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Brexit: MPs vote on Yvette Cooper's bill ruling out no deal at second reading - live news Brexit: MPs pass Cooper bill ruling out no deal, making it move to next stage - live news
(30 minutes later)
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.
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:
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.
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.
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/rrLqsDhAauNote 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 tightMPs 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/0WLPOz8Fk7Jeremy 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 entirely1922 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.”
Unison, the public services union, is calling for any final Brexit deal to be put to a public vote. In a statement, Dave Prentis, its general secretary, said:
A general election is our preferred option, but until that time, the so-called Norway plus plan, allowing the UK to remain in the customs union and the single market is the next best bet.
Whatever deal emerges in the coming days should be put to the country. We cannot allow the UK’s future to be dashed on the rocks of a no-deal Brexit.
This is what Labour said in the statement that it issued after the May/Corbyn talks. A party spokesman said:
We have had constructive exploratory discussions about how to break the Brexit deadlock. We have agreed a programme of work between our teams to explore the scope for agreement.
And this is what a Number 10 spokesman said about the meeting.
Today’s talks were constructive, with both sides showing flexibility and a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close. We have agreed a programme of work to ensure we deliver for the British people, protecting jobs and security.
Theresa May was joined by David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister, Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, and Julian Smith, the chief whip.
Jeremy Corbyn was joined by Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, Nick Brown, Labour’s chief whip, and Seumas Milne, Corbyn’s director of communications and strategy.
Each side is going to appoint a negotiating team. Those teams will meet tonight to agree a programme of work, and then again tomorrow, for what government sources are saying will be “a full day of intensive discussion”
John Bercow, the Speaker, is now taking points of order.
Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, says the Cooper bill should not be allowed without a money resolution - a resolution that has to be moved by a government minister authorising government spending.
Bercow says he has been advised that that is not necessary.
Here is a Guardian graphic showing how the rate of ministerial resignations under Theresa May compares with the rate under her predecessors.
The main business motion has been passed by 312 votes to 311 - a majority of one.
That means the debate on the Cooper bill will go ahead.
And here is more from what John Bercow told MPs about why he used his casting vote as he did.
My recollection - and I’ve been saying this for years across the country to audiences, so I hope it’s right - is that the last occasion on which the speaker had to exercise a casting vote was in 1993, and I believe it was appertaining to the Maastricht Treaty bill ... I think it was on an amendment relating to the social chapter, and it was an amendment in the name of the then leader of the opposition [John Smith] and Speaker Boothroyd cast her vote in the way that she did, against that amendment. And the rationale ... for the exercise of the casting vote is that it is not for the chair to create a majority that doesn’t otherwise exist.
The way in which the casting vote is exercised does also depend upon the stage at which the matter is being aired. So, for example, it would be exercised differently on the second reading of a bill, where there is an important principle of encouraging further debate ... but if it’s the final stage of a bill, the casting vote would be against.
In a situation in which a decision would be made that a day would be allocated for particular business [ie, the Benn amendment], I judge that it is not right for me to make that decision if the house hasn’t by a clear majority done so.
This is what John Bercow told MPs when explaining his casting vote.
In accordance with precedent, and on the principle that important decisions should not be taken except by a majority, I cast my vote with the noes.
So the final vote was 311 to 310.
MPs are now voting on the main business motion - setting out the arrangements to this afternoon’s debate on the Cooper bill.
But if the Benn amendment was defeated, there must be a strong chance that this will get defeated too.
Bercow says, in accordance with precedent, and with the principle that important votes should not be taken except by a majority, Bercow votes with the noes.
It is a tie - 310 votes on each side.