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Brexit: Bercow refuses to allow 'meaningful vote' on deal today - live news Brexit: Bercow refuses to allow 'meaningful vote' on deal today - live news
(32 minutes later)
• Boris Johnson has been denied the opportunity to hold a second vote on his Brexit deal in the House of Commons after the Speaker, John Bercow, ruled that it would be “repetitive and disorderly”.Bercow said it would break longstanding conventions for MPs to debate and vote on the agreement struck in Brussels last week, little more than two days after Saturday’s historic sitting.“Today’s motion is in substance the same as Saturday’s motion, and the house has decided the matter. Today’s circumstances are in substance the same as Saturday’s circumstances,” Bercow said in the Commons on Monday.
• Soft-Brexit Tory MPs and independents are resisting the idea of attaching a customs union to Boris Johnson’s withdrawal agreement bill, meaning it would likely need an alliance of all opposition parties to pass.Conservative MPs and former Tories, who previously backed the idea of a customs union, suggested on Tuesday they would prefer not to reopen the issue and wanted to support Johnson’s deal.Damian Green, the leader of the One Nation caucus, and Oliver Letwin, who has is heavily involved in the parliamentary fight against a no-deal Brexit, both indicated they would back Johnson’s deal without a customs union appended.
• The unconventional “form” of Boris Johnson’s extension request is irrelevant to the EU, the European commission has confirmed, as Germany’s economic affairs minister said “it goes without saying” that a further Brexit delay would be granted.
Peter Altmaier, a key ally of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said he believed either a technical extension to allow extra time for legislation to pass, or a longer period to accommodate a general election or second referendum would be offered.
• Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord Carloway, has rejected a call by the UK government to end a case examining whether Boris Johnson broke a promise that he would not try to sabotage the request for a Brexit extension.After losing a Commons vote on Saturday on delaying his deal, Johnson sent an unsigned copy of the letter required by the Benn act but also sent another, personal, letter to Brussels that asked EU leaders not to agree to an extension. The judge said he would continue with the case until it was clear that Downing Street had complied with the act in full.
• Northern Ireland’s unionist parties have recalled the Stormont assembly today in a last-minute attempt to stop the decriminalisation of abortion from coming into effect.The region’s restrictive abortion laws are set to change at midnight on Monday after the Commons voted last July to bring reproductive rights in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.
The leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, is on his feet in the House of Commons and tells MPs that the government will try to pass key Brexit legislation through the Commons in three days this week.
He added that the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would be debated at second reading and committee stage on Tuesday, with further discussion on Wednesday before the conclusion of proceedings on Thursday.
If the bill passes second reading tomorrow - the first key vote on it - MPs will then get the chance to vote on the programme motion setting out this accelerated timetable.
Rees-Mogg also spoke about his experience, and that of his son, as they were escorted by police out of parliament on Saturday, one of a number of MPs who the police guarded amid heckling. Diane Abbott was another.
“My 12 year old son found nothing more exciting than being escorted by police,” said Rees-Mogg, who went on to say that it may be necessary to look at measures to ensure that MPs are able to come and go.
For readers wondering where Boris Johnson was earlier when Steve Barclay was taking questions on Brexit, including some asking why the prime minister as not doing so, we’ve been told by Downing Street that he is in Downing Street.
But why wasn’t Johnson taking questions?
“Because Steve Barclay was,” a spokesperson replied when asked.
I’ve conferred with colleagues and, as we understand it, convention is that you can’t demand a particular minister replies to your urgent question.
As it’s urgent they might not be available, and junior ministers do often fill in.
In the Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has been taking questions about Brexit, attempts to restore the assembly at Stormont and moves to decriminalise abortion.
On the latter, Smith says that a consultation is due to start in the coming days.
“A new legal framework for lawful access to abortion services in Northern Ireland will be put in place by March 31 2020 in line with the 2018 UN CEDAW report. I will be consulting on the new framework very soon.
“On same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships, regulations are to be made no later than January 13 2020.
