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| Brexit: EU has agreed Brexit 'flextension' until 31 January 2020, Tusk announces – live news | Brexit: EU has agreed Brexit 'flextension' until 31 January 2020, Tusk announces – live news |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| From PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield | |
| People's Vote staff have just staged a walkout after new chief executive Patrick Heneghan told them Roland Rudd would not address them. | |
| People's Vote source adds: "The fact Rudd was on Sky at the time but refusing to speak to staff did not help the mood." | |
| We have not had a response from No 10 yet to the EU Brexit extension decision. But under the terms of the Benn act (the law that was passed requiring Boris Johnson to request an extension), he has to accept the offer. This is what it says in section 3(1): | |
| If the European council decides to agree an extension of the period in article 50(3) of the treaty on European Union ending at 11.00pm on 31 October 2019 to the period ending at 11.00pm on 31 January 2020, the prime minister must, immediately after such a decision is made, notify the president of the European council that the United Kingdom agrees to the proposed extension. | |
| Here is our main story from Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley about the EU offering a Brexit “flextension” until 31 January. | Here is our main story from Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley about the EU offering a Brexit “flextension” until 31 January. |
| EU agrees Brexit extension to 31 January | EU agrees Brexit extension to 31 January |
| From the French journalist Quentin Aries | From the French journalist Quentin Aries |
| EU source "Tusk will launch the written procedure among EU27 with a deadline of 24h."Meaning: the formal decision of the Brexit delay is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.#Brexit | EU source "Tusk will launch the written procedure among EU27 with a deadline of 24h."Meaning: the formal decision of the Brexit delay is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.#Brexit |
| From Sky News | From Sky News |
| EU chief Brexit negotiator @MichelBarnier says he is 'content' that the EU has agreed to a '#flextension' until January 2020.Read the latest on #Brexit: https://t.co/R8Bh7frtRV pic.twitter.com/Sy24XCd8zk | EU chief Brexit negotiator @MichelBarnier says he is 'content' that the EU has agreed to a '#flextension' until January 2020.Read the latest on #Brexit: https://t.co/R8Bh7frtRV pic.twitter.com/Sy24XCd8zk |
| Bloomberg’s Nikos Chrysoloras has a helpful summary of the “flextension” proposal from the EU. | Bloomberg’s Nikos Chrysoloras has a helpful summary of the “flextension” proposal from the EU. |
| So what's in the Brexit flextension agreement? Key points: pic.twitter.com/tDu5fBuyIQ | So what's in the Brexit flextension agreement? Key points: pic.twitter.com/tDu5fBuyIQ |
| One of the reasons by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP are pushing for an election now is because they have given up hope of MPs voting for a second referendum in this parliament. This is how Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, explained it on the Andrew Marr Show yesterday. She said: | One of the reasons by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP are pushing for an election now is because they have given up hope of MPs voting for a second referendum in this parliament. This is how Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, explained it on the Andrew Marr Show yesterday. She said: |
| I have worked hard in parliament to try to secure a majority for a people’s vote. It hasn’t been forthcoming. Even this week we tabled an amendment. We have tabled amendments for a people’s vote 17 times and Labour have not backed them in sufficient numbers. In contrast, 19 Labour MPs voted for Boris Johnson’s deal. | I have worked hard in parliament to try to secure a majority for a people’s vote. It hasn’t been forthcoming. Even this week we tabled an amendment. We have tabled amendments for a people’s vote 17 times and Labour have not backed them in sufficient numbers. In contrast, 19 Labour MPs voted for Boris Johnson’s deal. |
| But this morning Tom Baldwin, communications director for the People’s Vote campaign, insisted that there was a majority in the current House of Commons for a second referendum. He told the Today programme: | But this morning Tom Baldwin, communications director for the People’s Vote campaign, insisted that there was a majority in the current House of Commons for a second referendum. He told the Today programme: |
| The more people look at Boris Johnson’s deal, the more they realise this is perhaps not quite what was promised. And if we can expose Boris Johnson’s deal for what it is, I believe there is a majority in the current House of Commons for a confirmatory referendum. | The more people look at Boris Johnson’s deal, the more they realise this is perhaps not quite what was promised. And if we can expose Boris Johnson’s deal for what it is, I believe there is a majority in the current House of Commons for a confirmatory referendum. |
| When challenged on this, he repeated the point about the majority being there for a second referendum once the flaws in Johnson’s deal were obvious. He explained: | When challenged on this, he repeated the point about the majority being there for a second referendum once the flaws in Johnson’s deal were obvious. He explained: |
