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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2018/dec/20/brexit-latest-theresa-may-andrea-leadsom-makes-case-for-managed-no-deal-politics-live
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| Government drops claims that no-deal Brexit 'unlikely' – as it happened | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government has dropped its claim that a no-deal Brexit is “unlikely”. (See 12.22pm and 12.35pm.) | The government has dropped its claim that a no-deal Brexit is “unlikely”. (See 12.22pm and 12.35pm.) |
| Andrea Leadsom has rebuked Amber Rudd after the work and pensions secretary broke ranks with the government by saying there was a “plausible argument” for a second referendum if MPs voted down the EU withdrawal bill. In an interview on the Today programme, Leadsom also argued that there was a case for a managed no-deal Brexit. (See 9.33am.) At the press conference with her Polish counterpart, Theresa May brushed aside suggestions that having cabinet ministers openly speculating like this about what should happen if her deal gets rejected showed collective cabinet responsibility was breaking down. She said: | Andrea Leadsom has rebuked Amber Rudd after the work and pensions secretary broke ranks with the government by saying there was a “plausible argument” for a second referendum if MPs voted down the EU withdrawal bill. In an interview on the Today programme, Leadsom also argued that there was a case for a managed no-deal Brexit. (See 9.33am.) At the press conference with her Polish counterpart, Theresa May brushed aside suggestions that having cabinet ministers openly speculating like this about what should happen if her deal gets rejected showed collective cabinet responsibility was breaking down. She said: |
| Everybody is very clear that not only what government policy is but what we are all individually and collectively focused on is working to ensure that that deal is able to be agreed by and go through a meaningful vote in the House of Commons. | Everybody is very clear that not only what government policy is but what we are all individually and collectively focused on is working to ensure that that deal is able to be agreed by and go through a meaningful vote in the House of Commons. |
| As my colleague Jessica Elgot points out, May’s comment did not fully address the question. | As my colleague Jessica Elgot points out, May’s comment did not fully address the question. |
| Theresa May says cabinet ministers are “very clear … what government policy is.” They might know what it is, but most show little sign of sticking to it... https://t.co/iuhOHgAgrf | Theresa May says cabinet ministers are “very clear … what government policy is.” They might know what it is, but most show little sign of sticking to it... https://t.co/iuhOHgAgrf |
| Leadsom has told MPs that the Commons debate on Brexit in the new year will start on Wednesday 9 January. (See 11.47pm.) | Leadsom has told MPs that the Commons debate on Brexit in the new year will start on Wednesday 9 January. (See 11.47pm.) |
| Vladimir Putin has said the UK should not hold a second referendum on Brexit, insisting Theresa May must “fulfil the will of the people”. | Vladimir Putin has said the UK should not hold a second referendum on Brexit, insisting Theresa May must “fulfil the will of the people”. |
| May has said Britain is to help Poland tackle Russian “disinformation” with a new unit. | May has said Britain is to help Poland tackle Russian “disinformation” with a new unit. |
| The Conservative MP Anna Soubry has urged police to clamp down on “far-right” protesters outside parliament after a group of pro-Brexit supporters harassed her, shouting that she was a traitor and “on the side of Adolf Hitler”. | The Conservative MP Anna Soubry has urged police to clamp down on “far-right” protesters outside parliament after a group of pro-Brexit supporters harassed her, shouting that she was a traitor and “on the side of Adolf Hitler”. |
| Security in Ireland would be “seriously impacted” by a no-deal Brexit because of sudden changes to arrangements with the UK over crime, the Irish government has warned. | Security in Ireland would be “seriously impacted” by a no-deal Brexit because of sudden changes to arrangements with the UK over crime, the Irish government has warned. |
| Suspended MP Ivan Lewis has announced his resignation from the Labour party, accusing Jeremy Corbyn of being “unwilling to condemn those whose hatred of Israel becomes Jewish hatred” and complaining that the disciplinary process against him was “subject to political manipulation”. | Suspended MP Ivan Lewis has announced his resignation from the Labour party, accusing Jeremy Corbyn of being “unwilling to condemn those whose hatred of Israel becomes Jewish hatred” and complaining that the disciplinary process against him was “subject to political manipulation”. |
| The US and UK have taken the unprecedented step of accusing hackers linked to the Chinese government of waging a sustained cyber-campaign focused on large-scale theft of commercial intellectual property. | The US and UK have taken the unprecedented step of accusing hackers linked to the Chinese government of waging a sustained cyber-campaign focused on large-scale theft of commercial intellectual property. |
