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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/may/23/european-elections-uk-goes-to-the-poll-as-pressure-continues-on-may-to-resign-live-news
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| May close to abandoning Brexit bill amid growing cabinet backlash - live news | May close to abandoning Brexit bill amid growing cabinet backlash - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| This is from ITV’s Robert Peston. | |
| I expect the PM @theresa_may tomorrow to agree with Tory MPs' shop steward Sir Graham Brady that the contest to select a new leader will start on 10 June - to preserve her dignity during Trump's state visit. In a minute or two I will publish a blog with more details | |
| So it’s option 2. (See 4.42pm.) | |
| The Lib Dems have also joined those criticising the way some EU nationals have been prevented from voting. This is from their home affairs spokesman, Sir Ed Davey. | |
| It is an utter disgrace that so many EU citizens have been unable to vote in these historic elections. This feels like a deliberate attempt by the Conservatives to silence the voices of our fellow Europeans. | |
| Here are some lines on Theresa May’s meetings earlier with Sajid Javid, the home secretary, and Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, both of whom have difficulty supporting the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab). They are from my colleague Rowena Mason, Sky’s Beth Rigby and the Telegraph’s Steven Swinford. | Here are some lines on Theresa May’s meetings earlier with Sajid Javid, the home secretary, and Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, both of whom have difficulty supporting the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab). They are from my colleague Rowena Mason, Sky’s Beth Rigby and the Telegraph’s Steven Swinford. |
| Theresa May has now met Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt to discuss their concerns over the WAB (which appears virtually dead anyway) - not clear yet whether they asked her to resign | Theresa May has now met Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt to discuss their concerns over the WAB (which appears virtually dead anyway) - not clear yet whether they asked her to resign |
| Source says Sajid Javid did not ask the PM to resign - he was just communicating his belief that the government should not be paving the way for a 2nd Brexit referendum | Source says Sajid Javid did not ask the PM to resign - he was just communicating his belief that the government should not be paving the way for a 2nd Brexit referendum |
| NEW: Understand Javid has ‘frank discussion’ with PM. Made clear govt shouldn’t be pushing 2nd ref (view shared by lots in cab incl Mundell Hunt Truss Lewis Barclay Grayling Fox) & pleased she didn’t publish WAB | NEW: Understand Javid has ‘frank discussion’ with PM. Made clear govt shouldn’t be pushing 2nd ref (view shared by lots in cab incl Mundell Hunt Truss Lewis Barclay Grayling Fox) & pleased she didn’t publish WAB |
| Sajid Javid made clear to Theresa May that he could not vote for the Wab during their meeting in No 10 todayHe said it went significantly further than what had been agreed by CabinetShe gave no indication that she is planning to go any time soonhttps://t.co/NG9Q51OtN9 | Sajid Javid made clear to Theresa May that he could not vote for the Wab during their meeting in No 10 todayHe said it went significantly further than what had been agreed by CabinetShe gave no indication that she is planning to go any time soonhttps://t.co/NG9Q51OtN9 |
| Jeremy Hunt met the PM in Downing Street at 11 and asked her to pull the WABHe said it was asking too much of loyal colleagues to go through the voting lobby and support itHe didn't ask her if she was going to go | Jeremy Hunt met the PM in Downing Street at 11 and asked her to pull the WABHe said it was asking too much of loyal colleagues to go through the voting lobby and support itHe didn't ask her if she was going to go |
| On the general issue of EU citizens being denied a vote today, Joanna Cherry, SNP spokesperson for justice and home affairs, said she was shocked and saddened by the “distress” of EU citizens denied a vote today. | |
| I have been shocked, but sadly not surprised, by the reports coming in from across the country of electors being told they cannot take part in today’s vote. | I have been shocked, but sadly not surprised, by the reports coming in from across the country of electors being told they cannot take part in today’s vote. |
| Along with other parliamentary colleagues I have been warning the government about this since they faced up the fact that the UK would need to contest these elections. Yesterday at PMQs I asked prime minister to user her office to sort this out and make sure the UC1 form was available at polling stations. Her high-handed and dismissive response was typical of the Tory government’s approach to the rights of EU citizens. | Along with other parliamentary colleagues I have been warning the government about this since they faced up the fact that the UK would need to contest these elections. Yesterday at PMQs I asked prime minister to user her office to sort this out and make sure the UC1 form was available at polling stations. Her high-handed and dismissive response was typical of the Tory government’s approach to the rights of EU citizens. |
| It is particularly egregious to hear of some Irish citizens who do not need to complete this form at all being are also turned away today as well. This process has gone badly wrong. | It is particularly egregious to hear of some Irish citizens who do not need to complete this form at all being are also turned away today as well. This process has gone badly wrong. |
