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| Brexit: Johnson and Corbyn meet but can't agree timetable for bill – live news | Brexit: Johnson and Corbyn meet but can't agree timetable for bill – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| • Downing Street is pushing the possibility of a general election after talks between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn on a new timetable for his Brexit bill broke up without agreement, but Labour declined to say it would support an immediate poll.No 10 also said that Johnson spoke to Donald Tusk on Wednesday morning, telling the European council’s president, who has called for EU leaders to allow a further Brexit extension, that he does not personally want one. | |
| • The Irish taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, and the European parliament’s president have backed Donald Tusk’s call to grant the UK government a Brexit delay up to 31 January 2020.Following a phone call between Tusk, the president of the European council, and Varadkar on Wednesday morning, the two men agreed the EU27 should agree to the request reluctantly tabled by Boris Johnson on Saturday. | |
| • Unionist MPs have branded the government’s approach to Northern Ireland in the Brexit talks “despicable” and a “betrayal”.In his first appearance before the Northern Ireland affairs select committee, Julian Smith, the Northern Ireland secretary, was questioned about plans to require businesses selling or transiting goods from the region to Britain to complete special paperwork in order to trade post-Brexit. | |
| • The home secretary, Priti Patel, has told MPs that immigration officials were working closely with the police after 39 bodies were found inside a Bulgarian-registered lorry on an industrial estate in Essex.A murder investigation is under way after police officers were called by the ambulance service shortly before 1.40am on Wednesday following the discovery of a container with people inside. Appearing at the home affairs committee, Patel said: “As a live investigation, there is not much we can add to that right now. And from what I gather things are moving quite quickly on that. | |
| The European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, has this on a meeting today, which adds weight to shortening odds of a “Flextension” being the preferred reply to the UK government’s request for an extension. | The European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, has this on a meeting today, which adds weight to shortening odds of a “Flextension” being the preferred reply to the UK government’s request for an extension. |
| The @Europarl_EN's Brexit Steering Group met today & is of the opinion that a flextension, not going beyond the 31st Jan, is the only way forward. This is an important agreement & the European Parliament needs time to scrutinise in detail, especially concerning citizens rights. | The @Europarl_EN's Brexit Steering Group met today & is of the opinion that a flextension, not going beyond the 31st Jan, is the only way forward. This is an important agreement & the European Parliament needs time to scrutinise in detail, especially concerning citizens rights. |
| The Tory former leader of the House of Commons, Mel Stride, has been elected as the new chairman of the influential Treasury committee. | The Tory former leader of the House of Commons, Mel Stride, has been elected as the new chairman of the influential Treasury committee. |
| The Speaker, John Bercow, informed MPs of the result of the ballot in the Commons in a statement during the Queen’s speech debate. | The Speaker, John Bercow, informed MPs of the result of the ballot in the Commons in a statement during the Queen’s speech debate. |
| Stride, who was present alongside his fellow nominees to hear the news, said he hoped his committee could “bring forward some illumination and light” at a time of “great sound and fury in this chamber”. | Stride, who was present alongside his fellow nominees to hear the news, said he hoped his committee could “bring forward some illumination and light” at a time of “great sound and fury in this chamber”. |
| Proposals for “A&E locals” were compared to Tesco Express shops as Labour raised concerns about government reforms to the NHS during the ongoing debate on the Queen’s speech. | Proposals for “A&E locals” were compared to Tesco Express shops as Labour raised concerns about government reforms to the NHS during the ongoing debate on the Queen’s speech. |
| The shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth, sought answers over changes to the Princess Royal hospital in Telford after the health secretary, Matt Hancock, asked NHS England to keep open the service. | The shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth, sought answers over changes to the Princess Royal hospital in Telford after the health secretary, Matt Hancock, asked NHS England to keep open the service. |
| It is among those being considered under plans for “A&E locals” although health bosses have questioned what this means. | It is among those being considered under plans for “A&E locals” although health bosses have questioned what this means. |
| Ashworth also claimed the government’s immigration plans could leave 60,000 NHS workers unable to stay in the UK. | Ashworth also claimed the government’s immigration plans could leave 60,000 NHS workers unable to stay in the UK. |
