This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/jan/23/brexit-boris-johnson-labour-leadershiop-eu-official-tells-johnson-to-face-dose-of-realism-as-he-claims-brexit-now-crossing-finish-line--live-news
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brexit bill receives royal assent and becomes law – live news | Brexit bill receives royal assent and becomes law – live news |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen | Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen |
| The European parliament’s constitutional affairs committee has voted to recommend that MEPs should vote for the withdrawal agreement when they debate it on Wednesday afternoon next week. | |
| Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, has told Sky News that he thinks the chances of the UK and the EU agreeing a trade deal in 2020 are just 50/50. In a short interview in Davos, when asked if he was confident about there being a deal this year, he replied: | |
| By “cliff edge”, he means what would effectively be a no-deal Brexit at the end of 2020 (although a 2020 no deal would be different from a 2019 no deal, because the withdrawal agreement would be passed, which means the rights of EU nationals would be guaranteed, and the arrangement for Northern Ireland to remain effectively in the single market would be in place). | |
| This is from Sky’s economics editor, Ed Conway. | |
| Boris Johnson insists he is almost certain to get a trade deal, but the EU is more open about the risk of what it calls a “cliff edge” at the end of this year. It has recently published a whole series of briefing slides about the forthcoming trade talks, and this is from one set of slides (pdf) covering trade. | |
| Here is some niche research from a reader which might interest people following the Labour leadership contest. | Here is some niche research from a reader which might interest people following the Labour leadership contest. |
| Shortly after the granting of royal assent to the Brexit bill was announced, the SNP leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, used a point of order to say that the country was now facing a “constitutional crisis”. He told MPs: | Shortly after the granting of royal assent to the Brexit bill was announced, the SNP leader at Westminster, Ian Blackford, used a point of order to say that the country was now facing a “constitutional crisis”. He told MPs: |
| Blackford was referring to the fact that, under the so-called Sewel convention, the UK government is not supposed to legislate on matters covered by the devolved administrations without the devolved legislatures granting legislative consent. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act does contain provisions affecting devolved matters. Yet the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and the Northern Ireland assembly have all recently voted to refuse it legislative consent. | Blackford was referring to the fact that, under the so-called Sewel convention, the UK government is not supposed to legislate on matters covered by the devolved administrations without the devolved legislatures granting legislative consent. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act does contain provisions affecting devolved matters. Yet the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and the Northern Ireland assembly have all recently voted to refuse it legislative consent. |
| In the article 50 case the supreme court ruled that the Sewel convention was a political convention, and not one that could be enforced by law. The wording includes an opt-out - it says Westminster will “not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent” of the devolved legislatures - and there is precedent for Westminster passing legislation after one of the devolved administrations refused consent. The votes in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff cannot stop Brexit. | In the article 50 case the supreme court ruled that the Sewel convention was a political convention, and not one that could be enforced by law. The wording includes an opt-out - it says Westminster will “not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters without the consent” of the devolved legislatures - and there is precedent for Westminster passing legislation after one of the devolved administrations refused consent. The votes in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff cannot stop Brexit. |
| But there is no precedent for a major piece of legislation being passed after all three devolved legislatures refused to grant it legislative consent. | But there is no precedent for a major piece of legislation being passed after all three devolved legislatures refused to grant it legislative consent. |
| Blackford’s reference to a “constitutional crisis” may sound a touch hyperbolic. If there is a crisis, most MPs in London this afternoon don’t seem to have noticed. But a crisis does not always have to be immediate, and Blackford is right to say that Brexit has unleashed forces that could have a profound impact on the union. | Blackford’s reference to a “constitutional crisis” may sound a touch hyperbolic. If there is a crisis, most MPs in London this afternoon don’t seem to have noticed. But a crisis does not always have to be immediate, and Blackford is right to say that Brexit has unleashed forces that could have a profound impact on the union. |
| From the Brexit department | From the Brexit department |
| John Bercow, the former Commons Speaker, has issued a fresh statement in response to the report that Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, has submitted a formal complaint about him alleging bullying. (See 9.39am.) | John Bercow, the former Commons Speaker, has issued a fresh statement in response to the report that Lord Lisvane, the former clerk of the Commons, has submitted a formal complaint about him alleging bullying. (See 9.39am.) |
| In it he categorically denies ever bullying anyone. He says: | In it he categorically denies ever bullying anyone. He says: |
| According to the Press Association, in the statement Bercow says Lisvane had “ample opportunity” to raise concerns about Bercow’s conduct with him and that Lisvane had “a duty of care to all House staff”. | According to the Press Association, in the statement Bercow says Lisvane had “ample opportunity” to raise concerns about Bercow’s conduct with him and that Lisvane had “a duty of care to all House staff”. |
| In the statement Bercow argues that he is entitled to a peerage, because it is conventional for retiring Speakers to go to the Lords, and he criticises No 10 for not giving him one. He says: | In the statement Bercow argues that he is entitled to a peerage, because it is conventional for retiring Speakers to go to the Lords, and he criticises No 10 for not giving him one. He says: |
| The Brexit bill has received royal assent. It is now an act of parliament, the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act. | The Brexit bill has received royal assent. It is now an act of parliament, the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act. |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons (and arch-Brexiter), announced it on Twitter. | Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons (and arch-Brexiter), announced it on Twitter. |
| And here are the latest nomination tallies for the Labour leadership posted by @CLPNominations. | And here are the latest nomination tallies for the Labour leadership posted by @CLPNominations. |
