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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/oct/02/brexit-latest-news-conservative-conference-boris-johnsons-plan-for-alternative-to-backstop-gets-early-frosty-reception-from-eu-live-news
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| Brexit: Varadkar says PM's plans 'do not fully meet agreed objectives' – live news | Brexit: Varadkar says PM's plans 'do not fully meet agreed objectives' – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| My colleague Heather Stewart has written a piece on Labour’s reaction to Boris Johnson’s proposal, in which she quotes shadow chancellor John McDonnell calling the PM’s plans “a cynical attempt to force through a no-deal Brexit”. | |
| PM's Brexit plan 'neither credible nor workable', claims Labour | |
| DUP leader Arlene Foster on why her party would support the PM’s proposed new deal: | DUP leader Arlene Foster on why her party would support the PM’s proposed new deal: |
| This is a sensible way forward. It allows the people of Northern Ireland consent in a way not provided by the anti-democratic backstop. We hope that people will look at it in a serious way.https://t.co/R2EMusDWsF pic.twitter.com/AnJ17Qdic0 | This is a sensible way forward. It allows the people of Northern Ireland consent in a way not provided by the anti-democratic backstop. We hope that people will look at it in a serious way.https://t.co/R2EMusDWsF pic.twitter.com/AnJ17Qdic0 |
| Here an interesting tweet from Labour peer Stewart Wood on a clever rewording of “customs clearance centres” from the government. | Here an interesting tweet from Labour peer Stewart Wood on a clever rewording of “customs clearance centres” from the government. |
| Only yesterday, Boris Johnson had said that customs clearance centres would not be part of the government’s new withdrawal agreement proposals. | Only yesterday, Boris Johnson had said that customs clearance centres would not be part of the government’s new withdrawal agreement proposals. |
| On Monday the Govt adamantly denied they were about to propose "customs clearance centres" either side of the Irish border. Today their proposal was published. They propose "designated centres". Congratulations to the adviser who invented a brilliant new name for the same thing. | On Monday the Govt adamantly denied they were about to propose "customs clearance centres" either side of the Irish border. Today their proposal was published. They propose "designated centres". Congratulations to the adviser who invented a brilliant new name for the same thing. |
| As expected, Boris Johnson is being accused of trying to avoid parliamentary scrutiny by proroguing parliament again, in this instance by Labour MP Liz McInnes: | As expected, Boris Johnson is being accused of trying to avoid parliamentary scrutiny by proroguing parliament again, in this instance by Labour MP Liz McInnes: |
| Why is Boris Johnson so scared of #PMQs? Seems to me he’ll do anything to get out of it - he’s only done it once since he became Prime Minister! https://t.co/Rk8zjYbdZp | Why is Boris Johnson so scared of #PMQs? Seems to me he’ll do anything to get out of it - he’s only done it once since he became Prime Minister! https://t.co/Rk8zjYbdZp |
| Labour MP Hillary Benn has sharply criticised the PM’s proposals, and told Channel 4 that he does not think the plan upholds the principles of the Good Friday agreement. | Labour MP Hillary Benn has sharply criticised the PM’s proposals, and told Channel 4 that he does not think the plan upholds the principles of the Good Friday agreement. |
| "This is even worse than Theresa May's deal."Labour MP Hillary Benn criticises Boris Johnson's Brexit plan, saying "Theresa May at least followed through on her commitment to keep an open border in Northern Ireland." pic.twitter.com/bTjVn7RyNE | "This is even worse than Theresa May's deal."Labour MP Hillary Benn criticises Boris Johnson's Brexit plan, saying "Theresa May at least followed through on her commitment to keep an open border in Northern Ireland." pic.twitter.com/bTjVn7RyNE |
| This from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on the reaction of Leo Varadkar to the proposals: | This from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on the reaction of Leo Varadkar to the proposals: |
| no commitment to go immediately into serious talks in the 'tunnel', but nor is there an immediate dismissal of the proposals.... makes it extremely hard to tell if there is any real chance of this getting off the ground or not https://t.co/u4sf9k4Rjd | no commitment to go immediately into serious talks in the 'tunnel', but nor is there an immediate dismissal of the proposals.... makes it extremely hard to tell if there is any real chance of this getting off the ground or not https://t.co/u4sf9k4Rjd |
| The Labour MPs Ruth Smeeth and Gareth Snell have expressed support for Boris Johnson’s new withdrawal deal proposals, provided it would ever reach the Commons for a vote. | The Labour MPs Ruth Smeeth and Gareth Snell have expressed support for Boris Johnson’s new withdrawal deal proposals, provided it would ever reach the Commons for a vote. |
| This from the BBC’s Nicholas Watt: | This from the BBC’s Nicholas Watt: |
| Gareth Snell and Ruth Smeeth have just told me they will vote for Boris Johnson’s #brexit deal if it is approved by the EU. They are two of the more prominent Labour MPs who represent Leave voting seats | Gareth Snell and Ruth Smeeth have just told me they will vote for Boris Johnson’s #brexit deal if it is approved by the EU. They are two of the more prominent Labour MPs who represent Leave voting seats |
| The support of Smeeth and Snell could be significant for PM in parliament if the EU agrees to his deal. Looks like the DUP and the Brexiteer spartans on board. Add these two Labour MPs to the five who supported Theresa May’s deal in March and the PM is closing in | The support of Smeeth and Snell could be significant for PM in parliament if the EU agrees to his deal. Looks like the DUP and the Brexiteer spartans on board. Add these two Labour MPs to the five who supported Theresa May’s deal in March and the PM is closing in |
