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Brexit: Boris Johnson urges MPs to ‘heal rift in British politics’ in vote on new deal – live news Brexit: Boris Johnson urges MPs to ‘heal rift in British politics’ in vote on new deal – live news
(32 minutes later)
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”. The Conservative MP, Nigel Evans, asks the prime minister what message he would have to MPs representing leave constituencies.
I think you can guess the answer ....
Another Tory Eurosceptic who voted against May's deal x3 https://t.co/CXx2P2ZB1N
The Tory MP, Jeremy Wright, says it is incumbent on all MPs to settle the debate and accept a “good deal” rather than delay in expectation of a “perfect deal”.
Johnson says it is as perfect a deal as you can get in the circumstances, while accepting “there are difficulties with it”.
Let’s knock it through if we possibly can tonight.
Labour’s Pat McFadden says PM is promising Tory MPs the deregulated future they dream off while promising opposition MPs a road to better workers’ rights, interests Johnson rubbished while a journalist. Both cannot be true, he insists.
Johnson says both are possible.
The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger asks how MPs can vote on a deal today when the PM’s Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, was on TV this morning saying no economic assessment of the deal had been done.
Johnson responds by saying the deal has been welcomed by a broad range of people, including the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney.
The Tory MP John Baron stands up and says he will back the deal because it abolishes the “anti-democratic backstop”. The abolition also makes a free trade deal more likely, says Baron.
Johnson - unsurprisingly - agrees.
Another former Tory, David Gauke, says Johnson has done well to agree a deal but asks whether he will ensure that a “deep and special relationship” is agreed with the EU before the implementation period comes to an end.
The PM says the 14-month period to reach a free trade deal with the EU is sufficient even though it is “a blistering pace”. He says detractors said he would never be able to reopen the withdrawal deal or get rid of the backstop (some would suggest he has not achieved the latter).
The Green party’s Caroline Lucas says the deal takes a “wrecking ball” to our social and environmental standards and that is why the PM will not put it to the British people.
Johnson says she has misread the deal, as parliament makes a commitment to uphold standards. He says he hopes standards will be even higher.
Justine Greening, another former Tory, asks if the PM recognises that dismissing concerns of other nations within the UK and communities within England is no way to bring Britain back together.
Johnson says he didn’t mean to dismiss anyone’s concerns. His strong belief is the way to move the country forward is to get the deal done.
He even insists getting Brexit done will give people the opportunity to stress their pro-European views.
Greg Clark, another former Tory who had the whip removed, asks if Johnson will give a commitment that workers’ rights in the UK will never be inferior to those in the EU.
The PM says: “Yes, I can.”
There is a lot of noise in response including someone shouting “Yeah, yeah, yeah”. Unclear whether it is a hearty endorsement of Johnson or sarcastic ...
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”.
The PM responds by saying Wales voted to leave and she should respect that.The PM responds by saying Wales voted to leave and she should respect that.
This was Philip Hammond, one of 21 MPs who lost the Tory whip for backing legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit. 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"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?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.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? 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.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.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 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 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.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.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 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.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.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”.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.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.
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. 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 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.
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:
These benches will not be duped.