The CBI has inadvertently sent ITV News internal emails which highlight a difference between the confederation’s public views about the Brexit political declaration and those held inside the organisation.
The CBI’s Head of EU Negotiations, Nicole Sykes, argued there was “no need to give credit to negotiators I think, because it’s not a good deal.”
“It’s not a good deal” - senior staff at the CBI express strong misgivings about the updated political declaration, although the organisation is publicly backing it. https://t.co/X9N6TgwXSR
— Joel Hills (@ITVJoel) November 22, 2018
That’s your lot for today. Normal service will resume next week with Andrew Sparrow.
Updated
Ukip’s decision to appoint the far-right activist Tommy Robinson as an adviser has been widely condemned.
Today's revelation, that UKIP leader Gerard Batten has hired Tommy Robinson as an advisor, is a disgrace. This isn't the first time we've noted UKIP's association with the far-right. They need to change course immediately. https://t.co/BojUeLHnyT
— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) November 23, 2018
Pretty clear that #UKIP has now lost the plot.
— TellMAMAUK (@TellMamaUK) November 22, 2018
Tommy Robinson appointed as Ukip's 'grooming gangs adviser' https://t.co/nWabwFeyhQ
This is a deeply troubling story. Bringing TR on board is an act of open racism and will do nothing but whip up and inflame tensions and bigotry particularly against the Muslim community. https://t.co/peRLWrDnBh
— APPG Hate Crime (@appghatecrime) November 23, 2018
There is even unease among senior figures in Ukip that it could backfire against Brexit according to BuzzFeed.
Gerard Batten is sharing a platform with Robinson at a "Brexit betrayal" protest next month.
— Stuart Millar (@stuartmillar159) November 23, 2018
Senior party figures freaking out because they think there could be "ugly" scenes and violence that taint the party at a crucial moment in the Brexit processhttps://t.co/eEd0P7FhnC
The pro-EU Best for Britain campaign has seized on May’s refusal to say whether her deal would leave the UK better off than if it remained in the EU.
One of its campaigners, the Labour MP David Lammy, said:
“This is a huge concession from the prime minister. Even she can’t bring herself to say Brexit will make the country stronger than staying in the EU. When the architect of a new building cannot endorse the design, it is time to abandon the project.
“The deal is anti-democratic and no deal is a disaster that no parliament in its right mind would allow. Faced with such appalling options, and a clear as day shift in the public mood to backing our current EU membership, it’s only right that the public are given the final say – whether Theresa May is prime minister or not.”
Summary
Here’s how things currently stand:
- Theresa May has refused to rule out resigning if her Brexit deal fails to gain approval in the Commons. During a public phone-in on BBC Radio 5Live, the prime minister was asked three times to clarify if she would stake her premiership on the result of the parliamentary vote. “I’m not thinking about me,” she said.
- The EU is set to declare that the post-Brexit negotiations over fishing rights in UK waters will build on the current arrangements hated by the British fishing industry. A leaked EU statement, due to be published on Sunday, says it expects such a deal to be agreed by July 2020, and that it must protect the current rights of European fishing fleets to exploit British waters.
- The former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has conceded Theresa May’s Brexit deal would be “even worse” than staying in the EU. He said: “I’m not going to advocate staying in the EU but if you just presented me terms, this deal or EU membership – we’d effectively be bound by the same rules without a control or voice over them – yes, I think this would be even worse than that.”
- Raab’s admission has been seized on by supporters of a second referendum. Former minister Phillip Lee tweeted: “If it’s unacceptable to him how do we know that it’s acceptable to the 17.4m people who voted Leave in 2016? We need to ask the British public to know.”
- The Home Office has wrongly tried to force at least 300 highly skilled migrants to leave Britain under an immigration rule designed primarily to tackle terrorists and those judged to be a threat to national security. The figures, revealed in a governmental review of its use of the controversial 322(5) provision, also suggest that up to 87 highly skilled migrants – including teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers and IT professionals – have actually been wrongly forced to leave the UK under the terrorism-related legislation.
-
Downing Street has shrugged off a threat by Spain to “veto” the Brexit deal over Gibraltar. “The withdrawal agreement isn’t being reopened. We will work with Gibraltar and Spain on the future relationship, and we will negotiate on behalf of the whole UK family”, a spokeswoman said.
- EU diplomats are meeting to finalise the text of the Brexit withdrawal treaty. If they fail it could scupper a planned summit on Sunday.
