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| Brexit: MPs pass Cooper bill ruling out no deal, making it move to next stage - live news | Brexit: MPs pass Cooper bill ruling out no deal, making it move to next stage - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Jeremy Corbyn just tweeted this. Difference in Corbyn’s and Emily Thornberry’s choice of words is revelatory - Corbyn says “option” of a public vote, Thornberry said “insist”. | |
| In my meeting with Theresa May I put forward Labour's alternative plan and raised the option of a public vote to prevent No Deal or leaving on a bad deal. There wasn’t as much change in her position as I expected but we'll have further discussions tomorrow. | |
| Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has written to the shadow cabinet ahead of an emergency meeting tonight, telling cabinet members that “not to insist” on a second referendum would constitute a “breach” of Labour’s commitments made at the conference, Sky’s Faisal Islam reports: | |
| NEW - I’ve obtained full letter from the shadow Foreign Secretary to the shadow Cabinet ahead of the meeting - she calls for a vote in SC about a confirmatory public vote, with Remain as an option, says she will vote for both, pic.twitter.com/fzQFzRFgMr | |
| 1. “if we look like reaching any other decision than confirmatory vote that would be in breach of the decision made unanimously by Conference in Liverpool and overwhelmingly supported by our members and it needs to be put to a vote by the Shadow Cabinet.” | |
| 2. “The reason I think that is fundamental is that - if that is the outcome -those of us who oppose it can only take collective responsibility for the decision - & defend it in public and on the media - if we are having to go along with what was democratically agreed between us”. | |
| 3. “whether we personally agreed or not, especially given the breach of our commitments to our members at conference. The Tory Cabinet had that kind of vote after their eight-hour discussion yesterday so I think it’s least we should be doing after 1-hour discussion this eve” | |
| 4. “assuming all colleagues will agree with that principle, and given my absence, can I - in writing - confirm that my votes are that yes, any deal agreed by Parliament must be subject to a confirmatory public vote, and yes, the other option on the ballot must be Remain”. | |
| So Thornberry says that not to ”insist” on a confirmatory public vote on any proposed compromise deal would be a “breach of our commitments to our members at conference”. | |
| Labour’s Emily Thornberry abstained in the Cooper vote, as did Labour MP Karen Buck, another ardent campaigner for a confirmatory referendum, which is another sign that People’s Vote campaigners fear that the potential ruling out of no-deal could make it unlikely for Jeremy Corbyn to support a referendum. | |
| One of the biggest questions of the evening is whether Jeremy Corbyn will provoke a fallout with his frontbench over the second referendum issue. | |
| My colleague Heather Stewart has written an excellent piece on this. She writes: | |
| Thornberry’s intervention underlines the balancing act facing Corbyn, who was already under intense pressure to raise the issue of a referendum in talks with the prime minister. | |
| Full story below. | |
| Corbyn must insist on Brexit referendum, says Thornberry | |
| Parliament is drowning in chaos as MPs complain about confusing or missing lists of amendments, limited time to read them and non-functioning printers. Do tune in if you can, it’s quite something. | |
| The Cooper bill will now go on to Committe stage, with more votes scheduled for 10pm. | The Cooper bill will now go on to Committe stage, with more votes scheduled for 10pm. |
| If the vote passes, no-deal is off the table, provided the EU would agree to grant a long extension if no deal is passed in parliament by April 12. | If the vote passes, no-deal is off the table, provided the EU would agree to grant a long extension if no deal is passed in parliament by April 12. |
| Until then, preparations for no-deal remain in full swing. This from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, the Guardian Brexit correspondent: | Until then, preparations for no-deal remain in full swing. This from my colleague Lisa O’Carroll, the Guardian Brexit correspondent: |
| Detailed no deal notices continue to come out in Ireland tonightExports from UK to Ireland will be hit.Consumers warned that VAT will be payable on goods over €22import charges on items over €150. When the UK leaves the EU, these costs will apply to items from the UK. 1/ | Detailed no deal notices continue to come out in Ireland tonightExports from UK to Ireland will be hit.Consumers warned that VAT will be payable on goods over €22import charges on items over €150. When the UK leaves the EU, these costs will apply to items from the UK. 1/ |
| MPs have voted in favour of the Cooper bill with a majority of five votes. | MPs have voted in favour of the Cooper bill with a majority of five votes. |
