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Tory leadership: Boris Johnson and Hunt would not really back no-deal on 31 October, says Ken Clarke - live news Tory leadership: Boris Johnson and Hunt would not really back no-deal on 31 October, says Ken Clarke - live news
(32 minutes later)
Ken Clarke, the father of the house of Commons and veteran Tory pro-European, has said that he does not think in practice either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt would be willing to countenance a no-deal Brexit on 31 October - even though both Tory leadership candidates say they are keeping this option open. (See 5.26pm.) Clarke was speaking before another Conservative party hustings tonight, in Bournemouth, which will be the second in front of an audience of Conservative party members (and the third if you include last night’s digital one). It starts at 7pm, and I will be covering it live.
Jeremy Corbyn faces mounting dissent over the decision to readmit Chris Williamson to Labour, with the deputy leader, Tom Watson joining MPs and peers to demand he lose the whip, while nearly 70 Labour staff members wrote to express their outrage. Corbyn has said he was not personally involved in the decision to reinstate Williamson yesterday. The Labour MP Wes Streeting has described this as “handwringing nonsense”.
This is handwringing nonsense. https://t.co/p6qkPw2Xry
Ministers have been told to investigate issues with universal credit after new estimates showed benefits overpayments and underpayments have reached their highest levels, the Press Association reports. Excessive payments of benefits excluding state pensions increased 4.6% to £4bn last year, the National Audit Office said. At the same time the Department of Work and Pensions was estimated to have underpaid claimants by £1.9bn, an increase of 2.2% in a year. These are the highest figures since the current method for estimating fraud and error was introduced in 2005/06. Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said the DWP must “work to understand the reasons for high fraud and error rates for Universal Credit”. “The value of fraud and error in benefit spending is a longstanding and costly issue for the department,” he added.
The top government official in charge of no-deal Brexit planning has quit just as the chances of crashing out of the EU appear to have increased.
PSA Group said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal.
I will be covering the Tory hustings starting at 7pm, but for the next 45 minutes or so the blog will be on hold (unless something major happens).
At the press gallery lunch Ken Clarke also said that he did not believe Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt would take the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October, even though both of the claim they would be willing to do so. He explained:At the press gallery lunch Ken Clarke also said that he did not believe Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt would take the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October, even though both of the claim they would be willing to do so. He explained:
I don’t think either candidate believes leaving with no-deal makes the slightest sense at all.I don’t think either candidate believes leaving with no-deal makes the slightest sense at all.
Jeremy hedges it, Boris does his usual thing of changing the way he expresses it day by day.Jeremy hedges it, Boris does his usual thing of changing the way he expresses it day by day.
He’ll make his mind up what he’ll actually do regardless of what he has said if he actually finds himself prime minister.He’ll make his mind up what he’ll actually do regardless of what he has said if he actually finds himself prime minister.
And I’m sure Jeremy will start getting back common sense if he finds himself prime minister.And I’m sure Jeremy will start getting back common sense if he finds himself prime minister.
Neither of them thinks we’re going to leave with no deal on October 31 - it is in all practical terms utterly impossible.Neither of them thinks we’re going to leave with no deal on October 31 - it is in all practical terms utterly impossible.
Speaking at a press gallery lunch today, Ken Clarke, the veteran Tory pro-European, said the Brexit crisis was doing “terrible, terrible damage” to the political institutions of the country. He told journalists:Speaking at a press gallery lunch today, Ken Clarke, the veteran Tory pro-European, said the Brexit crisis was doing “terrible, terrible damage” to the political institutions of the country. He told journalists:
When you think no more ridiculous turn events can take place, another ridiculous turn of events does take place ...When you think no more ridiculous turn events can take place, another ridiculous turn of events does take place ...
The worrying thing for someone like me is that it is doing terrible, terrible damage to the political institutions of this country.The worrying thing for someone like me is that it is doing terrible, terrible damage to the political institutions of this country.
Politicians quite rightly are usually held with low regard.Politicians quite rightly are usually held with low regard.
I’ve never known politicians in a political system held in such contempt as they are by perfectly sensible members of the public at the moment.I’ve never known politicians in a political system held in such contempt as they are by perfectly sensible members of the public at the moment.
And the traditional centre-right politics, centre-left politics is collapsing - as it is in the Western world... it’s a deep underlying discontent that people have lost confidence in their old, regular politicians, and regular blocs and so on.And the traditional centre-right politics, centre-left politics is collapsing - as it is in the Western world... it’s a deep underlying discontent that people have lost confidence in their old, regular politicians, and regular blocs and so on.
At the moment we are at a fairly dire time and not making much progress towards getting out of it, it seems to me.At the moment we are at a fairly dire time and not making much progress towards getting out of it, it seems to me.
