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Brexit: MPs take control of Commons business as government reels from vote defeat – live news Brexit: MPs start debating bill that could block no deal as government reels from vote defeat – live news
(32 minutes later)
Jane Dodds, the new Lib Dem MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, delivered her maiden speech in the debate, saying she was proud to use her first vote in the Commons last night to allow this debate to go ahead.
Alistair Burt, the former Tory Foreign office minister, was the second speaker in the debate. He is a joint sponsor of the bill. He started by saying that, to his surprise, he was speaking as an independent today, having had the whip withdrawn last night after he voted against the government.
He said he was firmly against a no-deal Brexit. As a Scot, he said he was appalled by polling evidence showing that Conservatives would rather go ahead with Brexit, even if it resulted in Scottish independence. And he said he was worried about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on Ireland. Within the EU, Ireland and Britain became best friends, despite their troubled past. But now Brexit is hurting that relationship, he said.
He said when he first became an MP there were “giants” like Denis Healey and Willie Whitehall in the Commons. They had served in the war, and they were committed to the cause of Europe because they had seen their friends die.
And he said he was worried about what is happening to the Conservative party. In the last week, it has lost Ruth Davidson as Scottish leader, George Young, who resigned as a government whip in the Lords, and Philip Hammond, who had the whip removed last night.
What are people going to think about what we have left and what we have lost.
Benn ended his speech by saying a no-deal Brexit would not resolve the crisis.
At the point the UK would still have to decide what relationship it wanted with the EU, he said.
Back in the debate Hilary Benn is explaining what his bill would do.
He says the 19 October 2019 deadline is deliberate. It is the day after the October EU summit. So it allows time for the PM to negotiate a deal at that summit, but it means that if no deal has been agreed at that summit, the PM either has to get MPs to approve no deal or request an article 50 extension.
He says there have been claims that the bill would allow the EU to determine what Brexit the UK must accept. But that is not correct, he says. He says if the EU were to offer an extension other than one until 31 January 2020 (the extension proposed in the bill), the PM could decide whether or not to accept.
Benn is referring to this subsection of the bill.
This part of the Brexit extension bill is v. significant. It states the EU can choose the length of the extension - without a limit - and the Prime Minister must agree to it: pic.twitter.com/nZMn4rkSza
This tweet is misleading because it ignores subsection 3(3), which says the PM does not have to accept the new extension proposed by the EU if MPs have voted to reject it.
The Commons library briefing has a fuller explanation.
Turning back to the issue of Labour’s position on an early election (see 2.48pm), my colleague Peter Walker says John McDonnell has been setting out his views in a briefing for journalists.
John McDonnell has just explained Labour election yes-or-no plan to reporters: take it a day at a time, and don’t back one till it’s 100% sure no deal can’t happen on 31/10. So, could be before then or after.
McDonnell says Labour are in daily contact with other opposition parties, with more talks tomorrow. Says the central point is they cannot trust the “slippery” Johnson government to do what they promise - has to be watertight.
There have been various messages emanating from Labour on this. McDonnell’s view seems more on the Keir Starmer end of things.
A Tory puts it to Benn that all his bill does is actually delay the moment at which the UK has to decide what to do about Brexit.
Benn concedes there is some truth in this, but says if you are offered a choice between jumping off a cliff, and waiting for three months before jumping off a cliff, it makes sense to wait.
There is a short summary of what the Benn bill says here.
And here is a Commons library briefing explaining the bill in more detail.
Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, is not making the opening speech in the second reading debate on the bill bearing his name. For the next four hours Benn is effectively in charge of the Commons order paper, as a result of the SO24 motion passed last night.Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, is not making the opening speech in the second reading debate on the bill bearing his name. For the next four hours Benn is effectively in charge of the Commons order paper, as a result of the SO24 motion passed last night.
The bill, European Union (withdrawal) (No 6) bill, is not on the parliamentary website yet. But Benn posted a copy of the text on Twitter on Monday.The bill, European Union (withdrawal) (No 6) bill, is not on the parliamentary website yet. But Benn posted a copy of the text on Twitter on Monday.
The veteran Conservative MP Roger Gale said the strategy pursued by Boris Johnson and his advisor Dominic Cummings “is in danger of tearing the party apart” and said the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives may have to act.The veteran Conservative MP Roger Gale said the strategy pursued by Boris Johnson and his advisor Dominic Cummings “is in danger of tearing the party apart” and said the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservatives may have to act.
“I think to have an unelected, foul-mouthed oaf at the heart of Downing Street is dangerous and unacceptable,” he told ITV news.“I think to have an unelected, foul-mouthed oaf at the heart of Downing Street is dangerous and unacceptable,” he told ITV news.
