Parliament Debates Plan to Block No-Deal Split: Brexit Update
Tory lawmaker Phillip Lee announced he is leaving the Conservative Party for the Liberal Democrats.
(Bloomberg) --
Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost his House of Commons majority as he faces a showdown with members of his Conservative Party that will determine the U.K.’s exit from the European Union and the length of his premiership.
Johnson has vowed to leave the bloc on Oct. 31, but his political enemies are fighting to stop him from doing so without a divorce deal. Tonight is the first of a series of key votes in Parliament.
Key Developments:
- MP Phillip Lee quit Tory party and joined Liberal Democrats, removing Johnson’s majority
- Pound recovered losses after defection, having fallen below $1.20 for first time since 2017 earlier
- Johnson’s ultimatum: back down or snap election on Oct. 14
- Vote in Commons expected around 10 p.m. in London on proposal for MPs to take control of parliamentary business
Rees-Mogg Pits Parliament Against People (8 p.m.)
Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg gave a lengthy defense of the government’s position. He portrayed the ruling Conservatives as being on the side of the 17.4 million voters who opted to leave the EU in 2016.
Rees-Mogg accused Oliver Letwin -- the Tory former cabinet minister who sponsored Tuesday’s debate, of “stunning arrogance” for his assertion that the U.K.’s “sovereign Parliament of this country clearly deserves an opportunity to be able to decide whether it will accept a policy of no-deal exit.”
Some 40 minutes after he first stood up, Rees-Mogg wound up concluding that Parliament is setting “itself against the people.”
“Sovereignty comes from the people to Parliament,” he said. “It does not come to Parliament out of a void. If Parliament tries to challenge the people, this stretches the elastic of our constitution near to breaking point.”
Tory Letwin Calls Johnson Strategy ‘Irresponsible’ (7:05 p.m.)
Former Conservative cabinet minister Oliver Letwin said Boris Johnson’s strategy on Brexit is “irresponsible,” as he outlined four reasons why MPs should vote to seize control of the order paper in order to pass legislation to stave off a no-deal departure from the European Union.
They are:
- The government hasn’t produced a “viable” proposal for an alternative Brexit deal, making the likelihood “slight” he’ll secure a revised offer from the EU
- This is the last week Parliament can block a no-deal Brexit, because if it waits until Oct. 14 following Johnson’s planned suspension, there won’t be time to pass legislation and see it play out through any legal challenges from the government
- Without a new deal or a court order for Johnson to delay Brexit, he’ll lead the country into a no-deal Brexit
- The government’s “intentional willingness to lead the country into a no-deal exit is a threat to our country”
Speaker Bercow Grants Emergency Brexit Debate (6:40 p.m.)
As expected, Commons Speaker John Bercow said the emergency debate on whether to give rank and file lawmakers control of Parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday will go ahead. It will last for up to three hours if it starts before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with a vote expected around 10 p.m. This is the first stage in MPs’ attempts to delay Brexit and stop a no-deal split.
All Tories Who Don’t Back Govt to Be Expelled (5.30 p.m.)
Johnson’s spokesman told reporters that every Conservative MP who doesn’t vote with the government tonight -- even those who abstain -- will be expelled from the party. Asked if the same rule would apply next month if the prime minister does get a deal, and some Tory Brexiteers rebel because they would prefer a no-deal split from the EU, the spokesman was less clear.
Asked the same question in Parliament, Johnson offered this answer: “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” an old expression meaning they would be treated the same. That suggests that even without an election, the number of Conservative MPs could shrink considerably before Nov. 1.
Gove Says No-Deal Plans Are for Worst-Case (5:10 p.m.)
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who is in charge of no-deal Brexit planning, said the government’s preparations are designed to mitigate risks, meet “significant challenges” and ensure the U.K. is ready for the eventuality.
Addressing the House of Commons, he said that the planning -- under the codename “operation yellowhammer” represents preparations for a “reasonable worst-case scenario” and doesn’t represent a “base case” or a “prediction.”
A leaked Operation Yellowhammer document last month suggested Britain faces shortages of fuel, food and medicine as well as job losses and disruption at its ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Lee Predicts More Tory MPs Will Defect (4:40 p.m.)
