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| Brexit: MPs vote on amendments to Cooper bill aiming to rule out no deal - live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The government has suffered another defeat and had its own amendment crushed by a majority of 180. | |
| Huge Govt defeat on their own Amdt. 400 to 220 a majority of 180 https://t.co/b6w2yQDT4a | |
| Until MPs will vote on the Cooper bill, they will be voting on a series of amendments. Final vote expected around midnight. | |
| I just made an error: the vote hasn’t failed, an amendment by the former minister George Eustice was just defeated by 304 ayes to 313 noes. | I just made an error: the vote hasn’t failed, an amendment by the former minister George Eustice was just defeated by 304 ayes to 313 noes. |
| The amendment would have prevented the government from being forced to hold a vote if the European Council proposes an extension date different than that requested by parliament. | The amendment would have prevented the government from being forced to hold a vote if the European Council proposes an extension date different than that requested by parliament. |
| Profuse apologies. The previous post has been deleted. | Profuse apologies. The previous post has been deleted. |
| This just in from The Telegraph’s Anna Mikhailova: | This just in from The Telegraph’s Anna Mikhailova: |
| New: Senior Labour source telling me today's talks did not go as well as initially thought:'May offered nothing today. Unless tomorrow's talks change the narrative it seems to be a waste of time.' | New: Senior Labour source telling me today's talks did not go as well as initially thought:'May offered nothing today. Unless tomorrow's talks change the narrative it seems to be a waste of time.' |
| MPs are now voting on the Cooper bill amendments. | |
| MPs were debating the Cooper bill at Committee stage until just a few minutes ago. In the eyes of the government, the bill represents “a dangerous and perhaps unintended constitutional precedent” that would “constrain” the PM’s authority in negotiations. “This bill actually increases the likelihood of an accidental no-deal,” says Robin Walker, Exiting the EU minister. | MPs were debating the Cooper bill at Committee stage until just a few minutes ago. In the eyes of the government, the bill represents “a dangerous and perhaps unintended constitutional precedent” that would “constrain” the PM’s authority in negotiations. “This bill actually increases the likelihood of an accidental no-deal,” says Robin Walker, Exiting the EU minister. |
| The government has tabled an amendment to the Cooper bill aimed at allowing the PM to agree a new deadline with the EU if necessary. | The government has tabled an amendment to the Cooper bill aimed at allowing the PM to agree a new deadline with the EU if necessary. |
| This from the ITV’s Paul Brand: | This from the ITV’s Paul Brand: |
| Amidst all the Brexit chaos, worth remembering it’s the Newport West by-election tomorrow following the death of the Labour MP Paul Flynn. An interesting test of how the parties are perceived to be faring. Labour sources tell me they do not expect a major upset. | Amidst all the Brexit chaos, worth remembering it’s the Newport West by-election tomorrow following the death of the Labour MP Paul Flynn. An interesting test of how the parties are perceived to be faring. Labour sources tell me they do not expect a major upset. |
| Nick Boles MP, who resigned from the Tory whip yesterday, just tweeted this: | Nick Boles MP, who resigned from the Tory whip yesterday, just tweeted this: |
| I am no longer a member of the Conservative Party. So I can be blunt where previously I might have been discreet. The PM’s head of communications Robbie Gibb is a hard Brexiter who wants to destroy the PM’s new search for a cross party compromise. | I am no longer a member of the Conservative Party. So I can be blunt where previously I might have been discreet. The PM’s head of communications Robbie Gibb is a hard Brexiter who wants to destroy the PM’s new search for a cross party compromise. |
| By the way, German magazine Der Spiegel published an interview with speaker John Bercow on Monday, in which he talks beheadings, Theresa May being “courteous” and his power in parliament. | By the way, German magazine Der Spiegel published an interview with speaker John Bercow on Monday, in which he talks beheadings, Theresa May being “courteous” and his power in parliament. |
| A good, entertaining read. | A good, entertaining read. |
| Here an excerpt: | Here an excerpt: |
| DER SPIEGEL: Would you agree that you are one of the most powerful people in Britain today? | DER SPIEGEL: Would you agree that you are one of the most powerful people in Britain today? |
| Bercow: It’s amazingly generous of you to confer this sobriquet on me, but I’m not sure it is warranted. Of course, I do have a role, not grabbed by me, but conferred upon me, to select amendments for debate and to keep order. And yes, I won’t be disingenuous. It is true that, in this context, the role of the speaker is more center stage than it would be if we were purely conducting a debate about child support policy. We’re having a debate about a matter which has consumed the political world and dominated the media for the best part of three years. And in this current context, there is a particular significance attached to that. My approach is to try to facilitate perhaps by enabling the fullest and fairest expression of views and the range of views that exists. | Bercow: It’s amazingly generous of you to confer this sobriquet on me, but I’m not sure it is warranted. Of course, I do have a role, not grabbed by me, but conferred upon me, to select amendments for debate and to keep order. And yes, I won’t be disingenuous. It is true that, in this context, the role of the speaker is more center stage than it would be if we were purely conducting a debate about child support policy. We’re having a debate about a matter which has consumed the political world and dominated the media for the best part of three years. And in this current context, there is a particular significance attached to that. My approach is to try to facilitate perhaps by enabling the fullest and fairest expression of views and the range of views that exists. |
