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| Theresa May tells MPs to use Easter recess to consider their 'national duty' to resolve Brexit crisis – as it happened | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Sometimes the most significant event is the one that does not happen. Two weeks ago, on 29 March, when the UK was supposed to be leaving the EU but article 50 had been extended for two weeks, there were large protests in Parliament Square involving thousands of people furious that their Brexit was not happening. Last night Theresa May accepted another extension, not for two weeks but for almost seven months. And yet in the Commons the Brexiter response was close to subdued. | Sometimes the most significant event is the one that does not happen. Two weeks ago, on 29 March, when the UK was supposed to be leaving the EU but article 50 had been extended for two weeks, there were large protests in Parliament Square involving thousands of people furious that their Brexit was not happening. Last night Theresa May accepted another extension, not for two weeks but for almost seven months. And yet in the Commons the Brexiter response was close to subdued. |
| True, Sir Bill Cash, the veteran Tory Brexiter, asked May if she would resign, and a few other Brexit hardliners criticised her in strong terms. But there was a lot less bile and rage than we have from them in some previous exchanges, many of the most senior Brexiters were not present or did not speak, and overall May sounded a bit more resilient than she has done of late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that many MPs are feeling knackered. But the absence of a mighty backlash may also reflect an awareness amongst Brexiters that, although they would love to get rid of the prime minister, at present they don’t have the leverage to do so. | True, Sir Bill Cash, the veteran Tory Brexiter, asked May if she would resign, and a few other Brexit hardliners criticised her in strong terms. But there was a lot less bile and rage than we have from them in some previous exchanges, many of the most senior Brexiters were not present or did not speak, and overall May sounded a bit more resilient than she has done of late. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that many MPs are feeling knackered. But the absence of a mighty backlash may also reflect an awareness amongst Brexiters that, although they would love to get rid of the prime minister, at present they don’t have the leverage to do so. |
| Here are the main points from the exchanges. | Here are the main points from the exchanges. |
| May urged MPs to use the Easter recess to consider their “national duty” and reflect on how they might find a solution to the Brexit impasse. She also claimed it was still possible to pass the withdrawal agreement in time to prevent the UK having to take part in European elections. In her opening statement she said: | May urged MPs to use the Easter recess to consider their “national duty” and reflect on how they might find a solution to the Brexit impasse. She also claimed it was still possible to pass the withdrawal agreement in time to prevent the UK having to take part in European elections. In her opening statement she said: |
| So let us use the opportunity of the recess to reflect on the decisions that will have to be made swiftly on our return after Easter. And let us then resolve to find a way through this impasse. | So let us use the opportunity of the recess to reflect on the decisions that will have to be made swiftly on our return after Easter. And let us then resolve to find a way through this impasse. |
| So that we can leave the European Union with a deal as soon as possible. | So that we can leave the European Union with a deal as soon as possible. |
| So that we can avoid having to hold those European parliamentary elections. | So that we can avoid having to hold those European parliamentary elections. |
| And above all, so that we can fulfil the democratic decision of the referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward. | And above all, so that we can fulfil the democratic decision of the referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward. |
| This is our national duty as elected members of this House – and nothing today is more pressing or more vital. | This is our national duty as elected members of this House – and nothing today is more pressing or more vital. |
| May brushed aside a call from Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, to resign. Cash asked May: | May brushed aside a call from Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, to resign. Cash asked May: |
| Does the prime minister appreciate the anger that her abject surrender last night has generated across the country, having broken promises 100 times not to extend the time? ... Will she resign? | Does the prime minister appreciate the anger that her abject surrender last night has generated across the country, having broken promises 100 times not to extend the time? ... Will she resign? |
| May said Cash knew the answer to that. She also brushed aside a complaint from Peter Bone, another Tory Brexiter, who asked her whether she still stood by what she told him at PMQs three weeks ago about how she would not consider delaying Brexit beyond 30 June while she was still PM. (See 2.24pm.) | May said Cash knew the answer to that. She also brushed aside a complaint from Peter Bone, another Tory Brexiter, who asked her whether she still stood by what she told him at PMQs three weeks ago about how she would not consider delaying Brexit beyond 30 June while she was still PM. (See 2.24pm.) |
