This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/apr/11/may-to-address-commons-after-eu-sets-october-brexit-deadline-politics-live
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| May to address Commons after EU sets October Brexit deadline – Politics live | May to address Commons after EU sets October Brexit deadline – Politics live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Speaking on ITV’s Peston last night, shadow chancellor John McDonnell, said Labour was concerned that agreements it reached with May would not be honoured by a future Conservative leader. | |
| “One of the key issues for us in the discussions, they are confidential discussions at the moment, but obviously the agenda included for us how do we entrench any agreement that we achieve… We’ve gone in there positively and constructively, we’ve been in there trying to secure a deal which we think would work. But we’ve always said clearly our big worry is if we can make a deal with Theresa May, what happens when she goes?” | |
| Jeremy Hunt was asked on Peston whether he would honour any deals Theresa May agrees with Labour in coming weeks to get Brexit through parliament if he were to become prime minister. | |
| “The reality is that to get the Brexit deal through, the Withdrawal Agreement bill has to be ratified in law and it is the contents of that bill that will constitute any cross party agreements that allows Parliament to vote that through, so it’ll be a matter of the law, not a matter of...” | |
| Peston said: “Laws can change, Prime Ministers can change laws.” | |
| “If they have a majority in parliament,” said Hunt. “It may have escaped your attention, Robert, that no-one has a majority in Parliament to change laws.” | |
| Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said in a statement businesses will be relieved, “but their frustration with this seemingly endless political process is palpable”. | |
| For most businesses, the ‘flextension’ agreed by the European Council will be preferable to deadlines that are repeatedly moved forward at the last possible moment. | |
| This extension buys Parliament some time to come to a consensus, but they can’t afford to squander it. Politicians must urgently agree on a way forward. | |
| It would be a disaster for business confidence and investment if a similar late-night drama is played out yet again in October. Our businesses and our communities need answers to plan for the future, and the government must return its focus to pressing domestic issues, which have been ignored or marginalised for too long. | |
| In the event that the Withdrawal Agreement is passed by Parliament, businesses need a clear timetable and fair warning of the UK’s planned exit date, particularly those trading in countries where the UK has not yet finalised much-needed trade continuity agreements. | |
| Another excellent reader question. | |
| @MsKateLyons a question from a reader: does parliament has to approve the #brexit delay today? And if so, how will it be done? | |
| Andrew Sparrow, anticipating you, wrote this answer before he signed off yesterday’s blog in the early hours of the morning: | |
| Some of you may be wondering whether, under the terms of the Yvette Cooper bill (the one passed on Monday, against the wishes of the government, requiring the PM to request an article 50 extension) Theresa May has to come back to the Commons and get MPs to agree the new article 50 extension timetable, given that it is different from the one MPs voted to support on Tuesday. | |
| The answer is no. The bill, as originally drafted, would have required a second vote in the Commons in these circumstances. But when the bill was in the Lords an amendment passed by Lord Goldsmith, the Labour peer, removed this requirement. Goldsmith argued that it would create uncertainty, because the PM could end up agreeing a new date at the EU summit and then needing to obtain retrospective backing for it in the Commons. | |
| Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, has this to say about the agreement reached last night. | |
| This new extension means imminent economic crisis has been averted, but it needs to mark a fresh start. For the good of jobs and communities across the country, all political leaders must use the time well. Sincere cross-party collaboration must happen now to end this chaos. | |
| #EU27 & UK have agreed a flexible #Brexit extension until 31 October.Watch the summary of the special #EUCO & find out more about the ocutome of the meeting: https://t.co/Y6UiTiIglm pic.twitter.com/9JuScDcGzT | |
| A “no-deal” Brexit remains a possibility, French government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye told French TV station CNews on Thursday. | |
| “It is not impossible that we could again have a no-deal Brexit,” she said. | |
| European Union leaders have given Britain six more months to leave the bloc, more than Prime Minister Theresa May says she needs but less than many in the bloc wanted, thanks to fierce resistance from France. | |
| However, if May fails to win over lawmakers on the treaty or fails to hold an election, Britain will leave with no deal on 1 June. | |
| Back on the question of whether there’s enough time for a second referendum, this Brexit extension is being seized upon by MPs in favour of a People’s Vote. | Back on the question of whether there’s enough time for a second referendum, this Brexit extension is being seized upon by MPs in favour of a People’s Vote. |
| Just enough time for a @peoplesvote_uk..... https://t.co/Pe6kDiSGMS | Just enough time for a @peoplesvote_uk..... https://t.co/Pe6kDiSGMS |
| The British people have been given a lifelineA flextension until 31st Oct is long enough to hold a #PeoplesVote Will @theresa_may and @jeremycorbyn surprise us all by agreeing to test the will of the people?Or will they let their narrow party and personal interests prevail? | The British people have been given a lifelineA flextension until 31st Oct is long enough to hold a #PeoplesVote Will @theresa_may and @jeremycorbyn surprise us all by agreeing to test the will of the people?Or will they let their narrow party and personal interests prevail? |
| A confusing contribution from Donald Trump to the Brexit discussions. | A confusing contribution from Donald Trump to the Brexit discussions. |
| Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change. Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you! | Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change. Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you! |
| A question from a reader: | A question from a reader: |
| Will there will be time to arrange and hold a second referendum? If so what would the timetable be for such an eventuality? | Will there will be time to arrange and hold a second referendum? If so what would the timetable be for such an eventuality? |
| That’s a very good question, John, thanks. | That’s a very good question, John, thanks. |
| A referendum on the Brexit deal would take at least six months to organise legally, constitutional experts told our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll last year, which would mean there is enough time – just. | A referendum on the Brexit deal would take at least six months to organise legally, constitutional experts told our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll last year, which would mean there is enough time – just. |
| Lewis Goodall from Sky News, spoke to the Electoral Commission yesterday who confirmed this was the case. | Lewis Goodall from Sky News, spoke to the Electoral Commission yesterday who confirmed this was the case. |
| If October 31st is the new Brexit date then, according to what the @ElectoralCommUK told me last week, there is *just* enough time for a referendum, if parliament were so minded. | If October 31st is the new Brexit date then, according to what the @ElectoralCommUK told me last week, there is *just* enough time for a referendum, if parliament were so minded. |
| Here is the full text of Theresa May’s statement at her press conference in the early hours of this morning. | Here is the full text of Theresa May’s statement at her press conference in the early hours of this morning. |
| I have just met with Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, where I agreed an extension to the Brexit process to the end of October at the latest. | I have just met with Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, where I agreed an extension to the Brexit process to the end of October at the latest. |
| I continue to believe we need to leave the EU, with a deal, as soon as possible. And vitally, the EU have agreed that the extension can be terminated when the withdrawal agreement has been ratified — which was my key request of my fellow leaders. | I continue to believe we need to leave the EU, with a deal, as soon as possible. And vitally, the EU have agreed that the extension can be terminated when the withdrawal agreement has been ratified — which was my key request of my fellow leaders. |
| For example, this means that, if we are able to pass a deal in the first three weeks of May, we will not have to take part in European elections and will officially leave the EU on Saturday, 1st June. | For example, this means that, if we are able to pass a deal in the first three weeks of May, we will not have to take part in European elections and will officially leave the EU on Saturday, 1st June. |
| During the course of the extension, the European council is clear that the UK will continue to hold full membership rights, as well as its obligations. | During the course of the extension, the European council is clear that the UK will continue to hold full membership rights, as well as its obligations. |
| As I said in the room tonight, there is only a single tier of EU membership, with no conditionality attached beyond existing treaty obligations. | As I said in the room tonight, there is only a single tier of EU membership, with no conditionality attached beyond existing treaty obligations. |
| Let me conclude by saying this. | Let me conclude by saying this. |
| I know that there is huge frustration from many people that I had to request this extension. The UK should have left the EU by now and I sincerely regret the fact that I have not yet been able to persuade parliament to approve a deal which would allow the UK to leave in a smooth and orderly way. | I know that there is huge frustration from many people that I had to request this extension. The UK should have left the EU by now and I sincerely regret the fact that I have not yet been able to persuade parliament to approve a deal which would allow the UK to leave in a smooth and orderly way. |
| But the choices we now face are stark and the timetable is clear. | But the choices we now face are stark and the timetable is clear. |
| So we must now press on at pace with our efforts to reach a consensus on a deal that is in the national interest. | So we must now press on at pace with our efforts to reach a consensus on a deal that is in the national interest. |
| Tomorrow I will be making a statement to the House of Commons. | Tomorrow I will be making a statement to the House of Commons. |
| Further talks will also take place between the government and the opposition to seek a way forward. | Further talks will also take place between the government and the opposition to seek a way forward. |
| I do not pretend the next few weeks will be easy or that there is a simple way to break the deadlock in Parliament. | I do not pretend the next few weeks will be easy or that there is a simple way to break the deadlock in Parliament. |
| But we have a duty as politicians to find a way to fulfil the democratic decision of the Referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward. | But we have a duty as politicians to find a way to fulfil the democratic decision of the Referendum, deliver Brexit and move our country forward. |
| Nothing is more pressing or more vital. | Nothing is more pressing or more vital. |
| The news broke too late to make it onto many of the front pages (though if you see that the news is on the front pages of late editions of other papers, please tweet me!). | The news broke too late to make it onto many of the front pages (though if you see that the news is on the front pages of late editions of other papers, please tweet me!). |
| The deadline did make it onto the late edition of the Guardian. Here’s our front page: | The deadline did make it onto the late edition of the Guardian. Here’s our front page: |
| The Guardian front page, 11 April 2019: Europe listens to May and says no. Britain told leave by October 31st pic.twitter.com/rz0HbkaBAB | The Guardian front page, 11 April 2019: Europe listens to May and says no. Britain told leave by October 31st pic.twitter.com/rz0HbkaBAB |