The time has come for Mr Johnson to get a handle on this and have Mr Cummings frogmarched out of Downing Street, because if he doesn’t the damage is going to continue.The time has come for Mr Johnson to get a handle on this and have Mr Cummings frogmarched out of Downing Street, because if he doesn’t the damage is going to continue.
The manner, in which I know because I have had from the horse’s mouth, some of my colleagues who went to discuss courteously with Mr Johnson their situation yesterday were treated by Mr Cummings was quite appalling. That has to stop, if it doesn’t then maybe the 1922 Committee can do something about it but we cannot go on like this.The manner, in which I know because I have had from the horse’s mouth, some of my colleagues who went to discuss courteously with Mr Johnson their situation yesterday were treated by Mr Cummings was quite appalling. That has to stop, if it doesn’t then maybe the 1922 Committee can do something about it but we cannot go on like this.
In the Commons John Bercow, the Speaker, is taking points of order ahead of the debate on the Benn bill.In the Commons John Bercow, the Speaker, is taking points of order ahead of the debate on the Benn bill.
Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, asked if the bill required Queen’s consent. Cash said he was inspired to ask the question partly by this blog by Robert Craig, a public law lecturer, who suggested Queen’s consent would be required. He argued that this would be a problem.Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, asked if the bill required Queen’s consent. Cash said he was inspired to ask the question partly by this blog by Robert Craig, a public law lecturer, who suggested Queen’s consent would be required. He argued that this would be a problem.
But Bercow told Cash he had considered this matter and decided Queen’s consent was not required.But Bercow told Cash he had considered this matter and decided Queen’s consent was not required.
Here is a question from below the line.Here is a question from below the line.
Andrew, the short-term is all that anyone has time for now (ie winning the vote to block no deal unless parliament agrees to it) but what's the most probable outcome given that Johnson's is now a minority government please?Andrew, the short-term is all that anyone has time for now (ie winning the vote to block no deal unless parliament agrees to it) but what's the most probable outcome given that Johnson's is now a minority government please?
Are the Tories still the biggest party even though 21 Tory MPs have now had the whip withdrawn (temporarily or permanently)?Are the Tories still the biggest party even though 21 Tory MPs have now had the whip withdrawn (temporarily or permanently)?
If they're not the biggest party, who's got the right (eg the Speaker?) to insist on Johnson admitting that fact to the Queen?If they're not the biggest party, who's got the right (eg the Speaker?) to insist on Johnson admitting that fact to the Queen?
The Conservative party is still the biggest party in the House of Commons. The Commons authorities have updated the figures in the light of the Tory decision to remove the whip from 21 MPs last night. Here are the figures.The Conservative party is still the biggest party in the House of Commons. The Commons authorities have updated the figures in the light of the Tory decision to remove the whip from 21 MPs last night. Here are the figures.
What this shows is that there are now more independent MPs in the Commons than there are SNP MPs. If they were to organise as a group, and appoint a leader (Philip Hammond?), he would get to ask two questions every week at PMQs instead of Ian Blackford.What this shows is that there are now more independent MPs in the Commons than there are SNP MPs. If they were to organise as a group, and appoint a leader (Philip Hammond?), he would get to ask two questions every week at PMQs instead of Ian Blackford.
More than 100,000 people have applied to register to vote in the past 48 hours, with young people making up the bulk of the surge, my colleague Ben Quinn reports.More than 100,000 people have applied to register to vote in the past 48 hours, with young people making up the bulk of the surge, my colleague Ben Quinn reports.
More than 100,000 apply to register to vote in UK in 48 hoursMore than 100,000 apply to register to vote in UK in 48 hours
Simon Coveney, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, confirmed that he has seen zero plans for an alternative to the backstop solution for the Irish border. He told the Guardian:Simon Coveney, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, confirmed that he has seen zero plans for an alternative to the backstop solution for the Irish border. He told the Guardian:
We’ve seen nothing in writing, it’s as simple as that.We’ve seen nothing in writing, it’s as simple as that.
He said all they have heard are some “conceptual ideas largely”.He said all they have heard are some “conceptual ideas largely”.
He said he did not recognise claims by Dominic Raab last week that the EU had come round and he learned in Helsinki at a summit of foreign ministers that they were “willing to contemplate opening up the withdrawal agreement in a way that wasn’t there before”.He said he did not recognise claims by Dominic Raab last week that the EU had come round and he learned in Helsinki at a summit of foreign ministers that they were “willing to contemplate opening up the withdrawal agreement in a way that wasn’t there before”.
