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Brexit: Tory MP defects to Lib Dems as Boris Johnson makes statement on G7 summit – live news Brexit: Tory MP defects to Lib Dems as Boris Johnson makes statement on G7 summit – live news
(32 minutes later)
Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, says it is not just Angela Merkel saying the UK has not put forward any plans. The Irish deputy PM, Simon Coveney, said recently the UK had not put forward any plans. He asks Johnson to confirm the Daily Telegraph report saying Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, told him the government was heading for no deal.
He is an extract from the Telegraph’s story (paywall).
At a follow-up meeting on Aug 1 to discuss what the strategy would mean in practice, Mr Johnson insisted again the entire backstop must go, but he was confronted by Geoffrey Cox, the Attorney General, who argued for potential compromises on the backstop that might be negotiable with the EU, – such as a time-limit or a unilateral exit clause – but the options were ruled out by the Prime Minister.
Sources say Mr Cox told Mr Johnson it was a “complete fantasy” to think the EU would drop the backstop, before quickly professing his loyalty – and issuing a clear warning. “I will stand with you but you should know this is the path to no deal,” he told him.
Johnson ignores the question about Cox, but says that MPs who vote for the SO24 motion tonight will be undermining the chances of a deal.
Philip Hammond, the Tory former chancellor, says Angela Merkel said on Friday that, nine days into the 30 days set aside for a new deal, she had yet to see any new proposals from the UK. Will Johnson publish any ideas he has?
Johnson says the UK will be able to get a deal within 30 days. But he says that cannot happen while parliament is threatening to block no deal. He says the first thing EU leaders ask is, ‘Will this get through parliament?”
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, welcomes Phillip Lee to her party and says doctors like Lee tell her Brexit will harm the NHS.
Johnson says this government has hired 700 more doctors.
The SNP leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, says Johnson may claim not to want an election. But the SNP do want one, he says.
Here is the full statement from Phillip Lee explaining his defection to the Lib Dems.
After a great deal of thought, I have reached the conclusion that it is not possible to serve my constituents’ and country’s best interests as a Conservative member of parliament.
Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist party led by Sir John Major. Since 2010, I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell constituency. The party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today.
This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom. More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way. It has gone so far beyond reckless as to cease to be conservative.
I am dismayed at what the Conservative party has become, the role that it has played in feeding division and populism, in squandering a hard-won reputation for sound stewardship, and the blinkered direction in which it has set our country. Those are not my values. I will not implicitly condone these things by being party to them.
Make no mistake: this is a time of reckoning. The challenges that our world and country face are real – but not insurmountable. We need to root how we address them in evidence and reality. Critically, we need to recognise that we will not solve climate change, counter extremism, or address our housing, health and social care needs alone. We must work with others.
The opportunities to leave a better legacy are also significant. As a united country, we need to mobilise all our innovation, creativity, power and talent – not bury it under a Brexit that does not have the British people’s informed consent. As a society, we need to rediscover the liberal and democratic traditions that made our country great. We should be guided by the values of justice, liberty and community. We must recognise our responsibilities to our people and planet: we are stewards of our country’s and our world’s limited resources.
Each generation needs to define democracy for itself and so we each have a part in shaping what we want our politics and our country to stand for. Each of us must stand and be counted.
That is why today I am joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats. I believe the Liberal Democrats are best placed to build the unifying and inspiring political force needed to heal our divisions, unleash our talents, equip us to take the opportunities and overcome the challenges that we face as a society - and leave our country and our world in a better place for the next generations.
Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, says Johnson’s strategy is obvious. He wants to set impossible conditions, attach as much blame as possible to the EU for the failure to get a deal, and then hold an election as quickly as possible, before the disadvantages of no deal become apparent. Is that correct? And can he confirm that, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it will be much harder to get new deals. And any new deal with the EU will not replicate the advantages of the single market that Conservative governments helped to create.
Johnson says he has long been a fan of Clarke’s. He was the only member of the 2001 intake to vote for Clarke in the Tory leadership contest that year, he says. He says the best way to get a deal is to vote down the motion tonight.
Johnson is responding to Corbyn.
He says Corbyn was, and still is, a Bennite. (Tony, not Hilary, Johnson means.) He says Corbyn is supporting protests on the streets.
Corbyn ended by saying that Boris Johnson’s government had “no mandate, no morals and, as of today, no majority”.
Jeremy Corbyn is responding now.
