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/29/pmqs-boris-johnson-corbyn-warned-he-faces-first-commons-revolt-since-election-over-huawei-live-news

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Labour leadership: Nandy says UK's support for Trump's Middle East peace plan 'disgraceful' - live news Twitter has created 'real problems' for left because it gives misleading view of public opinion, says Nandy - live news
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenRolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen
As British MEPs arrived in the European parliament in Brussels this morning, they were greeted by a sign above the chamber could be seen reading: “It’s not goodbye, it’s au revoir.” As the Press Association reports, the message had been put up by the S&D, a coalition of socialist parties.
Here are the main points from Lisa Nandy’s LBC phone-in.
Nandy said Twitter had created “real problems” for the left because it gave activists a misleading view of what the public thought. She said that she had taken Twitter off her phone. She explained:
She said that the government’s support for President Trump’s Middle East peace plan was “disgraceful”. She said that, as someone who had been vice chair and then chair of Labour Friends of Palestine, she was “horrified” by the plan because it could end any prospect of a two-state solution. Referring to a Foreign Office statement describing the plan as “a serious proposal”, she said that was “disgraceful”. She went on:
Q: People are calling Nandy blue Labour. Why is that?Q: People are calling Nandy blue Labour. Why is that?
Nandy says the only time she has rebelled recently in the Commons was when the party was backing tax cuts for the wealthy. So in that regard she is to the left of Jeremy Corbyn, she says.Nandy says the only time she has rebelled recently in the Commons was when the party was backing tax cuts for the wealthy. So in that regard she is to the left of Jeremy Corbyn, she says.
Q: What is your view of Trump’s Middle East peace plan?Q: What is your view of Trump’s Middle East peace plan?
Nandy says she is “horrified” by it. It closes of any hope of a two-state solution, she says. She says that is bad for Israel.Nandy says she is “horrified” by it. It closes of any hope of a two-state solution, she says. She says that is bad for Israel.
She says Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said the Trump plan should be taken seriously. “That is disgraceful,” she says.She says Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, said the Trump plan should be taken seriously. “That is disgraceful,” she says.
And that’s it. The phone-in is over.And that’s it. The phone-in is over.
Q: Which part of the party does the rancour come from most?Q: Which part of the party does the rancour come from most?
Nandy says she has friends in every part of the Labour party. It is family to her. There are people in parliament she is good friends with, despite not agreeing with them much on policy.Nandy says she has friends in every part of the Labour party. It is family to her. There are people in parliament she is good friends with, despite not agreeing with them much on policy.
Q: Can you get Momentum and centrists dads to march alongside each other?Q: Can you get Momentum and centrists dads to march alongside each other?
Yes, says Nandy. She says the two groups did work together during the election campaign.Yes, says Nandy. She says the two groups did work together during the election campaign.
She says if people in the Labour party are “just anti”, that will kill the Labour party.She says if people in the Labour party are “just anti”, that will kill the Labour party.
Q: I find your comment about Catalonia offensive. Why did you say what you said?Q: I find your comment about Catalonia offensive. Why did you say what you said?
Nandy says she did not say that the Spanish government was taking the right approach to Catalonia, as the caller claims. She says her words were wilfully distorted by the SNP.Nandy says she did not say that the Spanish government was taking the right approach to Catalonia, as the caller claims. She says her words were wilfully distorted by the SNP.
She says the point she was making was that Labour had not been able to counter arguments made by Scottish nationalists.She says the point she was making was that Labour had not been able to counter arguments made by Scottish nationalists.
She says she was talking about the peaceful struggle for social justice in Catalonia.She says she was talking about the peaceful struggle for social justice in Catalonia.
Of course she was not defending the police treatment of separatists in Catalonia, she says.Of course she was not defending the police treatment of separatists in Catalonia, she says.
She says her remark was distorted by the SNP. The SNP have done this over and over again, she says. They exploit the politics of grievance. She claims that that is because the SNP do not want to talk about her record.She says her remark was distorted by the SNP. The SNP have done this over and over again, she says. They exploit the politics of grievance. She claims that that is because the SNP do not want to talk about her record.
O’Brien asks the caller where he got the idea that Nandy had endorsed violence. He says he cannot see how anyone got that idea from what she said in her Andrew Neil interview, unless they were told that by the SNP.O’Brien asks the caller where he got the idea that Nandy had endorsed violence. He says he cannot see how anyone got that idea from what she said in her Andrew Neil interview, unless they were told that by the SNP.
The caller says he is not claiming that Nandy endorsed violence.The caller says he is not claiming that Nandy endorsed violence.
Nandy says Labour supported the idea of having a Brexit referendum. But it had not made the case for EU membership before the campaign began. The campaign was lost before it started, she says.Nandy says Labour supported the idea of having a Brexit referendum. But it had not made the case for EU membership before the campaign began. The campaign was lost before it started, she says.
