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Boris Johnson: there are no circumstances in which I will delay Brexit – live news Boris Johnson: there are no circumstances in which I will delay Brexit – live news
(32 minutes later)
About 1,400 people have gathered to listen to an address from Jeremy Corbyn and other senior Labour figures at the Lyric Theatre, in Salford Media City. My colleague, Lucinda Campbell, writes.
The prime minister claimed he did not want one but speculation about a snap election persists. And, with Boris Johnson remaining adamant that the 31 October Brexit deadline will be honoured, Corbyn is expected to tell the crowd of Labour supporters that the party plans to stop a no-deal Brexit by continuing to push for a general election.
Jonathan Marsland, 36, who works in local government in Manchester, favours legislative means of stopping no-deal:
Labour’s position has been incredibly nuanced from the start. We do need a general election, but only once legislation has been passed to stop no-deal.
Marie O’Neill, a 63-year-old community psychiatric nurse, said:
We desperately need a change of government and a second referendum with remain on the ballot paper.
Addressing the rally, the shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, said she thought Johnson had “bottled it”. Referencing the prime minister’s speech in Downing Street, she said: “I think he looked pathetic.” She told the crowd:
I’ve got a message for Boris Johnson: We don’t believe you when you say you’re going to give us the money for our schools and our police and our communities. The reason we don’t believe you is because you were there implementing it for the last 10 years.
Scotland’s chief prosecutor is to intervene in two legal challenges against Boris Johnson suspending parliament, claiming prorogation is an abuse of power, it has been announced.
The Scottish government said James Wolffe, the lord advocate, has lodged applications to join the legal actions in the court of session in Edinburgh and the Royal Courts of Justice, which aim to block prorogation.
The Scottish case is due to be heard in full on Tuesday morning before Lord Doherty in the court of session. The case in London led by Gina Miller, whose legal action forced Theresa May’s government to put the article 50 application to a vote at Westminster, is being heard on Thursday 5 September.
Miller’s case has already been joined by Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister, and Tom Watson, the deputy Labour leader, while the case in Edinburgh has been filed by Joanna Cherry QC, a Scottish National party MP, and 74 other MPs and peers, along with the Good Law Project.
The Scottish government said Wolffe would argue that prorogation was intended to prevent scrutiny of the UK government’s Brexit plans and was, therefore, an abuse of power.
Mike Russell, the Scottish government’s Brexit secretary, said:
Accountable government is a fundamental principle of our democracy. This attempt to suspend the UK parliament at such a critical time is a clear attempt to silence opposition and must be resisted.
The democratic wishes of the Scottish people and the Scottish pParliament should not be allowed to be brushed aside as if they did not matter.
Here is some more reaction to the Boris Johnson statement from journalists and commentators.
From the BBC’s Andrew Neil
Pundits concentrating too much on PM saying he doesn't want an election. Of course he's saying that. He was never going to call an election tonight. He's positioning so that he's seen to be forced into an election if Commons votes to force Brexit delay.
From Matthew Goodwin, an academic specialising in explaining populism
That was a framing device -Boris Johnson underlines commitment to leave Oct 31, his desire for a deal and cultivates the ground for a 'people vs politicians' campaign. "Let's get this done" vs. "Corbyn's pointless delay"If rebels succeed it's game on#election #BorisJohnsonPM
From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
So PM just repeated his claim that he doesn’t want an election but will not accept a delay whatever happens - refusing to spell it out but in other words, he’ll call a rapid election if he has to - in about six weeks time
From BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham
Govt sources say they have the numbers to call an election later this week as they think Corbyn will have to back themBut concerns raised at shadow cabinet / by Labour MPs today that they cannot trust any election called by Johnson not to be trap laid to force through no-deal
From the Economist’s Anne McElvoy
PM torn between decide to acknowledge election-fatigue. And I need to threaten rebels and Labour with ...an election
From the Spectator’s James Forsyth
Point of Boris Johnson’s statement was to try and get on the right side of Brenda from Bristol, to show that the government wants to get this done without an election
That’s all from me for today.
I’m handing over now to my colleague Kevin Rawlinson.
From Scotland’s first minister, Nicola SturgeonFrom Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon
Plainly obvious from that statement that Johnson has no plan to get a deal. If MPs blink tomorrow, he will drive the UK off the no deal cliff on 31 October. He must not get away with it.Plainly obvious from that statement that Johnson has no plan to get a deal. If MPs blink tomorrow, he will drive the UK off the no deal cliff on 31 October. He must not get away with it.
Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s statement.Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s statement.
