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May calls on MPs from all parties to 'put self-interest aside' – as it happened

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Wed 16 Jan 2019 19.56 ESTFirst published on Wed 16 Jan 2019 00.50 EST
Key events
‘This is the time to put self-interest aside’: May in Brexit plea outside No 10 – video

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We’re going to wrap things up, folks. Thank you for following along. Andrew Sparrow will be back in the morning to shepherd us all through the day’s political happenings. Until then, thanks for reading, it’s been a pleasure.

Here is Emmanuel Macron laying out what he sees as the three options facing the UK at this point in Brexit negotiations. Macron was speaking on Wednesday in Normandy after the May’s disastrous loss on her Brexit deal.

Emmanuel Macron’s summation of Brexit: ‘The British people were sold a lie’ – video

ICYMI, as we say on the internet, a group called Led By Donkeys have had some fun in Dover last night, putting up billboards showing quotes from various Conservative MPs on the subject of Brexit, which now seem a little, well, the words “egg” and “face” come to mind.

A busy night on the Brexit frontline. We’ve covered Dover in the historic quotes of the people responsible for this chaos. Britain is a nation #LedByDonkeys.

Get involved 👇 pic.twitter.com/rNGOX5ye2k

— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) January 16, 2019

We’ve got a full story on that here:

Conservative Party MP Tobias Ellwood told Australian radio that ‘it is really difficult to understand what leave really means’. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative defence minister, who is pro-remain, has been on Australian breakfast radio where he said that while the vote was tight it was “a distraction from the bigger question of where we go with Brexit.”

He also has an interesting take on what the no-confidence vote was about, saying: “The question wasn’t about confidence in the government, it was a question of do you want Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister?”

This might be what motivated a lot of Conservatives in their decision to support the PM today, but, needless to say, was not, technically, what the vote was about.

Ellwood says any further moves to destabilise May by calling for another no-confidence vote would be “irresponsible”.

“Let’s say you had a general election, we’re up against a deadline of March 29th otherwise we end up with either a no-deal Brexit, or you have to extend [the deadline]. Why on earth would you call a general election in the middle of that? It’s deeply irresponsible.”

Ellwood said May’s Brexit deal was voted down “not because you have another big idea waiting to slide into view, but because you have different caucuses join together in a coalition of convenience to vote this deal down.”

He said that in his own constituency, he is being asked by voters to “vote for no deal, vote for the Norway option, vote for a second referendum, it really is difficult to understand what leave really means, because it was never pointed out, there was never a manifesto statement that says this is what leave looks like. But we all have to be responsible members of parliament and perhaps step back from our original positions and see if there is compromise so we can move forward and agree something prior to the deadline that is approaching.”

The Brexit drama of this week has led to renewed calls for another referendum on Scottish independence.

The front page of the Scottish National paper has the headline: “Independence is the only way out of this mess”.

Tomorrow's front page: One of the most useless governments in history –yet Corbyn can't even lay a glove on a Prime Minister with no Brexit plan who is propped up by the DUP. It's becoming increasingly clear that independence is the only way out of this mess. pic.twitter.com/ackcmXCHES

— The National (@ScotNational) January 16, 2019

The Scottish Herald publishes a poll showing 56.55% of people think Scotland should have a referendum on independence if the UK leaves the EU of 29 March.

NEW: poll from @heraldscotland shows clear majority of people in Scotland want to have the opportunity to vote for independence if Brexit goes ahead. https://t.co/wz06GlOaHc pic.twitter.com/nJNKNlPwTd

— Erik Geddes (@erikgeddes) January 16, 2019

Good evening, political-people, this is Kate Lyons taking over from Mattha Busby, which means this blog has now come full circle – I launched it about 18 hours ago, and will see it through until we put it to bed.

If you’ve been reading the blog that whole time, firstly, thank you, we appreciate you, our wonderful, devoted readers. Secondly, you must be exhausted, please get some sleep.

But before you switch off for the night, perhaps you may want to send Caroline Lucas a quick tweet. The Greens MP will be meeting with the PM at 9am tomorrow and is inviting people to get in touch with her to tell her what message they want to convey to May in their meeting.

Lucas has said she will tell May “loud and clear” that “the threat of no deal Brexit must come off the table and that there should be a People’s Vote.”

Any other suggestions? @ her.

