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Brexit: May addresses Commons after EU sets October deadline – live news Brexit: May faces Tory call to resign as she addresses MPs about delay until October – live news
(32 minutes later)
Here is some Twitter comment on what Nigel Dodds said about the prospect of this session of parliament being extended. (See 2.07pm.)
From Sky’s Faisal Islam
Back on Dodds - inconceivable that DUP would back a Queens Speech designed to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, nor back WA in current form too, nor a Govt that has passed it. As they now say extension of Parliamentary session unacceptable - we are heading for a June crunch.
From HuffPost’s Paul Waugh
.@NigelDoddsDUP adds 'unacceptable' if current Parliament session extended beyond 2 yrs (and extension of session is rumoured).Of course if there is a new session, May needs a new Queen speech. Which the DUP can vote down if it wants..
From Sky’s Lewis Goodall
VERY interesting. Nigel Dodds warns May not to extend current session of parliament (which has already lasted for two years).Significnace of this is new session needs new Queen's Speech- which govt might lose. And, funnily enough, DUP deal runs out at end of *this* session...
Anna Soubry, the former Tory who is now an Independent Group MP, says she welcomes the extension, because it allows more time for a people’s vote. On which issue is May willing to compromise?
May says she is talking about this with Labour.
Steve Baker, the leading Tory Brexiter, says the government relies on the votes of the DUP. If it pushes through the withdrawal agreement with the backstop, will it rely on Labour votes in confidence motions.
May laughs. She says what she is doing with Labour is unprecedented. But she wants to get her deal through, she says.
Labour’s Kate Hoey asks May if she accepts any responsibility for signing up to a backstop that MPs would not support.
May says she thinks the backstop is something that should never be used and need never be used.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper asks May if she is willing to consider a common external tariff with the EU (a key part of a customs union).
May says the Commons has rejected a range of options. On a customs union, there is “more agreement [between the Tories and Labour] than is often given credit for”, she says. She says the language used sometimes obscures this. She says she wants this country to be in charge of its trade policy in the future.
May claims Labour and the Tories agree more on a customs union than people realise.
Nigel Dodds, the DUP leader at Westminister, says the EU said they would not offer an article 50 extension without a credible plan as to what the UK would do next, and without stringent conditions. But the EU backed down, and offered an extension without either of those applying. He says May should learn the lesson, and push for changes to the backstop. And he says extending this session of parliament until the autumn would not be acceptable.
DUP warns May not to try extending current session of parliament.
May says the UK has repeatedly pushed for changes to the backstop.
Sir Patrick McLoughlin, the Tory former chief whip, says Jeremy Corbyn refused an offer of cross-party talks some time ago.
May says there was not “the same level of interest” when she first offered cross-party talks to Corbyn.
Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, asks May to get officials to prepare a timetable for a second referendum.
May says the house has already rejected this plan twice.
Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, asks May if she understands the anger people feel about this “abject surrender” last night. “Will she resign?”
May says she thinks Cash knows the answer to that.
She admits that she often said she wanted the UK to leave on 29 March. She voted for that, she says. She also voted to leave on 22 May. But other MPs did not, and so that is why a further extension was necessary.
Bill Cash says May should resign.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says Brexit has been a “total fiasco”. He says it is an irony the EU has got the UK out of this mess.
He asks May if she has offered Labour a second referendum in the cross-party talks.
May says she has not offered a second referendum. Her position on this has not changed, and the idea has been rejected twice by MPs. But, she says, as Brexit legislation goes through the Commons, she expects MPs to push for a vote on this.
Ken Clarke, the Tory pro-European, urges May to ignore some of the more vicious attacks on her from their more rightwing colleagues.
He asks May if she accepts that the minimum needed for a compromise will be some sort of customs arrangement, and some sort of regulatory alignment.
May says the political declaration already says the UK wants to keep the advantages of a customs union.
May is responding to Corbyn.
She says she is not prepared just to accept Labour’s policy. And Labour is not prepared just to accept hers. This takes compromise on both sides, she says.