| She refused to rule out applying for a further article 50 extension in the autumn. (See 3.04pm.) | She refused to rule out applying for a further article 50 extension in the autumn. (See 3.04pm.) |
| She claimed there was more agreement between Labour and the Conservatives on the customs union than people realised. She said: | She claimed there was more agreement between Labour and the Conservatives on the customs union than people realised. She said: |
| I think there is actually more agreement in relation to a customs union than is often given credit for when different language is used. | I think there is actually more agreement in relation to a customs union than is often given credit for when different language is used. |
| We’ve been very clear that we want to obtain the benefits of a customs union - no tariffs, no rules of origin checks and no quotas - while being able to operate our own independent trade policy. | We’ve been very clear that we want to obtain the benefits of a customs union - no tariffs, no rules of origin checks and no quotas - while being able to operate our own independent trade policy. |
| The Labour party has said they want a say in trade policy - the question is how we ensure we can provide for this country to be in charge of its trade policy in the future. | The Labour party has said they want a say in trade policy - the question is how we ensure we can provide for this country to be in charge of its trade policy in the future. |
| She risked angering the DUP by refusing to rule out extending this session of parliament until the autumn. The issue was raised by Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminster, who told May: | She risked angering the DUP by refusing to rule out extending this session of parliament until the autumn. The issue was raised by Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminster, who told May: |
| The current session of parliament is due to end sometime soon. There is some talk around of extending this session beyond two years. Can I say, I think many in this house, including on this bench, would regard that as something that is not acceptable? | The current session of parliament is due to end sometime soon. There is some talk around of extending this session beyond two years. Can I say, I think many in this house, including on this bench, would regard that as something that is not acceptable? |
| May refused to give Dodds the assurance he wanted, although when Labour’s Chris Bryant raised the same issue, she said her focus was on getting her deal through parliament. Even though the DUP are the Tories’ confidence and supply partners, May also responded robustly when the DUP MP Sammy Wilson accused her of always giving in to the EU. (See 2.43pm.) | May refused to give Dodds the assurance he wanted, although when Labour’s Chris Bryant raised the same issue, she said her focus was on getting her deal through parliament. Even though the DUP are the Tories’ confidence and supply partners, May also responded robustly when the DUP MP Sammy Wilson accused her of always giving in to the EU. (See 2.43pm.) |
| Sure fire sign that the end is nigh: Theresa May goes to war with the DUP's Sammy Wilson. You can actually see that Mr Wilson is taken aback by the PM's angry tone. pic.twitter.com/26JguxjhAn | Sure fire sign that the end is nigh: Theresa May goes to war with the DUP's Sammy Wilson. You can actually see that Mr Wilson is taken aback by the PM's angry tone. pic.twitter.com/26JguxjhAn |
| That’s all from me for today. And until after Easter, because I will be off. But colleagues will be writing the blog in my place for the next week. | That’s all from me for today. And until after Easter, because I will be off. But colleagues will be writing the blog in my place for the next week. |
| Thanks for the comments. | Thanks for the comments. |
| Talks with Labour will not continue “for the sake of it” if both sides cannot agree a deal and party leaders would instead attempt to agree a way to get a parliamentary majority for a Brexit outcome, Downing Street has said. | Talks with Labour will not continue “for the sake of it” if both sides cannot agree a deal and party leaders would instead attempt to agree a way to get a parliamentary majority for a Brexit outcome, Downing Street has said. |
| Labour officials are meeting Theresa May’s chief of staff Gavin Barwell this afternoon, which is likely to lead to further talks between ministers and their opposites on Friday. | Labour officials are meeting Theresa May’s chief of staff Gavin Barwell this afternoon, which is likely to lead to further talks between ministers and their opposites on Friday. |
| Theresa May’s spokesman said the hope was to agree a deal that meant the UK could leave the EU before June 30, the date the prime minister has previously said she would not to extend beyond. At a lobby briefing, he went on: | Theresa May’s spokesman said the hope was to agree a deal that meant the UK could leave the EU before June 30, the date the prime minister has previously said she would not to extend beyond. At a lobby briefing, he went on: |
| If we work at pace, the House of Commons can come together, we can agree a deal, ratify it and get out before having to do EU parliamentary elections. There is an opportunity here and we ought not to lose sight of that. | If we work at pace, the House of Commons can come together, we can agree a deal, ratify it and get out before having to do EU parliamentary elections. There is an opportunity here and we ought not to lose sight of that. |