| There is no escaping “Mr Stop Brexit”, aka the campaigner Steve Bray ... | There is no escaping “Mr Stop Brexit”, aka the campaigner Steve Bray ... |
| The German couple who were denied a vote in the European parliament elections at the polling station this morning despite sending in their paperwork to register three weeks ago (see 12.47pm) have been contacted by Tower Hamlets council to tell them they can vote, after all. | The German couple who were denied a vote in the European parliament elections at the polling station this morning despite sending in their paperwork to register three weeks ago (see 12.47pm) have been contacted by Tower Hamlets council to tell them they can vote, after all. |
| EU citizens in UK complain of being denied right to vote | EU citizens in UK complain of being denied right to vote |
| In an extraordinary development the London borough council checked the CCTV footage at their offices for 2 May, the day Kat Sellner and Moritz Valero said they handed in their forms. | In an extraordinary development the London borough council checked the CCTV footage at their offices for 2 May, the day Kat Sellner and Moritz Valero said they handed in their forms. |
| They have spent the last two days trying to persuade the council that it was their mistake that they had not received a ballot paper. | They have spent the last two days trying to persuade the council that it was their mistake that they had not received a ballot paper. |
| When they arrived at the polling station on the Isle of Dogs this morning they found their name was crossed off and were put in touch with the council again who told their paperwork didn’t arrive until 16 May, two weeks after the deadline. | When they arrived at the polling station on the Isle of Dogs this morning they found their name was crossed off and were put in touch with the council again who told their paperwork didn’t arrive until 16 May, two weeks after the deadline. |
| In a phone call videoed by the Guardian they insisted again that was a council mistake and they would not be “silenced”. They warned they would make a freedom of information request for CCTV footage of 2 May. | In a phone call videoed by the Guardian they insisted again that was a council mistake and they would not be “silenced”. They warned they would make a freedom of information request for CCTV footage of 2 May. |
| Six hours later Tower Hamlets said they had phoned them with the “good news”. They had checked the CCTV footage and agreed that it was their mistake and told them could vote. | Six hours later Tower Hamlets said they had phoned them with the “good news”. They had checked the CCTV footage and agreed that it was their mistake and told them could vote. |
| SNP MP Joanna Cherry who asked Theresa May yesterday over the general administrative failings to ensure EU citizens could vote today said it was a “grave and serious error” in electoral procedures. | SNP MP Joanna Cherry who asked Theresa May yesterday over the general administrative failings to ensure EU citizens could vote today said it was a “grave and serious error” in electoral procedures. |
| She said May had been “dismissive” when she had asked her to ensure EU citizens could vote but she would not be letting the matter rest. | She said May had been “dismissive” when she had asked her to ensure EU citizens could vote but she would not be letting the matter rest. |
| This is from Simon Cox, an immigration lawyer, for anyone who thinks their name has been left off the electoral role through a council error. | This is from Simon Cox, an immigration lawyer, for anyone who thinks their name has been left off the electoral role through a council error. |
| Electoral commission advice to polling station staff is clear - if the form has been received, then the register should be corrected by 9 pm and the voter allowed to vote by 10 pm: https://t.co/1c8d81kYsj pic.twitter.com/tzkdbJ1oez | Electoral commission advice to polling station staff is clear - if the form has been received, then the register should be corrected by 9 pm and the voter allowed to vote by 10 pm: https://t.co/1c8d81kYsj pic.twitter.com/tzkdbJ1oez |
| Theresa May arrived to vote at a polling station in Sonning, Berkshire, shortly after 4pm. | Theresa May arrived to vote at a polling station in Sonning, Berkshire, shortly after 4pm. |
| Although she stopped to say hello to schoolchildren in the playground next to Sonning C of E Primary school, Theresa May was rather less communicative with reporters and she kept a tight-lipped smile when asked by members of the press whether she was losing her grip on ministers. | Although she stopped to say hello to schoolchildren in the playground next to Sonning C of E Primary school, Theresa May was rather less communicative with reporters and she kept a tight-lipped smile when asked by members of the press whether she was losing her grip on ministers. |
| After voting the PM and husband, Philip May, quickly strode back to a waiting car. | After voting the PM and husband, Philip May, quickly strode back to a waiting car. |
