live as the race to become the next prime minister intensifies and recriminations from the European Parliamentary elections continue.Welcome to Politics Live as the race to become the next prime minister intensifies and recriminations from the European Parliamentary elections continue.
The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has put himself at odds with many hard Brexit candidates in the race by warning that pursuing a no-deal exit from the EU would be committing “political suicide”.The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has put himself at odds with many hard Brexit candidates in the race by warning that pursuing a no-deal exit from the EU would be committing “political suicide”.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph he claims advocating a no-deal exit would risk losing a confidence vote in Parliament and prompting a general election.Writing in the Daily Telegraph he claims advocating a no-deal exit would risk losing a confidence vote in Parliament and prompting a general election.
“Trying to deliver no deal through a general election is not a solution; it is political suicide,” he writes.“Trying to deliver no deal through a general election is not a solution; it is political suicide,” he writes.
His column prompted this riposte from fellow leadership contender Esther McVey:His column prompted this riposte from fellow leadership contender Esther McVey:
Political suicide actually lies in not having a clean break from the EU and not leaving on the 31st October. https://t.co/SeUHOZqAojPolitical suicide actually lies in not having a clean break from the EU and not leaving on the 31st October. https://t.co/SeUHOZqAoj
The issue of a no-deal Brexit is threatening to dominate the campaign. But the Tory MP Alberto Costa is trying raise another issue of UK citizenship for EU nationals. He has praised Michael Gove for pledging to give 3 million EU national free UK citizenship, and criticised Home Secretary Sajid Javid for failing to do so.The issue of a no-deal Brexit is threatening to dominate the campaign. But the Tory MP Alberto Costa is trying raise another issue of UK citizenship for EU nationals. He has praised Michael Gove for pledging to give 3 million EU national free UK citizenship, and criticised Home Secretary Sajid Javid for failing to do so.
Meanwhile, Kit Malthouse has become the 10th Conservative MP to confirm he has joined the race to be Tory leader. The housing minister is known for brokering the Malthouse compromise as an alternative arrangement to the hated backstop on the Northern Ireland border. It is popular with Brexiters but has been rejected by European Union.Meanwhile, Kit Malthouse has become the 10th Conservative MP to confirm he has joined the race to be Tory leader. The housing minister is known for brokering the Malthouse compromise as an alternative arrangement to the hated backstop on the Northern Ireland border. It is popular with Brexiters but has been rejected by European Union.
Over on Labour’s side its evolving new position on whether to hold a second referendum on whatever Brexit deal is agreed is coming under fire.Over on Labour’s side its evolving new position on whether to hold a second referendum on whatever Brexit deal is agreed is coming under fire.
Former front bencher, Lisa Nandy, says promoting a second referendum will be seen as a “final breach of trust” in her Leave-backing constituency of Wigan.Former front bencher, Lisa Nandy, says promoting a second referendum will be seen as a “final breach of trust” in her Leave-backing constituency of Wigan.
Working class Labour voters in Wigan will see a second Brexit Referendum as the "final breach of trust" says its MP @lisanandy #r4today https://t.co/ilZx3G95tV pic.twitter.com/hG6tL5DH3BWorking class Labour voters in Wigan will see a second Brexit Referendum as the "final breach of trust" says its MP @lisanandy #r4today https://t.co/ilZx3G95tV pic.twitter.com/hG6tL5DH3B