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| Brexit: Tusk fails to back Juncker as he refuses to rule out granting further extension - as it happened | |
| (about 1 year later) | |
| That’s it from us for this evening. Here’s a summary of the day’s main events: | |
| Downing Street and Brussels announced they had reached a Brexit deal to put to the UK and European parliaments. While many Tories are expected to back the deal, the DUP has said it will not and Boris Johnson faces a fight to get it through a Commons vote. | |
| The prime minister predicted MPs would back it, despite the lack of support from the DUP. There was an effort to frame the choice facing parliamentarians as being between the prime minister’s deal and no deal at all, with the European commission president seeming to rule out any delay. But the door was left ajar when EU leaders later refused to rule out a delay. | |
| The Labour leadership indicated it would not back the deal, denouncing it as worse than that negotiated by Theresa May and rejected three times by parliament. It remains to be seen whether some pro-Brexit Labour MPs will side with the prime minister. | |
| The EU’s chief negotiator said there would be enough time to ratify the deal by the 31 October deadline. You can read a summary of Michel Barnier’s speech here. | |
| If you’d like to read yet more, my colleagues Heather Stewart, Daniel Boffey and Jennifer Rankin have the full story: | |
| Boris Johnson plays the numbers game after getting his Brexit deal | |
| Mark Field, the Tory MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, has announced he will not stand in the next general election, blaming a “fractious and febrile” political atmosphere. | |
| Field, who has held the seat since 2001, said in a statement to his local association he was proud of his reputation as a “moderate, consensual MP, invariably keen to work effectively across party lines to the benefit of constituents and communities alike”. | |
| However, such a pragmatic, cooperative approach to public service has been tested to destruction in the fractious, febrile and deeply divisive aftermath to the EU referendum in 2016. | |
| I had dearly hoped that by the time of the next general election these issues would have been resolved. However, it is increasingly clear that divisions over Brexit and our future relationship with the EU-27 will dominate and define domestic politics for many years to come. | |
| Field was condemned by many this summer after he was filmed manhandling an environmental protester at the chancellor’s Mansion House speech. | |
| Mark Field urged to quit as minister after grabbing climate protester | |
| Provides big opportunity for @ChukaUmunna, who is standing in this seat for Lib Dems. | |
| The EU legislature will take its full time to carefully examine and approve any divorce deal for the UK, the European Parliament’s chief Brexit official has said. Guy Verhofstadt has said the process could spill past 31 October, when the UK is currently scheduled to leave the EU. | |
| He has said MEPs will only start their work once the UK’s parliament has passed a fully binding Brexit deal. If that slips past the European plenary session next week, it could well have to be picked up in the session that begins on 13 November. | |
| Any EU-UK Brexit withdrawal deal needs the official backing of both the British and European Parliaments. Verhofstadt said the parliament “will only start its work from the moment that we are 100% sure that the British Parliament will adopt this deal”. | |
| The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, has been addressing his party’s amendment to Johnson’s Brexit deal, saying other opposition parties need to “quit dithering ... and finally act to bring this appalling Tory government down and stop Brexit”. | |
| Boris Johnson’s appalling Brexit deal is even worse than Theresa May’s. | |
| It would be devastating for Scotland – dragging us out of the EU, single market and customs union against our will, and singling Scotland out, alone of UK nations, for a raw deal, with our votes and voice ignored. | |
| The SNP will never vote for this deal, which would inflict lasting harm on jobs, living standards, public services and the economy. | |
| It is clearer than ever that the best future for Scotland is as an equal, independent European nation and the people of Scotland must be given that choice. | |
| My colleagues, Jennifer Rankin and Rowena Mason, have just published this comprehensive look at how the deal was struck and what could happen next: | |
| Boris Johnson gets his deal and a slap on the back in Brussels | |
| The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has labelled the Brexit agreement Johnson’s “sell-out deal”: | |
| The more people examine text of Johnson deal, the more you realise what a sell out deal it is. It’s not just the DUP, he’s sold out virtually every sector of our economy & all those who may have voted to leave believing a deal could be secured that protected their jobs. #Sellout | |
| Here’s a little more reaction from Labour MPs: | |
| Now I have read the deal set out by the Prime Minister, I can confirm there is no way that I can support it. It’s worse than May’s deal, cuts our environment, workers and civic rights, puts responsibility for a border into the hands of the NI Assembly which hasn’t met for 3 years | |
| Johnson's deal will be a disaster for working people - it will shrink the economy, make trade more expensive and hit the poorest in the UK the hardest. I will vote against this botched deal but I call on the Prime Minister to do the right thing - to give the people a final say. | |
| This 👇 https://t.co/9n98ZZTqbm | |
| Walthamstow today’s Brexit update for you on Thursday 17th October - basically PM has agreed a hard brexit and that’s what’s on the table for parliament to vote on this Saturday (spoiler I think it’s terrible so no… https://t.co/iIqPmSO40B | |
| Of course, it is to the likes of Sir Kevin Barron, Rosie Cooper, Jim Fitzpatrick, Caroline Flint and John Mann – Labour MPs who have previously backed a Brexit deal in the Commons – that Johnson will look for support. | |
| It seems clear that the DUP will not only decline to support the deal, they will vote against it. This from Sky News’ David Blevins and Antonello Guerrera, of Italy’s la Repubblica newspaper: | It seems clear that the DUP will not only decline to support the deal, they will vote against it. This from Sky News’ David Blevins and Antonello Guerrera, of Italy’s la Repubblica newspaper: |
| DUP leader Arlene Foster tells @SkyNews: “We are not going to vote for this on Saturday but... Saturday is not the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end.” #Brexit | DUP leader Arlene Foster tells @SkyNews: “We are not going to vote for this on Saturday but... Saturday is not the end. It’s not even the beginning of the end.” #Brexit |
| BREAKING. DUP's Sammy Wilson tells me that DUP are certainly "voting AGAINST" Johnson's #Brexit deal - NOT abstain - and that all 10 DUP MPs are united in their cause: "We are SOLID as the ROCK of GIBRALTAR".More tonight/tomorrow in @repubblica | BREAKING. DUP's Sammy Wilson tells me that DUP are certainly "voting AGAINST" Johnson's #Brexit deal - NOT abstain - and that all 10 DUP MPs are united in their cause: "We are SOLID as the ROCK of GIBRALTAR".More tonight/tomorrow in @repubblica |
| My colleague, Lisa O’Carroll, has put together this handy explainer on what, exactly, Johnson’s deal entails. The key sentence: | My colleague, Lisa O’Carroll, has put together this handy explainer on what, exactly, Johnson’s deal entails. The key sentence: |
| Overall, the backstop has essentially been replaced by a full stop whereby Northern Ireland remains aligned to the EU from the end of the transition period for at least four years. | Overall, the backstop has essentially been replaced by a full stop whereby Northern Ireland remains aligned to the EU from the end of the transition period for at least four years. |
| How is Boris Johnson's Brexit deal different from Theresa May's? | How is Boris Johnson's Brexit deal different from Theresa May's? |
| 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. | 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: | 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 | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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”. | “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. | 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: | 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 | '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. |