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Brexit: Boris Johnson to table motion for general election – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson to table motion for general election – live news
(32 minutes later)
Theresa May, whose premiership was wrecked by Brexit, has been photographed leaving Parliament after her successor, Boris Johnson, suffered defeat in his very first Commons vote.
Rory Stewart, initially appeared to confirm he would not stand as an MP at any upcoming general election after rebelling against the government tonight. Speaking at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, he said:
Politics is at an all-time low at the moment all over the world and it is great you continue to take an interest in it. We have a lot of work to do to regain anybody’s trust.
But I want to finish by saying this is a pretty special evening in many ways because, when I voted against the government this evening, I heard that my whip has been removed.
It’s likely tomorrow that there’s going to be an election and I’m not going to be able to stand as the member of Parliament because Boris [Johnson] has decided he doesn’t want me in the party.
I am very proud to take the award as politician of the year on the evening which I cease to be a politician.
However, Stewart later clarified that he had been joking about leaving politics:
Strange that a decision has been made to remove the whip from so many colleagues who were ministers so recently. Particularly when we voted repeatedly for a Brexit deal. I can’t think of a historical precedent. But I am not stepping down as an MP.
Guto Bebb also voted against the government and is now believed to have had the whip withdrawn. He told the BBC:
It is frankly rather hypocritical of a prime minister who constantly voted against the previous Conservative prime minister in taking this action against people who voted against him.
None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for the way in which No 10 and the prime minister have handled this whole issue.
That decision to prorogue parliament on the advice of Dominic Cummings has misfired spectacularly.
Another of those to rebel was Anne Milton, who wrote to her constituents to explain her decision:
It is with great regret, much consideration and a heavy heart that I voted against the Government Whip tonight. A message to my constituents: pic.twitter.com/TAs102rek1
The mayor of London and avowed remain supporter, Sadiq Khan, has described tonight’s vote as a “first step towards stopping Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit”.
However, we are not over the line yet. It is now absolutely vital that this Bill is passed by both Houses, and that Boris Johnson ensures it receives Royal assent and then agrees to abide by it.
Those of us who agree that Brexit is a total disaster for the future of London and our country simply must keep the pressure up this week.
Sir Nicholas Soames, the Tory former minister, has told Newsnight that he will stand down at the next election. Soames, 71, whose grandfather was Winston Churchill, is losing the whip because he voted against the government tonight.
That’s all from me tonight. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is now taking over.
This is from a source close to the rebel Tories.This is from a source close to the rebel Tories.
Tonight’s decisive result is the first step in a process to avert an undemocratic and damaging no deal. No 10 have responded by removing the whip from two former chancellors, a former lord chancellor and Winston Churchill’s grandson. What has has happened to the Conservative party?Tonight’s decisive result is the first step in a process to avert an undemocratic and damaging no deal. No 10 have responded by removing the whip from two former chancellors, a former lord chancellor and Winston Churchill’s grandson. What has has happened to the Conservative party?
Mark Spencer, the chief whip, has been ringing the Tory rebels telling them they are having the whip withdrawn, we’ve been told. Philip Hammond, the former chancellor, has already had the call. As of now, he is technically no longer a Conservative MP.Mark Spencer, the chief whip, has been ringing the Tory rebels telling them they are having the whip withdrawn, we’ve been told. Philip Hammond, the former chancellor, has already had the call. As of now, he is technically no longer a Conservative MP.
And here is the full text of what Jeremy Corbyn said in the chamber after the vote.And here is the full text of what Jeremy Corbyn said in the chamber after the vote.
I welcome tonight’s vote. We live in a parliamentary democracy, we do not have a presidency but a prime minister.I welcome tonight’s vote. We live in a parliamentary democracy, we do not have a presidency but a prime minister.
Prime ministers govern with the consent of the House of Commons, representing the people in whom the sovereignty rests.Prime ministers govern with the consent of the House of Commons, representing the people in whom the sovereignty rests.
There is no consent in this house to leave the European Union without a deal. There is no majority for no deal in the country.There is no consent in this house to leave the European Union without a deal. There is no majority for no deal in the country.