“There are two key areas we are going to consult on. How to allow for religious same-sex marriage ceremonies, and also the issue of conversion from civil partnership to marriage and vice-versa.”
He added: “At the latest, the first civil same-sex marriages will take place on the week of Valentine’s Day 2020.”
Beyond the UK and Europe, events at Westminster continue to generate head scratching from media in other parts of the world. My colleague Daniel Avelar Guimarães has been taking a look:Beyond the UK and Europe, events at Westminster continue to generate head scratching from media in other parts of the world. My colleague Daniel Avelar Guimarães has been taking a look:
In the US, the Washington Post highlighted Boris Johnson’s “humiliating defeat in the House of Commons” on Saturday. Using a slightly more optimistic tone, the New York Times reports that Johnson “still has a surprisingly good chance of leading Britain out of the bloc” because of disagreements within opposition parties regarding their strategy for Brexit.In the US, the Washington Post highlighted Boris Johnson’s “humiliating defeat in the House of Commons” on Saturday. Using a slightly more optimistic tone, the New York Times reports that Johnson “still has a surprisingly good chance of leading Britain out of the bloc” because of disagreements within opposition parties regarding their strategy for Brexit.
The view on Brexit from the Middle East is also far from unanimous. Israel’s Haaretz said that Johnson faces a “potentially perilous ratification” of his Brexit plans as opposition MPs try to amend his proposed divorce bill.The view on Brexit from the Middle East is also far from unanimous. Israel’s Haaretz said that Johnson faces a “potentially perilous ratification” of his Brexit plans as opposition MPs try to amend his proposed divorce bill.
On the other hand, UAE’s The National said that No 10 is “increasingly confident” that it can get Parliament’s approval fin an upcoming vote, and mentioned that the pound “reached its highest in more than five months at $1.3011” amid investors’ optimism.On the other hand, UAE’s The National said that No 10 is “increasingly confident” that it can get Parliament’s approval fin an upcoming vote, and mentioned that the pound “reached its highest in more than five months at $1.3011” amid investors’ optimism.
And in South American media, Britain is shown as a country in turmoil. In Brazil, Folha de S.Paulo compared Johnson’s increasing isolation in Parliament to the failures of his predecessors, Theresa May and David Cameron, further describing Brexit as a “reputation-crushing machine” for prime ministers.And in South American media, Britain is shown as a country in turmoil. In Brazil, Folha de S.Paulo compared Johnson’s increasing isolation in Parliament to the failures of his predecessors, Theresa May and David Cameron, further describing Brexit as a “reputation-crushing machine” for prime ministers.
In neighboring Argentina, La Nacion said that divisions in the House of Commons reflect broader trends in the British society, mentioning an Opinium/Observer poll that puts support for a second referendum at 42% against 43% who reject a new vote.In neighboring Argentina, La Nacion said that divisions in the House of Commons reflect broader trends in the British society, mentioning an Opinium/Observer poll that puts support for a second referendum at 42% against 43% who reject a new vote.
The government is coming under fire this evening over confirmation by the Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay, that Northern Irish businesses will have to complete exit declarations when sending goods to Great Britain under the terms of the Brexit deal.The government is coming under fire this evening over confirmation by the Brexit Secretary, Stephen Barclay, that Northern Irish businesses will have to complete exit declarations when sending goods to Great Britain under the terms of the Brexit deal.
As reported by Politico, Barclay was correcting an answer he gave minutes earlier to the House of Lords European Union committee, when he said he did not think such forms would be required under the deal.As reported by Politico, Barclay was correcting an answer he gave minutes earlier to the House of Lords European Union committee, when he said he did not think such forms would be required under the deal.
He told peers: “We’ve said in terms of [trade] from NI to GB that it will be frictionless and so there wouldn’t be [declaration forms].”He told peers: “We’ve said in terms of [trade] from NI to GB that it will be frictionless and so there wouldn’t be [declaration forms].”
