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 6 Version 7
Twitter has created 'real problems' for left because it gives misleading view of public opinion, says Nandy - live news PMQs: Johnson says plan to let Scotland decide its immigration policy 'fanciful and deranged' - 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
Scotland has not broken apart from the UK yet, but the faultline seems to be getting bigger and in the Commons every week that is on display at PMQs. Boris Johnson seems to give more thought to countering Ian Blackford’s arguments than Jeremy Corbyn’s, and today he scored a good hit with a point about the Scottish parliament not debating education (where the SNP’s record has been poor) for the last two years. But his jibe only served to highlight the fact that on the substance - Scotland being disadvantaged by not being able to set its own immigration policy, despite its immigration needs being quite different to England’s - Blackford was right. The SNP case was strengthened by team discipline (various MPs making the same point). These were moments when Johnson faced forceful challenge. Boris Johnson claimed that the Scottish government’s plan for Edinburgh to be able to decide immigration policy for Scotland was “fanciful and deranged”. This is what he said when asked Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, asked about this at PMQs. Johnson said:
Blackford replied:
From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg
The Northern rail franchise is to be renationalised, the government has announced, with the state operator of last resort taking over the running of the struggling network from 1 March, my colleagues Gwyn Topham and Lucy Campbell report.
Here are some lines from the post-PMQs briefing from Jeremy Corbyn’s spokesman.
Boris Johnson’s line at PMQs about the Scottish parliament not debating education for two years sounded very effective when he made it. (See 1.10pm.) But, according to the SNP’s Ross Colquhoun, it wasn’t quite true.
Scotland has not broken apart from the UK yet, but the faultline seems to be getting bigger and in the Commons every week that crack is on display at PMQs. Boris Johnson seems to give more thought to countering Ian Blackford’s arguments than Jeremy Corbyn’s, and today he scored a good hit with a point about the Scottish parliament not debating education (where the SNP’s record has been poor) for the last two years. But his jibe only served to highlight the fact that on the substance - Scotland being disadvantaged by not being able to set its own immigration policy, despite its immigration needs being quite different to England’s - Blackford was right. The SNP case was strengthened by team discipline (various MPs making the same point). These were moments when Johnson faced forceful challenge.
He is also facing an acute dilemma over HS2. At least three MPs asked about it, and he fobbed them off each time with a reply about the government announcement about HS2 being made very soon. But it was clear from the commotion in the Commons that Conservative MPs are split over this, and not afraid to say so.He is also facing an acute dilemma over HS2. At least three MPs asked about it, and he fobbed them off each time with a reply about the government announcement about HS2 being made very soon. But it was clear from the commotion in the Commons that Conservative MPs are split over this, and not afraid to say so.
By contrast, Johnson is not facing much challenge at the moment from Corbyn. That is partly because Corbyn’s own MPs are indifferent to what he is saying, and partly because Corbyn seems to have even less interest than he ever used to in mastering the theatrics of PMQs. That is not to say he wasn’t talking sense; he was, and it was clear from listening to him that he is better informed about the Middle East and international human rights (a lifelong passion for him) than Johnson is (despite Johnson being a former foreign secretary). Corbyn was also right to expose the government announcement last week about no longer funding coal projects abroad with aid money as essentially cosmetic (because funding for oil and gas projects continues). But Caroline Lucas made this point with more passion and punch (see 12.21pm), and on the Middle East, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia, Corbyn may have been right, but he did not inspire the house. That is not to say these issues aren’t important; it is just that if you feel they are important, you should find a way of conveying that. It’s not easy, but effective politics never is.By contrast, Johnson is not facing much challenge at the moment from Corbyn. That is partly because Corbyn’s own MPs are indifferent to what he is saying, and partly because Corbyn seems to have even less interest than he ever used to in mastering the theatrics of PMQs. That is not to say he wasn’t talking sense; he was, and it was clear from listening to him that he is better informed about the Middle East and international human rights (a lifelong passion for him) than Johnson is (despite Johnson being a former foreign secretary). Corbyn was also right to expose the government announcement last week about no longer funding coal projects abroad with aid money as essentially cosmetic (because funding for oil and gas projects continues). But Caroline Lucas made this point with more passion and punch (see 12.21pm), and on the Middle East, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia, Corbyn may have been right, but he did not inspire the house. That is not to say these issues aren’t important; it is just that if you feel they are important, you should find a way of conveying that. It’s not easy, but effective politics never is.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, is making an announcement.Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, is making an announcement.
He says he is setting up a new system. If he takes a decision against the strong advice of clerks, the clerk will have the right to place a copy of his advice in the Commons library.He says he is setting up a new system. If he takes a decision against the strong advice of clerks, the clerk will have the right to place a copy of his advice in the Commons library.
This system is modelled on the “ministerial direction” system that allows civil servants, if they feel they are being ordered to go ahead with a spending plan that cannot be justified, to insist on being given a written “ministerial direction”. It does not stop ministers doing what they want, but it serves as an incentive against rogue decision making.This system is modelled on the “ministerial direction” system that allows civil servants, if they feel they are being ordered to go ahead with a spending plan that cannot be justified, to insist on being given a written “ministerial direction”. It does not stop ministers doing what they want, but it serves as an incentive against rogue decision making.
Hoyle’s announcement is a response to the controversy generated by John Bercow when he over-ruled advice from his clerk, and effectively tore up the Commons rulebook, to allow a vote on an amendment opposed by Brexiters.Hoyle’s announcement is a response to the controversy generated by John Bercow when he over-ruled advice from his clerk, and effectively tore up the Commons rulebook, to allow a vote on an amendment opposed by Brexiters.