| [The majority is there] when you have exposed Boris Johnson’s deal for what it is. What I have said all the way through is that our strategy is to be the last thing standing. We are not an option in this crisis. We are a solution to it. | [The majority is there] when you have exposed Boris Johnson’s deal for what it is. What I have said all the way through is that our strategy is to be the last thing standing. We are not an option in this crisis. We are a solution to it. |
| I described Baldwin as the communications director of the People’s Vote campaign but that is a moot point because Baldwin was on the programme to discuss the reports that emerged last night that he had been sacked. Here is our overnight story about the row. | I described Baldwin as the communications director of the People’s Vote campaign but that is a moot point because Baldwin was on the programme to discuss the reports that emerged last night that he had been sacked. Here is our overnight story about the row. |
| People's Vote senior figures forced out | People's Vote senior figures forced out |
| Baldwin told the Today programme that he did not actually work for Roland Rudd, one of the People’s Vote campaign figureheads and the person who supposedly sacked him, and that he would be going into work as normal today. | Baldwin told the Today programme that he did not actually work for Roland Rudd, one of the People’s Vote campaign figureheads and the person who supposedly sacked him, and that he would be going into work as normal today. |
| In a subsequent interview Rudd said that Baldwin had not been fired, but that he was being offered “an opportunity for a different type of role”. | In a subsequent interview Rudd said that Baldwin had not been fired, but that he was being offered “an opportunity for a different type of role”. |
| Rudd also said he thought there was “a real opportunity” this week to get MPs to vote for a confirmatory referendum. “We’ve got more MPs supporting us than ever before and I think we have every chance to be able to get that prize, which is being able to put it back to the people,” he said. | Rudd also said he thought there was “a real opportunity” this week to get MPs to vote for a confirmatory referendum. “We’ve got more MPs supporting us than ever before and I think we have every chance to be able to get that prize, which is being able to put it back to the people,” he said. |
| As Michael Savage explained in this Observer article at the weekend, the row at the People’s Vote campaign is largely about strategy, and the extent to which it should transform into an overt remain campaign. But, as with most feuds in smallish political organisation, personality clashes are thought to have been a factor too. | As Michael Savage explained in this Observer article at the weekend, the row at the People’s Vote campaign is largely about strategy, and the extent to which it should transform into an overt remain campaign. But, as with most feuds in smallish political organisation, personality clashes are thought to have been a factor too. |
| People’s Vote supporters can take comfort from the fact that something very similar happened to the Vote Leave campaign in 2016. Dominic Cummings, its campaign director, came close to being ousted in a boardroom coup, but survived. Vote Leave went on to win. | People’s Vote supporters can take comfort from the fact that something very similar happened to the Vote Leave campaign in 2016. Dominic Cummings, its campaign director, came close to being ousted in a boardroom coup, but survived. Vote Leave went on to win. |
| From Sky’s Michelle Clifford | From Sky’s Michelle Clifford |
| EU’s chief Brexit negotiator @MichelBarnier says he’s always happy when decisions are taken after EU27 agree to give UK Brexit “flextension” until Jan 31st. UK can leave earlier if deal ratified | EU’s chief Brexit negotiator @MichelBarnier says he’s always happy when decisions are taken after EU27 agree to give UK Brexit “flextension” until Jan 31st. UK can leave earlier if deal ratified |
| This is from Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. | This is from Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. |
| The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure. | The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure. |
| “Flextension” means flexible extension. If MPs approve the Brexit deal sooner, the UK could leave the EU before 31 January. Under the draft plan being considered by EU ambassadors this morning, 1 December or 1 January would also be possible dates for Brexit in the event of the deal passing. | “Flextension” means flexible extension. If MPs approve the Brexit deal sooner, the UK could leave the EU before 31 January. Under the draft plan being considered by EU ambassadors this morning, 1 December or 1 January would also be possible dates for Brexit in the event of the deal passing. |
| Here are the main items on the agenda for the day. We will be focusing mostly on Brexit-related news, and so I have only included the Brexit-related items. | Here are the main items on the agenda for the day. We will be focusing mostly on Brexit-related news, and so I have only included the Brexit-related items. |
| 9am (UK time): EU ambassadors meet in Brussels to discuss the proposed Brexit extension. As Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley report, the EU is expected to agree an extension to 31 January 2020 with an option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified. | 9am (UK time): EU ambassadors meet in Brussels to discuss the proposed Brexit extension. As Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley report, the EU is expected to agree an extension to 31 January 2020 with an option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified. |