| Stewart McDonald MP has apologised for questioning the absence of John McDonnell and Emily Thornberry in the Commons earlier. | Stewart McDonald MP has apologised for questioning the absence of John McDonnell and Emily Thornberry in the Commons earlier. |
| I tweeted earlier criticising @johnmcdonnellMP and @EmilyThornberry for ‘abstaining’ on a tight and crucial vote. I shouldn’t have done so. Emily was with her kid in hospital and John was himself in hospital. I didn’t know. I’m deeply sorry to both. I wish them both my very best. | I tweeted earlier criticising @johnmcdonnellMP and @EmilyThornberry for ‘abstaining’ on a tight and crucial vote. I shouldn’t have done so. Emily was with her kid in hospital and John was himself in hospital. I didn’t know. I’m deeply sorry to both. I wish them both my very best. |
| My colleague Jessica Elgot points out that situations like this could be avoided if it were to be made visible when absent MPs have paired with another MP to cast their vote that way. | My colleague Jessica Elgot points out that situations like this could be avoided if it were to be made visible when absent MPs have paired with another MP to cast their vote that way. |
| It’s a real flaw in the system that you can’t see when an MP has been paired, especially when abstaining on purpose has become more common in tricky votes | It’s a real flaw in the system that you can’t see when an MP has been paired, especially when abstaining on purpose has become more common in tricky votes |
| While a no-deal Brexit remains in the cards, my colleague Richard Partington writes that Liam Fox’s international trade department is nowhere near Brexit-ready. | While a no-deal Brexit remains in the cards, my colleague Richard Partington writes that Liam Fox’s international trade department is nowhere near Brexit-ready. |
| Liam Fox's ministry faces more criticism for lack of Brexit readiness | Liam Fox's ministry faces more criticism for lack of Brexit readiness |
| Shadow chancellor John McDonnell just put out a tweet explaining his absence from the Commons tonight. | Shadow chancellor John McDonnell just put out a tweet explaining his absence from the Commons tonight. |
| Stewart, You weren’t to know but I was in hospital having an MRI scan on my leg and hip as I have been having a bit of pain. I couldn’t put it off any more and survive pressure from family and friends. I think it’s a hangover from footballl days when I was a dangerous left back! | Stewart, You weren’t to know but I was in hospital having an MRI scan on my leg and hip as I have been having a bit of pain. I couldn’t put it off any more and survive pressure from family and friends. I think it’s a hangover from footballl days when I was a dangerous left back! |
| This just in from PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield: | This just in from PoliticsHome’s Kevin Schofield: |
| At tonight’s special meeting of the Shadow Cabinet, Ian Lavery said “this party could be finished by a People’s Vote” and warned Jeremy Corbyn he would be the leader who split Labour if he backed one. | At tonight’s special meeting of the Shadow Cabinet, Ian Lavery said “this party could be finished by a People’s Vote” and warned Jeremy Corbyn he would be the leader who split Labour if he backed one. |
| Meanwhile at Tory HQ, according to Sky’s Beth Rigby: | Meanwhile at Tory HQ, according to Sky’s Beth Rigby: |
| Am also told the Brexiteers utterly furious with May despite being relatively muted at PMQs. Waiting for outcome of talks. Deal with Corbyn and/or customs union “a disaster” for May and I’m told will trigger series of resignations. At moment ministers sitting on hands & waiting | Am also told the Brexiteers utterly furious with May despite being relatively muted at PMQs. Waiting for outcome of talks. Deal with Corbyn and/or customs union “a disaster” for May and I’m told will trigger series of resignations. At moment ministers sitting on hands & waiting |
| Jeremy Corbyn has urged the PM to ditch her “dead” deal and move in Labour’s direction, the Press Association reports: | Jeremy Corbyn has urged the PM to ditch her “dead” deal and move in Labour’s direction, the Press Association reports: |
| Theresa May has to accept that her Brexit deal is dead and she needs to move in Labour’s direction, Jeremy Corbyn said after talks with the Prime Minister. The Labour leader said the meeting was “useful but inconclusive” and said “there has not been as much change as I expected” in the Prime Minister’s position. Mr Corbyn reiterated his view that another referendum should be held to prevent either a no-deal Brexit or a bad deal but he said no “red lines in the future” on any potential agreement he might reach with the Prime Minister were discussed. His comments came as Emily Thornberry wrote to shadow cabinet colleagues calling for a public vote on any deal. Following his lengthy talks with the Prime Minister, which included senior frontbenchers from both sides, Mr Corbyn said: “I want the Government to understand that the House does not support the deal that she has agreed. “She has got to come up, even at this very late stage, with something that is acceptable to the House, which does move in the direction that I have said the Labour Party wants in order to reach an agreement with the EU. “The dangers of crashing out with no deal are very, very serious, very serious indeed - they have to be avoided.” | Theresa May has to accept that her Brexit deal is dead and she needs to move in Labour’s direction, Jeremy Corbyn said after talks with the Prime Minister. The Labour leader said the meeting was “useful but inconclusive” and said “there has not been as much change as I expected” in the Prime Minister’s position. Mr Corbyn reiterated his view that another referendum should be held to prevent either a no-deal Brexit or a bad deal but he said no “red lines in the future” on any potential agreement he might reach with the Prime Minister were discussed. His comments came as Emily Thornberry wrote to shadow cabinet colleagues calling for a public vote on any deal. Following his lengthy talks with the Prime Minister, which included senior frontbenchers from both sides, Mr Corbyn said: “I want the Government to understand that the House does not support the deal that she has agreed. “She has got to come up, even at this very late stage, with something that is acceptable to the House, which does move in the direction that I have said the Labour Party wants in order to reach an agreement with the EU. “The dangers of crashing out with no deal are very, very serious, very serious indeed - they have to be avoided.” |
