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Brexit: Johnson urged to confirm no-deal still possible in 2020 to gain ERG votes – live news Brexit: Johnson urged to confirm no-deal still possible in 2020 to gain ERG votes – live news
(32 minutes later)
The Tory Brexiter John Baron told the BBC this morning that ministers like Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, have told him that, if the trade talks with the EU do not produce a deal by the end of next year, the UK would leave the transition and trade with the EU on no-deal (ie, WTO) terms. He said: Another “Spartan”, the former Brexit minister Suella Braverman, has announced that she will be voting for Boris Johnson’s deal.
Just over a year ago I resigned from Government over the terms of the deal. I voted against it 3 times. Tomorrow I will vote to support the new deal secured by @BorisJohnson. This is about more than Brexit. It’s about integrity & democracy. Let’s get Brexit done & restore trust
The Tory Brexiter John Baron told the BBC this morning that ministers such as Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, and Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, have told him that, if the trade talks with the EU do not produce a deal by the end of next year, the UK would leave the transition and trade with the EU on no-deal (ie, WTO) terms.
He also said a similar assurance in public from Boris Johnson would help to persuade hardline Brexiters (ie, the core of the European Research Group) to back the deal. He said:
All I can share with you is this: I am doing my best to persuade colleagues, the so-called Spartans who like me voted three times against Theresa May’s deal, to look at this in a favourable light. Because provided we can get that clear assurance, and I have been given it so far by people like Michael Gove and Dominic Raab, and I’m hoping to get it from the prime minister tomorrow, that we will be leaving after the trade talks, if those trade talks fail up to December 2020, on no-deal terms - as long as we can get that assurance, and I think we have done, then we’ll be supporting the deal tomorrow.All I can share with you is this: I am doing my best to persuade colleagues, the so-called Spartans who like me voted three times against Theresa May’s deal, to look at this in a favourable light. Because provided we can get that clear assurance, and I have been given it so far by people like Michael Gove and Dominic Raab, and I’m hoping to get it from the prime minister tomorrow, that we will be leaving after the trade talks, if those trade talks fail up to December 2020, on no-deal terms - as long as we can get that assurance, and I think we have done, then we’ll be supporting the deal tomorrow.
Under the government’s current plan the UK would leave the EU legally on 31 October but then remain in a transition until December 2020, during which most aspects of EU law would continue to apply. Ministers claim that they will be able to negotiate a new trade relationship with the EU before the end of next year, but the withdrawal agreement allows the transition to be extended for an extra year or two years and most trade experts think that in practice this will be necessary because there is very little chance of negotiating a trade deal within 14 months. In an interview with the Irish Times last month Phil Hogan, the incoming European trade commissioner, said it would take him up to eight months to assemble a new trade negotiating team and then “a number of years” to conclude talks with the UK.Under the government’s current plan the UK would leave the EU legally on 31 October but then remain in a transition until December 2020, during which most aspects of EU law would continue to apply. Ministers claim that they will be able to negotiate a new trade relationship with the EU before the end of next year, but the withdrawal agreement allows the transition to be extended for an extra year or two years and most trade experts think that in practice this will be necessary because there is very little chance of negotiating a trade deal within 14 months. In an interview with the Irish Times last month Phil Hogan, the incoming European trade commissioner, said it would take him up to eight months to assemble a new trade negotiating team and then “a number of years” to conclude talks with the UK.
But the People’s Vote campaign says Baron’s comment show that the government is not sincere about wanting a trade deal and that is is preparing for a no-deal Brexit at the end of next year.But the People’s Vote campaign says Baron’s comment show that the government is not sincere about wanting a trade deal and that is is preparing for a no-deal Brexit at the end of next year.