In an article in this week’s Spectator, James Forsyth says, if Boris Johnson become prime minister, civil servants will advise him to request an emergency EU summit for September. Forsyth says:In an article in this week’s Spectator, James Forsyth says, if Boris Johnson become prime minister, civil servants will advise him to request an emergency EU summit for September. Forsyth says:
I understand that the civil service will immediately urge prime minister Johnson to request a special September meeting of the EU Council. They argue that without such a move, the Commission’s negotiating mandate won’t change. Nothing could happen therefore before the October Council, which would be cutting things too fine.I understand that the civil service will immediately urge prime minister Johnson to request a special September meeting of the EU Council. They argue that without such a move, the Commission’s negotiating mandate won’t change. Nothing could happen therefore before the October Council, which would be cutting things too fine.
Even Johnson’s confidants think that the EU will, at least initially, try to call his bluff — and reject the idea of reopening the withdrawal agreement. This is when things will get really interesting. Under Boris Johnson, the UK’s government response to this would be to ramp up no-deal planning.Even Johnson’s confidants think that the EU will, at least initially, try to call his bluff — and reject the idea of reopening the withdrawal agreement. This is when things will get really interesting. Under Boris Johnson, the UK’s government response to this would be to ramp up no-deal planning.
In an interview with the BBC Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, said he and the other 90 MPs and peers signing the letter about Chris Williamson (see 2.34pm) wanted Jeremy Corbyn to remove the whip from him. He said that, because the party disciplinary process had led to the national executive committee (NEC) panel lifting Williamson’s suspension, a parliamentary disciplinary process was now needed. He explained:In an interview with the BBC Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, said he and the other 90 MPs and peers signing the letter about Chris Williamson (see 2.34pm) wanted Jeremy Corbyn to remove the whip from him. He said that, because the party disciplinary process had led to the national executive committee (NEC) panel lifting Williamson’s suspension, a parliamentary disciplinary process was now needed. He explained:
We have never had an MP accused of stirring up so much upset in a particular community in Britain. It required a full inquiry. And that’s why [the NEC] decision is so bewildering ...We have never had an MP accused of stirring up so much upset in a particular community in Britain. It required a full inquiry. And that’s why [the NEC] decision is so bewildering ...
Sadly the only route left is for Jeremy to step in, show leadership, remove the whip and allow our chief whip to do a proper inquiry.Sadly the only route left is for Jeremy to step in, show leadership, remove the whip and allow our chief whip to do a proper inquiry.
Watson said that Williamson was entitled to a proper investigation.Watson said that Williamson was entitled to a proper investigation.
What I would say is that Chris Williamson is entitled to a proper investigation. The magnitude of the allegations against him are so great, and the upset and the anger caused obviously required referring to that kind of inquiry.What I would say is that Chris Williamson is entitled to a proper investigation. The magnitude of the allegations against him are so great, and the upset and the anger caused obviously required referring to that kind of inquiry.
And he said that he was “bewildered” by the decision by the NEC panel. ‘What they have done is taken away a proper disciplinary inquiry that would have got to the facts of this case,” he said.And he said that he was “bewildered” by the decision by the NEC panel. ‘What they have done is taken away a proper disciplinary inquiry that would have got to the facts of this case,” he said.
Watson also said he had not discussed today’s open letter with Corbyn yet, but he said they would be talking in due course.Watson also said he had not discussed today’s open letter with Corbyn yet, but he said they would be talking in due course.
Earlier today, before the Tom Watson letter about Chris Williamson was released (see 2.34pm), Jeremy Corbyn was asked about the Williamson row by the BBC. He said:Earlier today, before the Tom Watson letter about Chris Williamson was released (see 2.34pm), Jeremy Corbyn was asked about the Williamson row by the BBC. He said:
We deal with antisemitism very, very seriously. There is no place of antisemitism in our society and obviously not in our party as well. And anyone that makes antisemitic remarks can expect to be at the very least reprimanded and, if they are very serious, and if they are engaged in antisemitic activity, then they are expelled from the party.We deal with antisemitism very, very seriously. There is no place of antisemitism in our society and obviously not in our party as well. And anyone that makes antisemitic remarks can expect to be at the very least reprimanded and, if they are very serious, and if they are engaged in antisemitic activity, then they are expelled from the party.
This is from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire.This is from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire.
NEW: 68 Labour staff have put their names to this letter to Jennie Formby. They say that Chris Williamson’s presence in the party makes them feel “unwelcome” at work pic.twitter.com/854kwa5DwwNEW: 68 Labour staff have put their names to this letter to Jennie Formby. They say that Chris Williamson’s presence in the party makes them feel “unwelcome” at work pic.twitter.com/854kwa5Dww
Jennie Formby is Labour’s general secretary.Jennie Formby is Labour’s general secretary.