| For the last 24 hours the dominant story at Westminster has been about how Theresa May is under increasing pressure to resign. But quite what is meant by resign is not always clear (sometimes even to those people calling for it). It is worth clarifying the options, not least because that helps to shed light on what may, or may not, happen when May meets Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, to discuss her future tomorrow. | For the last 24 hours the dominant story at Westminster has been about how Theresa May is under increasing pressure to resign. But quite what is meant by resign is not always clear (sometimes even to those people calling for it). It is worth clarifying the options, not least because that helps to shed light on what may, or may not, happen when May meets Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee, to discuss her future tomorrow. |
| First, it is important to remember that May has two important jobs; she is leader of the Conservative party and prime minister. The two, of course, are connected, but the current talk is about May resigning as Tory leader, triggering a leadership contest which would result in a new leader being elected who would then replace her as prime minister. | First, it is important to remember that May has two important jobs; she is leader of the Conservative party and prime minister. The two, of course, are connected, but the current talk is about May resigning as Tory leader, triggering a leadership contest which would result in a new leader being elected who would then replace her as prime minister. |
| Theoretically May could resign as prime minister immediately. But prime ministers are not meant to resign until it is obvious who the Queen should appoint as a successor and, although there has been some talk of David Lidington taking over as an interim prime minister, there is no such job constitutionally, it is almost impossible to see what purpose this would serve, and the idea is being discounted in government circles. | Theoretically May could resign as prime minister immediately. But prime ministers are not meant to resign until it is obvious who the Queen should appoint as a successor and, although there has been some talk of David Lidington taking over as an interim prime minister, there is no such job constitutionally, it is almost impossible to see what purpose this would serve, and the idea is being discounted in government circles. |
| And, second, to place the current events in context, you need to recall that we have already had three resignation-related announcements from May already. | And, second, to place the current events in context, you need to recall that we have already had three resignation-related announcements from May already. |
| 1) In December last year May announced that she would resign before the general election due in 2022. She made the promise to Tories in private to help boost her chances in a no-confidence ballot, which she subsequently won. Whether she would resign ahead of the election if it took place before 2022 was left unresolved. | 1) In December last year May announced that she would resign before the general election due in 2022. She made the promise to Tories in private to help boost her chances in a no-confidence ballot, which she subsequently won. Whether she would resign ahead of the election if it took place before 2022 was left unresolved. |
| 2) In March May announced that she would resign before the next phase of the Brexit negotiation started. She delivered the pledge, again at a private meeting of Tory MPs, ahead of the third vote on her Brexit deal. It was taken to mean she would go by the summer, assuming her deal was passed. What would happen if her deal was not passed was left unresolved, although subsequently the Conservative 1922 Committee said she needed to clarify this. | 2) In March May announced that she would resign before the next phase of the Brexit negotiation started. She delivered the pledge, again at a private meeting of Tory MPs, ahead of the third vote on her Brexit deal. It was taken to mean she would go by the summer, assuming her deal was passed. What would happen if her deal was not passed was left unresolved, although subsequently the Conservative 1922 Committee said she needed to clarify this. |
| 3) Last week, at her meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee, May agreed to set a date for her departure after the second reading of the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab), which at that point the government was saying would take place on Friday 7 June at the latest. She did not say what the date would be, but the implication was that it would be soon after that 7 June deadline. | 3) Last week, at her meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee, May agreed to set a date for her departure after the second reading of the EU withdrawal agreement bill (Wab), which at that point the government was saying would take place on Friday 7 June at the latest. She did not say what the date would be, but the implication was that it would be soon after that 7 June deadline. |
| So, what are her options for tomorrow. Assuming that she is not going to do something very drastic, like resign immediately as prime minister, there are three obvious options. | So, what are her options for tomorrow. Assuming that she is not going to do something very drastic, like resign immediately as prime minister, there are three obvious options. |
| 1) She could announce that she is resigning as Conservative leader with immediate effect. This would not stop her serving as prime minister, but it would mean the Conservative party establishment – the 1922 Committee and the Conservative party board – would be able to set the timetable for the leadership contest. The key point about this is that May would no longer be in charge of determining when she left office because that would be whenever the contest ended. | 1) She could announce that she is resigning as Conservative leader with immediate effect. This would not stop her serving as prime minister, but it would mean the Conservative party establishment – the 1922 Committee and the Conservative party board – would be able to set the timetable for the leadership contest. The key point about this is that May would no longer be in charge of determining when she left office because that would be whenever the contest ended. |