| 11am: Downing Street lobby briefing. | 11am: Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| 2.30pm: Priti Patel, the home secretary, takes questions in the Commons. | 2.30pm: Priti Patel, the home secretary, takes questions in the Commons. |
| After 3.30pm: MPs debate the government motion calling for an early election. The debate will last 90 minutes, with voting immediately afterwards. If there are urgent questions or statements, the debate will start not at 3.30pm but later. | After 3.30pm: MPs debate the government motion calling for an early election. The debate will last 90 minutes, with voting immediately afterwards. If there are urgent questions or statements, the debate will start not at 3.30pm but later. |
| Late afternoon: MPs start the debate on the second reading of the environment bill. | Late afternoon: MPs start the debate on the second reading of the environment bill. |
| Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Damien Gayle, and back from a particularly ill-timed half-term holiday. I’ve missed some intense parliamentary drama, although, as is usual with Brexit, deadlock and uncertainty still prevail. | Good morning. I’m Andrew Sparrow, taking over from Damien Gayle, and back from a particularly ill-timed half-term holiday. I’ve missed some intense parliamentary drama, although, as is usual with Brexit, deadlock and uncertainty still prevail. |
| Or perhaps not. Today Boris Johnson is staging a third vote on an early election – which, again, he is expected to win, but not by the two-thirds majority required under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act for it to actually happen. | Or perhaps not. Today Boris Johnson is staging a third vote on an early election – which, again, he is expected to win, but not by the two-thirds majority required under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act for it to actually happen. |
| But this morning we have had fresh evidence that the government is gearing up to support the Liberal Democrat/Scottish National party proposal to bypass the FTPA by using legislation to schedule an early poll. After the plan was revealed in the Observer, James Cleverly, the Conservative chairman, yesterday dismissed it as “a gimmick”. But later No 10 sources would not rule out the idea, and this morning Gavin Williamson, the education secretary and former chief whip who has been doing a media round, strongly hinted that the government might back the plan if, as expected, it doesn’t get enough votes this afternoon. | But this morning we have had fresh evidence that the government is gearing up to support the Liberal Democrat/Scottish National party proposal to bypass the FTPA by using legislation to schedule an early poll. After the plan was revealed in the Observer, James Cleverly, the Conservative chairman, yesterday dismissed it as “a gimmick”. But later No 10 sources would not rule out the idea, and this morning Gavin Williamson, the education secretary and former chief whip who has been doing a media round, strongly hinted that the government might back the plan if, as expected, it doesn’t get enough votes this afternoon. |
| From the government’s point of view, the main advantage of the Lib Dem/SNP plan is that passing legislation to amend the FTPA just requires a majority of one, which means the Labour party would not have a veto. There are drawbacks too, because legislation could be amended, but the Lib Dem/SNP proposal does offer a route to a pre-Christmas election. | From the government’s point of view, the main advantage of the Lib Dem/SNP plan is that passing legislation to amend the FTPA just requires a majority of one, which means the Labour party would not have a veto. There are drawbacks too, because legislation could be amended, but the Lib Dem/SNP proposal does offer a route to a pre-Christmas election. |
| These are from Sky’s Tamara Cohen and the BBC’s Chris Mason, covering what Williamson has been saying. | These are from Sky’s Tamara Cohen and the BBC’s Chris Mason, covering what Williamson has been saying. |
| Gavin Williamson does not repeat yesterday's line that Lib Dem/ SNP election plan is a "stunt" when questioned by @KayBurley. He says: "We’ve made it clear there’s an ability to put different options" but that doing it via legislation (not FTPA) is "always complex". | Gavin Williamson does not repeat yesterday's line that Lib Dem/ SNP election plan is a "stunt" when questioned by @KayBurley. He says: "We’ve made it clear there’s an ability to put different options" but that doing it via legislation (not FTPA) is "always complex". |
| Will the govt take a look at the Lib Dem/SNP election idea if their plan fails tonight? @gavinwilliamson tells @mrdanwalker @bbcbreakfast: "the government will always look at every single option." | Will the govt take a look at the Lib Dem/SNP election idea if their plan fails tonight? @gavinwilliamson tells @mrdanwalker @bbcbreakfast: "the government will always look at every single option." |
| The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, who together with the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, has put forward a tightly drafted bill that would grant an election on 9 December, have said their plan is “still alive”. | The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, who together with the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, has put forward a tightly drafted bill that would grant an election on 9 December, have said their plan is “still alive”. |
