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| 'You ain't seen nothing yet': Johnson quotes Reagan as he tells cabinet to work 'flat out' for change - live news | 'You ain't seen nothing yet': Johnson quotes Reagan as he tells cabinet to work 'flat out' for change - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including the cabinet, the House of Commons and the parliamentary Labour party all meeting for the first time since the general election | Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including the cabinet, the House of Commons and the parliamentary Labour party all meeting for the first time since the general election |
| At least two bookmakers have sent out press releases today about the odds they are offering on the next Labour leader, with Rebecca Long-Bailey the favourite, followed by Lisa Nandy and then Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary. | |
| Starmer’s opponents, as well as criticising his stance on Brexit, have been arguing that the next leader should be a woman, as well as an MP from outside London. | |
| But Jenny Chapman, who worked for Starmer in the shadow Brexit team and who lost her Darlington seat in the election, has been giving interviews today saying saying gender and regional background should be not factors in the contest. She made this argument in an article for the Daily Mirror and she told the Today programme: | |
| Barry Gardiner, the shadow international trade secretary, has been on BBC News this morning. There were two interesting lines in his interview. | |
| Gardiner hinted that Labour would vote against the withdrawal agreement bill if the government holds a second reading vote on Friday. He said that the decision to remove provisions protecting workers’ rights from the bill (see 9.37am) would make it even less attractive than the original version of the bill, that Labour opposed in October. He said: | |
| Gardiner did not rule out standing for the Labour deputy leadership. Asked if he would be a candidate, as some reports have suggested, he replied: | |
| In an interview for the Today programme this morning Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester and Jeremy Corbyn’s main rival in the 2015 leadership contest, said that the party’s Brexit policy was a problem at the election. He explained: | In an interview for the Today programme this morning Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester and Jeremy Corbyn’s main rival in the 2015 leadership contest, said that the party’s Brexit policy was a problem at the election. He explained: |
| Burnham refused to say which candidate he would be backing in the forthcoming leadership contest. | Burnham refused to say which candidate he would be backing in the forthcoming leadership contest. |
| He also said that voters in the north should be “wary” of accepting Boris Johnson’s promises, saying that the PM could not simply offer infrastructure improvements that were “decades away” to keep his new northern voters on side. He said: | |
| More than 140,000 EU citizens applied last month to live and work in the UK after Brexit, PAA Media reports. The Home Office said it received 142,300 applications for the EU settlement scheme in November, compared with more than half a million submitted in the previous month. This takes the total number received by the end of November to almost 2.6 million (2,592,800). Overall, the number of applications finalised in that time was more than 2.2 million (2,230,900), according to the Home Office figures (pdf). | |
| Of these, 59% were granted permanent leave to remain in the country, called settled status, and 41% were granted pre-settled status – which means they have temporary leave to remain and would need to apply again for permanent permission at a later date. | |
| Sky News has just broadcast some footage of Boris Johnson addressing cabinet for the first time. He told his ministers: | Sky News has just broadcast some footage of Boris Johnson addressing cabinet for the first time. He told his ministers: |
| At this point, treating the cabinet like a bit like a primary school class, Johnson asked his colleagues how many new hospitals they were going to build. Forty, they chanted back at him. (No one was brave enough to point out that it would be more accurate to say just six.) Johnson also asked them to tell him how many new nurses they would hire, and new police officers they would recruit. Then he went on: | At this point, treating the cabinet like a bit like a primary school class, Johnson asked his colleagues how many new hospitals they were going to build. Forty, they chanted back at him. (No one was brave enough to point out that it would be more accurate to say just six.) Johnson also asked them to tell him how many new nurses they would hire, and new police officers they would recruit. Then he went on: |
| Johnson ended his opening statement by referring to today’s employment figures (see 9.53am), joking about taking the risk of “sounding more North Korean than normal”. The economy continued to be robust, he said, but the government would take steps to strengthen it. | Johnson ended his opening statement by referring to today’s employment figures (see 9.53am), joking about taking the risk of “sounding more North Korean than normal”. The economy continued to be robust, he said, but the government would take steps to strengthen it. |
| “You ain’t seen nothing yet” was a Ronald Reagan catchphrase, and Johnson may have been quoting him deliberately. Reagan drew the political map of American by winning the support of blue-collar workers who had previously voted for the other party (“Reagan Democrats”) and, although seen as a leader with a poor grasp of detail, he exuded can-do optimism, which people seemed to like. | “You ain’t seen nothing yet” was a Ronald Reagan catchphrase, and Johnson may have been quoting him deliberately. Reagan drew the political map of American by winning the support of blue-collar workers who had previously voted for the other party (“Reagan Democrats”) and, although seen as a leader with a poor grasp of detail, he exuded can-do optimism, which people seemed to like. |
| The government has repeatedly said that it does not intend to lower standards on workers’ rights, consumer rights or environmental protection after Brexit. (See 9.37am.) The EU will also wants to ensure that it does not get undercut by the UK in the future, but a key issue in the UK-EU trade talks will be what rules are agreed to ensure this happens. | The government has repeatedly said that it does not intend to lower standards on workers’ rights, consumer rights or environmental protection after Brexit. (See 9.37am.) The EU will also wants to ensure that it does not get undercut by the UK in the future, but a key issue in the UK-EU trade talks will be what rules are agreed to ensure this happens. |