BREAKING: John Baron reveals the NO DEAL promise from Michael Gove & Dominic Raab that is making #Brexit extremists vote for this fake deal. They have no intention of signing up to a free trade deal before 2020. They want the UK to crash out out with No Deal. Please RT:BREAKING: John Baron reveals the NO DEAL promise from Michael Gove & Dominic Raab that is making #Brexit extremists vote for this fake deal. They have no intention of signing up to a free trade deal before 2020. They want the UK to crash out out with No Deal. Please RT:
These are from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham.These are from BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham.
No10 fighting to nail down votes of the 21 former Tory rebelsHad previously been thought most would come overBut now fears these rebels could remain in the high single figureshttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4No10 fighting to nail down votes of the 21 former Tory rebelsHad previously been thought most would come overBut now fears these rebels could remain in the high single figureshttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4
Tory whips balancing actSome Spartans not backing deal yet, asking for commitment to leave transition period on WTO terms if a FTA cannot be agreedPaterson a problemBut make that commitment and the former Tory rebels and Labour MPs will fall awayhttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4Tory whips balancing actSome Spartans not backing deal yet, asking for commitment to leave transition period on WTO terms if a FTA cannot be agreedPaterson a problemBut make that commitment and the former Tory rebels and Labour MPs will fall awayhttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4
Some Spartans frustrated at Sammy Wilson / Ian Paisley Jnr / Nigel Dodds counter-whipping operation trying to get them to oppose the dealOne says Wilson in particular is being “annoying” and is hell-bent on no-dealhttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4Some Spartans frustrated at Sammy Wilson / Ian Paisley Jnr / Nigel Dodds counter-whipping operation trying to get them to oppose the dealOne says Wilson in particular is being “annoying” and is hell-bent on no-dealhttps://t.co/LXj8LW5nu4
The Tory Brexiter John Baron told the BBC this morning that Boris Johnson’s deal could make a no-deal Brexit possible at the end of next year, when the transition ends. (See 11.02am.) The People’s Vote campaign claims this comment shows that no deal remains a Brexiter ambition. It has released this quote from the Tory MP Guto Bebb, a PV supporter. He said:The Tory Brexiter John Baron told the BBC this morning that Boris Johnson’s deal could make a no-deal Brexit possible at the end of next year, when the transition ends. (See 11.02am.) The People’s Vote campaign claims this comment shows that no deal remains a Brexiter ambition. It has released this quote from the Tory MP Guto Bebb, a PV supporter. He said:
John Baron let the cat out of the bag. He admits that he and many of his fellow ideologues in the extremist Conservative faction of the ERG are supporting Boris Johnson’s Brexit proposals only because they see it as the fastest way to fulfil their no deal fantasies.John Baron let the cat out of the bag. He admits that he and many of his fellow ideologues in the extremist Conservative faction of the ERG are supporting Boris Johnson’s Brexit proposals only because they see it as the fastest way to fulfil their no deal fantasies.
Liberty has lost a bid to have an urgent hearing of its case against Boris Johnson over the Brexit deadline, the Press Association reports. Lawyers for the civil rights organisation argued today that its legal challenge, brought to ensure Johnson “acts within the law”, should be heard immediately. But their application for an urgent hearing was rejected by court of appeal judges, who said there was no need for an expedited hearing.Liberty has lost a bid to have an urgent hearing of its case against Boris Johnson over the Brexit deadline, the Press Association reports. Lawyers for the civil rights organisation argued today that its legal challenge, brought to ensure Johnson “acts within the law”, should be heard immediately. But their application for an urgent hearing was rejected by court of appeal judges, who said there was no need for an expedited hearing.
Government lawyers said Liberty’s case does not need to proceed urgently, as there is “ample time” for it to be heard before the UK’s planned exit from the EU on October 31, the Press Association reports.Government lawyers said Liberty’s case does not need to proceed urgently, as there is “ample time” for it to be heard before the UK’s planned exit from the EU on October 31, the Press Association reports.
