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Brexit: Tusk fails to back Juncker as he refuses to rule out granting further extension - live news Brexit: Tusk fails to back Juncker as he refuses to rule out granting further extension - live news
(32 minutes later)
Besides the motion seeking MPs’ approval for the Brexit deal, a separate no-deal Brexit motion has also been tabled. But, the Press Association reports, it’s understood the government did this as a contingency measure as the talks were still taking place in Brussels.
Also, my colleague Rowena Mason has this:
SNP tabling an amendment to Boris Johnson's Brexit deal demanding an extension to the end of January for the purposes of calling an election
The Labour MP, Hilary Benn, has asked government to release impact assessments for Johnson’s Brexit deal ahead of Saturday’s vote, in a letter to the Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay.
And the wheels are starting to turn in Westminster:
BREAKING: Government will move one motion in the Commons on Saturday - for a deal. MPs sit from 0930am. Amendments can be tabled from tonight. There's no cut-off time, so things could run late.
It’s perhaps interesting to note that Johnson spent a not insignificant proportion of his time talking about policies one would expect to see in an election manifesto, as well as deploying the language of such a campaign, rather than about Brexit.
“Take back control” makes an appearance, as does “get Brexit done”.
He also refers to the planned recruitment of more police officers (though that might not be all it seems), as well as the government’s living wage plans, which he says represent the “biggest expansion”. Without Johnson setting out what he’s actually measuring that against, it’s impossible to determine whether or not it’s an accurate claim.
Furthermore, it’s worth putting Johnson’s claims about increased education funding into context. We reported back in March, for example, that teachers have been covering for canteen staff and cleaners in English schools under Tory government policy, while essential funds are raised by parent donations and “charity” non-uniform days:
'It's dangerous': full chaos of funding cuts in England's schools revealed
Here’s the full text of the prime minister’s speech:Here’s the full text of the prime minister’s speech:
This has been a very productive day for the UK in the sense that the European Council has approved the deal that has been negotiated over the last couple of months and I thank them very much again for their work.This has been a very productive day for the UK in the sense that the European Council has approved the deal that has been negotiated over the last couple of months and I thank them very much again for their work.
I particularly thank Michel Barnier and his team, I thank Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the commission, for all the personal effort that he has put into getting this deal done.I particularly thank Michel Barnier and his team, I thank Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the commission, for all the personal effort that he has put into getting this deal done.
I want to stress that this is a great deal for our country, for the UK. I also believe it’s a very good deal for our friends in the EU.I want to stress that this is a great deal for our country, for the UK. I also believe it’s a very good deal for our friends in the EU.
And what it means is that we in the UK can come out of the EU as one United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, together. And it means we can decide our future together. We can take back control, as the phrase goes, of our money, our borders, our laws, together. And we will be able to do free trade agreements around the world.And what it means is that we in the UK can come out of the EU as one United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, together. And it means we can decide our future together. We can take back control, as the phrase goes, of our money, our borders, our laws, together. And we will be able to do free trade agreements around the world.
And we can also build now, after three and a half years, on our relations with our friends and partners in the EU and it will be a very exciting period now, as it were, to get to the positive side of that project; the extraction having been done, the building now begins.And we can also build now, after three and a half years, on our relations with our friends and partners in the EU and it will be a very exciting period now, as it were, to get to the positive side of that project; the extraction having been done, the building now begins.
I am very confident that, when my colleagues in Parliament study this agreement, that they will want to vote for it on Saturday and then in succeeding days.I am very confident that, when my colleagues in Parliament study this agreement, that they will want to vote for it on Saturday and then in succeeding days.
This is our chance in the UK as democrats to get Brexit done and come out on 31 October.This is our chance in the UK as democrats to get Brexit done and come out on 31 October.
This is our chance to focus on our priorities, the people’s priorities: the NHS; putting 20,000 police on the streets; lifting up funding of education across the country; the biggest expansion of the living wage.This is our chance to focus on our priorities, the people’s priorities: the NHS; putting 20,000 police on the streets; lifting up funding of education across the country; the biggest expansion of the living wage.
Those are the things I think the people of our country want us to be focusing on, in addition to Brexit.Those are the things I think the people of our country want us to be focusing on, in addition to Brexit.