The Labour Peer, Stewart Wood, was the committee member who pressed Barclay and has been making hay on Twitter and says that Barclay’s “revelation” confirms two thingsThe Labour Peer, Stewart Wood, was the committee member who pressed Barclay and has been making hay on Twitter and says that Barclay’s “revelation” confirms two things
“1. The GB-NI border inside the UK will, from a commercial point of view, feel like a real border.“1. The GB-NI border inside the UK will, from a commercial point of view, feel like a real border.
2. The Govt is trying to push through a vote on the deal before the text of the Withdrawal Bill is seen for a reason: the contents are alarming.”2. The Govt is trying to push through a vote on the deal before the text of the Withdrawal Bill is seen for a reason: the contents are alarming.”
Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader, and the east Belfast DUP MP, Sammy Wilson, have both been weighing in:Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader, and the east Belfast DUP MP, Sammy Wilson, have both been weighing in:
Goods going from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK would need export declaration forms. It’s now clear that @BorisJohnson is prepared to wreck the United Kingdom to get this EU treaty through. No wonder the DUP are unhappy. https://t.co/b6rjWyi8TUGoods going from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK would need export declaration forms. It’s now clear that @BorisJohnson is prepared to wreck the United Kingdom to get this EU treaty through. No wonder the DUP are unhappy. https://t.co/b6rjWyi8TU
Urgent Brexit questions have been concluded now - the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, is taking questions - but the Westminster focus will shift back very swiftly in a while to Brexit when MPs react to the publication of the withdrawal agreement bill.Urgent Brexit questions have been concluded now - the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, is taking questions - but the Westminster focus will shift back very swiftly in a while to Brexit when MPs react to the publication of the withdrawal agreement bill.
They won’t have long to read it, however, as the second reading of the bill – and with it, a chance to vote – comes as early as tomorrow.They won’t have long to read it, however, as the second reading of the bill – and with it, a chance to vote – comes as early as tomorrow.
If you missed it, here’s the moment from earlier when the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, ruled out allowing a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal.If you missed it, here’s the moment from earlier when the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, ruled out allowing a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal.
The Speaker John Bercow's ruling that debating the Withdrawal Agreement today would be "repetitive and disorderly" follows the @HouseofCommons debate on Saturday. https://t.co/MGkn2k7cpfThe Speaker John Bercow's ruling that debating the Withdrawal Agreement today would be "repetitive and disorderly" follows the @HouseofCommons debate on Saturday. https://t.co/MGkn2k7cpf
The Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, has filed this piece on how Boris Johnson has been denied the opportunity to hold a second vote on his Brexit deal in the House of Commons after the Speaker ruled it would be “repetitive and disorderly”.The Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, has filed this piece on how Boris Johnson has been denied the opportunity to hold a second vote on his Brexit deal in the House of Commons after the Speaker ruled it would be “repetitive and disorderly”.
She adds that the government, meanwhile, still hopes to push the legislation necessary to enact Brexit through parliament in time to meet the 31 October deadline despite having reluctantly been compelled to send a letter asking for an extension to article 50,She adds that the government, meanwhile, still hopes to push the legislation necessary to enact Brexit through parliament in time to meet the 31 October deadline despite having reluctantly been compelled to send a letter asking for an extension to article 50,
The withdrawal agreement bill was expected to be published later on Monday, with the key second reading vote likely to be held on Tuesday.The withdrawal agreement bill was expected to be published later on Monday, with the key second reading vote likely to be held on Tuesday.
MPs from across the house are then likely to table a string of amendments seeking to tweak the Brexit deal, including to force the government to negotiate a customs union with the EU27 and to subject it to a “people’s vote”.MPs from across the house are then likely to table a string of amendments seeking to tweak the Brexit deal, including to force the government to negotiate a customs union with the EU27 and to subject it to a “people’s vote”.
John Bercow denies Boris Johnson second vote on Brexit dealJohn Bercow denies Boris Johnson second vote on Brexit deal
So what happens now? There is “disappointment” from Downing Street, in the first soundings coming out of the prime minster’s spokesperson.So what happens now? There is “disappointment” from Downing Street, in the first soundings coming out of the prime minster’s spokesperson.