Five weeks ago I spoke to you from these steps and said that this government was not going to hang around and that we would not wait until Brexit day - October 31 - to deliver on the priorities of the British people.Five weeks ago I spoke to you from these steps and said that this government was not going to hang around and that we would not wait until Brexit day - October 31 - to deliver on the priorities of the British people.
And so I am proud to say that on Wednesday Chancellor Sajid Javid is going to set out the most ambitious spending round for more than a decade.And so I am proud to say that on Wednesday Chancellor Sajid Javid is going to set out the most ambitious spending round for more than a decade.
I said I wanted to make your streets safer – and that is why we are recruiting another 20,000 police officers.I said I wanted to make your streets safer – and that is why we are recruiting another 20,000 police officers.
I said I wanted to improve your hospital and reduce the waiting times at your GP.I said I wanted to improve your hospital and reduce the waiting times at your GP.
And so we are doing 20 new hospital upgrades in addition to the extra £34bn going into the NHS.And so we are doing 20 new hospital upgrades in addition to the extra £34bn going into the NHS.
And I said I wanted every child in this country to have a superb education and that’s why I announced last week that we are levelling up funding across the country and spending much more next year in both primary and secondary schools.And I said I wanted every child in this country to have a superb education and that’s why I announced last week that we are levelling up funding across the country and spending much more next year in both primary and secondary schools.
And it is to push forward this agenda on these and many other fronts that we need a Queen’s speech in October.And it is to push forward this agenda on these and many other fronts that we need a Queen’s speech in October.
While leaving due time to debate Brexit and other matters.While leaving due time to debate Brexit and other matters.
And as we come to that Brexit deadline I am encouraged by the progress we are making.And as we come to that Brexit deadline I am encouraged by the progress we are making.
In the last few weeks the chances of a deal have been rising, I believe, for three reasons. They can see that we want a deal.In the last few weeks the chances of a deal have been rising, I believe, for three reasons. They can see that we want a deal.
They can see that we have a clear vision for our future relationship with the EU - something that has perhaps not always been the case.They can see that we have a clear vision for our future relationship with the EU - something that has perhaps not always been the case.
And they can see that we are utterly determined to strengthen our position by getting ready to come out regardless, come what may.And they can see that we are utterly determined to strengthen our position by getting ready to come out regardless, come what may.
But if there is one thing that can hold us back in these talks it is the sense in Brussels that MPs may find some way to cancel the referendum.But if there is one thing that can hold us back in these talks it is the sense in Brussels that MPs may find some way to cancel the referendum.
Or that tomorrow MPs will vote – with Jeremy Corbyn – for yet another pointless delay. I don’t think they will. I hope that they won’t.Or that tomorrow MPs will vote – with Jeremy Corbyn – for yet another pointless delay. I don’t think they will. I hope that they won’t.
But if they do they will plainly chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible.But if they do they will plainly chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible.
And so I say, to show our friends in Brussels that we are united in our purpose, MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn’s pointless delay.And so I say, to show our friends in Brussels that we are united in our purpose, MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn’s pointless delay.
I want everybody to know – there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October, no ifs or buts.I want everybody to know – there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October, no ifs or buts.
We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum.We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum.
Armed and fortified with that conviction I believe we will get a deal at that crucial summit in OctoberArmed and fortified with that conviction I believe we will get a deal at that crucial summit in October
A deal that parliament will certainly be able to scrutinise.A deal that parliament will certainly be able to scrutinise.
And in the meantime let our negotiators get on with their work Without that sword of Damocles over their necks.And in the meantime let our negotiators get on with their work Without that sword of Damocles over their necks.
And without an election, which I don’t want and you don’t want.And without an election, which I don’t want and you don’t want.
Let us get on with the people’s agenda – fighting crime, improving the NHS, boosting schools, cutting the cost of living, and unlocking talent and opportunity across the entire United Kingdom.Let us get on with the people’s agenda – fighting crime, improving the NHS, boosting schools, cutting the cost of living, and unlocking talent and opportunity across the entire United Kingdom.
With infrastructure education and technology It is a massive agenda. Let’s come together and get it done – and let’s get Brexit done by 31 October.With infrastructure education and technology It is a massive agenda. Let’s come together and get it done – and let’s get Brexit done by 31 October.
Here is the key quote from Boris Johnson.Here is the key quote from Boris Johnson.
MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn’s pointless delay.MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn’s pointless delay.
I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October - no ifs or buts.I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October - no ifs or buts.
We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum.We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum.
