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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
(32 minutes later)
This is from the politics professor Philip Cowley on the issue of whether or not Boris Johnson gets the blame for the Brexit extension. (See 10.55am.)
I keep seeing this sort of gag (and yes, OK, ho ho ho), but if, say, MF comes out and says that he doesn't blame Boris and that it is instead all the fault of those Remainer swine, it'll be the sort of elite cue that we know is so important in determining how voters respond. https://t.co/7PHjZhbiTk
From Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London
Good news. Now the immediate risk of a catastrophic no-deal has been removed - it’s time to give the British public the final say on Brexit. #FinalSay https://t.co/YODUXOUhO8
The prime minister and home secretary joined Essex emergency services this morning to pay their respects to the 39 people found dead in a refrigerated lorry trailer last week, the Press Association reports.Alongside senior local dignitaries, Boris Johnson and Priti Patel signed a book of condolence and will lay wreaths in Mulberry garden outside the Thurrock civic offices in remembrance.
From my colleague Peter Walker, who has been at the Number 10 lobby briefing.
No official No 10 response yet to EU’s offer of 31 Jan Brexit extension, we are told. Boris Johnson is in Essex in wake of case of 39 people found dead in a lorry, and has not studied the letter yet, his spokesman says.
Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s lead Brexit spokesman, is also urging the UK not to waste this extension.
Relieved that finally no one died in a ditch. Whether the UK's democratic choice is revoke or an orderly withdraw, confirmed or not in a second referendum, the uncertainty of Brexit has gone on for far too long. This extra time must deliver a way forward.
This morning John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, claimed that the Lib Dem decision to back an early election (see 8.39am) showed that they were aligning with the Tories and “selling out the People’s Vote campaign”.
Looks like the Lib Dem and Tory pact of 2010 is being re-established. They are back together, selling out the People’s Vote campaign and the cross party campaign to prevent a no deal. The Lib Dems will stop at nothing to get their ministerial cars back.
That prompted this response from Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader.
In the last 10 days I’ve addressed a #PeoplesVote March and tabled an Amendment to the Queen‘s Speech that would have given us a People’s Vote. Your leader did neither. Don’t lecture me about fighting for a People’s Vote. https://t.co/tT1V4ceE7o
The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) has received a sobering warning that its deputy leader, Nigel Dodds, may lose his seat to Sinn Féin in the next election.
Steve Aiken, the incoming leader of the Ulster Unionist party (UUP), has ruled out a tactical voting pact with the DUP, leaving Dodds vulnerable in his north Belfast constituency.
The prospect will complicate the DUP’s calculations over whether to back efforts in Westminster to trigger a December election.
The UUP and DUP have cooperated in recent elections to avoid splitting the unionist vote in marginal constituencies, enabling Dodds to fend off Sinn Féin and lead the DUP’s 10 MPs at Westminster.
Over the weekend Aiken, a former submarine commander who is due to take charge of the UUP next month, announced it would contest every seat and not make a pact with a party that had bungled Brexit and “besmirched unionism with its corruption and sleaze”, a reference to the cash-for-ash scandal.
And more from Jennifer.
EU diplomat on Brexit extension says the “hope is that UK will use its extra time wisely”.The milder version of “do not waste this time”.
This is a reference to what Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, said in April, when the UK’s second and longer Brexit extension was agreed. “Please do not waste this time,” he said. The Conservative party then embarked on a leadership contest, and it was six months before the new PM presented a revised deal to parliament. Tusk may feel his advice was not taken very seriously.
From my colleague Jennifer RankinFrom my colleague Jennifer Rankin
So after Friday’s fuss, EU ambassadors took only 15/20 minutes to rubber stamp the Brexit “flextension”. LibDem-SNP election decision described as a “game changer” for Emmanuel Macron by one EU diplomat.So after Friday’s fuss, EU ambassadors took only 15/20 minutes to rubber stamp the Brexit “flextension”. LibDem-SNP election decision described as a “game changer” for Emmanuel Macron by one EU diplomat.
This is from David Sassoli, president of the European parliament.This is from David Sassoli, president of the European parliament.
Positive EU27 leaders have agreed a flexible #Brexit extension until 31 January 2020. This gives time for the UK to make clear what it wants. In the meantime, the @Europarl_EN will continue to scrutinise the withdrawal agreement.Positive EU27 leaders have agreed a flexible #Brexit extension until 31 January 2020. This gives time for the UK to make clear what it wants. In the meantime, the @Europarl_EN will continue to scrutinise the withdrawal agreement.
From ITV’s Robert PestonFrom ITV’s Robert Peston
People’s Vote has gone full People’s Front of Judea. McGrory and Baldwin are in the PV office in Millbank. Rudd and Heneghan are outside refusing to enter while M and B on premises, and are threatening legal action for trespass. Oh dear.People’s Vote has gone full People’s Front of Judea. McGrory and Baldwin are in the PV office in Millbank. Rudd and Heneghan are outside refusing to enter while M and B on premises, and are threatening legal action for trespass. Oh dear.
The announcement that the EU would agree to delay Brexit until 31 January did not come as a surprise to anyone this morning. But it is still a milestone in the Brexit process, and arguably one of the most important moments in Boris Johnson’s premiership. Here are three reasons why.The announcement that the EU would agree to delay Brexit until 31 January did not come as a surprise to anyone this morning. But it is still a milestone in the Brexit process, and arguably one of the most important moments in Boris Johnson’s premiership. Here are three reasons why.