We’ve been at this now, as I say, for three and a half years. It hasn’t always been an easy experience for the UK. It’s been long, it’s been painful, it’s been divisive. And now is the moment for us, as a country, to come together. Now is the moment for our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done.We’ve been at this now, as I say, for three and a half years. It hasn’t always been an easy experience for the UK. It’s been long, it’s been painful, it’s been divisive. And now is the moment for us, as a country, to come together. Now is the moment for our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done.
And, as I say, to begin building a new and progressive partnership with our EU friends, with whom of course we share so many priorities.And, as I say, to begin building a new and progressive partnership with our EU friends, with whom of course we share so many priorities.
It’s suggested that, without the support of the DUP, his predicament is similar to that of his predecessor, Theresa May. Is he not simply repeating her mistakes?It’s suggested that, without the support of the DUP, his predicament is similar to that of his predecessor, Theresa May. Is he not simply repeating her mistakes?
Johnson replies again that it’s a good deal that MPs should back. He had earlier told MPs he was “very confident” that, when MPs study the Brexit deal, they would want to vote for it.Johnson replies again that it’s a good deal that MPs should back. He had earlier told MPs he was “very confident” that, when MPs study the Brexit deal, they would want to vote for it.
The prime minister declines to say whether he’ll withdraw the whip from Tory MPs who do not vote for the deal. And he avoids a question on whether he’ll restore it to those from whom it was withdrawn last month.The prime minister declines to say whether he’ll withdraw the whip from Tory MPs who do not vote for the deal. And he avoids a question on whether he’ll restore it to those from whom it was withdrawn last month.
Asked how the deal will help heal Brexit divisions within the UK, Johnson says that moving on from the “extraction” process will allow the country to begin working on determining the nature of the relationship with the EU.Asked how the deal will help heal Brexit divisions within the UK, Johnson says that moving on from the “extraction” process will allow the country to begin working on determining the nature of the relationship with the EU.
Sir Nicholas Soames tells me he hopes the deal will lead to healing - in Tory party and beyond: ‘It’s been a very painful time – not just for parliament, but for the country. Families have split. Businesses have split. The country is split, which is why parliament is split’Sir Nicholas Soames tells me he hopes the deal will lead to healing - in Tory party and beyond: ‘It’s been a very painful time – not just for parliament, but for the country. Families have split. Businesses have split. The country is split, which is why parliament is split’
The prime minister is saying that tying up the deal allows him to focus on other priorities, including putting 20,000 police officers on the streets. He has, of course, been accused of misleading the public over this policy.The prime minister is saying that tying up the deal allows him to focus on other priorities, including putting 20,000 police officers on the streets. He has, of course, been accused of misleading the public over this policy.
He says Brexit has “been long, it’s been painful and divisive” and says he believes MPs will back it.He says Brexit has “been long, it’s been painful and divisive” and says he believes MPs will back it.
Johnson says he's "very confident" MPs will support his deal on Saturday. "Now is the time for parliamentarians to come together and get this done".Johnson says he's "very confident" MPs will support his deal on Saturday. "Now is the time for parliamentarians to come together and get this done".
PM says there is a 'very good case' to back the deal and 'I don't think there is any case for a delay'PM says there is a 'very good case' to back the deal and 'I don't think there is any case for a delay'
Boris Johnson is starting his press conference, claiming the deal allows the whole of the UK to leave the EU together. And he says it allows the “building” of a future relationship to begin.Boris Johnson is starting his press conference, claiming the deal allows the whole of the UK to leave the EU together. And he says it allows the “building” of a future relationship to begin.
Here is an important point flagged up by the political commentator and broadcaster Steve Richards.Here is an important point flagged up by the political commentator and broadcaster Steve Richards.
Junker says talks on new trade deal would begin on Nov 1st inadvertently reminding us that the thorny bit of Brexit is still to come and exposing myth that leaving on 31st gets ‘Brexit done’ . Trade deal much harder and its trade that splits parties. Brexit has only just begun.Junker says talks on new trade deal would begin on Nov 1st inadvertently reminding us that the thorny bit of Brexit is still to come and exposing myth that leaving on 31st gets ‘Brexit done’ . Trade deal much harder and its trade that splits parties. Brexit has only just begun.
