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| Brexit: Boris Johnson arrives at manor house on the Wirral for private talks with Leo Varadkar - live news | Brexit: Boris Johnson arrives at manor house on the Wirral for private talks with Leo Varadkar - live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| These are from my colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels. | |
| Nigel Farage and the Brexit party have voted against a European parliament resolution calling for stronger EU action to counter election meddling and Russian disinformation. Highlights from resolution here. pic.twitter.com/mPt0YZrVyG | |
| Here is a link to the EP resolution on election interference that the BP voted against (much easier to read than my screenshot).https://t.co/NIxlkyvJ0E | |
| You can read the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s speech - Labour’s alternative Queen’s speech, as he put it - here. In policy terms it did not really contain anything new, but what it did do was summarise, clearly and comprehensively, Labour’s policy offer to the voters in an election. As is often the case, the more newsy comments came in the Q&A. Here is a summary. | You can read the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s speech - Labour’s alternative Queen’s speech, as he put it - here. In policy terms it did not really contain anything new, but what it did do was summarise, clearly and comprehensively, Labour’s policy offer to the voters in an election. As is often the case, the more newsy comments came in the Q&A. Here is a summary. |
| Corbyn strongly condemned President Trump for remarks that appeared to defend the American diplomat’s wife who was driving on the wrong side of the road when involved in a collision with the British teenager, Harry Dunn, who was killed. Speaking about the case yesterday, Trump said: | Corbyn strongly condemned President Trump for remarks that appeared to defend the American diplomat’s wife who was driving on the wrong side of the road when involved in a collision with the British teenager, Harry Dunn, who was killed. Speaking about the case yesterday, Trump said: |
| The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road, and that can happen. You know, those are the opposite roads, that happens. I won’t say it ever happened to me, but it did. | The woman was driving on the wrong side of the road, and that can happen. You know, those are the opposite roads, that happens. I won’t say it ever happened to me, but it did. |
| When you get used to driving on our system and then you’re all of a sudden on the other system where you’re driving - it happens. You have to be careful, very careful. | When you get used to driving on our system and then you’re all of a sudden on the other system where you’re driving - it happens. You have to be careful, very careful. |
| Asked for his reaction to what Trump said, Corbyn said: “That is the most crass, insensitive comment anyone could ever make.” | Asked for his reaction to what Trump said, Corbyn said: “That is the most crass, insensitive comment anyone could ever make.” |
| Corbyn strongly criticised the US decision to allow the diplomat’s wife, Anne Sacoolas, to claim diplomatic immunity in this case. He said: | Corbyn strongly criticised the US decision to allow the diplomat’s wife, Anne Sacoolas, to claim diplomatic immunity in this case. He said: |
| I’m alarmed about [the use of diplomatic immunity]. For somebody to be killed in our country and the person who did it to flee to the United States and then claim diplomatic immunity is completely unacceptable. | I’m alarmed about [the use of diplomatic immunity]. For somebody to be killed in our country and the person who did it to flee to the United States and then claim diplomatic immunity is completely unacceptable. |
| I know the family went to see Dominic Raab yesterday. We would put every bit of possible pressure we could on the United states. | I know the family went to see Dominic Raab yesterday. We would put every bit of possible pressure we could on the United states. |
| If we could mount legal action in the United States, we would do so because it is simply not acceptable for someone to seek diplomatic immunity when somebody - a wholly innocent individual - has been killed by the behaviour of somebody else. | If we could mount legal action in the United States, we would do so because it is simply not acceptable for someone to seek diplomatic immunity when somebody - a wholly innocent individual - has been killed by the behaviour of somebody else. |