He says Boris Johnson claims to be making progress. But EU leaders say that is not the case.
He says the Conservative party’s in-house journal, the Daily Telegraph, reports today that the government views its renegotiation as a sham. (See 11.57am.)
He asks Johnson to say when the government will publish its internal planning document about the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.
Some Tories are putting their careers ahead of the national interest, he says. He refers to the leadership candidates who ruled out proroguing parliament, but who have now accepted that as an option.
And they are even refusing to commit to obeying laws passed by parliament. Can Johnson confirm he will obey any new law?
Corbyn says the attack on democracy is unconstitutional. He condemns the rhetoric used by Johnson when he referred to a surrender bill.
We are not surrendering because we are at war with Europe. They are our partners.
Corbyn condemns Johnson for using ‘surrender bill’ jibe, saying UK is not at war with EU.
Johnson ends by urging MPs to reject the bill.
John Bercow, the Speaker, points out that there is no vote on a bill tonight. There will just be a vote on a mechanism to allow the vote to go ahead.
(He seems to be acknowledging that he will accept the request for the SO24 debate.)
Johnson says never before has the Commons forced a PM to accept a bill like this.
It would allow the EU to keep the UK in the EU on its own terms.
Johnson says the UK will be ready for a no-deal Brexit.
But he wants to return from the EU summit with a deal, he says.
However, one thing would jeopardise the chances of this - MPs passing the bill to rule out no deal, and to force the UK to “beg” for a delay.
He says Jeremy Corbyn has spent all summer working on this bill.
It is a bill without precedent, he says. It would force him to go to Brussels and beg for an extension, and it would force him to accept the terms offered, he says.
He says this is “Jeremy Corbyn’s surrender bill”. It means “running up the white flag”.
There are no circumstances in which I will every accept anything like it.
Johnson says that practical alternatives to the backstop are available.Johnson says that practical alternatives to the backstop are available.
He confirms that he will meet Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, in Dublin on Monday.He confirms that he will meet Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach, in Dublin on Monday.
It is not true to say that the government is not making progress towards a deal, he says.It is not true to say that the government is not making progress towards a deal, he says.
In the Commons Boris Johnson is still making his statement. He says he thinks over the last few weeks the chances of a Brexit deal have risen.In the Commons Boris Johnson is still making his statement. He says he thinks over the last few weeks the chances of a Brexit deal have risen.
Boris Johnson claims chances of Brexit deal have risen.Boris Johnson claims chances of Brexit deal have risen.
He has not alluded yet to Phillip Lee’s defection. UPDATED: Originally this post said Johnson did not allude to Phillip Lee’s defection. But I’ve taken that line out, because Johnson briefly referred to it, saying he wished Lee all the best.
Here is the Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson on Phillip Lee’s defection.Here is the Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson on Phillip Lee’s defection.
I am delighted to welcome Phillip to the Liberal Democrats at this crucial time.I am delighted to welcome Phillip to the Liberal Democrats at this crucial time.
He brings almost 10 years of parliamentary experience and decades of professional expertise. He shares our commitment to prevent a disastrous no-deal Brexit, and to stop Brexit altogether.He brings almost 10 years of parliamentary experience and decades of professional expertise. He shares our commitment to prevent a disastrous no-deal Brexit, and to stop Brexit altogether.
The Liberal Democrats are growing. Phillip follows both Chuka Umunna MP and Sarah Wollaston MP in bravely crossing the floor to join us.The Liberal Democrats are growing. Phillip follows both Chuka Umunna MP and Sarah Wollaston MP in bravely crossing the floor to join us.
Today, we also welcome Jane Dodds MP to parliament, following her recent victory in Brecon and Radnorshire. And these representatives join over 30,000 new members, who have joined the Liberal Democrats since our best ever results in the European elections in May.Today, we also welcome Jane Dodds MP to parliament, following her recent victory in Brecon and Radnorshire. And these representatives join over 30,000 new members, who have joined the Liberal Democrats since our best ever results in the European elections in May.
The Tory Phillip Lee has just issued this statement about his defection to the Lib Dems.The Tory Phillip Lee has just issued this statement about his defection to the Lib Dems.
Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist party led by Sir John Major. Since 2010 I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell Constituency. The party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today.Over 27 years ago I joined the Conservative & Unionist party led by Sir John Major. Since 2010 I have had the privilege of representing the Bracknell Constituency. The party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today.
This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom. More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom. More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.
