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Brexit: opposition and rebels submit application to stop no-deal – live news Brexit: opposition and rebels submit application to stop no-deal – live news
(32 minutes later)
Downing Street has described the Benn bill as a “blueprint for legislative purgatory”. The PM’s spokesman said it would cost “vast amounts”, with roughly £1bn a month paid to the EU for an extension, and was “very clearly in Brussels’ interests not in the British interest”. He said:
The prime minister’s mood is determined. He wants to get on with delivering on the result of the referendum and the UK leaving the EU on October 31, ideally with a deal.
We are opposed to the Bill which is being brought forward because it is about crippling negotiations and chopping the legs out from under the UK position, and making any further negotiation impossible.
Chris White, a former Tory adviser in the office of the chief whip and in the office of the leader of Commons, is impressed by the way the SO24 motion has been drafted. (See 11.49am and 12.24pm.)
This is a masterful piece of drafting:▫️ All stages of the Bill in Commons on Wednesday▫️ 2nd Reading at 3pm, all remaining stages 5pm to 7pm▫️ Govt cannot try to prorogue Parliament this week - this motion takes control of NI Executive Act and prevents a debate before Monday https://t.co/iiUFeMZK5n
▫️ Cuts out stalling tactics from Govt - no sit in private ▫️ On Monday 9th no proceedings taken prior to any Commons Consideration of Lords Amdts - so prorogation couldn't happen until after this.▫️ Commons can't adjourn this week until after Speaker reports on any RA.
Here are some of the key points from the SO24 motion. (See 11.49am.)
The motion would allow the opposition and rebel MPs to take charge of the Commons order paper tomorrow. But it would not necessarily stop PMQs or the spending review announcement going ahead because, under the terms of the motion, the debate on the Benn bill designed to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October would not have to start until 3pm. Commons business starts at 11.30m, PMQs takes place at 12pm, and normally the spending review announcement would come at around 2pm. Normally it would last more than two hours. According to BuzzFeed’s Emily Ashton, rather than accept a shortened timetable for the statement, the government might just announce it on paper.
New: Number 10 says the spending review WILL go ahead as planned tomorrow no matter what happens tonight. Understand this could happen via a written statement if no time for oral statement
Under the plan the second reading debate on the Benn will would take place from 3pm until the second reading vote at 5pm. There would then be another two hours for amendments to be debated, with the third reading vote at 7pm.
The motion ensures that, if the bill completes its passage through the Lords, the Commons has to make time for any Lords amendments to be debated, so that the bill can complete its passage through parliament.
The motion says that, if the Commons and Lords both pass the bill, the Commons cannot be adjourned on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday next week until the Speaker has announced it has received royal assent.
And it says, if the bill clears the Commons but not the Lords before parliament gets prorogued, a new version of the bill must be brought forward for debate on the second day of the new session of parliament, with the same fast-track procedures applying.
Here are some important Brexit news lines from other publications and newspapers on Tuesday.Here are some important Brexit news lines from other publications and newspapers on Tuesday.
Dominic Cummings considers the government’s Brexit negotiations with the EU “a sham”, according to the Telegraph’s Europe editor Peter Foster. Dominic Cummings considers the government’s Brexit negotiations with the EU “a sham”, according to the Telegraph’s Europe editor, Peter Foster.
In private strategy meetings, Dominic Cummings, the feared Leave campaign strategist appointed as Mr Johnson’s special political adviser, was frank, openly describing the EU negotiations as “a sham”, according to two sources.In private strategy meetings, Dominic Cummings, the feared Leave campaign strategist appointed as Mr Johnson’s special political adviser, was frank, openly describing the EU negotiations as “a sham”, according to two sources.
Both EU official and diplomatic sources say they are well aware they are being “played” by Downing Street, but are equally clear that the EU will always be careful not to be blamed for no deal.Both EU official and diplomatic sources say they are well aware they are being “played” by Downing Street, but are equally clear that the EU will always be careful not to be blamed for no deal.
Both Labour and the Conservatives are set to lose seats if a general election is called, resulting in a hung parliament, according to the Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh. Regression analysis on a new polling data found that the Tories would lose nearly all of their seats in Scotland to the SNP.Both Labour and the Conservatives are set to lose seats if a general election is called, resulting in a hung parliament, according to the Huffington Post’s Paul Waugh. Regression analysis on a new polling data found that the Tories would lose nearly all of their seats in Scotland to the SNP.