| Ayes: 315, Noes: 310. | Ayes: 315, Noes: 310. |
| A quick reminder that speaker John Bercow said earlier that if the Cooper bill vote would end in another tie and require his vote, he would vote in favour to move it on for further discussion, in accordance with precedent. | A quick reminder that speaker John Bercow said earlier that if the Cooper bill vote would end in another tie and require his vote, he would vote in favour to move it on for further discussion, in accordance with precedent. |
| Various pundits are pointing out that Jeremy Corbyn might have hinted that he would not support a second referendum if a no-deal scenario is prevented - which would be the case if the Cooper bill passes - or if a compromise with the PM is reached that is in line with Labour’s policies. | Various pundits are pointing out that Jeremy Corbyn might have hinted that he would not support a second referendum if a no-deal scenario is prevented - which would be the case if the Cooper bill passes - or if a compromise with the PM is reached that is in line with Labour’s policies. |
| This from Kevin Schofield, editor of PoliticsHome.com: | This from Kevin Schofield, editor of PoliticsHome.com: |
| Note the last sentence. Not backing a referendum in all circumstances, as called for by Keir Starmer, Tom Watson, Emily Thornberry and others. pic.twitter.com/rrLqsDhAau | Note the last sentence. Not backing a referendum in all circumstances, as called for by Keir Starmer, Tom Watson, Emily Thornberry and others. pic.twitter.com/rrLqsDhAau |
| MPs are now voting on the Cooper bill. | MPs are now voting on the Cooper bill. |
| This from my colleague Jessica Elgot: | This from my colleague Jessica Elgot: |
| MPs voting now on second reading of Yvette Cooper's bill to force an extension to Article 50. Give the majority was just 1 to get the bill debated in the first place... it's going to be tight | MPs voting now on second reading of Yvette Cooper's bill to force an extension to Article 50. Give the majority was just 1 to get the bill debated in the first place... it's going to be tight |
| Jeremy Corbyn has written to Labour MPs to update them about the “constructive exploratory discussions” he had with the PM earlier. | Jeremy Corbyn has written to Labour MPs to update them about the “constructive exploratory discussions” he had with the PM earlier. |
| This from the New Stateman’s Patrick Maguire: | This from the New Stateman’s Patrick Maguire: |
| Jeremy Corbyn writes to Labour MPs on today's talks with May pic.twitter.com/0WLPOz8Fk7 | Jeremy Corbyn writes to Labour MPs on today's talks with May pic.twitter.com/0WLPOz8Fk7 |
| Hello everyone, I’m taking over from my colleague Andrew Sparrow. | Hello everyone, I’m taking over from my colleague Andrew Sparrow. |
| The drama in the Commons simply refuses to ebb down: Around 7pm, parliament will vote on the Cooper bill - which seeks to enshrine in law that Theresa May has to ask Brussels for a longer extension instead of crashing out without a deal if no withdrawal deal is passed by April 12. | The drama in the Commons simply refuses to ebb down: Around 7pm, parliament will vote on the Cooper bill - which seeks to enshrine in law that Theresa May has to ask Brussels for a longer extension instead of crashing out without a deal if no withdrawal deal is passed by April 12. |
| A passing of this vote would spell the end of the no-deal Brexit dream many Leavers still hold onto, but it is expected to be another tight one that could be decided by just a handful of votes or abstentions - the motion to move the bill passed by just a single vote earlier at 312:311. | A passing of this vote would spell the end of the no-deal Brexit dream many Leavers still hold onto, but it is expected to be another tight one that could be decided by just a handful of votes or abstentions - the motion to move the bill passed by just a single vote earlier at 312:311. |
| Yvette Cooper just described her bill as a “simple, practical and transparent” way to support the PM in the withdrawal process, while Caroline Lucas MP referred to it as a “vital safety-net” in the Commons. The “life-long” Brexit-supporter Martin Wickers MP urged MPs to vote against it. | Yvette Cooper just described her bill as a “simple, practical and transparent” way to support the PM in the withdrawal process, while Caroline Lucas MP referred to it as a “vital safety-net” in the Commons. The “life-long” Brexit-supporter Martin Wickers MP urged MPs to vote against it. |
| Remain-backing ministers could resign to push the bill over the line. | Remain-backing ministers could resign to push the bill over the line. |
| This is from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham. | This is from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham. |