- The family of a British academic who was convicted of spying in the United Arab Emirates has appealed for clemency. The UAE’s ambassador to the UK, Sulaiman Almazroui, said his government was considering the appeal but he defended the process under which Matthew Hedges was convicted.
- Nigel Farage is trying to oust Ukip leader Gerard Batten after the appointment of far-right activist Tommy Robinson as an adviser to the party. “If it continues in this direction electorally it is finished,” Farage said. Batten defended the appointment and denied Robinson was anti-Islam.
The EU will pile further pressure on Theresa May at this weekend’s Brexitsummit by declaring that the post-Brexit negotiations over fishing rights in UK waters will build on the current arrangements hated by the British fishing industry.
A leaked EU statement, due to be published on Sunday, the day of the summit, says it expects such a deal to be agreed by July 2020, and that it must protect the current rights of European fishing fleets to exploit British waters.
It goes on to warn that a failure by the British government to come to an agreement could jeopardise any hope of extending the transition period.
Here’s some initial reaction to May’s phone-in performance.
PM really struggling to say that U.K. would be better off outside EU than in it. Best she can say is that it will be “different” but there is potential in future. Hardly a ringing endorsement.
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) November 23, 2018
Theresa May resembles a parent serving their children dry chicken and boiled potatoes before telling them: "It's that or no dinner at all!"
— George Eaton (@georgeeaton) November 23, 2018
Big: Theresa May refuses to rule out resigning as PM three times if her Brexit deal falls in the Commons: To @Emmabarnett: "This is not about me". New message to Tory MPs - my deal, or party chaos if I go.
— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) November 23, 2018
May struggled most on whether the UK would be better off outside the EU or staying in.
“I think we will be better-off in a situation which we will have outside the European Union, where we have control of all those things and are able to trade around the rest of the world.
“I was one of those people who said that it wasn’t going to be the case that, outside the European Union, we were going to have the sort of problems that some other people said we would.
“But it’s different. You say ‘better-off’. Actually it’s a different sort of environment and a different approach we will be taking to things.
“What will make us better-off is not so much about whether we are in the EU or not, it’s about what we can do for our economy, it’s about what we can do for our prosperity.”
“It will be a different world for us outside the EU, but it will be a good one... I genuinely believe there is a bright future for this country and our best days lie ahead of us.”
Updated
PA has this transcript of how May answered the question of whether she would resign if the deal was rejected by MPs:
“I’m focused on actually ensuring we do get this deal through Parliament, because I believe this is absolutely the right deal for the UK.
“This isn’t about me. As I’m sitting here, I’m not thinking about me, I’m thinking about getting a deal through that delivers for the people of this country.
“That’s what drives me and that’s what is at the forefront of my mind.”
Here are the main points from the phone-in:
- Theresa May repeatedly refused to answer whether she would resign if her withdrawal agreement was rejected by parliament. “This is not about me,” she said.
- The prime minister also ducked the question of whether the UK would be better off outside the EU. She said life would be “different” and repeated her belief that the UK’s best days are ahead of it.
- The third key question she avoided was whether she had a Plan B. “My focus is on getting this deal through,” she said several times.
- May backed away from her suggestion last week that there no Brexit was still an option. She she only mentioned that to show that MPs were trying to block Brexit, she said. “Personally” there’s no option of no Brexit as government wants to deliver on referendum, she claimed.
- May claimed that delivering on the referendum was important for restoring public trust. “I think it’s right in terms of trust in politics that we do deliver on the vote,” she said.
- May attempted to soften her robotic image by talking about cupcakes, Christmas cards, and having a drink with her husband if she wins the vote. And denied swearing about cabinet ministers who resign or dreaming about Brexit.
Q: What time do you go bed and do you dream of Brexit?
May: I often don’t get to bed until after midnight, and I certainly don’t dream about Brexit.
May said she will certainly celebrate with a drink with her husband if she gets the deal through.
And that was it. Phone-in over.
Q: As a remain voter what is better for the UK your deal or staying?
May: I recognise that staying in the EU caused real concern, including over immigration. The sky won’t fall when we leave. It will be different. I genuinely believe our best days our ahead of us.
I think we will be better off outside the EU when we have control over all those things. But it is different. What will make us better off it is about what we can do for our prosperity and our economy. It is less about whether we are in or out.
I believe we can build a better future outside the EU.
Q: What is being done to protect Gibraltar?
May: We are negotiating for the whole UK family. We have been working with Gibraltar and Spain. Our position on Gibraltar has not changed.
Q: Why has no Brexit suddenly become an option?
