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Brexit: MPs give bill to stop no-deal second reading by majority of 29 – live news Brexit: MPs give bill to stop no-deal second reading by majority of 29 – live news
(32 minutes later)
Donald Trump has been speaking about Boris Johnson. Asked by reporters what he thought about developments in the UK, and the Commons defeat Johnson suffered last night, Trump replied:
He’s a friend of mine, and he’s going at it, there’s no question about it … Boris knows how to win. Don’t worry about him.
Jeremy Corbyn’s video tweet of Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi urging Boris Johnson at PMQs to apologise for his comment about Muslim women has been retweeted by the American congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Omar herself has been the subject of racist abuse from Donald Trump.
In every corner of the globe and certainly here in America, every constituent deserves courageous Representatives who could call out hate and bigotry. Demand it, expect it and don’t even allow them to coward! https://t.co/IXtV3XfTN9
Voting on the Benn bill was much the same as voting on the SO24 motion yesterday, but there have been some minor changes.
New Tory rebel
Dame Caroline Spelman has joined the Tory rebels. Yesterday she voted against the SO24 motion, but today she voted for the Benn bill.
Non-voting rebel
But there were 21 Tory rebels in the vote at 5pm, the same number as last night. That’s because Caroline Nokes, who rebelled last night, did not vote this afternoon. It is not clear why.
Independents joining the rebels
Two independents who did not vote yesterday, Kelvin Hopkins and John Woodcock, both voted with the opposition and Tory rebels today.
Extra non-voting Labour MP
Yesterday, two Labour MPs did not vote: Sir Kevin Barron and Derek Twigg. Today, a third Labour MP, Ronnie Campbell, did not vote. Yesterday, Campbell voted with the Labour whip for the SO24 motion.
The division lists for the second reading vote on the Benn bill are here.The division lists for the second reading vote on the Benn bill are here.
Boris Johnson is addressing the Conservative 1922 Committee, according to the Spectator’s James Forsyth.Boris Johnson is addressing the Conservative 1922 Committee, according to the Spectator’s James Forsyth.
The usual desk banging reception for the Tory leader at the ‘22. But Boris Johnson will need to reassure a slew of Tory MPs nervous after last night’s expulsionsThe usual desk banging reception for the Tory leader at the ‘22. But Boris Johnson will need to reassure a slew of Tory MPs nervous after last night’s expulsions
Dame Caroline Spelman, the former environment secretary, was the new Tory rebel, the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn reports.Dame Caroline Spelman, the former environment secretary, was the new Tory rebel, the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn reports.
The Tory rebellion is growing: Govt defeated on 2nd reading of Benn bill to delay Brexit by one more than last night; 329-300. Caroline Spelman is the new rebel.The Tory rebellion is growing: Govt defeated on 2nd reading of Benn bill to delay Brexit by one more than last night; 329-300. Caroline Spelman is the new rebel.
The amendments are available on the Commons website here (pdf).The amendments are available on the Commons website here (pdf).
I will highlight some of the main ones soon.I will highlight some of the main ones soon.
MPs are now debating amendments to the bill.MPs are now debating amendments to the bill.
Sir Mike Penning, a Tory Brexiter, has just complained that printed copies of the amendments are not available yet in the vote office.Sir Mike Penning, a Tory Brexiter, has just complained that printed copies of the amendments are not available yet in the vote office.
Lindsay Hoyle, the deputy speaker, says they will appear soon, and well before voting at 7pm.Lindsay Hoyle, the deputy speaker, says they will appear soon, and well before voting at 7pm.
MPs have voted to give the bill to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October a second reading by 329 votes to 300 – a majority of 29.MPs have voted to give the bill to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October a second reading by 329 votes to 300 – a majority of 29.
That majority is two bigger than last night (when the SO24 motion was passed by 328 votes to 301).That majority is two bigger than last night (when the SO24 motion was passed by 328 votes to 301).
This is from the Daily Mirror’s Jason Beattie.This is from the Daily Mirror’s Jason Beattie.