| 1922 CommitteeA group of MPs led by James Duddridge proposed an indicative vote of confidence in Theresa MayGraham Brady sought the views of colleaguesCtte has turned down the suggestion, says a source. But one MP says it has not been ruled out entirely | 1922 CommitteeA group of MPs led by James Duddridge proposed an indicative vote of confidence in Theresa MayGraham Brady sought the views of colleaguesCtte has turned down the suggestion, says a source. But one MP says it has not been ruled out entirely |
| And that’s all from me for tonight. | And that’s all from me for tonight. |
| My colleague Jedidajah Otte is now taking over. | My colleague Jedidajah Otte is now taking over. |
| The Scottish parliament will be recalled from its Easter holidays for an emergency meeting next week but only if it is clear the UK will be crashing out of the EU with a no deal Brexit after next week’s EU summit. | The Scottish parliament will be recalled from its Easter holidays for an emergency meeting next week but only if it is clear the UK will be crashing out of the EU with a no deal Brexit after next week’s EU summit. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, had originally suggested to her cabinet on Tuesday that Holyrood could be asked to sit for much of next week because of the significance of an imminent threat of a no deal Brexit, scrapping their Easter break. | Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, had originally suggested to her cabinet on Tuesday that Holyrood could be asked to sit for much of next week because of the significance of an imminent threat of a no deal Brexit, scrapping their Easter break. |
| While the Scottish Greens backed that proposal, it was understood it was resisted by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories, who said they could support an emergency recall but only in the certainty a no-deal Brexit would be taking place. | While the Scottish Greens backed that proposal, it was understood it was resisted by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories, who said they could support an emergency recall but only in the certainty a no-deal Brexit would be taking place. |
| Ken Macintosh, Holyrood’s presiding officer, said these options had been discussed by the parties this week, who had agreed there should be an emergency session on Thursday 11 April instead of suspending the Easter recess entirely. He said: | Ken Macintosh, Holyrood’s presiding officer, said these options had been discussed by the parties this week, who had agreed there should be an emergency session on Thursday 11 April instead of suspending the Easter recess entirely. He said: |
| I can confirm that my intention is to recall parliament next week to meet at 1.00pm on Thursday 11 April in the circumstances that the UK is due to leave the EU without a deal on the following day. | I can confirm that my intention is to recall parliament next week to meet at 1.00pm on Thursday 11 April in the circumstances that the UK is due to leave the EU without a deal on the following day. |
| I indicated last week that I would try and give members at least two days’ notice of the decision whether or not to recall. This is clearly an ongoing, developing situation and I may therefore not be in a position to confirm a recall to members until after decisions are taken at the EU summit on Wednesday 10 April. | I indicated last week that I would try and give members at least two days’ notice of the decision whether or not to recall. This is clearly an ongoing, developing situation and I may therefore not be in a position to confirm a recall to members until after decisions are taken at the EU summit on Wednesday 10 April. |
| Bank of England governor Mark Carney said recent wrangling in parliament meant the prospect of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal was “alarmingly high”. | Bank of England governor Mark Carney said recent wrangling in parliament meant the prospect of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal was “alarmingly high”. |
| Speaking on Sky News Carney warned that a no-deal Brexit was now “the default option” and would cause havoc at British ports. He said: | Speaking on Sky News Carney warned that a no-deal Brexit was now “the default option” and would cause havoc at British ports. He said: |
| No-deal would happen by accident, it would happen suddenly, there would be no transition - it is an accidental disorderly Brexit. | No-deal would happen by accident, it would happen suddenly, there would be no transition - it is an accidental disorderly Brexit. |
| His comments were seen as a swipe at his predecessor Lord King, who last week said the UK could leave the EU on World Trade Organisations terms and maintain zero tariffs and concerns about queues of lorries on the M20 were “pretty absurd.” | His comments were seen as a swipe at his predecessor Lord King, who last week said the UK could leave the EU on World Trade Organisations terms and maintain zero tariffs and concerns about queues of lorries on the M20 were “pretty absurd.” |
| Carney said: “Forget the fiction… (it’s) absolute nonsense. It needs to be called out.” | Carney said: “Forget the fiction… (it’s) absolute nonsense. It needs to be called out.” |