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| Brexit: MPs set to pass withdrawal agreement bill – live news | Brexit: MPs set to pass withdrawal agreement bill – live news |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| MPs are to vote on the EU withdrawal agreement bill, and Clive Lewis becomes the second Labour MP to enter party’s leadership contest | MPs are to vote on the EU withdrawal agreement bill, and Clive Lewis becomes the second Labour MP to enter party’s leadership contest |
| Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said there is “so much” wrong with the withdrawal agreement bill, much more than before. She says that a free trade agreement of the sort sought by the government would have a terrible impact on the economy and on constituencies like hers. | |
| Mike Wood, Conservative MP for Dudley South, said that he spoke to many former Labour voters during the campaign who said they would be voting for him. | |
| He said the phrase “get Brexit done” did not come from election posters, but from the doorstep. “In those areas that for many, many years have been returning Labour members to this House, the overwhelming sense was frustration,” he said. “People were tired of being ignored by their representatives and Brexit was an obvious example.” | |
| Thanks for all your questions | |
| Here are a few more of your questions answered. | |
| Q: Where can I go to be part of a ‘rejoin the EU’ fight back? I am feeling a terrible powerlessness and don’t want it to become hopelessness. Alistair Levie, bed and breakfast owner, Torquay | |
| There is the Final Say group if you’re looking to try and push for a confirmatory public vote. Details on this are easy to google. A rejoiners group set up shortly after the election too is being run by leadership and membership of the Open Britain/People’s Vote campaign group. It does not have a website so it appears hard to know how to get engaged but as ever, Twitter might be able to provide connections to people who feel the same way. | |
| Q: If we had proportional representation, with the same voting system, what would be the number of seats allocated to each party? Kay, Felixstowe | |
| Some research done by website The Conversation, and not by the Guardian, looked at both the German and Dutch models of PR. They concluded that under both systems the Conservatives would have won the most seats but not an outright majority coming in at under 300 MPs each, and inevitably leading to a hung parliament. The Lib Dems do better and the Scottish National Party do worse in both variants of PR. The Brexit party and Greens would do mildly better under a Dutch system but not the German one. | |
| Hello, it’s Frances Perraudin here, taking over the live blog from Matthew Weaver. | |
| Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth, has been speaking in parliament. She said that parliament had a duty to scrutinise the withdrawal agreement bill. She says that 53% of people voted for parties that wanted a second referendum in the general election and that opinion polls showed that most people were now in favour of remaining in the EU. | |
| Just over 15 minutes left to ask any questions you may have on the general election results and what happens next. Send them in to us here. | Just over 15 minutes left to ask any questions you may have on the general election results and what happens next. Send them in to us here. |
| Q: How significantly will voter ID and the new constituency boundaries influence future elections? Michael, Sheffield | Q: How significantly will voter ID and the new constituency boundaries influence future elections? Michael, Sheffield |
| The need for voter ID could be very significant in my opinion. It was pleasing to see in the Queen’s speech that the government suggested that those who do not have ID can apply for a free local electoral identity document. However impersonation at an election is extremely low which makes this new rule seem heavy handed. The concern is that those on lower incomes who do not have the right documents will be put off from voting. | The need for voter ID could be very significant in my opinion. It was pleasing to see in the Queen’s speech that the government suggested that those who do not have ID can apply for a free local electoral identity document. However impersonation at an election is extremely low which makes this new rule seem heavy handed. The concern is that those on lower incomes who do not have the right documents will be put off from voting. |
| Q: Hi Kate, There is going to be an inevitable push-and-pull between left and centre left in the Labour party for the forthcoming leadership election. What do you think the new leader needs to do to reconnect with lost votes, bearing in mind the policies under Corbyn seemed pretty popular? Nat, 26, local government officer, London | Q: Hi Kate, There is going to be an inevitable push-and-pull between left and centre left in the Labour party for the forthcoming leadership election. What do you think the new leader needs to do to reconnect with lost votes, bearing in mind the policies under Corbyn seemed pretty popular? Nat, 26, local government officer, London |
| It’s true that the policies were popular but that many did not find Corbyn credible as a leader in order to deliver them. A leftwing manifesto may work again but scaled down as voters felt overwhelmed by the significant offer of policies. I think a new leader needs to work extremely hard in building a profile in the north of England and the Midlands. I felt some of the rallies in the election campaign were in the wrong places and there was no visibility of Labour in town centres, high streets and on market days. | It’s true that the policies were popular but that many did not find Corbyn credible as a leader in order to deliver them. A leftwing manifesto may work again but scaled down as voters felt overwhelmed by the significant offer of policies. I think a new leader needs to work extremely hard in building a profile in the north of England and the Midlands. I felt some of the rallies in the election campaign were in the wrong places and there was no visibility of Labour in town centres, high streets and on market days. |
