Afternoon summary
- Jeremy Corbyn has claimed that the Brexit vote showed the need for a new, interventionist approach to running the economy. In one of the most detailed speeches he has given on the economy since becoming Labour leader, he linked the vote in the EU referendum with his longstanding belief that neoliberal economics are failing by claiming that the leave vote was a “decisive rejection” of the status quo. The current system meant “poverty pay, zero-hours contracts and lives ruined by a shortage of affordable homes”. Corbyn said that people could no longer rely on free trade and free markets alone to deliver prosperity.
Our heavily-indebted societies are more vulnerable to financial shocks than they were.
All of this presents a deep challenge to the social democratic and socialist tradition that Labour, New or Old, has always been a part of.
It punctures the old belief that it was possible simply to redistribute the proceeds a growing economy to pay for public services.
It can no longer credibly be argued, for the majority of people, that free trade and free markets alone will deliver increased prosperity.
Corbyn said that governments all over the world were becoming more interventionist and he said it was “unpardonable folly” for the Tories to press ahead with cuts. Giving several examples of how this might happen, he said Labour would focus on investment. This would involve a new approach to enforcing free market rules, he went on, singling out EU state aid rules as a particular issue.
Any deal with the EU must recognise that the old state aid rules are no longer valid.
When governments across the world are intervening, it makes no sense to tie a government’s hands here.
Later, in response to a question, Corbyn said that he was not saying Britain should reject a trade deal with the EU after Brexit if it involved accepting state aid rules; he just wanted Britain to be able to adopt a flexible approach to state aid, as Germany, France and Italy seem to be allowed to do, he said. But he did say that under Labour the government would insist on using British steel for infrastructure projects.
- John McDonnell has said the Corbyn team has apologised for the release of the list of anti-Corbyn MPs. (See 2.46pm.)
- Damian Green, the work and pensions secretary, has announced that “supported accommodation” will be exempt from housing benefit cuts. The exemption will last until 2019, at which point a new funding model will ensure that the sector continues to be funded at current levels, he said. “Supported accommodation” is housing for vulnerable people with particular needs, like people with learning disabilities or addiction problems or women seeking refuge from domestic violence, and campaigners have been arguing for months that, without an exemption from the housing benefit cuts, many of these establishments could be forced to close.
That’s all from me for today.
Tomorrow I will be blogging from the Ukip conference in Bournemouth.
Updated
Anna Turley, one of the Labour MPs named on the list of anti-Corbyn MPs released by the Corbyn camp, has just told Sky News that she appreciates John McDonnell’s apology.
Corbyn and McDonnell's Q&A - Summary
Here are the key Labour-related points from the Q&A. I will post a separate summary from the speech later, taking in replies to the speech-related questions.
- Jeremy Corbyn said he was confident he would have a “full team” of shadow ministers in place after the leadership election. At the moment dozens of shadow ministerial posts remain unfilled because so many MPs resigned, but Corbyn said that the party was now “coming together” and he implied that shadow frontbenchers who resigned would come back.
I’m very keen on providing olive branches, and indeed a number of olive branches have been offered to me. As a practical start for this I’m growing an olive tree on the balcony of my office and it’s doing very, very well. It’s thriving.
So I’m very confident we are as a party coming together. And I’m obviously having discussions with lots of colleagues. And there will be a full team in place to take on this government and provide very effective opposition.
- John McDonnell said the Corbyn team has apologised for the release of the list of anti-Corbyn MPs. Asked if it was right to release it, he said:
We will be meeting with all our MPs on any of the issues of concern to them, of course we will. That release came from the campaign. It didn’t come from Jeremy. And we’ve apologised. It was just inappropriate. One of our researchers saw a bit of incoming flak and then did a list of all the statements that have been made by other MPs, some of which were not particularly kind, let’s put it that way. It was a briefing note. It shouldn’t have gone out. And we apologised for that.
It certainly was not a list in any way to attack anyone. It was just a factual report.
McDonnell said that he was “absolutely furious” about the release of the list because the Corbyn team are “rebuilding relations” with Corbyn’s critics. He says almost the whole PLP (parliamentary Labour party) backed Corbyn’s stance in PMQs yesterday on grammar schools. He said:
The thing about last night, that going out, it just set us back. And I was furious about that, to be frank, absolutely furious. And just at a time when we were rebuilding relations. I hope it hasn’t set us back. And we will certainly have a conversation with all those involved.