| A Labour MP found guilty of lying to the police to avoid a speeding ticket has sent a message to parliamentary colleagues likening her predicament to those of biblical figures, including Jesus, and asking them to pray for her. | A Labour MP found guilty of lying to the police to avoid a speeding ticket has sent a message to parliamentary colleagues likening her predicament to those of biblical figures, including Jesus, and asking them to pray for her. |
| That’s all from me for today - and for the rest of 2018. | That’s all from me for today - and for the rest of 2018. |
| Happy Christmas and happy new year. | Happy Christmas and happy new year. |
| A European court of justice decision allowing the UK to unilaterally revoke Article 50 has been rubber-stamped by the highest court in Scotland. As the Press Association reports, the Luxembourg court ruled last week the UK can go back on its decision to start the Brexit process without the agreement of the other 27 EU member states. It referred the case back to the court of session in Edinburgh where a hearing before three judges took place today, which approved the decision. Judge Lord Carloway said: “This court will grant a declarator which mirrors the decision of the court of justice of the European Union.” | A European court of justice decision allowing the UK to unilaterally revoke Article 50 has been rubber-stamped by the highest court in Scotland. As the Press Association reports, the Luxembourg court ruled last week the UK can go back on its decision to start the Brexit process without the agreement of the other 27 EU member states. It referred the case back to the court of session in Edinburgh where a hearing before three judges took place today, which approved the decision. Judge Lord Carloway said: “This court will grant a declarator which mirrors the decision of the court of justice of the European Union.” |
| Mike Russell, the Scottish government’s constitutional relations secretary, has described the UK government’s approach to Brexit as “amateurish” because it ignored the realities of devolution. Speaking to MSPs, he said: | Mike Russell, the Scottish government’s constitutional relations secretary, has described the UK government’s approach to Brexit as “amateurish” because it ignored the realities of devolution. Speaking to MSPs, he said: |
| [The UK government] approached [the talks] in an amateurish, thoughtless way and it approached them also in a view, if you remember the prime minister’s words, that we entered the EU as one UK and would leave as one UK. | [The UK government] approached [the talks] in an amateurish, thoughtless way and it approached them also in a view, if you remember the prime minister’s words, that we entered the EU as one UK and would leave as one UK. |
| I’ve described that regularly as constitutional illiteracy - that simply is not the case. The constitution has changed since the UK joined the EU. | I’ve described that regularly as constitutional illiteracy - that simply is not the case. The constitution has changed since the UK joined the EU. |
| There is a different constitution and that should be recognised. Devolution has taken place since then. So what the UK should have done is gone into negotiations recognising the reality of devolution. | There is a different constitution and that should be recognised. Devolution has taken place since then. So what the UK should have done is gone into negotiations recognising the reality of devolution. |
| At a very early stage, [Theresa May] should have taken Jeremy Corbyn, Tim Farron, Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones, Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster at that time, into a room and said, ‘How can we together get this to work?’. | At a very early stage, [Theresa May] should have taken Jeremy Corbyn, Tim Farron, Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones, Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster at that time, into a room and said, ‘How can we together get this to work?’. |
| At no time did that take place. At no time was there anything other than, ‘We do it my way and nobody else matters’. | At no time did that take place. At no time was there anything other than, ‘We do it my way and nobody else matters’. |
| That is at the heart and root of the problem that we presently have. And how then anybody can talk about bringing people together when their actions at the very beginning have forced people apart, I do not know. | That is at the heart and root of the problem that we presently have. And how then anybody can talk about bringing people together when their actions at the very beginning have forced people apart, I do not know. |
| Commenting on Ivan Lewis’s resignation (see 4.40pm), a Labour spokesperson said: | Commenting on Ivan Lewis’s resignation (see 4.40pm), a Labour spokesperson said: |
| Jeremy Corbyn thanks Ivan for his service to the Labour party. | Jeremy Corbyn thanks Ivan for his service to the Labour party. |
| The Labour party takes all complaints of sexual harassment extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and appropriate disciplinary action taken. | The Labour party takes all complaints of sexual harassment extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and appropriate disciplinary action taken. |