| Even if it does not feel easy, leaders really need to do on the ground walkabouts and take the criticism head on. I think it may be sensible to try and bring a shadow cabinet together that has people with slightly different views from the leader on domestic policy. However, they should not have a shadow cabinet that is push and pull on Brexit. That will be too hard to navigate and it’s been proven that it does not make the public think that there is a cohesive top level of leadership. | Even if it does not feel easy, leaders really need to do on the ground walkabouts and take the criticism head on. I think it may be sensible to try and bring a shadow cabinet together that has people with slightly different views from the leader on domestic policy. However, they should not have a shadow cabinet that is push and pull on Brexit. That will be too hard to navigate and it’s been proven that it does not make the public think that there is a cohesive top level of leadership. |
| You have been sending in your questions about the general election results which I will be answering until 1.30pm. You can share your questions with us via our form here. | You have been sending in your questions about the general election results which I will be answering until 1.30pm. You can share your questions with us via our form here. |
| Q: Can Johnson abolish the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and not replace it with anything else, meaning there will be no local means of an election being called? Jon, 40, administrator, Sheffield | Q: Can Johnson abolish the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and not replace it with anything else, meaning there will be no local means of an election being called? Jon, 40, administrator, Sheffield |
| Yes he can abolish it and plans to do so in the first few months of 2020. It is something of a priority for the government. The previous arrangements of an election being held every five years will come back into force. Even if the FTPA existed, Johnson’s majority means that it would be very unlikely that MPs would try and call for an early election anyway. | Yes he can abolish it and plans to do so in the first few months of 2020. It is something of a priority for the government. The previous arrangements of an election being held every five years will come back into force. Even if the FTPA existed, Johnson’s majority means that it would be very unlikely that MPs would try and call for an early election anyway. |
| Q: What’s happened to the report on Russian interference in the Brexit referendum? Fred, London | Q: What’s happened to the report on Russian interference in the Brexit referendum? Fred, London |
| We are still awaiting its publication although Boris Johnson – after securing his majority – decided that the government is now in a position to release it. Expect pressure to mount for its publication in the early new year but it could still take months. The fact it was not printed pre-election was highly controversial and former attorney general Dominic Grieve, who was the intelligence and security committee chair, said the reasons given were “bogus”. The report was compiled by the committee but there will need to be the election of a new chair and members which could certainly hold things up. | We are still awaiting its publication although Boris Johnson – after securing his majority – decided that the government is now in a position to release it. Expect pressure to mount for its publication in the early new year but it could still take months. The fact it was not printed pre-election was highly controversial and former attorney general Dominic Grieve, who was the intelligence and security committee chair, said the reasons given were “bogus”. The report was compiled by the committee but there will need to be the election of a new chair and members which could certainly hold things up. |
| Some of your questions so far have been about the opposition and a second referendum on Scottish independence: | Some of your questions so far have been about the opposition and a second referendum on Scottish independence: |
| Q: This is the first big majority in parliament in over a decade. How will the opposition now operate in parliament since they are unlikley to be able to defeat the government on any legislation? Craig, 36, works in the public sector, Stirling | Q: This is the first big majority in parliament in over a decade. How will the opposition now operate in parliament since they are unlikley to be able to defeat the government on any legislation? Craig, 36, works in the public sector, Stirling |
| The majority Conservative government is new ground for many opposition MPs and for those who took their seats in 2017. They have never operated in a majority scenario before. You might expect tighter whipping as the last thing Labour needs is to look divided in the face of huge majority votes that pass with ease. When there’s only 202 Labour MPs, every vote counts. | The majority Conservative government is new ground for many opposition MPs and for those who took their seats in 2017. They have never operated in a majority scenario before. You might expect tighter whipping as the last thing Labour needs is to look divided in the face of huge majority votes that pass with ease. When there’s only 202 Labour MPs, every vote counts. |