Phillip Lee, whose defection to the Liberal Democrats cost Johnson his working majority, cited bullying from Johnson’s advisers as one of his reasons for quitting. But he said the “straw that broke the camel’s back” was Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s dismissive treatment of a doctor concerned about patient mortality after a no-deal Brexit during a radio phone-in on Monday.
“I don’t expect to be the last person to make this decision,” Lee, a doctor himself, told Sky News. “I haven’t left my party. My party has left me.”
Johnson Pledges to Obey Law (4:35 p.m.)
Boris Johnson said the government “will of course uphold the constitution and obey the law.” He was answering a question from Labour lawmaker Angela Eagle, who asked “if a bill passes which makes it illegal to leave without a deal, will he and his government abide by the rule of law?”
Moments later, Joanna Cherry of the Scottish National Party asked for Johnson’s word that he would respect legislation passed by the House of Commons and court decisions in England and Scotland. He replied by referring her to the answer he gave Eagle.
How Much Does Lee’s Defection Matter? (4.30 p.m.)
Does it matter that Johnson no longer has a majority? Conservative whips must have been counting Phillip Lee as a lost cause for months, and the government was already unable to pass anything controversial.
But losing an MP adds to the sense of chaos around the government this week. All political parties are coalitions of different factions, and Lee isn’t likely to be the last departure this week.
With Johnson promising to expel any Tory who votes against him tonight, he seems on course to lose from the party not only two former Conservative chancellors of the exchequer but Winston Churchill’s grandson, Nicholas Soames.
It’s a clear sign that Johnson’s honeymoon is over. He is, like Theresa May before him, hamstrung by Parliament.
Hammond Asks Johnson to Publish Plans (4.15 p.m.)
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond asked Johnson to publish his alternative Brexit proposals before tonight’s vote, to reassure Tory MPs that he has a plan.
Johnson replied that he’d told Hammond privately this morning that there was no point in publishing plans as long as there was a danger of the government’s negotiating stance being undermined by Parliament.
“As long as this house is proposing motions such as the ones tonight and tomorrow, I am afraid we have no chance of getting progress from our EU friends,” Johnson told the House of Commons. “We are working flat out to secure it, but the measures, if passed tonight, are making the prospects of success less likely.”
Johnson Accuses Rebels of Adding to Delay (4:05 p.m.)
Johnson accused Corbyn -- and Tory rebels -- of holding up Brexit and weakening the hand of U.K. negotiators by seeking to block a no-deal Brexit.
Corbyn is “an agent of further delay, further confusion, further uncertainty for business in this country,” Johnson said. “What this bill would mean is that unless we agree to the terms” of the EU “they’d be able to keep us in as long as they want and on their terms.”
Pound Recovers After Johnson Loses Majority (4 p.m.)
The pound reversed earlier losses to reach the day’s high as the U.K. Government lost its majority in Parliament. This is seen as reducing the chances of a no-deal Brexit by giving Johnson less room to maneuver.
Show Us No-Deal Analysis, Corbyn Demands (3:50 p.m.)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked Johnson to publish the government’s analysis of its no-deal Brexit preparations.
"It’s becoming increasingly clear that this government only has one objective - no-deal,” he told the House of Commons, accusing Johnson’s administration of “cowardice” and said no-deal puts the U.K. “at the mercy of Donald Trump” for a trade deal.
Johnson to Speak With EU, Ireland About Border (3:45 p.m.)
Johnson told the House of Commons that “there is a solution” to the Irish border conundrum and that he’ll be raising possible ways through the impasse with the EU “shortly” and with his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar on Monday.
“There are practical arrangements that we can find which avoid anyone putting infrastructure on the Irish border,” Johnson said. “These have been well worked out and involve measures such as trusted trader schemes, transit provisions, frontier zones, reduced bureaucracy for small and local traders and many others.”
The premier said he recognizes that agri-foods are “increasingly managed on a common basis across the island of Ireland.” He said he’s prepared to find a way forward that recognize that reality “provided it clearly enjoys the consent of all parties and institutions with an interest.”
