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Brexit: Johnson loses sixth vote in six days as new bid for snap election fails – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson poised to suspend parliament – live news
(32 minutes later)
And we’re back. The door has been ordered to be closed.
Parliament was meant to be back five minutes ago, but is still not back. Maybe someone lost their ermine robe.
A reminder that progroguing parliament does not just have implications for Brexit.
Parliament will not sit again until 15 October and a host of bills will not be heard because of the break, including, as Jon Featonby from the British Red Cross points out, a bill about reuniting refugees in the UK with their family members.
Prorogation means that the Refugee Family Reunion Private Members' Bill falls. Thanks to @AngusMacNeilSNP for leading the efforts, and to many, many others for their support #familiestogether
We are about two minutes away from parliament being prorogued. So, what is actually going to happen? My colleagues Martin Belam and Jessica Elgot have written this helpful guide including this information about the ceremony that is about to take place:
You cannot do anything in Westminster without a bit of pomp and circumstance. A ceremony of prorogation involves a message from the Queen being read in the House of Lords, and then Black Rod summoning MPs from the Commons to the Lords. A list of all the bills passed by the parliament is read, followed by a speech on behalf of the Queen announcing what has been achieved by the government before MPs are sent home. Given what is on the order paper in parliament on Monday, this is likely to happen very late this evening.
UK parliament's prorogation: all your questions answered
Good evening/early hours of the morning everyone. This is Kate Lyons taking over from Mattha Busby.
Parliament has been suspended for 10 minutes to prepare for the prorogation formalities. Or as David Linden (SNP MP) put it “so folk can get their ermine robes and funny hats on”.
In short, we’ve suspended so a few folk can get their ermine robes and funny hats on. pic.twitter.com/KEBGKrmWYV
Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts says all the checks and balances of parlimentary democracy have been “deliberately stormed”.
When the government teeters between avoiding and evading the law, this is neither normal nor honourable. We desperately need a new politics of citizens conventions in every nation, of truth and conciliation in an informed referendum, with article 50 revoked if necessary for this to happen.
The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas says that events tonight have clearly shown that the political system is broken.
It is wrong that a prime minister can suspend parliament as a mere inconvenience simply to avoid scrutiny. It is wrong that he can cynically try to use the proposals for a general election as a way of getting us to crash out of the EU while we’re in the middle of a general election campaign. We can no longer continue with an uncodified constitution that depends on people playing by the rules when we have a feral government.
Liberal Democrat MP Sir Ed Davey says his party is offering the prime minister a way out: “Put it to the people in a People’s Vote”.
The SNP’s Ian Blackford says Johnson has lost every vote in the House of Commons since he became prime minister and predicted that he will be “swept from government” in the next election.
The party’s leader in Westminster declares he is looking forward to Scotland securing independence “away from the clutches of a Tory Brexit Britain and an isolationist Britain taking us away from our partners and friends in the European Union”.
Amid mass abstentions, 293 MPs vote for the prime minister’s motion, while 46 vote against it. The course of action required the support of two-thirds of MPs.Amid mass abstentions, 293 MPs vote for the prime minister’s motion, while 46 vote against it. The course of action required the support of two-thirds of MPs.
“The majority does not satisfy the requirements of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act,” the Speaker, John Bercow, confirms.“The majority does not satisfy the requirements of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act,” the Speaker, John Bercow, confirms.
“I earlier urged the house to trust the people but once again, the opposition think they know better,” says Boris Johnson, after his second attempt to trigger an early general election fails.“I earlier urged the house to trust the people but once again, the opposition think they know better,” says Boris Johnson, after his second attempt to trigger an early general election fails.
“They want the British prime minister to go to a vital negotiation without the power to walk away. They want to delay Brexit yet again, without further reference to those who voted for it … And so now the house will move to adjourn and resume the state opening and the Queen’s speech on October 14, and I hope the opposition will use that time to reflect. Meanwhile, this government will press on with negotiating a deal.”“They want the British prime minister to go to a vital negotiation without the power to walk away. They want to delay Brexit yet again, without further reference to those who voted for it … And so now the house will move to adjourn and resume the state opening and the Queen’s speech on October 14, and I hope the opposition will use that time to reflect. Meanwhile, this government will press on with negotiating a deal.”
