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| Government drops claims that no-deal Brexit 'unlikely' - Politics live | Government drops claims that no-deal Brexit 'unlikely' - Politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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 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. | |
| 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”. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| Q: What will be on the agenda for Polish-UK cooperation after Brexit? And what will bind the two countries together? | Q: What will be on the agenda for Polish-UK cooperation after Brexit? And what will bind the two countries together? |
| Morawiecki says he hopes a new trade agreement will be negotiated soon. The withdrawal agreement can lead to that, he says. | Morawiecki says he hopes a new trade agreement will be negotiated soon. The withdrawal agreement can lead to that, he says. |
| And that’s it. | And that’s it. |
| As press conferences go, that was about as unilluminating as they come. | As press conferences go, that was about as unilluminating as they come. |
| Q: What has been discussed about the rights of Poles living in the UK? | Q: What has been discussed about the rights of Poles living in the UK? |
| Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, says he has discussed this frequently with May. | Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, says he has discussed this frequently with May. |
| He says the withdrawal agreement is the best deal available. He says he hopes it is adopted. | He says the withdrawal agreement is the best deal available. He says he hopes it is adopted. |
| Q: If there is a no-deal Brexit, and chaos is unleashed, whose fault will it be? | Q: If there is a no-deal Brexit, and chaos is unleashed, whose fault will it be? |
| May says she is working to get a deal. The way to avoid no deal is for parliament to approve her deal, she says. | May says she is working to get a deal. The way to avoid no deal is for parliament to approve her deal, she says. |
| She says EU nationals in the UK would have their rights respected if there is no deal. And the Polish PM has offered similar assurances to Britons living in Poland. | She says EU nationals in the UK would have their rights respected if there is no deal. And the Polish PM has offered similar assurances to Britons living in Poland. |
| Q: What do you think about the fact that cabinet minsters are openly talking about what should happen if your deal gets voted down, including a second referendum? | Q: What do you think about the fact that cabinet minsters are openly talking about what should happen if your deal gets voted down, including a second referendum? |
| May says she and other cabinet ministers have been clear that they want to get further assurances so that they can get their deal through the Commons. She says there will be further discussions with the EU. | May says she and other cabinet ministers have been clear that they want to get further assurances so that they can get their deal through the Commons. She says there will be further discussions with the EU. |
| Q: Is the UK unprepared for the use of drones at airports? | Q: Is the UK unprepared for the use of drones at airports? |
| May says the government has already legislated to stop this. People can be sentenced to up to five years in jail for this. And the government is considering giving the police more powers, she says. | May says the government has already legislated to stop this. People can be sentenced to up to five years in jail for this. And the government is considering giving the police more powers, she says. |
| Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, is speaking now. | Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, is speaking now. |
| He also stresses links between the two countries. | He also stresses links between the two countries. |
| It is important to ensure Nato remains strong, he says. | It is important to ensure Nato remains strong, he says. |
| On Brexit, he says he appreciates the efforts Theresa May has made. He says Poland always tried to support pragmatic solutions, to make sure the withdrawal agreement was as good as possible. He says it is the best deal available. | On Brexit, he says he appreciates the efforts Theresa May has made. He says Poland always tried to support pragmatic solutions, to make sure the withdrawal agreement was as good as possible. He says it is the best deal available. |
| He says it would be beneficial for both sides for the agreement to come into force. | He says it would be beneficial for both sides for the agreement to come into force. |
| The UK is leaving the EU, he says. But it is not leaving Europe, he says. | The UK is leaving the EU, he says. But it is not leaving Europe, he says. |
| He says the Polish diaspora living in the UK can feel secure now about their rights being respected. He says he is glad people have found a new home here. But he would like Poles to return home, he says. | He says the Polish diaspora living in the UK can feel secure now about their rights being respected. He says he is glad people have found a new home here. But he would like Poles to return home, he says. |
| UPDATE: MLex’s Matthew Holehouse has the quote. | UPDATE: MLex’s Matthew Holehouse has the quote. |
| Poland's Morawiecki in London: “We are happy that they have found a new home. However as our economy is blooming we’d like our citizens to consider returning to Poland, although we respect everyone’s personal choices.” | Poland's Morawiecki in London: “We are happy that they have found a new home. However as our economy is blooming we’d like our citizens to consider returning to Poland, although we respect everyone’s personal choices.” |
| Theresa May is speaking at the press conference now. | Theresa May is speaking at the press conference now. |
| She says the UK and Poland are key strategic allies. Their armed forces will work side by side on training exercises, and there will be increased cooperation in the Baltic Sea. | She says the UK and Poland are key strategic allies. Their armed forces will work side by side on training exercises, and there will be increased cooperation in the Baltic Sea. |
| She says their security services will work together against organised crime. | She says their security services will work together against organised crime. |
| Both countries want a peaceful Europe, and share the same concerns about threats. She says they are worried about Russia undermining the rules-based system. | Both countries want a peaceful Europe, and share the same concerns about threats. She says they are worried about Russia undermining the rules-based system. |
| The trade relationship is thriving, she says. | The trade relationship is thriving, she says. |
| Both countries want a cleaner world, and today they have established a clean growth partnership. | Both countries want a cleaner world, and today they have established a clean growth partnership. |