“I was in Helsinki and I listened to Dominic Raab, and I talked to all of the same people,” and did not hear that, he said. He said it was important for the British to “understand there is a difference between a willingness to look at proposals that do the same job as the backstop” and a renegotiation.“I was in Helsinki and I listened to Dominic Raab, and I talked to all of the same people,” and did not hear that, he said. He said it was important for the British to “understand there is a difference between a willingness to look at proposals that do the same job as the backstop” and a renegotiation.
More voters think Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament was undemocratic than not, according to a YouGov poll for the People’s Vote campaign. Here is an extract from the People’s Vote news release.
Voters regard Johnson’s suspension of parliament as undemocratic by an overwhelming 46% to 32%, while the prime minister’s decision to throw 21 of his MPs – including two former chancellors of the exchequer and the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill – out of his party is also viewed as undemocratic by 45% to 32%.
Barely a fifth (22%) of voters think people voted in 2016 to leave with no deal, reinforcing claims by Johnson’s opponents that he has no mandate to impose this on the British people now. But only 21% think a general election is the right way to settle Brexit. Instead, a majority – 53% excluding don’t knows – say they support a new public vote.
Johnson has defended his hardline stance by claiming he’s seeking to negotiate a new deal but fewer voters (39%) think he’s serious about this than think he’s not serious (42%).
Labour says the party is still in favour of calling a general election once the Benn bill becomes law, not once the 19 October deadline has passed (see 2.35pm), PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield reports.
Spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn says this is not the position. Labour would back an election once the extension bill has Royal Assent, meaning it could still happen on October 15th. https://t.co/fV5VISvYYb
And here is a video of the moment where Boris Johnson, “from a sedentary position”, as they like to say in the Commons, appeared to call Jeremy Corbyn “a great girl’s blouse”.
And here is Martin Belam’s story about it.
'You great big girl’s blouse' – Johnson appears to insult Corbyn during PMQs
Here is the video of the Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi demanding an apology at PMQs from Boris Johnson for comparing Muslim women to letterboxes and launch an inquiry into Islamophobia. It was the most compelling moment of PMQs.
And here is my colleague Kate Proctor’s story.
Boris Johnson urged to apologise for 'derogatory and racist' letterboxes article
From the BBC’s Adam Fleming
Here's the draft legislation to allow EU27 member states to claim from the major disasters fund in case of a No Deal #Brexit. To apply they'll have to prove economic damage of at least €1.5bn or 0.3% of Gross National Income. https://t.co/HuH2lHrtNQ
Labour’s position on the timing of an election is shifting. These are from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, reflecting what was said at today’s meeting of the parliamentary Labour party. (See 11.50am.)
1. ok - last night official line from Labour was they will back an election 'as the Bill to stop No Deal becomes law.' - and the statement referred to Friday night
2. Now, Labour MPs say Keir Starmer told them at the PLP that Labour will NOT vote for an election until the bill has been passed AND implemented, which means AFTER October 19th - which obviously means no chance election until much later on
Starmer was referring to 19 October because that is the deadline in the Benn bill being debated this afternoon when the PM would have to seek an article 50 extension, unless either MPs had passed a Brexit deal or they had voted for a no-deal Brexit.
If MPs were to vote for an election after 19 October, it would take place in November at the earliest.
Here is my colleague Phillip Inman’s main story about the spending review.
Sajid Javid promises 'decade of renewal' as he sets out post-Brexit spending
Here is the Treasury’s spending review document (pdf).
And here is the Treasury’s own summary of what was in the announcement.
McDonnell says Javid has given no sign of appreciating the seriousness of the climate crisis.
And he says Javid has delivered “a pathetic sum to spending departments who are on their knees at the moment”.
This is not a government, but a racket, he says. They are pretending to plan ahead while plotting a no-deal Brexit. He repeats Jeremy Corbyn’s line about the government having “no mandate, no morals and no majority”.
The government has been in power for nine years. They are trying to fool the public with promises about a “fantasy Brexit”.
He describes the government as a “unique combination of rightwing extremism and bumbling incompetence”. And he ends by saying it is a government that “will never be forgiven but will soon be forgotten”.
McDonnell says Boris Johnson just said “pathetic” to him.
McDonnell says he knows what develops real pathos – seeing the experience of those suffering from benefit cuts, he says.
McDonnell asks if the 10,000 extra prison places are the same 10,000 extra prison places promised by the government in 2016, and then again in 2017, and then again in 2018.
Will anyone in government apologise to the Prison Officers Association for ignoring its warning about the safety impact of job cuts?