| In an interview on the Today programme this morning Liam Fox, the former Conservative international trade secretary, admitted that the EU would start by pushing for “dynamic alignment” - an agreement that, when the EU tightens standards, the UK would follow suit. But Fox argued that, internationally, this sort of approach was going out of fashion. He explained: | In an interview on the Today programme this morning Liam Fox, the former Conservative international trade secretary, admitted that the EU would start by pushing for “dynamic alignment” - an agreement that, when the EU tightens standards, the UK would follow suit. But Fox argued that, internationally, this sort of approach was going out of fashion. He explained: |
| Fox was also asked if he thought the NHS would be at risk from a trade deal with the US. He said there was no chance of this whatsoever and that this was a “red herring” that had been dismissed as such by the voters. | Fox was also asked if he thought the NHS would be at risk from a trade deal with the US. He said there was no chance of this whatsoever and that this was a “red herring” that had been dismissed as such by the voters. |
| He said it was now the “norm” to insert “exemption clauses” into trade deals to protect the running of public services. He went on: | He said it was now the “norm” to insert “exemption clauses” into trade deals to protect the running of public services. He went on: |
| During his round of interviews this morning Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, also insisted that the government would protect employment rights when the UK left the EU. He said a bill to this effect would be in the Queen’s speech on Thursday. | During his round of interviews this morning Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, also insisted that the government would protect employment rights when the UK left the EU. He said a bill to this effect would be in the Queen’s speech on Thursday. |
| This is from the Mirror’s Dan Bloom. | This is from the Mirror’s Dan Bloom. |
| UK unemployment dropped to its lowest level in 44 years in the three months to October, as the number of unemployed women hit a record low, PA Media reports. However, the reduction in unemployment came as wage growth stalled over the period and the number of job vacancies also shrank. | UK unemployment dropped to its lowest level in 44 years in the three months to October, as the number of unemployed women hit a record low, PA Media reports. However, the reduction in unemployment came as wage growth stalled over the period and the number of job vacancies also shrank. |
| The number of people claiming unemployment benefits decreased by 13,000 to 1.28 million for the quarter, the Office for National Statistics said. It meant the rate of unemployment stayed flat at 3.8%, surpassing analyst expectations, which had forecast an increase to a 3.9% rate of unemployment. This was largely driven by a decrease in the unemployment rate for women, which fell to a record low of 3.5% for the period. | The number of people claiming unemployment benefits decreased by 13,000 to 1.28 million for the quarter, the Office for National Statistics said. It meant the rate of unemployment stayed flat at 3.8%, surpassing analyst expectations, which had forecast an increase to a 3.9% rate of unemployment. This was largely driven by a decrease in the unemployment rate for women, which fell to a record low of 3.5% for the period. |
| Meanwhile, the number of people in work increased by 24,000 to 32.8 million for the quarter, while the proportion of people in employment stayed flat at 76.2%. | Meanwhile, the number of people in work increased by 24,000 to 32.8 million for the quarter, while the proportion of people in employment stayed flat at 76.2%. |
| Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, has been giving interviews this morning (although not to the Today programme, which is still subject to a No 10 ministerial boycott). As my colleague Kate Proctor reports, on BBC Breakfast Gove refused to explicitly rule out a no-deal Brexit at the end of the transition - although he repeatedly insisted that this was not something people needed to worry about anyway, because both sides were committed to reaching a deal before the end of next year. | Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, has been giving interviews this morning (although not to the Today programme, which is still subject to a No 10 ministerial boycott). As my colleague Kate Proctor reports, on BBC Breakfast Gove refused to explicitly rule out a no-deal Brexit at the end of the transition - although he repeatedly insisted that this was not something people needed to worry about anyway, because both sides were committed to reaching a deal before the end of next year. |
| Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, has said that it was a mistake for Jeremy Corbyn not to say what side he would take in the second referendum Labour was planning to hold on Brexit. In an interview with the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, recorded during the Labour conference in September and broadcast in Kuenssberg’s documentary, The Brexit Storm Continues, going out tonight, Thornberry said: | Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, has said that it was a mistake for Jeremy Corbyn not to say what side he would take in the second referendum Labour was planning to hold on Brexit. In an interview with the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, recorded during the Labour conference in September and broadcast in Kuenssberg’s documentary, The Brexit Storm Continues, going out tonight, Thornberry said: |
| Asked if Labour could win if Corbyn adopted that position, Thornberry said: | Asked if Labour could win if Corbyn adopted that position, Thornberry said: |
| Thornberry also said she wanted Labour to be more overtly pro-remain. | Thornberry also said she wanted Labour to be more overtly pro-remain. |
| At the time Corbyn was refusing to say which side he would back in a second referendum. During the election campaign he refined his position, saying he was taking a deliberate decision in advance to stay neutral. | At the time Corbyn was refusing to say which side he would back in a second referendum. During the election campaign he refined his position, saying he was taking a deliberate decision in advance to stay neutral. |
