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Brexit: MPs debate Boris Johnson's deal as People's Vote march sets off – live news Brexit: MPs debate Boris Johnson's deal as thousands join People's Vote march – live news
(32 minutes later)
While the debate goes on in parliament ...
Kate Willoughby, actor, said: “I believe that woman like Emily Davison and Mary Leigh would be here today because 100 years ago only some women had the right to vote. Today only some voices are being heard in parliament. It’s time for people to have the final say.” #PeoplesVote pic.twitter.com/KNMbqkAwkf
"We've already got the best deal with Europe so why would we give that up," says Becky Wing, from Thanet Green Party. "This deal would put workers rights, animal rights, environmental protections and the NHS at huge risk. We want a people's vote." #PeoplesVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/ezdPlTJZCA
"It's been three years of lying from Johnson, Farage and Rees-Mogg," says Josh from Uxbridge. "I'm here both because I disagree with the actual decision to leave and how the process has been corrupted by Leave EU and others. Every element of Brexit is a complete mess." pic.twitter.com/WVIWDwavFs
The Speaker, John Bercow, had placed a five-minute rule on contributions from MPs. He has now reduced it to three minutes.
Chris Grayling uses his time to pay tribute to the prime minister and urge people to accept the deal.
Grayling also warns the Letwin amendment, if passed, may cause the house to decline to decide on a deal today.
The DUP’s Sammy Wilson made a furious contribution in which he also suggested the party’s MPs would back the Letwin amendment.
Now the DUP's Sammy Wilson is up, and he's furious. Says if the plans for customs checks between NI and GB aren't a hard border, he doesn't know what is. Their effect will be, "we are cut off from the country to which we belong."
BIG: Sammy Wilson of DUP hints they will back the Letwin amendment. That could swing it. #SuperSaturday
More from the march.
Tens of thousands of people here marching down Park Lane #PeoplesVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/ZfmwjZW2Id
"It's going to wreck my charcuterie company, my community and everything I've ever stood for," says Rachel Hammond from Northumberland, whose brother Daniel plays the trumpet. "We need to stay in the EU and encourage people to engage more in politics. We need an informed vote." pic.twitter.com/CceL3L0DyH
"The Brexit phenomenon is in line with a move towards the hard right that we're seeing across the world," says Roger silverman, editor of magazine On The Brink. "There's going to be a great movement of resistance to stop the gains of the last century being snatched away from us." pic.twitter.com/CTpEDUNbfa
"I'm French, been here 25 years," says Thierry Latorre, a history teacher in the Midlands. "I've been paying tax for nothing. It's ridiculous. Now Im thinking, do they really want me? It was long & laborious going through the settled status process, it felt intrusive and unfair." pic.twitter.com/3L3IwDgQ84
Ken Clarke, former Tory chancellor, home secretary and more, says what we have before us is “undoubtedly a bad deal” and worse than that proposed by Theresa May.
But now the choice is very real.
He says he’s worried that the purpose of the convoluted agreement over Ireland was so the rest of the UK could be taken out of the customs union straight away.
The Canada deal took nine years to put in place, says Clarke. But he says all along he has been determined to avoid a no-deal Brexit.
We should support this deal.
Some pro-Brexit protesters have been ushered away from the People’s Vote march.
A handful of pro-Brexit protesters are quickly whisked away by the police after loud boos from those on the march #PeopleVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/jmTVrd5qc3
Labour’s Peter Kyle responds to Theresa May, saying there was a promise not to create a border in the Irish Sea but that is what has happened.
He also says the original referendum was ill-defined. If you want to know what the British people think now: “Ask them.”
The Lib Dems’ Sam Gyimah (formerly of the Conservatives of course) asks Kyle if he agrees that any deal should be put to a people’s vote.
Kyle says he voted for three different versions of Brexit but it’s got to the point that there are so many different versions of Brexit that there is “irreconcilable division” in the house. The public must have a say, he concludes.
Theresa May speaks. She tells a slightly stodgy anecdote about Jonny May scoring two tries for England in the rugby.Theresa May speaks. She tells a slightly stodgy anecdote about Jonny May scoring two tries for England in the rugby.
Saying she feels a sense of déjà vu, May says:Saying she feels a sense of déjà vu, May says:
I intend to rebel against all of those who don’t want to vote to deliver Brexit.I intend to rebel against all of those who don’t want to vote to deliver Brexit.
She says the SNP has a history of rejecting the results of referendums. The former prime minister says if parliament doesn’t back the deal “it is guilty of the most egregious con tricks on the British people”.She says the SNP has a history of rejecting the results of referendums. The former prime minister says if parliament doesn’t back the deal “it is guilty of the most egregious con tricks on the British people”.