| Corbyn restated his determination to have a general election before holding a referendum on Brexit. As Kate Devlin reports in today’s Times (paywall), some Labour MPs want the party to unite with other opposition parties and insist on a referendum first, not least because current polling suggests Labour would lose the election. Tony Blair has been making this argument strongly too. In her story Devlin says: | Corbyn restated his determination to have a general election before holding a referendum on Brexit. As Kate Devlin reports in today’s Times (paywall), some Labour MPs want the party to unite with other opposition parties and insist on a referendum first, not least because current polling suggests Labour would lose the election. Tony Blair has been making this argument strongly too. In her story Devlin says: |
| Many Labour MPs are desperate to avoid an election during a delay to Brexit and lobbied Mr Corbyn directly over the issue last week. Members of his shadow cabinet are also pressing him to wait until Brexit had been fully settled. | Many Labour MPs are desperate to avoid an election during a delay to Brexit and lobbied Mr Corbyn directly over the issue last week. Members of his shadow cabinet are also pressing him to wait until Brexit had been fully settled. |
| Last night Labour MPs predicted that Mr Corbyn would face a revolt within his own party if he tried to whip them to vote for an election. | Last night Labour MPs predicted that Mr Corbyn would face a revolt within his own party if he tried to whip them to vote for an election. |
| One said: “Opposition to a general election is widespread among Labour MPs.” | One said: “Opposition to a general election is widespread among Labour MPs.” |
| Another questioned whether Mr Corbyn read the opinion polls, saying: “We are far behind in the polls, Jeremy is a liability and our Brexit position is a mess.” | Another questioned whether Mr Corbyn read the opinion polls, saying: “We are far behind in the polls, Jeremy is a liability and our Brexit position is a mess.” |
| But in his speech Corbyn said that the party was “champing at the bit for an election” and would agree to one as soon as a no-deal Brexit on 31 October was taken off the tabled. (See 11.11am.) Asked in the Q&A about Labour MPs pushing for referendum first, Corbyn just restated his determination to hold a referendum after a Labour victory in the election. (See 11.44am.) | But in his speech Corbyn said that the party was “champing at the bit for an election” and would agree to one as soon as a no-deal Brexit on 31 October was taken off the tabled. (See 11.11am.) Asked in the Q&A about Labour MPs pushing for referendum first, Corbyn just restated his determination to hold a referendum after a Labour victory in the election. (See 11.44am.) |
| Corbyn said that he would want EU reform to be part of any proposal for the UK to remain in the EU. Labour’s plan is to negotiate a deal for a soft Brexit with the EU, and to then offer voters a choice between that option and remain. But, speaking in the Q&A, he said: | Corbyn said that he would want EU reform to be part of any proposal for the UK to remain in the EU. Labour’s plan is to negotiate a deal for a soft Brexit with the EU, and to then offer voters a choice between that option and remain. But, speaking in the Q&A, he said: |
| After an election a Labour government would introduce legislation to ensure a referendum takes place between the agreement that we would reach with the European Union and remain. I have to say, in remain I would also want to see some reforms to the European Union. | After an election a Labour government would introduce legislation to ensure a referendum takes place between the agreement that we would reach with the European Union and remain. I have to say, in remain I would also want to see some reforms to the European Union. |
| It is hard to know what this would mean in practice, but it is not likely to enthuse any EU leaders hoping for a Labour government and the possibility of the UK voting to stay in. EU leaders spent months negotiating a package of reform measures with David Cameron, but voters took little notice and Cameron lost the referendum in 2016 anyway, even though the EU was offering the UK different terms of membership. | It is hard to know what this would mean in practice, but it is not likely to enthuse any EU leaders hoping for a Labour government and the possibility of the UK voting to stay in. EU leaders spent months negotiating a package of reform measures with David Cameron, but voters took little notice and Cameron lost the referendum in 2016 anyway, even though the EU was offering the UK different terms of membership. |
| Corbyn said that the first task of a Labour government would be to “get Brexit sorted”. He said: | Corbyn said that the first task of a Labour government would be to “get Brexit sorted”. He said: |
| The first task of a Labour government will be to finally get Brexit sorted. | The first task of a Labour government will be to finally get Brexit sorted. |
