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| Brexit: Boris Johnson puts forward motion for general election – live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Johnson throws down the gauntlet to opposition MPs and reasserts that he would leave the EU without a deal. | |
| If you really want to delay Brexit beyond October the 31st, which is what you seem to want to do, then vote for an election and let the people decide if they want a delay or not. And if you refuse to do that tonight, I will go to Brussels and negotiate our departure, hopefully with a deal, but without one if necessary. I will not ask for another delay. | |
| The Tory benches are raucous as Johnson moves the microphone closer to himself, until Anna Soubry brings a point of order and urges him to confirm whether he will respect the wishes of parliament. | |
| Johnson thanks Bercow for his “characteristically impartial judgements” and goes on to obfuscate by criticising Corbyn for receiving a salary and highlighting inconsistencies in Labour’s Brexit policy positions. | |
| Johnson criticises the Liberal Democrats over their plans to cancel Brexit. | |
| “The Liberal Democrats also called for a referendum on our membership to the EU and once they got it - and by the way they lost it, of course - they did nothing but try to overturn the result,” he says. | |
| “Arrogating to themselves to decide which democratic decisions they respect and those they reject. They want a second referendum and they are already planning to campaign against the result. When asked if she would implement Brexit if the people voted for it the party’s new leader replied ‘No’.” | |
| However, he describes the party as a model of “coherence by comparison with the leader of the opposition” and claims that Labour do not want an election because they fear they will lose. | |
| But he says there are a small minority of Labour MPs who also don’t want a general election because they think the party might win. | |
| In front of a packed front bench, Johnson says “Dither, delay and procrastination” have become “the hallmark of the opposition” and proclaims he would win an election. | |
| He gives way to Labour MP Marsha de Cordova who says nine years of austerity has led to the degradation of the education system and the NHS, as well as four million children living in poverty. | |
| Johnson suggests, in more colourful terms, that the money spent on EU membership would help fund public services. | |
| Enter the prime minister, Boris Johnson, who thanks for the Speaker for his long and distinguished service, and puts forward the motion to bring an early election. | |
| He then mockingly praises Jeremy Corbyn for declining the “opportunity” to remove the government. | |
| “Last Wednesday [Jeremy Corbyn] became the first leader of the opposition in the history of our country to show his confidence in Her Majesty’s Government by declining the opportunity to have an election with a view to removing the Government.” | |
| He says Corbyn previously said he would back an election if legislation to prevent the Government from forcing through a no-deal Brexit on October 31 became law. | |
| The surrender act has now passed, it’s gained royal assent, he’s done his level best to wreck this country’s chances of a successful negotiation. By his own logic, he must now back an election. | |
| Throughout the weekend [Corbyn’s] cronies, together with those of other opposition parties, have been trying to disguise their preposterous cowardice by coming up with ever more outrageous excuses for delaying an election until the end of October or perhaps November or when hell freezes over. | |
| The parliamentary buildings bill motion passes without a division, and Labour MP Stephen Doughty says he has been made aware that the government is “seeking to circumvent the terms of the resolution that the house passed earlier about the release of documents relating to prorogation and Operation Yellowhammer”. | |
| He asks whether the Speaker can advise on the method through which the papers can be disclosed. | |
| John Bercow criticises an MP who he says shouted “Yawn” as Doughty was speaking and says the government must comply with the wishes of the house. | |
| Its not ‘Yawn’, its serious politics. The simple answer is that the government must comply with the Humble Address passed by the House. That is the reality of the matter. A debate has happened, a decision has been made, and it is incumbent upon the government to comply manifestly with what’s been decided, the spirit, purposes and content of which are entirely clear. This not about game-playing and machination, it’s about doing what parliament wants, which is what most people would expect their elected parliament to do. | |
| Today’s sketch from the Guardian’s John Crace, as we await the early election debate while MPs discuss Lords amendments to the parliamentary renovation plans. | Today’s sketch from the Guardian’s John Crace, as we await the early election debate while MPs discuss Lords amendments to the parliamentary renovation plans. |
| Bercow begins his long goodbye by inflicting more Tory turmoil | John Crace | Bercow begins his long goodbye by inflicting more Tory turmoil | John Crace |
| The Liberal Democrats are set to officially back revoking article 50 in an attempt to position themselves as the most pro-EU political party. | The Liberal Democrats are set to officially back revoking article 50 in an attempt to position themselves as the most pro-EU political party. |