Responding, Jeremy Corbyn says: “The one thing the prime minister didn’t say was that he was going to obey the law of this country. He did not say, acknowledge or accept three votes that have taken place in this parliament, and under his request, the House is now due – apparently this evening – to be prorogued for one of the longest prorogations in history. Simply in order to avoid any questioning of what he is doing or not doing .. This government is a disgrace.” Responding, Jeremy Corbyn says: “The one thing the prime minister didn’t say was that he was going to obey the law of this country. He did not say, acknowledge or accept three votes that have taken place in this parliament, and under his request, the House is now due – apparently this evening – to be prorogued for one of the longest prorogations in history, simply in order to avoid any questioning of what he is doing or not doing … This government is a disgrace.”
Independent MP Ivan Lewis says parliament’s handling of Brexit has reduced the UK to a “laughing stock around the world” and warns of the economic consequences of the further insecurity – urging Brexit to be delivered.Independent MP Ivan Lewis says parliament’s handling of Brexit has reduced the UK to a “laughing stock around the world” and warns of the economic consequences of the further insecurity – urging Brexit to be delivered.
“Whatever the deal is put to this house, there are many, many people who will vote against it because they want to thwart the terms of the referendum result,” he says. “It is many of the so-called progressives in this house who are fuelling rightwing extremism by showing contempt for the result. One can’t be a selective democrat.”“Whatever the deal is put to this house, there are many, many people who will vote against it because they want to thwart the terms of the referendum result,” he says. “It is many of the so-called progressives in this house who are fuelling rightwing extremism by showing contempt for the result. One can’t be a selective democrat.”
Tory MP Tom Tugenghat says the only answer to solving the current impasse is a general election.Tory MP Tom Tugenghat says the only answer to solving the current impasse is a general election.
Shortly after, John Bercow calls for a division.Shortly after, John Bercow calls for a division.
Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake attacks Corbyn for “campaigning for decades to leave the EU on any terms possible” and criticises Labour MPs for opposing Theresa May’s “sensible deal” for the purposes of “party politics”.Tory MP Kevin Hollinrake attacks Corbyn for “campaigning for decades to leave the EU on any terms possible” and criticises Labour MPs for opposing Theresa May’s “sensible deal” for the purposes of “party politics”.
He says it is reasonable for people to expect the UK to leave the EU with a deal, but calls for a People’s Vote to decide the best way forward.He says it is reasonable for people to expect the UK to leave the EU with a deal, but calls for a People’s Vote to decide the best way forward.
Labour MP Phil Wilson echoes his call for another vote.Labour MP Phil Wilson echoes his call for another vote.
In response, Tory MP Andrew Selous says parliament is very good at saying no, but “bereft of ideas to come up with anything better” and calls on the result of the referendum to be respected by a new parliament that will “actually vote for something for a change”.In response, Tory MP Andrew Selous says parliament is very good at saying no, but “bereft of ideas to come up with anything better” and calls on the result of the referendum to be respected by a new parliament that will “actually vote for something for a change”.
Labour MP Sir George Howarth then asks why the prime minister is putting his own ambitions above the national interest. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Well, the hour has come, but certainly not the man,” he says.Labour MP Sir George Howarth then asks why the prime minister is putting his own ambitions above the national interest. “Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Well, the hour has come, but certainly not the man,” he says.
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson commends Amber Rudd’s brave decision in resigning from the cabinet – in what could be interpreted as the extension of an olive branch to the former work and pensions secretary.Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson commends Amber Rudd’s brave decision in resigning from the cabinet – in what could be interpreted as the extension of an olive branch to the former work and pensions secretary.
She goes on to tell Boris Johnson that people across the UK are afraid of a no-deal Brexit.She goes on to tell Boris Johnson that people across the UK are afraid of a no-deal Brexit.