- Corbyn said he never resorted to using abusive comments himself.
I, as you know, never abuse anybody, tempting as it sometimes is. And I don’t respond to unkind remarks that I understand are sometimes thrown in my direction because I believe politics is far too important for that.
- McDonnell insisted that a comment he was recorded making in 2013 saying that as Marxist he approved of the financial crash was a joke.
It was a joke. I think I also said the bankers have done more to undermine capitalism than anything the SWP have done in the last 40 years. I think it was taken as a joke and, if you listen to the tape, people fell about laughing as a result.
Updated
Q: What are your Brexit plans? Do you want full EEA membership?
Corbyn says he has been clear that environmental and worker protection issues are very important. They should be included in UK law.
He is also very clear that the UK has a very close economic relationship with Europe. There has to be an agreement on market access, he says. Hopefully that will be part of a single market?
He says Emily Thornberry has meetings in Europe on this. And he is meeting Martin Shulz, the president of the European parliament, next week, he says.
Q: Are you happy with the Hinkley Point decision? And what do you think of the preferential share idea?
McDonnell says he has not seen the detail. He says Labour think the finances are disappointing. But they also want to maximise the chances of getting British jobs.
And that’s it. I will post a summary shortly.
Q: You say any single market deal must recognise state intervention. Does that mean Labour MPs would veto a Brexit deal if it maintained state aid rules?
Corbyn says this government has used state aid rules defensively. But other EU governments have not felt themselves constrained by state aid rules. Whatever relationship we have with the EU, we must not sign up to something that constrains governments, he says. He wants the UK to be able to have a strong manufacturing base like Germany and France.
McDonnell says this would not be a deal breaker. He says Labour just wants the same flexibilities that other countries have exercised.
Q: Are you confident that Labour MPs will return to the front bench if you win the leadership?
Corbyn says he is very keen to offer olive branches. He is growing an olive tree on the balcony of his office. It is thriving, he says. He is confident the party is coming together. A full team will be in place.
Corbyn says he never abuses anyone. He thinks it is important to be positive.
We have a week left of the campaign, he says. In every event he does, he will say the Labour party must come together to oppose austerity, build homes and promote investment.
McDonnell apologises for the release of the list of anti-Corbyn MPs
Q: Neil Coyle said he would like to sue you about the list of supposedly abusive MPs. Was it right to release it?
McDonnell says he and Corbyn will be meeting with MPs. We apologise, he says. He says someone on the press team saw criticism coming in. They drew up a list to make the point that Corbyn’s opponents have been harsh too.
He says he wants the party to come together.
He says he was “furious” about the list because it set the Corbyn team back.
- McDonnell apologises for the release of the list of anti-Corbyn MPs.
Q: [To McDonnell] You said as a Marxist you welcomed the crash. Do you stand by that?
It was a joke, says McDonnell.
Corbyn's Q&A
Corbyn is now taking questions.
Q: Would you take BT Openreach into the public sector?
John McDonnell, who is with Corbyn, answers. He says his priority would be to get investment into broadband.
Corbyn confirms his interest in a universal basic income.
And he proposed a right to own for workers.
Labour will look to create a “Right to Own”, giving workers facing a change of ownership or closure of a firm the first refusal in putting together a worker-owned alternative.
The regional development banks will be given the task … alongside assisting small businesses generally … of providing the finance to make worker ownership and co-operative ownership a reality across our economy.
I want to see local councils building on the example of Preston, where a focus on using local government procurement … has helped support the local economy with real investment and sustain co-operative local enterprises.
But we can go further than this … I want to see a new, co-operatively owned ‘British Mittelstand’ created: high-investment, high-productivity smaller firms that provide high-quality employment in those sectors where we have the greatest potential: digital technology, healthcare, high-value added manufacturing.
Corbyn says the rich need to pay more tax.
Senior members of my party used to say they were, and I quote: “intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich as long as they pay their taxes”.
The problem was that while those in my party were relaxing many of those “filthy rich” were not paying the taxes they should have been.
