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| Brexit: MPs to vote on Boris Johnson's deal in 'super Saturday' Commons session – live news | Brexit: MPs to vote on Boris Johnson's deal in 'super Saturday' Commons session – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| And here’s confirmation that the hardline Brexiters of the ERG have broken from the DUP – Steve Baker and Mark Francois say they and their colleagues will vote for Boris Johnson’s deal: | |
| The ERG meeting has just broken up on the committee corridor.ERG chairman Steve Baker says: “The advice of the ERG steering group and the officers is to vote for the deal.”ERG vice chairman Mark Francois: “No colleague in the meeting said they would vote against the deal.” | |
| Tory MP Bernard Jenkin seems to be confirming that the ERG will vote for the deal, albeit not wholeheartedly: | |
| This deal is hundreds of miles from perfect. It has terrible elements, but we are where we are. At least @BackBoris has substantially improved it and it now points in a far more positive direction for our country. | |
| The Sunday Times’ political editor, Tim Shipman, quotes an unnamed “No 10 source” saying the government will abandon the vote on the deal if the Letwin amendment – which would allow parliament to withhold its approval until the legislation to implement Brexit has passed – goes through today. | |
| BREAKING: If Letwin passes No 10 will pull the vote pic.twitter.com/RyvdxtV3MT | |
| The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says that if that happens, MPs will be asked to vote on the deal on Monday instead: | |
| No 10 plans to send MPs home if they vote for Letwin - but govt will introduce the bill on Monday | |
| Rebecca Long Bailey, Labour’s shadow business secretary, described Boris Johnson’s deal as a “sellout”. She told the BBC: | |
| It’s actually far worse than Theresa May’s deal, which was voted down repeatedly in the House of Commons. It’s a sellout, it sells out industry, it sells out our rights and protection, and it potentially sells off our NHS in future trade deals to Donald Trump – and that’s not something we can condone.” | |
| She called on the government to provide stronger commitments on workers’ rights: | |
| The protections that have been offered are simply, as I understand it … pretty similar to what Theresa May’s proposed, with the ability for parliament to review any changes in EU law when it comes to workers’ rights and environmental protections then vote on them that is … dependent on a Tory majority, who at the best of times would vote against any improvements in workers’ rights. | |
| What we want to see is a legal lock … so we don’t fall behind improvements in workers’ rights and environmental standards, so if the government was serious about that then they would make more robust legal protections.” | |
| While Long Bailey wouldn’t comment on Labour’s whipping arrangement for the Letwin amendment, she did say: | |
| We don’t trust Boris Johnson at all and we need to protect as much as we possibly can, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we were supportive of this amendment.” | |
| MPs present and past have been out and about on the airwaves this morning setting out their positions. | MPs present and past have been out and about on the airwaves this morning setting out their positions. |
| Former chancellor Philip Hammond – ejected by Boris Johnson after he voted for the Benn act – told the BBC he would vote for the Letwin amendment: | Former chancellor Philip Hammond – ejected by Boris Johnson after he voted for the Benn act – told the BBC he would vote for the Letwin amendment: |
| This cannot be the final vote today because we do not know the full shape of the package. The Letwin amendment gives us an insurance policy that prevents us having to look at this bill against the constant threat of the government to pull the plug and crash us out on 31 October. | This cannot be the final vote today because we do not know the full shape of the package. The Letwin amendment gives us an insurance policy that prevents us having to look at this bill against the constant threat of the government to pull the plug and crash us out on 31 October. |
| We have to remove any risk of leaving on 31 October 31 with no deal.” | We have to remove any risk of leaving on 31 October 31 with no deal.” |
| Tony Blair told BB Radio 4’s Today programme MPs should defeat the deal: | Tony Blair told BB Radio 4’s Today programme MPs should defeat the deal: |
| If this deal had been put before the British parliament a year ago, or two years ago, there is absolutely no way it would pass. The only reason the government can try and get it passed now is frankly … people are completely fed up with Brexit. They want it over. They want it done with.” | If this deal had been put before the British parliament a year ago, or two years ago, there is absolutely no way it would pass. The only reason the government can try and get it passed now is frankly … people are completely fed up with Brexit. They want it over. They want it done with.” |
| But the culture secretary, Nicky Morgan, tweeted that MPs should get onboard with the plan: | But the culture secretary, Nicky Morgan, tweeted that MPs should get onboard with the plan: |
| The PM has negotiated a new deal -something many said was impossible. Today we’ve a chance to end uncertainty to people & businesses; heal the divides & come together as a country; deliver on referendum result & leave the EU on 31st October -with a deal. So let’s get this done. https://t.co/XM79vW4ELu | The PM has negotiated a new deal -something many said was impossible. Today we’ve a chance to end uncertainty to people & businesses; heal the divides & come together as a country; deliver on referendum result & leave the EU on 31st October -with a deal. So let’s get this done. https://t.co/XM79vW4ELu |
| Sky News reports that Steve Baker, who chairs the hardline Brexiter ERG, has said the group will back the deal today: | Sky News reports that Steve Baker, who chairs the hardline Brexiter ERG, has said the group will back the deal today: |