Boris Johnson is about to hold a press conference.Boris Johnson is about to hold a press conference.
But I am finished for the day. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over.But I am finished for the day. My colleague Kevin Rawlinson is taking over.
Q: What compromises has the EU made? And what will happen if the UK votes against the deal?
Tusk says the EU has been willing to consider compromises.
He says the EU intends to work towards ratification. This was a clear decision.
He says the EU is prepared for ratification, logistically and politically.
He has “no idea” what will happen in the debate. He goes on:
If there is a request for an extension, I will contact member states to see how to react.
„...but there will always be a place at our table, if the UK wants to join the EU again”, promises the Irish prime minister @LeoVaradkar in the most crowded press room ever. #Brexit pic.twitter.com/Alq3mZsuRJ
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is speaking now.
He says, after the UK leaves, the work on a new partnership will have to start.
He thanks his team. He thanks his most senior officials by name.
He says this deal will provide legal certainty.
He says he worked on the unity of the EU27 and of the European parliament.
He says he very much regrets Brexit. But he respects it. It was a sovereign choice of the UK.
He says he has a Gaullist tendency. He has great respect for the UK, and he remembers what the UK did in Europe’s darkest hour. He has infinite respect for the UK.
In the future the UK will be there.
Varadkar says the transition will last “at least” until the end of 2020. It could get extended.
He says Ireland and the EU’s objectives have been met. Citizens’ rights have been protected. There will be a financial settlement. There will be no hard border. And the all-island economy will continue.
He says the European council has backed this agreement unanimously. He hopes the UK parliament will now back it.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish taoiseach (PM) is speaking now.
He says he has learnt two things about the EU in his two years as taoiseach. He has seen the unity of the EU, and what it can achieve if it stands together. This is a lesson for the future, he says.
And he says he has felt, as leader of a small country, “enormous solidarity” from the EU. Sometime small states like Ireland think they will be swallowed up by an organisation like the EU. But Ireland has felt respected.
He says he feels sad about Brexit. It is like an old friend going on a journey. He hopes it works out for them. But there will always be a place for the UK if it wants to come back.
Varadkar says the UK will always be welcome back in the EU.
Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European commission, is speaking now.
He says the agreement protects the rights of citizens.
The EU has always put people first, he says.
He says this agreement would not have been possible without the taoiseach.
He says the political declaration provides for a free trade agreement.
He says he is happy they have reached a deal, but sad Brexit is happening.
Donald Tusk, president of the European council, is speaking at his press conference now.
He says the EU has endorsed the deal and “it looks like we are very close to the final stretch”.
Why has a deal that looked impossible yesterday been approved? First, because it has been positively assessed by Ireland. And, second, it has been positively assessed by the European commission.
He says the main change has been Boris Johnson’s decision to allow customs checks between Britain and Ireland.
Now we are waiting for the vote in parliament.
Tusk says he feels sadness. Personally he is a remainer, and he hopes that if the UK decides to rejoin, the EU’s door will be open.
Tusk says he hopes one day the UK will decide to rejoin the EU.
The division lists for the vote on the Letwin amendment earlier (see 1.49pm) are on the Commons website here.
Only one Tory MP rebelled and supported the amendment, Dame Caroline Spelman. But nine of the 21 Tory MPs who lost the whip over a Brexit rebellion last month and who now sit as independents also voted for the amendment.
Only one DUP MP voted with the government. The other nine did not. We don’t know if that was a protest against the Brexit deal, but if the other nine DUP MPs had voted with the government would have lost by three, not nine.
The EU27 have finished their discussion on Brexit, according to Preben Aamann, a spokesman for Donald Tusk, the president of the European council. A draft of the conclusions was leaked earlier. (See 4.14pm.)
Brexit EU27 EUCO finished. Conclusions adopted.
Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker are due to hold a press conference within the next half an hour.
Here is one take on how the voting could go on Saturday, under various scenarios.
This @ciceroglobal chart helpfulDUP rebel but ERG + Lab MPs who backed May + indy Cons support: Johnson loses -5DUP+ERG reject but Lab MPs who backed May+indy Cons: Johnson loses -55DUP rebel, ERG support+Leave Lab MPs+Lab MPs 4 deal + indy Cons = Johnson wins +29 pic.twitter.com/RJxsV7978R