The top government official in charge of no-deal Brexit planning has quit just as the chances of crashing out of the EU appear to have increased. As my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports, Tom Shinner, 33, director of policy and delivery coordination at the Department for Exiting the EU, was in charge of coordinating the domestic policy implications of Brexit across government departments to ensure a smooth exit from the EU.The top government official in charge of no-deal Brexit planning has quit just as the chances of crashing out of the EU appear to have increased. As my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports, Tom Shinner, 33, director of policy and delivery coordination at the Department for Exiting the EU, was in charge of coordinating the domestic policy implications of Brexit across government departments to ensure a smooth exit from the EU.
Brexit civil servant in charge of no-deal planning quitsBrexit civil servant in charge of no-deal planning quits
This is from ITV’s Paul Brand, who was covering the Boris Johnson visit to Portsmouth.This is from ITV’s Paul Brand, who was covering the Boris Johnson visit to Portsmouth.
Asked a few Conservative members in Portsmouth what they made of Boris Johnson after his visit. 3/4 I spoke to will be voting for him. Asked one “what about his personal life?”“I don’t give a damn!” pic.twitter.com/jM9iJvMHYtAsked a few Conservative members in Portsmouth what they made of Boris Johnson after his visit. 3/4 I spoke to will be voting for him. Asked one “what about his personal life?”“I don’t give a damn!” pic.twitter.com/jM9iJvMHYt
Peugeot said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal.Peugeot said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal.
The decision is a major boost for the embattled British car industry and the 1,100 employees at the plant, whose future had been thought to be dependent on winning the Astra contract.The decision is a major boost for the embattled British car industry and the 1,100 employees at the plant, whose future had been thought to be dependent on winning the Astra contract.
The Astra is the bestselling model under the Vauxhall and Opel brandsand will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany, as well as at Ellesmere Port, near Liverpool.The Astra is the bestselling model under the Vauxhall and Opel brandsand will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany, as well as at Ellesmere Port, near Liverpool.
However, PSA Group, the parent company of the Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall brands, gave a clear warning against a bad Brexit deal. In its announcement, PSA Group said:However, PSA Group, the parent company of the Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall brands, gave a clear warning against a bad Brexit deal. In its announcement, PSA Group said:
The decision on the allocation to the Ellesmere Port plant will be conditional on the final terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the acceptance of the New Vehicle Agreement, which has been negotiated with the Unite trade union.The decision on the allocation to the Ellesmere Port plant will be conditional on the final terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the acceptance of the New Vehicle Agreement, which has been negotiated with the Unite trade union.
Theresa May is expected to have meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in the margins of the G20 summit, the Press Association reports. The meetings will follow Friday’s face-to-face talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Other meetings have been lined up on Saturday with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.Theresa May is expected to have meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in the margins of the G20 summit, the Press Association reports. The meetings will follow Friday’s face-to-face talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Other meetings have been lined up on Saturday with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Jeremy Hunt has been visiting the Isle of Wight too.Jeremy Hunt has been visiting the Isle of Wight too.
Great to be back in the place where my parents got married, the Isle of Wight. I met with a fantastic group of Conservative members and talked about how important it is to back businesses. They are the life blood of places like the Isle of Wight. #HastobeHunt pic.twitter.com/skJixu8PXKGreat to be back in the place where my parents got married, the Isle of Wight. I met with a fantastic group of Conservative members and talked about how important it is to back businesses. They are the life blood of places like the Isle of Wight. #HastobeHunt pic.twitter.com/skJixu8PXK
Here is some expert comment on the attempt by Margaret Beckett and Dominic Grieve to use amendments to the estimates next week to prevent a no-deal Brexit. (See 2.06pm.)Here is some expert comment on the attempt by Margaret Beckett and Dominic Grieve to use amendments to the estimates next week to prevent a no-deal Brexit. (See 2.06pm.)