“It is simply wrong to say that we are not making progress,” he said. “There is a lot to do in the coming days but things are moving.”
The Math of Johnson’s Majority (3:40 p.m.)
Lee’s defection means there are now 310 Conservatives, along with 10 members of the Democratic Unionist Party, who support the government: 320 MPs.
Arrayed against them are 322 MPs from other parties. But two Labour MPs and one Tory serve as deputy speakers, and don’t vote. That leaves 319 voting MPs supporting the government, and 320 MPs on the opposite benches.
But it doesn’t mean Johnson’s government falls. There are 20 independent MPs, many of them uncomfortable with the idea of a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn. So though they oppose Johnson, they may well not act on it.
Johnson Loses Majority After Lee Defects (3:35 p.m.)
Johnson suffered another blow as Phillip Lee, an anti-Brexit Conservative, defected to the Liberal Democrats. Even with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, Johnson no longer has a Parliamentary majority.
Signs Some Rebels Are Willing To Be Won Over (3:15 p.m.)
Johnson has been holding meetings with potential rebels and there are signs that some are looking for reasons to back the government.
One said privately that if the prime minister is willing to assure them that he is genuinely seeking a Brexit deal, then he would believe him.
Another said there are still moves the government could make to win back support including publishing more detail about its no-deal plans and negotiating strategy, alongside letting MPs sit in October.
May Says ‘Wait and See’ on Voting Intentions (3 p.m.)
If former Prime Minister Theresa May is amused at her successor Boris Johnson’s efforts to bring rebels round to his cause -- given that he previously voted against her deal with Brussels -- she isn’t saying it publicly. Looking cheerful and relaxed after a summer walking holiday in Switzerland, she told Bloomberg she wouldn’t comment on whether she might rebel in the vote later.
“I’m not telling anyone how I’m voting,” she said. “Wait and see.”
Johnson’s Outreach Falls Short With Rebels (2:55 p.m.)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s overtures to potential Tory rebels aren’t working with all of them. Former minister Margot James said she’s minded to vote against the government “because the chances of no deal are too great.”
Another former minister, Alistair Burt, told Bloomberg he was in the meeting between Johnson and about 15 other MPs this morning. While he described it as “constructive” -- Johnson gave them a lot of time and both sides were able to set out their positions -- he said some of the differences are irreconcilable and he will vote for the proposal to take control of Parliament on Tuesday night, and then for the bill to prevent a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday.
Sturgeon: Election Seems Inevitable (2:50 p.m.)
Meanwhile in Edinburgh, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reiterated her resistance to Johnson’s suspension of parliament and a no-deal Brexit. An election now seems inevitable, she said, and her Scottish National Party will campaign against leaving the European Union and for another vote on breaking away from the rest of the U.K.
“The SNP’s opposition to Brexit and a right to choose independence will be at the very heart of that contest,” Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament, before setting out her semi-autonomous government’s package of policies for boosting the economy and improving transportation and education.
The SNP is the third-largest party in Westminster, with 35 parliamentarians. Should Johnson end up triggering an election, the nationalists will be gunning for the dozen seats they lost in 2017 to the Conservatives when some voters recoiled from supporting another independence referendum to see how Brexit panned out. The face of that Tory campaign in Scotland, Ruth Davidson, quit last week as leader of the party north of the border.
EU Says U.K. Has Made No New Proposals (2:45 p.m.)
In Brussels, Brexit diplomats from the EU’s 27 remaining governments have been meeting for the first time since the summer break to discuss the latest developments.
They were told by the European Commission’s negotiating team that the U.K. hasn’t made any new proposals to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, according to officials at the meeting. The British government insists that the so-called backstop fallback solution in the current deal must be removed.
The Commission believes the U.K. wants to solve the border issue using so-called maximum facilitation, which would see technology and trusted trader systems remove the need for customs checks. But the EU has said there’s no evidence that this would be ready in time.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s chief negotiator, David Frost, is due back in Brussels on Wednesday and the Commission reiterated that it’s still open to proposals from the U.K.
Pence Urges EU to Negotiate ‘in Good Faith’ (2:40 p.m.)