If you don’t want no deal you have to vote for a deal. Businesses are crying out for certainty. People want certainty in their lives.If you don’t want no deal you have to vote for a deal. Businesses are crying out for certainty. People want certainty in their lives.
She concludes by saying if you want the country to move forward, vote for the deal today.She concludes by saying if you want the country to move forward, vote for the deal today.
More from the People’s Vote march.More from the People’s Vote march.
Gareth Ellner, 37, dressed up as a Brexit unicorn called “Sunlit uplands”, said:Gareth Ellner, 37, dressed up as a Brexit unicorn called “Sunlit uplands”, said:
I like dressing up and I thought we have been promised the unicorn and I thought it’s right for everyone to get a unicorn.I like dressing up and I thought we have been promised the unicorn and I thought it’s right for everyone to get a unicorn.
Ellner said he’s worried by the events taking place in parliament.Ellner said he’s worried by the events taking place in parliament.
I’m concerned that Boris has told enough lies to enough people to get it [the deal] through.I’m concerned that Boris has told enough lies to enough people to get it [the deal] through.
He is still holding out hope for a second referendum.He is still holding out hope for a second referendum.
We didn’t know what we were voting to. I am ashamedly one of the voters who voted leave because I thought screw David Cameron. I was politically naive but recent events have made me more political active.”We didn’t know what we were voting to. I am ashamedly one of the voters who voted leave because I thought screw David Cameron. I was politically naive but recent events have made me more political active.”
One man pointed to Ellner’s costume and asked: “It’s not a sexual thing?” before taking a photo with him.One man pointed to Ellner’s costume and asked: “It’s not a sexual thing?” before taking a photo with him.
Gareth Ellner, 37, dressed up as a Brexit unicorn called ‘Sunlit uplands’. He said: “I like dressing up and I thought we have been promised the unicorn...” #PeopleVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/vEnvIti8kTGareth Ellner, 37, dressed up as a Brexit unicorn called ‘Sunlit uplands’. He said: “I like dressing up and I thought we have been promised the unicorn...” #PeopleVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/vEnvIti8kT
The former Labour MP Jared O’Mara, who had said he would resign from parliament in September, has been spotted in the house.The former Labour MP Jared O’Mara, who had said he would resign from parliament in September, has been spotted in the house.
Jared O’Mara *is* in Parliament. Just spotted him walking through the cloisters.Jared O’Mara *is* in Parliament. Just spotted him walking through the cloisters.
Breaking: I have just walked past the honourable member for Sheffield Hallam. He is on the estate.Breaking: I have just walked past the honourable member for Sheffield Hallam. He is on the estate.
The SNP leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, says the deal gives Northern Ireland a competitive advantage over Scotland. He says Northern Ireland is effectively being kept in the customs union, which is what Scotland wanted.The SNP leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, says the deal gives Northern Ireland a competitive advantage over Scotland. He says Northern Ireland is effectively being kept in the customs union, which is what Scotland wanted.
This prime minister and his Brexit fan club in No 10 don’t care about Scotland.This prime minister and his Brexit fan club in No 10 don’t care about Scotland.
He says it was “dishonesty and lies” by Vote Leave that brought this country to vote for Brexit.He says it was “dishonesty and lies” by Vote Leave that brought this country to vote for Brexit.
This is the beginning and end of their precious union.This is the beginning and end of their precious union.
Whether the deal is passed or not today, an extension is needed and there should be an election to get rid of this “rotten government”, says Blackford.Whether the deal is passed or not today, an extension is needed and there should be an election to get rid of this “rotten government”, says Blackford.
Former cabinet minister Justine Greening, who had the Tory whip withdrawn, says the house is being given an “impossible choice”. She likens it to buying a house without going inside.Former cabinet minister Justine Greening, who had the Tory whip withdrawn, says the house is being given an “impossible choice”. She likens it to buying a house without going inside.
Greening – along with fellow Tory exiles Dominic Grieve and Guto Bebb – has previously made clear she wants a second referendum.Greening – along with fellow Tory exiles Dominic Grieve and Guto Bebb – has previously made clear she wants a second referendum.
My colleague Mattha Busby is at the People’s Vote march.
