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Tory leadership: Johnson, Gove and Hunt progress as Javid is eliminated – live news Tory leadership: Johnson, Gove and Hunt progress as Javid is eliminated – live news
(32 minutes later)
From the Economist’s Anne McElvoy
Lots of MPs telling me @michaelgove now overtaking @Jeremy_Hunt in final ballot for 2nd place. But this may be one of those rare days on which you cannot absolutely trust last thing an MP said
The Conservative MP Richard Benyon seems a bit fed up with all the voting.
Committee corridor in House of Commons. This is what voter fatigue looks like #BrendafromBristolwas right pic.twitter.com/7QgTAZ65hD
These are from Sky’s Beth Rigby.
.@SCrabbPembs on the matter of vote lending. Tells me earlier it’s a “bit odd” that Javid lost 4 votes. Says any hint of vote lending would smack of “massive hypocrisy” and says he “genuinely doesn’t know if it’s going on” pic.twitter.com/qnuvwQjm2n
@SCrabbPembs is Stephen Crabb, the former cabinet minister who was backing Sajid Javid.
Two votes between Gove and Hunt. Frantic chasing of those 34 Javid votes. Hearing that Javid supporters splitting between the three camps, but most going to Johnson/Gove, less to Hunt. Too close to predict.....
Theresa May arrived at what could be her last European Union summit, stressing the UK’s separate future as “global Britain”, while expressing her hope for “a close and deep partnership” in the future.
The prime minister is attending a regular EU summit, devoted to the climate crisis and foreign policy problems, from Russia’s annexation of Crimea to a drilling dispute with Turkey.
EU leaders will also hold the first round of serious negotiations over divvying up the EU’s top jobs, replacements for Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk - a matter previous British prime ministers once strove to influence.
Asked about British politics and her likely successor Boris Johnson, May sounded a familiar note.
People will be looking for the UK to do what we have always said we would do, which is to make a constructive contribution as we remain a member of the European Union. For that period of time we will continue to meet our rights and obligations, but of course we will be leaving the EU and we look forward to developing a close partnership with the EU when we have left.
She was also asked if she would miss attending EU summits, but swerved away from expressing personal feeling.
I will continue to do what we have always done as the UK, which is to play a constructive role within the European Union while we part of the discussions around the table.
But with EU leaders divided over top jobs, May could return for a special summit before the end of June or in early July.
Sarah Wollaston, the former Conservative MP who now sits as an independent (after a detour through Change UK), thinks there will be a snap election if Boris Johnson becomes PM.
Once the 0.25% have crowned Boris, suspect we will see a Boris/Farage alliance with Farage promised a seat at the negotiating table in return for Brexit party endorsement & free run for Boris at a snap election
Here are some questions from below the line that I can help with.
would be great to get some analysis from @ANDREW on this. if they announce on, say, Thurs or Friday, and parliament goes away for the summer that day:1) could the new PM have the whole summer without having to face parliament ?2) is there a way the opposition can get parliament recalled? .. to get a no confidence vote done?3) what if the DUP don't play ball, and the new PM has no majority?4) is it possible that the new PM cannot take over until Sept for any reason?
1) In theory the recess could start before the new prime minister has been appointed. But the Commons has to approve recess dates (there is never normally a division, because they are agreed on a cross-party basis) and Labour would probably object if the government tried to start the recess before the new PM takes over. Downing Street has said, anyway, that it won’t do this. But it does look as though the new PM will only have two or three days with the house sitting before recess starts. (See 10.52am.)
2) No. The government has to request a recall of parliament.
3) The new PM will not have to prove he has a Commons majority before he gets appointed, and I think it is unlikely that the majority will get tested in the two or three days before the summer recess starts. There will be no key legislation to pass. Labour could go for a no confidence vote, but they are likely to wait until some Tories, or the DUP, have said they will vote with the opposition, and I would be surprised if that happens on day one. The potential Tory rebels are likely to give the new PM, even Boris Johnson, a chance, and see what he does first.
4) No.
@Andrew
You have reported the dates of the recess; however it would be interesting to know if any MP raised objection to this and suggested they should be sitting to hold a new PM to account, deal with Brexit, actually carry out some work . . .
As far as I can see, at business questions no MP did object to the proposed date of the recess, although Labour’s Valerie Vaz asked for clarification as to when the new PM would take over. (See 10.52am.)