Jeremy Corbyn is responding now.Jeremy Corbyn is responding now.
He says having to ask for a second extension is a sign of the government’s failure.He says having to ask for a second extension is a sign of the government’s failure.
He says a third of May’s MPs voted against her proposed extension earlier this week.He says a third of May’s MPs voted against her proposed extension earlier this week.
He welcomes May’s decision to open talks with Labour. But the invitation did not come at the 11th hour; it came at five past midnight - after the original Brexit deadline, he says.He welcomes May’s decision to open talks with Labour. But the invitation did not come at the 11th hour; it came at five past midnight - after the original Brexit deadline, he says.
He says the talks have been serious. But if they are to succeed, there will have to be compromise.He says the talks have been serious. But if they are to succeed, there will have to be compromise.
That is why he was disappointed by Liam Fox’s letter this week. It was an attempt to scupper Labour’s proposal for a customs union. Only yesterday the taoiseach said it was credible and negotiable, he says.That is why he was disappointed by Liam Fox’s letter this week. It was an attempt to scupper Labour’s proposal for a customs union. Only yesterday the taoiseach said it was credible and negotiable, he says.
He says, if Labour’s Brexit is not possible, all options should be on the table, including a public vote.He says, if Labour’s Brexit is not possible, all options should be on the table, including a public vote.
He says May said she would stand down after a deal is passed. But Labour has no idea who might replace her, he says. He says some of the candidates would scrap the Human Rights Act, rip up “burdensome regulations”, accept no-deal or use Brexit “to create a race to the bottom”.He says May said she would stand down after a deal is passed. But Labour has no idea who might replace her, he says. He says some of the candidates would scrap the Human Rights Act, rip up “burdensome regulations”, accept no-deal or use Brexit “to create a race to the bottom”.
May says some leaders argued for stringent conditions on the UK while it remains an EU member.May says some leaders argued for stringent conditions on the UK while it remains an EU member.
But, says May, she argued against it. She said there was only one tier of EU membership.But, says May, she argued against it. She said there was only one tier of EU membership.
She says she told EU leaders that, while the UK remains a member of the EU, it will continue to play a constructive role. That is the sort of country we are, she says.She says she told EU leaders that, while the UK remains a member of the EU, it will continue to play a constructive role. That is the sort of country we are, she says.
She says she continues to hold talks with Labour. That is not the normal practice in UK politics, but she wants to break the deadlock, she says.She says she continues to hold talks with Labour. That is not the normal practice in UK politics, but she wants to break the deadlock, she says.
She says she hopes to reach a compromise deal with Labour. But, if that is not possible, she will put a small number of options to MPs for indicative votes. She says she will agree to bound by the results, provided Labour agrees to that too.She says she hopes to reach a compromise deal with Labour. But, if that is not possible, she will put a small number of options to MPs for indicative votes. She says she will agree to bound by the results, provided Labour agrees to that too.
She says the EU has confirmed that it is willing to reconsider the political declaration.She says the EU has confirmed that it is willing to reconsider the political declaration.
She says she knows the whole country is frustrated by this delay.She says she knows the whole country is frustrated by this delay.
And she understands how this is putting MPs under immense pressure.And she understands how this is putting MPs under immense pressure.
She urges MPs to use the recess to reflect on this, and consider how they can get out of this impasse.She urges MPs to use the recess to reflect on this, and consider how they can get out of this impasse.
This is their national duty, she saysThis is their national duty, she says
Theresa May is now making a statement about last night’s EU summit.Theresa May is now making a statement about last night’s EU summit.
She says she asked for an extension until 30 June. But she says she also asked for an assurance that, if the UK passed the deal before then, it could leave immediately.She says she asked for an extension until 30 June. But she says she also asked for an assurance that, if the UK passed the deal before then, it could leave immediately.
She says the discussions at the summit were difficult.She says the discussions at the summit were difficult.