| After three years of Tory failure, it’s time to take the decision out of the hands of politicians and let the people have the final say. | After three years of Tory failure, it’s time to take the decision out of the hands of politicians and let the people have the final say. |
| This is interesting because “get Brexit sorted” is very similar to the Tories’ slogan, “get Brexit done”. Obviously, the policies are different; the Tories want to settle the matter by delivering Brexit, and Labour wants to settle the matter by having a referendum that could result in a vote to remain. But Corbyn’s use of this phrase may indicate that Labour wants to neutralise a slogan that the Tories clearly believe will work very well for them. | This is interesting because “get Brexit sorted” is very similar to the Tories’ slogan, “get Brexit done”. Obviously, the policies are different; the Tories want to settle the matter by delivering Brexit, and Labour wants to settle the matter by having a referendum that could result in a vote to remain. But Corbyn’s use of this phrase may indicate that Labour wants to neutralise a slogan that the Tories clearly believe will work very well for them. |
| Corbyn confirmed that Labour would introduce a £10 an hour minimum wage for all workers over 16 immediately. (See 11.17am.) The £10 an hour minimum wage has been Labour policy for some time, but the party has not always been clear how quickly it would be introduced. But Corbyn is now saying the policy would be introduced immediately. This is in response to Sajid Javid’s announcement at the Tory conference that his party would increase the national living wage to £10.50 an hour - but only by 2024. | Corbyn confirmed that Labour would introduce a £10 an hour minimum wage for all workers over 16 immediately. (See 11.17am.) The £10 an hour minimum wage has been Labour policy for some time, but the party has not always been clear how quickly it would be introduced. But Corbyn is now saying the policy would be introduced immediately. This is in response to Sajid Javid’s announcement at the Tory conference that his party would increase the national living wage to £10.50 an hour - but only by 2024. |
| Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM), has tweeted some pictures from his meeting with Boris Johnson. | Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM), has tweeted some pictures from his meeting with Boris Johnson. |
| Here in Cheshire in the UK with PM @BorisJohnson to talk #Brexit. Looking forward to a detailed discussion to see if we can make any progress pic.twitter.com/zZeC4MQuZY | Here in Cheshire in the UK with PM @BorisJohnson to talk #Brexit. Looking forward to a detailed discussion to see if we can make any progress pic.twitter.com/zZeC4MQuZY |
| Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s speech. | Here is the full text of Jeremy Corbyn’s speech. |
| "The alternative Queen’s Speech I’ve set out today is the most transformative, radical and exciting programme ever put before the British electorate."Read @jeremycorbyn's full speech today: https://t.co/BeDpfKfwwu | "The alternative Queen’s Speech I’ve set out today is the most transformative, radical and exciting programme ever put before the British electorate."Read @jeremycorbyn's full speech today: https://t.co/BeDpfKfwwu |
| A summary of the highlights is coming soon. | A summary of the highlights is coming soon. |
| Some anti-Brexit protesters have arrived outside Thornton Manor, the Liverpool Echo’s Liam Thorp reports. | Some anti-Brexit protesters have arrived outside Thornton Manor, the Liverpool Echo’s Liam Thorp reports. |
| Boris will be even more unhappy now these guys have arrived! pic.twitter.com/WyNQ5wtNzc | Boris will be even more unhappy now these guys have arrived! pic.twitter.com/WyNQ5wtNzc |
| And now the gates are shut, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports. | And now the gates are shut, my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports. |
| Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson have just arrived... at Thornton Manor in the Wirral. Gates closed now for two hour meeting pic.twitter.com/AX2Cys2qC9 | Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson have just arrived... at Thornton Manor in the Wirral. Gates closed now for two hour meeting pic.twitter.com/AX2Cys2qC9 |
| Leo Varadkar arrived at Thornton Manor 22 minutes after Boris Johnson, according to the Irish Daily Mail’s Emma Jane Hade. | Leo Varadkar arrived at Thornton Manor 22 minutes after Boris Johnson, according to the Irish Daily Mail’s Emma Jane Hade. |
| NEW: 22 minutes after Boris arrived, @LeoVaradkar has arrived at Thornton Manor for their meeting pic.twitter.com/meCfg4FyhZ | NEW: 22 minutes after Boris arrived, @LeoVaradkar has arrived at Thornton Manor for their meeting pic.twitter.com/meCfg4FyhZ |
