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| Brexit: Rees-Mogg tells MPs he cannot confirm if Saturday sitting going ahead as EU talks still unresolved - live news | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| In an interview with Emma Barnett on Radio 5 Live Amber Rudd, the former Tory cabinet minister who now sits as an independent after resigning the whip over Brexit, said she saw “a whiff of sexism” in the way some Brexiter Tories were supporting Boris Johnson after they forced Theresa May out of power. She explained: | |
| There are certain behaviours that particularly men in politics want to see, that women don’t so much, that Boris [Johnson] did adopt, which has given the ERG [European Research Group] members a lot of confidence. | |
| For instance, I was very opposed to the prime minister expelling 21 colleagues from the party as members of parliament, and I felt very strongly that Ken Clarke, who had been in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet, should have a place in Boris Johnson’s party. But [Johnson] took a different view, and I thought that was a very aggressive thing to do, and unnecessary, and has had the effect of radicalising the 21 - which I have now joined. | |
| That sort of aggressive behaviour, though, may be the sort of thing that a group of ERG men, particularly, wanted to see. | |
| In the interview Rudd also said she had not yet decided whether or not she will stand as an independent candidate at the the next election in a new constituency. She has already ruled out standing again in Hastings and Rye, where she had a majority of just 346 at the last election. | |
| From the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | |
| Number 10 has been briefing different groups of MPs today on state of play - not on anything like final shape of a deal, they, like everyone else waiting to see what comes out of Brussels later | |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, has delivered a short business statement. We thought he might announce details of the sitting planned for Saturday, but instead he just announced that after the Queen’s speech debate tomorrow there will be a short debate under section 3(2) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation Act). | Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, has delivered a short business statement. We thought he might announce details of the sitting planned for Saturday, but instead he just announced that after the Queen’s speech debate tomorrow there will be a short debate under section 3(2) of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation Act). |
| Tony Lloyd, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, asked if Rees-Mogg could clarify what would happen on Saturday. | Tony Lloyd, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, asked if Rees-Mogg could clarify what would happen on Saturday. |
| Rees-Mogg said a Saturday sitting would be a very rare occurrence. He said he could not announce plans for one yet because that would be dependent on the outcome of talks that are still taking place. | Rees-Mogg said a Saturday sitting would be a very rare occurrence. He said he could not announce plans for one yet because that would be dependent on the outcome of talks that are still taking place. |
| From my colleague Jennifer Rankin | From my colleague Jennifer Rankin |
| Westminsterisation Noun, to be mired in Brexit.Usage: Paris fears EU reforms will be blocked by an uncontrollable European parliament in the process of Westminsterisation.Origins: French official @AFP 2019Synonyms: chaos, crisis, stalemate pic.twitter.com/PsKqbhQfwD | Westminsterisation Noun, to be mired in Brexit.Usage: Paris fears EU reforms will be blocked by an uncontrollable European parliament in the process of Westminsterisation.Origins: French official @AFP 2019Synonyms: chaos, crisis, stalemate pic.twitter.com/PsKqbhQfwD |
| A no-deal Brexit could “erode” the international reputation of British universities, according to the credit rating agency S&P, by cutting them off from EU staff and research activity. It says: | A no-deal Brexit could “erode” the international reputation of British universities, according to the credit rating agency S&P, by cutting them off from EU staff and research activity. It says: |
| Any potential negative effects of a no-deal Brexit on UK universities will materialise in the long term rather than imminently. Isolation from EU research projects, uncertainty about work permit conditions, and the pound depreciating further against the euro could render UK universities less attractive to EU academics. Over time, this could erode the global reputations of some UK universities, especially those below the top tier. On the other hand, a weaker sterling in a no-deal scenario could attract overseas students to UK universities and somewhat boost their competitiveness. | Any potential negative effects of a no-deal Brexit on UK universities will materialise in the long term rather than imminently. Isolation from EU research projects, uncertainty about work permit conditions, and the pound depreciating further against the euro could render UK universities less attractive to EU academics. Over time, this could erode the global reputations of some UK universities, especially those below the top tier. On the other hand, a weaker sterling in a no-deal scenario could attract overseas students to UK universities and somewhat boost their competitiveness. |