This means Johnson is saying, if the Benn bill were passed, he would refuse to be bound by it.This means Johnson is saying, if the Benn bill were passed, he would refuse to be bound by it.
That implies he would opt of an election as an alternative - even though Johnson also insisted that he did not want one.That implies he would opt of an election as an alternative - even though Johnson also insisted that he did not want one.
Boris Johnson has now finished. He did not make an explicit threat to call an election on 14 October if defeated tomorrow, as ITV’s Robert Peston predicted. (See 5.59pm.)Boris Johnson has now finished. He did not make an explicit threat to call an election on 14 October if defeated tomorrow, as ITV’s Robert Peston predicted. (See 5.59pm.)
But the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is also being briefed with exactly the same message.But the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg is also being briefed with exactly the same message.
Election expected Oct 14th IF rebel MPs defeat govtElection expected Oct 14th IF rebel MPs defeat govt
And Johnson did say that under no circumstances would he delay Brexit - implying that, if MPs were to pass the Benn bill, he would default to an election.And Johnson did say that under no circumstances would he delay Brexit - implying that, if MPs were to pass the Benn bill, he would default to an election.
I will post a summary of Johnson’s comments shortly.I will post a summary of Johnson’s comments shortly.
Boris Johnson says when he became PM he said he would not wait before making changes.Boris Johnson says when he became PM he said he would not wait before making changes.
That is why he has made a series of policy announcements, he says.That is why he has made a series of policy announcements, he says.
It is to push forward these measures that he needs a Queen’s speech.It is to push forward these measures that he needs a Queen’s speech.
He says he has been encouraged by the progress being made towards a Brexit deal.He says he has been encouraged by the progress being made towards a Brexit deal.
He says there are three reasons why it has become more likely. The EU can see the UK wants a deal, he says.He says there are three reasons why it has become more likely. The EU can see the UK wants a deal, he says.
It can see the UK has a vision for Brexit.It can see the UK has a vision for Brexit.
And it can see the UK is preparing for no-deal.And it can see the UK is preparing for no-deal.
He says MPs will chop the legs off his negotiating position if they vote tomorrow to rule out no-deal.He says MPs will chop the legs off his negotiating position if they vote tomorrow to rule out no-deal.
He says there are no circumstances in which he will delay Brexit.He says there are no circumstances in which he will delay Brexit.
Armed with this conviction, he believes he will get a deal at the EU summit in October, he says.Armed with this conviction, he believes he will get a deal at the EU summit in October, he says.
He says negotiators should be allowed to get on with their work – without an election.He says negotiators should be allowed to get on with their work – without an election.
I don’t want an election and you don’t want one either, he says.I don’t want an election and you don’t want one either, he says.
And that’s it.And that’s it.
The Sky News helicopter has footage of the party for Tory MPs in the Number 10 garden.The Sky News helicopter has footage of the party for Tory MPs in the Number 10 garden.
Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has put out this statement about the Benn bill.Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has put out this statement about the Benn bill.
This bill will stop Boris Johnson forcing through a reckless and damaging no-deal Brexit on 31 October.This bill will stop Boris Johnson forcing through a reckless and damaging no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
This week could be parliament’s last chance to stop a no-deal Brexit. MPs must act in the national interest and support this bill.This week could be parliament’s last chance to stop a no-deal Brexit. MPs must act in the national interest and support this bill.
From my colleague Severin CarrellFrom my colleague Severin Carrell
BREAKING: The Lord Advocate, Scotland's chief prosecutor and Scottish govt law officer, has announced he is backing both the @joannaccherry and Gina Miller legal actions in Edinburgh and London against suspending parliament #stopBorisBREAKING: The Lord Advocate, Scotland's chief prosecutor and Scottish govt law officer, has announced he is backing both the @joannaccherry and Gina Miller legal actions in Edinburgh and London against suspending parliament #stopBoris
This is from ITV’s Robert Peston.
BREAKING: @BorisJohnson will say If MPs vote tomorrow for another delay, then Wednesday there will be vote on general election. MPs gone, no 14 days, no legislation on extension. Election on 14 October. Government source: “who does country want to sort it out on 18 Oct at EU?”
An election on 14 October would be on a Monday. Elections are normally held on Thursday, but there is no rule saying that has to be the case and there have been general elections on non-Thursdays in the past. The last one not on a Thursday was in 1931.
Here is a summary of the main points from the bill designed to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October - or the EU (withdrawal( No 6) bill, to give it its proper title. (See 5.29pm.)
It sets two new deadlines.