As I have said before: if the prime minister has confidence in his Brexit policy - when he has one he can put forward - he should put it before the people in a public vote.As I have said before: if the prime minister has confidence in his Brexit policy - when he has one he can put forward - he should put it before the people in a public vote.
And so, he wants to table a motion for a general election, fine get the bill through first in order to take no-deal off the table.And so, he wants to table a motion for a general election, fine get the bill through first in order to take no-deal off the table.
Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s statement after the result was announced.Here is the full text of Boris Johnson’s statement after the result was announced.
Let there be no doubt about the consequences of this vote tonight.Let there be no doubt about the consequences of this vote tonight.
It means that parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels.It means that parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels.
Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU.Because tomorrow’s bill would hand control of the negotiations to the EU.
And that would mean more dither, more delay, more confusion.And that would mean more dither, more delay, more confusion.
And it would mean that the EU themselves would be able decide how long to keep this country in the EU.And it would mean that the EU themselves would be able decide how long to keep this country in the EU.
And since I refuse to go along with that plan we are going to have to make a choice. I don’t want an election. The public don’t want an election. But if the House votes for this bill tomorrow, the public will have to choose who goes to Brussels on October 17 to sort this out and take this country forward.And since I refuse to go along with that plan we are going to have to make a choice. I don’t want an election. The public don’t want an election. But if the House votes for this bill tomorrow, the public will have to choose who goes to Brussels on October 17 to sort this out and take this country forward.
Everyone will know if the Rt Hon Gentleman is the prime minister, he will go to Brussels, he will beg for an extension, you will accept whatever Brussels demands and we’ll have years more arguments over Brexit.Everyone will know if the Rt Hon Gentleman is the prime minister, he will go to Brussels, he will beg for an extension, you will accept whatever Brussels demands and we’ll have years more arguments over Brexit.
And by contrast, everyone will know that if I am prime minister, I will go to Brussels, I will go for a deal and get a deal but if they won’t do a deal we will leave anyway on 31 October.And by contrast, everyone will know that if I am prime minister, I will go to Brussels, I will go for a deal and get a deal but if they won’t do a deal we will leave anyway on 31 October.
The people of this country will have to choose.The people of this country will have to choose.
The leader of the Opposition has been begging for an election for two years.The leader of the Opposition has been begging for an election for two years.
I don’t want an election but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop the negotiations and to compel another pointless delay of Brexit, potentially for years, then that will be the only way to resolve this.I don’t want an election but if MPs vote tomorrow to stop the negotiations and to compel another pointless delay of Brexit, potentially for years, then that will be the only way to resolve this.
I can confirm that tonight we will are tabling a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.I can confirm that tonight we will are tabling a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, was wrong when she said earlier that the Tory rebels would be given a second chance before they had the whip removed (see 10.29pm), the BBC’s Vicki Young reports.Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, was wrong when she said earlier that the Tory rebels would be given a second chance before they had the whip removed (see 10.29pm), the BBC’s Vicki Young reports.
Now been told that all 21 will lose whip in all circumstances!Now been told that all 21 will lose whip in all circumstances!
Here is the list of MPs who did not vote in the division. As is normal, the Speaker, his three deputies and the seven Sinn Fein MPs (who have not taken their seats) did not vote. The other MPs who did not vote were Sir Kevin Barron and Derek Twigg (both Labour) and four independents (Kelvin Hopkins, John Woodcock, Jared O’Mara and Chris Williamson).Here is the list of MPs who did not vote in the division. As is normal, the Speaker, his three deputies and the seven Sinn Fein MPs (who have not taken their seats) did not vote. The other MPs who did not vote were Sir Kevin Barron and Derek Twigg (both Labour) and four independents (Kelvin Hopkins, John Woodcock, Jared O’Mara and Chris Williamson).
It is impossible to tell from the division lists whether an MP did not vote because they wanted to abstain, or whether there was another reason, like illness, for their non-appearance.It is impossible to tell from the division lists whether an MP did not vote because they wanted to abstain, or whether there was another reason, like illness, for their non-appearance.
