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| Brexit: cabinet rifts open over election gamble as EU leaders debate extension - live news | Brexit: cabinet rifts open over election gamble as EU leaders debate extension - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay is taking an urgent question in parliament on Northern Ireland Trade, and insists that there is nothing in the protocols in the latest Brexit deal that would stand in the way of “unfettered” movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland | |
| As Barclay confirmed this week, firms in Northern Ireland will have to fill out export declaration forms when sending goods to Great Britain under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. | |
| He told MPs today that the electronic forms concerned “fairly straightforward” data in terms of the nature of goods moving across the Irish Sea and who was doing it. | |
| “The issue here is that these are administrative processes that pertain in particular to international obligations - on things like diamonds, endangered species - but it is the case that there have been concerns expressed in Northern Ireland and there have been concerns expressed, which I very much respect, from our confidence and supply partners,” he added, looking up towards DUP MPs. | |
| The DUP glared back. | |
| Raoul Ruparel, a former special adviser to Theresa May, has been sharing some thoughts on an argument behind a political flashpoint this week – an allegation that Boris Johnson misled MPs after claiming there would be no checks between Northern Ireland and Britain after Brexit. | |
| Johnson’s comments appeared to have directly contradicted the Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, who admitted on Tuesday that Northern Ireland businesses would be forced to fill out export declaration forms when sending goods to Britain under the terms of the new deal. | |
| Here’s Ruparel’s thread: | |
| This is an important issue which needs more clarity. I for one think the requirement for exit declarations on goods going NI to GB should be able to be avoided. Here is a thread on how and why I think that is the case, I hope similar issues will be raised during any UQ /1 https://t.co/ZSGe35nXqu | |
| Amid splits in the government, Labour and EU, here’s yet another: | |
| The Liberal Democrats push for second referendum through a parliamentary amendment unveiled today has caused divisions in the People’s Vote movement, reports the editor of the PoliticsHome, Kevin Schofield. | |
| Big splits in the People's Vote movement over this. One Labour MP says: "This selfish move will kill the campaign stone dead. The Lib Dems claim they want to stop Brexit but their refusal to allow a unity government and now this will be seen as selfish political opportunism.” https://t.co/VZ0Wmz7nmT | |
| Conservative MPs have secured the majority of key spots reserved to allow backbenchers to introduce legislation in the House of Commons. | Conservative MPs have secured the majority of key spots reserved to allow backbenchers to introduce legislation in the House of Commons. |
| The Press Association reports that Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) won the private members’ bill ballot, thereby securing first pick when choosing a Friday for his proposed law to begin its journey through the parliamentary process. | The Press Association reports that Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) won the private members’ bill ballot, thereby securing first pick when choosing a Friday for his proposed law to begin its journey through the parliamentary process. |
| He finished ahead of Tory colleague John Stevenson (Carlisle), Labour’s Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) in third and Conservative Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) in fourth. | He finished ahead of Tory colleague John Stevenson (Carlisle), Labour’s Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) in third and Conservative Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) in fourth. |
| Labour’s Lisa Forbes (Peterborough), Conservative former minister James Brokenshire and Liberal Democrat former leader Sir Vince Cable completed the top seven, who have the best chance of making progress with their draft legislation. | Labour’s Lisa Forbes (Peterborough), Conservative former minister James Brokenshire and Liberal Democrat former leader Sir Vince Cable completed the top seven, who have the best chance of making progress with their draft legislation. |
| Deputy Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said 395 MPs put their name forward to be in the ballot, with 20 drawn out for the different slots. | Deputy Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said 395 MPs put their name forward to be in the ballot, with 20 drawn out for the different slots. |
| He’s currently visiting the French Glorioso Islands off the south-east coast of Africa, but the French president, Emmanuel Macron, remains a key figure today amid EU27 deliberations over what type of Brexit extension to grant the UK. | |
| While reports this morning suggest that he favours a 15-day delay, by contrast Germany is among the states backing the proposal from the European council president, Donald Tusk,for an extension to 31 January. | |