| We have already started the process with the leader of the opposition and it’s right we see that continue to what we hope will be a successful conclusion. We have stressed the urgency because there is an opportunity to avoid EU elections and to bring a resolution for greater certainty. | We have already started the process with the leader of the opposition and it’s right we see that continue to what we hope will be a successful conclusion. We have stressed the urgency because there is an opportunity to avoid EU elections and to bring a resolution for greater certainty. |
| Bluntly, we will not continue to talk for the sake of it. | Bluntly, we will not continue to talk for the sake of it. |
| But we believe the discussion and dialogue we are having is valuable and we want to see that continue while we think we are making progress. We are invested in this and [the PM] told fellow leaders last night ... this is not the usual way of doing things in British politics, it’s much more familiar to some EU leaders in the way that they work but it’s not very typical for the House of Commons. | But we believe the discussion and dialogue we are having is valuable and we want to see that continue while we think we are making progress. We are invested in this and [the PM] told fellow leaders last night ... this is not the usual way of doing things in British politics, it’s much more familiar to some EU leaders in the way that they work but it’s not very typical for the House of Commons. |
| Should that not come to fruition, there would be a way, if we could agree a process with the Labour party’s participation, for the house to express its preference on options and she also made the point that in any event, we will have to introduce and agree and pass the withdrawal agreement bill. | Should that not come to fruition, there would be a way, if we could agree a process with the Labour party’s participation, for the house to express its preference on options and she also made the point that in any event, we will have to introduce and agree and pass the withdrawal agreement bill. |
| A plan has been discussed with Labour, though not agreed, to bring forward the withdrawal agreement bill, which could be a way to attempt to bypass a meaningful vote in parliament and allow MPs to amend the bill as a route to try to achieve a parliamentary majority. | A plan has been discussed with Labour, though not agreed, to bring forward the withdrawal agreement bill, which could be a way to attempt to bypass a meaningful vote in parliament and allow MPs to amend the bill as a route to try to achieve a parliamentary majority. |
| Downing Street said it wanted to come to agreement with Labour about how the process for finding parliamentary consensus would work. | Downing Street said it wanted to come to agreement with Labour about how the process for finding parliamentary consensus would work. |
| “We have tried this twice before and we hope by working with the opposition in a more bipartisan way we can arrive at a series of options that allow us to avoid a situation where the house is asked for its verdict and, bluntly, can’t come up with one,” May’s spokesman said. | “We have tried this twice before and we hope by working with the opposition in a more bipartisan way we can arrive at a series of options that allow us to avoid a situation where the house is asked for its verdict and, bluntly, can’t come up with one,” May’s spokesman said. |
| Number 10 said it would not be a waste of time for MPs to now have a short break from Westminster. “Fundamentally, people could use a break,” the spokesman said. “Everybody should take a break in a way they feel is most appropriate.” | Number 10 said it would not be a waste of time for MPs to now have a short break from Westminster. “Fundamentally, people could use a break,” the spokesman said. “Everybody should take a break in a way they feel is most appropriate.” |
| Asked if the PM is planning on taking a holiday, Downing Street hinted that a break could be on the cards. “We will come back to you with her plans,” her spokesman said. | Asked if the PM is planning on taking a holiday, Downing Street hinted that a break could be on the cards. “We will come back to you with her plans,” her spokesman said. |
| Emmanuel Macron’s tough-guy stance at the EU summit – refusing the UK a much longer Brexit extension – was partly down to the French president’s personality, but his reasoning was political, my colleague Angelique Chrisafis explains in an analysis of why Macron acted as he did at last night’s summit. Here article is here. | Emmanuel Macron’s tough-guy stance at the EU summit – refusing the UK a much longer Brexit extension – was partly down to the French president’s personality, but his reasoning was political, my colleague Angelique Chrisafis explains in an analysis of why Macron acted as he did at last night’s summit. Here article is here. |
| Macron’s tough-guy stance on Brexit is part of his political project | Macron’s tough-guy stance on Brexit is part of his political project |
| Nicola Sturgeon has written to Theresa May asking her to include the SNP government in ongoing Brexit talks with Labour, as the first minister confirmed that she is now ready to set out her long-awaited plans for a second independence referendum to the Scottish parliament after it returns from Easter recess. | Nicola Sturgeon has written to Theresa May asking her to include the SNP government in ongoing Brexit talks with Labour, as the first minister confirmed that she is now ready to set out her long-awaited plans for a second independence referendum to the Scottish parliament after it returns from Easter recess. |