| Speaker John Bercow selected Labour’s amendment which notes “regret” over the Queen’s Speech failure to repeal the Health and Social Care Act 2012, arguing this needs to happen to “protect” the NHS from future trade agreements which could allow increased privatisation. | Speaker John Bercow selected Labour’s amendment which notes “regret” over the Queen’s Speech failure to repeal the Health and Social Care Act 2012, arguing this needs to happen to “protect” the NHS from future trade agreements which could allow increased privatisation. |
| Any Brexit extension is likely to be a flexible one that would allow the UK to leave the EU prior to the end of January, Ireland’s deputy premier has said. | Any Brexit extension is likely to be a flexible one that would allow the UK to leave the EU prior to the end of January, Ireland’s deputy premier has said. |
| Simon Coveney, said the Irish government would be supportive of an extension but he cautioned that he was not speaking on behalf of the other EU states and said it was a case of “wait and see” if any of them raised “issues” with the move. | Simon Coveney, said the Irish government would be supportive of an extension but he cautioned that he was not speaking on behalf of the other EU states and said it was a case of “wait and see” if any of them raised “issues” with the move. |
| Speaking to business leaders in Belfast, he said: | Speaking to business leaders in Belfast, he said: |
| From the Irish government’s perspective we are supportive of facilitating an extension. | From the Irish government’s perspective we are supportive of facilitating an extension. |
| I think that extension will be a flexible one that will allow the United Kingdom to leave the EU, if they can get a deal done, well in advance of the end of that extension period, which looks like it might be the end of January. | I think that extension will be a flexible one that will allow the United Kingdom to leave the EU, if they can get a deal done, well in advance of the end of that extension period, which looks like it might be the end of January. |
| The former Labour (now independent) MP, Ivan Lewis, appears to have moved with some certainty into the cohort of those supporting the prime minster’s Brexit deal. | The former Labour (now independent) MP, Ivan Lewis, appears to have moved with some certainty into the cohort of those supporting the prime minster’s Brexit deal. |
| Lewis, who voted against Theresa May’s deal, has tweeted: | Lewis, who voted against Theresa May’s deal, has tweeted: |
| There is no perfect deal. But the time has come to make progress. After 3 years more delays and extensions are not in our interest+ continued uncertainty can tip us into recession.There is still plenty of opportunity for us to influence the Uks future relationship with the EU. https://t.co/iPXqmNO919 | There is no perfect deal. But the time has come to make progress. After 3 years more delays and extensions are not in our interest+ continued uncertainty can tip us into recession.There is still plenty of opportunity for us to influence the Uks future relationship with the EU. https://t.co/iPXqmNO919 |
| YouGov has been carrying out some snap polling and finds that votes are fairly split on when they would prefer a general election. | YouGov has been carrying out some snap polling and finds that votes are fairly split on when they would prefer a general election. |
| One in the spring (40% support) shades it over one by the end of the year. | One in the spring (40% support) shades it over one by the end of the year. |
| SNAP POLL: By 50% to 23% Brits would support the calling of an early General Election, with both Labour and Conservative voters firmly in favour https://t.co/3ndfumdGhg pic.twitter.com/DmONnaTrZL | SNAP POLL: By 50% to 23% Brits would support the calling of an early General Election, with both Labour and Conservative voters firmly in favour https://t.co/3ndfumdGhg pic.twitter.com/DmONnaTrZL |
| Government thinking on development and aid priorities following Brexit should take note of new research out today showing that the British public remains firmly behind efforts to support people in poorer countries, according to aid organisations. | Government thinking on development and aid priorities following Brexit should take note of new research out today showing that the British public remains firmly behind efforts to support people in poorer countries, according to aid organisations. |
| Almost two-thirds of people canvassed in a survey of EU citizens believe that maintaining overseas aid at its current level should be “a major priority”, the Guardian’s Lucy Lamble reports. | Almost two-thirds of people canvassed in a survey of EU citizens believe that maintaining overseas aid at its current level should be “a major priority”, the Guardian’s Lucy Lamble reports. |
| It’s perhaps worth keeping in mind also that while any impending general election is likely to be firmly centred around Brexit, overseas aid has increasingly become a political football, with the Brexit party making pledges to slash the spending. | It’s perhaps worth keeping in mind also that while any impending general election is likely to be firmly centred around Brexit, overseas aid has increasingly become a political football, with the Brexit party making pledges to slash the spending. |
| The results from Eurobarometer, the EU’s polling organisation, also found that almost 90% of people thought helping people in developing countries should be a priority of the EU and national governments. | The results from Eurobarometer, the EU’s polling organisation, also found that almost 90% of people thought helping people in developing countries should be a priority of the EU and national governments. |