| NEW: Steve Baker says the advice of the ERG is that the group’s MPs should vote for the agreement | NEW: Steve Baker says the advice of the ERG is that the group’s MPs should vote for the agreement |
| With the DUP definitely against the deal, and a number of the former Conservative MPs who lost the whip last month seemingly onboard, two groups will be vital. | With the DUP definitely against the deal, and a number of the former Conservative MPs who lost the whip last month seemingly onboard, two groups will be vital. |
| First are the so-called “Spartans”, the most hardline of Tory Brexiters. Some of these have already come onboard, and others could follow – but with the DUP opposed, this is still a finely balanced decision. | First are the so-called “Spartans”, the most hardline of Tory Brexiters. Some of these have already come onboard, and others could follow – but with the DUP opposed, this is still a finely balanced decision. |
| The other group set to be endlessly pestered by Johnson’s team are Labour MPs from leave-voting areas who support a deal, such as Caroline Flint, Stephen Kinnock and others. They face intense Labour pressure to vote against it, but could still potentially be persuaded the vote the other way. These MPs might be more likely to back the deal if it is amended via the Letwin-Benn plan. | The other group set to be endlessly pestered by Johnson’s team are Labour MPs from leave-voting areas who support a deal, such as Caroline Flint, Stephen Kinnock and others. They face intense Labour pressure to vote against it, but could still potentially be persuaded the vote the other way. These MPs might be more likely to back the deal if it is amended via the Letwin-Benn plan. |
| Key players | Key players |
| Steve Baker: the Tory hard Brexiters’ club, the European Research Group (ERG), is meeting first thing on Saturday. Whichever way Baker, its chair, chooses to vote will be a key indicator for the choice of other Spartans. | Steve Baker: the Tory hard Brexiters’ club, the European Research Group (ERG), is meeting first thing on Saturday. Whichever way Baker, its chair, chooses to vote will be a key indicator for the choice of other Spartans. |
| Philip Hammond: on the other side of the Tory divide, the former chancellor is prominent among the sizeable group of rebel MPs who lost the whip last month, and could go either way. | Philip Hammond: on the other side of the Tory divide, the former chancellor is prominent among the sizeable group of rebel MPs who lost the whip last month, and could go either way. |
| Caroline Flint: co-leader of the “MPs for a deal” grouping, Flint is a leading member of the Labour contingent that believes the UK should leave sooner rather than later. If she backs Johnson’s deal, she could take others with her. | Caroline Flint: co-leader of the “MPs for a deal” grouping, Flint is a leading member of the Labour contingent that believes the UK should leave sooner rather than later. If she backs Johnson’s deal, she could take others with her. |
| Norman Lamb: while the rest of the Liberal Democrats are firmly against the deal, Lamb – who will step down at the next election – has long been much more Brexit-minded than his colleagues. He is believed to still be deciding, and while it will only be one vote, this could be crucial. | Norman Lamb: while the rest of the Liberal Democrats are firmly against the deal, Lamb – who will step down at the next election – has long been much more Brexit-minded than his colleagues. He is believed to still be deciding, and while it will only be one vote, this could be crucial. |
| Welcome to our live coverage of the vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. The decision MPs make today could determine whether the UK leaves the EU, as Johnson has promised, on 31 October, or instead faces the prospect of requesting an extension from the European Union – and a possible general election. | Welcome to our live coverage of the vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. The decision MPs make today could determine whether the UK leaves the EU, as Johnson has promised, on 31 October, or instead faces the prospect of requesting an extension from the European Union – and a possible general election. |
| Peter Walker has written a guide to see you through the day. Here are the key moments: | Peter Walker has written a guide to see you through the day. Here are the key moments: |
| The Commons convenes at 9.30am with a statement from Boris Johnson on the Brexit deal he has negotiated with the EU, followed by questions. | The Commons convenes at 9.30am with a statement from Boris Johnson on the Brexit deal he has negotiated with the EU, followed by questions. |
| The actual motion on the deal follows afterwards, to be opened by another minister. It is only when this debate begins that we will know which amendments have been selected for a vote by the Speaker, John Bercow. | The actual motion on the deal follows afterwards, to be opened by another minister. It is only when this debate begins that we will know which amendments have been selected for a vote by the Speaker, John Bercow. |
| The number of amendments will affect the length of the process, so the key vote could come any time from mid-afternoon to early evening. | The number of amendments will affect the length of the process, so the key vote could come any time from mid-afternoon to early evening. |
| Also on the order paper is the European Union (Withdrawal) (No 2) Act – better known as the Benn act. This is the backbench-created law that would compel Johnson to seek a Brexit extension if his deal is not passed. | Also on the order paper is the European Union (Withdrawal) (No 2) Act – better known as the Benn act. This is the backbench-created law that would compel Johnson to seek a Brexit extension if his deal is not passed. |
| The Lords is also sitting to consider the same two issues. | The Lords is also sitting to consider the same two issues. |
| Brexit 'super Saturday': your guide to the big day | Brexit 'super Saturday': your guide to the big day |