| Guardian political correspondent Kate Proctor reports that the move would effectively sever the chances of an alliance with Labour at a forthcoming general election. | Guardian political correspondent Kate Proctor reports that the move would effectively sever the chances of an alliance with Labour at a forthcoming general election. |
| “I relish the chance to take the fight to Boris Johnson in an election and I’m confident we’d make significant gains,” says party leader Jo Swinson. | “I relish the chance to take the fight to Boris Johnson in an election and I’m confident we’d make significant gains,” says party leader Jo Swinson. |
| “Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit, we would cancel it by revoking article 50 and remaining in the European Union.” | “Whenever the election comes, our position is clear and unequivocal. A majority Liberal Democrat government would not renegotiate Brexit, we would cancel it by revoking article 50 and remaining in the European Union.” |
| Liberal Democrats poised to back revoking article 50 | Liberal Democrats poised to back revoking article 50 |
| In the Commons, DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds says that his party is “fully committed” to restoring devolved powers in Stormont. | In the Commons, DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds says that his party is “fully committed” to restoring devolved powers in Stormont. |
| He alludes to a number of the party’s controversial positions, including on keeping abortion illegal, and says the DUP would deal with the important issues Northern Ireland faces “without prejudice to the issues that Sinn Féin have elevated”. | He alludes to a number of the party’s controversial positions, including on keeping abortion illegal, and says the DUP would deal with the important issues Northern Ireland faces “without prejudice to the issues that Sinn Féin have elevated”. |
| Dodds claims that Sinn Féin is “preventing the restoration of Stormont” upon the basis of these issues. | Dodds claims that Sinn Féin is “preventing the restoration of Stormont” upon the basis of these issues. |
| Hunt and Johnson rule out abortion reform in Northern Ireland | Hunt and Johnson rule out abortion reform in Northern Ireland |
| Former Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins is to join investment bank Goldman Sachs, according to the FT. | Former Brexit negotiator Olly Robbins is to join investment bank Goldman Sachs, according to the FT. |
| The paper reports that he will not earn an elite-rank wage, but will receive a six-figure sum just below the managing director level, where salaries start at £770,000. | The paper reports that he will not earn an elite-rank wage, but will receive a six-figure sum just below the managing director level, where salaries start at £770,000. |
| Big move for @OllyRobbins to Goldman Sachs. I'm sure his Eurosceptic critics will not begrudge him this big money move. Much..https://t.co/EvaUR66A4C | Big move for @OllyRobbins to Goldman Sachs. I'm sure his Eurosceptic critics will not begrudge him this big money move. Much..https://t.co/EvaUR66A4C |
| The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg tweets that the government is expected to disclose the Brexit documents tomorrow. | The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg tweets that the government is expected to disclose the Brexit documents tomorrow. |
| Meanwhile, Grieve rebels expect No 10 hand over the documents tmrw | Meanwhile, Grieve rebels expect No 10 hand over the documents tmrw |
| 'The government is going to have to make up its mind whether it is a bunch of hoodlums...or a respectable group'Dominic Grieve says the government is taking a 'revolutionary step' if it chooses not to provide documents and communications requested by MPs https://t.co/idMn6TokbS pic.twitter.com/4U4s7XmAVh | 'The government is going to have to make up its mind whether it is a bunch of hoodlums...or a respectable group'Dominic Grieve says the government is taking a 'revolutionary step' if it chooses not to provide documents and communications requested by MPs https://t.co/idMn6TokbS pic.twitter.com/4U4s7XmAVh |
| There are reports that Phil Hogan, Ireland’s European commission nominee, is to be confirmed as the EU’s chief trade negotiator. | There are reports that Phil Hogan, Ireland’s European commission nominee, is to be confirmed as the EU’s chief trade negotiator. |
| The Irish politician has been critical of Boris Johnson and warned last month of the ramifications of a no-deal Brexit on the relationship between the UK and EU states. | The Irish politician has been critical of Boris Johnson and warned last month of the ramifications of a no-deal Brexit on the relationship between the UK and EU states. |
| “If the UK fails to prevent a crash-out Brexit they should be under no illusion regarding the foul atmosphere they will create with their EU partners and the serious consequences this will have for negotiating any future trade agreement,” he said, according to the Irish Times. | “If the UK fails to prevent a crash-out Brexit they should be under no illusion regarding the foul atmosphere they will create with their EU partners and the serious consequences this will have for negotiating any future trade agreement,” he said, according to the Irish Times. |
| Phil Hogan, Ireland's European Commission nominee, will be confirmed tomorrow as the EU's chief trade negotiator, @rtenews understands | Phil Hogan, Ireland's European Commission nominee, will be confirmed tomorrow as the EU's chief trade negotiator, @rtenews understands |
