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Phillip Lee quits Tories, leaving government without a majority Phillip Lee quits Tories, leaving government without a majority
(30 minutes later)
The Conservative MP Phillip Lee has defected to join the Liberal Democrats, leaving the government without a majority in parliament. Boris Johnson has seen his one-vote Commons majority vanish before his eyes, as a statement by the prime minister to parliament was undermined by the very public defection of the Conservative MP Phillip Lee to the Liberal Democrats.
The MP for Bracknell, who has been a staunch campaigner for remain, said he quit over the way Boris Johnson was pursuing a “damaging Brexit” that could “put lives at risk”. The stunt, in which the pro-remain Bracknell MP walked across the chamber to the Lib Dem benches flanked by two of his new colleagues, happened as Johnson updated the Commons on last month’s G7 summit, a statement devoted mainly to Brexit.
After months of rumours that the former minister would join another political party over his unhappiness with the Tories, he walked across the floor of the Commons on Tuesday and sat with the Liberal Democrats while the prime minister addressed MPs. At the start of a crucial day in the Commons, Johnson condemned plans for a backbench plan aimed at delaying Brexit to avert a no-deal departure, calling it a “surrender bill”. Jeremy Corbyn responded by condemning the PM’s language.
He follows the former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston and ex-Labour MP Chuka Umunna in joining the Lib Dems, who now have 15 MPs. MPs will vote on Tuesday evening on whether to take control of the order paper to allow the passage of the bill. Johnson has promised to seek a general election if they do so.
In a carefully stage-managed manoeuvre, as Johnson began his statement Lee walked across the floor of the Commons chamber, sitting down on the Lib Dem benches next to Jane Dodds, the newly sworn in MP for Brecon and Radnorshire.
At the same time, the party released a statement from Lee – long the focus of rumours he could quit – saying he had departed due to the way Johnson was pursuing a “damaging Brexit” that could “put lives at risk”.
Lee follows the former Tory MP Sarah Wollaston and ex-Labour MP Chuka Umunna in joining the Lib Dems, who now have 15 MPs. It reduces Johnson’s working majority, with DUP support, from one to zero.
The date on which the Commons returns from summer recess. MPs are expected to seize control of the order paper to force a debate aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit.The date on which the Commons returns from summer recess. MPs are expected to seize control of the order paper to force a debate aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit.
Sajid Javid is expected to start a fast-tracked spending review, promising a cash boost for schools, hospitals and policing. The swift timing of the review comes after his first major speech by the chancellor was abruptly cancelled by the Treasury with less than 24 hours’ notice. Prime minister Boris Johnson has threatened to call a vote on forcing an election if MPs  have attempted to legislate against no-deal.Sajid Javid is expected to start a fast-tracked spending review, promising a cash boost for schools, hospitals and policing. The swift timing of the review comes after his first major speech by the chancellor was abruptly cancelled by the Treasury with less than 24 hours’ notice. Prime minister Boris Johnson has threatened to call a vote on forcing an election if MPs  have attempted to legislate against no-deal.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to prorogue parliament during this week. MPs were due to have a recess period anyway for the party conference season. However, proroguing parliament will severely limit the time MPs have to legislate against no deal or hold and win a vote of no confidence in the government. Prime minister Boris Johnson has asked the Queen to prorogue parliament during this week. MPs were due to have a recess period anyway for the party conference season. However, proroguing parliament will severely limit the time MPs have to legislate against no deal or hold and win a vote of no confidence in the government. 
The Labour and Conservative party conferences are due to be held on consecutive weeks.The Labour and Conservative party conferences are due to be held on consecutive weeks.
This is the date that Johnson is proposing parliament returns for the Queen’s speech setting out a legislation programme for his government. Alternately, it could end up being the date of a general election.This is the date that Johnson is proposing parliament returns for the Queen’s speech setting out a legislation programme for his government. Alternately, it could end up being the date of a general election.
EU leaders meet for the final European council summit before the UK's extension is due to expire. They could possibly agree a new deal at this point - with just about enough time for Johnson to try and get it through parliament.EU leaders meet for the final European council summit before the UK's extension is due to expire. They could possibly agree a new deal at this point - with just about enough time for Johnson to try and get it through parliament.
The six-month article 50 extension will expire, and prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal on that date.The six-month article 50 extension will expire, and prime minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal on that date.
Lee said: “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. In his statement, Lee said: “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.”The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, said she was delighted Lee was joining at such a crucial time in British politics. “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.”
She said: “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.” Lee’s public defection appeared to temporarily put Johnson off his stride as he addressed MPs on the G7 summit in Biarritz, and Brexit negotiations he claimed were progressing well.
Jane Dodds, the new Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, was also sworn in on Tuesday. Continually barracked by Labour MPs, Johnson said he would never agree to another extension.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “The country wants this done and they want the referendum respected. We are negotiating a deal and though I am confident of getting a deal. We will leave by 31 October in all circumstances. There will be no further pointless delay.
“This house has never before voted the prime minister to surrender such a crucial decision to the discretion of our friends and neighbours overseas.”
The bill, if passed, would mandate a new Brexit date of 31 January if no departure deal was reached by mid-October, also mandating the PM to accept whatever delay the EU sought, if MPs agreed to this.
Johnson said: “It would enable our friends in Brussels to dictate the terms of the negotiation. That’s what it does. There is only one way to describe this deal: it is Jeremy Corbyn’s surrender bill. It means running up the white flag.”
In response, the Labour leader said he condemned the use of the word “surrender”, adding: “I hope he will reflect on his use of language. We’re not surrendering because we’re at war with Europe. They are, surely, our partners.”
Corbyn mocked Johnson’s claims of progress in Brexit talks, saying the EU did not agree on this. He said: “It is increasingly clear that this reckless government only has one plan – to crash out of the EU without a deal.”
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