| Speaking in his parliamentary office, the Labour leader said: “We had a discussion and there hasn’t been as much change as I expected but we are continuing to have some discussions tomorrow morning to explore some of the technical issues. “The meeting was useful but inconclusive.” Mr Corbyn said he put forward Labour’s view that “we want to achieve a customs union with the European Union, we want to have access to the market and, in particular, we discussed the dynamic regulatory alignment that is guaranteeing European regulations as a minimum on the environment as well as consumer and employment rights”. Asked about whether a referendum on any agreement should be on the table - as shadow foreign secretary Ms Thornberry has reportedly said - Mr Corbyn said: “There was no deal offered (by the Prime Minister). “There was no deal offered by us either. We just discussed where we are at. “She reiterated where she is at at the present time. So red lines in the future didn’t come up.” But Mr Corbyn said he raised the issue of a public vote with Mrs May. “I said this is the policy of our party, that we would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or to prevent leaving with a bad deal. “There was no agreement reached on that, we just put it there as one of the issues that the Labour Party conference voted on last year.” In her letter, obtained by the Guardian, Ms Thornberry set out her points ahead of an emergency shadow cabinet meeting which she was unable to attend. “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,” the letter said. She added that if there was a vote “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”. Mr Corbyn stressed that the Prime Minister was “keen to get a vote through the House next week” in order to reach an agreement with the EU which would not involve taking part in the May 23 European elections. He pinned the blame for the Brexit impasse on the Prime Minister and her “totally ridiculous” handling of the process. “When the history of the British Parliament is written, this will be a remarkable period and a remarkable week - fascinating in that sense. “But take the thing back a bit, this is a totally ridiculous process we have got ourselves into. “The Government started the negotiations with the EU more than two-and-a-half years ago, they didn’t consult anybody, they didn’t involve anybody, they didn’t take any soundings of the House. “They just steamed ahead with it.” | Speaking in his parliamentary office, the Labour leader said: “We had a discussion and there hasn’t been as much change as I expected but we are continuing to have some discussions tomorrow morning to explore some of the technical issues. “The meeting was useful but inconclusive.” Mr Corbyn said he put forward Labour’s view that “we want to achieve a customs union with the European Union, we want to have access to the market and, in particular, we discussed the dynamic regulatory alignment that is guaranteeing European regulations as a minimum on the environment as well as consumer and employment rights”. Asked about whether a referendum on any agreement should be on the table - as shadow foreign secretary Ms Thornberry has reportedly said - Mr Corbyn said: “There was no deal offered (by the Prime Minister). “There was no deal offered by us either. We just discussed where we are at. “She reiterated where she is at at the present time. So red lines in the future didn’t come up.” But Mr Corbyn said he raised the issue of a public vote with Mrs May. “I said this is the policy of our party, that we would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or to prevent leaving with a bad deal. “There was no agreement reached on that, we just put it there as one of the issues that the Labour Party conference voted on last year.” In her letter, obtained by the Guardian, Ms Thornberry set out her points ahead of an emergency shadow cabinet meeting which she was unable to attend. “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,” the letter said. She added that if there was a vote “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”. Mr Corbyn stressed that the Prime Minister was “keen to get a vote through the House next week” in order to reach an agreement with the EU which would not involve taking part in the May 23 European elections. He pinned the blame for the Brexit impasse on the Prime Minister and her “totally ridiculous” handling of the process. “When the history of the British Parliament is written, this will be a remarkable period and a remarkable week - fascinating in that sense. “But take the thing back a bit, this is a totally ridiculous process we have got ourselves into. “The Government started the negotiations with the EU more than two-and-a-half years ago, they didn’t consult anybody, they didn’t involve anybody, they didn’t take any soundings of the House. “They just steamed ahead with it.” |
| 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”. | 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. | 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: | 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 | 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.” | 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”. | 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” | 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”. | 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”. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | Full story below. |
| Corbyn must insist on Brexit referendum, says Thornberry | 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. | 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. |