Instead, I want to be relaxed in the knowledge that our fellow citizens are living rich lives, and for our economy to be working for people. And not working against them.
And he says he would look at measures to curb executive pay.
Oxfam has raised the issue of pay ratios this week and should not be ignored by politicians.
This is something I am extremely interested in and we’ll be looking at ways to address the huge disparity in executive pay compared to ordinary workers.
Corbyn says Labour would tighten up the takeover code
Corbyn says he would tighten up the takeover code.
We’ll tighten up the Takeover Code … so that it takes better account of the impact on current employees and pensions … We want to see clear plans to support both, before takeovers can be allowed through.
- Corbyn says Labour would tighten up the takeover code.
Corbyn proposes a “Philip Green” law to counter asset-stripping
Corbyn says he would extend and strengthen collective bargaining, and abolish employment tribunal fees.
And he proposes a “Philip Green law”.
I’ve called for a “Philip Green Law” that would bar asset-strippers like Green from loading companies up with excessive debt, and paying excessive dividends.
- Corbyn proposes a “Philip Green” law to counter asset-stripping.
Corbyn says Labour would insist on the use of British steel in infrastructure projects.
We will insist, as part of our infrastructure investment programme, that high-quality British-sourced steel is used.
And we will make sure that all suppliers pay at least the Living Wage and recognise trade unions
One recent study suggested that even a 1 percent increase in UK government procurement … in essential industries like steel and chemical can produce a 19,000 jobs boost.
Corbyn says old state aid rules 'are no longer valid'
Corbyn says Labour would introduce a comprehensive industrial strategy.
We cannot be afraid of intervening directly to support supply chains and new industries.
Any deal with the EU must recognise that the old state aid rules are no longer valid.
When governments across the world are intervening, it makes no sense to tie a government’s hands here.
The evidence is clear that strategic, careful interventions can make a difference.
- Corbyn says old state aid rules “are no longer valid”.
Corbyn says he is delighted London has a Labour mayor. He says he has often agreed with him, but sometimes hasn’t. (That seems to be a reference to Sadiq Khan backing Owen Smith.) But Corbyn says he will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Khan in protecting London from Brexit.
Corbyn says he would create a national education service.
And Labour would invest more in scientific research.
I want to see this country move towards the OECD target of 3% of GDP spent on scientific research, from all sources.
We can start by doubling energy research, in line with the recommendations of Nicholas Stern and others, overturning what has been a 95% decline in energy research spending since the 1970s.
Corbyn says the UK economy needs higher skills, and better digital infrastructure.
Labour would deliver superfast broadband to every part of the country, he says.
The turnover of Cornwall’s digital sector grew 153% in the last year, well ahead of London. The local press have started saying Cornwall can be “Britain’s Silicon Valley”.
This is on the back of a £136m EU-funded scheme to introduce high-speed broadband.
That’s how we can start to turn around those parts of our country that have suffered underinvestment for too long.
Corbyn says governments around the world are becoming more interventionist
Corbyn says governments across the world are becoming more interventionist.
Governments across the world are breaking with the old model, and choosing to intervene in their economies.
When the steel crisis broke, as cheap steel - mainly from China - flooded the world market and undermined their domestic industries … major governments chose to intervene.
The US pushed up tariffs on imported steel to 266% in some cases.
Italy moved to nationalise a steel producer. Germany increased its subsidies.
The EU as a whole attempted to introduce sharp tariff increases.
They were, however, held back by our own government, which clung to the old free-market dogma ...
The lesson here is simple: Successful economies need governments prepared to back them up.
Good business needs good government, not no government.
- Corbyn says governments around the world are becoming more interventionist.
Corbyn says the old rules of globalisation are being rewritten.
After years of plant closures and steady employment decline, one in six UK manufacturers report bringing some production back into the UK.
This is “re-shoring”, driven by the need for sophisticated manufacturers to locate close to their markets and draw on highly-skilled labour.
The economies that are navigating this switch successfully … are not the ones where governments are taking the hands-off approach.
Corbyn says, if we want high-quality public services, we must have a high-quality economy.
We’ll use record low capital costs for government to make that happen.
Delivered through public capital spend … and the new National Investment Bank and regional development banks … this investment programme will be on a scale that will transform how our economy operates.