... of Conservative Remainers who backed the party in 2017, 47% are now intending to vote for another party. A majority of these voters will now support the Liberal Democrats with the party set to gain seven seats from the Conservatives. ... of Conservative remainers who backed the party in 2017, 47% are now intending to vote for another party. A majority of these voters will now support the Liberal Democrats with the party set to gain seven seats from the Conservatives.
The Tory party would keep only 77% of its supporters from the last election, with 18% going to the Brexit Party or UKIP. The survey suggests that Jeremy Corbyn could suffer even more, with the net loss of 20 seats. The Tory party would keep only 77% of its supporters from the last election, with 18% going to the Brexit party or Ukip. The survey suggests that Jeremy Corbyn could suffer even more, with the net loss of 20 seats.
Labour would lose 22% of its 2017 Remain voters, many of them former Conservatives, to the Lib Dems and 25% of its 2017 Leave voters to the Brexit Party, it suggests. Labour would lose 22% of its 2017 remain voters, many of them former Conservatives, to the Lib Dems and 25% of its 2017 leave voters to the Brexit party, it suggests.
The European Union is considering using funds usually reserved for natural disasters to help member states cope with the fallout from a no-deal Brexit, according to the Telegraph’s James Crisp.The European Union is considering using funds usually reserved for natural disasters to help member states cope with the fallout from a no-deal Brexit, according to the Telegraph’s James Crisp.
Senior EU officials will discuss using cash in its Solidarity Fund to “furnish member states with financial assistance to cover heavy charges inflicted on them in the event the United Kingdom leaves without an accord”.Senior EU officials will discuss using cash in its Solidarity Fund to “furnish member states with financial assistance to cover heavy charges inflicted on them in the event the United Kingdom leaves without an accord”.
The fund was set up in 2002 to support EU national and regional governments that suffered “major disasters” after a devastating flood in central Europe. It has spent around £4.5 billion on some 80 “catastrophic events”. The fund was set up in 2002 to support EU national and regional governments that suffered “major disasters” after a devastating flood in central Europe. It has spent around £4.5bn on some 80 “catastrophic events”.
The work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd has urged the prime minister not to sack conservative MPs who vote against the government on Brexit in a conversation with the Spectator’s Katy Balls. The work and pensions secretary, Amber Rudd, has urged the prime minister not to sack conservative MPs who vote against the government on Brexit in a conversation with the Spectator’s Katy Balls.
I’m really urging the government to think very carefully about taking such a dramatic step.I’m really urging the government to think very carefully about taking such a dramatic step.
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. 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.
These are from Sky’s Sam Coates, from the Number 10 lobby briefing.These are from Sky’s Sam Coates, from the Number 10 lobby briefing.
Downing Street briefingPressed on whether he would obey any rebel legislation passed this week on an extension “He will not ask for an extension. If we do lose control of order paper and those negs undermined then he would seek an early election”Downing Street briefingPressed on whether he would obey any rebel legislation passed this week on an extension “He will not ask for an extension. If we do lose control of order paper and those negs undermined then he would seek an early election”
No10 briefingWhy aren’t ministers talking about Oct 14 in public, only on background? We are trying to avoid a defeat. Next steps if gvt defeated tonight.No10 briefingWhy aren’t ministers talking about Oct 14 in public, only on background? We are trying to avoid a defeat. Next steps if gvt defeated tonight.
No 10 briefing It is simply wrong to say polling day cd be changedGovernments always abide by purdah rulesNo 10 briefing It is simply wrong to say polling day cd be changedGovernments always abide by purdah rules
This is a response to the suggestion that Boris Johnson might agree to an election on 14 October, and then change the date after parliament has been dissolved so that the election takes place after a no-deal Brexit has happened on 31 October. Labour’s Shami Chakrabarti raised this in her Today interview this morning. (See 10.01am.)This is a response to the suggestion that Boris Johnson might agree to an election on 14 October, and then change the date after parliament has been dissolved so that the election takes place after a no-deal Brexit has happened on 31 October. Labour’s Shami Chakrabarti raised this in her Today interview this morning. (See 10.01am.)
Here is the full text (pdf) of the motion for the SO24 (standing order 24) debate that opposition and rebel Tory MPs hope to hold later today. This sets out the procedure that would allow them to take control of the Commons order paper to pass the Benn bill designed to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.Here is the full text (pdf) of the motion for the SO24 (standing order 24) debate that opposition and rebel Tory MPs hope to hold later today. This sets out the procedure that would allow them to take control of the Commons order paper to pass the Benn bill designed to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.
