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Brexit: Labour and Conservative talks end after 4.5 hours Brexit: Labour and Conservative talks end after 4.5 hours
(32 minutes later)
Talks between Conservative and Labour teams have taken place for a second day, in a bid to end Brexit deadlock.Talks between Conservative and Labour teams have taken place for a second day, in a bid to end Brexit deadlock.
The discussions, which lasted 4.5 hours, were described as "detailed and productive" by the government.The discussions, which lasted 4.5 hours, were described as "detailed and productive" by the government.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said earlier that the idea of a "confirmatory" referendum on any Brexit deal would be discussed.Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said earlier that the idea of a "confirmatory" referendum on any Brexit deal would be discussed.
MPs backed a bill on Wednesday which would force the PM to seek a new delay to Brexit.MPs backed a bill on Wednesday which would force the PM to seek a new delay to Brexit.
The House of Lords is due to debate it later on Thursday. The House of Lords will begin debating it in general terms later on Thursday - but detailed line-by-line scrutiny, when they will have the chance to propose changes to the bill, will not take place until Monday.
Thursday's meeting between the government and opposition followed discussions between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday, which were described as "constructive". Leaving the cross-party talks, Sir Keir did not answer questions about what had been discussed, telling reporters: "We have had further discussions and we will be having further discussions with the government."
Leaving the talks, Sir Keir did not answer questions about what had been discussed, telling reporters: "We have had further discussions and we will be having further discussions with the government."
A Labour spokesman said the talks "are continuing and the teams are planning to meet again".A Labour spokesman said the talks "are continuing and the teams are planning to meet again".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "Today both sets of negotiating teams met for four and a half hours of detailed and productive technical talks in the Cabinet Office, supported by the civil service."A Downing Street spokesman said: "Today both sets of negotiating teams met for four and a half hours of detailed and productive technical talks in the Cabinet Office, supported by the civil service."
The talks were attended on the Labour side by shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey.The talks were attended on the Labour side by shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey.
The government's negotiating team was senior cabinet minister David Lidington, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, chief whip Julian Smith, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Gavin Barwell - the prime minister's chief of staff.The government's negotiating team was senior cabinet minister David Lidington, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay, chief whip Julian Smith, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Gavin Barwell - the prime minister's chief of staff.
What happens next?What happens next?
Thursday's meeting between the government and opposition followed discussions between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday.
The UK is due to leave the EU on 12 April, and as yet, no withdrawal deal is in place.The UK is due to leave the EU on 12 April, and as yet, no withdrawal deal is in place.
But ministers have warned that the backbench bill - put forward by Labour's Yvette Cooper - could increase "the risk of an accidental no-deal".But ministers have warned that the backbench bill - put forward by Labour's Yvette Cooper - could increase "the risk of an accidental no-deal".
No 10 says Ms Cooper's bill, passed by the Commons with a majority of one vote on Wednesday, would deny the PM the power to agree a deal with EU leaders on April 10, as MPs would have to agree to any new Brexit date.No 10 says Ms Cooper's bill, passed by the Commons with a majority of one vote on Wednesday, would deny the PM the power to agree a deal with EU leaders on April 10, as MPs would have to agree to any new Brexit date.
Any Brexit delay will require the unanimous backing of all 28 EU leaders at a summit next Wednesday.Any Brexit delay will require the unanimous backing of all 28 EU leaders at a summit next Wednesday.
If they agree - but suggest a different date to the one backed by MPs - the prime minister would have to bring it back to the Commons for further approval on Thursday 11 April.If they agree - but suggest a different date to the one backed by MPs - the prime minister would have to bring it back to the Commons for further approval on Thursday 11 April.
"By April 11, the European Council will have concluded and the leaders will have returned to their member states. In the words of the secretary of state, the bill could increase the risk of an accidental no-deal exit," the prime minister's spokesman said."By April 11, the European Council will have concluded and the leaders will have returned to their member states. In the words of the secretary of state, the bill could increase the risk of an accidental no-deal exit," the prime minister's spokesman said.