The FT’s Jim Pickard has tweeted these about his Labour story. (See 10.13am.)The FT’s Jim Pickard has tweeted these about his Labour story. (See 10.13am.)
And here’s an extract from his story (paywall).And here’s an extract from his story (paywall).
Q: Jim Pickard in the FT today says the Labour report into the election says Jeremy Corbyn can be exonerated for what happened. Do you agree?Q: Jim Pickard in the FT today says the Labour report into the election says Jeremy Corbyn can be exonerated for what happened. Do you agree?
Nandy says no one can be exonerated for what happened.Nandy says no one can be exonerated for what happened.
Lisa Nandy, a Labour leadership candidate, is holding a phone-in on LBC now. James O’Brien is presenting.Lisa Nandy, a Labour leadership candidate, is holding a phone-in on LBC now. James O’Brien is presenting.
Nandy says she has not been planning this for years. She did not want to be Labour leader from the age of nine. And she has not been planning a bid for the last two years.Nandy says she has not been planning this for years. She did not want to be Labour leader from the age of nine. And she has not been planning a bid for the last two years.
But she did enter the contest to win, she says. She says she is not here just to broaden the debate. You can do that as an MP.But she did enter the contest to win, she says. She says she is not here just to broaden the debate. You can do that as an MP.
Q: Why did Labour lose?Q: Why did Labour lose?
Nandy says the two factors mentioned most were Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn. But, beyond that, there are other reasons why Labour has been losing working class support for years.Nandy says the two factors mentioned most were Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn. But, beyond that, there are other reasons why Labour has been losing working class support for years.
Q: But why did people feel that the Conservative party instead?Q: But why did people feel that the Conservative party instead?
Nandy says the “nastiness and divisions and infighting” did not help. But she says most people are not on Twitter.Nandy says the “nastiness and divisions and infighting” did not help. But she says most people are not on Twitter.
Q: And you are off it now?Q: And you are off it now?
Nandy says she has taken if off her phone. She says that is lovely. She says she thinks Twitter has become a problem for the left, because it gives a misleading view of what people think. She says it is not even representative of social media, because there are more people on Facebook.Nandy says she has taken if off her phone. She says that is lovely. She says she thinks Twitter has become a problem for the left, because it gives a misleading view of what people think. She says it is not even representative of social media, because there are more people on Facebook.
Nandy says Twitter has become a problem for the left, because it gives activists a misleading view of what people think.Nandy says Twitter has become a problem for the left, because it gives activists a misleading view of what people think.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has been holding a press conference in Brussels. Here are some of the highlights, from my colleague Jennifer Rankin, the Telegraph’s James Crisp, LBC’s Christian Mitchell and Sky’s Adam Parsons.Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, has been holding a press conference in Brussels. Here are some of the highlights, from my colleague Jennifer Rankin, the Telegraph’s James Crisp, LBC’s Christian Mitchell and Sky’s Adam Parsons.
Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, will attend his last debate in the European parliament as an MEP this afternoon. He has been a member of the parliament since 1999. In an interview on the Today programme this morning he made two valedictory claims - both of which are highly questionable.Nigel Farage, the Brexit party leader, will attend his last debate in the European parliament as an MEP this afternoon. He has been a member of the parliament since 1999. In an interview on the Today programme this morning he made two valedictory claims - both of which are highly questionable.
Farage claimed that Brexit would mark the “beginning of the end” for the EU. He said:Farage claimed that Brexit would mark the “beginning of the end” for the EU. He said:
This claim is dubious because polling evidence suggests that support for EU membership remains very high - it’s over 80% in most member states - and that pro-EU sentiment on the continent has actually gone up since the UK voted to leave in 2016. In a recent speech in London Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, said Brexit had strengthened unity amongst the EU27. She said:This claim is dubious because polling evidence suggests that support for EU membership remains very high - it’s over 80% in most member states - and that pro-EU sentiment on the continent has actually gone up since the UK voted to leave in 2016. In a recent speech in London Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, said Brexit had strengthened unity amongst the EU27. She said:
When Farage was asked in his interview about polling showing that support for EU membership had risen across Europe since Brexit, he said that was just because people had seen the UK “make such a Horlicks” of leaving.When Farage was asked in his interview about polling showing that support for EU membership had risen across Europe since Brexit, he said that was just because people had seen the UK “make such a Horlicks” of leaving.
Farage claimed the UK would get a good trade deal from the UK because it was in “an enormously powerful position”. He said:Farage claimed the UK would get a good trade deal from the UK because it was in “an enormously powerful position”. He said:
This is just the latest iteration of the long-running claim that pressure from German BMW manufacturers and Italian Prosecco producers will ensure the EU offers the UK easy access to the single market after Brexit. So far it has turned out to be a poor guide to EU negotiating behaviour because EU leaders have been more interested in protecting the integrity of the single market than in featherbedding BMW. In an interview broadcast on Monday Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM) said he thought the UK was in a relatively weak position in the trade talks in comparison with the EU.This is just the latest iteration of the long-running claim that pressure from German BMW manufacturers and Italian Prosecco producers will ensure the EU offers the UK easy access to the single market after Brexit. So far it has turned out to be a poor guide to EU negotiating behaviour because EU leaders have been more interested in protecting the integrity of the single market than in featherbedding BMW. In an interview broadcast on Monday Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM) said he thought the UK was in a relatively weak position in the trade talks in comparison with the EU.