| You might also see informal discussions with the SNP, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Green on votes and working as a bloc. While they will not be able to overcome the Tory majority of 80, unity between those parties is in the very least a visual message to the public that the government is scrutinised and opposed. There will also be a scramble for opposition MPs to get the chair position on select committees, which is a powerful way of holding the government to account. | You might also see informal discussions with the SNP, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and Green on votes and working as a bloc. While they will not be able to overcome the Tory majority of 80, unity between those parties is in the very least a visual message to the public that the government is scrutinised and opposed. There will also be a scramble for opposition MPs to get the chair position on select committees, which is a powerful way of holding the government to account. |
| Q: The SNP received a larger share of the vote in Scotland (45%) to the Conservatives in the UK (44%). Do you think that Boris’ position to “not permit” a second referendum on Scottish independence is democratically sustainable? James Munro, 53, architect, Glasgow | Q: The SNP received a larger share of the vote in Scotland (45%) to the Conservatives in the UK (44%). Do you think that Boris’ position to “not permit” a second referendum on Scottish independence is democratically sustainable? James Munro, 53, architect, Glasgow |
| Boris Johnson was extremely firm on this in the Queen’s speech when the SNP brought up independence. He is 100 per cent against it and the power to grant another independence vote is in his hands. I think he will stick to this and will not bend to pressure. That does not of course stop the debate raging within the Commons throughout his entire premiership. I do think the first 12 months will be the time for Sturgeon to capitalise on her share of the vote in Scotland and I think we can expect her coming down to Westminster to hold press conferences and meetings with her MPs with more frequency. | Boris Johnson was extremely firm on this in the Queen’s speech when the SNP brought up independence. He is 100 per cent against it and the power to grant another independence vote is in his hands. I think he will stick to this and will not bend to pressure. That does not of course stop the debate raging within the Commons throughout his entire premiership. I do think the first 12 months will be the time for Sturgeon to capitalise on her share of the vote in Scotland and I think we can expect her coming down to Westminster to hold press conferences and meetings with her MPs with more frequency. |
| The SDLP’s Claire Hanna used her maiden Commons speech to warn that Brexit “reopens old wounds” in Northern Ireland. She said: | The SDLP’s Claire Hanna used her maiden Commons speech to warn that Brexit “reopens old wounds” in Northern Ireland. She said: |
| Hanna said Brexit “fed off” people who felt lost and disenfranchised in the political system, adding: “I fear it will leave them feeling much worse.” She also said: | Hanna said Brexit “fed off” people who felt lost and disenfranchised in the political system, adding: “I fear it will leave them feeling much worse.” She also said: |
| I’m Kate Proctor, a political correspondent for the Guardian, and I will be answering any questions you have on the general election results today. I have been covering politics for six years, locally and nationally, and arrived in the lobby at Westminster the day after Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour party. Before joining the Guardian I worked for the Evening Standard for three years as their political reporter, and was the Yorkshire Post’s political correspondent. | I’m Kate Proctor, a political correspondent for the Guardian, and I will be answering any questions you have on the general election results today. I have been covering politics for six years, locally and nationally, and arrived in the lobby at Westminster the day after Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour party. Before joining the Guardian I worked for the Evening Standard for three years as their political reporter, and was the Yorkshire Post’s political correspondent. |
| If you have a question you can send it to us by filling in the form here. | If you have a question you can send it to us by filling in the form here. |
| Mark Francois, the deputy chairman of the European Research Group, said the election has broken the logjam of the last parliament over Brexit. | Mark Francois, the deputy chairman of the European Research Group, said the election has broken the logjam of the last parliament over Brexit. |
| He said he wished anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray, a “happy and silent retirement” after he came sixth in the seat of Cynon Valley for the Liberal Democrats in the election. | He said he wished anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray, a “happy and silent retirement” after he came sixth in the seat of Cynon Valley for the Liberal Democrats in the election. |
| “All I want to for Christmas is not EU,” Francois said. | “All I want to for Christmas is not EU,” Francois said. |
| At the end of her speech backbench Tory MP Rachel Maclean said: “I want to wish everybody a very Merry Brexmas.” | At the end of her speech backbench Tory MP Rachel Maclean said: “I want to wish everybody a very Merry Brexmas.” |
| Labour’s Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) said the Conservative election slogan “Get Brexit Done” was misleading. | Labour’s Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) said the Conservative election slogan “Get Brexit Done” was misleading. |
| She said: “Brexit isn’t going to be done. The challenges of the next stage are infinitely more complex than the first.” | She said: “Brexit isn’t going to be done. The challenges of the next stage are infinitely more complex than the first.” |