The backbench bill will need the approval of the House of Lords if it is to become law. Lords are debating the procedure to bring forward the bill, before discussing the bill itself.The backbench bill will need the approval of the House of Lords if it is to become law. Lords are debating the procedure to bring forward the bill, before discussing the bill itself.
But ultimately it is the EU which decides whether to grant an extension. European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said a no-deal Brexit was still "highly likely". But ultimately it is the EU which decides whether to grant an extension.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has met Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for talks in Dublin. Mr Varadkar said any further extension "must require and must have a credible and realistic way forward".
Mrs Merkel said she still hoped for an "orderly Brexit" adding: "I can say this from the German side - we will do everything in order to prevent a no-deal Brexit; Britain crashing out of the European Union.
"But we have to do this together with Britain and with their position that they will present to us."
Shadow Treasury minister Clive Lewis told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Labour would not be talking to the government if a "confirmatory referendum" wasn't an option.Shadow Treasury minister Clive Lewis told BBC Radio 4's World at One that Labour would not be talking to the government if a "confirmatory referendum" wasn't an option.
But it has emerged that party chairman Ian Lavery offered to quit the shadow cabinet, after twice defying orders to vote in favour of another referendum.But it has emerged that party chairman Ian Lavery offered to quit the shadow cabinet, after twice defying orders to vote in favour of another referendum.
And 25 Labour MPs - including former minister Caroline Flint and a number MPs for Leave-voting seats in the North and Midlands - have written to Jeremy Corbyn, saying another referendum should not be included in any compromise Brexit deal.And 25 Labour MPs - including former minister Caroline Flint and a number MPs for Leave-voting seats in the North and Midlands - have written to Jeremy Corbyn, saying another referendum should not be included in any compromise Brexit deal.
They wrote: "Delaying for many months in the hope of a second referendum will simply divide the country further and add uncertainty for business. Meanwhile Downing Street has announced a series of ministerial appointments, to replace ministers who quit over the government's Brexit strategy and Brexit votes.
"A second referendum would be exploited by the far right, damage the trust of many core Labour voters and reduce our chances of winning a general election." Among them, party chairman James Cleverly has been made a Brexit minister; Justin Tomlinson has been appointed as a minister in the Department for Work and Pensions; and Seema Kennedy has been made a health minister.
Chancellor Philip Hammond has said he expects Brussels to insist on a lengthy delay to Brexit. He also described a public vote to approve any final deal as "a perfectly credible proposition".
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 4 Today he was "very strongly against" a public vote and he would not want to see a long extension to Brexit.
Among Mrs May's "red lines" was leaving the EU's customs union, which allows goods to move between member states without being subject to tariffs. It also imposes the same tariffs on goods from outside countries.Among Mrs May's "red lines" was leaving the EU's customs union, which allows goods to move between member states without being subject to tariffs. It also imposes the same tariffs on goods from outside countries.
Labour wants a new permanent customs union with the EU, while Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - which props up Mrs May's government - indicated on Wednesday that it could support the idea.Labour wants a new permanent customs union with the EU, while Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - which props up Mrs May's government - indicated on Wednesday that it could support the idea.
The prime minister wants to agree a policy with the Labour leader for MPs to vote on before 10 April - when the EU will hold an emergency summit on Brexit.The prime minister wants to agree a policy with the Labour leader for MPs to vote on before 10 April - when the EU will hold an emergency summit on Brexit.
But if they cannot reach a consensus, she has pledged to allow MPs to vote on a number of options, including the withdrawal agreement she has negotiated with the EU, which MPs have already rejected three times.But if they cannot reach a consensus, she has pledged to allow MPs to vote on a number of options, including the withdrawal agreement she has negotiated with the EU, which MPs have already rejected three times.
In either event, Mrs May said she would ask the EU for a further short extension to Brexit in the hope of getting an agreement passed by Parliament before 22 May, so that the UK does not have to take part in European elections.In either event, Mrs May said she would ask the EU for a further short extension to Brexit in the hope of getting an agreement passed by Parliament before 22 May, so that the UK does not have to take part in European elections.