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Brexit: full text of withdrawal agreement bill published - live news | Brexit: full text of withdrawal agreement bill published - live news |
(32 minutes later) | |
The government has been accused of trying to ram through its Brexit deal this evening. | |
The EU withdrawal agreement bill has just been introduced for its first reading and MPs will be debating it tomorrow. After the bill’s introduction, the Independent Group for Change MP, Chris Leslie, told MPs: | |
We know, for example, that Commons committee stage of the Treaty of Rome was not three days, or two days, it was 22 days. For the Maastricht Treaty, 23 days in committee stage. The Treaty of Lisbon: 11 days. Treaty of Amsterdam: five days. Then the Single European Act four days and then the smallest of them all the Treaty of Nice three days at committee. So, in total, five days of Commons consideration for the Treaty of Nice to be reformed. | |
So, this is an unprecedentedly short period of time to dedicate to a massive and momentous piece of legislation. And, personally Mr Speaker, I am very worried that this motion that we are now debating, (is) the first in a series of attempts by the government to stage what is essentially the ramming through of a piece of legislation, in I regard a disorderly way. | |
The withdrawal agreement bill includes a provision to enable the prime minister’s Brexit deal to be ratified in time for the UK to leave with an agreement on 31 October. | |
Under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRAG), an international treaty – such as the Brexit deal – must be laid before Parliament for at least 21 sitting days before ratification to take place. | |
However, in order for the government’s timetable to be met, there is a provision in the WAB which “disapplies” the relevant section of the CRAG. | |
The withdrawal agreement bill has been given its first reading in the House of Commons, with MPs now poring over every line in the text and explanatory notes. | |
It contains some protections on workers’ rights, such as a “non-regression principle” and the promise that parliament would get a vote on the negotiating mandate for the EU future relationship and the form of a final trade deal. | |
However, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to convince wavering pro-deal Labour MPs to vote for it. | |
There is also the potential for hardline Eurosceptics to balk at some elements when they look at the detail of what will happen in the transition period and the potential for that to be extended for another two years. | |
Soft Brexit Tories may also not be convinced there are enough safeguards to stop the UK crashing out on WTO terms at the end of the transition period at the end of 2020. | |
Hear whole Tory One Nation grouping agreed tonight not to back customs union amendment | |
Separately, some MPs been in touch very cross they have so little time to get amendments ready for the Withdrawal Bill which is down to go thro at breakneck speed | |
The Liberal Democrat shadow Brexit secretary, Tom Brake, has responded to the publication of the withdrawal agreement bill, saying: | The Liberal Democrat shadow Brexit secretary, Tom Brake, has responded to the publication of the withdrawal agreement bill, saying: |
The Tory Brexit plan would hurt jobs, the environment and vital public services including the NHS. The Conservative government is trying to crash this bill through Parliament before anyone realises just how bad it is. | The Tory Brexit plan would hurt jobs, the environment and vital public services including the NHS. The Conservative government is trying to crash this bill through Parliament before anyone realises just how bad it is. |
MPs have had a chance to vote on Brexit again and again, yet as the Conservative government bring another withdrawal agreement to parliament they still refuse to let the people have the final say. If parliamentarians can change their minds then the people should be able to too. | MPs have had a chance to vote on Brexit again and again, yet as the Conservative government bring another withdrawal agreement to parliament they still refuse to let the people have the final say. If parliamentarians can change their minds then the people should be able to too. |
Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to stop Brexit. Our priority is to secure a People’s Vote with the option to stay in the EU. | Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to stop Brexit. Our priority is to secure a People’s Vote with the option to stay in the EU. |
The government has published the full text of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) bill. | The government has published the full text of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) bill. |
The document, which sets out how the government intends to implement the Brexit deal, runs to 110 pages and MPs have been given until Thursday to scrutinise it and vote on it. | The document, which sets out how the government intends to implement the Brexit deal, runs to 110 pages and MPs have been given until Thursday to scrutinise it and vote on it. |
Here’s a brief look at it, courtesy of Huffington Post UK’s Paul Waugh: | Here’s a brief look at it, courtesy of Huffington Post UK’s Paul Waugh: |
Here it is! pic.twitter.com/cA4XsrYl6E | Here it is! pic.twitter.com/cA4XsrYl6E |
Paper version hot off the press at the Vote Office.It's 110 pages long.Explanatory notes are 125 pages long. pic.twitter.com/TSjbACPkJk | Paper version hot off the press at the Vote Office.It's 110 pages long.Explanatory notes are 125 pages long. pic.twitter.com/TSjbACPkJk |
Key Clauses 32 33 and 34.32 repeals need for Meaningful Vote (another bit of Grieve innivstion dies).33 disapplies CRAG34 inserts Workers Rights into legislation. pic.twitter.com/fCM5QMyVN5 | Key Clauses 32 33 and 34.32 repeals need for Meaningful Vote (another bit of Grieve innivstion dies).33 disapplies CRAG34 inserts Workers Rights into legislation. pic.twitter.com/fCM5QMyVN5 |
The immunity arrangements for US personnel and their families at the RAF Croughton annex will be reviewed in the aftermath of the death of Harry Dunn, the foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. He has told MPs: | The immunity arrangements for US personnel and their families at the RAF Croughton annex will be reviewed in the aftermath of the death of Harry Dunn, the foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said. He has told MPs: |