| Thornton Manor is also a “dream wedding” venue, my colleague Paul Johnson points out. | Thornton Manor is also a “dream wedding” venue, my colleague Paul Johnson points out. |
| Venue for Boris Johnson - Leo Varadkar crisis #Brexit talksThornton Manor, Birkenhead-‘we invite you to enjoy every moment of your special day with us’ pic.twitter.com/Scgcz5Mhg3 | Venue for Boris Johnson - Leo Varadkar crisis #Brexit talksThornton Manor, Birkenhead-‘we invite you to enjoy every moment of your special day with us’ pic.twitter.com/Scgcz5Mhg3 |
| This is form MLex’s Matthew Holehouse on the venue for the Johnson/Varadkar talks. | This is form MLex’s Matthew Holehouse on the venue for the Johnson/Varadkar talks. |
| The venue of previous high-stakes gatherings, including Coleen Rooney's 21st birthday party. https://t.co/FjG5R78hdA | The venue of previous high-stakes gatherings, including Coleen Rooney's 21st birthday party. https://t.co/FjG5R78hdA |
| Turning away from the Corbyn Q&A for a moment, Boris Johnson has lost his game of hide and seek with the media. This is from the Liverpool Echo’s Liam Thorp. | Turning away from the Corbyn Q&A for a moment, Boris Johnson has lost his game of hide and seek with the media. This is from the Liverpool Echo’s Liam Thorp. |
| BREAKING: Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Thornton Manor in Wirral for crunch talks with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pic.twitter.com/QfDlotfsq2 | BREAKING: Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at Thornton Manor in Wirral for crunch talks with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pic.twitter.com/QfDlotfsq2 |
| Q: How hard will it be to win an election when the Tories are also promising a big increase in public spending? And if you lose, will you stand down? | Q: How hard will it be to win an election when the Tories are also promising a big increase in public spending? And if you lose, will you stand down? |
| Corbyn says he never comments on opinion polls. He does not study them. | Corbyn says he never comments on opinion polls. He does not study them. |
| But the 2017 election was called in an emergency manner, and Labour went into it with the most radical, transformative manifesto that had been put to the people. He got the biggest increase in the Labour vote since 1945. He thinks he opened the eyes of people to how things could be different. | But the 2017 election was called in an emergency manner, and Labour went into it with the most radical, transformative manifesto that had been put to the people. He got the biggest increase in the Labour vote since 1945. He thinks he opened the eyes of people to how things could be different. |
| He says he has spent a lot of time since then touring the country, and listening to people. | He says he has spent a lot of time since then touring the country, and listening to people. |
| A lot of people feel depressed and angry. The levels of mental health problem reflect the anxiety being generated by what is going wrong. | A lot of people feel depressed and angry. The levels of mental health problem reflect the anxiety being generated by what is going wrong. |
| What this country cannot afford is the level of inequality it has. | What this country cannot afford is the level of inequality it has. |
| He says, when the election is called, he will be out there, with hundreds of thousands of Labour members sending the message that things can be different. | He says, when the election is called, he will be out there, with hundreds of thousands of Labour members sending the message that things can be different. |
| Do you want the country run by a party that has cut and sliced public services? Or do you want more of the same? | Do you want the country run by a party that has cut and sliced public services? Or do you want more of the same? |
| He says he is very fit, and determined to win an election. | He says he is very fit, and determined to win an election. |
| Q: What is your plan for the backstop? | Q: What is your plan for the backstop? |
| Corbyn says the best solution would be to maintain a customs union relationship with the EU. | Corbyn says the best solution would be to maintain a customs union relationship with the EU. |
| Q: What is your response to what Donald Trump said about how anyone could drive on the wrong side of the road? | Q: What is your response to what Donald Trump said about how anyone could drive on the wrong side of the road? |
| That is the most crass, insensitive comment anyone could ever make. | That is the most crass, insensitive comment anyone could ever make. |
| He says a man died. Let’s have some humanity and justice, he says. | He says a man died. Let’s have some humanity and justice, he says. |