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Brexit: Rees-Mogg says he can't confirm Saturday sitting as EU talks continue - live news Brexit: Rees-Mogg says he can't confirm Saturday sitting as EU talks continue - live news
(32 minutes later)
From HuffPost’s Arj Singh
DUP will not back a Brexit deal if Boris Johnson makes more concessions to the EU. Source tells me: "We will not be going more or giving more. Difficult times ahead.”https://t.co/0ZoSgvKdPl
Here are the full quotes from Leo Varakdar when he spoke to journalists a few minutes ago. He said:
I have to go back to the office now and get a briefing from Brussels but the initial indications are that we are making progress, that the negotiations are moving in the right direction but whether we will be able to conclude or revise a withdrawal agreement which is, after all, an international treaty, in time for the summit on Thursday, that is as of now unclear ...
The prime minister said to me if we could come to an agreement between the EU and the UK, I think he was confident he could get it through the House of Commons. Of course there are a few hurdles between now and then. First we have to come to an agreement at negotiator level, then it has to be agreed at European council and third by the House of Commons. So a few more hurdles to get over.
More from Leo Varadkar.
BREAKING: Taoiseach says gap is "still quite wide," particularly on the issue of customs.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister), has been speaking to journalists. He was meant to be talking about a new road in County Mayo, but obviously Brexit came up. These are from Laura Kuenssberg and John Campbell from the BBC.Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (prime minister), has been speaking to journalists. He was meant to be talking about a new road in County Mayo, but obviously Brexit came up. These are from Laura Kuenssberg and John Campbell from the BBC.
Varadkar - 'the initial indications are, we are making progress' 'whether we will be able to conclude...in time for summit on Thursday that is as of now unclear'Varadkar - 'the initial indications are, we are making progress' 'whether we will be able to conclude...in time for summit on Thursday that is as of now unclear'
After much talk about roads in Mayo Varadkar tells us he’s not really up to speed on the latest in Brussels but will find out when he’s back in the office.After much talk about roads in Mayo Varadkar tells us he’s not really up to speed on the latest in Brussels but will find out when he’s back in the office.
Nicola Sturgeon has just finished her SNP conference speech. She was relaxed and jokey, enjoying numerous ovations, despite not actually saying much new about the central question of independence.Nicola Sturgeon has just finished her SNP conference speech. She was relaxed and jokey, enjoying numerous ovations, despite not actually saying much new about the central question of independence.
She confirmed that she would ask the Westminster government for the legal powers, a section 30 order, to hold another referendum by the end of the year and that she wants to hold that referendum next year. But she offered little on what happens when Westminster say no to her request - as Boris Johnson has said he will on numerous occasions and Labour has swithered about, most recently with John McDonnell saying there would be no pact with the SNP over a second vote. She confirmed that she would ask the Westminster government for the legal powers, a section 30 order, to hold another referendum by the end of the year and that she wants to hold that referendum next year. But she offered little on what happens when Westminster says no to her request – as Boris Johnson has said he will on numerous occasions and Labour has swithered about, most recently with John McDonnell saying there would be no pact with the SNP over a second vote.
Instead Sturgeon threw the responsibility back on Westminster, insisting:Instead Sturgeon threw the responsibility back on Westminster, insisting:
The question should be demanded of the Westminster parties – what gives you any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?The question should be demanded of the Westminster parties – what gives you any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?
She also repeated her warning to Jeremy Corbyn in the event of Labour seeking SNP support in another hung parliament:She also repeated her warning to Jeremy Corbyn in the event of Labour seeking SNP support in another hung parliament:
If you don’t respect Scotland’s right to choose our own future at a time of our own choosing, don’t even bother picking up the phone.If you don’t respect Scotland’s right to choose our own future at a time of our own choosing, don’t even bother picking up the phone.
While none of this was new, these are perhaps the messages for the people in the hall. She started with a scathing attack on the “crude populism” sweeping the globe, singling out Donald Trump and Johnson for especial derision. I’d suggest that this is a message for beyond the hall. Already SNP ministers have spent conference insisting on the importance of a legal and internationally recognised independence referendum. This attack on populism, and the reassurance that the SNP thinks and acts differently, is likewise an attempt to project the image of an outward-looking, international, serious party, particularly to voters anxious not just at Brexit chaos but also this right-wing populist trend. While none of this was new, these are perhaps the messages for the people in the hall. She started with a scathing attack on the “crude populism” sweeping the globe, singling out Donald Trump and Johnson for especial derision. I’d suggest that this is a message for beyond the hall. Already SNP ministers have spent conference insisting on the importance of a legal and internationally recognised independence referendum. This attack on populism, and the reassurance that the SNP thinks and acts differently, is likewise an attempt to project the image of an outward-looking, international, serious party, particularly to voters anxious not just at Brexit chaos but also this rightwing populist trend.