Corbyn says it can no longer be argued that free markets alone benefit everyone.
It can no longer credibly be argued, for the majority of people, that free trade and free markets alone will deliver increased prosperity.
A future Labour government will have to do more than redistribute income and wealth … It will have to focus on how we earn that income and wealth in the first place.
Corbyn says automation is now starting to threaten middle-class jobs. Up to 15m jobs are at risk from automation over the next decade the Bank of England has estimated, he says.
Corbyn says the economy has suffered from a lack of investment.
The pattern since the crash of 2008 has been very clear. Investment has fallen, and it has been too easy to substitute cheap, expendable labour for investment in machinery, new technology and infrastructure.
The result is that our economy has become very good at generating poor-quality jobs – so that over half of those in poverty are now also in work.
Deindustrialisation has helped kill off many of the relatively secure, relatively well-paid jobs that manufacturing industries support.
For too many the alternative now on offer, especially for the young, is low pay and insecurity.
As a result of this, the tax base is eroding, he says.
If the super rich are opting out of taxes on one side … and too many people are too insecure and too poorly-paid to carry a tax burden on the other … we cannot continue to fund the high-quality public services we need and want.
Corbyn says Labour must present an alternative vision of an economy that can work for all.
I agree entirely with Len McCluskey, speaking at TUC Congress earlier this week, who said that we take the Leave vote as an opportunity to … “start the debate as to what sort of country we want Britain to be.”
Corbyn says the Brexit vote was a vote to reject a failed economic model.
This is the failure of an entire economic model to provide the chances and opportunities to a generation of our people.
It is an economic model that has discarded good jobs and stripped whole communities of their pride.
Promoted for decades this model argued that if taxes were slashed taxes for big business and the mega-rich … then everyone would benefit.
But it has too often meant poverty pay, zero-hours contracts, and lives ruined by a shortage of affordable homes.
Corbyn says government must produce a Brexit agenda 'as soon as possible'
Corbyn says the govenrment’s complexity over the Brexit negotiations is “extraordinary”.
We will be pressing for full access to the European single market for goods and services as part of those negotiations.
We should not be falling back on a World Trade Organisation-only trade deal with Europe as that would potentially risk damage to the public finances and significant job losses.
But there are directives and obligations linked to the single market … such as state aid rules and requirements to liberalise and privatize public services … which we would not want to see as part of a post-Brexit relationship.
What is essential is that the government brings forward its own agenda for those negotiations to parliament as soon as possible.
- Corbyn says government must produce a Brexit agenda “as soon as possible”.
Corbyn criticises the government for wanting to bring back grammar schools. He says ministers are “retreating into a 1950s fantasy world that is totally out of touch with modern Britain”.
Corbyn says Tory plan to press on with cuts is 'an act of unpardonable folly'
Corbyn attacks the Tories for not being willing to invest.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has all but shut up shop … Philip Hammond is refusing to clarify the government’s own fiscal position … when assurances are needed in the wake of the leave vote.
Even as it is becoming clear that monetary policy is reaching the limit of its capacity … the Chancellor is seemingly still content …. to stick to George Osborne’s plans for spending cuts.
With capital costs for government the lowest in our history … it simply beggars belief that any responsible government … would actually be seeking to cut public investment.
But that is what appears to be happening … For Philip Hammond to carry on cutting investment … is an act of unpardonable folly.
- Corbyn says Tory plan to press on with cuts is “an act of unpardonable folly”.
Corbyn says there are other firms like Sports Direct. He is not just making a point about one firm, he says.
The number of workers on zero hour contracts leapt by 20 percent in the last year.
Real hourly pay has fallen 10% since the crash …. the worst performance of any developed country, bar Greece.
He says the Conservatives have a “mean-spirited vision” of the future. They are building this sort of economy because it is “the path of least resistance”.
Corbyn says Sports Direct conditions 'would shame a Victorian mill owner'
Corbyn says the economy stands poised between two alternative futures.
There are talented people in the country, he says.
But we have an economy … and a set of institutions …. that has let people down badly.
We can already see one future that’s being laid out in front of us.
You can see it in microcosm in Shirebrook, in Derbyshire.
This is a once proud mining community that was devastated by pit closures.
Good, secure jobs were lost, when the colliery closed in 1993.