| Swinson and Blackford have put forward a bill that would grant an election on 9 December – three days earlier than the PM’s suggested polling date – as long as the European Union grants an extension until 31 January. | Swinson and Blackford have put forward a bill that would grant an election on 9 December – three days earlier than the PM’s suggested polling date – as long as the European Union grants an extension until 31 January. |
| She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: | She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: |
| It certainly, it seems to me a sensible way forward. We also understand from our contacts in the EU that putting forward this bill and sending the letter that we did has helped out EU friends have confidence that if they offer the extension that they’re discussing today that that will be time well spent. | It certainly, it seems to me a sensible way forward. We also understand from our contacts in the EU that putting forward this bill and sending the letter that we did has helped out EU friends have confidence that if they offer the extension that they’re discussing today that that will be time well spent. |
| One of their big concerns was that they offered an extension earlier this year, said ‘don’t waste time’, and then we had a Conservative leadership election and Boris Johnson mucked about not trying to get a deal, shutting down parliament, and you know, the very master class in time-wasting so, understandably, they had a degree of reluctance, I think evidenced by the fact they didn’t grant the extension on Friday when many thought they would. | One of their big concerns was that they offered an extension earlier this year, said ‘don’t waste time’, and then we had a Conservative leadership election and Boris Johnson mucked about not trying to get a deal, shutting down parliament, and you know, the very master class in time-wasting so, understandably, they had a degree of reluctance, I think evidenced by the fact they didn’t grant the extension on Friday when many thought they would. |
| So I’m hopeful that as a result of what we’ve done we will see that extension granted today because otherwise we’re still in the very real risk of crashing out without a deal on Thursday. | So I’m hopeful that as a result of what we’ve done we will see that extension granted today because otherwise we’re still in the very real risk of crashing out without a deal on Thursday. |
| Boris Johnson and his cabinet hope the election of a new Speaker will help force a general election, the Times reports this morning. John Bercow, a bête noire of the Tory right, retires on Thursday and the government apparently thinks his successor will be much more amenable. | Boris Johnson and his cabinet hope the election of a new Speaker will help force a general election, the Times reports this morning. John Bercow, a bête noire of the Tory right, retires on Thursday and the government apparently thinks his successor will be much more amenable. |
| “The government believes his successor will be much less likely to allow backbenchers to seize control of the order paper again to pass legislation to prevent a no-deal Brexit,” writes the Times’ deputy political editor, Steven Swinford. | “The government believes his successor will be much less likely to allow backbenchers to seize control of the order paper again to pass legislation to prevent a no-deal Brexit,” writes the Times’ deputy political editor, Steven Swinford. |
| Bercow has repeatedly allowed MPs to seize control of Commons business and push through legislation against the wishes of the government, including the so-called Benn act that forced Johnson to go cap in hand to Brussels to ask for a Brexit extension. | Bercow has repeatedly allowed MPs to seize control of Commons business and push through legislation against the wishes of the government, including the so-called Benn act that forced Johnson to go cap in hand to Brussels to ask for a Brexit extension. |
| Johnson might not get what he is looking for, however. Among contenders for Bercow’s job is Harriet Harman. | Johnson might not get what he is looking for, however. Among contenders for Bercow’s job is Harriet Harman. |
| Harriet Harman features in G2 today, speaking to Gaby Hinsliff about her campaign to become the new Speaker and her listening tour of the country, asking people what they think of parliament. | Harriet Harman features in G2 today, speaking to Gaby Hinsliff about her campaign to become the new Speaker and her listening tour of the country, asking people what they think of parliament. |
| Leafing through her notes from the mini listening tour she has undertaken, asking people around the country what they think of parliament, underlines how difficult that has become. Westminster politics is seen as aggressive, entitled, phoney and unprofessional, a braying bear pit hopelessly out of step with modern workplaces, where respect and empathy are increasingly valued. | Leafing through her notes from the mini listening tour she has undertaken, asking people around the country what they think of parliament, underlines how difficult that has become. Westminster politics is seen as aggressive, entitled, phoney and unprofessional, a braying bear pit hopelessly out of step with modern workplaces, where respect and empathy are increasingly valued. |