Sturgeon got particular laughs for this passage towards the end of the speech, as she called for Scotland to “reclaim our independence”.Sturgeon got particular laughs for this passage towards the end of the speech, as she called for Scotland to “reclaim our independence”.
I don’t know about you but I’m utterly sick of Westminster. I’m sick of Brexit. And I’ve had more than enough of people like Jacob Rees-Mogg lording it over us while lounging across the benches of the House of Commons as if he owns the place. The people of Scotland are seeing all of this for what it is. A broken political system.I don’t know about you but I’m utterly sick of Westminster. I’m sick of Brexit. And I’ve had more than enough of people like Jacob Rees-Mogg lording it over us while lounging across the benches of the House of Commons as if he owns the place. The people of Scotland are seeing all of this for what it is. A broken political system.
Boris Johnson appears to be on the brink of reaching a Brexit deal after making major concessions to EU demands over the Irish border, my colleague Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley report.Boris Johnson appears to be on the brink of reaching a Brexit deal after making major concessions to EU demands over the Irish border, my colleague Daniel Boffey and Jon Henley report.
Boris Johnson 'close to Brexit deal' after border concessionsBoris Johnson 'close to Brexit deal' after border concessions
The Sun’s Nick Gutteridge has more on what Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, told EU ministers at the general affairs council meeting this morning.The Sun’s Nick Gutteridge has more on what Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, told EU ministers at the general affairs council meeting this morning.
Barnier told EU27 ministers today that unless the UK accepts stronger Level Playing Field provisions than Japan has it can't get a comparable FTA, because its market size/proximity would make that too risky. Diplomats say UK asking for looser LPF than included in EU-Canada FTA.Barnier told EU27 ministers today that unless the UK accepts stronger Level Playing Field provisions than Japan has it can't get a comparable FTA, because its market size/proximity would make that too risky. Diplomats say UK asking for looser LPF than included in EU-Canada FTA.
This has a knock-on effect on how the EU now sees talks over a fix for the Irish border - they're negotiating something permanent, not temporary. A source says: 'For the first time we're no longer considering this as a bridge to the future. This will now become the solution.'This has a knock-on effect on how the EU now sees talks over a fix for the Irish border - they're negotiating something permanent, not temporary. A source says: 'For the first time we're no longer considering this as a bridge to the future. This will now become the solution.'
Speaking in Paris, a senior French official advised “extreme prudence” about the chances of any deal being reached this week.Speaking in Paris, a senior French official advised “extreme prudence” about the chances of any deal being reached this week.
It’s not the Irish who will make the deal. Yes, there are better atmospherics but what matters is the content and we have seen nothing yet. Whatever it is, we will want to look at it in very serious detail.It’s not the Irish who will make the deal. Yes, there are better atmospherics but what matters is the content and we have seen nothing yet. Whatever it is, we will want to look at it in very serious detail.
Asked what would happen if this week’s EU summit concluded on Friday with no formal accord on a legal text but an agreement to keep talking, the official said France would consider a new Brexit extension carefully as long as one was requested. Paris has previously said it would only approve a fresh delay for a major democratic development such as an election or a second referendum.Asked what would happen if this week’s EU summit concluded on Friday with no formal accord on a legal text but an agreement to keep talking, the official said France would consider a new Brexit extension carefully as long as one was requested. Paris has previously said it would only approve a fresh delay for a major democratic development such as an election or a second referendum.
It will very much depend on the nature of that agreement, on our estimation of whether or not it will actually work and be operable, on whether it looks likely to be approved by the British parliament, on what the European parliament thinks of it. That’s a lot of hurdles to clear. We are still not clear of a no deal by accident.It will very much depend on the nature of that agreement, on our estimation of whether or not it will actually work and be operable, on whether it looks likely to be approved by the British parliament, on what the European parliament thinks of it. That’s a lot of hurdles to clear. We are still not clear of a no deal by accident.
Anti-Brexit campaigner Joanna Cherry, who has received plaudits for her dogged court actions on article 50, prorogation and the Benn Act, and been tipped as a future SNP leader, has given to an interview to Holyrood magazine that will delight SNP-watchers for its detail. Anti-Brexit campaigner Joanna Cherry, who has received plaudits for her dogged court actions on article 50, prorogation and the Benn act, and been tipped as a future SNP leader, has given to an interview to Holyrood magazine that will delight SNP-watchers for its detail.