| In the letter to May, Sturgeon wrote: “We now have the gift of more time from the EU, and that must be used constructively to re-set the UK government approach. Your ongoing talks with the leader of the opposition should now broaden to include other parties, the devolved administrations, business and civic society, and open up the range of options on the table in an effort to reach a genuine consensus.” | In the letter to May, Sturgeon wrote: “We now have the gift of more time from the EU, and that must be used constructively to re-set the UK government approach. Your ongoing talks with the leader of the opposition should now broaden to include other parties, the devolved administrations, business and civic society, and open up the range of options on the table in an effort to reach a genuine consensus.” |
| Earlier in the day, in an interview with Bauer Radio, Sturgeon said: | Earlier in the day, in an interview with Bauer Radio, Sturgeon said: |
| Obviously we still don’t have clarity about the future of the UK but I’ve always said that when we got to the end of this phase of negotiations I would set out my thinking on where or what that meant for Scotland. | Obviously we still don’t have clarity about the future of the UK but I’ve always said that when we got to the end of this phase of negotiations I would set out my thinking on where or what that meant for Scotland. |
| Had parliament been recalled today I would have had the opportunity to make a statement in general about the implications of Brexit, so after the recess I will take stock with the Scottish parliament about the implications of last night’s developments ... and what it means for Scotland in the longer term. | Had parliament been recalled today I would have had the opportunity to make a statement in general about the implications of Brexit, so after the recess I will take stock with the Scottish parliament about the implications of last night’s developments ... and what it means for Scotland in the longer term. |
| The way the Easter holidays have fallen mean that Sturgeon will face some pressure of time: Holyrood recess officially ends on April 23rd, and SNP spring conference – where a heated debate is anticipated around the question of which currency an independent Scotland should use – is the following weekend. Sturgeon has pledged to set out her plans before parliament in the first instance, but has been under pressure from party activists and some senior parliamentarians who want her to hold a second independence referendum as soon as possible. | The way the Easter holidays have fallen mean that Sturgeon will face some pressure of time: Holyrood recess officially ends on April 23rd, and SNP spring conference – where a heated debate is anticipated around the question of which currency an independent Scotland should use – is the following weekend. Sturgeon has pledged to set out her plans before parliament in the first instance, but has been under pressure from party activists and some senior parliamentarians who want her to hold a second independence referendum as soon as possible. |
| Charles Walker, a Tory, says May take a few days off. And the chief whip should get some sleep too. | Charles Walker, a Tory, says May take a few days off. And the chief whip should get some sleep too. |
| May says she thinks it will be good for all MPs to reflect on what happens next away from the chamber. | May says she thinks it will be good for all MPs to reflect on what happens next away from the chamber. |
| And that’s it. The PM’s statement is over. | And that’s it. The PM’s statement is over. |
| I will post a summary soon. | I will post a summary soon. |
| Rehman Chishti, a Conservative, says taking part in the European elections will give legitimacy to far-right extremists. | Rehman Chishti, a Conservative, says taking part in the European elections will give legitimacy to far-right extremists. |
| May says she wants to ensure the UK does not need to participate in those elections. | May says she wants to ensure the UK does not need to participate in those elections. |
| The Conservative MP Derek Thomas asks if it still the plan for the transition period to end in December 2020. | The Conservative MP Derek Thomas asks if it still the plan for the transition period to end in December 2020. |
| May says that the transition can still end at the end of 2020, and that the government will work to ensure it does. | May says that the transition can still end at the end of 2020, and that the government will work to ensure it does. |
| Asked if she can be sure that he European parliament will ratify any deal in a timely way, and that it will not hold things up to force the UK to participate in the European elections, May says the European parliament can ratify the deal before Westminster has. | Asked if she can be sure that he European parliament will ratify any deal in a timely way, and that it will not hold things up to force the UK to participate in the European elections, May says the European parliament can ratify the deal before Westminster has. |
| May says she is grateful to EU leaders who attended the summit yesterday. Some broke off election campaigning, and one postponed a trip to Vietnam to be there. | May says she is grateful to EU leaders who attended the summit yesterday. Some broke off election campaigning, and one postponed a trip to Vietnam to be there. |