| Matthew Pennycook, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, added: | Matthew Pennycook, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, added: |
| Number 10 has released the full text of Boris Johnson’s speech opening the debate. Here it is with a few gaps for interjections: | Number 10 has released the full text of Boris Johnson’s speech opening the debate. Here it is with a few gaps for interjections: |
| Lord Dubs, the Labour peer who came to the UK as a refugee in 1939 on the Kindertransport and forced the government to promise to give sanctuary to some unaccompanied child refugees, has reacted with dismay to the removal of these provisions from the bill. | Lord Dubs, the Labour peer who came to the UK as a refugee in 1939 on the Kindertransport and forced the government to promise to give sanctuary to some unaccompanied child refugees, has reacted with dismay to the removal of these provisions from the bill. |
| Today, Kate Proctor, a political correspondent for the Guardian, will answer your questions about the general election result and what happens next between 12.30 and 1.30pm. | Today, Kate Proctor, a political correspondent for the Guardian, will answer your questions about the general election result and what happens next between 12.30 and 1.30pm. |
| You can ask your question via our form here. | You can ask your question via our form here. |
| Here’s a brief morning summary: | Here’s a brief morning summary: |
| Boris Johnson has called on the British public to discard the labels of leave and remain as MPs prepared to take a historic step towards withdrawing the UK from the EU. Opening the debate on the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill he said: “We come together as a new parliament to break the deadlock and finally to get Brexit done.” | Boris Johnson has called on the British public to discard the labels of leave and remain as MPs prepared to take a historic step towards withdrawing the UK from the EU. Opening the debate on the second reading of the withdrawal agreement bill he said: “We come together as a new parliament to break the deadlock and finally to get Brexit done.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn, confirmed his party would continue to oppose the bill despite calls in his shadow cabinet to move on from the referendum by supporting it. He said: “This deal will be used as a battering ram to drive us down the path towards more deregulation and towards a toxic deal with Donald Trump that will sell out our NHS and push up the price of medicines. We remain certain there is a better and fairer way for Britain to leave the EU.” | Jeremy Corbyn, confirmed his party would continue to oppose the bill despite calls in his shadow cabinet to move on from the referendum by supporting it. He said: “This deal will be used as a battering ram to drive us down the path towards more deregulation and towards a toxic deal with Donald Trump that will sell out our NHS and push up the price of medicines. We remain certain there is a better and fairer way for Britain to leave the EU.” |
| Johnson has claimed he is “absolutely committed” to allowing unaccompanied child refugees to be reunited with their families after Brexit, in the face of opposition anger at removing those provisions from the Wab. Labour’s Lisa Nandy said Johnson had “not earned the right to shoehorn into this legislation measures that are a direct attack on some of the most vulnerable children in the world”. | Johnson has claimed he is “absolutely committed” to allowing unaccompanied child refugees to be reunited with their families after Brexit, in the face of opposition anger at removing those provisions from the Wab. Labour’s Lisa Nandy said Johnson had “not earned the right to shoehorn into this legislation measures that are a direct attack on some of the most vulnerable children in the world”. |
| Downing Street has refused to say whether the government has carried out any analysis into potential benefits of any trade deals with third countries after Brexit. Pressed repeatedly on the matter, the official said: “We’ve been doing preparatory work in relation to trade deals and we will now be able to sit down and have those talks properly.” | Downing Street has refused to say whether the government has carried out any analysis into potential benefits of any trade deals with third countries after Brexit. Pressed repeatedly on the matter, the official said: “We’ve been doing preparatory work in relation to trade deals and we will now be able to sit down and have those talks properly.” |
| Andrew Bailey, the head of the UK financial watchdog, has been named as the next governor of the Bank of England. The chancellor, Sajid Javid, announced the replacement for Mark Carney, who is due to stand down from the role at the end of January after six-and-a-half years in the job. | Andrew Bailey, the head of the UK financial watchdog, has been named as the next governor of the Bank of England. The chancellor, Sajid Javid, announced the replacement for Mark Carney, who is due to stand down from the role at the end of January after six-and-a-half years in the job. |
| The new Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has revealed he was diagnosed with diabetes days before the general election, and vowed it will not prevent him from carrying out the prestigious role. Hoyle, 62, said he had lost three stone in recent months and said he was still in shock over the diagnosis. | The new Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has revealed he was diagnosed with diabetes days before the general election, and vowed it will not prevent him from carrying out the prestigious role. Hoyle, 62, said he had lost three stone in recent months and said he was still in shock over the diagnosis. |