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| Brexit: Junior minister resigns over May's 'grave error' in seeking deal with Corbyn – live news | Brexit: Junior minister resigns over May's 'grave error' in seeking deal with Corbyn – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Here is the full text of Nigel Adams’s resignation letter. (See 9.46am.) | |
| Dear Prime Minister, | |
| It has been an honour to serve in your government as a minister since 2017 and I remain a firm admirer of your courage and stoicism during one of the most difficult crises this country has faced for a generation. | |
| I believe we have two great challenges. We must deliver the Brexit the people voted for. And we must prevent the calamity of a Corbyn government. | |
| Sadly, I fear that we are now at risk of simultaneously failing in both. | |
| I have been loyally supportive of your negotiated deal with the EU at every stage as I believe an orderly exit is preferable to leaving without a deal. However, I believe the UK would have coped with leaving with a managed no deal. | |
| At cabinet yesterday, there was an opportunity to get onto the front foot for once. However, by legitimising and turning to Jeremy Corbyn to assist you at this crucial stage, rather than being bold, is a grave error. It is clear that we will now end up in the customs union. That is not the Brexit my constituents were promised, and it is contrary to the pledge we made in our manifesto. | |
| It makes no sense to leave the EU and to have a situation where our trade policy and much of our law is made in Brussels - with no say for the UK. | |
| I and many others agreed with your previous position that no deal is better than a bad deal. | |
| It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life, put British interests first - is better than no deal. | |
| I profoundly disagree with this approach and I have therefore decided that I must reluctantly tender my resignation. | |
| It has been a privilege to serve as a minister in the government whips Office, at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and latterly at the Wales Office and I will always be grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of the UK in your government. | |
| I am passionate about my constituency and have always strived to do my best for the people of Selby and Ainsty since 2010. 1 will continue to serve them diligently from the back benches. | |
| Yours sincerely, | |
| Nigel Adams | |
| Theresa May will also be meeting Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, Sky is reporting. | |
| Downing Street has confirmed Prime Minister Theresa May will meet Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today | |
| In the Brexit committee Labour’s Stephen Timms is asking the questions now. | |
| Q: Would the EU have to agree any changes to the political declaration before MPs could vote for it? | |
| Barclays says the EU has said it could respond quickly to any proposed changes. | |
| Q: If the UK wanted an extension lasting beyond 22 May, which would involve the UK taking part in the European elections, when would it have to decide? | |
| Barclay says that is not what the UK wants. | |
| But if it were to decide on that, it would have to put in a request to the EU before the summit on 10 April. | |
| This is from Sky’s Sophia McBride. | |
| NEW: Irish Deputy PM @simoncoveney says Ireland WILL support UK request for a short extension #Brexit | |
| Here is another item for the agenda today. | |
| @AndrewSparrow .@pierremoscovici will give a press conference at around 12.30 Brussels time on preparedness for a no-deal #Brexit in the area of #customs. Follow live on EbS https://t.co/FdKWuVEe7O @EU_Taxud | |
| Pierre Moscovici is the European commissioner covering economic and financial affairs. | |
| And 12.30pm Brussels time is 11.30am UK time. | |
| Jonathan Djanogly, a Conservative remainer, asks about reports that the EU has been war-gaming what might happen in the event of no-deal. He says it has been reported that the EU would expect the UK to go back to Brussels quickly seeking to mitigate the consequences. | |
| Barclay says it would be in the interests of both sides to minimise the negative consequences. | |
| My colleague Daniel Boffey explains what Stephen Barclay was talking about when he referred to EU leaders and the Guardian splash last week. (See 9.58am.) | |
| "You have seen EU leaders with the front page of The Guardian with its headline no, no, no, with the indicative votes", says @stevebarclay when asked about EU frustration. Presumably a reference to @MartinSelmayr brandishing splash in a recent meeting of ambassadors. | |
| The Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse goes next. | |
| Q: If a confirmatory referendum were attached to the PM’s deal, would you vote against it? | |
| Barclay says there are no preconditions to the talks with Labour. | |
| But he says a second referendum would prolong uncertainty, and could take the UK back to the starting point. He goes on: | |
| But we will need to look at this. | |
| He has his own views, he says. | |
| Q: Is it a red line for you? | |
| Barclay says he does not think there should be a second referendum. That is his personal view. | |
