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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 as Johnson confronts rebels ahead of key Commons vote – live news
(32 minutes later)
Gove concludes by saying a no-deal Brexit would pose undoubted risks and real challenges for the UK. But he says there would also be opportunities.
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office, is now making a Commons statement about planning for a no-deal Brexit.
He says a no-deal Brexit would present difficulties, but he says people can prepare for them.
He says the Operation Yellowhammer plan sets out a “reasonable worst-case scenario” for what might happen. It is not a prediction, he says.
He says today the government is announcing an extra £20m of spending to ensure that traffic can flow freely in Kent in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
He urges EU states to reciprocate the assurances that the UK has given for EU nationals living in the UK in the event of no deal.
Boris Johnson’s statement is now over. Unusually, John Bercow wrapped it up while some MPs still wanted to ask questions. That means we are running slightly ahead of the timetable I anticipated earlier. (See 2.30pm.)
Here are some comments from journalists on how Boris Johnson is performing in this statement.
From my colleague Jonathan Freedland
The quiet precision of Philip Hammond, David Gauke, Yvette Cooper, Hilary Benn and others is exposing Johnson's bluster to damning effect
From Sky’s Lewis Goodall
He has never been an especially effective Commons performer. Chamber doesn't play to his strengths. He needs laughter, an audience which wants to play along and give him energy. Today he's getting the exact opposite.
From the Mail on Sunday’s Dan Hodges
Boris is having a shocker here. Stumbling over response to Hammond.
Boris now floundering in response to Hilary Benn. Much more of this and the 1922 will be getting a raft of letters asking for Theresa May to come back.
From my colleague Peter Walker
I haven't seen a prime minister take such as kicking in the Commons as Boris Johnson is experiencing now since... well, probably since the last time Theresa May stood at the despatch box. But you know what I mean.
From my colleague John Crace
Boris Johnson is really struggling here. It’s as if his own MPs have just woken up to the fact he’s a bit shit
Johnson says he expects the final deal to be agreed at the EU summit starting on Thursday 17 October.
Jeremy Lefroy, a Conservative, asks if MPs will be able to pass all the required legislation between that summit and 31 October.
Johnson says that is what the government is planning. He offers to ensure Lefroy gets a briefing on how this would happen.
The Conservative Huw Merriman says if the Tories are going to remove the whip from MPs who rebel tonight, will Johnson also remove the whip from any MPs who do not back any deal he does bring back to the Commons.
(Some of the hardline Brexiters in the European Research Group say, even with the removal of the backstop, they would still find the Brexit deal unacceptable.)
Johnson confirms this would happen. “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” he says.
Labour’s Alison McGovern asks Johnson if he has seen the comment from Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff, about the Brexit negotiation being a sham. If it is not a sham, will Johnson publish his backstop plans?Labour’s Alison McGovern asks Johnson if he has seen the comment from Gavin Barwell, Theresa May’s former chief of staff, about the Brexit negotiation being a sham. If it is not a sham, will Johnson publish his backstop plans?
McGovern is referring to this tweet.McGovern is referring to this tweet.
V important thread for MPs who would support a deal but not no deal. I've had same reports re "sham negotiations" from multiple govt sources. If not true (my views were sometimes misreported when I was Chief of Staff) Government should publish its proposals to replace backstop https://t.co/YV8cGefcd2V important thread for MPs who would support a deal but not no deal. I've had same reports re "sham negotiations" from multiple govt sources. If not true (my views were sometimes misreported when I was Chief of Staff) Government should publish its proposals to replace backstop https://t.co/YV8cGefcd2
Johnson says he thinks he has said enough on this. He says voting for the SO24 motion tonight will harm the chances of the government getting a deal.Johnson says he thinks he has said enough on this. He says voting for the SO24 motion tonight will harm the chances of the government getting a deal.
Labour’s Liz Kendall asks if Johnson will abide by the law if parliament passes legislation requiring him to request an article 50 extension.Labour’s Liz Kendall asks if Johnson will abide by the law if parliament passes legislation requiring him to request an article 50 extension.
Johnson says he will obey the law. But he says this provision would be a mistake.Johnson says he will obey the law. But he says this provision would be a mistake.
