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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)
Responding to a question about whether the UK would still be leaving the EU on October 31, Jacob Rees-Mogg said that this was still the date set in law.
“We do not know what the European Union will do… and you know that the request for an extension is not the prime minster’s request. It is is the request of the Benn Act,” he added.
“Her Majesty’s government does not want an extension and it is making every preparation to leave on the 31st of October.”
As to a question about what happened to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill - not included in next week’s business, for now - Rees-Mogg quotes Percy Blakely (with a slight twist):
They seek it here, they seek it there. Those parliamentarians seek it everywhere. Is it in heaven? is it in hell? That damned elusive Brexit bill
It’s tweets at dawn between the Conservative Party’s press office and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer turned Evening Standard editor, George Osborne.
It comes after the Standard carried a piece stating that “Conservative chiefs” had sparked a fake news row by claiming that the Brexit deal had already “passed” parliament. CCHQ press office claims this is simply not true.
Osborne replies today:
I think you’ll find the team @EveningStandard know the difference between a bill passing its second reading in the Commons and a bill passing Parliament. I know it’s been a while since the latter happened, but I’m happy to come in and explain how it’s done https://t.co/EiwcaYIGnD
There’s no mention of the withdrawal agreement bill in the House of Commons business for next week – which has just been read out by the leader of the house, Jacob Rees-Mogg.
There’s also no mention of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act however. So, no election vote for now … unless there’s an emergency statement later on.
Business as usual... https://t.co/quIfAga9cv
Rees-Mogg told MPs the business will include the second reading of the environment bill on Monday, the second reading of the animal welfare (sentencing) bill on Tuesday, a general debate on Grenfell on Wednesday, and tributes to the Speaker’s chaplain followed by a general debate on children’s services spending on Thursday.
The Commons will not sit on Friday 1 November, he added.
The European Union (withdrawal agreement) bill is currently in limbo after MPs rejected the government’s attempt to fast-track it through the Commons.
The Labour MP Owen Smith says that peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland is far too important to be taken for granted by what he describes as the “obfuscation” exhibited by Barclay.
He seeks a response to concerns that consumer prices could go up in Northern Ireland as a result of the protocols and that trade would be hit.
Brandishing what would appear to be a copy of the type of form that would need to be completed as part of the checks on exports, Barclay replies: “I don’t think it helps the debate to describe what is a fairly simple form as putting our future trade with Northern Ireland in jeopardy.”
The Labour MP, Steve Doughty, wants to know if UK Border Force officials will be involved in any way at any stage in the checks on exports between Northern Ireland and Britain.The Labour MP, Steve Doughty, wants to know if UK Border Force officials will be involved in any way at any stage in the checks on exports between Northern Ireland and Britain.
It’s not quite clear if Barclay gives a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’ In “We will have sovereign control over that as a sovereign country,” he says. It’s not quite clear if Barclay gives a “yes” or a ”no”. “We will have sovereign control over that as a sovereign country,” he says.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat MP, Alistair Carmichael, has reminded Barclay of comments made by the then Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, in a letter to Downing Street last year, which said The Scottish Liberal Democrat MP, Alistair Carmichael, has reminded Barclay of comments made by the then Scottish Tory leader, Ruth Davidson, in a letter to Downing Street last year, which said:
We could not support any deal that creates a border of any kind in the Irish Sea and undermines the Union or leads to Northern Ireland having a different relationship with the EU than the rest of the UK, beyond what currently exists. We could not support any deal that creates a border of any kind in the Irish Sea and undermines the union or leads to Northern Ireland having a different relationship with the EU than the rest of the UK, beyond what currently exists.
This letter was described by a senior Tory as ‘an article of faith,’ adds Carmichael, who asks what has changed. This letter was described by a senior Tory as “an article of faith”, adds Carmichael, who asks what has changed.
Barclay replies:Barclay replies:
What has shaped these arrangements is that there are unique circumstances in Northern Ireland and that does require unique solutions. There are already unique circumstances pertaining to the Belfast agreement.What has shaped these arrangements is that there are unique circumstances in Northern Ireland and that does require unique solutions. There are already unique circumstances pertaining to the Belfast agreement.
There is more anger from the DUP benches, with David Simpson asking barclay if unionists were the ‘sacrificial lamb’ that had to be made in order to reach a deal with the EU. There is more anger from the DUP benches, with David Simpson asking Barclay if unionists were the “sacrificial lamb” that had to be made in order to reach a deal with the EU.
Barclay says he “doesn’t recognise this characterisation.” Barclay says he “doesn’t recognise this characterisation”.
Nigel Dodds, the DUP’s leader at Westminster, has told Steve Barclay to “wake up” and realise the “real problems” which the Brexit deal was causing for the Belfast Agreement, the unionist community and political stability in Northern Ireland. Nigel Dodds, the DUP’s leader at Westminster, has told Steve Barclay to “wake up” and realise the “real problems” which the Brexit deal was causing for the Belfast agreement, the unionist community and political stability in Northern Ireland.
Visibly exasperated, Dodds said that Barclay now called the checks envisaged on exports between Northern Ireland and Britain as “administrative processes” but in reality they were export declarations that will have to be checked.Visibly exasperated, Dodds said that Barclay now called the checks envisaged on exports between Northern Ireland and Britain as “administrative processes” but in reality they were export declarations that will have to be checked.
The government’s own impact assessment says that it has the potential to reduce trade and have an impact on small businesses, Dodds said.The government’s own impact assessment says that it has the potential to reduce trade and have an impact on small businesses, Dodds said.
“Let’s have a bit of clarity here. You are really in danger of causing real problems with the Belfast Agreement, the St Andrews Agreement and political stability by what you are doing to the unionist community,” he said. “Let’s have a bit of clarity here. You are really in danger of causing real problems with the Belfast agreement, the St Andrews agreement and political stability by what you are doing to the unionist community,” he said.
“Please wake up... don’t plough ahead regardless.” “Please wake up ... don’t plough ahead regardless.”
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 The 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.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.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 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.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.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.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: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/ZSGe35nXquThis 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
Here’s another view however:Here’s another view however:
Unfortunately I don't agree you can avoid checks on NI to GB trade as this would in my view be a breach of WTO rules allowing EU goods into the UK tariff free - unless a suitable UK EU relationship could be negotiated https://t.co/FKE0vYRgVWUnfortunately I don't agree you can avoid checks on NI to GB trade as this would in my view be a breach of WTO rules allowing EU goods into the UK tariff free - unless a suitable UK EU relationship could be negotiated https://t.co/FKE0vYRgVW
Amid splits in the government, Labour and EU, here’s yet another: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.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/VZ0Wmz7nmTBig 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.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.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 OANDAThe 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 electionRebecca 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 2030sLabour unveils plans for carbon-neutral energy system by 2030s