May: It is not my option. I’m clear we will be leaving. I’m keen to show that our opponents are trying to stop Brexit.
Q: When Cameron first suggested a referendum what was your advice and will you be sending Cameron a Christmas card?
May: Yes to the Christmas card. I thought there were key issues in the referendum. She mentions immigration and security.
Q: Are you sick of men resigning?
May: I’m disappointed when people feel it necessary to resign. She denied going home and swearing about resignation. May said she was sent a cup cake to cheer her up after last week’s resignations.
Q: Will you resign if the deal is voted down?
May: I’m not thinking about me. I’m thinking about getting a deal through that is good for the country. My focus is on getting this deal through.
Q: Is the £39bn divorce bill final and how is it going to be paid for?
May: The £39bn is what we legally owe the EU. When talks started people were talking about £100bn we negotiated it down to £39bn.
Some of it will be paid up front some will be paid over a period of time. More money could be paid if we go into a further implementation period, May admitted. Crucially once we are outside we won’t be obliged to send over vast sums of money over. And be able to spend more on the NHS.
Q: Having ignored the public how can we trust you now?
May: People chose to leave and it is right in terms of trust in politics that we honour the vote.
Q: Will you get Brexit deal through parliament and what’s your plan B?
May: My job is to persuade people. I believe it delivers on the referendum. If the deal doesn’t go through we are back to square one with more division and uncertainty.
The EU is not going to give us a better deal. What I want to do is deliver Brexit with a good deal.
Pressed on Plan B, May says the focus is on getting the deal through Parliament.
The UK is leaving the EU on 29 March 2019, she adds. I believe this is the right deal for the UK.
The PM’s phone-in has begun. May says she hasn’t been to the shops on Black Friday.
Presenter Emma Barnett points out that the deal has divided people.
May repeats this is the right deal for the UK. Most people want to move beyond this, she says.
Ahead of her BBC phone-in the Conservative Party is reminding supporters of what May said in Downing Street on Thursday.
“This is the right deal for the UK, it delivers on the result of the referendum,” the PM said. Expect much more of the same in the next hour or so.
The deal is within our grasp and we're determined to deliver it. 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/dGmVVPDKJ8
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) November 23, 2018
Summary
Here’s an early lunchtime summary:
- The former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has conceded Theresa May’s Brexit deal would be “even worse” than staying in the EU. He said: “I’m not going to advocate staying in the EU but if you just presented me terms, this deal or EU membership – we’d effectively be bound by the same rules without a control or voice over them – yes, I think this would be even worse than that.”
- Raab’s admission has been seized on by supporters of a second referendum. Former minister Phillip Lee tweeted: “If it’s unacceptable to him how do we know that it’s acceptable to the 17.4m people who voted Leave in 2016? We need to ask the British public to know.”
- Theresa May is continuing her campaign to try to sell the withdrawal agreement to the public. She is due to appear on a BBC phone-in in the next hour. Meanwhile Liam Fox and Philip Hammond are both in Northern Ireland today as part of the same charm offensive.
- Downing Street has shrugged off a threat by Spain to “veto” the Brexit deal over Gibraltar. “The withdrawal agreement isn’t being reopened. We will work with Gibraltar and Spain on the future relationship, and we will negotiate on behalf of the whole UK family”, a spokeswoman said.
- EU diplomats are meeting to finalise the text of the Brexit withdrawal treaty. If they fail it could scupper a planned summit on Sunday.
- The family of a British academic who was convicted of spying in the United Arab Emirates has appealed for clemency. The UAE’s ambassador to the UK, Sulaiman Almazroui, said his government was considering the appeal but he defended the process under which Matthew Hedges was convicted.
- Nigel Farage is trying to oust Ukip leader Gerard Batten after the appointment of far-right activist Tommy Robinson as an adviser to the party. “If it continues in this direction electorally it is finished,” Farage said. Batten defended the appointment and denied Robinson was anti-Islam.
Liam Fox and Philip Hammond are both in Northern Ireland today, as part of a charm offensive by a range of cabinet ministers in the coming days to sell the prime minister’s Brexit deal.
The prime minister’s spokeswoman told journalists at Friday’s lobby briefing, “you will see ministers engaging widely”.
She shrugged off the threat that Spain could “veto” the Brexit deal, as Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez suggested in a tweet last night.
“The withdrawal agreement isn’t being reopened. We will work with Gibraltar and Spain on the future relationship, and we will negotiate on behalf of the whole UK family”, she said.