| The prime minister will have the discussions and we will see where they lead. | |
| Back in the Brexit committee, Stephen Crabb, the Conservative former cabinet minister, is asking the questions now. | |
| Q: Are you preparing for the possibility that the EU refuses a further extension? | |
| Barclay says that is possible. Any one EU leader could veto a further extension. | |
| Q: Do you feel patience with the UK is running out? | |
| Barclay says many EU leaders have expressed their frustration. He refers to EU leaders with last week’s Guardian headline after the failure of the first round of indicative votes (the “No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.” headline.) | |
| (Presumably he is referring to EU leaders tweeting it.) | |
| Q: What are the Brexit compromises you would refuse to accept? | |
| Barclay does not give a specific answer. But he says it is important to look at Brexit as a whole, not single issues in isolation. He says he felt people were overstating the dangers of the backstop. | |
| With regard to a soft Brexit generally, he says it will be important to compare the balance of risks between alternative approaches. | |
| Nigel Adams has resigned as a whip and a junior minister for Wales because he is opposed to Theresa May’s decision to try to reach a deal with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit. | Nigel Adams has resigned as a whip and a junior minister for Wales because he is opposed to Theresa May’s decision to try to reach a deal with Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit. |
| In his resignation letter, he says he thinks that May has made a “grave error” that will lead to the UK staying in the customs union. | In his resignation letter, he says he thinks that May has made a “grave error” that will lead to the UK staying in the customs union. |
| He says: | He says: |
| I and many others agreed with your previous position that no deal is better than a bad deal. | I and many others agreed with your previous position that no deal is better than a bad deal. |
| It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than no deal. | It now seems that you and your cabinet have decided that a deal - cooked up with a Marxist who has never once in his political life put British interests first - is better than no deal. |
| I profoundly disagree with this approach and I have therefore decided that I must reluctantly tender my resignation. | I profoundly disagree with this approach and I have therefore decided that I must reluctantly tender my resignation. |
| Following yesterday’s cabinet, this morning I’ve been to Downing Street & resigned my position as UK Govt Minister for Wales & Govt Whip. I’m grateful to the PM for the opportunity to serve as a Minister since 2017 & will continue to serve my constituents from the backbenches. pic.twitter.com/W15xS4cOBP | Following yesterday’s cabinet, this morning I’ve been to Downing Street & resigned my position as UK Govt Minister for Wales & Govt Whip. I’m grateful to the PM for the opportunity to serve as a Minister since 2017 & will continue to serve my constituents from the backbenches. pic.twitter.com/W15xS4cOBP |
| Q: Will the talks with Corbyn start today? | Q: Will the talks with Corbyn start today? |
| Yes, says Barclay. | Yes, says Barclay. |
| Q: Will the government be talking to other parties? | Q: Will the government be talking to other parties? |
| Barclay says the government has spoken to other parties already. But the Conservatives and Labour both promised in their manifesto to honour the results of the 2016 referendum. And “time is off the essence”. And agreement between the Tories and Labour would be the best way forward, he says. | Barclay says the government has spoken to other parties already. But the Conservatives and Labour both promised in their manifesto to honour the results of the 2016 referendum. And “time is off the essence”. And agreement between the Tories and Labour would be the best way forward, he says. |
| He says there are “areas of common ground” between Labour and the Tories that are not reflected in the public debate. | He says there are “areas of common ground” between Labour and the Tories that are not reflected in the public debate. |
| For example, many Labour MPs accept the withdrawal agreement, but have problems with the political declaration. | For example, many Labour MPs accept the withdrawal agreement, but have problems with the political declaration. |
| On dynamic alignment (ensuring that, if the EU improves workers’ rights, the UK would match those improvements), Barclay says the government has already given a commitment to match the EU during this parliament. | On dynamic alignment (ensuring that, if the EU improves workers’ rights, the UK would match those improvements), Barclay says the government has already given a commitment to match the EU during this parliament. |
| So the gap between Labour (which is insisting on dynamic alignment for the future) and the government is smaller than people think, he says. | So the gap between Labour (which is insisting on dynamic alignment for the future) and the government is smaller than people think, he says. |