| This case was referred to a full hearing of Labour’s national constitutional committee. The process is the same for everyone. | This case was referred to a full hearing of Labour’s national constitutional committee. The process is the same for everyone. |
| Party sources said that Lewis had recently been told that a date for his disciplinary hearing would be set in the new year and that, by resigning, Lewis was now denying his accusers a hearing. They also described the comments in Lewis’s resignation letter about Jeremy Corbyn’s views on Israel as “false and bizarre”, saying Corbyn was committed to a two-state solution. | Party sources said that Lewis had recently been told that a date for his disciplinary hearing would be set in the new year and that, by resigning, Lewis was now denying his accusers a hearing. They also described the comments in Lewis’s resignation letter about Jeremy Corbyn’s views on Israel as “false and bizarre”, saying Corbyn was committed to a two-state solution. |
| Thousands of Britons living in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have had their rights guaranteed under a new Brexit agreement. As the Press Association reports, the Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, has announced that around 57,000 UK nationals living in Efta countries will be protected whether or not the UK leaves the EU with a deal. The agreement will also protect around 14,000 Swiss nationals and 15,000 EU/Efta nationals living in the UK. | Thousands of Britons living in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have had their rights guaranteed under a new Brexit agreement. As the Press Association reports, the Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, has announced that around 57,000 UK nationals living in Efta countries will be protected whether or not the UK leaves the EU with a deal. The agreement will also protect around 14,000 Swiss nationals and 15,000 EU/Efta nationals living in the UK. |
| In a joint statement, the governments of the UK, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein said: | In a joint statement, the governments of the UK, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein said: |
| We are pleased to have reached this agreement. It will protect the rights of our citizens as the UK leaves the EU, and it will provide certainty to businesses. | We are pleased to have reached this agreement. It will protect the rights of our citizens as the UK leaves the EU, and it will provide certainty to businesses. |
| We want to put in place new arrangements from the end of the implementation period to protect our historic relationships, including in the area of trade. | We want to put in place new arrangements from the end of the implementation period to protect our historic relationships, including in the area of trade. |
| Ivan Lewis, the Labour MP and former minister who is currently suspended from the party over sexual harassment allegations, has announced that he is resigning from the party. | Ivan Lewis, the Labour MP and former minister who is currently suspended from the party over sexual harassment allegations, has announced that he is resigning from the party. |
| In his resignation letter, he complains that the disciplinary process against him has been allowed to drag on for over a year and he criticises Jeremy Corbyn’s views on Israel and his stance on antisemitism. | In his resignation letter, he complains that the disciplinary process against him has been allowed to drag on for over a year and he criticises Jeremy Corbyn’s views on Israel and his stance on antisemitism. |
| I'm resigning from @UKLabour, but will continue to stand up for the people of Bury South as an Independent MP in the @HouseofCommons. Read my resignation letter to Jeremy Corbyn. pic.twitter.com/YNmqRVclvR | I'm resigning from @UKLabour, but will continue to stand up for the people of Bury South as an Independent MP in the @HouseofCommons. Read my resignation letter to Jeremy Corbyn. pic.twitter.com/YNmqRVclvR |
| Here are more pictures from the UK-Poland Inter-Governmental Consultations. | Here are more pictures from the UK-Poland Inter-Governmental Consultations. |
| And here is the family photograph. | And here is the family photograph. |
| For the record, here is the line-up: Theresa May (6L) and Poland’s prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki (6R) pose with members of their respective cabinets, including Britain’s business secretary Greg Clark (L), Britain’s defence secretary Gavin Williamson (2L), Britain’s home secretary Sajid Javid (3L), Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond (4L), Britain’s foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt (5L), and Poland’s foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz (5R), Poland’s entrepreneurship and technology minister Jadwiga Emilewicz (4R), Poland’s interior and administration minister Joachim Brudzinski (3R) and defense minister Mariusz Blaszczak (2R), and Poland’s undersecretary of state for finance, Piotr Nowak (R) during the UK-Poland Inter-Governmental Consultations at Lancaster House. | For the