For a decade, the town was left to stagnate …. And then, directly on the site of the old colliery …. SportsDirect opened its huge warehouse in the early 2000s.
There were jobs on offer … but they were the worst of the worst … Zero hour contracts … and wages below even the abysmal legal minimum.
Health and safety on site was cut to the bone … In just two years, ambulances were called to the site 76 times … One woman was forced to give birth in the toilets, she was so terrified of losing her job.
These were conditions that would shame a Victorian mill-owner, right here in twenty-first century Britain.
Corbyn says this is his 55th leadership event.
All the policies he is proposing are for debate, he says. He says he has been amazed at the response he has received. Recently they asked people to contribute on social media. They soon got 12,000 responses, some of which were very detailed.
Jeremy Corbyn starts by praising John McDonnell, his shadow chancellor. He says McDonnell has changed the parameters of the economic debate in this country. He looks forward to him being in Number 11.
And he praises Rebecca Long-Bailey too. She took over as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury in the summer reshuffle and mastered her brief immediately, he says.
There is a live feed of the Jeremy Corbyn speech here.
The Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey is introducing him now.
In his speech Jeremy Corbyn will also confirm that Labour is looking at the viability of a universal basic income. Here’s a preview story from Heather Stewart and Jessica Elgot.
Corbyn says vote to leave EU was 'decisive rejection of failed economic model'
In his speech, according to excerpts released in advance, Jeremy Corbyn will say that the vote to leave the EU was a vote for a new economic model. He will say:
There are talented people across the whole country … The millions who want a decent job, or to set up in business… or use their skills for the wider social good. But we have an economy and a set of institutions that let them down badly ...
The leave vote, for all those in left-behind Britain, was a decisive rejection of all of this failed economic model ...
There is an alternative to the drift and decay of the Tories.
An economy that works for all, across every part of our country.
Jeremy Corbyn is giving his speech at the Bloomberg HQ in London. My colleague Peter Walker is there.
Unlikely setting of the day: shiny HQ of finance media behemoth Bloomberg, where Jeremy Corbyn speaking on economy pic.twitter.com/h7xHk0zRlr
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) September 15, 2016
This is what we've been briefed about the contents of Corbyn's economic speech. Expect questions - if allowed - also on *that* list of MPs
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) September 15, 2016
Lunchtime summary
- The Labour MP Neil Coyle has accused Jeremy Corbyn of encouraging “trolls” to abuse MPs online. (See 10.56am.) Coyle was responding angrily to the inclusion of his name in a list of MPs who have supposedly abused Corbyn and his allies that was released to journalists by Corbyn’s team. Corbyn will shortly be giving a speech on the economy, and is expected to be asked about the row.
- Culture secretary Karen Bradley justified the government’s decision to look for a new chair of the BBC as she moved to head off criticism that the corporation’s independence was under attack. As Jane Martinson reports, unveiling a draft charter set to govern the BBC for the next 11 years, Bradley confirmed that the corporation would appoint a majority of the new unitary board. The government is to directly appoint five of the 14-strong board, including a new chair and the four national directors for England, Wales, Scotland and northern Ireland.
Corbyn's leadership ratings have fallen over last year, poll suggests
The Evening Standard has published some new polling figures from Ipsos MORI.
The headline start-of-the-parties figures could be a lot worse for Labour. They give the Tories a six-point lead (Conservatives 40%, Labour 34%, Ukip 9% and Lib Dems 6%), which is bad for Jeremy Corbyn’s party, but a lot better than recent ICM poll findings.
But Corbyn’s personal ratings are dire. This is from the Standard’s story.
His ratings have sunk for being a “capable leader” and having “lots of personality”, while fewer than one in five think he would be “good in a crisis”, the Ipsos MORI research reveals.
Fewer than a quarter of voters (24 per cent) think he is a capable leader, compared with 68 per cent who say the same of Theresa May.
Damningly, more Labour supporters see the Tory leader as capable (58 per cent) compared with him (46 per cent) and fewer than half are satisfied with his performance.
This chart sets out the figures in more detail. The good news for Corbyn is that he is seen as more patriotic than he was last year. The bad news is that, on the other nine of the 10 leadership criteria featured in the poll, Corbyn’s ratings have got worse since last year - in some cases (capable leader/lots of personality/clear vision for Britain) by quite a lot.
Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly denied condoning the abuse of MPs online. When asked about this, he says that he does not indulge in personal abuse himself, that he does not approve of others abusing MPs and that action has been taken against members who have been found to have been engaged in this.
In the Sky debate last night Corbyn was asked about the way his supporters had been booing his opponent, in last night’s debate and in others. Corbyn replied:
I don’t do hate, I don’t do booing.
When it was put to him that some of his supporters did, he went on:
Well, I ask people to be kind. In some cases it takes longer than others.
Owen Smith accused him of laughing it off.
Updated
In the Commons Justin Tomlinson has just made an apology for leaking the public accounts committee report. (See 11.23am.) He sounded particularly contrite.
This is from the Mirror’s Jack Blanchard.
Tory MP Justin Tomlinson's voice breaking as he makes a formal apology to the House of Commons for leaking a Parliamentary report to Wonga
— Jack Blanchard (@Jack_Blanchard_) September 15, 2016
The Labour MP Ben Bradshaw has made a formal complaint to Jeremy Corbyn and others in the party about his inclusion in the list of MPs who have supposedly abused Corbyn and his allies, my colleague Rowena Mason reports.
Tory MP faces suspension from Commons for 2 days for leaking report
A Conservative MP, Justin Tomlinson, faces being suspended from the Commons for two days for leaking a draft select committee report about regulating payday lending to an employee of Wonga.
In evidence to the parliamentary commission for standards, Kathryn Hudson, who investigated on behalf of the Commons privileges committee, Tomlinson said that he wanted input from Wonga because he wanted to strengthen the proposed regulations for consumer credit. Hudson accepted that this was Tomlinson’s intention and that he had an interest in this issue. But leaking draft select committee reports is seen as a serious offence in the Commons.
The privileges committee report on Tomlinson says:
We conclude that Mr Tomlinson committed a contempt in disclosing a draft committee report to a third party and that his actions constituted substantial interference in the work of that committee.
The committee said that Tomlinson should be suspended from the Commons for two days and that he should make a statement to MPs apologising.
Labour MP Neil Coyle accuses Corbyn of defamation
Neil Coyle is another MP on the list of Jeremy Corbyn’s opponents released by Corbyn’s team yesterday. Corbyn’s team say the list was sent out inadvertently by a junior member of staff, but Corbyn defended it on the Sky debate last night, saying it was just a factual account of what some MPs have said in public.
Coyle has been giving interviews this morning to Sky News and to the BBC. Here are the key points
- Coyle accused Corbyn of “defamation” and said he was “livid” about being singled out in this way.
All I know is that the leader of my party has gone out of his way to issue a statement accusing my of abuse with no detail, no forewarning, no explanation of what I’m accused of. I won a seat back for Labour last year after 30 years. I should be out this morning with the CWU in my constituency campaigning to keep a post office. And instead I’m trying to work out what I’m accused of and how to defend myself from defamation by my own party leader.
- He accused Corbyn and his allies of effectively encouraging people to abuse MPs on line. Labour members should respond by voting for Owen Smith in the leadership contest, he said. He claimed that a third of members have yet to vote.
The release of this list, and the victim culture it is trying to perpetuate, is an example of how nervous [Corbyn] is, and his team are, about the result. I think a third of members are yet to even vote in this. And Jeremy and his team know they have put a lot of people off through their incompetence over the last year who do not want to vote for them again this time around.
For those members who have not voted yet, this is another demonstration of the kind of lack of leadership, the kind of division, that Jeremy and John McDonnell want to perpetuate if they win again. And look at the permissive culture they have created of abuse against Labour MPs, and especially women MPs.
Jess Phillips has had months and months of abuse, a torrent of abuse, from Corbynistas and the like. And she has been put on this list again. That is a dereliction of duty. That is not leadership. That is Jeremy telling his trolls online to carry on. He is giving them a green light to continue their abuse. If Labour members don’t want that abuse to continue, they really need to choose Owen [Smith] while they’ve still got a chance in this leadership election.
- He said he would be talking to a lawyer about possible legal action.