For the debate to go ahead, John Bercow, the Speaker, has to approve an application this afternoon. But no one is expecting him to say no.For the debate to go ahead, John Bercow, the Speaker, has to approve an application this afternoon. But no one is expecting him to say no.
An application for an #emergencydebate on the European Union (Withdrawal) has been submitted. The Speaker will consider it later today. If successful, the debate takes precedence over today's scheduled business under Standing Order 24.https://t.co/mmWOWfREgI pic.twitter.com/vnZFlbNRBAAn application for an #emergencydebate on the European Union (Withdrawal) has been submitted. The Speaker will consider it later today. If successful, the debate takes precedence over today's scheduled business under Standing Order 24.https://t.co/mmWOWfREgI pic.twitter.com/vnZFlbNRBA
An autumn general election would be a “fantastic opportunity” for Scots to demand a second vote on independence, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Ian Blackford said:An autumn general election would be a “fantastic opportunity” for Scots to demand a second vote on independence, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Ian Blackford said:
We’re faced with the issue that the people of Scotland are expressing in opinion polls that they want that referendum on independence.We’re faced with the issue that the people of Scotland are expressing in opinion polls that they want that referendum on independence.
If there is a general election, there is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Scotland to send a very clear message to Westminster that we should be able to determine our own future.If there is a general election, there is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Scotland to send a very clear message to Westminster that we should be able to determine our own future.
Here is the former Tory minister Sam Gyimah on why he will vote against the government today.Here is the former Tory minister Sam Gyimah on why he will vote against the government today.
I will vote against the Government tonight because it is the right thing to do. Here is my statement. pic.twitter.com/DzFElRIbVqI will vote against the Government tonight because it is the right thing to do. Here is my statement. pic.twitter.com/DzFElRIbVq
In August 21 Conservatives, including Philip Hammond, signed a letter to Boris Johnson asking for assurances that he did not want to take the UK out of the EU without a deal. The list of signatories is a good guide as to how might rebel tonight.In August 21 Conservatives, including Philip Hammond, signed a letter to Boris Johnson asking for assurances that he did not want to take the UK out of the EU without a deal. The list of signatories is a good guide as to how might rebel tonight.
Hammond's letter to Johnson looks like it is preparing an ambush. After recess his group of MPs will say: “You have not met our reasonable request therefore we are going to block you.” pic.twitter.com/w1gIeh1VpfHammond's letter to Johnson looks like it is preparing an ambush. After recess his group of MPs will say: “You have not met our reasonable request therefore we are going to block you.” pic.twitter.com/w1gIeh1Vpf
BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham has been keeping a tally of how many Tories will actually vote against the government tonight. He has got 14 confirmed rebels, and another eight potential rebels who either have not decided who they will vote or won’t say.BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham has been keeping a tally of how many Tories will actually vote against the government tonight. He has got 14 confirmed rebels, and another eight potential rebels who either have not decided who they will vote or won’t say.
His 14 confirmed rebels are: David Gauke, Rory Stewart, Justine Greening, Dominic Grieve, Sir Oliver Letwin, Philip Hammond, Antoinette Sandbach, Alistair Burt, Richard Harrington, Guto Bebb, Caroline Nokes, Margot James, Sam Gyimah and Sir Nicholas Soames.His 14 confirmed rebels are: David Gauke, Rory Stewart, Justine Greening, Dominic Grieve, Sir Oliver Letwin, Philip Hammond, Antoinette Sandbach, Alistair Burt, Richard Harrington, Guto Bebb, Caroline Nokes, Margot James, Sam Gyimah and Sir Nicholas Soames.
My colleague Francis Perraudin has mini profiles of the rebels here. My colleague Francis Perraudin has mini-profiles of the rebels here.
Who are the Tory rebel MPs?Who are the Tory rebel MPs?
Dominic Cummings, wearing his distinctive gilet and jeans combination, arrived early at Downing street on Tuesday ahead of a major day for the government. Dominic Cummings, wearing his distinctive gilet and jeans combination, arrived early at Downing street on Tuesday at the start of a major day for the government.