| The Irish Times meanwhile reports that sources in Brussels and Dublin say Macron is unwilling to wave through the extension. | The Irish Times meanwhile reports that sources in Brussels and Dublin say Macron is unwilling to wave through the extension. |
| EU ambassadors met last night in Brussels but did not agree to the UK’s request. It is believed that the French government does not favour a three-month extension unless the UK commits to an election or a second referendum. | EU ambassadors met last night in Brussels but did not agree to the UK’s request. It is believed that the French government does not favour a three-month extension unless the UK commits to an election or a second referendum. |
| However, it would be willing to agree a short extension of a few weeks to enable the British parliament to complete ratification of the treaty. | However, it would be willing to agree a short extension of a few weeks to enable the British parliament to complete ratification of the treaty. |
| As an election looms, here’s some interesting food for thought in the form of research into what parties can learn from the last time Britons went to the polls in 2017. | As an election looms, here’s some interesting food for thought in the form of research into what parties can learn from the last time Britons went to the polls in 2017. |
| A summary published today on the LSE’s website suggests that the Tories “went overboard in their rhetoric on ‘getting on with the job’ of Brexit, (risking the alienation of their more moderate supporters) and on the robotic message of ‘strong and stable leadership’.” | A summary published today on the LSE’s website suggests that the Tories “went overboard in their rhetoric on ‘getting on with the job’ of Brexit, (risking the alienation of their more moderate supporters) and on the robotic message of ‘strong and stable leadership’.” |
| By contrast, Labour was said to have played a better hand and tapped into most of its electoral strengths. | By contrast, Labour was said to have played a better hand and tapped into most of its electoral strengths. |
| The academics, whose findings have been published in a new edition of West European Politics, add: | The academics, whose findings have been published in a new edition of West European Politics, add: |
| There is a clear left-wing anti-austerity constituency in Britain, and rather than being out of touch with the public mood, as many New Labour grandees feared, our analysis shows that Labour’s message under Corbyn resonated both with party supporters and the wider public. | There is a clear left-wing anti-austerity constituency in Britain, and rather than being out of touch with the public mood, as many New Labour grandees feared, our analysis shows that Labour’s message under Corbyn resonated both with party supporters and the wider public. |
| By offering its supporters policies they strongly agreed with, Labour also thwarted the electoral threat potentially inherent in its vague position on Brexit. | By offering its supporters policies they strongly agreed with, Labour also thwarted the electoral threat potentially inherent in its vague position on Brexit. |
| They add that it remains uncertain now however whether avoiding Brexit in favour of other policies will serve Labour as well next time as it did previously. | They add that it remains uncertain now however whether avoiding Brexit in favour of other policies will serve Labour as well next time as it did previously. |
| Today’s proceedings are under way in the House of Commons, where the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, is taking questions. | Today’s proceedings are under way in the House of Commons, where the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, is taking questions. |
| He’s told MPs that he is one of those who own an electric car and that we’re about to see a big increase in ownership. | He’s told MPs that he is one of those who own an electric car and that we’re about to see a big increase in ownership. |
| In the world of business traders are still waiting for Brexit certainty as as Brussels deliberates over the type of extension to give the UK. | In the world of business traders are still waiting for Brexit certainty as as Brussels deliberates over the type of extension to give the UK. |
| The Guardian’s business blog quotes Craig Erlam of trading firm OANDA | The Guardian’s business blog quotes Craig Erlam of trading firm OANDA |
| The pound has rallied a little this morning on the back of claims that Labour has offered a “pragmatic path” to a Brexit deal with a compromise on the timetable. | The pound has rallied a little this morning on the back of claims that Labour has offered a “pragmatic path” to a Brexit deal with a compromise on the timetable. |
| The details of this are still lacking and the terms will probably not be acceptable to the prime minister but in reality, it’s not that important. | The details of this are still lacking and the terms will probably not be acceptable to the prime minister but in reality, it’s not that important. |
| An extension will be signed off, at which point we’re probably heading for an election. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. | An extension will be signed off, at which point we’re probably heading for an election. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. |