Sajid Javid would not say he was voting for when he cast his vote, the BBC’s Iain Watson reports.Sajid Javid would not say he was voting for when he cast his vote, the BBC’s Iain Watson reports.
Sajid Javid refuses to say who he voted for in the latest Tory leadership ballotSajid Javid refuses to say who he voted for in the latest Tory leadership ballot
Boris Johnson managed to jump the queue, apparently.Boris Johnson managed to jump the queue, apparently.
Front runner @BorisJohnson being allowed to jump the queue to vote by a fellow MP #ToryLeadershipElectionFront runner @BorisJohnson being allowed to jump the queue to vote by a fellow MP #ToryLeadershipElection
Johnson has voted and marched off down the corridor at high speed, muttering more unintelligible vowels under his breath. No discernible words. Looked, as has been the case for the past few weeks, like a man struggling to not crack a glib joke.Johnson has voted and marched off down the corridor at high speed, muttering more unintelligible vowels under his breath. No discernible words. Looked, as has been the case for the past few weeks, like a man struggling to not crack a glib joke.
More from the committee corridor, outside the room where Tory MPs are voting.More from the committee corridor, outside the room where Tory MPs are voting.
Javid supporter Lucy Allan refuses to disclose how she voted.Javid supporter Lucy Allan refuses to disclose how she voted.
Tory MPs who have engagements later have been arranging proxy votes in case a Hunt-Gove tie pushes the contest to a sixth voteTory MPs who have engagements later have been arranging proxy votes in case a Hunt-Gove tie pushes the contest to a sixth vote
Rory Stewart arrives to vote - but declines to say who he is backing... spoiled ballot?Rory Stewart arrives to vote - but declines to say who he is backing... spoiled ballot?
Stephen Crabb, who backed Sajid Javid, doesn't reveal who he voted for in this roundStephen Crabb, who backed Sajid Javid, doesn't reveal who he voted for in this round
Think there is an expectation among all three camps that a lot of Javid’s votes will go to Hunt. Would be surprised if it isn’t Johnson/Hunt in final two.Think there is an expectation among all three camps that a lot of Javid’s votes will go to Hunt. Would be surprised if it isn’t Johnson/Hunt in final two.
Rory Stewart keeps his vote "a secret" but confirms he did vote and didn't spoil his ballot paperRory Stewart keeps his vote "a secret" but confirms he did vote and didn't spoil his ballot paper
Michael Gove has arrived to vote with a group of his supporters and says he is "feeling confident"Michael Gove has arrived to vote with a group of his supporters and says he is "feeling confident"
Ex-Javid backer and Cabinet Minister Jeremy Wright does not disclose how he voted.Ex-Javid backer and Cabinet Minister Jeremy Wright does not disclose how he voted.
Gove has voted. I asked him if he had any words. He paused, looked at me and other journalists and said with a smile: “You’ve all been wonderful.”Gove has voted. I asked him if he had any words. He paused, looked at me and other journalists and said with a smile: “You’ve all been wonderful.”
Jeremy Hunt arrives to vote and is told by a colleague there’s a queue and he should wait his turn. He tells reporters: “We are at the point where there’s not much more to be done and we should see what happens.”Jeremy Hunt arrives to vote and is told by a colleague there’s a queue and he should wait his turn. He tells reporters: “We are at the point where there’s not much more to be done and we should see what happens.”
“Confident, but not too confident” says @Jeremy_Hunt as he queues to vote“Confident, but not too confident” says @Jeremy_Hunt as he queues to vote
On his way out of the voting room, Jeremy Hunt adds: "It's close, it's exciting"On his way out of the voting room, Jeremy Hunt adds: "It's close, it's exciting"
Very big queue of Tory MPs waiting to take part in the fifth and final round of voting for their new leader, before Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt/Michael Gove are presented as a choice of two to the party members.Very big queue of Tory MPs waiting to take part in the fifth and final round of voting for their new leader, before Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt/Michael Gove are presented as a choice of two to the party members.
Theresa May has arrived at the EU summit in Brussels. As my colleague Jennifer Rankin reports, she was not in the mood for chatty reflection about her dealings with her EU partners. (Is she ever?)Theresa May has arrived at the EU summit in Brussels. As my colleague Jennifer Rankin reports, she was not in the mood for chatty reflection about her dealings with her EU partners. (Is she ever?)