Asked whether Downing Street had a strategy of trying to force the deal through on a second vote, if she loses the first time, the spokeswoman insisted, “absolutely not”.
Unsurprisingly asked whether the PM agreed with former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab that the deal would be worse than remaining, she said simply, “no”.
Ukip leader Gerard Batten has defended appointing the convicted criminal and far right activist Tommy Robinson as an adviser.
Speaking to BBC News, Batten denied that Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was anti-Islam.
He said: “Islamophobic is a made up word that doesn’t mean anything. It is an irrational fear. I don’t have an irrational fear of Islam neither does Tommy Robinson. It is not prejudice. We have never said anything about Muslims and Tommy Robinson doesn’t. We talk about Islamic ideology and critique that ideology. The reason we have these terrorist attacks all round the world is because they derive those ideas from Islamic ideology and we need to understand that and confront that.”
Batten added: “He is merely a personal adviser on the rape gang phenomena which he knows a great deal about and conditions in prisons and prison reform which he also unfortunately has firsthand knowledge. He doesn’t need to be a member of the party to do that.”
Batten confirmed he wanted to bend Ukip’s rules to allow Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, to join the party, and claimed he could help draw people to Ukip anti-Brexit rally.
The Ukip leader said: “He is high profile he can bring a lot of people to that march on the ninth which he is going to do. He is going to assist us in that. A lot of people respect his stand on things and his courage.
“He has got a few minor convictions. Lots of people have had criminal convictions in their past, that doesn’t mean to say they can’t do something good in the present and the future.”
Ukip rules ban former members of the British National Party and English Defence League, like Robinson, from joining.
Batten said: “We have a prescribed list and what I have asked the party to do is to consider waiving that list, in his case. That should be put to the members.”
Batten also hit back at moves to oust him by former Ukip leader Nigel Farage over the appointment of Tommy Robinson.
He said: “I’m surprised Nigel has got such an interest in what Ukip is doing since he walked away two years ago.”
Updated
The Ukip row over Tommy Robinson is rumbling on. Leader Gerard Batten has hit back at his one of his predecessors Nigel Farage after he announced he would try to oust him (see earlier).
Batten claims it is rich of Farage to accuse him of racism.
Nigel Farage has reportedly said on the radio this morning that the NEC should hold a vote of no confidence in me. This is the same NEC Nigel described as ‘low grade people’ and a ‘swamp that needed to be drained’. I will be in the media today commenting https://t.co/pKhYGJUmse
— Gerard Batten MEP (@GerardBattenMEP) November 23, 2018
Fish update:
Following yesterday’s row over whether the Brexit deal ties fishing rights to future trade, the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation has raised some “serious questions” itself.
The body which speaks for the multi-million pound industry in Scotland and the UK’s biggest food export has criticised the agreement because it links farmed fish like salmon with caught fish.
It says this raising the prospect of future exports to the EU being determined by quotas that have nothing to do with that sector, as farmed fish is not governed by the CFP.
Chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird says: “By coupling aquaculture with future catch fish quotas, this document raises the prospect of tariffs being imposed on exports of farmed fish if there is no agreement on North Sea white fish quotas. It also raises the prospect of border checks for fresh salmon exiting the UK bound for our biggest export market – the EU.”
This linkage appeared in the political heads of agreement that were published last week, and was not mentioned in yesterday’s draft political agreement, so the assumption is that it stands. It would only apply if the backstop came into force, but that threat is real enough for the SSPO to be raising concerns now. If no deal is reached by July 2020, then they estimate tarrifs on their fish of 2% on chilled produce and 13% on smoked.
Hesketh-Laird continues: “We accept that this would only happen if the proposed agreement is implemented unamended and if there is no mutually acceptable deal on fisheries being reached. But it is included in the text around the ‘backstop’ and, as such, remains a risk. It is a risk the farmed sector is determined to avoid.”
“We are clear: there must be no linkage between access for EU vessels to UK waters and the tariff-free supply of seafood products to EU markets.”
“Raab is only saying what a lot of Brexiteers – and some ministers – are saying privately,” according to Katy Balls in blog post for the Spectator.
She writes:
If you are a Leave voter who voted to take back control, May’s deal appears to do the opposite in several key areas. Although it would bring back full control of borders, fed up Tories see it as two steps back on financial independence – and the scope for free trade.