Cheekily published a few hours before Nicola Sturgeon’s closing speech to SNP conference in Aberdeen, Cherry reveals to editor Mandy Rhodes that she received just one congratulatory text from Sturgeon following her win at the Supreme Court, and that she has only sat down with the FM once since she became an MP in 2015, concluding: Cheekily published a few hours before Nicola Sturgeon’s closing speech to SNP conference in Aberdeen, Cherry reveals to editor Mandy Rhodes that she received just one congratulatory text from Sturgeon following her win at the supreme court, and that she has only sat down with the FM once since she became an MP in 2015, concluding:
I don’t know her very well. She’s running the country; I’m down in Westminster ... So, I’m not complaining that I’m not Nicola’s best mate.I don’t know her very well. She’s running the country; I’m down in Westminster ... So, I’m not complaining that I’m not Nicola’s best mate.
In what can only be interpreted as a sideswipe at the current SNP leader, she goes on to describe Alex Salmond as a friend and “the greatest leader the party’s ever had”, adding that she trusts the Scottish courts to do justice in his forthcoming sexual assault trial.In what can only be interpreted as a sideswipe at the current SNP leader, she goes on to describe Alex Salmond as a friend and “the greatest leader the party’s ever had”, adding that she trusts the Scottish courts to do justice in his forthcoming sexual assault trial.
Asked directly about SNP leadership, Cherry reportedly consults her notes before saying:Asked directly about SNP leadership, Cherry reportedly consults her notes before saying:
I’d love to play a leadership role in a future independent Scotland, but leadership doesn’t necessarily mean being the leader of the party or being the first minister.I’d love to play a leadership role in a future independent Scotland, but leadership doesn’t necessarily mean being the leader of the party or being the first minister.
There’s lots of leadership roles, and I want to play my part, but no woman should ever write herself off as a potential leader. I’ve worked very hard in my role and I know I’ve got quite a big public profile now and I’m popular with the party membership, but there isn’t a vacancy for an SNP leader.There’s lots of leadership roles, and I want to play my part, but no woman should ever write herself off as a potential leader. I’ve worked very hard in my role and I know I’ve got quite a big public profile now and I’m popular with the party membership, but there isn’t a vacancy for an SNP leader.
She adds that speculation is “a set-up by journalists”.She adds that speculation is “a set-up by journalists”.
But she refuses to rule herself out, explaining:But she refuses to rule herself out, explaining:
That’s why some people think I’ve got a big ego, because I don’t say, ‘Oh no, it couldn’t possibly be little old me’. That is what women are expected to do, but if I was a man of my age, with my professional background, people would take it for granted that I might want a leadership role, and I certainly wouldn’t have to apologise for it. That’s why some people think I’ve got a big ego, because I don’t say: ‘Oh no, it couldn’t possibly be little old me.’ That is what women are expected to do, but if I was a man of my age, with my professional background, people would take it for granted that I might want a leadership role, and I certainly wouldn’t have to apologise for it.
But other EU experts are picking up more negative indications. The BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler, has posted a detailed Twitter thread on the Brexit talks. It starts here.But other EU experts are picking up more negative indications. The BBC’s Europe editor, Katya Adler, has posted a detailed Twitter thread on the Brexit talks. It starts here.
Effectively -despite all the noise - the state of #Brexit negotiations has NOT really changed in last three days or so:i) Much as there is huge political will in EU to get Brexit deal done.. /1Effectively -despite all the noise - the state of #Brexit negotiations has NOT really changed in last three days or so:i) Much as there is huge political will in EU to get Brexit deal done.. /1
And here are her conclusions.And here are her conclusions.
viii) Brexit deal deadline this week is fake deadline for EU. Current Brexit extension runs out 31 Oct. There’s EU talk of new Brexit emergency summit end of month but beforehand could come a UK request for new extension /12viii) Brexit deal deadline this week is fake deadline for EU. Current Brexit extension runs out 31 Oct. There’s EU talk of new Brexit emergency summit end of month but beforehand could come a UK request for new extension /12
3month extension seen in EU as far more realistic to get new Brexit deal done. It’s true France is reluctant BUT would Paris REALLY say no to extension request? EU wishlist in priority order: Avoid no deal Brexit if poss, then get legally operable agreed Brexit deal asap /133month extension seen in EU as far more realistic to get new Brexit deal done. It’s true France is reluctant BUT would Paris REALLY say no to extension request? EU wishlist in priority order: Avoid no deal Brexit if poss, then get legally operable agreed Brexit deal asap /13
ix) Depressing reminder: this merry-go-round/ political roller-coaster is about Leaving. This was supposed to be the easy bit. The really hard part comes after: hammering out post Brexit EU-UK relations esp the trade part.. /14ix) Depressing reminder: this merry-go-round/ political roller-coaster is about Leaving. This was supposed to be the easy bit. The really hard part comes after: hammering out post Brexit EU-UK relations esp the trade part.. /14
Bloomberg is reporting that UK and EU negotiators are “closing in on a draft Brexit deal”. This is from Bloomberg’s Paul Dobson.Bloomberg is reporting that UK and EU negotiators are “closing in on a draft Brexit deal”. This is from Bloomberg’s Paul Dobson.