| Some have detected a vagueness suddenly returning to Labour’s position after those comments earlier this morning by Rebecca Long-Bailey about the party being prepared to immediately back an election after the EU grants an extension. | Some have detected a vagueness suddenly returning to Labour’s position after those comments earlier this morning by Rebecca Long-Bailey about the party being prepared to immediately back an election after the EU grants an extension. |
| Steven Swinford of the Times picks up on a slightly different message to Sky News: | Steven Swinford of the Times picks up on a slightly different message to Sky News: |
| Rebecca Long-Bailey this morning:On Today, asked if Labour will back an 'immediate' general election after EU grants extension, she said: 'Of course'Then on Sky she called for month-long programme motion for WAIB & repeatedly refused to endorse pre-Xmas election | Rebecca Long-Bailey this morning:On Today, asked if Labour will back an 'immediate' general election after EU grants extension, she said: 'Of course'Then on Sky she called for month-long programme motion for WAIB & repeatedly refused to endorse pre-Xmas election |
| It’s worth noting too of course that the shadow secretary of state for business, energy & industrial strategy is today also unveiling major Labour plans to create a carbon-neutral energy system by the 2030s including insulation upgrades for every home in the UK and enough new solar panels to cover 22,000 football pitches. | It’s worth noting too of course that the shadow secretary of state for business, energy & industrial strategy is today also unveiling major Labour plans to create a carbon-neutral energy system by the 2030s including insulation upgrades for every home in the UK and enough new solar panels to cover 22,000 football pitches. |
| The party is setting out a fast-track climate strategy after adopting plans to work towards a net-zero carbon economy two decades ahead of the government’s legally binding 2050 target. | The party is setting out a fast-track climate strategy after adopting plans to work towards a net-zero carbon economy two decades ahead of the government’s legally binding 2050 target. |
| Labour unveils plans for carbon-neutral energy system by 2030s | Labour unveils plans for carbon-neutral energy system by 2030s |
| The Liberal Democrats have shared their amendment to the Queen’s speech calling for a new referendum on Brexit. | The Liberal Democrats have shared their amendment to the Queen’s speech calling for a new referendum on Brexit. |
| The amendment, signed by the party’s MPs, proposes the addition to the legislation: | The amendment, signed by the party’s MPs, proposes the addition to the legislation: |
| At end add ‘but believe that your government should make arrangements for a people’s vote in which the public will have the choice between the latest withdrawal agreement and remaining in the European Union’. | At end add ‘but believe that your government should make arrangements for a people’s vote in which the public will have the choice between the latest withdrawal agreement and remaining in the European Union’. |
| The party’s Brexit spokesperson, Tom Brake, tweets: | The party’s Brexit spokesperson, Tom Brake, tweets: |
| The #LibDems have pushed again and again for a #PeoplesVote.Here is our amendment to the Queen's Speech. pic.twitter.com/gVME8X1ixL | The #LibDems have pushed again and again for a #PeoplesVote.Here is our amendment to the Queen's Speech. pic.twitter.com/gVME8X1ixL |
| One of the more prominent Labour backbenchers this week, Lisa Nandy, has said this morning that five or six days would be a sufficient length of time in committee stage for the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill. | One of the more prominent Labour backbenchers this week, Lisa Nandy, has said this morning that five or six days would be a sufficient length of time in committee stage for the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill. |
| Nandy, who was one of the Labour MPs who backed Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill at the its second reading this week with the aim of allowing it to progress to a stage when it can be amended, told the Today programme: | Nandy, who was one of the Labour MPs who backed Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill at the its second reading this week with the aim of allowing it to progress to a stage when it can be amended, told the Today programme: |
| When you consider that this is a bill that was published only 72 hours before the House of Commons was meant to consider it, that draws a border down the Irish Sea, so essentially creates an internal border within the United Kingdom, which could spark a chain of events which breaks up the United Kingdom, it seems to me not unreasonable to ask for five or six days to scrutinise it. | When you consider that this is a bill that was published only 72 hours before the House of Commons was meant to consider it, that draws a border down the Irish Sea, so essentially creates an internal border within the United Kingdom, which could spark a chain of events which breaks up the United Kingdom, it seems to me not unreasonable to ask for five or six days to scrutinise it. |
| Nandy added that she had been asked by Conservative ministers how long Labour would need to scrutinise the bill and she said the “general consensus”, including from their chief whip, is that “five or six days in committee would be sufficient”. | Nandy added that she had been asked by Conservative ministers how long Labour would need to scrutinise the bill and she said the “general consensus”, including from their chief whip, is that “five or six days in committee would be sufficient”. |
