MPs in ‘super Saturday’ Commons session vote 322 to 306 in favour of Letwin amendment that would withhold support for new Brexit deal
- MPs put brakes on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal with rebel amendment
- What does the Letwin amendment mean for Brexit timetable?
- How did each MP vote on the Letwin amendment?
Thank you for following the blog today and for all your comments. Here is a summary of the day’s main developments.
Here’s what Gina Miller – who has won two legal challenges against the government over Brexit – said about today.
Letwin amendment win affords MPs a pause for thought. Lots of twist & turns still to come but important MPs focus on:
- country over party
- principles over politics
- scrutiny over blind rubberstamping.
The dishonesty dripping from some MPs lips in the HoC today was shameful
Police are stood round a group singing Rule Britannia, chanting: “Oh Tommy Tommy (Robinson)” and calling for a no-deal Brexit as pro-EU protesters are singing: “Bollocks to Brexit.”
There's about two dozen people chanting in support of Boris Johnson, Donald Trump and Tommy Robinson, singing "Bye bue EU". Insults shouted towards them by pro EU demonstrators. "Are these the Brexiteers?" an Austrian man asks me pic.twitter.com/3EILONMurU
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, also needed a police escort today. In her case it was after addressing the People’s Vote march and being followed by pro-Brexit supporters.
Police escorting @HackneyAbbott as she is harassed by pro-Brexit supporters after leaving the stage of the #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.twitter.com/0plDF0HyF1
Another response, this time from the the taoiseach:
The EU & UK agreed a Withdrawal Agreement on Thursday that defends Ireland’s interests. The Commons voted today to defer a decision on whether or not to ratify that agreement. To date, no request for an extension has been made by the UK Government.
Here is what the European parliament’s representative on Brexit has said about today’s events:
The @Europarl_EN's Brexit Steering Group will consider the outcome of today's vote for the Letwin amendment on Monday. Whatever happens next, the marches outside the Parliament show just how important a close EU - UK future relationship is.
The leader of the house, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has also been given a police escort leaving parliament.
Make of this what you will - protesters screaming and chanting "traitor" and "shame on you" at Jacob Rees-Mogg as he leaves Parliament just now with his 12-year-old son. pic.twitter.com/B8Q5epduqi
The business secretary, Andrea Leadsom, was escorted by police as she left the House of Commons to the sound of protesters on the People’s Vote march shouting: “Shame on you.”
Andrea Leadsom given police escort as she leaves Parliament pic.twitter.com/ALQK7CdCys
Thank goodness for our superb police. Just walked home safely from HoC with their protection - why do the so called ‘People’s Vote’ protesters think it’s ok to abuse, intimidate and scream in the face of someone they don’t agree with? So frightening, and so grateful to the police
Having left the Commons after the Letwin amendment was passed, a number of MPs have been addressing the People’s Vote march.
John McDonnell: "We cannot support this deal. It is now time to revert to the fundamental principle that underlies our democracy. Let our people decide. Let democracy reign once again." #PeoplesVoteMarch
Sam Gyimah warns against the UK becoming a nation run by lobbyists and calls for a people's vote. "Super Saturday just turned into soufflé Saturday. The deal falls far short of the expectations set during the referendum campaign. As a country, we are better off in the EU."
Smattering of applause by the screen on Pall Mall as Ed Davey calls on Remainers to embrace their "Leave brothers" and help overcome inequalities in the UK, before Jo Swinson thanks everyone for their work campaigning and celebrates how the UK remains in the EU #PeoplesVoteMarch
Anna Soubry: "This right wing Tory government is ruthless in their ideological dreams and desires and want to drive through the hardest Brexit possible. The fight has to continue, harder than ever before. The only way through it is a people's vote." #PeoplesVoteMarch
The decision by MPs to pass the Letwin amendment brings the legal action against the prime minister which resumes on Monday in Scotland’s highest civil court into sharp relief.
The court of session will resume its hearing into a request for an emergency interdict, or injunction, to force Johnson to send the Brexit extension letter required by the Benn act.