Many EU countries are frustrated with the impasse, she says.Many EU countries are frustrated with the impasse, she says.
She says many leaders wanted a long extension. The result was a compromise, she says - an extension until 31 October, with a review in June.She says many leaders wanted a long extension. The result was a compromise, she says - an extension until 31 October, with a review in June.
But the UK could still leave earlier, and it could avoid having to take part in the European elections, she says.But the UK could still leave earlier, and it could avoid having to take part in the European elections, she says.
Here’s a question from BTL.Here’s a question from BTL.
Does the Yvette Cooper bill rule out a no-deal Brexit for good?Does the Yvette Cooper bill rule out a no-deal Brexit for good?
Andrew - factual question. Does the Yvette Cooper Bill protect us indefinitely from a No Deal Brexit? (In October, if we're still in an impasse, would May or any PM have to come back to Parliament and be forced to request another extension? If the answer is that we're not protected indefinitely, presumably Cooper and co could re-run this week's exercise. I.e. The fact that there's a majority against No Deal, in both the Commons and the Lords, does give us lasting protection - unless the EU itself eventually chucks us out?).Andrew - factual question. Does the Yvette Cooper Bill protect us indefinitely from a No Deal Brexit? (In October, if we're still in an impasse, would May or any PM have to come back to Parliament and be forced to request another extension? If the answer is that we're not protected indefinitely, presumably Cooper and co could re-run this week's exercise. I.e. The fact that there's a majority against No Deal, in both the Commons and the Lords, does give us lasting protection - unless the EU itself eventually chucks us out?).
The Cooper bill was a one-off. After the vote on Tuesday, it ceases to have effect.The Cooper bill was a one-off. After the vote on Tuesday, it ceases to have effect.
So it does not rule out a no-deal in October.So it does not rule out a no-deal in October.
And it never fully ruled out a no-deal this week either, despite some claims to the contrary. All it did was ensure that the PM would have to hold a vote on extending article 50, making it impossible for Theresa May to go to the EU proposing no-deal on 12 April against the wishes of MPs. There was always a risk the EU could have refused a further extension, despite the Commons vote on Tuesday.And it never fully ruled out a no-deal this week either, despite some claims to the contrary. All it did was ensure that the PM would have to hold a vote on extending article 50, making it impossible for Theresa May to go to the EU proposing no-deal on 12 April against the wishes of MPs. There was always a risk the EU could have refused a further extension, despite the Commons vote on Tuesday.
But your main point is right. If a majority of MPs now can force a Cooper-style bill onto the statute book against the wishes of the government, it is likely that the same will be true in the autumn (although by then we may have a different Speaker, who may be less indulgent of such procedural initiatives.)But your main point is right. If a majority of MPs now can force a Cooper-style bill onto the statute book against the wishes of the government, it is likely that the same will be true in the autumn (although by then we may have a different Speaker, who may be less indulgent of such procedural initiatives.)
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has written an open letter to Theresa May urging her not to waste the “gift of more time” given to the UK by the EU. Here’s an extract.
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. If such talks are to stand any chance of success you must be prepared to recognise in particular that it is essential for Scotland, at the very least, to stay inside the single market and continue to benefit from freedom of movement.
Speaking in the Irish parliament, Simon Coveney, the Irish deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said that a no-deal Brexit now looked “less likely” than it did a week ago. He explained:
I want to reassure people that if we do face a no-deal Brexit, which looks less likely today than it did last week, we will be ready to support farm families through what will be a difficult period of change and disruption.
For an alternative view, see Mujtaba Rahman at 10.49am.
On another point of order the Labour MP Chris Bryant has just said in the Commons that there is a rumour that the government intends to keep this session of parliament running until 31 October. Sessions of parliament normally last a year, but after the 2017 general election the government announced that the first session of this parliament would last two years.
John Bercow, the Speaker, said he had not been told when the government intends to wrap up this session.