An eye-catching arrangement of bottlecaps, some including popular European beers, greets the thousands of protesters arriving for the #PeoplesVoteMarch at Marble Arch pic.twitter.com/sPlQG1x3UP
"There are far more benefits to staying in," says Helen Greenwood. "We live in an area in S Wales where the Leave vote was quite high, but not everybody agrees. The EU ploughed money in to create jobs after the Ebbw Vale steelworks closed. Westminster would never do that." pic.twitter.com/vmOooXbUUS
"There was a vote but I think it was built on media playing on people's fears," says Ozzy Moysey, from Leeds, holding a sousaphone. "There was always an attempt to divide. We should have a second vote." #PeoplesVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/gLMHc9fhBi
. @RCorbettMEP sets out why he believes Boris Johnson opposes a final say on his Brexit deal #PeoplesVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/JpDco9ztvo
Here is Oliver Letwin. He says the purpose of his amendment is to prevent Britain crashing out with no deal if legislation is not passed by 31 October.
He says he will vote for implementation of the deal.
Despite my support for the PM’s deal I do not believe its responsible to make that threat [of my deal or no deal].
His amendment will only be used to prevent a no-deal Brexit, he says.
There’s a lot of love for the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, on Twitter.
Presence, intelligence, integrity, forcefulness; @Keir_Starmer blasting holes in the Government’s damaging plans for Brexit. By diverging from the EU’s rules we’re heading for a thin brutal deregulating future. How I wish he was Labour’s leader. Then they might have a hope.
This is really a quite startlingly brilliant speech by Starmer: Relentless, forensic, logical, aimed right at the weak spots.
It is an amazing speech. https://t.co/U1fe7hLN1i
Keir Starmer’s speech is eloquent, rich in evidence and measured argument, and therefore hugely irritating to all the MPs who have decided that today is the day to throw in the towel.
Starmer says we could end up on WTO terms at the end of 2020 under this deal.
This is a trapdoor to no deal.
He reminds the house that “not a single trade union supports this deal”.
Labour MP Rushanara Ali says:
This is a Trojan deal for no deal Brexit.
Starmer agrees.
Labour MP Helen Hayes said there should be another vote to give a voice to the hundreds of thousands of young people marching for a people’s vote today.
The mayor of London has joined the marchers.
.@SadiqKhan is joining young people at the #PeopleVoteMarch because everyone - not just Boris Johnson - deserves the #FinalSay pic.twitter.com/lr5jHBNq0L
Marching for our rights. Marching for our voice to be heard. Marching to stop Brexit. #PeoplesVoteMarch pic.twitter.com/e6L4ex4SdF
Starmer said Johnson’s argument that he is not putting a border in the Irish Sea is simply wrong.
On the reasons why the government wants to leave, Starmer says:
It’s obvious where the government is going. They want a licence to diverge. Once you move out of alignment you don’t go back. You break the economic model we’ve been operating for decades. Once you do that you look across to the US … and that’s a different economic model, a deregulated model.
He says 10 days is standard holiday in the US and corporate bodies have much more power than workers.
The Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb says he has agonised this week over whether to support the deal. He says we run the risk of “inflaming unionist opinion”.
Lamb, the only Lib Dem who potentially might have supported the deal, released a video earlier today saying he would not support it.
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
Meanwhile, outside parliament, the people’s vote march has begun.
Addressing the crowd at the start, Young Greens co-chair Rosie Rawle said:
We have never seen our future snatched away like we are at the present moment. We’re inheriting a country ravaged by austerity and privatisation … We’re being dragged out of Europe against our will … And we’re forced to watch our planet spiral towards climate breakdown. But today, every single one of us are here to say ’We are not going to let this happen’. While bullies like Boris Johnson and layabouts like Jacob Rees-Mogg drive our future off a cliff, there are millions of young people getting politicised, organised and mobilised.
Park Lane is now shut southbound for the #PeoplesVoteMarch. pic.twitter.com/SeV8R0rNAw
The shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, pleads:
Don’t take us out of the customs union.
He says that is just what this deal does, it “rips up” our close trading relationship with the EU and will result in job losses.
If the aspiration of the government is to have a trading relationship “as close as possible” to the existing one, why were those words taken out, asks Starmer.
Ed Vaizey, another one of the Tory MPs to have the whip withdrawn over attempts to block a no-deal Brexit, asked if the Letwin amendment did not pass and the deal was voted for but the bill did not pass by 31 October, whether that would lead to no deal?
Barclay did not give a straight answer.
The former attorney general, Dominic Grieve, another who had the whip, removed said the Letwin amendment was nothing more than “an insurance policy”.
Barclay said the purpose of the amendment was just delay, “to stop us getting Brexit done”. He says today is an opportunity for all those who want to avoid no deal.