| It isn’t unreasonable to ask for time to consider a bill that has implications as big as this for the whole of the UK #Brexit #r4today https://t.co/mwUMjyQwNv | It isn’t unreasonable to ask for time to consider a bill that has implications as big as this for the whole of the UK #Brexit #r4today https://t.co/mwUMjyQwNv |
| An election would still be a major gamble for both Labour and the Tories though and Dan Sabbagh writes in the Guardian on why reluctance on the part of the former goes beyond the need to stave off the potential threat of a no-deal Brexit. | An election would still be a major gamble for both Labour and the Tories though and Dan Sabbagh writes in the Guardian on why reluctance on the part of the former goes beyond the need to stave off the potential threat of a no-deal Brexit. |
| The Conservatives already enjoy a healthy poll lead of 10 points, on average, according to Britain Elects, with the government on 35%. That leaves Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition on 25%, while the Liberal Democrats sit at 18%. | The Conservatives already enjoy a healthy poll lead of 10 points, on average, according to Britain Elects, with the government on 35%. That leaves Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition on 25%, while the Liberal Democrats sit at 18%. |
| It is a figure so dismal that the party is behind where Michael Foot was in the run-up to the 1983 election, according to the elections expert John Curtice of Strathclyde University – and would result in a Conservative majority of about 60 on forecasts prepared by Electoral Calculus based on October’s polling. And this is with Nigel Farage’s Brexit party at 12%. | It is a figure so dismal that the party is behind where Michael Foot was in the run-up to the 1983 election, according to the elections expert John Curtice of Strathclyde University – and would result in a Conservative majority of about 60 on forecasts prepared by Electoral Calculus based on October’s polling. And this is with Nigel Farage’s Brexit party at 12%. |
| Corbyn and other Labour figures have said they want an election once no deal has been “taken off the table”. | Corbyn and other Labour figures have said they want an election once no deal has been “taken off the table”. |
| Dan adds that against this polling background it would not be surprising, however, if the opposition party found more reasons for delay. | Dan adds that against this polling background it would not be surprising, however, if the opposition party found more reasons for delay. |
| Why Labour's election reluctance goes beyond no-deal Brexit fears | Why Labour's election reluctance goes beyond no-deal Brexit fears |
| The Telegraph also reports on splits in Downing Street, adding that Boris Johnson’s chief of staff, Edward Lister, is in favour of accepting a short Brexit delay to get the deal through parliament before going for a mid-December election. | The Telegraph also reports on splits in Downing Street, adding that Boris Johnson’s chief of staff, Edward Lister, is in favour of accepting a short Brexit delay to get the deal through parliament before going for a mid-December election. |
| That reportedly puts him at odds with Dominic Cummings, who reportedly wants a poll as soon as the EU grants an extension to article 50, with 28 November or December the most like dates. | That reportedly puts him at odds with Dominic Cummings, who reportedly wants a poll as soon as the EU grants an extension to article 50, with 28 November or December the most like dates. |
| “Is Boris Johnson still listening to Dominic Cummings on Brexit?” the Telegraph also asks. | “Is Boris Johnson still listening to Dominic Cummings on Brexit?” the Telegraph also asks. |
| TELEGRAPH: Human cargo driven to frozen fate #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/EL3XHS4Ixc | TELEGRAPH: Human cargo driven to frozen fate #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/EL3XHS4Ixc |
| Also speaking of Cummings, the New European has a fairly striking front page today. | Also speaking of Cummings, the New European has a fairly striking front page today. |
| THE NEW EUROPEAN:The dangerous mind of Dominic Cummings #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/yb52TJzMZD | THE NEW EUROPEAN:The dangerous mind of Dominic Cummings #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/yb52TJzMZD |
| Many ministers favour an election this year, arguing that Johnson will become progressively weaker if he is forced to fight battles int he commons to pass a Brexit deal, the Financial Times reports. | Many ministers favour an election this year, arguing that Johnson will become progressively weaker if he is forced to fight battles int he commons to pass a Brexit deal, the Financial Times reports. |
| One minister is quoted by the paper as saying: “We’d cream it, with or without a deal.” | One minister is quoted by the paper as saying: “We’d cream it, with or without a deal.” |
| FINANCIAL TIMES: SoftBank to force 4000 WeWork job cuts as part of turnaround plan #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/8gpz3ruklC | FINANCIAL TIMES: SoftBank to force 4000 WeWork job cuts as part of turnaround plan #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/8gpz3ruklC |
