This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/oct/19/brexit-mps-vote-boris-johnson-deal-super-saturday-erg-tory-rebels-labour-live-news

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Brexit: MPs meet to vote on Boris Johnson's deal in 'super Saturday' Commons session – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson urges MPs to ‘heal rift in British politics’ in vote on new deal – live news
(32 minutes later)
It is “nonsense” to say this is the only way of blocking no deal, says Corbyn. Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader says the Welsh are an “afterthought” and he has refused to share impact assessments. She denounces the “billionaire’s Brexit”.
It would lead to a race to the bottom in regulations, insists the Labour leader. The PM responds by saying Wales voted to leave and she should respect that.
He wants the PM to confirm that if a free trade agreement is not done, the UK will revert to trade under World Trade Organisation rules. This was Philip Hammond, one of 21 MPs who lost the Tory whip for backing legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit.
"Before I decide to jump on the prime minister's bus, I'd like to be just a little clearer on the destination," says former Tory MP Philip HammondHe asks for a "proper role for Parliament" in future negotiationshttps://t.co/gQkqnzl6R4 #SuperSaturday pic.twitter.com/EoNw97paZ6
Labour’s Angela Eagle says Johnson has put a border down the Irish Sea after promising he would not do so. Why would anyone believe him again?
Johnson says she is “simply wrong”. We have delivered in defiance of the scepticism of the party opposite who said it was necessary to keep Northern Ireland in the customs union, says the PM.
The Labour MP, Hilary Benn, says the deal will ensure friction free trade for Northern Ireland, why is the PM so determined to deny that to the rest of the UK?
Johnson says Benn believes in a delay to Brexit, which the PM does not agree with. There are reasons for treating the NI border with sensItivity and respect, says the PM.
David Davis says the prime minister has achieved what was deemed “impossible” two weeks ago.
The DUP’s Westminster leader, Nigel Dodds, takes a different view. He says the deal is contrary to the deal made in 2017 that said regulatory difference could only be implemented with the agreement of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The PM says the arrangements with respect to Northern Ireland that have made the deal possible are temporary. He also criticises the idea that anyone should have a veto when the overall Brexit vote was won by 52% to 48%. He also insists the deal upholds the Good Friday agreement.
The PM says it will not remove workers’ rights and accuses Swinson of not allowing the British public a say on the deal by preventing a general election.
He also mocks what he says is the Lib Dems’ lack of influence in Brussels.
The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, stands up and begins by saying the deal removes protections on workers’ rights.
The speaker, John Bercow, intervenes as she is jeered admonishing MPs for shouting her down.
She blasts the PM for not giving the British public a choice on his deal.
Iain Duncan Smith rises and says he will back the deal. He calls on Oliver Letwin to remove his amendment, in order to give the people “a meaningful vote”.
The PM responds by saying it would be a great shame if the opportunity to have a meaningful vote “were to be taken away from us”. He stresses that he thinks Letwin is motivated by the best of intentions.
Bizarrely, the PM begins his response to the SNP’s Westminster leader by congratulating the England rugby team on their World Cup quarter-final victory over Australia.
It’s a great deal for all four home nations, says Johnson. The Scots will enjoy the benefit of their “spectacular marine wealth”, says the PM.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, says the PM and his cronies don’t care about Scotland.
This Tory government has sold Scotland out.
He says special arrangements have been made for Northern Ireland but not for Scotland, despite a majority of Scots voting to remain in the EU. The Scottish parliament and people have been treated with contempt, says Blackford.
Any and all assessments of any Brexit outcome show that Scotland and the whole of the UK will be poorer as a result of leaving the EU, he says.
The Old Etonian prime minister gets some jeers, responding to Clarke, as he refers to the European “elite”.
He, unsurprisingly paints an optimistic view of trade post-Brexit under his deal.
Norman Lamb, the only potential Lib Dem to vote for the deal, will not do so, he has said.
My decision! I hope people will accept that it has been reached after a lot of soul searching and on the basis of what I think is best for the country and my constituents. I hope we can avoid the bile and abuse on both sides which has characterised this debate. pic.twitter.com/hH7nE6lZiU
It is Ken Clarke now. He asks the PM if he would accept that for the last 50 years and all four PMs whose governments Clarke served in believed EU membership enhanced Britain’s place in the world and strengthened its economy.
Like a schoolteacher admonishing a pupil, Johnson says he is “disappointed by the tone” of Corbyn’s response.
Brexit gives us the opportunity to do things we have not had the opportunity to do and people want us to do, including protecting the environment and animals, says Johnson.
He quotes the Conservative peer Stuart Rose, who was chair of Britain Stronger in Europe, but said the deal would be good for the economy.
Corbyn does not trust his own party, says Johnson, immediately after saying it is not the time for adversarial politics.
He concludes by saying the deal will take the whole of Europe forward.
It is “nonsense” to say this is the only way of blocking no deal, says Corbyn. It would lead to a race to the bottom in regulations, insists the Labour leader.