| And the Metro’s front page deserve a special mention: | And the Metro’s front page deserve a special mention: |
| Thursday's front page:As EU dictates Britain's futureWHAT BREXITLOOKS LIKEFROM SPACE#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/vZ1dzsFQX4 | Thursday's front page:As EU dictates Britain's futureWHAT BREXITLOOKS LIKEFROM SPACE#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #skypapers pic.twitter.com/vZ1dzsFQX4 |
| Here’s how the Mail and Telegraph covered the news online when it broke: | Here’s how the Mail and Telegraph covered the news online when it broke: |
| Donald Tusk said that the Brexit extension was “as flexible as he expected but also shorter than he expected. This is due to French President Emmanuel Macron who took responsibility for blocking a long Brexit delay and convincing other European Union leaders to agree to a shorter one. | Donald Tusk said that the Brexit extension was “as flexible as he expected but also shorter than he expected. This is due to French President Emmanuel Macron who took responsibility for blocking a long Brexit delay and convincing other European Union leaders to agree to a shorter one. |
| “It’s true that the majority was more in favour of a very long extension. But it was not logical in my view, and above all, it was neither good for us, nor for the UK,” he said. | “It’s true that the majority was more in favour of a very long extension. But it was not logical in my view, and above all, it was neither good for us, nor for the UK,” he said. |
| “I take responsibility for this position, I think it’s for the collective good,” the French leader added before leaving the European Council in Brussels. | “I take responsibility for this position, I think it’s for the collective good,” the French leader added before leaving the European Council in Brussels. |
| The video of Macron’s comments (in French) is below. | The video of Macron’s comments (in French) is below. |
| Déclaration d'@EmmanuelMacron à l'issue du Conseil européen extraordinaire #Brexit #EUCO #art50 pic.twitter.com/5b9COgjcv1 | Déclaration d'@EmmanuelMacron à l'issue du Conseil européen extraordinaire #Brexit #EUCO #art50 pic.twitter.com/5b9COgjcv1 |
| #EUCO on #Brexit: -Extension of article 50 granted until 31 October. -UK to organise #EUelections2019 if Withdrawal agreement not ratified by 22 May.-No reopening of the Withdrawal Agreement. -Principle of sincere cooperation will apply to UK. https://t.co/WtzR97QDcO pic.twitter.com/4JFouDo1L9 | #EUCO on #Brexit: -Extension of article 50 granted until 31 October. -UK to organise #EUelections2019 if Withdrawal agreement not ratified by 22 May.-No reopening of the Withdrawal Agreement. -Principle of sincere cooperation will apply to UK. https://t.co/WtzR97QDcO pic.twitter.com/4JFouDo1L9 |
| Good morning and welcome to the politics live blog, the morning after EU leaders met to debate whether to offer an extension to article 50 to the UK. | Good morning and welcome to the politics live blog, the morning after EU leaders met to debate whether to offer an extension to article 50 to the UK. |
| After marathon six-hour talks, EU leaders offered Theresa May an extension until 31 October, with a “review” to be conducted on 30 June. May did not need to take this deal back to parliament and was able to agree to the deal at the time, which she did. Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, said: | After marathon six-hour talks, EU leaders offered Theresa May an extension until 31 October, with a “review” to be conducted on 30 June. May did not need to take this deal back to parliament and was able to agree to the deal at the time, which she did. Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, said: |
| During this time, what happens will be in the hands of the UK. It can ratify the withdrawal agreement, and leave. It can change strategy, although not the withdrawal agreement. Or it can decide to revoke and cancel Brexit altogether. | During this time, what happens will be in the hands of the UK. It can ratify the withdrawal agreement, and leave. It can change strategy, although not the withdrawal agreement. Or it can decide to revoke and cancel Brexit altogether. |
| Speaking afterwards, Theresa May repeatedly ducked questions about her future as prime minister, after having previously said she would not accept an extension beyond 30 June. | Speaking afterwards, Theresa May repeatedly ducked questions about her future as prime minister, after having previously said she would not accept an extension beyond 30 June. |
| She simply insisted that the UK “can still leave on May 22 and not hold those European parliamentary elections” if parliament passes the withdrawal deal. | She simply insisted that the UK “can still leave on May 22 and not hold those European parliamentary elections” if parliament passes the withdrawal deal. |
| May also once again blamed MPs for being the cause of public frustration over the failure to implement Brexit. Asked whether she should apologise for the UK still being in the EU, she said: “Over the last three months I have voted three times to leave the European Union. If sufficient members of parliament had voted with me in January we would already be out of the European Union.” | May also once again blamed MPs for being the cause of public frustration over the failure to implement Brexit. Asked whether she should apologise for the UK still being in the EU, she said: “Over the last three months I have voted three times to leave the European Union. If sufficient members of parliament had voted with me in January we would already be out of the European Union.” |
| I’ll be keeping this blog ticking over until I hand it to my colleagues, if you have Brexit questions, please get in touch through the comments, via email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com) or on Twitter. | I’ll be keeping this blog ticking over until I hand it to my colleagues, if you have Brexit questions, please get in touch through the comments, via email (kate.lyons@theguardian.com) or on Twitter. |
| Thanks for reading along, especially so early in the morning, let’s get started! | Thanks for reading along, especially so early in the morning, let’s get started! |