| All of these parliamentary calculations are on the basis of the EU agreeing to PM’s offer. A minister, who is very keen to secure a deal, says of the Gareth Snell and Ruth Smeeth announcement: “That is all very well. But the EU is not going to agree to the PM’s offer.” | All of these parliamentary calculations are on the basis of the EU agreeing to PM’s offer. A minister, who is very keen to secure a deal, says of the Gareth Snell and Ruth Smeeth announcement: “That is all very well. But the EU is not going to agree to the PM’s offer.” |
| And this just in from the BBC’s Katya Adler, on reactions of EU leaders to the new proposals and possible developments over the comings days and weeks: | And this just in from the BBC’s Katya Adler, on reactions of EU leaders to the new proposals and possible developments over the comings days and weeks: |
| Appreciation in EU circles this evening, of advances the PM perceived to have made on his regulatory offer since UKs informal ‘non papers’ on how to replace backstop. “I’m impressed” a key EU diplomat told me, describing himself as “lightly more optimistic” as a result BUT /1 | Appreciation in EU circles this evening, of advances the PM perceived to have made on his regulatory offer since UKs informal ‘non papers’ on how to replace backstop. “I’m impressed” a key EU diplomat told me, describing himself as “lightly more optimistic” as a result BUT /1 |
| Aside from other EU concerns with the PMs proposal, customs remains main sticking point. There EU contacts say the PM hasn’t budged his position despite EU repeatedly explaining their concerns re dangers to single market (smuggling) and to NIreland peace process /2 | Aside from other EU concerns with the PMs proposal, customs remains main sticking point. There EU contacts say the PM hasn’t budged his position despite EU repeatedly explaining their concerns re dangers to single market (smuggling) and to NIreland peace process /2 |
| BUT sense in Brussels that the take it or leave it rhetoric of the PM was aimed at UK audience and that he’s willing to negotiate further in Brussels. Diplomats welcome PMs use of expression ‘broad landing zone’ however .. /3 | BUT sense in Brussels that the take it or leave it rhetoric of the PM was aimed at UK audience and that he’s willing to negotiate further in Brussels. Diplomats welcome PMs use of expression ‘broad landing zone’ however .. /3 |
| This does not mean EU thinks a deal likely by the mid October EU leaders summit. Quite the opposite. Everyone I speak to believes it to be very unlikely. And only slightly less unlikely that a deal can be sealed by end of the month /4 | This does not mean EU thinks a deal likely by the mid October EU leaders summit. Quite the opposite. Everyone I speak to believes it to be very unlikely. And only slightly less unlikely that a deal can be sealed by end of the month /4 |
| Apart from it not bring clear how far the EU (Varadkar is key here) is willing to compromise +how far the PM will still move .. the very fractious +divided European Parliament has to approve deal (remember MEPs approved a motion saying deal without backstop is impossible?) AND /5 | Apart from it not bring clear how far the EU (Varadkar is key here) is willing to compromise +how far the PM will still move .. the very fractious +divided European Parliament has to approve deal (remember MEPs approved a motion saying deal without backstop is impossible?) AND /5 |
| Then there’s the seething UK Parliament which also would have to approve a deal .. SO a long uncertain road ahead. Expect many, many questions from EU on legal text of the UK proposals over the coming days But ../6 | Then there’s the seething UK Parliament which also would have to approve a deal .. SO a long uncertain road ahead. Expect many, many questions from EU on legal text of the UK proposals over the coming days But ../6 |
| Tonight at least EU goes to bed feeling less hopeless and doom and gloomy than it frankly expected to be on receiving the Johnson proposals /7 | Tonight at least EU goes to bed feeling less hopeless and doom and gloomy than it frankly expected to be on receiving the Johnson proposals /7 |
| The BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam has made an important point about the PM’s new withdrawal proposals and has flagged up that the government explicitly states in the new text that there is “no need” for a “level playing field” between the UK and the EU - a point that carried significance in previous negotiations, particularly in regard to the future relationship between the UK and the Euro bloc. | The BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam has made an important point about the PM’s new withdrawal proposals and has flagged up that the government explicitly states in the new text that there is “no need” for a “level playing field” between the UK and the EU - a point that carried significance in previous negotiations, particularly in regard to the future relationship between the UK and the Euro bloc. |
| 3 Lab MPs say signed up to deal having held out for MORE guarantees on keeping regulatory standards with EU, but this designed around “no need for extensive level playing field commitments” on worker/economic/ environmental standards “envisaged in previous [backstop] protocol” .. pic.twitter.com/GCOHShoTwk | 3 Lab MPs say signed up to deal having held out for MORE guarantees on keeping regulatory standards with EU, but this designed around “no need for extensive level playing field commitments” on worker/economic/ environmental standards “envisaged in previous [backstop] protocol” .. pic.twitter.com/GCOHShoTwk |
| The Political Declaration is surely ripped up alongside this Johnson announcement - there were three significant references to level playing field commitments in that document, now not sought/ “no need”. Can’t just be snipped out...Is Govt even seeking a PD? pic.twitter.com/O9gS5yLHlo | The Political Declaration is surely ripped up alongside this Johnson announcement - there were three significant references to level playing field commitments in that document, now not sought/ “no need”. Can’t just be snipped out...Is Govt even seeking a PD? pic.twitter.com/O9gS5yLHlo |