record, here is the line-up: Theresa May (6L) and Poland’s prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki (6R) pose with members of their respective cabinets, including Britain’s business secretary Greg Clark (L), Britain’s defence secretary Gavin Williamson (2L), Britain’s home secretary Sajid Javid (3L), Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond (4L), Britain’s foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt (5L), and Poland’s foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz (5R), Poland’s entrepreneurship and technology minister Jadwiga Emilewicz (4R), Poland’s interior and administration minister Joachim Brudzinski (3R) and defense minister Mariusz Blaszczak (2R), and Poland’s undersecretary of state for finance, Piotr Nowak (R) during the UK-Poland Inter-Governmental Consultations at Lancaster House. |
| David Miliband, the Labour former foreign secretary, has described Vladimir Putin’s comments about a second referendum as “an insult to the United Kingdom”. He also said that Putin’s support for the current Brexit deal strengthened the case for a rethink. In a comment released by the People’s Vote campaign, which is calling for a second referendum, Miliband said: | David Miliband, the Labour former foreign secretary, has described Vladimir Putin’s comments about a second referendum as “an insult to the United Kingdom”. He also said that Putin’s support for the current Brexit deal strengthened the case for a rethink. In a comment released by the People’s Vote campaign, which is calling for a second referendum, Miliband said: |
| Vladimir Putin’s contempt for, or fear of, a people’s vote will not shock anybody. The overwhelming evidence of malign and multiple Russian interventions in western democratic processes, including the Brexit referendum, have been designed to destabilise democratic rule. It is an insult to the United Kingdom that he should be lecturing us on our democratic process. | Vladimir Putin’s contempt for, or fear of, a people’s vote will not shock anybody. The overwhelming evidence of malign and multiple Russian interventions in western democratic processes, including the Brexit referendum, have been designed to destabilise democratic rule. It is an insult to the United Kingdom that he should be lecturing us on our democratic process. |
| The idea that democratic consent for Brexit policy should end on 23 June 2016 is dangerous. Theresa May’s plan satisfies no one and was not the basis of the leave campaign. It would be prudent reinforcement of democratic principles to revisit democratic support before it is implemented. Russian support for a bad deal alongside British government threats of no deal should be taken as strong evidence that a different option is needed. | The idea that democratic consent for Brexit policy should end on 23 June 2016 is dangerous. Theresa May’s plan satisfies no one and was not the basis of the leave campaign. It would be prudent reinforcement of democratic principles to revisit democratic support before it is implemented. Russian support for a bad deal alongside British government threats of no deal should be taken as strong evidence that a different option is needed. |
| I’ll be wrapping up the blog in about an hour so so. And then I’m not expecting to be blogging again until Monday 7 January, when the Commons returns after the Christmas recess. | I’ll be wrapping up the blog in about an hour so so. And then I’m not expecting to be blogging again until Monday 7 January, when the Commons returns after the Christmas recess. |
| A colleague may be running a blog tomorrow, although at this stage I’m not sure and it may depend on what’s around. But then over the holiday period we’ll be off air, unless a very big political story breaks. | A colleague may be running a blog tomorrow, although at this stage I’m not sure and it may depend on what’s around. But then over the holiday period we’ll be off air, unless a very big political story breaks. |
| Before I sign off, I’d like just to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. And, to those of you who comment BTL, regularly or occasionally, thank you. The comments are a big part of what makes this blog interesting and I’m particularly grateful for the support, suggestions and advice I pick up down there. I find the constructive questions really helpful. And the critical ones tend to be thought-provoking and helpful too (as long as they are not rude). Unfortunately I don’t think there is an award for best news website comments section, but if there were, you lot would win hands down. | Before I sign off, I’d like just to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. And, to those of you who comment BTL, regularly or occasionally, thank you. The comments are a big part of what makes this blog interesting and I’m particularly grateful for the support, suggestions and advice I pick up down there. I find the constructive questions really helpful. And the critical ones tend to be thought-provoking and helpful too (as long as they are not rude). Unfortunately I don’t think there is an award for best news website comments section, but if there were, you lot would win hands down. |