| Labour’s Rupa Huq says she will back May’s deal if it is subject to a confirmatory referendum. That is her compromise. What is May’s? | Labour’s Rupa Huq says she will back May’s deal if it is subject to a confirmatory referendum. That is her compromise. What is May’s? |
| May says constituents want to be able to move on. Having a second referendum would not allow that, she says. | May says constituents want to be able to move on. Having a second referendum would not allow that, she says. |
| Labour’s Seema Malhotra asks who May will include in the forum she plans to set up to consider what happens next with Brexit. | Labour’s Seema Malhotra asks who May will include in the forum she plans to set up to consider what happens next with Brexit. |
| May says first she needs to pass her deal. After that, in the second stage of the process, she will engage with businesses, unions and civil society. | May says first she needs to pass her deal. After that, in the second stage of the process, she will engage with businesses, unions and civil society. |
| Labour’s Stella Creasy asks May if she agrees that the best way to consult on what should happen next with Brexit would be to hold a citizens’ assembly. | Labour’s Stella Creasy asks May if she agrees that the best way to consult on what should happen next with Brexit would be to hold a citizens’ assembly. |
| May says she will soon make an announcement on how she will solicit views on what should happen next. | May says she will soon make an announcement on how she will solicit views on what should happen next. |
| Here are some lines from the Number 10 afternoon lobby briefing, from the Times’ Sam Coates, the Telegraph’s Christopher Hope and ITV’s Carl Dinnen. | Here are some lines from the Number 10 afternoon lobby briefing, from the Times’ Sam Coates, the Telegraph’s Christopher Hope and ITV’s Carl Dinnen. |
| Number 10 spokesman, in briefing after TM statement: “People could use a break” ... “everybody should take a break in the way they feel most appropriate.”When holiday becomes policy.... | Number 10 spokesman, in briefing after TM statement: “People could use a break” ... “everybody should take a break in the way they feel most appropriate.”When holiday becomes policy.... |
| NEW Number 10 has refused repeatedly to say if Theresa May will campaign in the European Parliament elections | NEW Number 10 has refused repeatedly to say if Theresa May will campaign in the European Parliament elections |
| A Number 10 spokesman says the C&S Deal is not dependent on Parliamentary sessions but lasts for two financial years. | A Number 10 spokesman says the C&S Deal is not dependent on Parliamentary sessions but lasts for two financial years. |
| Martin Vickers, a Conservative, asks for an assurance that May will never seek a further article 50 extension. | Martin Vickers, a Conservative, asks for an assurance that May will never seek a further article 50 extension. |
| May thanks Vickers for supporting the deal, but she ignores his question. | May thanks Vickers for supporting the deal, but she ignores his question. |
| May refuses to rule out applying for a further article 50 extension. | May refuses to rule out applying for a further article 50 extension. |
| Labour’s Mary Creagh says May will not get a stable majority for any Brexit legislation in the Commons unless she includes plans for a people’s vote, which she says is Labour policy passed at conference. | Labour’s Mary Creagh says May will not get a stable majority for any Brexit legislation in the Commons unless she includes plans for a people’s vote, which she says is Labour policy passed at conference. |
| Jonathan Djanogly, a Conservative, asks if there is a structure to the talks with Labour. Will MPs know more after the recess? | Jonathan Djanogly, a Conservative, asks if there is a structure to the talks with Labour. Will MPs know more after the recess? |
| May says, if the UK is to pass a deal in time to stop it needing to take part in the European elections, a timetable will apply. | May says, if the UK is to pass a deal in time to stop it needing to take part in the European elections, a timetable will apply. |
| Labour’s Chris Bryant asks May is she plans to keep this session of parliament going until 31 October. | Labour’s Chris Bryant asks May is she plans to keep this session of parliament going until 31 October. |
| May says her focus with parliamentary time at the moment is getting her deal passed. | May says her focus with parliamentary time at the moment is getting her deal passed. |
| Antoinette Sandbach, a Tory pro-European, says her constituents are pleased to see the government in talks with Labour. She says a survey after the referendum showed only 35% of people who voted leave thought that would mean leaving the single market and the customs union. And she tells May he confidence and supply partners, the DUP, are undermining confidence and not supply the votes. | Antoinette Sandbach, a Tory pro-European, says her constituents are pleased to see the government in talks with Labour. She says a survey after the referendum showed only 35% of people who voted leave thought that would mean leaving the single market and the customs union. And she tells May he confidence and supply partners, the DUP, are undermining confidence and not supply the votes. |
| Labour’s Karen Buck asks May when she will decide whether she can bring forward an EU withdrawal agreement bill. | Labour’s Karen Buck asks May when she will decide whether she can bring forward an EU withdrawal agreement bill. |
| May says it will depend how the talks with Labour go. | May says it will depend how the talks with Labour go. |