He wants the PM to confirm that if a free trade agreement is not done, the UK will revert to trade under World Trade Organization rules.
Concluding, Corbyn dubs it a “sell-out” deal.Concluding, Corbyn dubs it a “sell-out” deal.
Moving on to workers’ rights, Corbyn warns “we cannot give the government a blank cheque”.Moving on to workers’ rights, Corbyn warns “we cannot give the government a blank cheque”.
It would hammer the economy, cost jobs and sell workers down the river, says the Labour leader quoting Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the TUC. It would hammer the economy, cost jobs and sell workers down the river, says the Labour leader, quoting Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the TUC. He was jeered as he mentioned her name. Corbyn responded by saying she represented 6 million voters.
He was jeered as he mentioned her name. Corbyn responded by saying she represented 6 million voters. Corbyn says he understands the fatigue and frustration in the house but we simply cannot vote for a deal worse than that which was voted down three times.
Corbyn says he understands the fatigue and frustration in the House but we simply cannot vote for a deal worse than that which was voted down three times.
Corbyn says the PM is not being honest about the effect of this deal on manufacturing and jobs. He says a vote for the deal would be a vote to cut jobs all over the country and usher in a “Trump trade deal … exposing our families to chlorinated chicken”.Corbyn says the PM is not being honest about the effect of this deal on manufacturing and jobs. He says a vote for the deal would be a vote to cut jobs all over the country and usher in a “Trump trade deal … exposing our families to chlorinated chicken”.
Johnson says his deal is “a great prospect and a great deal” and urges MPs to vote for it.Johnson says his deal is “a great prospect and a great deal” and urges MPs to vote for it.
Now it’s Jeremy Corbyn’s turn. He begins by thanking parliamentary staff who have come in on their day off to facilitate this session.Now it’s Jeremy Corbyn’s turn. He begins by thanking parliamentary staff who have come in on their day off to facilitate this session.
But he says Johnson has negotiated a deal that is even worse than the original withdrawal agreement:But he says Johnson has negotiated a deal that is even worse than the original withdrawal agreement:
These benches will not be duped.These benches will not be duped.
There is “very little appetite” among EU27 leaders for any further delay, Johnson says, even of “one single day”.
He urges MPs to “get Brexit done”.
He says even if he is compelled under the Benn Act to write a letter requesting an extension, he will never believe that delay is a good idea. It’s time to get this thing done, he says, “to end this debilitating feud”.
“Our National Health Service will not be on the table” in future trade talks, Johnson tells MPs. (The threat of a Trump-led US grab on NHS contracts is a concern for many.)
The Speaker, John Bercow, has announced that MPs will vote on Oliver Letwin and Hilary Benn’s amendment, in which the House of Commons would withhold support from Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal until the relevant legislation has been passed.
If it passes, it would force the prime minister to request an extension to Brexit by 11pm tonight, the deadline set in the Benn act.
Some MPs see it as extra insurance against a no-deal Brexit, in case MPs supported Johnson’s deal today – fulfilling the requirements of the Benn act – and then voted against the withdrawal bill. Without an extension in place, they feared the government could still take Britain out of the EU without a deal on 31 October.
Other backers of the Letwin amendment would like to support Johnson’s deal, but regard it as securing extra time to scrutinise it, and perhaps secure amendments.
Government sources are suggesting this morning that if Letwin passes – as appears highly likely – the whips will simply order Conservative MPs to go home, effectively boycotting the vote on the motion as amended. They are not making clear whether they will request an article 50 extension.
Johnson moves on to concerns around workers’ rights and protections. No one believes in lowering standards, he says, to loud heckles from opposing benches.
Animal welfare standards could be higher post-Brexit, he says.
DUP MPs not looking too impressed as Johnson says his deal is great for Northern Ireland, Sammy Wilson shaking his head
Johnson now sets out the details of his new deal, struck with the EU this week. For those wondering how much it differs from Theresa May’s deal, here’s a handy visual guide:
How much of Johnson's 'great new deal' is actually new?
And here’s a point-by-point breakdown of the key changes:
How is Boris Johnson's Brexit deal different from Theresa May's?
Johnson says his deal allows the UK “whole and entire” to leave the EU, but preserves the ties of friendship and cooperation.
He praises the EU for its flexibility in reopening the withdrawal agreement.
And he says he will listen to all MPs speaking in the Commons today.
Johnson says the UK has over the years been a “backmarker” in the EU, opting out of schemes such as the euro.
He says we have been “halfhearted Europeans”, but adds that this means “part of our hearts” are with Europe.
It is our continent. It is precisely because we are capable of thinking both things at once … that the whole experience of the last three and a half years has been so difficult for this country and so divisive.
Johnson says his deal “can heal the rift in British politics”:
Now is the time for this great House of Commons to come together and bring the country together today.
Bercow says he has selected the Letwin amendment for debate, and also Kyle-Wilson amendment to the second motion.
And now Boris Johnson is on his feet to present his deal to the Commons.
Speaker John Bercow is welcoming MPs to this extraordinary Saturday session.