Asked whether she will miss EU summits, Theresa May says: "I will continue to do what we have always done as the UK, which is to play a constructive role within the European Union while we are part of the discussions around the table."Asked whether she will miss EU summits, Theresa May says: "I will continue to do what we have always done as the UK, which is to play a constructive role within the European Union while we are part of the discussions around the table."
Three former prime ministers, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, joined Theresa May at Westminster Abbey earlier for the memorial service for Jeremy Heywood, who was cabinet secretary before his death last November.Three former prime ministers, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, joined Theresa May at Westminster Abbey earlier for the memorial service for Jeremy Heywood, who was cabinet secretary before his death last November.
MPs have just started voting in the fifth ballot of the contest.MPs have just started voting in the fifth ballot of the contest.
Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt are the only names left in the contest. The top two will be on the ballot for the 160,000-strong Conservative party membership.Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt are the only names left in the contest. The top two will be on the ballot for the 160,000-strong Conservative party membership.
MPs will vote until 5.30pm, and we will get the result at around 6pm.MPs will vote until 5.30pm, and we will get the result at around 6pm.
Voting has opened in the Fifth (and final) Ballot in the Tory leadership election between Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove. First MP in to vote was Nusrat Ghani.Voting has opened in the Fifth (and final) Ballot in the Tory leadership election between Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove. First MP in to vote was Nusrat Ghani.
This is from Jonathan Isaby, editor of the BrexitCentral website.This is from Jonathan Isaby, editor of the BrexitCentral website.
This really will go down to the wire. Of 24 MPs noted by @GuidoFawkes or @ConHome or me as Javid voters, my back-of-a-fag-packet maths gives Johnson 11, Hunt 8 and Gove 5, giving Hunt a one-vote lead over Gove with 10 unidentified Javid votes still in play... #TooCloseToCallThis really will go down to the wire. Of 24 MPs noted by @GuidoFawkes or @ConHome or me as Javid voters, my back-of-a-fag-packet maths gives Johnson 11, Hunt 8 and Gove 5, giving Hunt a one-vote lead over Gove with 10 unidentified Javid votes still in play... #TooCloseToCall
Experts from Rolls Royce, Queens University and the Police Force of Northern Ireland have been named as part of a new group to advise the government on arrangements that could help keep the Irish border invisible post Brexit.Experts from Rolls Royce, Queens University and the Police Force of Northern Ireland have been named as part of a new group to advise the government on arrangements that could help keep the Irish border invisible post Brexit.
The 15-strong technical advisory group was meeting for the first time today in a session chaired by Brexit secretary Steve Barclay and Treasury minister Jesse Norman.The 15-strong technical advisory group was meeting for the first time today in a session chaired by Brexit secretary Steve Barclay and Treasury minister Jesse Norman.
In a statement, the Department for Exiting the EU said two other groups - one comprising business interests and the other politicians - would seen be announced with a budget of £20m for their work.In a statement, the Department for Exiting the EU said two other groups - one comprising business interests and the other politicians - would seen be announced with a budget of £20m for their work.
The “technical advisory group” announced today includes: academic Katy Hayward, a sociology reader at Queen’s University, who has recently returned from a six-week Eisenhower fellowship trip to the US to study arrangements on the Canadian and Mexican border; Declan Billington of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, who has said the government’s tariff policy for the region could wipe out dairy farming on the border; and Tim Mairs, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s assistant chief constable, who is likely reflect the impact of no-deal on smuggling, organised crime and co-operation with the Gardai without data exchange or the Euro arrest warrant.The “technical advisory group” announced today includes: academic Katy Hayward, a sociology reader at Queen’s University, who has recently returned from a six-week Eisenhower fellowship trip to the US to study arrangements on the Canadian and Mexican border; Declan Billington of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, who has said the government’s tariff policy for the region could wipe out dairy farming on the border; and Tim Mairs, the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s assistant chief constable, who is likely reflect the impact of no-deal on smuggling, organised crime and co-operation with the Gardai without data exchange or the Euro arrest warrant.