I'd forgotten that Dominic Cummings told the Economist in 2016 there was a "strong democratic case" for putting any Brexit deal back to the peoplehttps://t.co/eOiQk0HTXJI'd forgotten that Dominic Cummings told the Economist in 2016 there was a "strong democratic case" for putting any Brexit deal back to the peoplehttps://t.co/eOiQk0HTXJ
This is what Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s de facto chief of staff, said about a second referendum in an Economist interview in January 2016 (before the referendum on leaving the EU). At the time, Cummings was campaign director for Vote Leave. Asked if he thought the government would hold a second referendum, on the terms of Brexit, in the event of a vote to leave, Cummings replied.This is what Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s de facto chief of staff, said about a second referendum in an Economist interview in January 2016 (before the referendum on leaving the EU). At the time, Cummings was campaign director for Vote Leave. Asked if he thought the government would hold a second referendum, on the terms of Brexit, in the event of a vote to leave, Cummings replied.
I think that is a distinct possibility, yes. It’s obviously not something that we can force. We’re a campaign group. But I think it is perfectly possible that leadership candidates to replace David Cameron will say that they think there are good grounds for a new government team to offer the public a voice on what the deal looks like. And we obviously wouldn’t oppose that, if that’s what senior politicians want to offer. I think there’s a strong democratic case for it.I think that is a distinct possibility, yes. It’s obviously not something that we can force. We’re a campaign group. But I think it is perfectly possible that leadership candidates to replace David Cameron will say that they think there are good grounds for a new government team to offer the public a voice on what the deal looks like. And we obviously wouldn’t oppose that, if that’s what senior politicians want to offer. I think there’s a strong democratic case for it.
There’s also the issue of the profound loss of trust that the establishment has suffered over the past 20-30 years. All parties have told lies about this subject, whether it’s John Major and David Cameron or Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Nick Clegg. People have repeatedly promised referendums then not held referendums. So given that, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if leadership candidates to replace Cameron said: we need a mechanism so people can have confidence in what we say.There’s also the issue of the profound loss of trust that the establishment has suffered over the past 20-30 years. All parties have told lies about this subject, whether it’s John Major and David Cameron or Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Nick Clegg. People have repeatedly promised referendums then not held referendums. So given that, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if leadership candidates to replace Cameron said: we need a mechanism so people can have confidence in what we say.
MPs are now voting on the Benn bill. The result will be announced in about 15 minutes.MPs are now voting on the Benn bill. The result will be announced in about 15 minutes.
Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, is winding up the second reading debate on the Benn bill for the government.Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, is winding up the second reading debate on the Benn bill for the government.
He claims the bill would undermine the government’s negotiation with the EU. And he insists progress is being made. Originally the EU said the withdrawal agreement could not be rewritten, he says. But now they are saying they are open to effective alternatives to the backstop.He claims the bill would undermine the government’s negotiation with the EU. And he insists progress is being made. Originally the EU said the withdrawal agreement could not be rewritten, he says. But now they are saying they are open to effective alternatives to the backstop.
Margot James, who was a Conservative MP until she lost the whip last night after voting against the government, has added her voice to those criticising Dominic Cummings, the PM’s de facto chief of staff. (See 3.17pm.) At PMQs she asked Boris Johnson about him, saying he should remember Margaret Thatcher’s words: “Advisers advise, ministers decide.” After PMQs she told PA Media she had received “a lot of very supportive texts from people in No 10” after asking her question. She continued:Margot James, who was a Conservative MP until she lost the whip last night after voting against the government, has added her voice to those criticising Dominic Cummings, the PM’s de facto chief of staff. (See 3.17pm.) At PMQs she asked Boris Johnson about him, saying he should remember Margaret Thatcher’s words: “Advisers advise, ministers decide.” After PMQs she told PA Media she had received “a lot of very supportive texts from people in No 10” after asking her question. She continued:
The levels of comments stretches far and wide and it’s high time [Cumming’s] wings were clipped.The levels of comments stretches far and wide and it’s high time [Cumming’s] wings were clipped.
