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Labour exploring rapid September no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson Labour exploring rapid September no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson
(about 13 hours later)
Diane Abbott has indicated Labour could be planning a rapid vote of no confidence against Boris Johnson once parliament returns in September, saying the party was in talks with other opposition groups on how best to proceed.Diane Abbott has indicated Labour could be planning a rapid vote of no confidence against Boris Johnson once parliament returns in September, saying the party was in talks with other opposition groups on how best to proceed.
While the shadow home secretary said it was “above my pay grade” to confirm any plans, she agreed Labour and other parties would need to move quickly when the recess ended to stop a no-deal Brexit before 31 October.While the shadow home secretary said it was “above my pay grade” to confirm any plans, she agreed Labour and other parties would need to move quickly when the recess ended to stop a no-deal Brexit before 31 October.
MPs opposing no-deal Brexit will 'need new tactics', report saysMPs opposing no-deal Brexit will 'need new tactics', report says
Under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, Labour can rapidly table a simple motion of no-confidence. If passed, it would trigger a 14-day period during which MPs could seek to form another, viable government, or else face a general election.Under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act, Labour can rapidly table a simple motion of no-confidence. If passed, it would trigger a 14-day period during which MPs could seek to form another, viable government, or else face a general election.
Given the likely lack of other parliamentary business ahead of the Brexit deadline, it has been seen as one of the most feasible tactics for Labour and other parties to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU.Given the likely lack of other parliamentary business ahead of the Brexit deadline, it has been seen as one of the most feasible tactics for Labour and other parties to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU.
Asked if Labour would push for this in the week of 3 September, when parliament returns from the summer recess, Abbott told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s above my pay grade to say when we’ll move the vote of no confidence.”Asked if Labour would push for this in the week of 3 September, when parliament returns from the summer recess, Abbott told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s above my pay grade to say when we’ll move the vote of no confidence.”
She continued: “But, who has confidence in Boris Johnson apart from the people around him? The more he announces these bogus unfunded announcements, I think the less confidence there will be in him in the general public. It’s above my pay grade. But it has to be an option.”She continued: “But, who has confidence in Boris Johnson apart from the people around him? The more he announces these bogus unfunded announcements, I think the less confidence there will be in him in the general public. It’s above my pay grade. But it has to be an option.”
Asked about the idea that such a motion would need to be progress rapidly if no deal was to be stopped, Abbott said: “Yes, it does. But one of the things we have to do is consult with other parties – it’s no good moving a vote of no confidence if the Lib Dems, for instance, are not going to vote for it.”Asked about the idea that such a motion would need to be progress rapidly if no deal was to be stopped, Abbott said: “Yes, it does. But one of the things we have to do is consult with other parties – it’s no good moving a vote of no confidence if the Lib Dems, for instance, are not going to vote for it.”
She added: “We are talking to all of the other parties in parliament and if we move for a vote of no confidence we’ll want to do it with confidence that we can win it.”She added: “We are talking to all of the other parties in parliament and if we move for a vote of no confidence we’ll want to do it with confidence that we can win it.”
With MPs having passed the Benn bill which would prevent a no deal Brexit at the end of October, and that legislation making its way slowly through the House of Lords, prime minister Boris Johnson failed in his attempt to force a general election. After losing the vote in the Commons, Johnson gave little away as to what he planned to do next, instead saying that MPs must reflect on their position over the next couple of days.
Johnson had asked the Queen to prorogue parliament during this week. MPs were due to have a recess period anyway for the party conference season. 
The Labour and Conservative party conferences are due to be held on consecutive weeks - although MPs may be out campaigning for an election instead.
This is the date that Johnson was proposing parliament returns for the Queen’s speech setting out a legislation programme for his government.
This is the date on which the prime minister was suggesting a general election should be held.
EU leaders meet for the final European council summit before the UK's extension is due to expire. They could possibly agree a new deal at this point - with just about enough time for Johnson to try and get it through parliament.
The six-month article 50 extension will expire, and Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal on that date. If the Benn bill becomes law, he will be forced instead to accept an extension.
Abbott was also asked about the government’s trio of law and order related announcements over the weekend, including a review into prisoner sentencing, more prison places and relaxing rules over police use of stop-and-search powers.Abbott was also asked about the government’s trio of law and order related announcements over the weekend, including a review into prisoner sentencing, more prison places and relaxing rules over police use of stop-and-search powers.
She was scathing about the stop-and-search proposals: “Even the government’s own research demonstrates that random stop and search, in and of itself, does not bring down violent and knife crime.”She was scathing about the stop-and-search proposals: “Even the government’s own research demonstrates that random stop and search, in and of itself, does not bring down violent and knife crime.”
In a media round to talk about the new measures the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, denied the wave of recent announcements heralded a likely autumn election.In a media round to talk about the new measures the justice secretary, Robert Buckland, denied the wave of recent announcements heralded a likely autumn election.
“I don’t think it’s about election talk. It’s about, actually, a new government getting into its stride,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. “I don’t think elections are on people’s minds.”“I don’t think it’s about election talk. It’s about, actually, a new government getting into its stride,” he told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. “I don’t think elections are on people’s minds.”
Challenged on this, Buckland said: “As an elected politician, elections are always going to be on our minds, I accept that. But I think the priority at the moment is getting this government moving. The sense of energy and purpose is there, the sense of drive from the prime minister, and that’s really his main focus at the moment.Challenged on this, Buckland said: “As an elected politician, elections are always going to be on our minds, I accept that. But I think the priority at the moment is getting this government moving. The sense of energy and purpose is there, the sense of drive from the prime minister, and that’s really his main focus at the moment.
“I’m reading it and observing, obviously, all the commentary that you look at very well. But I’m in no better position to say whether there’s going to be an election or not than anybody else.”“I’m reading it and observing, obviously, all the commentary that you look at very well. But I’m in no better position to say whether there’s going to be an election or not than anybody else.”
If a no-confidence vote was passed, there is speculation Johnson could delay his resignation and time an election so it was held just after 31 October, meaning the UK would leave the EU without a deal by default.If a no-confidence vote was passed, there is speculation Johnson could delay his resignation and time an election so it was held just after 31 October, meaning the UK would leave the EU without a deal by default.
This would be a hugely controversial move, given that under purdah rules, governments are not supposed to make significant changes during an election period. Pro-Brexit voices have argued that this would not apply, as the decision to set 31 October as a departure date had already been made.This would be a hugely controversial move, given that under purdah rules, governments are not supposed to make significant changes during an election period. Pro-Brexit voices have argued that this would not apply, as the decision to set 31 October as a departure date had already been made.
BrexitBrexit
LabourLabour
Diane AbbottDiane Abbott
ConservativesConservatives
House of CommonsHouse of Commons
Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson
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