Keith Simpson, the MP for Broadland in Norfolk, has joined Justine Greening in announcing he will step down at the next general election. Simpson said on Radio Norfolk that he made the decision months ago but now feels like “the first officer to man the lifeboats on the Titanic”.Keith Simpson, the MP for Broadland in Norfolk, has joined Justine Greening in announcing he will step down at the next general election. Simpson said on Radio Norfolk that he made the decision months ago but now feels like “the first officer to man the lifeboats on the Titanic”.
Spoke on Radio Norfolk first thing and sai I would not be seeking reselection for Broadland constituency. Decided that months ago but now feel like the first officer to man the lifeboats on the Titanic! #OldSweatSpoke on Radio Norfolk first thing and sai I would not be seeking reselection for Broadland constituency. Decided that months ago but now feel like the first officer to man the lifeboats on the Titanic! #OldSweat
Dominic Grieve has told Sky News he thinks Boris Johnson will struggle to get two thirds of MPs to vote for a general election, which he needs under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The former attorney general added that if the UK crashes out of the EU after 31 October, the government will spend the following weeks desperately trying to reach an agreement with the bloc. Dominic Grieve has told Sky News he thinks Boris Johnson will struggle to get two-thirds of MPs to vote for a general election, which he needs under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act. The former attorney general added that if the UK crashes out of the EU after 31 October, the government will spend the following weeks desperately trying to reach an agreement with the bloc.
On a general election:On a general election:
I think that it [calling an election] is entirely dependent on Jeremy Corbyn. If he [Boris Johnson] wants to have a general election, he’s got to get a two thirds majority of the house to trigger it and really, that’s entirely in Jeremy Corbyn’s gift. I think that it [calling an election] is entirely dependent on Jeremy Corbyn. If he [Boris Johnson] wants to have a general election, he’s got to get a two-thirds majority of the house to trigger it and really, that’s entirely in Jeremy Corbyn’s gift.
I personally have serious doubts that a general election is going to solve the issue. I think the risk is that we’re going to end up with another hung parliament and no clarity of direction at all. I would prefer this matter to be resolved in a referendum.I personally have serious doubts that a general election is going to solve the issue. I think the risk is that we’re going to end up with another hung parliament and no clarity of direction at all. I would prefer this matter to be resolved in a referendum.
On the days following a no-deal Brexit:On the days following a no-deal Brexit:
[If we crash out of the bloc] it’s not going to be over, is it? The moment we leave the EU, every single sinew of the UK government machine will be dedicated to trying to do a deal, a trade deal with the EU from the outside. It is going to take up every week, month, day of our working lives for the next five to 10 years, and we’re going to be negotiating from a position of maximum weakness and disadvantage.[If we crash out of the bloc] it’s not going to be over, is it? The moment we leave the EU, every single sinew of the UK government machine will be dedicated to trying to do a deal, a trade deal with the EU from the outside. It is going to take up every week, month, day of our working lives for the next five to 10 years, and we’re going to be negotiating from a position of maximum weakness and disadvantage.
Here is more detail on what Shami Chakrabarti, the shadow attorney general, told the Today programme earlier about Labour’s stance on when it would and would not back an early general election. There has been some confusion over this because at one point yesterday Jeremy Corbyn said the party would back one under any circumstances. Then, later in the day, first the shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman (here), and then the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Tony Lloyd (here), said support for an early general election was conditional.Here is more detail on what Shami Chakrabarti, the shadow attorney general, told the Today programme earlier about Labour’s stance on when it would and would not back an early general election. There has been some confusion over this because at one point yesterday Jeremy Corbyn said the party would back one under any circumstances. Then, later in the day, first the shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman (here), and then the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Tony Lloyd (here), said support for an early general election was conditional.
Labour’s stance is crucial because, although No 10 is saying Boris Johnson will go for an election on 14 October if he loses the vote tonight, under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act an early election cannot happen without Labour’s support.Labour’s stance is crucial because, although No 10 is saying Boris Johnson will go for an election on 14 October if he loses the vote tonight, under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act an early election cannot happen without Labour’s support.
Chakrabarti tried to clear things up on the Today programme this morning. Some shadow ministers “freelance” when they give media interviews (ie, they push their own views as much as the official party line), but Chakrabarti had good relations with Corbyn’s office and is a reliable guide to the official line. This is what she said about when Labour would support an early election.Chakrabarti tried to clear things up on the Today programme this morning. Some shadow ministers “freelance” when they give media interviews (ie, they push their own views as much as the official party line), but Chakrabarti had good relations with Corbyn’s office and is a reliable guide to the official line. This is what she said about when Labour would support an early election.