I’ve already asked for an explanation from Jeremy, I’ve already been in touch with the chief whip’s office, I have already been in touch with the party chair and the general secretary of the party. I do want an answer and I will be speaking to a lawyer tomorrow.
- He called for a written apology from Corbyn. That would help resolve the matter, he said.
- He strongly rejected the claim that he had been abusive towards Corbyn. He said the only thing he could think of that led to his being included on the list was the fact that he wrote a joint article for the Guardian after the May elections with Jo Cox, the Labour MP killed in the summer, saying Labour needed to do much better.
If that is an attack on the leader, then he’s really in desperate times.
Coyle also said that he did not engage in anonymous briefing. If he had something to say, he said it openly, he said.
- He claimed it was hypocritical of Corbyn to refuse to accept criticism given his own record as a backbencher.
Jeremy was the most rebellious backbencher for 30 years and yet somehow - it’s utter hypocrisy really - does not like it when his own backbenchers disagree with him. Instead of challenges, instead of having a debate with us, he goes out and issues a silly little list like they did in January instead of having a debate and building that policy platform that we need to win.
- He particularly criticised the decision to include Ben Bradshaw on the list. Bradshaw was the only Labour MP in the south west, he said. Corbyn should be “working with Ben to work out why Ben has been so successful in Exeter, why Ben has been a good MP for that constituency” instead of putting him on the list, Coyle said.
On Twitter, in response to a question about the threat she has received (see 9.40am), Jess Phillips says she is not even Jewish.
@beastynewall no I'm not Jewish but apparently I'm being controlled by the evil zionist press lobby
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) September 15, 2016
Former EU chief says 'serious' Brexit talks will not be able to start for another year
Herman van Rompuy, the former president of the European council, gave an interview to the Today programme this morning. And it was not good news for those hoping the Brexit process will start soon.
- Van Rompuy said serious Brexit talks would not be able to start for another year, until after the German elections. The German elections are expected in September next year (the exact date has not been fixed) but normally it then takes a while for a coalition government to be established. Van Rompuy said:
Before the German elections and before there is a new German government, no serious negotiations will take place. You can always start with more technical matters but the hard core - the difficult topics - will be tackled after the constitution of the new German government. That will be October-November.
- He said that insisting that the UK must allow free movement if it wants to remain part of the single market would be a “red line”.
Of course we want an agreement that represents some sort of mutual benefit. There are huge economic interests but there are also red lines. It is very well known that freedom of movement is one of those red lines. “It is very difficult for the European Union to do something else vis a vis Britain compared to what we agreed upon with Norway and Switzerland.
The big question is, even if there is some room for manoeuvre, is this sufficient for the British negotiators? It needs two to tango.
- He said EU leaders would not want a deal that might encourage other member states to leave.
There is not a feeling that we have to punish, but on the other hand most leaders don’t want to encourage other exits. Britain had not many friends any more. I saw this clearly when I was in office when we had to vote on candidacy of Jean-Claude Juncker for the presidency of the commission. Britain was isolated.
- He said Brexit amounted to “a political amputation of the first degree”.
We consider the Brexit a political amputation of the first degree. That image of a strong Europe, that is tarnished a lot after Brexit.
Photograph: Yves Logghe/AP
Jess Phillips says she has received a threat after being named on list of anti-Corbyn MPs
Yesterday the Labour MP Jess Phillips was named on a list of MPs who have been abusive towards Jeremy Corbyn or his allies released by the Corbyn camp. It highlighted the fact that she once told Diane Abbott, a leading Corbyn supporter, to “fuck off”.
Today Phillips says she has received a threat as a result of her name being on the list.
Seems the list is having desired affect have had my first anti semitic we are coming for you email of the day.
— Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) September 15, 2016
But Greenpeace has criticised the decision. This is from John Sauven, its executive director.
This decision is unlikely to be the grand finale to this summer’s political soap opera. There are still huge outstanding financial, legal and technical obstacles that can’t be brushed under the carpet.
There might be months or even years of wrangling over these issues. That’s why the government should start supporting renewable power that can come online quickly for a competitive price.
Today’s decision hasn’t been made on the cold, hard facts that show Hinkley will not deliver competitively priced, low carbon energy any time soon. Instead it seems that Hinkley became too big to fail. The potential for political embarrassment for the new prime minister was too high.