Mark Francois, the deputy chair of the European Research Group, which represents hardline Tory Brexiters, and one of the 28 “Spartans” who voted against Theresa May’s deal on all three occasions, has gone into No 10 for a meeting with the PM. On his way in he said:Mark Francois, the deputy chair of the European Research Group, which represents hardline Tory Brexiters, and one of the 28 “Spartans” who voted against Theresa May’s deal on all three occasions, has gone into No 10 for a meeting with the PM. On his way in he said:
I still have some concerns about some of the specifics of the deal. So I’m going to go in now and discuss them personally with the prime minister. He very kindly granted me a meeting. And I’ll decided what to do when I’ve had a chance to put some questions to the prime minister.I still have some concerns about some of the specifics of the deal. So I’m going to go in now and discuss them personally with the prime minister. He very kindly granted me a meeting. And I’ll decided what to do when I’ve had a chance to put some questions to the prime minister.
From YouGovFrom YouGov
BREAKING: Snap YouGov poll finds that by 41% to 24%, Britons want Parliament to pass Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. Two thirds (67%) of Leave voters want the deal passed https://t.co/2FZCSNZmE2 pic.twitter.com/PhQ4skIuFEBREAKING: Snap YouGov poll finds that by 41% to 24%, Britons want Parliament to pass Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. Two thirds (67%) of Leave voters want the deal passed https://t.co/2FZCSNZmE2 pic.twitter.com/PhQ4skIuFE
From Sky’s Rob PowellFrom Sky’s Rob Powell
NEW: Brexiteer Mark Francois - who voted against May's deal three times - heads into Downing Street to meet Boris Johnson. He says he "still has concerns about some of the specifics of the deal" and will decide what to do after meeting the PM.NEW: Brexiteer Mark Francois - who voted against May's deal three times - heads into Downing Street to meet Boris Johnson. He says he "still has concerns about some of the specifics of the deal" and will decide what to do after meeting the PM.
The DUP MP Sammy Wilson is urging Tory MPs to join the DUP in rejecting Boris Johnson’s deal.The DUP MP Sammy Wilson is urging Tory MPs to join the DUP in rejecting Boris Johnson’s deal.
Conservative & Unionist MPs must take a stand for the Union and join us in rejecting this deal. Internal & burdensome trade barriers will be erected within the UK without parallel consent from both unionists & nationalists. This is not Brexit.Conservative & Unionist MPs must take a stand for the Union and join us in rejecting this deal. Internal & burdensome trade barriers will be erected within the UK without parallel consent from both unionists & nationalists. This is not Brexit.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, told the BBC this morning that, if Boris Johnson wins the vote tomorrow, the opposition parties should unite to bring down his government with a no confidence vote. Blackford said:Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, told the BBC this morning that, if Boris Johnson wins the vote tomorrow, the opposition parties should unite to bring down his government with a no confidence vote. Blackford said:
If it does go through [the deal], we will be saying to the opposition parties that we have to come together. We have to remove Boris Johnson’s government from office and we have to move to an early general election.If it does go through [the deal], we will be saying to the opposition parties that we have to come together. We have to remove Boris Johnson’s government from office and we have to move to an early general election.
This is a deal that if it does get support in the House of Commons, is going to be devastating for our communities, devastating for jobs.This is a deal that if it does get support in the House of Commons, is going to be devastating for our communities, devastating for jobs.
Richard Benyon, one of the 21 Tories who lost the whip after rebelling over Brexit last month, has confirmed that he will vote for the government tomorrow.Richard Benyon, one of the 21 Tories who lost the whip after rebelling over Brexit last month, has confirmed that he will vote for the government tomorrow.
I will be supporting the deal tomorrowI will be supporting the deal tomorrow
Many of the 21 will be voting with the government. They rebelled because they wanted parliament to rule out a no-deal Brexit, but many of them are willing to see the UK leave the EU as long as a deal is in place.Many of the 21 will be voting with the government. They rebelled because they wanted parliament to rule out a no-deal Brexit, but many of them are willing to see the UK leave the EU as long as a deal is in place.