So to clear it up, it’s about sequencing ...So to clear it up, it’s about sequencing ...
What we need to ensure is that we get this legislation locked down. And that’s quite hard, because remember, we’ve got ministers who say that they’ll ignore legislation. So that’s another thing to consider. We’ve got to get a locked-in guarantee that Britain would not crash out of the EU in an election campaign period.What we need to ensure is that we get this legislation locked down. And that’s quite hard, because remember, we’ve got ministers who say that they’ll ignore legislation. So that’s another thing to consider. We’ve got to get a locked-in guarantee that Britain would not crash out of the EU in an election campaign period.
We’ve also got to try as best as possible to ensure that it wouldn’t be possible for the sitting, squatting, prime minister in this period to set the general election and then change the date.We’ve also got to try as best as possible to ensure that it wouldn’t be possible for the sitting, squatting, prime minister in this period to set the general election and then change the date.
Chakrabarti said Corbyn would be meeting other opposition leaders in parliament this morning to discuss the matter further. When pressed on whether she was saying the election would have to take place after 31 October for Labour to support it (which was what Lloyd implied last night), she replied:Chakrabarti said Corbyn would be meeting other opposition leaders in parliament this morning to discuss the matter further. When pressed on whether she was saying the election would have to take place after 31 October for Labour to support it (which was what Lloyd implied last night), she replied:
We certainly need to make sure that Boris Johnson can’t go in for the kind of shenanigans he’s been going in for with his chums last week, where the date is perhaps moved so that you could crash out [of the EU] by default during this period of a campaign.We certainly need to make sure that Boris Johnson can’t go in for the kind of shenanigans he’s been going in for with his chums last week, where the date is perhaps moved so that you could crash out [of the EU] by default during this period of a campaign.
Chakrabarti said Labour’s priority was preventing a no-deal Brexit, But beyond that the party wanted an election because “we live and breathe for a general”.Chakrabarti said Labour’s priority was preventing a no-deal Brexit, But beyond that the party wanted an election because “we live and breathe for a general”.
What does this all mean? Chakrabarti seems to be setting out up to three conditions.What does this all mean? Chakrabarti seems to be setting out up to three conditions.
1) The Benn bill, designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, would have to pass. That is what getting the legislation “locked down” implies. But there is no chance of that bill becoming law before Wednesday, when Johnson wants to hold a vote on an early election if he loses tonight.1) The Benn bill, designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, would have to pass. That is what getting the legislation “locked down” implies. But there is no chance of that bill becoming law before Wednesday, when Johnson wants to hold a vote on an early election if he loses tonight.
2) Ministers would have to promise to obey the bill. As Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, revealed in an interview on Sunday, at the moment they are not giving those assurances. And in in his statement outside No 10 yesterday, Johnson said he would never ask the EU to delay Brexit – implying he would not be bound by the law if it passed and if, under its terms, it became obligatory to seek an article 50 extension.2) Ministers would have to promise to obey the bill. As Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, revealed in an interview on Sunday, at the moment they are not giving those assurances. And in in his statement outside No 10 yesterday, Johnson said he would never ask the EU to delay Brexit – implying he would not be bound by the law if it passed and if, under its terms, it became obligatory to seek an article 50 extension.
3) Ministers would have to give an assurance that the date of the election would not change after MPs voted for one. Lloyd implied last night that it would be best for Labour to wait until an article 50 extension had been secured, and 31 October had passed without a no-deal Brexit, before agreeing to an election. An alternative option might be to hold an election before 31 October, knowing that if Labour won, Corbyn could then request an article 50 extension (or, in extremis, revoke article 50 – although he has never said he would do that). But yesterday there were suggestions that Johnson could agree to an election on 14 October, and then change the date once parliament was dissolved to ensure it happened after a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.3) Ministers would have to give an assurance that the date of the election would not change after MPs voted for one. Lloyd implied last night that it would be best for Labour to wait until an article 50 extension had been secured, and 31 October had passed without a no-deal Brexit, before agreeing to an election. An alternative option might be to hold an election before 31 October, knowing that if Labour won, Corbyn could then request an article 50 extension (or, in extremis, revoke article 50 – although he has never said he would do that). But yesterday there were suggestions that Johnson could agree to an election on 14 October, and then change the date once parliament was dissolved to ensure it happened after a no-deal Brexit on 31 October.