That is why today I am joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats. I believe the Liberal Democrats are best placed to build the unifying and inspiring political force needed to heal our divisions, unleash our talents, equip us to take the opportunities and overcome the challenges that we face as a society - and leave our country and our world in a better place for the next generations.That is why today I am joining Jo Swinson and the Liberal Democrats. I believe the Liberal Democrats are best placed to build the unifying and inspiring political force needed to heal our divisions, unleash our talents, equip us to take the opportunities and overcome the challenges that we face as a society - and leave our country and our world in a better place for the next generations.
This means that Boris Johnson has lost his majority.This means that Boris Johnson has lost his majority.
It looks as if the Tory MP Phillip Lee has defected to the Lib Dems. This is from Politics.co.uk’s Ian Dunt.It looks as if the Tory MP Phillip Lee has defected to the Lib Dems. This is from Politics.co.uk’s Ian Dunt.
As Johnson talked Tory MP Philip Lee stood up and walked across the floor of the Commons and sat down with the Lib Dems (top right). pic.twitter.com/cRLh6FRejTAs Johnson talked Tory MP Philip Lee stood up and walked across the floor of the Commons and sat down with the Lib Dems (top right). pic.twitter.com/cRLh6FRejT
Boris Johnson starts by saying that today is the 80th anniversary of Britain’s entry into world war two. He says MPs know that this country still stands for democracy and the rule of law. That prompts jeering from Labour, in the light of Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament to limit the amount of time available to MPs seeking to block a no-deal Brexit.Boris Johnson starts by saying that today is the 80th anniversary of Britain’s entry into world war two. He says MPs know that this country still stands for democracy and the rule of law. That prompts jeering from Labour, in the light of Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament to limit the amount of time available to MPs seeking to block a no-deal Brexit.
He says he made the case for free trade at the G7 summit.He says he made the case for free trade at the G7 summit.
He says the UK is on the verge of taking back control of its trade policy by taking its own seat at the WTO. He says he wants to do a comprehensive trade deal with the US. He says he and President Trump have agreed that the NHS will not be on the table for that deal.He says the UK is on the verge of taking back control of its trade policy by taking its own seat at the WTO. He says he wants to do a comprehensive trade deal with the US. He says he and President Trump have agreed that the NHS will not be on the table for that deal.
In the Commons the new Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, Jane Dodds, is just taking her seat.
The supreme court has confirmed a provisional date of Tuesday 17 September for any appeal hearing in the multiple legal challenges against the prime minister’s decision to prorogue parliament.
Judicial review cases have been launched separately in the lower courts in Edinburgh, Belfast and London alleging that the planned suspension of parliamentary business is illegal.
If any appeals are made against the rulings of the court of session and high courts in the three cases they would be joined together for a combined hearing at the supreme court in London. It would be the first time the UK’s highest court has sat for an emergency application outside its normal legal terms.
Many justices are understood to be away on holiday. The supreme court does not normally start hearing cases until after the formal opening of the new legal year at the beginning of October.
The article 50 Brexit case heard by the supreme court in 2016 involved 11 justices hearing the high-profile case. A similar, odd number - to avoid the danger of a draw - could sit on 17 September.
Alistair Burt, the former Foreign Office minister and one of the Tories committed to voting with the opposition tonight on the motion enabling the Benn bill to block a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, has announced that he will stand down at the next election.
As ITV’s Emma Hutchinson reports, Burt, 64, says he is leaving earlier than planned because he does not support Boris Johnson’s Brexit policy. Under Johnson’s plan to deselect MPs who rebel tonight, he would probably have been forced out anyway.
(Other Tory rebels are taking a different approach. This morning Philip Hammond said he might even go to court to ensure he can stand again as a Conservative party candidate. See 8.15am.)
NEW - North East Bedfordshire MP Alistair Burt announces he will not stand at the next General Election @itvanglia
In a letter to his constituents Alistair Burt says there was always going to be a time to go but decision brought forward by recent events @itvanglia
In letter to constituents Alistair Burt says "it has become clear I have a fundamental and unresolvable disagreement with party leadership on the manner in which we leave the EU" @itvanglia
Dominic Cummings, the PM’s de facto chief of staff, also got involved at the meeting where Boris Johnson hoped to win over some rebel Tories this morning, HuffPost’s Paul Waugh reports. It sounds as though his intervention was not particularly helpful.