| German government sources remain sceptical on whether the UK will follow up on hints at flexibility around its red lines with sufficient legal detail by tomorrow. | German government sources remain sceptical on whether the UK will follow up on hints at flexibility around its red lines with sufficient legal detail by tomorrow. |
| The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, is expected to brief heads of state with a progress report on Wednesday afternoon. | The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, is expected to brief heads of state with a progress report on Wednesday afternoon. |
| After last week’s meeting between Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson, officials in Berlin are optimistic the British government is actively trying to reach a deal, and that it is no longer ruling out compromises it has ruled out in the past. | After last week’s meeting between Leo Varadkar and Boris Johnson, officials in Berlin are optimistic the British government is actively trying to reach a deal, and that it is no longer ruling out compromises it has ruled out in the past. |
| At the same time, there is a belief that all possible solutions to the Irish border questions have already been played through over the last three years – and that the reasons they were rejected the first time around haven’t gone away. | At the same time, there is a belief that all possible solutions to the Irish border questions have already been played through over the last three years – and that the reasons they were rejected the first time around haven’t gone away. |
| After Emmanuel Macron spoke to Boris Johnson by phone this morning, Élysée officials stressed that there must be complete clarity tonight on whether or not a Brexit withdrawal agreement is possible. An official said talks would continue today, adding: | After Emmanuel Macron spoke to Boris Johnson by phone this morning, Élysée officials stressed that there must be complete clarity tonight on whether or not a Brexit withdrawal agreement is possible. An official said talks would continue today, adding: |
| We want to be able to evaluate the situation tonight. The European council will then act on that evaluation. | We want to be able to evaluate the situation tonight. The European council will then act on that evaluation. |
| France said technical negotiations would not take place at the summit itself on Thursday and Friday. “There won’t be long nights of discussions on a text at the European council.” | France said technical negotiations would not take place at the summit itself on Thursday and Friday. “There won’t be long nights of discussions on a text at the European council.” |
| Asked about the possibility of extending article 50, the French official said now was not the moment to speculate on possible scenarios in the future, but added: | Asked about the possibility of extending article 50, the French official said now was not the moment to speculate on possible scenarios in the future, but added: |
| There would have to be a justification for any extension, there couldn’t be an abstract extension. | There would have to be a justification for any extension, there couldn’t be an abstract extension. |
| More from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg | More from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg |
| Bit more on Macron/Johnson call - understand France is reluctant to have another delay but the President raised possibility of technical extension | Bit more on Macron/Johnson call - understand France is reluctant to have another delay but the President raised possibility of technical extension |
| A “technical extension” is the term being used to apply to what would happen if the UK and the EU can agree the outline of a deal before 31 October, but need more time to pass the legislation and tie down the legal detail. | A “technical extension” is the term being used to apply to what would happen if the UK and the EU can agree the outline of a deal before 31 October, but need more time to pass the legislation and tie down the legal detail. |
| In practice a technical extension is just an extension, but it would be acceptable to the EU on the grounds that it had a clear purpose and there have been suggestions that some people in No 10 believe Boris Johnson could justify it to the voters on the grounds that Brexit was happening “in spirit” (my paraphrase) on 31 October, if not in practice. | In practice a technical extension is just an extension, but it would be acceptable to the EU on the grounds that it had a clear purpose and there have been suggestions that some people in No 10 believe Boris Johnson could justify it to the voters on the grounds that Brexit was happening “in spirit” (my paraphrase) on 31 October, if not in practice. |
| A number of cabinet ministers were seen going into No 10 on Tuesday afternoon, the Press Association is reporting. They included: the chancellor, Sajid Javid; the foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab; the international trade secretary, Liz Truss; the business secretary, Andrea Leadsom; and culture secretary, Nicky Morgan. | A number of cabinet ministers were seen going into No 10 on Tuesday afternoon, the Press Association is reporting. They included: the chancellor, Sajid Javid; the foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab; the international trade secretary, Liz Truss; the business secretary, Andrea Leadsom; and culture secretary, Nicky Morgan. |