In the Commons Sir Bill Cash, the Tory Brexiter, has just used a point of order to say the Commons should sit tomorrow to debate the order changing the date of Brexit in the EU Withdrawal Act following the decision last night to extend article 50. He described the decision last night as “abject surrender”, and said not holding a debate was “cowardice and chicanery”.
MPs held a debate when the exit date was originally changed from 29 March to 12 April or 22 May. But, as an amendment to the Yvette Cooper bill that was passed on Monday, the government changed the procedure. Previously the date had to be changed under secondary legislation using the affirmative resolution procedure, which meant there had to be a vote first. Now it can be changed under the negative resolution procedure, which means the change goes through unless MPs pass a motion to annul.
Speaking at an Institute for Government event this morning, Carolyn Fairbairn, the director general of the CBI, said that businesses would not be “dancing in the streets” over the Brexit delay until 31 October. She said the new delay would provide “brief relief” for businesses worried about the “cliff edge” of a no deal. But she went on:
It will be quickly followed by frustration, exasperation, we’re still here. Six months will come around extremely quickly and I think members will already be thinking ‘but that’s the run-up to Christmas’.
I’m afraid there will be no dancing in the streets around this and I wouldn’t expect much in the way of ramming down of no-deal planning.
Fairbairn also said that the government should use the next fews months to set up a process to find an acceptable Brexit compromise. And that had to involve more than just Labour and the government holding talks, she said.
Our huge hope off the back of this six-month reprieve is that it’s used to set up a process and it’s not just people locked in a room on their own which we’ve seen in the last few days.
She said there should be a three to four-month initiative bringing together civic society and wider stakeholders to discuss Brexit.
It could ask the question ‘what kind of Brexit do we want?’ We should have done it two years ago, why don’t we do it now? Me personally, I might have liked a slightly longer extension to enable that to happen, but actually this focuses minds.
This sounds a bit like Gordon Brown’s proposal for a people’s royal commission to find a version of Brexit acceptable to the country.
Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, had a meeting in Brussels today with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator. She was accompanied by the Tory Brexiters Owen Paterson and Iain Duncan Smith. Afterwards she said:
We wanted to have the unionist voice heard so that he could hear the impact of the backstop and what it will do to the balance in Northern Ireland. We had good engagement around that issue today.
Duncan Smith said they had told Barnier about “alternative arrangements” to the backstop, and “what possibilities there were around the border”
Asked if she still had confidence in Theresa May, Foster said:
As you know the confidence and supply agreement that we signed was with the Conservative party and whoever the leader of the party is we will work with. We believe in national stability. We want to see Brexit delivered.
This is from my colleague Jessica Elgot.
Mood in Westminster feels a lot like the pressure valve has been released. They can't force May out, cabinet seemed resigned rather than resigning. Everyone desperate for a break. But will tone change when May stands up at 1?
During questions in the Commons earlier, Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, said the government was willing to “listen” to requests for a second referendum.
The SNP’s Joanna Cherry asked him what discussions the cabinet had had about holding a second referendum. Cox said he would not comment on what came up at cabinet, but he went on:
What I can say is this; the discussions that are currently going forward, with the Labour Party, with the opposition, are being pursued in good faith, there are no preconditions to it.
And of course we will listen to any suggestions that are made, whether it be about a second referendum or any other matter, to see if we can find common ground in the interest of the country to leave the European Union as swiftly as possible.
After the Commons business statement there will be a statement on discrimination in football. The prime minister’s statement on Brexit will come after that, which means it begin at some point after 1pm.
Two Government Statements today after Business Questions:1. Discrimination in Football @DCMS_SecOfState 2. European Council @theresa_may
There will be a further ministerial statement on the arrest of Julian Assange after the PMs statement (Javid / Abbott)
Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, has just confirmed that, if MPs a motion on the order paper today, the house will rise for the Easter recess this afternoon and not return until Tuesday 23 April.
And she has just announced the business for the first week after Easter, which does not include any Brexit indicative votes, or the introduction of the long-awaited EU withdrawal agreement bill.