| The BBC has posted this remarkable video of opposition MPs arguing earlier. A number of other MP’s, including the chancellor Sajid Javid, has since reposted the exchange. | The BBC has posted this remarkable video of opposition MPs arguing earlier. A number of other MP’s, including the chancellor Sajid Javid, has since reposted the exchange. |
| Former Labour MP Ian Austin criticises Jeremy Corbyn during rule of law debate in the Commons, sparking row with Labour MP Liz McInnes https://t.co/uVaIZFGfWd pic.twitter.com/E18WxpxMSC | Former Labour MP Ian Austin criticises Jeremy Corbyn during rule of law debate in the Commons, sparking row with Labour MP Liz McInnes https://t.co/uVaIZFGfWd pic.twitter.com/E18WxpxMSC |
| In the Commons, MPs are now debating the motion relating to the executive in Northern Ireland moved by Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith in Theresa May’s former chief whip’s first appearance at the dispatch box. | In the Commons, MPs are now debating the motion relating to the executive in Northern Ireland moved by Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith in Theresa May’s former chief whip’s first appearance at the dispatch box. |
| However, he says that there is not enough time to debate all the motions on the order paper. Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government for more than two years but Smith says he believes the parties could swiftly agree a programme for government despite fundamental disagreements. | However, he says that there is not enough time to debate all the motions on the order paper. Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government for more than two years but Smith says he believes the parties could swiftly agree a programme for government despite fundamental disagreements. |
| Political parties across the spectrum must now realise that the lack of political leadership has left public servants bearing the load for far too long .. There can be no more excuses. We just have to get this assembly and executive up and running .. The government will now intensify its efforts to put forward compromise solutions to the parties. | Political parties across the spectrum must now realise that the lack of political leadership has left public servants bearing the load for far too long .. There can be no more excuses. We just have to get this assembly and executive up and running .. The government will now intensify its efforts to put forward compromise solutions to the parties. |
| The Guardian’s Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll reported earlier (see 4.26pm) that there were rumours Boris Johnson was considering putting forward a Northern Ireland-only backstop to get a Brexit deal through parliament in the second half of October. | The Guardian’s Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll reported earlier (see 4.26pm) that there were rumours Boris Johnson was considering putting forward a Northern Ireland-only backstop to get a Brexit deal through parliament in the second half of October. |
| As Daniel Boffey reported on Friday, it is understood the UK has suggested there is a need for Stormont to be able to vote on the continuation of the proposed common regulatory area, which has been described by EU officials as a “backstop-lite”. | As Daniel Boffey reported on Friday, it is understood the UK has suggested there is a need for Stormont to be able to vote on the continuation of the proposed common regulatory area, which has been described by EU officials as a “backstop-lite”. |
| BBC political editor Nick Robinson sums up how the government has fared of late. | BBC political editor Nick Robinson sums up how the government has fared of late. |
| How to sum up last few days for @BorisJohnson? 5 days in Commons + 5 major defeats - 21 Tory MPs = 0 majority + 0 election + 0 plan for Brexit + 5 weeks of Parliament suspensed | How to sum up last few days for @BorisJohnson? 5 days in Commons + 5 major defeats - 21 Tory MPs = 0 majority + 0 election + 0 plan for Brexit + 5 weeks of Parliament suspensed |
| The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee writes that MPs should do away with “Corbynphobia” to prevent a no deal. | The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee writes that MPs should do away with “Corbynphobia” to prevent a no deal. |
| It’s no use wishing for another leader of the opposition; this is the one Labour has, and in this crisis he is now stepping up to the plate. His leadership of the alliance has been “collegiate”; he is the grownup, while Johnson breaks things. Theresa May lost her 20-point lead in the 2017 election; Johnson’s lead in the polls is about half that. Corbyn’s manifesto back then was highly popular and you can bet it will sell well again. He’s a good campaigner; Johnson may disappoint. | It’s no use wishing for another leader of the opposition; this is the one Labour has, and in this crisis he is now stepping up to the plate. His leadership of the alliance has been “collegiate”; he is the grownup, while Johnson breaks things. Theresa May lost her 20-point lead in the 2017 election; Johnson’s lead in the polls is about half that. Corbyn’s manifesto back then was highly popular and you can bet it will sell well again. He’s a good campaigner; Johnson may disappoint. |
| If Boris Johnson quits, MPs should back Jeremy Corbyn to avoid no deal | Polly Toynbee | If Boris Johnson quits, MPs should back Jeremy Corbyn to avoid no deal | Polly Toynbee |