| On the front of the Guardian, the dividing lines of an emerging Cabinet split are laid out. | On the front of the Guardian, the dividing lines of an emerging Cabinet split are laid out. |
| Some cabinet ministers, including the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, are cautious about asking for an election, report Heather Stewart and Peter Walker | Some cabinet ministers, including the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, are cautious about asking for an election, report Heather Stewart and Peter Walker |
| They believe the majority of 30 achieved by the government on the second reading of the Brexit bill on Tuesday suggests Johnson’s deal has enough support to carry it through all its stages in parliament. | They believe the majority of 30 achieved by the government on the second reading of the Brexit bill on Tuesday suggests Johnson’s deal has enough support to carry it through all its stages in parliament. |
| However, hard Brexit supporters appear to be more gung-ho, with leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg fearing support for the bill could yet fall away – if the 19 Labour rebels who backed it fail to secure the amendments they would like to see, for example. | However, hard Brexit supporters appear to be more gung-ho, with leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg fearing support for the bill could yet fall away – if the 19 Labour rebels who backed it fail to secure the amendments they would like to see, for example. |
| In the mix too - as reported by Buzzfeed - is the prime minister’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings, who is said to be one of the main driving forces for an election. | In the mix too - as reported by Buzzfeed - is the prime minister’s chief aide, Dominic Cummings, who is said to be one of the main driving forces for an election. |
| GUARDIAN: Police work to identify 39 people found dead in lorry #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qh318KjXAm | GUARDIAN: Police work to identify 39 people found dead in lorry #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/qh318KjXAm |
| Yesterday’s appalling human tragedy in which the bodies of 39 people were found insider a container lorry in Essex dominate the front pages today, but Brexit takes up considerable space inside most titles. | Yesterday’s appalling human tragedy in which the bodies of 39 people were found insider a container lorry in Essex dominate the front pages today, but Brexit takes up considerable space inside most titles. |
| The Times makes space on its front for a piece in which it reports that Johnson could make a third attempt to trigger a general election as early as today. | The Times makes space on its front for a piece in which it reports that Johnson could make a third attempt to trigger a general election as early as today. |
| He is likely to lay a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act as early as tonight that would force MPs to decide before that much-touted 31 October deadline on whether to permit an election, reports Frances Elliott and Bruno Waterfield. | He is likely to lay a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act as early as tonight that would force MPs to decide before that much-touted 31 October deadline on whether to permit an election, reports Frances Elliott and Bruno Waterfield. |
| The paper also reports that Theresa May, the former prime minister, has raised concerns about an early election before a Brexit deal is over the line. | The paper also reports that Theresa May, the former prime minister, has raised concerns about an early election before a Brexit deal is over the line. |
| TIMES: Lorry migrants froze to death #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/UT28QfEEcs | TIMES: Lorry migrants froze to death #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/UT28QfEEcs |
| After Cleverly, the shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, was asked if Labour would vote for a general election as soon as the prime minister asks for one after the EU grants an extension. She said: | After Cleverly, the shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, was asked if Labour would vote for a general election as soon as the prime minister asks for one after the EU grants an extension. She said: |
| That’s our position. But we also want the prime minister to look at the compromise that’s been offered that a lot of MPs support, and that’s the ability to be able to properly scrutinise the bill. | That’s our position. But we also want the prime minister to look at the compromise that’s been offered that a lot of MPs support, and that’s the ability to be able to properly scrutinise the bill. |
| It’s not quite the election slogan that Downing Street will have been hoping for but the prospect of an election poll appears to be gaining ground, with all the spin-off problems that come with it. | It’s not quite the election slogan that Downing Street will have been hoping for but the prospect of an election poll appears to be gaining ground, with all the spin-off problems that come with it. |