The new arrangement for a government special share changes almost nothing on the Hinkley deal and time will tell what it means for Bradwell in Essex, which is due to use Chinese technology.
Unions and business groups continue to welcome the Hinkley Point announcement.
UCATT, the construction union, says the construction industry “desperately needed the confirmation of such a major project following a slowdown in the industry caused by the Brexit vote.”
The Institution of Civil Engineers says the decision is “a major step forward for the future of UK energy security”.
And the British Chambers of Commerce says it hopes Hinkley Point C will usher in “a new era of sustained investment in energy generation and transmission”.
The announcement has also been welcomed by the TUC and the CBI.
Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said:
We are pleased ministers have ended the uncertainty over Hinkley Point. This project will create thousands of quality jobs and apprenticeships and bring much-needed investment to the South West. But the government must not stop here. It is time to get the shovels out for a third runway at Heathrow, high-speed rail and new affordable homes.
And Josh Hardie, the CBI’s deputy director general, said:
The final green light for Hinkley Point is good news for the UK’s energy future as well as supporting jobs and growth across the South West and the country. New nuclear energy will play an important role in supporting a diverse, low-carbon and secure energy supply, so it’s now time to push on with this key project.
The EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has welcomed the announcement. “With Hinkley C being such a major part of the government’s energy strategy it is a relief to finally see the project given the green light after months of delays and uncertainty,” it said.
Unite has welcomed the announcement, saying 25,000 jobs will be created by the Hinkley Point C project. This is from Unite’s national officer for energy, Kevin Coyne.
Our members are shovel ready and dead keen to start work on the country’s first nuclear power station for a generation. It is excellent news that that the uncertainty caused by Theresa May’s decision to put Hinkley Point ‘on hold’ has now been dispelled and that the Government recognises the role of nuclear in a mixed energy economy. It means that the lights will remain on in the UK in the decades ahead and it heralds an economic renaissance for the West Country, with the accompanying creation of thousands of skilled jobs and the positive ripple effects to the supply chain across the UK.
Finally we’ve got the confirmation that the government is giving the Hinkley Point C power station the go-ahead. Theresa May halted it in July, just before contracts were due to be signed because she wanted to review it, but this morning the government has announced that it will go ahead - but with new rules governing future foreign investment in British nuclear power stations.
This is crucial because in some respects the the concerns about Hinkley are not really about Hinkley at all, but about Bradwell. China is a minority investor in Hinkley Point, but it is investing as part of a deal that will also see it play a minority role in building a new nuclear power station at Sizewell, in Suffolk, and that will also see it take the lead in building a new nuclear plant at Bradwell, in Essex. For the Chinese Bradwell is the real prize because they believe that establishing successful Chinese-designed nuclear power station in the UK will lead to them breaking into many other markets in the West.
May was concerned about giving control of a nuclear power station to a potentially hostile foreign power. Quite what the the “new legal framework for future foreign investment in Britain’s critical infrastructure” that the government is announcing this morning will mean in practice remains to be seen.
Here is the Guardian’s story.
Here is the full text of the government’s announcement.
And here is a statement from Greg Clark, the business and energy secretary.
Having thoroughly reviewed the proposal for Hinkley Point C, we will introduce a series of measures to enhance security and will ensure Hinkley cannot change hands without the government’s agreement. Consequently, we have decided to proceed with the first new nuclear power station for a generation.
Britain needs to upgrade its supplies of energy and we have always been clear that nuclear is an important part of ensuring our future low-carbon energy security.
I will post reaction as it comes in.
Here is the agenda for the day.
10.30am: The OECD publishes its Education at a Glance 2016 report on the state of education around the world.
Morning: Karen Bradley, the culture secretary, makes a statement in the Commons on the new BBC charter.
12.30pm: Guto Bebb, the Wales minister, gives a speech on the UK government’s work with the Welsh government.
1pm: Jeremy Corbyn gives a speech at Bloomberg on the economy.
As usual, I will be covering the breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. I will post a summary at lunchtime and another in the afternoon.
If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter, I’m on @AndrewSparrow.
I try to monitor the comments BTL but normally I find it impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer direct questions, although sometimes I miss them or don’t have time. Alternatively you could post a question to me on Twitter.
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