Labour’s Jess Phillips says she has joined one of the legal challenges to the prorogation case because she does not want MPs not to have the chance to debate the domestic violence bill. Is it true senior civil servants refused to sign witness statements for this case?Labour’s Jess Phillips says she has joined one of the legal challenges to the prorogation case because she does not want MPs not to have the chance to debate the domestic violence bill. Is it true senior civil servants refused to sign witness statements for this case?
Johnson says the proper processes were gone through. Domestic violence will receive proper consideration in the Queen’s speech, he says.Johnson says the proper processes were gone through. Domestic violence will receive proper consideration in the Queen’s speech, he says.
Steve Brine, a Conservative, tells Johnson that it is wrong to say that all MPs opposed to no deal are opposed to Brexit. Does Johnson accept that?Steve Brine, a Conservative, tells Johnson that it is wrong to say that all MPs opposed to no deal are opposed to Brexit. Does Johnson accept that?
Johnson dodges the question, but says people used to say the EU would not alter the backstop. Now it is accepting it could change.Johnson dodges the question, but says people used to say the EU would not alter the backstop. Now it is accepting it could change.
Labour’s Barry Sheerman says his daughter used to work as a special adviser for a Labour minister. Will Johnson condemn the way Sonia Khan was sacked by Dominic Cummings as a special adviser?Labour’s Barry Sheerman says his daughter used to work as a special adviser for a Labour minister. Will Johnson condemn the way Sonia Khan was sacked by Dominic Cummings as a special adviser?
Johnson says he will not comment on personnel matters.Johnson says he will not comment on personnel matters.
Anna Soubry, the Independent Group for Change leader, also asks about the Telegraph story, and asks if it is true that Johnson rang the Telegraph editor to complain about it.Anna Soubry, the Independent Group for Change leader, also asks about the Telegraph story, and asks if it is true that Johnson rang the Telegraph editor to complain about it.
Johnson again refuses to comment on the story. But he says he has not had any conversation today with any journalist about this matter.Johnson again refuses to comment on the story. But he says he has not had any conversation today with any journalist about this matter.
David Gauke, the former justice secretary and a Tory rebel, asks Johnson to confirm two claims in the Daily Telegraph story today (paywall).David Gauke, the former justice secretary and a Tory rebel, asks Johnson to confirm two claims in the Daily Telegraph story today (paywall).
One was that David Frost, his Europe adviser, told a cabinet committee in August “of the decision to ‘run down the clock’ [in the Brexit talks] and keep up the appearance of activity, which he said was ‘important for both process and domestic handling reasons’.”One was that David Frost, his Europe adviser, told a cabinet committee in August “of the decision to ‘run down the clock’ [in the Brexit talks] and keep up the appearance of activity, which he said was ‘important for both process and domestic handling reasons’.”
The other claim was that Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, said at a subsequent cabinet committee meeting that it was a “complete fantasy” to think the EU would drop the backstop.The other claim was that Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, said at a subsequent cabinet committee meeting that it was a “complete fantasy” to think the EU would drop the backstop.
Johnson says he cannot comment on leaks.Johnson says he cannot comment on leaks.
Here is video of Phillip Lee crossing the floor in the Commons.Here is video of Phillip Lee crossing the floor in the Commons.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader at Westminster, asks Johnson to agree that a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic.Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader at Westminster, asks Johnson to agree that a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic.
Johnson says he does not agree. He says there will be “bumps on the road”, but the UK is a great country and it can get this down.Johnson says he does not agree. He says there will be “bumps on the road”, but the UK is a great country and it can get this down.
The alternative plan, backed by Jeremy Corbyn, would force the UK to accept whatever is offered by the EU, he says.The alternative plan, backed by Jeremy Corbyn, would force the UK to accept whatever is offered by the EU, he says.
Labour’s Angela Eagle asks if Johnson will obey any law passed by parliament on a no-deal Brexit. Johnson says the government will, of course, uphold the constitution and “obey the law”.
However, he said earlier he would not accept what was being proposed in the legislation. (See 3.50pm.)
Responding to the DUP’s Nigel Dodds, Johnson says he believes they can get rid of the backstop. “How?” MPs shout. Johnson says the shouting shows MPs do not want to get rid of it.
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 1 August 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”.