Here is the list of MPs who voted against the motion. There were 286 Tories voting this way, and all 10 DUP MPs voted against. The other votes came from two Labour MPs, Kate Hoey and John Mann, and three independents (Ian Austin and Ivan Lewis, who are both ex-Labour, and Charlie Elphicke, who is ex-Tory).Here is the list of MPs who voted against the motion. There were 286 Tories voting this way, and all 10 DUP MPs voted against. The other votes came from two Labour MPs, Kate Hoey and John Mann, and three independents (Ian Austin and Ivan Lewis, who are both ex-Labour, and Charlie Elphicke, who is ex-Tory).
You can find the division lists here.You can find the division lists here.
Here are the 21 Tory MPs who voted with the opposition.Here are the 21 Tory MPs who voted with the opposition.
Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, has signalled that the Tory rebels will not have the whip removed immediately. In an interview with BBC, she said that she hoped that the MPs who voted against the government would “reconsider overnight” and decide to vote with the government to defeat the bill tomorrow. Asked if they would lose the whip immediately, she said they wouldn’t. They would get a second chance, she said.Andrea Leadsom, the business secretary, has signalled that the Tory rebels will not have the whip removed immediately. In an interview with BBC, she said that she hoped that the MPs who voted against the government would “reconsider overnight” and decide to vote with the government to defeat the bill tomorrow. Asked if they would lose the whip immediately, she said they wouldn’t. They would get a second chance, she said.
UPDATE: Leadsom was freelancing, or just plain wrong. Party sources have made it clear that all rebels are losing the whip. See 10.48pm.UPDATE: Leadsom was freelancing, or just plain wrong. Party sources have made it clear that all rebels are losing the whip. See 10.48pm.
Anna Soubry rises as leader of the Independent Group for Change. Some MPs jeer, because they do not see this as a proper party. Soubry says she will not be shouted down by a man.Anna Soubry rises as leader of the Independent Group for Change. Some MPs jeer, because they do not see this as a proper party. Soubry says she will not be shouted down by a man.
She says the rumour is that all the rebels will have the whip withdrawn. Is that correct?She says the rumour is that all the rebels will have the whip withdrawn. Is that correct?
Bercow says they are not having a debate now.Bercow says they are not having a debate now.
Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, says MPs must act responsibly. She says she backs the idea of an election, but not before MPs have removed the risk of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal.Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, says MPs must act responsibly. She says she backs the idea of an election, but not before MPs have removed the risk of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Wesminster, says Johnson has a 100% record when it comes to losing votes in the Commons.Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Wesminster, says Johnson has a 100% record when it comes to losing votes in the Commons.
He says Johnson should respect the vote. He says the “fantasy” that there is a deal to come from the government is “nonsense”.He says Johnson should respect the vote. He says the “fantasy” that there is a deal to come from the government is “nonsense”.
Let us have an election. But let us have an election that respects the democracy of this house.Let us have an election. But let us have an election that respects the democracy of this house.
Blackford says SNP also wants Benn bill passed before general election called.Blackford says SNP also wants Benn bill passed before general election called.
Jeremy Corbyn says if Johnson wants an election, he must get the bill passed first.Jeremy Corbyn says if Johnson wants an election, he must get the bill passed first.
Boris Johnson says he will refuse to go along with this bill.Boris Johnson says he will refuse to go along with this bill.
He does not want an election.He does not want an election.
But if MPs vote for this bill tomorrow, the public will have to choose who goes to Brussels on 17 October.But if MPs vote for this bill tomorrow, the public will have to choose who goes to Brussels on 17 October.
He says if Jeremy Corbyn goes, he will do what the EU wants.He says if Jeremy Corbyn goes, he will do what the EU wants.
If Johnson himself goes, he will get a deal, he says.If Johnson himself goes, he will get a deal, he says.
He says if MPs vote for a pointless delay to Brexit tomorrow, he will seek to hold an election. Tonight he is tabling a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.He says if MPs vote for a pointless delay to Brexit tomorrow, he will seek to hold an election. Tonight he is tabling a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.