| Penny Mordaunt, who combines being minister for women and equalities with being international development secretary, told MPs this morning that she wants to abolish sexism in the honours system. She was responding to a question from Maria Miller, the Conservative chair of the women and equalities committee, who says the way the honours system treats spouses is unfair. | Penny Mordaunt, who combines being minister for women and equalities with being international development secretary, told MPs this morning that she wants to abolish sexism in the honours system. She was responding to a question from Maria Miller, the Conservative chair of the women and equalities committee, who says the way the honours system treats spouses is unfair. |
| Miller was referring to the way wives get the courtesy title “lady” if their husbands are made a knight or a lord. But husbands and civil partners do not get recognised in the same way if their partners receive a damehood or a peerage. | Miller was referring to the way wives get the courtesy title “lady” if their husbands are made a knight or a lord. But husbands and civil partners do not get recognised in the same way if their partners receive a damehood or a peerage. |
| Mordaunt told Miller that she was making “an incredibly important point”. She went on: | Mordaunt told Miller that she was making “an incredibly important point”. She went on: |
| The Cabinet Office is doing great work to create more diversity in the honours list, but inequality is baked into the system, including in the use of courtesy titles. It is quite wrong that people are treated differently in this way, so I have written to the prime minister to ask that it is remedied. | The Cabinet Office is doing great work to create more diversity in the honours list, but inequality is baked into the system, including in the use of courtesy titles. It is quite wrong that people are treated differently in this way, so I have written to the prime minister to ask that it is remedied. |
| Mordaunt did not explain how she would like to see the anomaly removed. Six years ago a Tory MP proposed a bill under the 10-minute rule that would allow husbands and civil partners to receive “equivalent honorary titles to those available to women”. | Mordaunt did not explain how she would like to see the anomaly removed. Six years ago a Tory MP proposed a bill under the 10-minute rule that would allow husbands and civil partners to receive “equivalent honorary titles to those available to women”. |
| An alternative solution would be simply to abolish courtesy titles altogether, but that is unlikely to appeal to a Conservative prime minister. Many Tory backbenchers end up receiving knighthoods and for many, it is said, part of the appeal is that their wives become ladies. | An alternative solution would be simply to abolish courtesy titles altogether, but that is unlikely to appeal to a Conservative prime minister. Many Tory backbenchers end up receiving knighthoods and for many, it is said, part of the appeal is that their wives become ladies. |
| Here is Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the Commons home affairs committee, commenting on her amendment to the finance bill intended to stop the government implementing a no-deal Brexit without MPs’ consent. (See 2.51m.) She said: | Here is Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the Commons home affairs committee, commenting on her amendment to the finance bill intended to stop the government implementing a no-deal Brexit without MPs’ consent. (See 2.51m.) She said: |
| The risks to our economy and security from “no deal” are far too high and it would be irresponsible to allow it to happen. I do not believe parliament would support “no deal” and ministers should rule it out now. But if the government won’t rule it out, then parliament needs to find opportunities to stop the country reaching the cliff edge by accident - starting with the finance bill in the first week back, then looking at every other legislative opportunity too. That is why we have tabled this amendment with cross party support. | The risks to our economy and security from “no deal” are far too high and it would be irresponsible to allow it to happen. I do not believe parliament would support “no deal” and ministers should rule it out now. But if the government won’t rule it out, then parliament needs to find opportunities to stop the country reaching the cliff edge by accident - starting with the finance bill in the first week back, then looking at every other legislative opportunity too. That is why we have tabled this amendment with cross party support. |
| The House of Lords is holding one of its intermittent elections; while the vast majority of the upper house is appointed, the 92 hereditary peers who still work in it are voted in by other members. | The House of Lords is holding one of its intermittent elections; while the vast majority of the upper house is appointed, the 92 hereditary peers who still work in it are voted in by other members. |
| This byelection is caused by the death in October of Roger Bootle-Wilbraham, the seventh Baron Skelmersdale, who served as a junior minister in the Thatcher government. | This byelection is caused by the death in October of Roger Bootle-Wilbraham, the seventh Baron Skelmersdale, who served as a junior minister in the Thatcher government. |
