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Brexit: Jeremy Corbyn dismisses Queen's speech as 'farce' – live news Brexit: Jeremy Corbyn dismisses Queen's speech as 'farce' – live news
(32 minutes later)
Normally at this point in the proceedings I would post some sort of verdict. But there is no point.
Partly that’s because that was almost a news-free occasion. Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson both gave serviceable speeches, but neither of them said anything much that they have not said before. (There were a few very minor lines, that I will post in a moment.)
But mainly it’s because ITV’s Robert Peston has summed up the problem with the debate so well it is hard to improve on it.
This the maddest, most pointless Queen's Speech debate anyone alive has watched - because it is all displacement activity from the only two questions that matter, namely whether the UK is leaving the EU on 31 October (and if so how) and whether there will be a general...
election before Christmas. As a result it has all the significance and weight of an undergraduate debate on a wet autumn afternoon
Johnson ends saying he believes in a “generous, tolerant, outward-looking and humane society”.
And that’s it.
Johnson says he wants a Britain where “fairness and balance” are at the heart of what we do.
He says the government should be fighting crime. But he says he agrees with Jeremy Corbyn on the importance of rehabilitation.
Johnson says, after Brexit, the UK will be able to ban the export of live animals.
That is something the public will welcome, he says.
Ken Clarke, the veteran Tory and leader of the Commons, asks Johnson for an assurance that the HS2 review will consider the impact of cancelling the plan on the East Midlands, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
Johnson says he can give that assurance.
Anna Soubry, the Independent Group for Change MP, says there was no mention of HS2 in the budget.
Johnson says the government is committed to infrastructure spending. On HS2, he says there will be more on this in the budget.
Johnson says it is time to get Brexit done.
He says Brexit will allow the UK to get life-saving medicines to market more quickly and more cheaply.
(This is not normally a point Johnson makes when itemising the supposed benefits of Brexit. Is it motivated by the need to match Labour’s plan to reduce the cost of medicines?)
Johnson says the destruction that Labour would do to business is the biggest threat this country faces – far bigger than the threat posed by a no-deal Brexit.
Johnson says the government wants the economy to flourish because so many solutions to our problems are provided by the free market and capitalism.Johnson says the government wants the economy to flourish because so many solutions to our problems are provided by the free market and capitalism.
That is how the UK will become carbon neutral by 2050, he says.That is how the UK will become carbon neutral by 2050, he says.
He says this is understood even by his “crusty” relatives like his father, Stanley, who backed the Extinction Rebellion protests.He says this is understood even by his “crusty” relatives like his father, Stanley, who backed the Extinction Rebellion protests.
Tom Brake, the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, asks about the impact of a no-deal Brexit on manufacturing. Tom Brake, the Lib Dem Brexit spokesman, asks about the impact of Johnson’s Brexit deal on manufacturing.
Johnson says that is why the Lib Dems should vote for a deal.Johnson says that is why the Lib Dems should vote for a deal.
And he accuses Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, of going to Brussels for a meeting with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and asking him to rule out any deal.And he accuses Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, of going to Brussels for a meeting with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, and asking him to rule out any deal.
Johnson says Labour’s plan to scrap Ofsted is “insane”.Johnson says Labour’s plan to scrap Ofsted is “insane”.
He says that one nation Conservatives like himself support Ofsted because they believe in standards.He says that one nation Conservatives like himself support Ofsted because they believe in standards.
Back in the debate Labour’s Angela Eagle says Merseyside has lost 1,120 police officers. Why is it only being allowed to recruit 200 more.Back in the debate Labour’s Angela Eagle says Merseyside has lost 1,120 police officers. Why is it only being allowed to recruit 200 more.
Johnson says this is just the first wave of recruitment.Johnson says this is just the first wave of recruitment.
From the Independent’s John RentoulFrom the Independent’s John Rentoul
Good speech by PM, but no response to John McDonnell heckling, “5m children in poverty” and other Lab MPs, “food banks”Good speech by PM, but no response to John McDonnell heckling, “5m children in poverty” and other Lab MPs, “food banks”
Johnson says he wants to level up investment across the nation.Johnson says he wants to level up investment across the nation.