Meeting Prime Minister at 9am tomorrow

I want to use this opportunity to try to break open this gridlocked process and let different voices in

I’ll tell her loud & clear that the threat of no deal #Brexit must come off the table and that there should be a #PeoplesVote

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) January 16, 2019

In my meeting with the PM tomorrow, i’ll also urge her to consider the role a Citizens’ Assembly might play and to look to the country not just inside the corridors of Westminster.

And I want her to hear your voices too. What do you want me to tell her?

— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) January 16, 2019
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That’s all from me tonight. I will now hand over to my colleague Kate Lyons who will continue our coverage of political developments following events in Parliament today and Theresa May’s statement in Downing Street this evening.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has predicted that the opposition parties will now take the lead on delivering Brexit.

“I think what will happen now is the Labour Party, along with the other opposition parties, and with other members of Parliament, will take the lead in this now because the Government significantly failed to come up with anything they can get through their own party,” he told Peston on ITV.

Its live here if you would like to tune in:

🚨PESTON LIVE with @johnmcdonnellMP, @trussliz, @NigelDoddsDUP, @lisanandy, @BenPBradshaw, @SamGyimah and @JWhittingdale. What next for Brexit and is Britain in crisis? RT and use #Peston to tell us your thoughts. https://t.co/laTgm1YcDe

— Peston (@itvpeston) January 16, 2019

The main takeaways from the prime minister’s statement:

  • She did not mention the prospect of no-deal, which most opposition parties are demanding.
  • MP’s must set out what they want, rather than what they don’t want and ‘put self-interest aside’.
  • The door remains open to talks with Jeremy Corbyn.
  • May stressed the fact she recognises it is her duty to deliver on the British people’s instruction to leave the European Union.

The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has been told that one former cabinet May loyalist has told her she is “deluded”.

‘She’s deluded. She never changes her mind and cannot conceive others might. Or they may not agree with her.’ - ouch, from one former minister who used to stand up for May

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) January 16, 2019

Meanwhile, on Newsnight, Liam Fox has said no Brexit would be “democratically unacceptable”.

"What I wouldn't accept is no Brexit. That is what I think would be democratically unacceptable" - International Trade Secretary Liam Fox tells Emily Maitlis@maitlis | #newsnight pic.twitter.com/KJyApS66gq

— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) January 16, 2019
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Labour’s David Lammy, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign, has responded to the prime minister’s statement tonight:

The prime minister is like a broken record. After two and a half years of damaging the country’s economy and international standing while failing to get consensus in parliament, her refusal to change tack is a historic mistake.

If the prime minister really cares about the national interest, she would give the public the final say over this Brexit mess, with the option to stay in the EU.

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Here are some of tomorrow’s front pages:

The Mail blames “wrecker Corbyn” for not attending May’s impromptu talks.

MAIL: Wrecker Corbyn slams door on Theresa #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/zWBuokpVbG

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 16, 2019

The i reports that the UK is heading for close ties with Europe, according to ministers.

I: Softer Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/bxcIo6DQ3c

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 16, 2019

The Times also leads on Corbyn’s apparent refusal to accede to May’s demand for cooperation.

TIMES: Corbyn snubs Brexit talks #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/e5N6buMpDL

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 16, 2019

The National renews its call for Scottish independence.

Tomorrow's front page: One of the most useless governments in history –yet Corbyn can't even lay a glove on a Prime Minister with no Brexit plan who is propped up by the DUP. It's becoming increasingly clear that independence is the only way out of this mess. pic.twitter.com/ackcmXCHES

— The National (@ScotNational) January 16, 2019

The Telegraph splash on the leaked recording of Hammond’s conference call with business leaders.

TELEGRAPH: Hammond tells business chiefs MPs will stop no-deal Brexit #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/p0ysaZC8m4

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 16, 2019

Brexican stand off, says the Metro.

METRO: Brexican stand off #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/MN1dg4L7yz

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) January 16, 2019

The FT heralds the beginning of May’s search for Brexit inspiration.

Thursday's Financial Times
"May starts search for Brexit ideas after narrow confidence vote win"
#tomorrowspaperstoday#bbcpapers
(via @hendopolis) pic.twitter.com/IAbPONoL2i

— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 16, 2019
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Theresa May’s full statement:

This evening the government has won the confidence of parliament. This now gives us the opportunity to focus on finding a way forward on Brexit. I understand that people getting on with their lives outside of Westminster, the events of last 24 hours will have been unsettling.