DExEU had announced the first of three groups to examine alternatives to the backstop. The technical group includes some of the leading critics of the hard Brexiters/ERG claims about the Irish border including academic @hayward_katy of Queen's Uni and Declan Billington. pic.twitter.com/LZMS0Sz25oDExEU had announced the first of three groups to examine alternatives to the backstop. The technical group includes some of the leading critics of the hard Brexiters/ERG claims about the Irish border including academic @hayward_katy of Queen's Uni and Declan Billington. pic.twitter.com/LZMS0Sz25o
Others on the group are experts on customs, freight forwarding and the former head of central technology at Rolls Royce, David Smith. Notably absent are any voices representing farming but these are expected to be represented in the second group of experts.Others on the group are experts on customs, freight forwarding and the former head of central technology at Rolls Royce, David Smith. Notably absent are any voices representing farming but these are expected to be represented in the second group of experts.
“These groups will help inform the UK’s negotiations with the EU on developing alternative arrangements to the Northern Ireland backstop, set out in the withdrawal agreement, with the aim of replacing it by December 2020 so that it is never needed,” said DExEU in a statement.“These groups will help inform the UK’s negotiations with the EU on developing alternative arrangements to the Northern Ireland backstop, set out in the withdrawal agreement, with the aim of replacing it by December 2020 so that it is never needed,” said DExEU in a statement.
Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary who was chairing the first meeting of the group today along with Treasury minister Jesse Norman, said in a statement:Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary who was chairing the first meeting of the group today along with Treasury minister Jesse Norman, said in a statement:
The technical group will provide a forum for experts to discuss workable alternative arrangements, assessing both capability and timelines and bringing their significant experience to bear.The technical group will provide a forum for experts to discuss workable alternative arrangements, assessing both capability and timelines and bringing their significant experience to bear.
The Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chair of the Commons business committee, has welcomed what the chancellor, Philip Hammond (see 9.23am), and Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister (see 10.13am), have been saying about Brexit today. In a statement released by the People’s Vote campaign she said:The Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chair of the Commons business committee, has welcomed what the chancellor, Philip Hammond (see 9.23am), and Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister (see 10.13am), have been saying about Brexit today. In a statement released by the People’s Vote campaign she said:
The Dutch prime minister and the chancellor of the exchequer are doing the one thing that Boris Johnson hates more any other: telling the truth about Brexit.The Dutch prime minister and the chancellor of the exchequer are doing the one thing that Boris Johnson hates more any other: telling the truth about Brexit.
Neither Mark Rutte nor Philip Hammond get many laughs, but they are serious and responsible figures who deserve to be listened to at this crucial time for our country.Neither Mark Rutte nor Philip Hammond get many laughs, but they are serious and responsible figures who deserve to be listened to at this crucial time for our country.
The prime minister of the Netherlands this morning exposed the vacuity of Boris Johnson’s renegotiation fantasies. And this evening, the chancellor will blow a huge hole in the idea that forcing a destructive no-deal Brexit on the British people has even the semblance of economic or political credibility.The prime minister of the Netherlands this morning exposed the vacuity of Boris Johnson’s renegotiation fantasies. And this evening, the chancellor will blow a huge hole in the idea that forcing a destructive no-deal Brexit on the British people has even the semblance of economic or political credibility.
Ladbrokes has Jeremy Hunt ahead of Michael Gove to make it onto the ballot of party members. It has Hunt at 1/2 and Gove at 6/4.Ladbrokes has Jeremy Hunt ahead of Michael Gove to make it onto the ballot of party members. It has Hunt at 1/2 and Gove at 6/4.
And this is from the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves.And this is from the Daily Mail’s Jason Groves.
Knives out for Boris Johnson's unofficial chief whip Gavin Williamson. Minister on a rival team describes him as a 'scheming c***', adding: 'It says a lot about Boris's judgment that he's allowed him anywhere near him.'Knives out for Boris Johnson's unofficial chief whip Gavin Williamson. Minister on a rival team describes him as a 'scheming c***', adding: 'It says a lot about Boris's judgment that he's allowed him anywhere near him.'
From the FT’s Jim PickardFrom the FT’s Jim Pickard
Tory MP: “Most of us are working on the assumption that we’ll have to endure another leadership contest within the next 18 months....”Tory MP: “Most of us are working on the assumption that we’ll have to endure another leadership contest within the next 18 months....”