Paul Waugh of Huffpost UK tweets:Paul Waugh of Huffpost UK tweets:
PM's official spokesman:"We are disappointed that the Speaker has denied us the chance to deliver on the will of the people. The public want Brexit done."PM's official spokesman:"We are disappointed that the Speaker has denied us the chance to deliver on the will of the people. The public want Brexit done."
Meanwhile, the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn has been reporting on a fresh headache for the government (and anyone struggling to keep up with Brexit-related acronyms frankly):Meanwhile, the Sun’s Tom Newton Dunn has been reporting on a fresh headache for the government (and anyone struggling to keep up with Brexit-related acronyms frankly):
Remember CRAG? It's a fresh headache for the Govt's bid to pass the Brexit deal by October 31. The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (2010) requires any treaty be laid before the House for 21 days before it can be ratified. The Brexit deal is such as treaty 1.Remember CRAG? It's a fresh headache for the Govt's bid to pass the Brexit deal by October 31. The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (2010) requires any treaty be laid before the House for 21 days before it can be ratified. The Brexit deal is such as treaty 1.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, is speaking now and makes the case again for a new referendum.The Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, is speaking now and makes the case again for a new referendum.
If the prime minister was allowed to change his mind – and request an extension – then surely the British people should be allowed to do so.If the prime minister was allowed to change his mind – and request an extension – then surely the British people should be allowed to do so.
Ian Blackford, the leader of the SNP at Westminster, wants to know the whereabouts of Boris Johnson, who he says has been utterly humiliated by his defeat in the House of Commons on Saturday.Ian Blackford, the leader of the SNP at Westminster, wants to know the whereabouts of Boris Johnson, who he says has been utterly humiliated by his defeat in the House of Commons on Saturday.
The unsigned letter that was sent to Brussels at the weekend “lacked respect”, he adds.The unsigned letter that was sent to Brussels at the weekend “lacked respect”, he adds.
Barclay replies that the crux of the issue was that the prime minister had complied with the law and had set out his well-known views on the issue.Barclay replies that the crux of the issue was that the prime minister had complied with the law and had set out his well-known views on the issue.
There isn’t any word from him about where Johnson is.There isn’t any word from him about where Johnson is.
Ken Clarke is on his feet now, asking that the date of 31 October should no longer have the “sacred quality” it has attained, though he would be personally quite happy if a withdrawal can be secured in the right way.Ken Clarke is on his feet now, asking that the date of 31 October should no longer have the “sacred quality” it has attained, though he would be personally quite happy if a withdrawal can be secured in the right way.
“The date was not selected by the British public or the British government. It was a compromise selected by President Macron and others and was plucked out of the air,” he adds.“The date was not selected by the British public or the British government. It was a compromise selected by President Macron and others and was plucked out of the air,” he adds.
Barclay says that the prime minister has confirmed that the UK government would abide by the law, but has also left no one in any dount about what his position is.Barclay says that the prime minister has confirmed that the UK government would abide by the law, but has also left no one in any dount about what his position is.
“We in this house want to collude with the British public to get Brexit done,” he adds, sidestepping that second Corbyn question about whether some MPs are facing potential investigations for “colluding with foreign governments”.“We in this house want to collude with the British public to get Brexit done,” he adds, sidestepping that second Corbyn question about whether some MPs are facing potential investigations for “colluding with foreign governments”.
Points of order have been concluded and Jeremy Corbyn is on his feet with the first of urgent questions, asking the prime minister to make a statement on his request for an extension on Brexit.
Steven Barclay, the minister for Exiting the EU, responds in place of Boris Johnson by saying that the letter was sent in compliance with section one of the Benn act.
The Labour leader says he admires Barclay for keeping a straight face as he gave that answer, accusing Johnson of sending the letter with “posturing and attempts to distract”.
Despite having said that he would never request an extension, Corbyn adds that the prime minister has done so. He asks when he expects any EU extension to be granted and if the government can rule out reports that MPs could face jail for “colluding” with foreign governments.
Bercow says he has the sense that his ruling is “procedurally right”, however irksome it is to some in the chamber.