On a visit to Dublin, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urged Ireland and the EU to negotiate “in good faith” with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“The United States will look to play whatever helpful role we can play,” he said, adding that the U.S. will be open to a trade deal with the U.K. after it exits the EU.
Standing alongside Pence, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said Ireland must stand its ground on the backstop amid a “real risk” of a return to a hard border, and asked Pence to relay that message to Washington.
Corbyn Says Stopping No-Deal Comes First (1:20 p.m.)
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, refused to say if he would order his party to vote for a general election if Johnson proposes one to Parliament.
“The priority is to prevent a no-deal exit from the EU on Oct. 31,” Corbyn said in a pooled TV interview when asked about an election. “Let’s see what happens after this legislation goes through.”
Corbyn said he “fully expects” legislation to block a no-deal Brexit to be passed by Parliament this week. “I expect and hope that every Labour MP will support that legislation,” he said.
Rebel Tories Unconvinced After Johnson Meeting (1 p.m.)
The group of Tories seeking to block a no-deal Brexit were unconvinced by Johnson’s arguments after meeting with him in Downing Street this morning (see 12 p.m.), according to a person familiar with the group.
The meeting was “professional” but Johnson didn’t explain sufficiently how he still has enough time to get a deal before 31 Oct., especially since parliament will be suspended for five weeks, the person said. The prime minister didn’t explain why the government hasn’t yet given the EU a concrete alternative to the backstop, the person said.
The group also challenged Johnson’s argument that their plan to take control of the order paper is undermining his negotiations with the EU, saying he hasn’t convinced them that any real negotiation is taking place. They reiterated that many of the rebels had voted for Theresa May’s deal three times so are not trying to stop Brexit or hand power to Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party, the person said.
Johnson Called Parliament a ‘Rigmarole’ (12:50 p.m.)
A key legal test of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend Parliament got underway in Edinburgh, revealing a handwritten note from the prime minister in which he called the legislature a “rigmarole.” An attorney for a group of lawmakers seeking to halt the suspension said the prime minister’s move shows a “breathtaking” contempt for the U.K.’s constitution.
Johnson’s spokesman, James Slack, told reporters Tuesday the quotes in the court document were selective and didn’t contradict the prime minister’s position: that proroguing Parliament is necessary to supercharge his domestic political agenda, and not about Brexit.
Javid May Be Denied His Moment in the Sun (12:15 p.m.)
Sajid Javid may once again be denied his first big speech as chancellor of the exchequer on Wednesday as a result of Brexit maneuvers in Parliament.
The announcement of a spending round, due to take place Wednesday afternoon, could be reduced to a Written Ministerial Statement, depending on how events play out in the House of Commons, a U.K. Official said.
If MPs succeed in taking control of the order paper, there’s a chance they could not make time for government businesses. However, in previous cases, they have done so, according to the official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, Javid canceled his first big speech, due to take place in Birmingham, and instead said he would be announcing the spending round this week.
Johnson Had ‘Cordial’ Meeting With Rebels: Official (12 p.m.)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told rebel Tories their efforts to force the government to delay Brexit would damage the U.K.’s negotiating position with the European Union, according to a U.K. official, who described the meeting as “cordial.”
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the proposed legislation to delay Brexit is referred to on private Downing Street documents as the “surrender bill.” The official acknowledged that some Tory rebels would not change their position despite Johnson’s attempts to persuade them.
In the meeting, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond disputed the government’s position that a new Brexit deal could be legislated in Parliament in 17 days after it was agreed with the EU, arguing the process would take eight weeks, the official said.
Johnson’s Office Denies Election Could Move (11:45 a.m.)
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman, James Slack, said any general election called by the government couldn’t be put off until after Oct. 14, and that once Parliament has been dissolved, it’ll be 25 days until the vote -- denying Labour claims that once he won Parliamentary approval for an election he could delay it until after Brexit on Oct. 31.
Johnson’s officials have privately briefed any election would be on Oct. 14. But publicly the prime minister has only said he doesn’t want an election.
“The prime minister does not want to have an election. If MPs take that decision to destroy his negotiation position then -- if any election did take place -- it would be before the European Council, which takes place on Oct. 17 and 18,” Slack told reporters.