| Claire Godfrey, interim director of policy, advocacy and research at Bond, the British network for organisations working in international development, said the survey was “incredibly timely” as the UK government begins to redefine its role in a post-Brexit world. | Claire Godfrey, interim director of policy, advocacy and research at Bond, the British network for organisations working in international development, said the survey was “incredibly timely” as the UK government begins to redefine its role in a post-Brexit world. |
| The government, and any future government, should take note of these results when thinking about what our development and aid priorities should be following Brexit. | The government, and any future government, should take note of these results when thinking about what our development and aid priorities should be following Brexit. |
| There has been a response of studied fury to Boris Johnson’s response to SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during FMQs today that the Scottish parliament “has no role” in approving his current withdrawal deal. | There has been a response of studied fury to Boris Johnson’s response to SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford during FMQs today that the Scottish parliament “has no role” in approving his current withdrawal deal. |
| While it was immediately pointed out that the bill’s own explanatory notes list more than a dozen instances where consent of the devolved administrations is required, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, this afternoon accused the prime minister of trying to rush through the EU withdrawal agreement without scrutiny. | While it was immediately pointed out that the bill’s own explanatory notes list more than a dozen instances where consent of the devolved administrations is required, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, this afternoon accused the prime minister of trying to rush through the EU withdrawal agreement without scrutiny. |
| They both added that said the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly were likely to refuse to give consent for the withdrawal agreement bill, and called for the devolved nations to be given a greater say. | They both added that said the Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly were likely to refuse to give consent for the withdrawal agreement bill, and called for the devolved nations to be given a greater say. |
| SNP MP and Brexit legal challenger Joanna Cherry said that the prime minister was “wholly wrong” and “a stranger to the truth”, while Scotland’s Brexit secretary, Michael Russell, described Johnson’s dismissal as “completely wrong”, adding that the Scottish government had already identified a number of additional parts of the bill that required legislative consent too. | SNP MP and Brexit legal challenger Joanna Cherry said that the prime minister was “wholly wrong” and “a stranger to the truth”, while Scotland’s Brexit secretary, Michael Russell, described Johnson’s dismissal as “completely wrong”, adding that the Scottish government had already identified a number of additional parts of the bill that required legislative consent too. |
| Point of info: since 1999, the Sewel convention has held that Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the devolved parliaments, but in 2017 the supreme court appeared to undermine this convention by ruling that because it is political in nature, enforcing it was not a matter for the courts. | Point of info: since 1999, the Sewel convention has held that Westminster will not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the devolved parliaments, but in 2017 the supreme court appeared to undermine this convention by ruling that because it is political in nature, enforcing it was not a matter for the courts. |
| Businesses and the public should continue to get ready for a no-deal Brexit, the government has warned, as a minister said there was still uncertainty about how the UK will leave the EU. | Businesses and the public should continue to get ready for a no-deal Brexit, the government has warned, as a minister said there was still uncertainty about how the UK will leave the EU. |
| This was from earlier when minister without portfolio James Cleverly told MPs that the “only responsible course of action”, is to “accelerate” no-deal planning. | This was from earlier when minister without portfolio James Cleverly told MPs that the “only responsible course of action”, is to “accelerate” no-deal planning. |
| He said more preparations were needed because the EU has not yet responded to calls for an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline. | He said more preparations were needed because the EU has not yet responded to calls for an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline. |
| Cleverly told the Commons: | Cleverly told the Commons: |
| Making sure business and the public are ready for Brexit is a priority of the government; that is why the prime minister negotiated a new withdrawal agreement with the EU which will end the uncertainty, secure the implementation period and ensure we leave with a business-friendly deal. | Making sure business and the public are ready for Brexit is a priority of the government; that is why the prime minister negotiated a new withdrawal agreement with the EU which will end the uncertainty, secure the implementation period and ensure we leave with a business-friendly deal. |
| As the EU has not responded to parliament’s letter, the only responsible course of action now is to accelerate preparations for a no-deal outcome. | As the EU has not responded to parliament’s letter, the only responsible course of action now is to accelerate preparations for a no-deal outcome. |