| My colleagues Richard Partington and Rob Davies have written a story about the potentially “severe” damage the PM’s new backstop proposals could inflict on Northern Ireland’s economy. | My colleagues Richard Partington and Rob Davies have written a story about the potentially “severe” damage the PM’s new backstop proposals could inflict on Northern Ireland’s economy. |
| Boris Johnson Brexit plan 'risks damaging Northern Ireland economy' | Boris Johnson Brexit plan 'risks damaging Northern Ireland economy' |
| Meanwhile, the Domestic Abuse Bill has passed its second reading in parliament without a vote, unanimously supported by MPs. A carry over motion was passed to ensure the bill does not collapse if parliament is prorogued again next week. | Meanwhile, the Domestic Abuse Bill has passed its second reading in parliament without a vote, unanimously supported by MPs. A carry over motion was passed to ensure the bill does not collapse if parliament is prorogued again next week. |
| This from Jess Phillips MP: | This from Jess Phillips MP: |
| Minister has announced that today there is a carry over motion so the Domestic Abuse Bill will not fall again in Prorogation 2.0. For all who raised their voices thanks so much. | Minister has announced that today there is a carry over motion so the Domestic Abuse Bill will not fall again in Prorogation 2.0. For all who raised their voices thanks so much. |
| This from Brigid Fowler, senior researcher at the Hansard Society: | This from Brigid Fowler, senior researcher at the Hansard Society: |
| #DomesticAbuseBill has received its 2rd reading & the carry-over motion has just been agreed, so the Bill will survive next week's prorogation, & proceedings can continue on it in the new parly session (assuming prorogation & new session happen as gov plans) | #DomesticAbuseBill has received its 2rd reading & the carry-over motion has just been agreed, so the Bill will survive next week's prorogation, & proceedings can continue on it in the new parly session (assuming prorogation & new session happen as gov plans) |
| For those of you wondering what the implications of another prorogation of parliament would be - it’s not entirely clear at this point. | For those of you wondering what the implications of another prorogation of parliament would be - it’s not entirely clear at this point. |
| What is for certain is that the Supreme Court judgment that ruled the last prorogation unlawful did not preclude the possibility of another, shorter prorogation, a detail the government is leaning on now. | What is for certain is that the Supreme Court judgment that ruled the last prorogation unlawful did not preclude the possibility of another, shorter prorogation, a detail the government is leaning on now. |
| Another prorogation on Tuesday would get the PM out of PMQs, which he will surely be criticised for by MPs. | Another prorogation on Tuesday would get the PM out of PMQs, which he will surely be criticised for by MPs. |
| This from ITV’s Robert Peston: | This from ITV’s Robert Peston: |
| A couple of things about Queen’s Speech on 14 October. Will MPs try to block short prorogation at end of next week? And when vote of government’s programme comes on 21 or 22 October, and when government is defeated, how at that point could Boris Johnson continue in office? Murky | A couple of things about Queen’s Speech on 14 October. Will MPs try to block short prorogation at end of next week? And when vote of government’s programme comes on 21 or 22 October, and when government is defeated, how at that point could Boris Johnson continue in office? Murky |
| Here the full statement of Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar following a call with Boris Johnson: | Here the full statement of Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar following a call with Boris Johnson: |
| The Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson spoke by phone this evening, shortly before 6pm. | The Taoiseach and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson spoke by phone this evening, shortly before 6pm. |
| They discussed the latest proposals from the UK. | They discussed the latest proposals from the UK. |
| The Taoiseach said the proposals do not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop. | The Taoiseach said the proposals do not fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop. |
| However, he indicated that he would study them in further detail, and would consult with the EU institutions, including the Task Force and our EU partners. | However, he indicated that he would study them in further detail, and would consult with the EU institutions, including the Task Force and our EU partners. |
| The Taoiseach expects to speak with European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and with other EU heads of Government over the coming days. | The Taoiseach expects to speak with European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and with other EU heads of Government over the coming days. |
| This will include the Swedish and Danish Prime Ministers, with whom the Taoiseach has bilateral meetings on Thursday and Friday in their capitals. | This will include the Swedish and Danish Prime Ministers, with whom the Taoiseach has bilateral meetings on Thursday and Friday in their capitals. |
| The Taoiseach said he wants to see a deal agreed and ratified, and will continue to work in unity with our EU partners to this end. | The Taoiseach said he wants to see a deal agreed and ratified, and will continue to work in unity with our EU partners to this end. |
| The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed they would speak again next week. | The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister agreed they would speak again next week. |