| She says the UK and Poland are two of the most innovative economies in Europe. She says she and Mateusz Morawiecki have discussed plans for tech cooperation. | She says the UK and Poland are two of the most innovative economies in Europe. She says she and Mateusz Morawiecki have discussed plans for tech cooperation. |
| She says protecting the rights of Poles and other EU nationals living in the UK after Brexit has been a priority. | She says protecting the rights of Poles and other EU nationals living in the UK after Brexit has been a priority. |
| Her message to Poles here has been clear, she says: “You can stay, and we want you to stay.” | Her message to Poles here has been clear, she says: “You can stay, and we want you to stay.” |
| She also repeats the line in Polish. | She also repeats the line in Polish. |
| Earlier the Polish PM, Mateusz Morawiecki, posted this on Twitter about his talks with Theresa May. | Earlier the Polish PM, Mateusz Morawiecki, posted this on Twitter about his talks with Theresa May. |
| Sytuacja Polaków w Wielkiej Brytanii to kluczowy aspekt rozmów z premier Theresą May. Naszym celem jest też utrzymanie swobody wymiany handlowej, tak istotnej dla polskich firm. Wierzę, że brytyjski parlament podejmie taką decyzję, która będzie korzystna dla wszystkich stron. | Sytuacja Polaków w Wielkiej Brytanii to kluczowy aspekt rozmów z premier Theresą May. Naszym celem jest też utrzymanie swobody wymiany handlowej, tak istotnej dla polskich firm. Wierzę, że brytyjski parlament podejmie taką decyzję, która będzie korzystna dla wszystkich stron. |
| Tweetdeck translates that as: | Tweetdeck translates that as: |
| The situation of Poles in the United Kingdom is a key aspect of the talks with the Prime Minister Theresą May. Our aim is also to maintain the freedom of trade, so important for Polish companies. I believe that the British Parliament will take such a decision, which is beneficial to all parties. | The situation of Poles in the United Kingdom is a key aspect of the talks with the Prime Minister Theresą May. Our aim is also to maintain the freedom of trade, so important for Polish companies. I believe that the British Parliament will take such a decision, which is beneficial to all parties. |
| Theresa May is about to hold a press conference with her Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki. | Theresa May is about to hold a press conference with her Polish counterpart, Mateusz Morawiecki. |
| Good news for opponents of a second referendum; they have got an endorsement from one of the world’s most powerful men. As my colleague Andrew Roth reports, the Russian president Vladimir Putin has declared it would be a bad idea in his annual marathon press conference today. | Good news for opponents of a second referendum; they have got an endorsement from one of the world’s most powerful men. As my colleague Andrew Roth reports, the Russian president Vladimir Putin has declared it would be a bad idea in his annual marathon press conference today. |
| Showing a concern for the sanctity of democracy which has not always been a hallmark of his career, Putin argued that the will of the people must be respected. He said: | Showing a concern for the sanctity of democracy which has not always been a hallmark of his career, Putin argued that the will of the people must be respected. He said: |
| Was it not a referendum? Someone disliked the result, so repeat it over and over? Is this democracy? What then would be the point of the referendum in the first place? | Was it not a referendum? Someone disliked the result, so repeat it over and over? Is this democracy? What then would be the point of the referendum in the first place? |
| Here is Andrew’s story in full. | Here is Andrew’s story in full. |
| Vladimir Putin tells Theresa May to 'fulfil will of people' on Brexit | Vladimir Putin tells Theresa May to 'fulfil will of people' on Brexit |
| Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has published his draft budget for 2019/20. He is planning to increase the share of London council tax that he claims by 9% - the maximum increase allowed that does not require a referendum to approve it. For an average band D council tax payer in the capital, this will amount to an increase of £26.28 a year, or 50p a week - taking the overall contribution going to the mayor from £294.23 to £320.51. | Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has published his draft budget for 2019/20. He is planning to increase the share of London council tax that he claims by 9% - the maximum increase allowed that does not require a referendum to approve it. For an average band D council tax payer in the capital, this will amount to an increase of £26.28 a year, or 50p a week - taking the overall contribution going to the mayor from £294.23 to £320.51. |
| Almost all the increase will go towards policing, which will get an extra £84.4m. | Almost all the increase will go towards policing, which will get an extra £84.4m. |
| Explaining the move, Khan said: | Explaining the move, Khan said: |
| My first responsibility is to keep Londoners safe. Over 70% of the Met’s funding is controlled by the government and ministers have repeatedly refused to reverse the cuts they have made since 2010. As a result the Met has already had to make cuts of some £850m and I am furious that this is set to continue. | My first responsibility is to keep Londoners safe. Over 70% of the Met’s funding is controlled by the government and ministers have repeatedly refused to reverse the cuts they have made since 2010. As a result the Met has already had to make cuts of some £850m and I am furious that this is set to continue. |
| I am concerned that the government is continuing to shift the burden of police funding from government grant to council tax – which is deeply regressive and hits the poorest the hardest. | I am concerned that the government is continuing to shift the burden of police funding from government grant to council tax – which is deeply regressive and hits the poorest the hardest. |
| However, the brutal reality of the rise in violent crime and government cuts means that I have little choice but to increase the policing element of the council tax by the maximum amount allowed by ministers. | However, the brutal reality of the rise in violent crime and government cuts means that I have little choice but to increase the policing element of the council tax by the maximum amount allowed by ministers. |
| Khan also announced that he is going to spend £6.8m on significantly expanding a new violence reduction unit. This will develop a public health approach to tackling violent crime. “Using data to form a strong evidence base, the unit will use this money to identify where and how to make early interventions in a young person’s life as part of a long-term strategy to prevent the spread of violence,” Khan’s office says. | Khan also announced that he is going to spend £6.8m on significantly expanding a new violence reduction unit. This will develop a public health approach to tackling violent crime. “Using data to form a strong evidence base, the unit will use this money to identify where and how to make early interventions in a young person’s life as part of a long-term strategy to prevent the spread of violence,” Khan’s office says. |