Asked what she thought of Cummings, James said:Asked what she thought of Cummings, James said:
Very dangerous, very dangerous indeed. He is ruthless, he couldn’t care less whether we got a deal or whether we didn’t and he rules with a rod of iron.Very dangerous, very dangerous indeed. He is ruthless, he couldn’t care less whether we got a deal or whether we didn’t and he rules with a rod of iron.
I don’t approve of the way he treats people, apropos that poor special adviser who did nothing wrong whatsoever.I don’t approve of the way he treats people, apropos that poor special adviser who did nothing wrong whatsoever.
I mean, I could go on but you know my opinion of the man.I mean, I could go on but you know my opinion of the man.
Boris Johnson will open the debate holding an early election in the Commons this evening, Downing Street said. The prime minister’s spokesman said:Boris Johnson will open the debate holding an early election in the Commons this evening, Downing Street said. The prime minister’s spokesman said:
The prime minister, while not wanting an election, believes that if his negotiating position has been destroyed then that should be tested at an election and the public should be able to decide on the next steps forward.The prime minister, while not wanting an election, believes that if his negotiating position has been destroyed then that should be tested at an election and the public should be able to decide on the next steps forward.
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has said Labour and other opposition parties have yet to decide when they might support Boris Johnson’s call for an election, saying this would only happen when they were certain that no-deal Brexit on 31 October had been blocked.The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has said Labour and other opposition parties have yet to decide when they might support Boris Johnson’s call for an election, saying this would only happen when they were certain that no-deal Brexit on 31 October had been blocked.
The parties were taking legal advice, and would decide day by day, he told reporters, saying it meant Labour could still back an election on Johnson’s preferred date of 15 October, once a backbench bill seeking to block no deal had become law, but also possibly not till the Brexit date had been delayed.The parties were taking legal advice, and would decide day by day, he told reporters, saying it meant Labour could still back an election on Johnson’s preferred date of 15 October, once a backbench bill seeking to block no deal had become law, but also possibly not till the Brexit date had been delayed.
The key, McDonnell said, was that they could not trust Johnson, calling him “beyond all the norms of political and constitutional practice in this country”. He said:The key, McDonnell said, was that they could not trust Johnson, calling him “beyond all the norms of political and constitutional practice in this country”. He said:
We want to get the legislation secure, with royal assent, but we’re also not going to be tricked or conned, so we’re looking at every way in which, having secured the legislation, that he can’t wriggle out of abusing by the law.We want to get the legislation secure, with royal assent, but we’re also not going to be tricked or conned, so we’re looking at every way in which, having secured the legislation, that he can’t wriggle out of abusing by the law.
At the moment there’s nothing that Johnson has done in recent weeks that gives us the confidence that he’s going to abide by the law.At the moment there’s nothing that Johnson has done in recent weeks that gives us the confidence that he’s going to abide by the law.
McDonnell’s stance seems closer to that advocated by Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, than Jeremy Corbyn’s team. Starmer was due to meet other opposition parties on Thursday morning, McDonnell said, saying the SNP’s stated preference for an earlier election was “not a settled position by any means” among other parties.McDonnell’s stance seems closer to that advocated by Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, than Jeremy Corbyn’s team. Starmer was due to meet other opposition parties on Thursday morning, McDonnell said, saying the SNP’s stated preference for an earlier election was “not a settled position by any means” among other parties.
He said:He said:
We haven’t got a preference. Our preference is to stop a no-deal Brexit. So any mechanism that’s available to us, we’re exploring.We haven’t got a preference. Our preference is to stop a no-deal Brexit. So any mechanism that’s available to us, we’re exploring.
From Sky’s Lewis GoodallFrom Sky’s Lewis Goodall
My understanding is that the strong view of Starmer, McDonnell and virtually all factions of PLP is that there shouldn’t be an election before November.Am told Starmer told PLP: “we need to implement the bIll too- which necessarily means going beyond October.”My understanding is that the strong view of Starmer, McDonnell and virtually all factions of PLP is that there shouldn’t be an election before November.Am told Starmer told PLP: “we need to implement the bIll too- which necessarily means going beyond October.”