From the Hansard Society’s Brigid FowlerFrom the Hansard Society’s Brigid Fowler
If people are just seeing news re: Beckett/Grieve ams tabled to so-called '#estimates', we flagged this summer's estimates process in a recent piece - see below. (Short thread) 1/ pic.twitter.com/l9zZ01dhiPIf people are just seeing news re: Beckett/Grieve ams tabled to so-called '#estimates', we flagged this summer's estimates process in a recent piece - see below. (Short thread) 1/ pic.twitter.com/l9zZ01dhiP
The Beckett/Grieve ams are tabled to the motions to authorise the 2019-20 spending of depts whose estimates have been chosen by the Backbench Business C'tee for separate debate & vote (this yr, 4 depts - DFID, DoE, DWP, HCLG). Motions & ams are here: 2/ https://t.co/uYTWTeaoxfThe Beckett/Grieve ams are tabled to the motions to authorise the 2019-20 spending of depts whose estimates have been chosen by the Backbench Business C'tee for separate debate & vote (this yr, 4 depts - DFID, DoE, DWP, HCLG). Motions & ams are here: 2/ https://t.co/uYTWTeaoxf
The Beckett/Grieve ams seek to make parliamentary authorisation for these 4 depts' 2019-20 spending conditional on either the UK leaving the EU only with a Withdrawal Agreement, or approval by the Commons of a motion giving explicit approval for a #nodeal Brexit. 3/The Beckett/Grieve ams seek to make parliamentary authorisation for these 4 depts' 2019-20 spending conditional on either the UK leaving the EU only with a Withdrawal Agreement, or approval by the Commons of a motion giving explicit approval for a #nodeal Brexit. 3/
I'm not surprised someone's giving the estimates process a go as an anti-#nodeal move, since estimates are one of few things gov *has* to put before HoC before summer & where it can't get round needing HoC approval. We (& others) have been speculating about this possibility. 4/I'm not surprised someone's giving the estimates process a go as an anti-#nodeal move, since estimates are one of few things gov *has* to put before HoC before summer & where it can't get round needing HoC approval. We (& others) have been speculating about this possibility. 4/
But trying to amend an estimates motion is rare (the last time such an amendment was moved was 2002). And, even if the move proves not to go very far, bringing 'the power of the purse' into play represents an escalation in the Commons-government tussle. /endsBut trying to amend an estimates motion is rare (the last time such an amendment was moved was 2002). And, even if the move proves not to go very far, bringing 'the power of the purse' into play represents an escalation in the Commons-government tussle. /ends
From the Institute for Government’s Hannah WhiteFrom the Institute for Government’s Hannah White
In my view this is the most promising procedural route available to MPs seeking to prevent a new Prime Minister pursuing a no deal exit...https://t.co/H5uClBMYPXIn my view this is the most promising procedural route available to MPs seeking to prevent a new Prime Minister pursuing a no deal exit...https://t.co/H5uClBMYPX
... as @pseaward1 has been arguing for some time. But whether it will succeed will depend on whether enough MPs opposed to no deal realise this is may be the only effective opportunity to prevent it and are prepared to vote for the motion before no deal seems imminent.... as @pseaward1 has been arguing for some time. But whether it will succeed will depend on whether enough MPs opposed to no deal realise this is may be the only effective opportunity to prevent it and are prepared to vote for the motion before no deal seems imminent.
From Chris White, a Conservative former special adviser in the leader of the Commons’ officeFrom Chris White, a Conservative former special adviser in the leader of the Commons’ office
The latest move by MPs seeking to stop no deal: cut off the Government’s provision to spend money unless:1️⃣ The Commons passes a Withdrawal Agreement 2️⃣ The Commons agrees to leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. https://t.co/lXPyIiTNq6The latest move by MPs seeking to stop no deal: cut off the Government’s provision to spend money unless:1️⃣ The Commons passes a Withdrawal Agreement 2️⃣ The Commons agrees to leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. https://t.co/lXPyIiTNq6
Why is this important? Annual expenditure control remains a constitutional requirement, and the Commons must approve the Estimates each year. Estimates scrutiny has historically been very poor, and the @CommonsProcCom produced a report on this in 2017 https://t.co/wUbaUzTwakWhy is this important? Annual expenditure control remains a constitutional requirement, and the Commons must approve the Estimates each year. Estimates scrutiny has historically been very poor, and the @CommonsProcCom produced a report on this in 2017 https://t.co/wUbaUzTwak
Tabling amendments to the Estimates that places conditions on the Government’s expenditure is a new tactic - until now MPs opposed to no-deal have tried to capture days to legislate to compel the Government to seek an extension. However chances to do this before 31.10 are scarce.Tabling amendments to the Estimates that places conditions on the Government’s expenditure is a new tactic - until now MPs opposed to no-deal have tried to capture days to legislate to compel the Government to seek an extension. However chances to do this before 31.10 are scarce.
This stops short of a vote of no confidence, but ups the stakes on the Government. The Estimates process needs to be completed before the House rises before the summer recess. It’s early to assess chances of success, but the Govt will be taking this very seriously.This stops short of a vote of no confidence, but ups the stakes on the Government. The Estimates process needs to be completed before the House rises before the summer recess. It’s early to assess chances of success, but the Govt will be taking this very seriously.
For clarity, the Govt could delay to the Autumn sittings but not to 31.10, so they could pull the debate next week, but not indefinitely.For clarity, the Govt could delay to the Autumn sittings but not to 31.10, so they could pull the debate next week, but not indefinitely.