The Spectator’s assistant editor, Isabel Hardman, meanwhile, separates the contributions from the floor as follows:
There are two different groups of MPs making points of order here. The first want to make an election campaign point (whether they’re Tory or otherwise), while a second smaller group actually want to talk about procedure.
Bercow adds: “I have made a principled judgment and there is every opportunity for the government to have its way, with the approval of parliament, by the end of October.”
Crispin Blunt, another Tory MP, is on his feet and says he is one of the members who has formally recorded what he says has been Bercow’s “partiality” in the chair.
Blunt asks if Bercow’s ruling might be altered on the basis of what the response from Brussels might be to the letter(s) sent at the weekend by Downing Street.
Cue another Bercow impression – this time of Willie Whitelaw: “Personally I think it is better to cross bridges when I come to them.”
There’s a bit of political kickabout over a second referendum by the former Tory, now LibDem, Sarah Wollaston and the Conservative MP Desmond Swayne.
Swayne says with a smile that he believes Bercow is right, but adds: “By the same logic, It’s quite right for the voters not to have to answer the same question again.”
Bercow is warming up a bit now, telling Jenkin: “When he was getting decisions in his favour he was not grumbling. He is grumbling now because he is getting the judgments that he doesn’t like.”
A translation from the BBC’s Andrew Sinclair:
Speaker response to @bernardjenkin “I don’t recall you complaining when I used to let eurosceptic mps ask urgent questions “
Bercow continues to defend himself under questioning, saying that one of the reason for the rules he has invoked was to prevent “conflicting” rulings on similar issues coming soon after the other “in short order”.
“And what could be shorter order than the next sitting day after the last judgment was made … and that was the rationale for the perfectly reasonable judgment that I have made,” says the Speaker.
Bernard Jenkin, the Brexit-supporting Tory MP, is on his feet insisting that the motion the government wanted to be voted on today was very different from the one MPs considered on Saturday.
To “ooohs”, he adds that the public administration committee, which he chairs, will be holding a hearing on the role of the Speaker. Bercow replies that that it is absolutely right for the committee to do what it wanted to to and he was “entirely untroubled” by it.
Brexiteer Bernard Jenkin says it is “remarkable” how often the Speaker seems to take one side in the Commons:“If you didn’t enjoy being bombarded you wouldn’t enjoy so much sitting in that chair.”
Bercow breaks off into a (not unconvincing) Tony Benn impression to repeat the Labour MP’s lament that politics should be about issues, not personalities, as he comes under further questioning about his ruling.
The veteran Eurosceptic and Brexit, Bill Cash, has been on his feet urging Bercow to reconsider his decision in the light of the “law of the land” with regards to Britain’s scheduled Brexit date.
Bercow says he is stating the obvious: “When you make a judgement on these matters that is controversial, some people are going to be pleased and some are going to be displeased.”
“I have simply sought to discharge my obligations and to do what I believe to be right, and that is what the speaker has to do.”
Meanwhile standing at bar of the House are former ministers Gauke, Hammond, Boles. They dont look too unhappy at Speaker ruling.
The House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, has ruled that he will not permit MPs to have a “meaningful vote” on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal today.
“My ruling is that the motion will not be debated today as it would be repetitive and disorderly to do so,” he told MPs.
Bercow says he hopes that the ruling and explanation are helpful to the house, before allowing the Tory MP Peter Bone to come in with a point of order.
To laughter, Bone tells him that no one knew that the prime minister was going to send a letter or not to the EU seeking a Brexit extension. Surely this something that changed the circumstances in which the vote would take place.
Bercow says that the question of whether a minister of the crown “would obey the law” would be a material consideration on his part was not one that he took into account.
Bercow says it is clear that the motions before the house are “in substance the same” and that the matter was decided as recently as 48 hours ago.
Bercow is on his feet and says he has been reflecting. There are two issues, one of substance and the other of circumstances, to consider, he adds.
First, he has to consider if the motion tabled by the government for today is the same in substance as that which was decided during Saturday’s sitting.