He claims decisions now will lead to 40 new hospitals.He claims decisions now will lead to 40 new hospitals.
(Actually, as this Full Fact briefing explains, six would be a more accurate figure.)(Actually, as this Full Fact briefing explains, six would be a more accurate figure.)
Turning back to the issue of the prosecution of military veterans, Johnson says the government will legislate to ensure there is no unfair prosecution when no new evidence has been produced.Turning back to the issue of the prosecution of military veterans, Johnson says the government will legislate to ensure there is no unfair prosecution when no new evidence has been produced.
The DUP’s Sammy Wilson asks Johnson to assure him that he will not let the Northern Ireland Office include the IRA in any provisions.The DUP’s Sammy Wilson asks Johnson to assure him that he will not let the Northern Ireland Office include the IRA in any provisions.
Johnson repeats the point he made originally.Johnson repeats the point he made originally.
Johnson says Corbyn recently said he was daunted by the idea of becoming PM. Many other people feel the same way, he says. He says he personally will do all he can to stop this.
He says his government will champion the free market. He says the mention of a free market has made John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, flinch “like a Transylvanian in the sunlight”.
Bob Stewart, a Conservative, asks Johnson why there was no legislation in the speech to protect former members of the armed forces from being prosecuted over historical events.
Johnson says the government is still consulting on this matter. It will bring forward legislation when it is ready, he says.
And this is from the BBC’s Ian Watson.
'One by one ⁦@jeremycorbyn⁩ 's lieutenants are being purged' as @johnmcdonnell 'tightens his icy grip' says ⁦@BorisJohnson⁩ (Of course 21 of his anti no deal MPs may have considered themsleves purged too...) pic.twitter.com/3HZVuMYIGj
From the Independent’s Rob Merrick
Jeez!! Boris Johnson taunting Jeremy Corbyn over his Brexit contortions (fair enough)….…but this is the PM who has just carried out the mother of all U-turns, backing a version of May's plan he once branded “crazy” !
Johnson turns to Jeremy Corbyn, and he accuses Corbyn of changing his mind on an early election.
He says Corbyn’s policy on cake is neither having it nor eating it.
And he jokes about the changes to Corbyn’s inner circle. (See 9.58am.) John McDonnell is tightening his icy grip on the party, he says.
Boris Johnson is speaking now.
He starts with tributes to the MPs Lee Rowley and Sarah Newton.
Rowley’s aunt was secretary to Arthur Scargill, Johnson says. He also says Rowley collects airline memorabilia (which might not be something Rowley wanted everyone to know).
Corbyn says there was no action on the climate in the speech.
There is some truth in this. The speech includes an environment bill. This will codify carbon emission targets, but in his comment on this bill in his introduction to the Queen’s speech briefing pack (pdf), Boris Johnson focused on what the bill would do for animal welfare (a priority for his partner Carrie Symonds, who campaigns on this topic). Johnson said:
The huge star of our legislative programme is a momentous new environment bill – a lodestar by which we will guide our country towards a cleaner and greener future.
This legislation takes forward the work of my predecessor, and will set a framework of legally binding targets to reduce plastics, restore biodiversity and clean up our water and air. And demonstrating that the British really are a nation of animal lovers we will take steps to strengthen animal welfare.
Corbyn says Boris Johnson needs to assure EU nationals living in this country that their right to stay in the UK will be guaranteed.
Corbyn turns to the government’s plans to require people to show photo ID when they vote.
We will not allow this government to stifle democracy by making it harder for people to vote – there was only one instance of voter personation at the last election.
Eleven million in this country don’t have a passport or driving licence. There are huge risks in such legislation, which will disproportionately affect working class, ethnic minority and young voters.
Labour’s Angela Eagle asks Corbyn if this is an attempt to suppress voter turnout amongst certain groups (groups likely to vote for Labour). Corbyn agrees.
Corbyn says the speech does nothing for bus services.
He says most tower blocks with Grenfell-style cladding have not had it removed.