| “One woman said: ‘I’m a trade union negotiator. I’d get nowhere if I walked into a negotiation and behaved like that,’” Harman recalls. “One of the things that’s been very striking is that people think the anger that’s displayed in parliament is an artefact, that it’s basically fake, playing up to the cameras. So if anybody’s under the impression that their anger is regarded as inspiring by people outside – people don’t buy it.” And that hints at something more complicated than the crude “people v parliament” narrative pushed by Downing Street, pitting furious leave voters against a supposedly obstructive elite. | “One woman said: ‘I’m a trade union negotiator. I’d get nowhere if I walked into a negotiation and behaved like that,’” Harman recalls. “One of the things that’s been very striking is that people think the anger that’s displayed in parliament is an artefact, that it’s basically fake, playing up to the cameras. So if anybody’s under the impression that their anger is regarded as inspiring by people outside – people don’t buy it.” And that hints at something more complicated than the crude “people v parliament” narrative pushed by Downing Street, pitting furious leave voters against a supposedly obstructive elite. |
| Harman’s research suggests the angry, uncompromising stances that many Brexiters (and, arguably, parts of the left) see as connoting passion or ideological purity don’t always come across that way to voters, many of whom see squabbling and division merely as proof of impotence. Resorting to shouting is seen as “the ultimate failure of an institution”, says Harman. “In the outside world, people disagree about Brexit but they get along.” If she’s right, then politicians who believe they are channelling the public mood by ratcheting up their language may be in for a shock come a general election. | Harman’s research suggests the angry, uncompromising stances that many Brexiters (and, arguably, parts of the left) see as connoting passion or ideological purity don’t always come across that way to voters, many of whom see squabbling and division merely as proof of impotence. Resorting to shouting is seen as “the ultimate failure of an institution”, says Harman. “In the outside world, people disagree about Brexit but they get along.” If she’s right, then politicians who believe they are channelling the public mood by ratcheting up their language may be in for a shock come a general election. |
| Harriet Harman on political survival: 'If you've been an outsider, you never forget' | Harriet Harman on political survival: 'If you've been an outsider, you never forget' |
| PA Media reports that the government is going ahead with its preparations for a no-deal Brexit by activating measures to manage traffic on Kent’s motorways despite the EU considering an extension. | PA Media reports that the government is going ahead with its preparations for a no-deal Brexit by activating measures to manage traffic on Kent’s motorways despite the EU considering an extension. |
| Operation Brock will come into force at 6am on Monday – three days before the UK is due to withdraw from the EU and the day parliament votes on whether to hold a snap general election. | Operation Brock will come into force at 6am on Monday – three days before the UK is due to withdraw from the EU and the day parliament votes on whether to hold a snap general election. |
| It comes amid signs the EU is set to grant a fresh Brexit delay until the end of January after Boris Johnson was forced – under the terms of the so-called Benn act – to request a further extension. | It comes amid signs the EU is set to grant a fresh Brexit delay until the end of January after Boris Johnson was forced – under the terms of the so-called Benn act – to request a further extension. |
| The traffic measures are designed to keep the M20 open in both directions in case there is a disruption to services across the English Channel. | The traffic measures are designed to keep the M20 open in both directions in case there is a disruption to services across the English Channel. |
| Lorries heading for Europe will face a 30mph limit on a 13-mile stretch of the coast-bound carriage of the M20. All other traffic on the motorway – including lorries carrying out UK deliveries – must use a 50mph contraflow of two lanes in each direction on the London-bound side of the road. | Lorries heading for Europe will face a 30mph limit on a 13-mile stretch of the coast-bound carriage of the M20. All other traffic on the motorway – including lorries carrying out UK deliveries – must use a 50mph contraflow of two lanes in each direction on the London-bound side of the road. |
| Several holding areas to park lorries are also available to be activated if required, including at Manston airfield. Hauliers must be ready to show they have the correct paperwork before reaching the border or face being turned back. | Several holding areas to park lorries are also available to be activated if required, including at Manston airfield. Hauliers must be ready to show they have the correct paperwork before reaching the border or face being turned back. |
| Motorists have been warned to allow for extra travel time and to make sure they have food and water in their vehicles in case of delays. | Motorists have been warned to allow for extra travel time and to make sure they have food and water in their vehicles in case of delays. |
| Nicola Bell, the Highways England south-east operations director, said Operation Brock was part of a set of measures in place to allow the M20 and the rest of Kent to keep moving in the event of cross-channel disruption. | Nicola Bell, the Highways England south-east operations director, said Operation Brock was part of a set of measures in place to allow the M20 and the rest of Kent to keep moving in the event of cross-channel disruption. |