| As reported by the Guardian earlier this month - and by the Times today - electoral officials are facing logistical issues as authorities seeking to hire venues find that some are already booked up for nativity plays and pre Christmas venues. | As reported by the Guardian earlier this month - and by the Times today - electoral officials are facing logistical issues as authorities seeking to hire venues find that some are already booked up for nativity plays and pre Christmas venues. |
| The Tory party chairman, James Cleverly, when asked about the issue today on the Today programme, replied: | The Tory party chairman, James Cleverly, when asked about the issue today on the Today programme, replied: |
| I don’t want to be the Grinch but the point is that democracy is incredibly important and we have been prevented from discharging the duty imposed on us. | I don’t want to be the Grinch but the point is that democracy is incredibly important and we have been prevented from discharging the duty imposed on us. |
| He didn’t take the bait when asked how the party’s Christmas election planning was going. | He didn’t take the bait when asked how the party’s Christmas election planning was going. |
| Cleverly had not ruled not Brexit taking place on 31 October and said the government has had to “ramp up” its no-deal preparations. | Cleverly had not ruled not Brexit taking place on 31 October and said the government has had to “ramp up” its no-deal preparations. |
| The EU has not agreed an extension and therefore it is absolutely essential that we make sure that we are ready to leave. | The EU has not agreed an extension and therefore it is absolutely essential that we make sure that we are ready to leave. |
| Good morning and welcome to Politics Live for another day of intrigue, brinkmanship and jumbled acronyms as the British government, EU leaders and Labour all face difficult choices over Brexit. | Good morning and welcome to Politics Live for another day of intrigue, brinkmanship and jumbled acronyms as the British government, EU leaders and Labour all face difficult choices over Brexit. |
| I’m Ben Quinn and I will be taking you through all this morning’s developments before handing over to my colleague Frances Perraudin this afternoon. | I’m Ben Quinn and I will be taking you through all this morning’s developments before handing over to my colleague Frances Perraudin this afternoon. |
| Boris Johnson’s cabinet is divided over how to proceed with Brexit, as the prime minister faces the stark choice of pressing ahead with his deal or gambling his premiership on a pre-Christmas general election. | Boris Johnson’s cabinet is divided over how to proceed with Brexit, as the prime minister faces the stark choice of pressing ahead with his deal or gambling his premiership on a pre-Christmas general election. |
| After an inconclusive meeting with Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday morning in an attempt to agree an acceptable timetable for parliament to consider the bill, the prime minister told MPs at Wednesday’s PMQs that he was awaiting the decision of the EU27 over whether to grant an extension before settling his next move. | After an inconclusive meeting with Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday morning in an attempt to agree an acceptable timetable for parliament to consider the bill, the prime minister told MPs at Wednesday’s PMQs that he was awaiting the decision of the EU27 over whether to grant an extension before settling his next move. |
| While the EU’s decision is unlikely to come before Friday, look out for signs of positioning from European capitals and from inside the commission today. | While the EU’s decision is unlikely to come before Friday, look out for signs of positioning from European capitals and from inside the commission today. |
| The French government has privately voiced its concerns about taking the pressure off MPs to vote for the deal, which they believe could be ratified in 15 days, but EU sources said the bloc was seeking a “solution that works for all” and avoids a no deal exit. | The French government has privately voiced its concerns about taking the pressure off MPs to vote for the deal, which they believe could be ratified in 15 days, but EU sources said the bloc was seeking a “solution that works for all” and avoids a no deal exit. |
| Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, told Johnson in a phone call on Wednesday his reasons for “recommending the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension”. | Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, told Johnson in a phone call on Wednesday his reasons for “recommending the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension”. |
| The Labour party meanwhile also faces a choice, whether to support fresh moves for an election, or to again stand in the way of the two-thirds majority needed as one way of initiating a poll. | The Labour party meanwhile also faces a choice, whether to support fresh moves for an election, or to again stand in the way of the two-thirds majority needed as one way of initiating a poll. |
| Timings (provisional) today: | Timings (provisional) today: |
| • 10.30am - The leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg’s is expected to make a statement setting out next week’s business. | • 10.30am - The leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg’s is expected to make a statement setting out next week’s business. |
| • 5pm - MPs vote on Queen’s speech | • 5pm - MPs vote on Queen’s speech |
| • 7pm - Jeremy Corbyn to address rally | • 7pm - Jeremy Corbyn to address rally |