| This tables, showing nominations by affiliates, is not up to date, because it does not include Chinese for Labour nominating Lisa Nandy. That means that she and Sir Keir Starmer are both now guaranteed a place on the final ballot. | This tables, showing nominations by affiliates, is not up to date, because it does not include Chinese for Labour nominating Lisa Nandy. That means that she and Sir Keir Starmer are both now guaranteed a place on the final ballot. |
| John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has released a video message backing his fellow leftwinger Richard Burgon for the Labour deputy leadership. | John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has released a video message backing his fellow leftwinger Richard Burgon for the Labour deputy leadership. |
| McDonnell is also urging constituency Labour parties (CLPs) to nominate Burgon. There are five candidates still in the contest for deputy leader but, as in the contest for the leadership, candidates will only make it onto the final ballot if they can get nominations from either 33 CLPs (5% of the total), or three affiliates (unions or socialist societies), comprising at least 5% of the affiliates vote. At the moment Burgon is struggling, but if he were to get nominated by Unite or CWU (the two big unions yet to decide), he would be close to guaranteeing his place on the ballot. | McDonnell is also urging constituency Labour parties (CLPs) to nominate Burgon. There are five candidates still in the contest for deputy leader but, as in the contest for the leadership, candidates will only make it onto the final ballot if they can get nominations from either 33 CLPs (5% of the total), or three affiliates (unions or socialist societies), comprising at least 5% of the affiliates vote. At the moment Burgon is struggling, but if he were to get nominated by Unite or CWU (the two big unions yet to decide), he would be close to guaranteeing his place on the ballot. |
| Here are recent nomination tallies for the deputy leadership from @CLPNominations, a reliable guide. Angela Rayner is the only candidate so far guaranteed a place on the final ballot. | Here are recent nomination tallies for the deputy leadership from @CLPNominations, a reliable guide. Angela Rayner is the only candidate so far guaranteed a place on the final ballot. |
| The likely battle lines between SNP and Scotish Tories in advance of next year’s Holyrood election are becoming clearer every week. At this lunchtime’s FMQs (first minister’s questions), interim Tory leader Jackson Carlaw - who launched his leadership campaign last week with proposals to reverse SNP tax rises for high earners - raised a pretty shocking story that was highlighted by the Courier this morning: the roof of a police station in Broughty Ferry collapsing just hours after the justice secretary dismissed concerns about the crumbling police estate as “hyperbole”. | The likely battle lines between SNP and Scotish Tories in advance of next year’s Holyrood election are becoming clearer every week. At this lunchtime’s FMQs (first minister’s questions), interim Tory leader Jackson Carlaw - who launched his leadership campaign last week with proposals to reverse SNP tax rises for high earners - raised a pretty shocking story that was highlighted by the Courier this morning: the roof of a police station in Broughty Ferry collapsing just hours after the justice secretary dismissed concerns about the crumbling police estate as “hyperbole”. |
| Carlaw condemned “years of missed opportunities from a distracted government”, noting that the FM would be returning to “her favourite topic” next week when she has promised to update parliament on her next steps after Boris Johnson ruled out granting her the legal powers to hold a second independence referendum. | Carlaw condemned “years of missed opportunities from a distracted government”, noting that the FM would be returning to “her favourite topic” next week when she has promised to update parliament on her next steps after Boris Johnson ruled out granting her the legal powers to hold a second independence referendum. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, shot back that it was Carlaw himself who was planning to strip public services, quoting an analysis of his tax proposals which she said proved they would “take £270m out of public services and give it back to the richest”. With the Scottish draft budget due on February 6, we can expect plenty more of this. | Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, shot back that it was Carlaw himself who was planning to strip public services, quoting an analysis of his tax proposals which she said proved they would “take £270m out of public services and give it back to the richest”. With the Scottish draft budget due on February 6, we can expect plenty more of this. |
| Emily Thornberry has also tweeted a message of support to her fellow Labour leadership candidate Keir Starmer. (See 1.19pm.) | Emily Thornberry has also tweeted a message of support to her fellow Labour leadership candidate Keir Starmer. (See 1.19pm.) |
| Zac Goldsmith, the environment minister, came up with a particularly unflattering description of himself in his maiden speech in the House of Lords a few minutes ago, Sky’s Aubrey Allegretti reports. | Zac Goldsmith, the environment minister, came up with a particularly unflattering description of himself in his maiden speech in the House of Lords a few minutes ago, Sky’s Aubrey Allegretti reports. |
| Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the Labour leadership contest, has been forced to cancel campaign events as his mother-in-law is critically ill in hospital. A spokesman for Starmer said: | Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the Labour leadership contest, has been forced to cancel campaign events as his mother-in-law is critically ill in hospital. A spokesman for Starmer said: |
| In response, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Starmer’s main rival in the contest, posted this on Twitter. | In response, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Starmer’s main rival in the contest, posted this on Twitter. |
| The police watchdog is facing accusations that it is dragging its feet on a decision about whether to investigate Boris Johnson for possible criminal misconduct over his friendship with the US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri when he was London mayor, my colleague Matthew Weaver reports. | The police watchdog is facing accusations that it is dragging its feet on a decision about whether to investigate Boris Johnson for possible criminal misconduct over his friendship with the US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri when he was London mayor, my colleague Matthew Weaver reports. |
| Sajid Javid, the chancellor, is speaking at a CBI lunch in Davos. He has just sought to reassure business that the UK won’t abandon all EU regulations after Brexit, saying: | Sajid Javid, the chancellor, is speaking at a CBI lunch in Davos. He has just sought to reassure business that the UK won’t abandon all EU regulations after Brexit, saying: |
| There is full coverage of the speech on my colleague Graeme Wearden’s Davos live blog. | There is full coverage of the speech on my colleague Graeme Wearden’s Davos live blog. |
| From Bloomberg’s Ian Wishart | From Bloomberg’s Ian Wishart |