| 2) She could announce that she intended to quit by a specific date in the future; ie, she could draft a post-dated resignation letter. In practice this would have much the same impact – the Conservative party would be able to start drawing up the timetable for the contest – but this would leave May with the option of changing her mind in the future. To be plausible she would probably have to commit to going by about Monday 10 June (one date set as a possible deadline), but Tories might be worried about the prospect of her going back on her promise. | 2) She could announce that she intended to quit by a specific date in the future; ie, she could draft a post-dated resignation letter. In practice this would have much the same impact – the Conservative party would be able to start drawing up the timetable for the contest – but this would leave May with the option of changing her mind in the future. To be plausible she would probably have to commit to going by about Monday 10 June (one date set as a possible deadline), but Tories might be worried about the prospect of her going back on her promise. |
| 3) She could set a deadline for making a firm announcement. Given May’s habit of postponing difficult decisions, you can see why this might appeal. But this would just be a deadline for a deadline, and little more than what she agreed with the 1922 Committee last week. It is hard to see how the committee would view this acceptable, and this would probably trigger a new no-confidence vote. (See 11.02am.) | 3) She could set a deadline for making a firm announcement. Given May’s habit of postponing difficult decisions, you can see why this might appeal. But this would just be a deadline for a deadline, and little more than what she agreed with the 1922 Committee last week. It is hard to see how the committee would view this acceptable, and this would probably trigger a new no-confidence vote. (See 11.02am.) |
| As I write, it is not obvious what May will do – which might be a symptom of journalistic uselessness, but which might also be because those around her do not know because May herself is not sure or hasn’t decided. | As I write, it is not obvious what May will do – which might be a symptom of journalistic uselessness, but which might also be because those around her do not know because May herself is not sure or hasn’t decided. |
| It is also the case that May’s fate is tied up with the fate of the Wab. If she thinks she can resurrect it, she will be reluctant to fire the starting gun on the leadership contest. If she can’t, there is no good reason to postpone the inevitable. | It is also the case that May’s fate is tied up with the fate of the Wab. If she thinks she can resurrect it, she will be reluctant to fire the starting gun on the leadership contest. If she can’t, there is no good reason to postpone the inevitable. |
| Cat Smith, the shadow minister for voter engagement, has said the government is to blame for EU nationals having problems voting. In a statement she said: | Cat Smith, the shadow minister for voter engagement, has said the government is to blame for EU nationals having problems voting. In a statement she said: |
| We repeatedly warned the government that European citizens living in the UK would be denied their right to vote because of its incompetent approach to Brexit. | We repeatedly warned the government that European citizens living in the UK would be denied their right to vote because of its incompetent approach to Brexit. |
| From day one, the Tories have buried their heads in the sand about these elections, even at the eleventh hour when it was clear that the government’s botched Brexit deal would not pass. | From day one, the Tories have buried their heads in the sand about these elections, even at the eleventh hour when it was clear that the government’s botched Brexit deal would not pass. |
| This has caused havoc for electoral administrators tasked with delivering a national poll with extremely short notice. | This has caused havoc for electoral administrators tasked with delivering a national poll with extremely short notice. |
| Labour pointed out on multiple occasions that EU citizens needed more time to return their declaration forms to ensure they can exercise their democratic right to vote. The government is solely to blame for this chaos. | Labour pointed out on multiple occasions that EU citizens needed more time to return their declaration forms to ensure they can exercise their democratic right to vote. The government is solely to blame for this chaos. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says it it outrageous that EU nationals are being denied the right to vote. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says it it outrageous that EU nationals are being denied the right to vote. |
| Just spoken to a constituent at a polling station who is from Poland, been here for years but wasn’t allowed to vote...even though he’s on register. It is outrageous. #DeniedmyVote https://t.co/9gyLlcUMnM | Just spoken to a constituent at a polling station who is from Poland, been here for years but wasn’t allowed to vote...even though he’s on register. It is outrageous. #DeniedmyVote https://t.co/9gyLlcUMnM |