Brexit is getting closer and closer, and now the instrument of ratification - the document that legally formalises the UK’s withdrawal - has been signed and deposited with the EU. Here is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, signing it.Brexit is getting closer and closer, and now the instrument of ratification - the document that legally formalises the UK’s withdrawal - has been signed and deposited with the EU. Here is Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, signing it.
And here is Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s ambassador to the EU, handing it in.And here is Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s ambassador to the EU, handing it in.
Boris Johnson is now facing the threat of his first Commons rebellion since the general election, over his decision to let the Chinese firm Huawei play a role in building the UK’s 5G infrastructure. Conservative MPs expressed their concerns in the Commons yesterday and, although they were not quite as outspoken as some were when the same topic was discussed on Monday, talk of a revolt is firming up. The government announced yesterday that it plans to legislate to ensure that “high risk vendors” (ie, Huawei) can only run 35% of the 5G network. Legislation means votes, and voting means backbenchers have leverage (because the main opposition parties, Labour and the SNP, are also very critical of this decision on national security grounds). On Newsnight last night Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative party leader, said that there would have to be “modification” to the government’s plans and that the 35% threshold was too high.Boris Johnson is now facing the threat of his first Commons rebellion since the general election, over his decision to let the Chinese firm Huawei play a role in building the UK’s 5G infrastructure. Conservative MPs expressed their concerns in the Commons yesterday and, although they were not quite as outspoken as some were when the same topic was discussed on Monday, talk of a revolt is firming up. The government announced yesterday that it plans to legislate to ensure that “high risk vendors” (ie, Huawei) can only run 35% of the 5G network. Legislation means votes, and voting means backbenchers have leverage (because the main opposition parties, Labour and the SNP, are also very critical of this decision on national security grounds). On Newsnight last night Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative party leader, said that there would have to be “modification” to the government’s plans and that the 35% threshold was too high.
And on the Today programme this morning Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, also said that he wanted to see the 35% figure driven down in a future vote. Asked how much support the rebels might have from Tory backbenchers for such a plan, he said:And on the Today programme this morning Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, also said that he wanted to see the 35% figure driven down in a future vote. Asked how much support the rebels might have from Tory backbenchers for such a plan, he said:
The government has a majority of 80, and Green conceded that that meant roughly 40 MPs would need to rebel for the government to be at risk of defeat. But he did not rule this out.The government has a majority of 80, and Green conceded that that meant roughly 40 MPs would need to rebel for the government to be at risk of defeat. But he did not rule this out.
Green’s intervention confirmed the very point he was making. While Duncan Smith is on the right of the party, Green himself is firmly on the Tory left. New MPs may be more reluctant to rebel than old ones, of course, and the government could make concessions over the 35% target to appease its critics, but it can’t go too far without driving Huawei out of the 5G market, which would defeat the point of the announcement made yesterday. This is definitely one for the chief whip’s “problems” folder.Green’s intervention confirmed the very point he was making. While Duncan Smith is on the right of the party, Green himself is firmly on the Tory left. New MPs may be more reluctant to rebel than old ones, of course, and the government could make concessions over the 35% target to appease its critics, but it can’t go too far without driving Huawei out of the 5G market, which would defeat the point of the announcement made yesterday. This is definitely one for the chief whip’s “problems” folder.
Here is the agenda for the day.Here is the agenda for the day.
10am: Lisa Nandy, a candidate for the Labour leadership, holds a phone-in on LBC.10am: Lisa Nandy, a candidate for the Labour leadership, holds a phone-in on LBC.
10am: MPs start voting in elections for select committee chairs. The ballot closes at 4pm, and the results will be announced at some point after that.10am: MPs start voting in elections for select committee chairs. The ballot closes at 4pm, and the results will be announced at some point after that.
12pm: Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs.12pm: Boris Johnson faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs.
2pm (UK time): MEPs debate the EU withdrawal agreement. The vote will come at 5pm.2pm (UK time): MEPs debate the EU withdrawal agreement. The vote will come at 5pm.
2pm: The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation hold an event in parliament to lobby MPs.2pm: The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation hold an event in parliament to lobby MPs.
Around 5pm: Johnson is expected to hold a “People’s PMQs” on Facebook.Around 5pm: Johnson is expected to hold a “People’s PMQs” on Facebook.
Afternoon: Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, arrives in London for talks with Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, today, and with Johnson tomorrow.Afternoon: Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, arrives in London for talks with Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, today, and with Johnson tomorrow.
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. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.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. I plan to post a summary when I wrap up.
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.