U.K. and EU negotiators in Brussels are closing in on a draft Brexit deal with optimism that there will be a breakthrough before the end of Tuesday, according to two EU officials https://t.co/vqdcE8cfjX via @bpoliticsU.K. and EU negotiators in Brussels are closing in on a draft Brexit deal with optimism that there will be a breakthrough before the end of Tuesday, according to two EU officials https://t.co/vqdcE8cfjX via @bpolitics
The pound has gone up following the publication of this story.The pound has gone up following the publication of this story.
The pound surges after sources tell Bloomberg that negotiators in Brussels are closing in on a draft Brexit deal https://t.co/xeMiQcOlMd pic.twitter.com/tJ6L1OHc20The pound surges after sources tell Bloomberg that negotiators in Brussels are closing in on a draft Brexit deal https://t.co/xeMiQcOlMd pic.twitter.com/tJ6L1OHc20
In Aberdeen Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is delivering her speech to the SNP conference.In Aberdeen Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, is delivering her speech to the SNP conference.
I will post a summary when I’ve read the full text.I will post a summary when I’ve read the full text.
This is from ITV’s Paul Brand.
NEW: Understand civil service chief Sir Mark Sedwill has advised No10 that it would be virtually impossible to hold an election this year any later than 12th Dec. After that practicalities are horrendous - school halls etc booked up for Christmas so no space for polling booths.
My colleague Ben Quinn published a good story yesterday explaining why a December polling day would cause such problems for election administrators.
Uncertainty over UK general election date hikes up organising costs
PoliticsHome’s Alain Tolhurst says the Sedwill advice would mean that, unless MPs vote for an election by the end of next week, we could be waiting until February for an election.
Realistically that means a vote under FTPA before October 24. Doesn't seem very likely, in which case we could be waiting until February-ish for the election https://t.co/24fLGSwBkE
Here is a useful Twitter thread on Brexit from Mujtaba Rahman, the Brexit analyst for the Eurasia consultancy. It starts here.
So I hate to be a #Brexit downer. But signals I am getting this morning from very well placed EU sources is much, much more cautious. Odds of a deal this week - basically zero. Odds of a deal by 31 October? "1%". Why? For all the improved atmospherics, substance is BIG problem 1/ pic.twitter.com/Q5XAL5m23J
Here are two of his tweets.
official says "Good intentions are no good. We need a legally robust text." The discussions I've had suggest a deal at the Council is basically zero. "Can @MichelBarnier report substantial progress? At the moment not." Most likely outcome seems to be one whereby Council will 6/
give Barnier instruction to keep negotiating. Perhaps another Council at end of month as I've argued for some time. But folks I'm talking to - well placed - even sceptical a deal can be done by 31 Oct. So we're looking at full implementation of Benn Act & 3 month A50 extension 7/
And here is his conclusion.
could be in 5-10 range. Ministers took heart when 19 Lab backbenchers called for 2016 ref to be honoured "without delay." But does not mean the 19 will vote for any deal. BOTTOM LINE: a very BIG note of caution. Many on EU side still see delay as much more likely than deal ENDS
Boris Johnson has actually won a vote in the House of Commons. It was on a statutory instrument relating to air quality (pdf), and the government won by 280 votes to 204 – a majority of 76.
There was some merriment in the Commons as the result was announced because this was such an unusual event. “I realise this is a unique moment,” said Eleanor Laing, the deputy Speaker, who was in the chair.
Johnson has been prime minister for almost three months now and that was the first proper vote he has won in the Commons.
Technically he has won one other vote, on an amendment to the Benn Act designed to give MPs a vote on the Theresa May Brexit plan. But that amendment, which was defeated by 495 votes to 65, was opposed by Labour MPs as well as by most Tories, and so it was not a government v opposition contest.
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
There would have to be a justification for any extension, there couldn’t be an abstract extension.