Fascinating titbit of what happened as 'rebel alliance' of MPs were sitting outside PM's office as they waited for meeting.I'm told several of them were 'hectored for an extended period of time' by Dominic Cummings. He then apparently told them "I don't know who any of you are!"
Govt source says "hectored is totally wrong" but he did indeed speak to a few of the MPs as they waited.
And here is the statement that Jeremy Corbyn issued after his meeting with other opposition leaders this morning about whether to vote for an election and stopping a no-deal Brexit. (See 1.31pm and 2.35pm.)
Following a productive meeting of cross-party MPs this morning, we are united in our opposition to Boris Johnson’s plans for a no-deal.
We are confident that the legislative route we have adopted has every chance of being successful, and we are working on ways in which we can prevent Boris Johnson manipulating an election to force a no-deal Brexit.
Labour wants to prevent a no-deal Brexit, and to have a general election, so we can end austerity and invest in our communities. I am confident we can have both, and we’ve been in discussions about a way to achieve this. We will continue to work across parliament towards this goal and will have further meetings to this end in coming days.
And this is from my colleague Heather Stewart.
Told Labour MPs' WhatsApp groups buzzing with alarm today about the idea party could back a snap GE without first securing an A50 extension. But team Corbyn believe they can use parliamentary mechanisms to prevent the PM sneakily changing the polling day.
From my colleague Lisa O’Carroll
NEW US VP Mike Pence had uncomfortable message for Varadkar: "As Brexit deadline approaches -we urge Ireland and EU as well to negotiate in good faith with Prime minister Boris Johnson and work to reach an agreement that respects UK sovereignty + minimises disruption to commerce"
HuffPost’s Paul Waugh has more on Boris Johnson’s meeting with Philip Hammond and other rebels. (See 12.55pm.)
PM meeting with rebels - latest intel from rebel camp: Hammond said EU cannot apply conditions to any extension "according to law". He added that was confirmed in conversations he had with EU officials *when he was in office*.
But intel from govt source re the rebel meeting. Says of Hammond: "He explicitly mentioned EU legal services and their advice on this bill. The very clear implication from his comments was that his involvement in drafting the bill had been done in conjunction with the Commission"
"He then corrected himself very quickly and said 'this is the advice I've had from my lawyers'."Did Hammond misspeak? Or let cat out of bag of contacts with Brussels?
From my colleague Jessica Elgot
Understand Greg Clark is going to vote against government tonight, friends say it consistent with the view he has always held about no deal and threats of deselection have only hardened his and others’ conviction
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, issued this statement after his meeting with Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders at Westminster this morning. (See 1.31pm.) Blackford said:
Today’s cross-party meeting was another vital and productive step in working together to prevent this rogue Tory government from inflicting lasting harm with its extreme Brexit plans.
The SNP’s priority is to stop a catastrophic no-deal and that is why we have co-sponsored the cross-party bill designed to take that outcome off the table – an outcome parliament has already previously rejected. We will explore every avenue and parliamentary process open to us to stop that. However, while the SNP are ready and eager for a general election, Boris Johnson must not be allowed to use an election to force through no-deal.
While the SNP has been at the forefront in standing up for Scotland’s interests in Westminster, the 13 Scottish Tory MPs have been notably absent. With time running out – and with every vote pivotal – I urge the group of Scottish Tory MPs to work with us in safeguarding Scotland’s economic and social interests.
Here is the timetable for events in the Commons this afternoon. After the first two entries, all the timings are provisional, for reasons explained below.
2.30pm: Dominic Raab takes Foreign Office questions.
3.30pm: Boris Johnson gives a statement on the G7. Commons statements normally run for about an hour, but John Bercow, the Speaker, likes to call all MPs who want to ask a question, and he regularly lets questions to the PM run for two hours or more. But assuming they wrap up after two hours, that takes us to ...
5.30pm?: Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, gives a statement on no-deal Brexit preparations.
6.30pm?: Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, gives a statement on education funding.
7.30pm?: Chris Philp moves a motion under the 10-minute rule for a bill on clean air. (Although called a 10-minute rule bill, the debate can last up to 20 minute, although normally these speeches last about five minutes.)
7.35pm?: Sir Oliver Letwin submits a request for an SO24 (standing order 24) emergency debate on a no-deal Brexit. After a very short speech, Bercow will either allow or disallow the debate. No one expects him to say no.
7.40pm?: MPs begin the debate on the SO24 motion. It can run for up to three hours, or until 10pm - whichever comes first.
10pm?: MPs vote on the motion.