| And on the subject of polling, the latest ITV/Cardiff University Welsh barometer poll gives the Conservatives a significant lead over Labour in Wales. It puts the Tories on 29% (up 5 points from the same poll in July) and Labour on 25% (up 3). | And on the subject of polling, the latest ITV/Cardiff University Welsh barometer poll gives the Conservatives a significant lead over Labour in Wales. It puts the Tories on 29% (up 5 points from the same poll in July) and Labour on 25% (up 3). |
| Here are the figures. | Here are the figures. |
| At the 2017 general election Labour won 49% of the vote in Wales, and the Conservatives just 34%. | At the 2017 general election Labour won 49% of the vote in Wales, and the Conservatives just 34%. |
| In his analysis of the figures Prof Roger Awan-Scully from Cardiff University says Brexit helps to explain the shift over the last two years. He says: | In his analysis of the figures Prof Roger Awan-Scully from Cardiff University says Brexit helps to explain the shift over the last two years. He says: |
| What the poll shows above all, though, are the stark divisions in Wales – as across most of Britain – on the issue of Brexit. Among 2016 Remain voters, the Conservatives are in a distant fourth place, while the Brexit Party wins literally zero percent support; among 2016 Leavers, the Conservatives win nearly half of all support (49%) and the Brexit Party the bulk of the remainder (another 29%) ... | What the poll shows above all, though, are the stark divisions in Wales – as across most of Britain – on the issue of Brexit. Among 2016 Remain voters, the Conservatives are in a distant fourth place, while the Brexit Party wins literally zero percent support; among 2016 Leavers, the Conservatives win nearly half of all support (49%) and the Brexit Party the bulk of the remainder (another 29%) ... |
| What these figures suggest is that any general election occurring soon would open the possibility of profound changes in Welsh politics. Labour have won the last 26 general elections here. You don’t manage that without having some serious staying power, so it would take a brave person to bet heavily against them doing so once more. But the tectonic plates may be shifting. | What these figures suggest is that any general election occurring soon would open the possibility of profound changes in Welsh politics. Labour have won the last 26 general elections here. You don’t manage that without having some serious staying power, so it would take a brave person to bet heavily against them doing so once more. But the tectonic plates may be shifting. |
| The Irish taoiseach (prime minister), Leo Varadkar, is enjoying a huge rise in his personal approval ratings in Ireland following his meeting with Boris Johnson in Wirral last Thursday, which revived hopes of a Brexit deal being reached, the Irish Times is reporting. Here is an extract from Pat Leahy’s story. | The Irish taoiseach (prime minister), Leo Varadkar, is enjoying a huge rise in his personal approval ratings in Ireland following his meeting with Boris Johnson in Wirral last Thursday, which revived hopes of a Brexit deal being reached, the Irish Times is reporting. Here is an extract from Pat Leahy’s story. |
| Mr Varadkar sees his personal rating jump by 15 points since May, ending an 18-month long period of decline. More than half of all voters (51 per cent) now say they are satisfied with Mr Varadkar’s performance as taoiseach, his best rating in a year ... | Mr Varadkar sees his personal rating jump by 15 points since May, ending an 18-month long period of decline. More than half of all voters (51 per cent) now say they are satisfied with Mr Varadkar’s performance as taoiseach, his best rating in a year ... |
| In addition, there is strong approval for the government’s handling of both the economy and Brexit. More than half of all voters (54 per cent) say the government is doing a good job on handling the economy while six out of 10 voters (60 per cent) approve of the government’s handling of Brexit. | In addition, there is strong approval for the government’s handling of both the economy and Brexit. More than half of all voters (54 per cent) say the government is doing a good job on handling the economy while six out of 10 voters (60 per cent) approve of the government’s handling of Brexit. |
| On making a compromise on the backstop, however, voters are almost evenly split – a small majority among those who expressed a preference (47 per cent) suggested that the government should not compromise on the backstop to achieve a deal, even if this risks a hard border, with 42 per cent in favour of compromise. | On making a compromise on the backstop, however, voters are almost evenly split – a small majority among those who expressed a preference (47 per cent) suggested that the government should not compromise on the backstop to achieve a deal, even if this risks a hard border, with 42 per cent in favour of compromise. |
| By comparison, in Britain only about 20% of voters think their government is handling Brexit well. Here is a chart from YouGov. | By comparison, in Britain only about 20% of voters think their government is handling Brexit well. Here is a chart from YouGov. |
| Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, has joined those criticising the Metropolitan police for announcing a city-wide ban on the Extinction Rebellion protests in London last night. | Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, has joined those criticising the Metropolitan police for announcing a city-wide ban on the Extinction Rebellion protests in London last night. |
| This ban is completely contrary to Britain’s long-held traditions of policing by consent, freedom of speech, and the right to protest. https://t.co/4NDBZ5pQGI | This ban is completely contrary to Britain’s long-held traditions of policing by consent, freedom of speech, and the right to protest. https://t.co/4NDBZ5pQGI |
| Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, is to take an unpaid job as chair of ITV’s new Mental Health Advisory Group, PA Media is reporting. The body, which is being set up following the deaths of participants of the Jeremy Kyle Show and Love Island, is intended to advise on how to protect the mental wellbeing of participants and audiences on ITV shows. | Ruth Davidson, the former Scottish Conservative leader, is to take an unpaid job as chair of ITV’s new Mental Health Advisory Group, PA Media is reporting. The body, which is being set up following the deaths of participants of the Jeremy Kyle Show and Love Island, is intended to advise on how to protect the mental wellbeing of participants and audiences on ITV shows. |
| Conservative party leaflets obtained by the BBC suggest the party is preparing for a delay to Brexit, the BBC is reporting. The text of one leaflet says: “Without a strong majority government, we can’t deliver Brexit” – even though Boris Johnson is theoretically committed to delivering Brexit by 31 October, without a majority and ahead of a general election. | Conservative party leaflets obtained by the BBC suggest the party is preparing for a delay to Brexit, the BBC is reporting. The text of one leaflet says: “Without a strong majority government, we can’t deliver Brexit” – even though Boris Johnson is theoretically committed to delivering Brexit by 31 October, without a majority and ahead of a general election. |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, told LBC this morning that, if Boris Johnson can agree a Brexit deal with the EU, the government will have the votes to get it through the Commons. He said: | Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, told LBC this morning that, if Boris Johnson can agree a Brexit deal with the EU, the government will have the votes to get it through the Commons. He said: |
| If a deal is agreed with the European Union, it will get through, in my view, the House of Commons because everybody’s desperate to finish this. | If a deal is agreed with the European Union, it will get through, in my view, the House of Commons because everybody’s desperate to finish this. |
| He also claimed that if MPs voted for the deal in principle – something that could happen on Saturday, assuming the UK and the EU do agree a deal – passing the legislation to implement it would be easy. He said: | He also claimed that if MPs voted for the deal in principle – something that could happen on Saturday, assuming the UK and the EU do agree a deal – passing the legislation to implement it would be easy. He said: |
| If the meaningful vote goes through, then the legislation will merely be the ratification in domestic law of the treaty and that, I think, is a relatively easy bill to pass if, if there is a deal. | If the meaningful vote goes through, then the legislation will merely be the ratification in domestic law of the treaty and that, I think, is a relatively easy bill to pass if, if there is a deal. |
| These are from Newsnight’s diplomatic editor, Mark Urban. | These are from Newsnight’s diplomatic editor, Mark Urban. |
| The chances of a Brexit deal are not helped by classic Commission vs Member State stresses on the EU27 side. After 3 years of insisting only Barnier could negotiate on behalf of all, @LeoVaradkar & @BorisJohnson pull a rabbit out of a hat 1/3 | The chances of a Brexit deal are not helped by classic Commission vs Member State stresses on the EU27 side. After 3 years of insisting only Barnier could negotiate on behalf of all, @LeoVaradkar & @BorisJohnson pull a rabbit out of a hat 1/3 |
| The emphasis Barnier’s team place on the legal / technical work is: as they say necessary spadework; bite back against UK/IE bilateral diplomacy; going to tip No10 into an extension (he’s not popular in Brussels!) so... 2/3 | The emphasis Barnier’s team place on the legal / technical work is: as they say necessary spadework; bite back against UK/IE bilateral diplomacy; going to tip No10 into an extension (he’s not popular in Brussels!) so... 2/3 |
| The UK approach is to try to mobilise Member States to put pressure on Barnier / Commission to speed up, hence today’s Barclay visit to Luxembourg + possibility of Johnson visit to Paris tomorrow. But an operable deal by Thursday’s summit seems highly unlikely 3/3 | The UK approach is to try to mobilise Member States to put pressure on Barnier / Commission to speed up, hence today’s Barclay visit to Luxembourg + possibility of Johnson visit to Paris tomorrow. But an operable deal by Thursday’s summit seems highly unlikely 3/3 |