| Thornberry is likely to stand for the Labour leadership and Brexit is likely to be a key issue in that context. Jeremy Corbyn’s allies, who are rallying behind the shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey as their candidate, argue that agreeing to a second referendum was a mistake (although Long-Bailey herself has yet to express a view on this topic.) | Thornberry is likely to stand for the Labour leadership and Brexit is likely to be a key issue in that context. Jeremy Corbyn’s allies, who are rallying behind the shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey as their candidate, argue that agreeing to a second referendum was a mistake (although Long-Bailey herself has yet to express a view on this topic.) |
| The biggest threat to Long-Bailey may come from the candidate attracting most Labour remain supporter, either Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, or Thornberry herself. Both Starmer and Thornberry strongly argued for a second referendum, and said that in such a poll they would back remain. | The biggest threat to Long-Bailey may come from the candidate attracting most Labour remain supporter, either Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, or Thornberry herself. Both Starmer and Thornberry strongly argued for a second referendum, and said that in such a poll they would back remain. |
| On Friday, in a statement in Downing Street after his surprise and overwhelming election victory, Boris Johnson offered an olive branch of sorts to people who voted remain. Addressing specifically those who still wanted to stay in the EU, he said “we in this one-nation Conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe.” It was hard to know what he meant by that, and this morning many remainers will be concluding “not much” following the overnight announcement from No 10 that its new version of the withdrawal agreement bill will ban the government from seeking an extension to the Brexit transition. This is a concession to Brexiters and, although it could be argued that the intention is just to intensify pressure for the UK-EU trade deal to be finalised by the end of 2020, it does raise the prospect of the UK falling out of the transition into a no-deal Brexit this time next year if agreement cannot be reached. | On Friday, in a statement in Downing Street after his surprise and overwhelming election victory, Boris Johnson offered an olive branch of sorts to people who voted remain. Addressing specifically those who still wanted to stay in the EU, he said “we in this one-nation Conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe.” It was hard to know what he meant by that, and this morning many remainers will be concluding “not much” following the overnight announcement from No 10 that its new version of the withdrawal agreement bill will ban the government from seeking an extension to the Brexit transition. This is a concession to Brexiters and, although it could be argued that the intention is just to intensify pressure for the UK-EU trade deal to be finalised by the end of 2020, it does raise the prospect of the UK falling out of the transition into a no-deal Brexit this time next year if agreement cannot be reached. |
| That is the conclusion of the financial markets. The pound has been falling this morning, wiping out all the gains it made after the election result was announced. This is from the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam. | That is the conclusion of the financial markets. The pound has been falling this morning, wiping out all the gains it made after the election result was announced. This is from the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam. |
| My colleague Graeme Wearden has full coverage on his business live blog. | My colleague Graeme Wearden has full coverage on his business live blog. |
| Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has condemned the government’s move, saying that it is “reckless and irresponsible” and will put jobs at risk. | Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, has condemned the government’s move, saying that it is “reckless and irresponsible” and will put jobs at risk. |
| The government wants to hold a vote on the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill on Friday. Starmer’s comment implies that Labour will vote against it, but the party’s election defeat has opened an intense debate about its Brexit position and others in the party will be arguing that the party should not vote against the bill at second reading. | The government wants to hold a vote on the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill on Friday. Starmer’s comment implies that Labour will vote against it, but the party’s election defeat has opened an intense debate about its Brexit position and others in the party will be arguing that the party should not vote against the bill at second reading. |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 9.30am: Boris Johnson chairs a political cabinet, followed by a normal cabinet meeting. | 9.30am: Boris Johnson chairs a political cabinet, followed by a normal cabinet meeting. |
| 12pm: Downing Street lobby briefing. | 12pm: Downing Street lobby briefing. |
| After 2pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is due to address the Scottish parliament about the consequences of the election. | After 2pm: Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is due to address the Scottish parliament about the consequences of the election. |
| 2.30pm: The Commons assembles for the first time since the election. MPs will re-elect Sir Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker, and then the swearing-in of MPs starts. | 2.30pm: The Commons assembles for the first time since the election. MPs will re-elect Sir Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker, and then the swearing-in of MPs starts. |
| 6pm: Jeremy Corbyn is due to address the parliamentary Labour party. | 6pm: Jeremy Corbyn is due to address the parliamentary Labour party. |
| The shadow cabinet is also due to meet at some point this morning. | The shadow cabinet is also due to meet at some point this morning. |
| As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. We plan to publish a summary at the end of the day. | As usual, I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. We plan to publish a summary at the end of the day. |
| You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. | You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe roundup of this morning’s political news. And here is the PoliticsHome list of today’s top 10 must-reads. |
| If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow. |
| I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. |
| If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. | If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. |