'I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so'@BorisJohnson says he will not request an extension to Brexit https://t.co/CsFRue9gLipic.twitter.com/vTzQ77atkn
So @BorisJohnson loses again today but is threatening not to comply with #BennAct or promises made to Scottish court. Just as well we are due back in court on Monday & Mr Speaker has just confirmed to me that he’ll sig #Extension letter if court so requires
Proceedings in the House of Commons have now been adjourned after a lengthy discussion about what happens next following the government’s defeat on the Letwin amendment.
Many opposition MPs were unhappy at the prospect of the government tabling another meaningful vote for Monday. It was unclear whether the Speaker, John Bercow, would grant this.
The independent - former Labour - MP Jared O’Mara voted for the Letwin amendment, as did the vast majority of Labour MPs.
Only the six usual Labour MPs voted with @BorisJohnson against the Letwin motion. pic.twitter.com/WjG8MNmgbW
The leader of the house, Jacob Rees-Mogg, suggested there could be a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal on Monday. This was then supported by Oliver Letwin, whose amendment prevented it happening today.
But it is for the Speaker, John Bercow, to decide whether to allow that motion on Monday and he gave the strongest indication he would not.
Bercow: "The apparent purpose of the said motion which ministers are attempting to table is to invalidate or obviate, the effect of the decision which the House reached today. And that does seem most curious or irregular."
Here is what the Conservatives are saying:
#BREAKING: Parliament has voted to delay Brexit again. The Prime Minister will not ask for a delay -- he will tell EU leaders there should be no more delays and we should get Brexit done on October 31st with our new deal so the country can move on. pic.twitter.com/5EE69IuhUO
A spokeswoman for the European commission said it was up to the UK government to make the next move after the developments in the Commons. She said:
The European commission takes note of the vote in the House of Commons today on the so-called Letwin amendment meaning that the withdrawal agreement itself was not put to vote today. It will be for the UK government to inform us about the next steps as soon as possible.
More from the march ...
Here's the scale of the crowd on the streets of London. Demonstrators are demanding a "final say" on the #BrexitDeal#PeoplesVoteMarchpic.twitter.com/G2X65uZBw4
So proud of my father Uwe Kitzinger - probably the oldest person on the march today + central to the beginnings of UK's involvement in the EU @OxfordMail@BBCNews@josh_withey@Haroon_Siddique#PeoplesVote#PeoplesVoteMarch#StopBrexitMarch#VoteTheDealDown#FinalSayhttps://t.co/y1UAgSjBS3
"People of all ages and backgrounds are here today," says Adchana Sivaram, who works in construction. "Brexit affects everyone. The referendum happened three years ago, it was very vague and a lot has happened since then. We should have the right to vote on the deal." pic.twitter.com/gmR58pSyAk
Boris Johnson has until 11pm to send that extension letter to the EU.
I'm guessing Johnson will send a surly Benn act letter but wants a few hours of 'MPs spoil Brexit again' headlines first. Deadline is 11pm.
Organisers of the “people’s vote” march say there are 1 million people in attendance, my colleague Aamna Mohdin tells me.
14-year-old Juliet is out on her first #PeoplesVoteMarch. “Half my friends are from other countries. I’ve already had one friend move back to Denmark because of Brexit.” pic.twitter.com/SABmSig9G0
Dario Mazzola, management consultant, who was arguing with pro-Brexit protesters said: “A true democracy involves open, candid, honest and truthful dialogue
If we cant talk to one another we will have a divided society.“ #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.twitter.com/hlkLhqRM1Z
Here is Boris Johnson’s response to the government defeat on the amendment:
'I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so'@BorisJohnson says he will not request an extension to Brexit https://t.co/CsFRue9gLipic.twitter.com/vTzQ77atkn
You can see how everyone voted here.
The Letwin amendment in numbers. Here's how MPs voted: pic.twitter.com/Vx2QH1AARX
As they go on debating whether the PM can be forced to write the letter to the EU requesting an extension, No 10 is keeping mum.