Labour & Co-operative MP Geraint Davies says that rather than spend millions on propaganda, the government should disclose Yellowhammer and use the money to help educate people about the horrors of the report.Labour & Co-operative MP Geraint Davies says that rather than spend millions on propaganda, the government should disclose Yellowhammer and use the money to help educate people about the horrors of the report.
Questioned about her party’s earlier announcement, Swinson says: “If people really want an end to this Brexit mire, the way to do that is to stop Brexit … A Liberal Democrat government would revoke article 50.”Questioned about her party’s earlier announcement, Swinson says: “If people really want an end to this Brexit mire, the way to do that is to stop Brexit … A Liberal Democrat government would revoke article 50.”
She says elections should not be held at moments of national crisis.She says elections should not be held at moments of national crisis.
Although I believe that a People’s Vote is the best way to resolve this, I say to the prime minister, he can have his general election as soon as he secures an extension, because otherwise we risk the scenario where there is a general election where we crash out of the European Union either during or in the immediate aftermath of such an election, and with parliament not sitting at those crucial moments, it would be the height of irresponsibility to dissolve parliament at that time.Although I believe that a People’s Vote is the best way to resolve this, I say to the prime minister, he can have his general election as soon as he secures an extension, because otherwise we risk the scenario where there is a general election where we crash out of the European Union either during or in the immediate aftermath of such an election, and with parliament not sitting at those crucial moments, it would be the height of irresponsibility to dissolve parliament at that time.
Former Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan says the government has been “trammelled into a Kafkaesque trap” by the Fixed Term Parliaments Act and that he hopes the next government will act swiftly to abolish it.Former Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan says the government has been “trammelled into a Kafkaesque trap” by the Fixed Term Parliaments Act and that he hopes the next government will act swiftly to abolish it.
He says that leaving the EU has been the most “poisonous, difficult decision of our life” and predicts that a general election – called with Brexit unresolved – would not resolve the problems the government faces either.He says that leaving the EU has been the most “poisonous, difficult decision of our life” and predicts that a general election – called with Brexit unresolved – would not resolve the problems the government faces either.
Blackford says Johnson has lost the support of Scottish Tories, referencing the resignation of former leader Ruth Davidson.Blackford says Johnson has lost the support of Scottish Tories, referencing the resignation of former leader Ruth Davidson.
“We want an election,” he declares. “But we don’t want it on the prime minister’s terms. This is a prime minister who cannot be trusted, who is seeking to trap parliament tonight so he can drive us off the cliff edge.”“We want an election,” he declares. “But we don’t want it on the prime minister’s terms. This is a prime minister who cannot be trusted, who is seeking to trap parliament tonight so he can drive us off the cliff edge.”
Bill Grant, one of 13 Tory MP’s in Scotland intervenes to say that in 2016 more people in Scotland voted to leave the EU than voted for the SNP in 2017.Bill Grant, one of 13 Tory MP’s in Scotland intervenes to say that in 2016 more people in Scotland voted to leave the EU than voted for the SNP in 2017.
Blackford says the SNP has won the last three elections, before going on to warn that the prime minister is set to demonstrate that the law “doesn’t matter”.Blackford says the SNP has won the last three elections, before going on to warn that the prime minister is set to demonstrate that the law “doesn’t matter”.
The prime minister is saying with those words that he’s going to ignore an act of parliament. That he is going to ignore the law. I would simply say to the Prime Minister: be careful.The prime minister is saying with those words that he’s going to ignore an act of parliament. That he is going to ignore the law. I would simply say to the Prime Minister: be careful.
You occupy the highest office in the land and what you’re demonstrating to the people of the United Kingdom is that the law doesn’t matter. That’s a very serious situation to be in.You occupy the highest office in the land and what you’re demonstrating to the people of the United Kingdom is that the law doesn’t matter. That’s a very serious situation to be in.
I ask the prime minister to think again, to think very carefully or be prepared to pay the consequences of ignoring the law of this land.I ask the prime minister to think again, to think very carefully or be prepared to pay the consequences of ignoring the law of this land.
SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford says he is ashamed at what he has seen in parliament this evening and calls on MPs to behave in a dignified manner.SNP leader in Westminster Ian Blackford says he is ashamed at what he has seen in parliament this evening and calls on MPs to behave in a dignified manner.
However, DUP MP Ian Paisley claims that an SNP MP shouted “You’re a liar” when Boris Johnson was speaking, and also alleges that a Labour member shouted “You’re a thug” at the prime minister.However, DUP MP Ian Paisley claims that an SNP MP shouted “You’re a liar” when Boris Johnson was speaking, and also alleges that a Labour member shouted “You’re a thug” at the prime minister.
Blackford says he is condemning all such behaviour, and fellow SNP MP Stewart McDonald intervenes to compare the prorogation of parliament to events typical of a “failed state” that Tory MPs would denounce.Blackford says he is condemning all such behaviour, and fellow SNP MP Stewart McDonald intervenes to compare the prorogation of parliament to events typical of a “failed state” that Tory MPs would denounce.
Johnson tells Corbyn to go to Brussels and negotiate a deal for himself, as the back and forth goes on, and the Labour leader retorts that his party is responsible and accuses the government of suspending parliament to avoid scrutiny.Johnson tells Corbyn to go to Brussels and negotiate a deal for himself, as the back and forth goes on, and the Labour leader retorts that his party is responsible and accuses the government of suspending parliament to avoid scrutiny.
In particularly fraught proceedings – with Tory MP Robert Goodwill at one point standing up and flapping his arms like a chicken as some of his colleagues shouted chicken – Corbyn declares that the prime minister is talking up no-deal to one wing of his party and talking up getting a deal to the other.In particularly fraught proceedings – with Tory MP Robert Goodwill at one point standing up and flapping his arms like a chicken as some of his colleagues shouted chicken – Corbyn declares that the prime minister is talking up no-deal to one wing of his party and talking up getting a deal to the other.
“The sad reality is that he is not preparing adequately for the first and not negotiating at all for the other,” he says. “This government is only interesting in shutting down parliament to avoid scrutiny. His obfuscations and evasions are being rumbled, both at home and abroad.”“The sad reality is that he is not preparing adequately for the first and not negotiating at all for the other,” he says. “This government is only interesting in shutting down parliament to avoid scrutiny. His obfuscations and evasions are being rumbled, both at home and abroad.”
“We are not going to walk into traps set by this government.”“We are not going to walk into traps set by this government.”
Corbyn says he wants to “turf out this government”, sparking jovial scenes on Tory benches, before claiming the government is “scapegoating migrants” and deepening divisions.
He criticises Boris Johnson’s social media output and then asks why, if the PM seeks a no deal, he does not argue for one and seek a mandate for it.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has an apology for anyone watching proceedings in parliament.
This is parliament at its sickening worst From Tory benches, the braying & bullying, the shouting & jeering is just disgusting This isn’t a game - it’s about real people’s real lives, about the rule of law & about democracy If you’re watching at home, I can only apologise
Jeremy Corbyn is called to address the question of whether there should be an early general election.
“The only point of any importance the prime minister’s just included in his speech is his clear indication that he does not intend to follow the law that has just been passed that requires him to ask for an extension in certain circumstances,” he says.
Corbyn declares he will not vote to support the dissolution of parliament until no-deal is taken off the table.
“I am not prepared to risk the disaster of inflicting no deal on us, our communities, our jobs, our services, or indeed, our rights,” he exclaims. “No deal would not be a clear break … It would start a whole new period of confusion and delay. But this time, set against a backdrop of rising unemployment, further deindustrialisation and deepening poverty all across this country.”
The Speaker dismisses “political” interventions from several MP’s, including Sarah Wollaston, who asks whether the prime minister will appear in committee as scheduled on Wednesday.
Boris Johnson warns MPs that they are “thwarting the will of the people” and calls again for a general election.
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.