He also said talks with the EU are serious after the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the U.K. premier’s top adviser, Dominic Cummings, referred to them as a “sham,” citing two unidentified sources. Comments from EU leaders show they are serious, Slack said.
Application Made for Emergency Debate (11:40 a.m.)
The application for an emergency debate on preventing a no-deal Brexit has been formally submitted, the House of Commons said in a posting on Twitter. “The Speaker will consider it later today,” it said.
The signatures on the application include former Tory ministers Oliver Letwin, Philip Hammond and David Gauke, senior Labour politicians including Yvette Cooper and Hilary Benn, the SNP’s Stephen Gethins and Liberal Democrat Tom Brake.
EU Stays Quiet on State of Talks (11:30 a.m.)
The European Commission’s spokeswoman, Mina Andreeva, refused to say whether there has been any progress on substance in the Brexit negotiations. She reiterated the EU is waiting for “concrete proposals compatible with the withdrawal agreement” from the U.K, declining to say whether anything resembling such a proposal has come from the U.K side.
Andreeva told reporters the fact the two sides are talking, which wasn’t the case before the Group of Seven meetings, signaled progress “on process,” while refusing to answer questions about substance. The EU’s executive arm is due to unveil an updated set of contingency instructions to companies on Wednesday, with a no-deal Brexit “a concrete possibility” she said.
Officials representing the EU’s 27 member states are being briefed by the European Commission on Tuesday morning in Brussels about the state of play in talks and preparations for the U.K. leaving the bloc without a deal. The meeting is behind closed doors and diplomats aren’t even allowed to take laptops or mobile phones in the room.
Johnson Meets Rebel Tories (10:30 a.m.)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is holding a meeting with rebel Tories in Downing Street ahead of Tuesday evening’s expected debate and vote on a proposal for members of Parliament to take control of the agenda, enabling them to pass legislation to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
The meeting comes as a second Conservative MP, after former Cabinet minister Justine Greening, announced their decision to step down ahead of any election. Keith Simpson, who represents the district of Broadland said on Twitter: “Decided that months ago but now feel like the first officer to man the lifeboats on the Titanic!”
Attendees at the meeting with Johnson include former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and other ex-ministers including David Gauke, Alistair Burt, Caroline Nokes and Margot James, who all signed an August 12 letter asking Johnson to commit to reaching an agreement with the EU.
Hammond: ‘We Will Have the Numbers’ (Earlier)
Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond confirmed he will vote with other Conservative Party rebels to try to seize control of parliamentary business with the aim of passing legislation to force a Brexit Delay.
“I think we will have the numbers,” Hammond told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday. “Many colleagues have been incensed by some of the actions over the last week or so,” he said, referring to the government’s threat to withdraw the party whip from any MPs who rebelled.
Hammond also said he wouldn’t vote for a general election until legislation to prevent a no-deal Brexit had passed. “My view has been that Prime Minister Johnson has always intended there will be an election, despite what he says.”
Raab: Government Will Not Delay Brexit (Earlier)
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab made clear the government will not delay Brexit again because it “would send the EU all the wrong signals.” He told BBC Radio on Tuesday there was a “lot of positivity” from the bloc’s negotiators.
“We want to get out of this rut,” Raab said. Asked whether the government would accept legislation to block a no-deal Brexit if it passed, he replied: “We will always behave lawfully, but we have been very clear that we will not extend beyond the October deadline.”
“Our intention is to get Brexit delivered before any election,” he said, but added the government “will have to think again” if it is blocked.
Earlier:
U.K. Election Looms as Johnson Raises Stakes of Brexit Fight
Carney Has Last Chance to Send No-Deal Brexit Message to Public
Pound Drops to 2017 Level on Johnson Election Threat: Chart
--With assistance from Nikos Chrysoloras, Alex Morales, Justin Sink, Ian Wishart, Jessica Shankleman and Charlotte Ryan.
To contact the reporters on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net;Robert Hutton in London at rhutton1@bloomberg.net;Kitty Donaldson in London at kdonaldson1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Stuart Biggs, Thomas Penny
©2019 Bloomberg L.P.