We will continue to fight for justice for them. I’ve already commissioned a review of the immunity arrangements for US personnel and their families at the Croughton annex holding privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. | We will continue to fight for justice for them. I’ve already commissioned a review of the immunity arrangements for US personnel and their families at the Croughton annex holding privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. |
As this case has demonstrated, I do not believe the current arrangements are right and the review will look at how we can make sure that the arrangements at Croughton cannot be used in this way again. | As this case has demonstrated, I do not believe the current arrangements are right and the review will look at how we can make sure that the arrangements at Croughton cannot be used in this way again. |
Gove has confirmed that direct rule of Northern Ireland by Westminster would be necessary if Stormont is not back up and running once Brexit goes through. But he says it’s a step “no one should take lightly”. | Gove has confirmed that direct rule of Northern Ireland by Westminster would be necessary if Stormont is not back up and running once Brexit goes through. But he says it’s a step “no one should take lightly”. |
In response, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, Jon Trickett, said: | In response, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, Jon Trickett, said: |
The prime minister thinks the only way to get legislation for this sellout deal through this House of Commons is to bully and blackmail MPs with the threat of no deal. | The prime minister thinks the only way to get legislation for this sellout deal through this House of Commons is to bully and blackmail MPs with the threat of no deal. |
But the prime minister has lost the consent of the House. He double-crossed the DUP. He’s taken a bulldozer to most of our procedures. | But the prime minister has lost the consent of the House. He double-crossed the DUP. He’s taken a bulldozer to most of our procedures. |
He reminds me more than anything else of acting in the manner of the Godfather, casting confetti at a Mafia family wedding in the way that he’s disposed of the goodwill of the House. | He reminds me more than anything else of acting in the manner of the Godfather, casting confetti at a Mafia family wedding in the way that he’s disposed of the goodwill of the House. |
Continuing his statement, Gove said: | Continuing his statement, Gove said: |
It remains the case that Northern Ireland will face unique challenges in a no-deal Brexit and we will need to take steps to ensure effective governance and to give direction to the Northern Ireland civil service. | It remains the case that Northern Ireland will face unique challenges in a no-deal Brexit and we will need to take steps to ensure effective governance and to give direction to the Northern Ireland civil service. |
This arrangement settlement has been sustainable to date, but leaving without a deal would represent a formidable challenge to the current position. | This arrangement settlement has been sustainable to date, but leaving without a deal would represent a formidable challenge to the current position. |
In that case, we would have to start formal engagement with the Irish government about further arrangements for providing strengthened decision-making, and that would include the real possibility of restoring a form of direct rule. | In that case, we would have to start formal engagement with the Irish government about further arrangements for providing strengthened decision-making, and that would include the real possibility of restoring a form of direct rule. |
We will, of course, do everything to ensure that the interests of all communities across Ireland were safeguarded in any arrangements. | We will, of course, do everything to ensure that the interests of all communities across Ireland were safeguarded in any arrangements. |
We all must recognise that this would be a gravestone, from which experience shows us it would be hard to return, particularly in the context of leaving without a deal. | We all must recognise that this would be a gravestone, from which experience shows us it would be hard to return, particularly in the context of leaving without a deal. |
Madame deputy speaker, even as we prepare for the challenges of no-deal, we will make the case at every forum that we can for leaving with a good deal. | Madame deputy speaker, even as we prepare for the challenges of no-deal, we will make the case at every forum that we can for leaving with a good deal. |
Delivering a statement to MPs on the government’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit, the minister responsible – Michael Gove – has said: | Delivering a statement to MPs on the government’s preparations for a no-deal Brexit, the minister responsible – Michael Gove – has said: |
Parliament had the opportunity on Saturday to support a meaningful vote which would have allowed us to proceed smoothly to ratification of our deal and exit on 31 October. But the House instead voted in such a way as to put an orderly exit on that day in doubt. | Parliament had the opportunity on Saturday to support a meaningful vote which would have allowed us to proceed smoothly to ratification of our deal and exit on 31 October. But the House instead voted in such a way as to put an orderly exit on that day in doubt. |
With no clear agreement yet in this House to ratify our withdrawal agreement and no certainty that an extension will be granted by 31 October, I must I fear take the appropriate steps now to prepare for the increased possibility that the legal default position will follow, and we will leave on 31 October without a deal. | With no clear agreement yet in this House to ratify our withdrawal agreement and no certainty that an extension will be granted by 31 October, I must I fear take the appropriate steps now to prepare for the increased possibility that the legal default position will follow, and we will leave on 31 October without a deal. |