| “We have worked extensively with our partners in Kent to ensure that the county is as prepared as possible for any disruption to cross-channel services,” she said in a statement. | “We have worked extensively with our partners in Kent to ensure that the county is as prepared as possible for any disruption to cross-channel services,” she said in a statement. |
| Operation Brock was initially deployed on 25 March, four days ahead of the first planned Brexit date. | Operation Brock was initially deployed on 25 March, four days ahead of the first planned Brexit date. |
| It was deactivated about three weeks later following the delay to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, but the steel barriers for the contraflow system and 50mph speed limit remain in place. | It was deactivated about three weeks later following the delay to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, but the steel barriers for the contraflow system and 50mph speed limit remain in place. |
| How the papers covered it | How the papers covered it |
| There’s a mix of stories on the front pages today, including the killing of Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. But some papers splash on politics, including the Guardian, with our exclusive story “EU read to give UK three-month Brexit extension, leak reveals”. | There’s a mix of stories on the front pages today, including the killing of Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. But some papers splash on politics, including the Guardian, with our exclusive story “EU read to give UK three-month Brexit extension, leak reveals”. |
| GUARDIAN: EU ready to give UK three month Brexit extension, leak reveals #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/TIGKy3ccMM | GUARDIAN: EU ready to give UK three month Brexit extension, leak reveals #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/TIGKy3ccMM |
| TELEGRAPH: Lib Dems offer PM route to an election #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/84NtvPXg93 | TELEGRAPH: Lib Dems offer PM route to an election #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/84NtvPXg93 |
| I: December election looms as Johnson hints at deal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kn8Zds6aAf | I: December election looms as Johnson hints at deal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/kn8Zds6aAf |
| THE NATIONAL: Indyref 2020 ‘at the heart of election campaign’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DIQzreRW8q | THE NATIONAL: Indyref 2020 ‘at the heart of election campaign’ #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DIQzreRW8q |
| Good morning and welcome to Politics Live on this Monday morning. | Good morning and welcome to Politics Live on this Monday morning. |
| The government has tabled a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) for a general election to be held on 12 December. But, in reality, this is not likely to get over the line. The FTPA requires that two-thirds of MPs need to vote to trigger an early election and Labour looks like it will not play ball on this one. | The government has tabled a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) for a general election to be held on 12 December. But, in reality, this is not likely to get over the line. The FTPA requires that two-thirds of MPs need to vote to trigger an early election and Labour looks like it will not play ball on this one. |
| However, we may still get an early election, but by a different means, as both the remain-backing Lib Dems and the government have proposed amending the FTPA to pass a separate one-line bill specifying that there will be an election on a certain date. The advantage of this route is that, as a traditional bill, it requires only a straightforward majority to pass the Commons. | However, we may still get an early election, but by a different means, as both the remain-backing Lib Dems and the government have proposed amending the FTPA to pass a separate one-line bill specifying that there will be an election on a certain date. The advantage of this route is that, as a traditional bill, it requires only a straightforward majority to pass the Commons. |
| It is in the Lib Dems’ interest to get an election on the table before a Brexit deal has been locked in and decided, because it is thought their appeal could diminish if people believe the argument has been settled. | It is in the Lib Dems’ interest to get an election on the table before a Brexit deal has been locked in and decided, because it is thought their appeal could diminish if people believe the argument has been settled. |
| Meanwhile, according to a leaked draft seen by the Guardian, the EU is preparing to sign off on a Brexit extension to 31 January 2020 with an option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified, suggesting the EU will agree to the UK’s request for a further delay. | Meanwhile, according to a leaked draft seen by the Guardian, the EU is preparing to sign off on a Brexit extension to 31 January 2020 with an option for the UK to leave earlier if a deal is ratified, suggesting the EU will agree to the UK’s request for a further delay. |
| As usual, you can get in touch with me while I have the blog in the early hours, on Twitter or via email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com). | As usual, you can get in touch with me while I have the blog in the early hours, on Twitter or via email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com). |
| Thanks for reading. | Thanks for reading. |