| Q: You talk about binding indicative votes. So, if the Commons voted for a customs union, would the government accept that? | Q: You talk about binding indicative votes. So, if the Commons voted for a customs union, would the government accept that? |
| Barclay says the government wants to reach agreement with Labour. | Barclay says the government wants to reach agreement with Labour. |
| Q: The PM said in her statement that the government would abide by what MPs voted for. | Q: The PM said in her statement that the government would abide by what MPs voted for. |
| Benn reads out from what May said last night. She said: | Benn reads out from what May said last night. She said: |
| However, if we cannot agree on a single unified approach, then we would instead agree a number of options for the future relationship that we could put to the House in a series of votes to determine which course to pursue. | However, if we cannot agree on a single unified approach, then we would instead agree a number of options for the future relationship that we could put to the House in a series of votes to determine which course to pursue. |
| Crucially, the government stands ready to abide by the decision of the house. | Crucially, the government stands ready to abide by the decision of the house. |
| Barclay says he would have concerns about a customs union. | Barclay says he would have concerns about a customs union. |
| But, as he said on Today, there is “remorseless logic” from the Commons numbers. The government could end up with an “unpalatable choice” between a softer Brexit and an everlasting extension. | But, as he said on Today, there is “remorseless logic” from the Commons numbers. The government could end up with an “unpalatable choice” between a softer Brexit and an everlasting extension. |
| Q: Will a new statutory instrument be required to change exit day? | Q: Will a new statutory instrument be required to change exit day? |
| Barclay says he does not want to point out potential flaws in the Cooper bill. | Barclay says he does not want to point out potential flaws in the Cooper bill. |
| Q: But if exit day changes, won’t there have to be a new statutory instrument? | Q: But if exit day changes, won’t there have to be a new statutory instrument? |
| Barclay says that is correct. | Barclay says that is correct. |
| Q: What will happen if the EU does not offer the extension the UK wants, but a long one instead? Would the government come back to parliament? | Q: What will happen if the EU does not offer the extension the UK wants, but a long one instead? Would the government come back to parliament? |
| Barclay jokes that Benn himself should be answering questions himself, because he is backing the Cooper bill going through the Commons today. | Barclay jokes that Benn himself should be answering questions himself, because he is backing the Cooper bill going through the Commons today. |
| He refers to the Cooper bill as “your legislation” when addressing Benn. | He refers to the Cooper bill as “your legislation” when addressing Benn. |
| He says the bill says, if the EU offers an alternative length extension to the one proposed by the government, the PM would have to return to the Commons to put that to a vote. | He says the bill says, if the EU offers an alternative length extension to the one proposed by the government, the PM would have to return to the Commons to put that to a vote. |
| Q: If the UK does not hold European elections, will it have to leave by 22 May? | Q: If the UK does not hold European elections, will it have to leave by 22 May? |
| Barclay says, if the UK wanted an extension beyond 22 May, EU leaders would want to know why. They would want to know why, after three years of not reaching an agreement, the UK might agree something after May. | Barclay says, if the UK wanted an extension beyond 22 May, EU leaders would want to know why. They would want to know why, after three years of not reaching an agreement, the UK might agree something after May. |
| He says the government does not want an extension beyond 22 May. And he says Theresa May is on record as saying she is opposed to an extension going beyond the end of June. | He says the government does not want an extension beyond 22 May. And he says Theresa May is on record as saying she is opposed to an extension going beyond the end of June. |
| Q: Why is the government making contingency plans for European elections? | Q: Why is the government making contingency plans for European elections? |
| Barclay says, if there were a general election, the cabinet secretary might insist on the European parliamentary elections going ahead, in order not to fetter a possible future government. | Barclay says, if there were a general election, the cabinet secretary might insist on the European parliamentary elections going ahead, in order not to fetter a possible future government. |
| Barclay says, if the UK does not hold European elections, it will not be able to get a long extension. | Barclay says, if the UK does not hold European elections, it will not be able to get a long extension. |
| It is not the intention to hold a general election. | |
| But if there was a scenario where a general election, for whatever reason, were triggered, I suspect - and it would be a matter for the cabinet secretary - that the cabinet secretary might say in that instance, in order not to fetter a future government, the European parliamentary elections would need to be held. | |