The clear advice to me now from officials is that we must now intensify contingency arrangements. | The clear advice to me now from officials is that we must now intensify contingency arrangements. |
We will now accelerate our efforts to help businesses and individuals mitigate any dislocation and disruption that may ensue. | We will now accelerate our efforts to help businesses and individuals mitigate any dislocation and disruption that may ensue. |
Hundreds of public servants across the UK will have to be redeployed, they will transfer to work in operation centres ready to identify challenges, work together to resolve problems quickly, and implement contingency plans. | Hundreds of public servants across the UK will have to be redeployed, they will transfer to work in operation centres ready to identify challenges, work together to resolve problems quickly, and implement contingency plans. |
And, of course, we must maintain our public information campaign, from tomorrow this will reflect the renewed urgency of preparation.” | And, of course, we must maintain our public information campaign, from tomorrow this will reflect the renewed urgency of preparation.” |
Ken Clarke, now sitting as an independent MP, has said all-night Commons sittings were used when debating the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and much time was given to the original European Communities bill. | Ken Clarke, now sitting as an independent MP, has said all-night Commons sittings were used when debating the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and much time was given to the original European Communities bill. |
Clarke, who had the Conservative whip removed after he backed attempts to block the UK leaving the EU without a deal, asked the leader of the Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg: | Clarke, who had the Conservative whip removed after he backed attempts to block the UK leaving the EU without a deal, asked the leader of the Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg: |
They were both debated for weeks on end with many all-night sittings. I think the Maastricht Bill we had at least 20-odd days sitting in order to satisfy the Eurosceptic members of the Conservative party who wanted full discussion of it. | They were both debated for weeks on end with many all-night sittings. I think the Maastricht Bill we had at least 20-odd days sitting in order to satisfy the Eurosceptic members of the Conservative party who wanted full discussion of it. |
So, can my right honourable friend reassure me that the government is not simply to try to confine debate by narrowing the time and it is content, if the House wishes, to facilitate as much time as we need to consider it carefully? | So, can my right honourable friend reassure me that the government is not simply to try to confine debate by narrowing the time and it is content, if the House wishes, to facilitate as much time as we need to consider it carefully? |
And I see no reason at all why we should just all rise in the evening so that everybody can go to dinner and not sit on a Friday for the convenience of the House of Lords. | And I see no reason at all why we should just all rise in the evening so that everybody can go to dinner and not sit on a Friday for the convenience of the House of Lords. |
If the government is, for some reason, insistent on dashing for this completely silly and irrelevant date which it keeps staking its fate on then give some proper time for debate. Two-and-a-bit days of ordinary parliamentary hours is plainly quite insufficient. | If the government is, for some reason, insistent on dashing for this completely silly and irrelevant date which it keeps staking its fate on then give some proper time for debate. Two-and-a-bit days of ordinary parliamentary hours is plainly quite insufficient. |
Rees-Mogg responded by describing Clarke as “somebody who has always wanted us to remain in the European Union and disapproves of referendums”. This is relevant, he says, because Clarke has never tried to hide his views using procedural methods. | Rees-Mogg responded by describing Clarke as “somebody who has always wanted us to remain in the European Union and disapproves of referendums”. This is relevant, he says, because Clarke has never tried to hide his views using procedural methods. |
Using accelerated procedures has come about because of the deadline that we have of 31 October. And here I disagree with him: This is not a phony deadline. The deadline was set because of the work of article 50 and, the point being, that it should have ended in March. | Using accelerated procedures has come about because of the deadline that we have of 31 October. And here I disagree with him: This is not a phony deadline. The deadline was set because of the work of article 50 and, the point being, that it should have ended in March. |
The SNP Commons leader, Pete Wishart, said: | The SNP Commons leader, Pete Wishart, said: |
What he proposes in this business statement around the withdrawal agreement bill is totally unacceptable. Three days to consider a bill, somebody suggested it’s 100 pages, how on earth are we going to have the chance to assess that properly? No economic impacts, no economic assessments. | What he proposes in this business statement around the withdrawal agreement bill is totally unacceptable. Three days to consider a bill, somebody suggested it’s 100 pages, how on earth are we going to have the chance to assess that properly? No economic impacts, no economic assessments. |
Wishart said it was only last week that the Queen “put on her best crown” and came to Parliament for the Queen’s Speech. He asked when that would be discussed, and asked if it was just a “supreme waste of time”. | Wishart said it was only last week that the Queen “put on her best crown” and came to Parliament for the Queen’s Speech. He asked when that would be discussed, and asked if it was just a “supreme waste of time”. |
Rees-Mogg told the Commons the “Benn act and another known as the Boles Cooper act” were brought through at short notice. He said: “A king emperor left in 24 hours, and we are removing an imperial yoke in over a week.” | Rees-Mogg told the Commons the “Benn act and another known as the Boles Cooper act” were brought through at short notice. He said: “A king emperor left in 24 hours, and we are removing an imperial yoke in over a week.” |