Overwhelmingly, the British people want us to get on with delivering Brexit, and also address the other important issues they care about. But the deal I’ve worked to agree with the European Union was rejected by MPs and by a large margin. I believe it is my duty to deliver on the British people’s instruction to leave the European Union and I intend to do so.

So now MPs have made clear what they don’t want, we must all work constructively together to set out what parliament does want. That’s why I’m inviting MPs from all parties to come together to find a way forward, one that both delivers on the referendum and can command the support of parliament. This is now the time to put self-interest aside.

I have just held constructive meetings with the Leader of the Liberal Democrats [Vince Cable], and the Westminster leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru, [Ian Blackford and Liz Saville Roberts, respectively]. From tomorrow meetings will be taking place between senior government representatives, including myself, and groups of MPs that represent the widest possible range of views from across parliament, including our confidence and supply partners, the Democratic Unionist party.

I am disappointed that the leader of the Labour party [Jeremy Corbyn] has not so far chosen to take part, but our door remains open. It will not be an easy task, but MPs know they have a duty to act in the national interest, reach a consensus and get this done.

In a historic vote in 2016 the country decided to leave the EU. In 2017, 80% of people voted for parties that stood on manifestos promising to respect that result. Now, over two-and-a-half years later, it’s time for us to come together, put the national interest first – and deliver on the referendum.

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MPs will stop no-deal, Hammond tells business chiefs - report

The chancellor Philip Hammond has reportedly told business leaders that the “threat” of no-deal Brexit could be taken “off the table” in a number of days.

The Telegraph reported that Hammond said this could potentially lead to article 50 being rescinded – therefore extending the period of Britain’s membership of the EU, according to a leaked recording of a conference call.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond arrives at No10 Downing Street in London, Britain, 16 January 2019. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

When asked for assurances from the head of Tesco that the government would not oppose such a motion, Hammond apparently suggested that ministers may even back the plan. He went on to explain how a backbench bill could stymie the prospect of no deal.

The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce has tweeted:

Another day wasted by Westminster.

No answers on the practical, real-world questions facing UK businesses.

Baffled customers, suppliers and investors around the world.

The people of this country - and the businesses that power our communities - deserve better. #Brexit

— Adam Marshall (@BCCAdam) January 16, 2019
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Here are some takes on Theresa May’s statement:

How many times has @theresa_may sworn blind her Brexit deal is only one on offer from EU? Well tonight she confirmed she will talk to all party leaders, including @jeremycorbyn, to construct a Brexit deal that could get through parliament. Flexibility? Desperation? Pointless?

— Robert Peston (@Peston) January 16, 2019

I stayed up way past my bedtime for *that* @theresa_may ? Grrrrrr.

— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) January 16, 2019

Remarkable that Corbyn, the great advocate of negotiation without precondition in so many peace processes, is now doing precisely the opposite in boycotting cross-party #Brexit talks.

— Matthew d'Ancona (@MatthewdAncona) January 16, 2019

Unpopular opinion: May didn't say much of substance tonight but the truth is, she needed to come out and look like someone is in charge. It's not an exaggeration to say we are in a crisis. People do need reassurance that someone is at the helm of the ship.

— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) January 16, 2019

Theresa May still only talking to Leavers, still ignoring Remainers, still talking about this mythical “overwhelming majority” that wants us to get on with it, still saying it’s time to act in the national interest without admitting that the national interest is to stay in the EU

— David Schneider (@davidschneider) January 16, 2019

The Prime Minister makes yet another statement from the steps of Downing Street. Yet another statement repeating same phrases we’ve heard multiple times. And tells us nothing we didn’t already know.

— Andrew Neil (@afneil) January 16, 2019
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The prime minister says she is disappointed Corbyn has chosen not to talk part in talks, “but the door remains open”.

In her closing remark, she says: “In a historic vote in 2016 the country decided to leave the EU. In 2017, 80% of people voted for parties that stood on manifestos promising to respect that result.

“Now, over two and a half years later, it’s time for us to come together, put the national interest first and deliver on the referendum,” she concludes, before immediately turning around and walking back into No 10.

That’s it. The prime minister has kept it short and sweet, without creating much news.

Full transcription follows.

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May says now is the time to put self-interest aside, noting that she has just held constructive meetings with Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and the Westminster leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru Ian Blackford and Liz Saville Roberts. “From tomorrow meetings will be taking place between senior government representatives, including myself, and groups of MPs that represent the widest possible selection of views from across parliament,” she says.

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