| That’s why the contingency has been put in place, to ensure that returning officers are able to prepare. | |
| The Brexit committee hearing with Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has started. | The Brexit committee hearing with Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has started. |
| Hilary Benn, the committee chair, starts by asking about a tweet from Barclay’s department criticising the common market 2.0 amendment. It was quickly deleted. Why was that? | Hilary Benn, the committee chair, starts by asking about a tweet from Barclay’s department criticising the common market 2.0 amendment. It was quickly deleted. Why was that? |
| Barclay says he does not know why. He accepts it might have been because that was judged too political. | Barclay says he does not know why. He accepts it might have been because that was judged too political. |
| Q: When will the PM apply for an article 50 extension? | Q: When will the PM apply for an article 50 extension? |
| Barclay says Theresa May intends to meet Jeremy Corbyn today, to see if there is scope for common ground on Brexit. The PM would have to ask for a further extension at the EU summit on Wednesday next week. But it would be normal to submit papers before. | Barclay says Theresa May intends to meet Jeremy Corbyn today, to see if there is scope for common ground on Brexit. The PM would have to ask for a further extension at the EU summit on Wednesday next week. But it would be normal to submit papers before. |
| Q: So when might that happen? | Q: So when might that happen? |
| Barclay says first there will be talks with Corbyn. Then there might be binding indicative votes. He says the UK still wants to be out of the EU by 22 May. But it has no automatic right to an extension until then, he says. | Barclay says first there will be talks with Corbyn. Then there might be binding indicative votes. He says the UK still wants to be out of the EU by 22 May. But it has no automatic right to an extension until then, he says. |
| Barclay says UK still wants to leave EU by 22 May. | Barclay says UK still wants to leave EU by 22 May. |
| With her deal failing in parliament, for months Theresa May has face a choice: reconcile herself to no-deal, which is what her Brexiter party wanted; or tack towards a softer Brexit, which is what the remainer parliament would prefer. For months, where at all possible, she avoided taking sides. But last night, in her statement after the day-long cabinet meeting (full text here), she decisively came off the fence. By proposing to negotiate a Brexit compromise with Jeremy Corbyn, she chose a soft Brexit over no-deal. | With her deal failing in parliament, for months Theresa May has face a choice: reconcile herself to no-deal, which is what her Brexiter party wanted; or tack towards a softer Brexit, which is what the remainer parliament would prefer. For months, where at all possible, she avoided taking sides. But last night, in her statement after the day-long cabinet meeting (full text here), she decisively came off the fence. By proposing to negotiate a Brexit compromise with Jeremy Corbyn, she chose a soft Brexit over no-deal. |
| Or, at least, she appeared to. Nothing has been very definitive in this process, and we still have no idea where this will end up. | Or, at least, she appeared to. Nothing has been very definitive in this process, and we still have no idea where this will end up. |
| Here is our overnight summary of the story. | Here is our overnight summary of the story. |
| Theresa May calls for talks with Jeremy Corbyn in attempt to save Brexit | Theresa May calls for talks with Jeremy Corbyn in attempt to save Brexit |
| This morning Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has been giving interviews. Here are the main points. | This morning Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, has been giving interviews. Here are the main points. |
| Barclay said the “remorseless logic” of the House of Commons was pushing the UK towards a softer Brexit. He told the Today programme: | Barclay said the “remorseless logic” of the House of Commons was pushing the UK towards a softer Brexit. He told the Today programme: |
| It’s undesirable but it’s the remorseless logic of the numbers of the House of Commons. The prime minister’s deal won’t go through and no deal in law is taken off the table, then the consequence of that is either a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all. | It’s undesirable but it’s the remorseless logic of the numbers of the House of Commons. The prime minister’s deal won’t go through and no deal in law is taken off the table, then the consequence of that is either a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all. |
| And he used the phrase a second time too. | And he used the phrase a second time too. |