| There are 16 hereditary peers seeking to replace him, with members of the Lords able to cast their votes (in the Queen’s robing) room on 22 January. | There are 16 hereditary peers seeking to replace him, with members of the Lords able to cast their votes (in the Queen’s robing) room on 22 January. |
| As usual, the candidates, or rather most of them, have submitted brief campaign pitches for the official election notice. Two – Lords Cadman and Southampton – have not done so while another, Lord Biddulph, wrote pithily if cryptically only: “Always willing to serve”. | As usual, the candidates, or rather most of them, have submitted brief campaign pitches for the official election notice. Two – Lords Cadman and Southampton – have not done so while another, Lord Biddulph, wrote pithily if cryptically only: “Always willing to serve”. |
| Most of the others have experience much as you might expect, especially the Earl of Carnarvon, who talks up his “wide experience of small business, farming, tourism and countryside/heritage matters” - ie running a country estate, in this instance Highclere Castle, known to TV viewers as the set of Downton Abbey. | Most of the others have experience much as you might expect, especially the Earl of Carnarvon, who talks up his “wide experience of small business, farming, tourism and countryside/heritage matters” - ie running a country estate, in this instance Highclere Castle, known to TV viewers as the set of Downton Abbey. |
| There are exceptions, however: the current Lord Hampton, whose 19th century ancestor had the title created after he served as secretary of state for war and first lord of the Admiralty, says he is a secondary school teacher in Hackney, east London, who also coaches cricket at a local club. | There are exceptions, however: the current Lord Hampton, whose 19th century ancestor had the title created after he served as secretary of state for war and first lord of the Admiralty, says he is a secondary school teacher in Hackney, east London, who also coaches cricket at a local club. |
| A cross-party group of MPs, including select committee chairs, has tabled an amendment to the finance bill designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal. It says clause 89 of the finance bill would only be allowed to come into force if there was either a Brexit deal, or a decision to extend article 50, or a vote in the Commons specifically approving a no deal Brexit. | A cross-party group of MPs, including select committee chairs, has tabled an amendment to the finance bill designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal. It says clause 89 of the finance bill would only be allowed to come into force if there was either a Brexit deal, or a decision to extend article 50, or a vote in the Commons specifically approving a no deal Brexit. |
| Clause 89 of the bill would give the government the power to keep tax law working in the event of a no deal Brexit. | Clause 89 of the bill would give the government the power to keep tax law working in the event of a no deal Brexit. |
| According to ITV’s Robert Peston, the amendment could be put to a vote on Tuesday 8 January, when MPs will debate the remaining stages of the finance bill. | According to ITV’s Robert Peston, the amendment could be put to a vote on Tuesday 8 January, when MPs will debate the remaining stages of the finance bill. |
| The amendment has been tabled by Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the home affairs committee, and also signed by: Nicky Morgan, the Conservative chair of the Treasury committee; Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Brexit committee; Oliver Letwin, the Conservative former minister; Rachel Reeves, the Labour chair of the business committee; Harriet Harman, the Labour chair of the joint committee on human rights; and Nick Boles, the Conservative who this week threatened to resign the party whip and vote against the government in a confidence motion if it tried to implement a no-deal Brexit. | The amendment has been tabled by Yvette Cooper, the Labour chair of the home affairs committee, and also signed by: Nicky Morgan, the Conservative chair of the Treasury committee; Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Brexit committee; Oliver Letwin, the Conservative former minister; Rachel Reeves, the Labour chair of the business committee; Harriet Harman, the Labour chair of the joint committee on human rights; and Nick Boles, the Conservative who this week threatened to resign the party whip and vote against the government in a confidence motion if it tried to implement a no-deal Brexit. |
| Cross-party coalition of senior MPs, led by @YvetteCooperMP and @NickyMorgan01, is attempting to amend finance bill to prevent the government going for a no-deal Brexit without obtaining the consent of parliament. There should now be a big vote on 8 Jan. See attached pic.twitter.com/BNAHTnGBOA | Cross-party coalition of senior MPs, led by @YvetteCooperMP and @NickyMorgan01, is attempting to amend finance bill to prevent the government going for a no-deal Brexit without obtaining the consent of parliament. There should now be a big vote on 8 Jan. See attached pic.twitter.com/BNAHTnGBOA |