No10 flat refusing to say if Boris Johnson will write to Brussels requesting an extension
Even more extraordinary, one No10 spokesman suggest they are 'not allowed' to go beyond his words in the chamber. #classicdom?
Just come out of an extraordinary press briefing in which Downing St point blank refused to say whether Boris Johnson will write to Brussels to ask for an extension
This was the reaction on the “people’s vote” march:
The moment when the Letwin amendment passed. #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.twitter.com/Pmy972RRsw
Here is a celebratory selfie by a Lib Dem MP with the Green party’s Caroline Lucas.
We have won the Letwin amendment! This house has NOT approved this terrible deal today. The fight for the #PeopleVote to #StopBrexit continues!! pic.twitter.com/EQ40IyjLpF
Oliver Letwin says he will be voting for the deal with the intention that the UK leaves the EU on 31 October, and can now do so with the knowledge that if the bill does not pass in time, the UK will not crash out.
The DUP’s Nigel Dodds says the party will examine the deal in detail and its priority will remain the integrity of the union.
The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, says the deal is a bad deal and the public deserve to have a say.
The most urgent thing now is that the prime minister complies with the law.
Corbyn calls on Johnson to reconsider what he has said about not asking for an extension.
The SNP’s leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, asks the Speaker what can be done to ensure the government complies with the law and the Benn act.
The PM says it was “pretty close” today and he hopes MPs will accept his deal next week in “overwhelming numbers”.
I continue to commend this deal to the house.
It is an emphatic decision by this house ... The prime minister must now comply with the law.
Boris Johnson thanks everyone for giving up their time but says “alas”, the opportunity to have a meaningful vote has been passed up.
He says he is not dismayed by the result.
I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so.
The government loses.
322 to 306.
Labour think they’ve won...
Think we’ve won Letwin amendment...
Here’s what people are saying about the Letwin amendment vote:
Labour MP texts to confirm DUP walking with them through the lobbies to back the Letwin amendment
Govt preparing to lose Letwin
MPs are now voting on the Letwin amendment.
Michael Gove is up taking a conciliatory tone, stressing that he accepts everyone is acting in what he thinks are the best interests of the country.
But he says those he respects most are those from both benches who voted to remain but now are voting for the deal because it is the will of the British people.
Another Tory who had the whip withdrawn has confirmed he will vote for Boris Johnson’s deal.
I shall vote against The Letwin amendment and for the Deal
As the Brexit debate continues, so do Ukip’s travails.
It has taken steps to suspend its leader, Richard Braine, amid a fresh power struggle within the party, my colleague Aaron Walawalkar writes.
Related: Ukip attempts to suspend leader amid fresh power struggle within party
A man has been arrested for trespass within the Palace of Westminster.
At 1323hrs, officers arrested a 29-year-old man at the Palace of Westminster for trespassing at a protected site.
He has been taken to a south London police station.
Enquiries ongoing.
Just before I spotted Jared O’Mara the police pinned someone to the ground outside Westminster Hall. So you could say it’s been an eventful half an hour. pic.twitter.com/8GBpzb9QDO
Antoinette Sandbach, who had the Tory whip withdrawn last month, says she will back the Letwin amendment.
Making the point that she has voted for a Brexit deal more times than the prime minister, she says Johnson’s deal is “substantially worse”:
I’m not saying much about the deal. I was always taught that if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing.
The Lib Dems’ Tom Brake says the PM is a “colourful Pied Piper” who struck the deal to further his own ambition.
Brake says Boris Johnson himself has said the deal may not survive the transition period and could still lead to a no-deal crash-out.
The Tory MP and former cabinet member Liam Fox says the amendment will not take EU off the table, as the government would be forced to ask the EU for any extension. The only way to prevent no deal is to vote for the PM’s deal, says Fox.
He says the government made a contract with the British people.
It’s a question of faith in our electoral system itself.
The veteran Tory Eurosceptic Bill Cash has confirmed he will vote for the deal. He was a doubt for the government.
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.” #PeoplesVotepic.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." #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.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.
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 #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.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.