1 - Boris Johnson has now failed to achieve what he set out as the most important goal of his premiership. Even at the end of last week he was still claiming that Brexit could happen by 31 October, but that dream is now dead. And it is hard to overstate how important this was to the Johnson project. During the Tory leadership campaign the most important issue that separated Johnson from Jeremy Hunt, his challenger, was that Johnson said Brexit would have to happen by 31 October, whereas Hunt said it was more realistic to accept that the deadline might slip. After becoming prime minister Johnson repeatedly said unequivocally Brexit would happen by 31 October, particularly on social media. He said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than extend Brexit. And then, of course, there were the Tory countdown clocks, one of which was delivered to No 10. Presumably this morning they have been stalled.1 - Boris Johnson has now failed to achieve what he set out as the most important goal of his premiership. Even at the end of last week he was still claiming that Brexit could happen by 31 October, but that dream is now dead. And it is hard to overstate how important this was to the Johnson project. During the Tory leadership campaign the most important issue that separated Johnson from Jeremy Hunt, his challenger, was that Johnson said Brexit would have to happen by 31 October, whereas Hunt said it was more realistic to accept that the deadline might slip. After becoming prime minister Johnson repeatedly said unequivocally Brexit would happen by 31 October, particularly on social media. He said he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than extend Brexit. And then, of course, there were the Tory countdown clocks, one of which was delivered to No 10. Presumably this morning they have been stalled.
Party Chairman @JamesCleverly with the ⏰✍ We will deliver Brexit by October 31st. Back @BorisJohnson's pledge here: https://t.co/ZkcKvLONpm pic.twitter.com/aFF4Kfcav3Party Chairman @JamesCleverly with the ⏰✍ We will deliver Brexit by October 31st. Back @BorisJohnson's pledge here: https://t.co/ZkcKvLONpm pic.twitter.com/aFF4Kfcav3
But Johnson’s monumental failure in this regard begs a much bigger question ...But Johnson’s monumental failure in this regard begs a much bigger question ...
2 - Johnson’s political future now depends on whether voters will forgive him for breaking his signature promise. Sometimes politicians can be destroyed by failing to deliver on a high-profile promise (eg George Bush putting up taxes, when Americans remembers “Read my lips, no new taxes”, and Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems putting up tuition fees, when they promised before the 2010 general election to vote against tuition fee increases). But sometimes politicians can get away with it (Tony Blair also broke a tuition fees promise), and so far the polling evidence suggests that Johnson (a politician who has more experience than most at getting away with flouting norms) and his party does not seem to have been damaged much by the expectation (confirmed this morning) that Brexit would be delayed. (See the polling below.) What seems to be working in his favour is the perception that at least he tried. Whether or not opinion turns against him on this later may decide the next election.2 - Johnson’s political future now depends on whether voters will forgive him for breaking his signature promise. Sometimes politicians can be destroyed by failing to deliver on a high-profile promise (eg George Bush putting up taxes, when Americans remembers “Read my lips, no new taxes”, and Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems putting up tuition fees, when they promised before the 2010 general election to vote against tuition fee increases). But sometimes politicians can get away with it (Tony Blair also broke a tuition fees promise), and so far the polling evidence suggests that Johnson (a politician who has more experience than most at getting away with flouting norms) and his party does not seem to have been damaged much by the expectation (confirmed this morning) that Brexit would be delayed. (See the polling below.) What seems to be working in his favour is the perception that at least he tried. Whether or not opinion turns against him on this later may decide the next election.
Here's how the polls have changed since last week:CON: 35.1% (+0.3)LAB: 25.4% (-)LDEM: 18.1% (-0.1)BREX: 11.3% (-0.1)GRN: 4.0% (-0.2)via Britain Elects poll trackerMore: https://t.co/spVpGNV8oG pic.twitter.com/dCH4dacG8ZHere's how the polls have changed since last week:CON: 35.1% (+0.3)LAB: 25.4% (-)LDEM: 18.1% (-0.1)BREX: 11.3% (-0.1)GRN: 4.0% (-0.2)via Britain Elects poll trackerMore: https://t.co/spVpGNV8oG pic.twitter.com/dCH4dacG8Z
3 - The EU decision will make it harder for Labour to justify opposing an early election. At one point Jeremy Corbyn was saying that, as soon as the Benn Act became law, Labour would be ready to vote for an election. With the party split internally about the wisdom of an early election, Corbyn has now setting new hurdles for what might be needed before his party would be willing to back an early poll. Yesterday the party said Johnson would have to rule out a no-deal Brexit in all circumstances before Labour would agree to an election. But this argument is starting to sound tenuous (at other times the party has said assurances from Johnson cannot be believed), and so it is conceivable that Corbyn could lift his opposition to an early poll.3 - The EU decision will make it harder for Labour to justify opposing an early election. At one point Jeremy Corbyn was saying that, as soon as the Benn Act became law, Labour would be ready to vote for an election. With the party split internally about the wisdom of an early election, Corbyn has now setting new hurdles for what might be needed before his party would be willing to back an early poll. Yesterday the party said Johnson would have to rule out a no-deal Brexit in all circumstances before Labour would agree to an election. But this argument is starting to sound tenuous (at other times the party has said assurances from Johnson cannot be believed), and so it is conceivable that Corbyn could lift his opposition to an early poll.
From PoliticsHome’s Kevin SchofieldFrom 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 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."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):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.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 JanuaryEU agrees Brexit extension to 31 January
From the French journalist Quentin AriesFrom 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.#BrexitEU 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 NewsFrom 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/Sy24XCd8zkEU 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/tDu5fBuyIQSo 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 outPeople'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.