| It’s regrettable that what we have been saying for several months now is coming to pass but that is the remorseless logic of not backing the prime minister’s deal. Because the alternative then is to have to seek votes from the opposition benches because 35 of my own colleagues would not support the prime minister’s deal. | It’s regrettable that what we have been saying for several months now is coming to pass but that is the remorseless logic of not backing the prime minister’s deal. Because the alternative then is to have to seek votes from the opposition benches because 35 of my own colleagues would not support the prime minister’s deal. |
| He implied that the government was resigned to the Yvette Cooper bill, that would require the PM to request an article 50 extension to avoid a no-deal Brexit, becoming law. He said: | He implied that the government was resigned to the Yvette Cooper bill, that would require the PM to request an article 50 extension to avoid a no-deal Brexit, becoming law. He said: |
| The prime minister cannot ignore the law, and parliament will seek to pass a law on the issue of no-deal. It has already voted to take no-deal off the table. So that is the reality, and if that is the legal position reached by parliament, that is something ministers cannot ignore. | The prime minister cannot ignore the law, and parliament will seek to pass a law on the issue of no-deal. It has already voted to take no-deal off the table. So that is the reality, and if that is the legal position reached by parliament, that is something ministers cannot ignore. |
| He said there were no preconditions for May’s talks with Corbyn. But that does not mean the government was offering him “a blank cheque”, said Barclay, stressing that he found the idea of a customs union “highly undesirable”. He also said the idea of having a second referendum would be “very difficult” for the government to accept. | He said there were no preconditions for May’s talks with Corbyn. But that does not mean the government was offering him “a blank cheque”, said Barclay, stressing that he found the idea of a customs union “highly undesirable”. He also said the idea of having a second referendum would be “very difficult” for the government to accept. |
| He said that. if the May/Corbyn talks did not lead to a compromise deal, MPs could be asked to take part in more indicative votes on the way ahead. But the new votes might be binding, he said. | He said that. if the May/Corbyn talks did not lead to a compromise deal, MPs could be asked to take part in more indicative votes on the way ahead. But the new votes might be binding, he said. |
| We are going to hear more from Barclay in a moment because he is giving evidence to the Brexit committee. | We are going to hear more from Barclay in a moment because he is giving evidence to the Brexit committee. |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 9.15am: Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, gives evidence to the Commons Brexit committee. | 9.15am: Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, gives evidence to the Commons Brexit committee. |
| 9.45am: Michael Gove, the environment secretary, gives evidence to a Lords committee about a no-deal Brexit. | 9.45am: Michael Gove, the environment secretary, gives evidence to a Lords committee about a no-deal Brexit. |
| 10am: The People’s Vote campaign hold a press conference. | 10am: The People’s Vote campaign hold a press conference. |
| 12pm: Theresa May faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs. | 12pm: Theresa May faces Jeremy Corbyn at PMQs. |
| After 1pm: MPs debate the business motion setting aside today for the debate on Yvette Cooper’s bill requiring the PM to request an article 50 extension to avoid a no-deal Brexit. There is also an amendment saying next Monday should be set aside for another indicative votes debate. | After 1pm: MPs debate the business motion setting aside today for the debate on Yvette Cooper’s bill requiring the PM to request an article 50 extension to avoid a no-deal Brexit. There is also an amendment saying next Monday should be set aside for another indicative votes debate. |
| 1.30pm: The National Police Chiefs Council hold a briefing on police preparations for Brexit. | 1.30pm: The National Police Chiefs Council hold a briefing on police preparations for Brexit. |
| After 5pm: MPs are due to start debating the Cooper bill (assuming the business motion passes). The second reading vote would be at 7pm, and the final votes at 10pm. | After 5pm: MPs are due to start debating the Cooper bill (assuming the business motion passes). The second reading vote would be at 7pm, and the final votes at 10pm. |
| Afternoon: May is due to meet Corbyn to discuss Brexit. | Afternoon: May is due to meet Corbyn to discuss Brexit. |
| Today I will be focusing exclusively on Brexit and I will be covering breaking news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. | Today I will be focusing exclusively on Brexit and I will be covering breaking news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. |
| You can read all the latest Guardian politics articles here. Here is the Politico Europe round-up 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 round-up 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 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 ATL, although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments 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 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. |