Speaker announces plan to reduce prospect of officials’ advice being ignored on procedural rulings.Speaker announces plan to reduce prospect of officials’ advice being ignored on procedural rulings.
Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru’s leader at Westminster, says many people are not happy about Brexit. Will Johnson meet Plaid Cymru to discuss Wales’ prospects after Brexit.Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru’s leader at Westminster, says many people are not happy about Brexit. Will Johnson meet Plaid Cymru to discuss Wales’ prospects after Brexit.
Johnson says he agrees on the need for unity, but Wales voted for Brexit.Johnson says he agrees on the need for unity, but Wales voted for Brexit.
Johnson repeats the point about the HS2 announcement coming shortly.Johnson repeats the point about the HS2 announcement coming shortly.
An MP asks if the BBC is a moral enemy of the Conservative party, or a much-prized national institution.An MP asks if the BBC is a moral enemy of the Conservative party, or a much-prized national institution.
That is a reference to what Dominic Cummings, the PM’s chief adviser, used to say about the BBC.That is a reference to what Dominic Cummings, the PM’s chief adviser, used to say about the BBC.
Johnson says the BBC is a much-prized institution. It is not a mortal enemy, he says.Johnson says the BBC is a much-prized institution. It is not a mortal enemy, he says.
The SNP’s Richard Thomson asks if Johnson will commit to keeping the UK in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme after Brexit.The SNP’s Richard Thomson asks if Johnson will commit to keeping the UK in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme after Brexit.
Johnson says nothing in Brexit will stop students being able to pursue their hopes and dreams around the EU.Johnson says nothing in Brexit will stop students being able to pursue their hopes and dreams around the EU.
Labour’s Meg Hillier asks what Johnson is going to do now to ensure there are more GPs. She says just training more is not good enough, because that takes years.Labour’s Meg Hillier asks what Johnson is going to do now to ensure there are more GPs. She says just training more is not good enough, because that takes years.
Johnson says the government is training 6,000 more GPs.Johnson says the government is training 6,000 more GPs.
The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan asks Johnson if he agrees that protecting Scotland’s care sector with tailor-made immigration policies are more important than his ideological obsession with cutting immigration.The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan asks Johnson if he agrees that protecting Scotland’s care sector with tailor-made immigration policies are more important than his ideological obsession with cutting immigration.
Johnson claims existing plans take into account Scotland’s needs.Johnson claims existing plans take into account Scotland’s needs.
The DUP’s Gregory Campbell asks if Johnson backs plans for pensions for innocent victims of violence in Northern Ireland.The DUP’s Gregory Campbell asks if Johnson backs plans for pensions for innocent victims of violence in Northern Ireland.
Johnson says the principle that victims must not be to blame for what happened must be maintained in these negotiations.Johnson says the principle that victims must not be to blame for what happened must be maintained in these negotiations.
Andy Carter, a Conservative, asks if the government will hire more doctors.
Johnson says it will. This is the party of delivery and decision and democracy, he says.
Labour’s Karl Turner says seafarers are expected to work for less than the minimum wage. Will Johnson meet MPs to discuss this?
Johnson says he accepts this is a serious issue, and he is happy to take this up. He says the transport secretary will convene a meeting.
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP, asks Johnson if he agrees the government should avoid hypocrisy. She says the government is putting £2bn into fossil fuel programmes abroad.
Johnson says spending on climate change projects has been doubled, and the government is not spending a penny more on coal projects.
The SNP’s Angela Crawley says Scotland should have the power to decide its own immigration policy.
Johnson says he has the highest respect for Scotland and its people. But he has less respect for the SNP, he says.
Johnson says the government is considering whether and how to proceed with HS2. An announcement will be made “very shortly”.
Labour’s Sarah Champion asks if Johnson will make paying for sex illegal.
Johnson says he is willing to look at this idea.
Andrea Jenkyns, a Conservative, says in Yorkshire Brexiters will be celebrating Brexit on Friday.
Johnson says he wishes them well in at the Brexit bash.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader at Westminster, says Michael Gove once said Scotland would be able to decide its immigration policy after Brexit. On Monday the Scottish government published immigration plans. He asks Johnson why he objects to model three in the plan.
Johnson says the idea of having a Scotland-only visa is “fanciful”. Whatever the document says on the page Blackford referred it, it won’t say who would pay for it, he says.
Blackford says the Scottish plans have wide support. They would boost Scotland’s population, improve its economy and protect public services. Scotland was told it would be an equal partner. Will Johnson accept this plan?
Johnson says his points-based immigration system will help the whole of the UK. He says the Scottish parliament has not had a debate on education for two years. Yet today it is debating flying the EU flag, he says.
Sally-Ann Hart, a Conservative, asks for an asssurance that Hastings and Rye, her constituency, will not be overlooked in the PM’s levelling up programme.
Johnson says Hastings will benefit from the government’s infrastructure programme.
Corbyn says 100,000 people died in Yemen last year alone. When the PM goes to Saudia Arabia later this year, will he make it clear that any trade deal will be dependent on improvements in human rights?
Johnson says Corbyn is a supporter of the Iranian regime, which has exacerbated the situation in Yemen he claims. He says the government will continue to support human rights.
Corbyn says he has defended human rights around the world, including in Iran and Russia. He says prisoners in Saudia Arabia are being tortured. Britain is at a crossroads, he says. He says the signs are that Johnson wants to sell out this country, and the NHS, in a trade deal with President Trump. When will Johnson stand up for the fight against climate change, and promote peace?
Johnson says Corbyn stood up for Tehran, and for President Putin when he poisoned people in Britain. Corbyn wants to abolish the armed forces, he says. And he does not support Nato, he says. He says his government is standing up for efforts to educate girls around the world.