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 #PeopleVoteMarchpic.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.”
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:
I intend to rebel against all of those who don’t want to vote to deliver Brexit.
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.
More from the People’s Vote march.
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’m concerned that Boris has told enough lies to enough people to get it [the deal] through.
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.”
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...” #PeopleVoteMarchpic.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.
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.
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 is the beginning and end of their precious union.
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.
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." #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.twitter.com/gLMHc9fhBi
. @RCorbettMEP sets out why he believes Boris Johnson opposes a final say on his Brexit deal #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.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].
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.
This is a Trojan deal for no deal Brexit.
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 #FinalSaypic.twitter.com/lr5jHBNq0L
Marching for our rights. Marching for our voice to be heard. Marching to stop Brexit. #PeoplesVoteMarchpic.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.
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.
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.
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 shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, is unhappy about the channelling of the memory of Mo Mowlam by Stephen Barclay.
Deeply offensive of the Brexit Sec to use the memory of Mo Mowlem in the chamber to urge us to vote to leave the EU. Mo was a passionate European who believed it was in all our interests to stick together. She would never have stopped fighting for us to #Remain#PeoplesVote
The Tory MP Mark Francois says no member of the ERG spoke against the deal at its meeting this morning.
If the deal is passed this morning we will faithfully vote the bill through to the end so that we leave the EU, says Francois, attempting to quash the suggestion that MPs might vote for the deal before trying to force through a no deal at a later date.
The Lib Dem MP Luciana Berger again asks how MPs can vote without any economic analysis.
To laughter, Barclay says no level of analysis would change her mind. He adds that the deal was only done on Thursday and says analysis would be contingent on what’s happening in the rest of the world.
Labour’s Caroline Flint describes the Letwin amendment as “a panic measure”. She says it also underlines that the sponsors of the Benn act had only the intention to delay Brexit and stop it.
Pretty clear that she intends to vote for the deal.
Gareth Snell is one of the Labour MPs the government is hoping will vote for the deal.
Labour MP Gareth Snell says he will support the Letwin amendment later but asks for workers’ rights commitments to be enshrined in the Withdrawal Bill before he will commit to supporting it.
Significant backing for the deal:
One of the most hardline Brexiters is backing the deal. Can't imagine many of the 28 Spartans will hold out https://t.co/6vQlIupvW3
Steve Barclay, the Brexit secretary, says:
We will set regulation that is world-leading.
Alistair Burt, one of 21 Conservatives who had the whip removed for backing legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit, says he will not support the Letwin amendment.
The debate on motions is beginning now.
Stephen Barclay is met by cries of “How dare you?” after he invokes the name of the late Northern Ireland secretary Mo Mowlam. The speaker intervenes, urging MPs to calm down. Barclay continues, saying he was referring to her ability to unify.
But his amendment would render today’s vote meaningless.… The public would be appalled by pointless further delay.
Johnson says it cannot be right to delay beyond 31 October so it is his deal or no deal.
In response to a question about how he would appeal to remainers, he repeats that it is an opportunity for people who love Europe to move forward.
This is what BBC Newsnight’s political editor is saying about the impact of the Letwin amendment.
PM’s language in chamber - and his commitment to comply with the law - suggests govt may well write the letter stipulated in the Benn Act. He told MPs ‘whatever letters they may seek to force the government to write’ it won’t change his view that a delay is pointless
Govt will seek to hold Meaningful Vote next week. Will insert a clause in the withdrawal bill, due to complete all commons stages next week, which includes an MV. But govt knows Letwin amendment only falls if bill reaches statute book
The former Labour MP, Frank Field, says only one vote should be necessary today.
My fear is that the vote we have will not be meaningful.
Downing Street Source: The Government will delay the vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal to Tuesday if MPs approve an amendment which forces the Prime Minister to seek an extension to Brexit
The Conservative MP Nigel Evans asks the prime minister what message he would have for 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.
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.”
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.
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 Hammond
He asks for a "proper role for Parliament" in future negotiationshttps://t.co/gQkqnzl6R4#SuperSaturdaypic.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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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”.