| Those comments are interesting to read alongside this piece in the Guardian by a civil servant who is currently part of the Operation Yellowhammer planning for a no-deal scenario. | Those comments are interesting to read alongside this piece in the Guardian by a civil servant who is currently part of the Operation Yellowhammer planning for a no-deal scenario. |
| Much of this Yellowhammer shtick is just for show, they write, adding: | Much of this Yellowhammer shtick is just for show, they write, adding: |
| Heaven help us if no deal actually happens. Because, even with the best efforts of civil servants like me, Operation Yellowhammer won’t be enough, even with its enormous price tag. | Heaven help us if no deal actually happens. Because, even with the best efforts of civil servants like me, Operation Yellowhammer won’t be enough, even with its enormous price tag. |
| Not even close. And while – outrageously – there won’t be any economic analysis prepared by the government on the impact of the new deal, we already know – thanks to Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts – that the impact of no deal will make the £6.3bn spent this year on no-deal planning look like peanuts. | Not even close. And while – outrageously – there won’t be any economic analysis prepared by the government on the impact of the new deal, we already know – thanks to Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts – that the impact of no deal will make the £6.3bn spent this year on no-deal planning look like peanuts. |
| The intransigence of members of the hardline European Research Group (ERG) in the face of attempts by Theresa May to get MPs to accept her Brexit deal was one of the principle flashpoints of her time in office. | The intransigence of members of the hardline European Research Group (ERG) in the face of attempts by Theresa May to get MPs to accept her Brexit deal was one of the principle flashpoints of her time in office. |
| So what changed? Phil Burton-Cartledge, a lecturer in sociology at the University of Derby, argues that their volte-face may have been encouraged by aligned financial interests: | So what changed? Phil Burton-Cartledge, a lecturer in sociology at the University of Derby, argues that their volte-face may have been encouraged by aligned financial interests: |
| A deskilled, low-wage workforce with few rights, and the UK a playground for footloose corporations to shake their tail at the EU’s regulatory regime from 21 miles across the Channel, would suit them perfectly. | A deskilled, low-wage workforce with few rights, and the UK a playground for footloose corporations to shake their tail at the EU’s regulatory regime from 21 miles across the Channel, would suit them perfectly. |
| Therefore when you look at the kind of businesses associated with or owned by ERG notables, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg’s emerging markets fund or Steve Baker’s financial services holdings, it suggests their penchant for transforming the country into a no-regulation tax haven may align with their interests. Ideology and principles come second. | Therefore when you look at the kind of businesses associated with or owned by ERG notables, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg’s emerging markets fund or Steve Baker’s financial services holdings, it suggests their penchant for transforming the country into a no-regulation tax haven may align with their interests. Ideology and principles come second. |
| If the EU does agree to a three-month delay to Brexit until 31 January then the prime minister has three options if he decides to push for an election. | If the EU does agree to a three-month delay to Brexit until 31 January then the prime minister has three options if he decides to push for an election. |
| The Guardian’s Kate Proctor has been looking at all three, which are: | The Guardian’s Kate Proctor has been looking at all three, which are: |
| • A motion for a general election. | • A motion for a general election. |
| • A one-line bill. | • A one-line bill. |
| • A no-confidence motion. | • A no-confidence motion. |
| Of the first option, which is seen as the government’s favoured option because it is unamendable and gives a fixed election date, she writes: | Of the first option, which is seen as the government’s favoured option because it is unamendable and gives a fixed election date, she writes: |
| Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, an election may be called if it is agreed by two-thirds of the total number of MPs. | Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, an election may be called if it is agreed by two-thirds of the total number of MPs. |
| Boris Johnson presented motions for an election on 4 and 9 September and failed on both occasions when the majority of Labour MPs abstained. Jeremy Corbyn said he would only back an election once the threat of a no-deal Brexit had been taken off the table. | Boris Johnson presented motions for an election on 4 and 9 September and failed on both occasions when the majority of Labour MPs abstained. Jeremy Corbyn said he would only back an election once the threat of a no-deal Brexit had been taken off the table. |
| Johnson could try this again and potentially get Labour backing because the Benn act has removed the imminent possibility of a no-deal Brexit. | Johnson could try this again and potentially get Labour backing because the Benn act has removed the imminent possibility of a no-deal Brexit. |
| How can Boris Johnson get a general election before January? | How can Boris Johnson get a general election before January? |