19 October 2019
Under the bill, by this date the prime minister would have to either:
Get MPs to pass a withdrawal agreement
Get MPs to pass a motion agreeing to a no-deal Brexit
Write to the EU requesting an extension to article 50
The text of the letter that would have to be sent to the president of the European council requesting an extension is set out in a schedule to the bill. It contains the second deadline.
31 January 2020
This would be the new date for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, if the extension proposed in the bill were granted by the EU.
The bill says, if both sides agree a deal after 19 October but before 31 January, Brexit could happen sooner.
But it does not say what would happen if there were still no agreement by the end of January.
According to Sky’s Beth Rigby, Boris Johnson won’t be announcing a general election tonight in his statement at 6pm.
Boris Johnson is going to make a statement outside Number 10 at 6pm, it has been announced.
Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, has just released the text of the bill that Tory rebels and opposition MPs want to use to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
1/8 The European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill 2019 pic.twitter.com/16cmhdRkOp
2/8 The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that the UK does not leave the European Union on the 31 October without an agreement, unless Parliaments consents.
3/8 The Bill gives the Government time either to reach a new agreement with the European Union at the European Council meeting next month or to seek Parliament’s specific consent to leave the EU without a deal.
Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, has spoken out against Boris Johnson’s plan to remove the whip from any Tory MP who votes against the government tomorrow on the no-deal Brexit issue and to thus effectively deselect them ahead of the next general election. In an interview with the Spectator’s Katy Balls, Rudd said it would be unfair to punish remain-voting Tories like this when the same thing did not happen to MPs who repeatedly voted against Theresa May’s deal. Asked if Johnson’s plan worried her, Rudd replied said:
It does and I have made my views clear to the prime minister that we should not be a party that is trying to remove from our party two former chancellors, a number of ex-cabinet ministers, that the way to hold our party together and to get a deal is to bring them onside and explain to them what we’re trying to do and why.
I don’t think it’s fair either to consider removing the whip from a group of people who oppose no deal, which is not the government position, but as a legitimate Conservative position, and not to remove the whip from people who have consistently voted against the withdrawal agreement and may yet vote against the agreement that Boris Johnson brings back before 31 October. So I’m really urging the government to think very carefully about taking such a dramatic step.
From ITV’s Robert Peston
Rebel Tory source tells me 12 to 16 anti-no-deal-Brexit Tory MPs “holding firm” and still planning to vote against @BorisJohnson tomorrow, in spite of PM’s threat to call election if he loses. Mostly the older rebels not cowed. “It will be touch and go, but depending on...
Here is a question from below the line attracting some interest.
Does anyone know which would take precedence if back-benchers want to set about the process of their vote to stop No Deal tomorrow and the PM wants to call for a vote on a GE under the FTPA?
Is it up to the Speaker to decide or does the PM get preference under established procedures?
As far as we know, the rebels plan to use standing order 24 tomorrow to trigger a debate on a motion that would allow them to take charge of the order paper to free up time to pass the bill intended to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
The Commons sits at 2.30pm tomorrow. But first there will be Foreign Office questions, and then we are expecting at least two statements, from Boris Johnson on the G7 and from Michael Gove on no-deal planning. The application for an SO24 debate would come after the statements, and then MPs would debate it the SO24 motion for up to three hours.
According to Alex Wickham at BuzzFeed, the rebels and their opposition colleagues are divided as to whether to try to the pass the legislation on Tuesday night, or whether to do it on Tuesday or Wednesday.
An SO24 debate has precedence over other business. And the motion that would be put to a vote at the end of the debate, the one allowing the rebels to take charge of the order paper, would prioritise the bill to rule out a no-deal Brexit.
So the no-deal debate should happen before any debate on a general election.
Rumours of a snap general election have sent the pound tumbling on the international currency markets, as investors brace for further political turmoil as the Brexit deadline edges closer.
Sterling has slumped by almost a cent against the US dollar and sold-off sharply against the euro, sliding below $1.21 and €1.10 as election speculation spreads through the City.
Analysts said the pound could drop further as the uncertainty unleashed by an election might further damage the economy or make no-deal Brexit increasingly likely, but said any surge in support for remain parties could cause sterling to rally.
However, some analysts remained sceptical an election could make matters any clearer. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at the financial trading group IG, said:
Anyone who thinks that an election will solve the UK’s political crisis has not been paying attention over the past three years.
Sterling is close to the lowest levels on record, having slumped whenever the chance of Britain leaving without a deal mounts. The pound is down by about 5% on the US dollar this year and is still worth about 19% less than on the eve of the EU referendum in 2016.
The pound today. pic.twitter.com/Kdw2MwSTtK