“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.
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:
Related: How much of Johnson's 'great new deal' is actually new?
Related: 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.
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.
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.
And here’s confirmation that the hardline Brexiters of the ERG have broken from the DUP – Steve Baker and Mark Francois say they and their colleagues will vote for Boris Johnson’s deal:
The ERG meeting has just broken up on the committee corridor.
ERG chairman Steve Baker says: “The advice of the ERG steering group and the officers is to vote for the deal.”
ERG vice chairman Mark Francois: “No colleague in the meeting said they would vote against the deal.”
Tory MP Bernard Jenkin seems to be confirming that the ERG will vote for the deal, albeit not wholeheartedly:
This deal is hundreds of miles from perfect. It has terrible elements, but we are where we are. At least @BackBoris has substantially improved it and it now points in a far more positive direction for our country.
The Sunday Times’ political editor, Tim Shipman, quotes an unnamed “No 10 source” saying the government will abandon the vote on the deal if the Letwin amendment – which would allow parliament to withhold its approval until the legislation to implement Brexit has passed – goes through today.
BREAKING: If Letwin passes No 10 will pull the vote pic.twitter.com/RyvdxtV3MT
No 10 plans to send MPs home if they vote for Letwin - but govt will introduce the bill on Monday
Rebecca Long Bailey, Labour’s shadow business secretary, described Boris Johnson’s deal as a “sellout”. She told the BBC:
It’s actually far worse than Theresa May’s deal, which was voted down repeatedly in the House of Commons. It’s a sellout, it sells out industry, it sells out our rights and protection, and it potentially sells off our NHS in future trade deals to Donald Trump – and that’s not something we can condone.”
The protections that have been offered are simply, as I understand it … pretty similar to what Theresa May’s proposed, with the ability for parliament to review any changes in EU law when it comes to workers’ rights and environmental protections then vote on them that is … dependent on a Tory majority, who at the best of times would vote against any improvements in workers’ rights.
What we want to see is a legal lock … so we don’t fall behind improvements in workers’ rights and environmental standards, so if the government was serious about that then they would make more robust legal protections.”
We don’t trust Boris Johnson at all and we need to protect as much as we possibly can, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we were supportive of this amendment.”
MPs present and past have been out and about on the airwaves this morning setting out their positions.
Former chancellor Philip Hammond – ejected by Boris Johnson after he voted for the Benn act – told the BBC he would vote for the Letwin amendment:
This cannot be the final vote today because we do not know the full shape of the package. The Letwin amendment gives us an insurance policy that prevents us having to look at this bill against the constant threat of the government to pull the plug and crash us out on 31 October.
We have to remove any risk of leaving on 31 October 31 with no deal.”
If this deal had been put before the British parliament a year ago, or two years ago, there is absolutely no way it would pass. The only reason the government can try and get it passed now is frankly … people are completely fed up with Brexit. They want it over. They want it done with.”
The PM has negotiated a new deal -something many said was impossible. Today we’ve a chance to end uncertainty to people & businesses; heal the divides & come together as a country; deliver on referendum result & leave the EU on 31st October -with a deal. So let’s get this done. https://t.co/XM79vW4ELu
Sky News reports that Steve Baker, who chairs the hardline Brexiter ERG, has said the group will back the deal today:
NEW: Steve Baker says the advice of the ERG is that the group’s MPs should vote for the agreement
With the DUP definitely against the deal, and a number of the former Conservative MPs who lost the whip last month seemingly onboard, two groups will be vital.
First are the so-called “Spartans”, the most hardline of Tory Brexiters. Some of these have already come onboard, and others could follow – but with the DUP opposed, this is still a finely balanced decision.
Welcome to our live coverage of the vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. The decision MPs make today could determine whether the UK leaves the EU, as Johnson has promised, on 31 October, or instead faces the prospect of requesting an extension from the European Union – and a possible general election.
Peter Walker has written a guide to see you through the day. Here are the key moments:
Related: Brexit 'super Saturday': your guide to the big day
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