That’s not to say Raab and co. now wish to remain in the EU – nor is a second referendum seen as a great idea. What this group of MPs want is a new approach to Brexit – and more preparations for no deal. That looks unlikely while May is in charge. The risk of May’s compromise Brexit is that by trying to find common ground on such a divisive issue, it ends up satisfying no-one. If the Brexiteer voices saying May’s deal is inferior to EU membership grow louder in the coming weeks, the numbers will look even worse for getting this deal through Parliament whether it’s the first, second or third attempt.
Updated
Commentator Paul Mason has recorded a video response to Dominic Raab’s admission that he would rather remain in the EU than accept Theresa May’s deal.
He claims the establishment is now backing the prime minister’s deal and urges people who backed Brexit to vote to their MPs urging them to reject agreement in the Commons.
You've had it from the horse's mouth: May's deal is worse than staying in the EU. Here's how we can force a rethink... please RT and email your MP today.... pic.twitter.com/6ypEwDy0o9
— Paul Mason (@paulmasonnews) November 23, 2018
UAE considering granting clemency for Matthew Hedges
Here’s Almazroui’s statement in full:
Like the UK, the UAE is a country with an independent judiciary. The government does not dictate verdicts to the court. Matthew Hedges was not convicted after a five minute show trial as some have reported. Over the course of one month, three judges evaluated compelling evidence in three hearings. They reached their conclusion after a full and proper process.
This was an extremely serious case. We live in a dangerous neighbourhood and national security must be a top priority. This was also an unusual case. Many researchers visit the UAE freely every year without breaking our laws.
Under UAE law, everyone has the right to appeal after conviction. And everyone can request a pardon from our president. Mr Hedges’ family have a made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request.
The British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt had a good conversation with our foreign minister. I also met him yesterday privately. As Mr Hunt said we have an extremely close partnership with the UK because of the strength of that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be reached.
Updated
UAE ambassador, Sulaiman Almazroui, is giving a statement on the Matthew Hedges case.
He denies that Hedges was convicted after a five minute hearing. He said the case was properly considered. He says the UAE government is considering the Hedges’ family appeal for clemency.
Education Secretary Damian Hinds said he believed support for the withdrawal agreement would grow in Parliament as MPs considered the alternatives, PA reports.
Speaking to Today he said:
“The deal that we have on the table is a strong deal. It is a good, balanced deal. As people reflect on what the alternatives are, I think people are going to come to see this is a very good deal for Britain.
“If we weren’t to pass this deal, I think it becomes rather unpredictable what happens next. There is a risk on the one hand beyond that of no Brexit at all - and there are people trying to thwart Brexit - and there is also a risk of no deal.
“Neither of those two things are attractive. This is why I believe this deal, which is a strong deal, will gain more and more traction.”
Hinds also sought to play down fears that the UK could be trapped for a prolonged period in the Northern Ireland backstop if there was no agreement on a future free trade deal.
“We don’t want to be in the backstop. The European Union doesn’t want us to be in the backstop. Other countries think that would be an unfair competitive advantage for the UK so it is in nobody’s interests for that to happen,” he said.
Hinds acknowledged that the Political Declaration did not commit the two sides to Theresa May’s aim of “frictionless” trade, but said they were seek to minimise border checks.
“A simple word search is not going to find that word ‘frictionless’. What it does say is that we want trade to be as close as possible,” he said.
He added: “We want to minimise the checks and controls at the borders. That will be in proportion to the divergence that there is in regulation in goods between the UK and the EU.
“That is a sensible thing, but it is to be negotiated exactly how that works.”
The United Arab Emirates is due to give a statement at 10am on Matthew Hedges, the British academic who was sentenced to life in prison after being accused of spying.
Hopes for clemency were raised yesterday when the Gulf state said it wanted to reach an amicable conclusion to the dispute.
The apparent change in tone came after the British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, warned of serious diplomatic consequences if Hedges were not released, and followed a torrent of cross-party criticism in the UK accusing the UAE courts of a miscarriage of justice.
There’s been more remainer glee at Raab’s admission that he would prefer to stay in the EU than back Theresa May’s withdrawal deal.
Significant that Dominic Raab, one of the leading Leave supporters in the country, admitted on @BBCr4today that he believed staying in the EU was better than the Brexit deal on offer. Mood is changing on the reality of Brexit.
— Pat McFadden (@patmcfaddenmp) November 23, 2018
Credit to @DominicRaab for publicly saying he’d rather remain in the EU than accept the government’s #Brexit ‘deal’. If it’s unacceptable to him how do we know that it’s acceptable to the 17.4m people who voted Leave in 2016? We need to ask the British public to know #PeoplesVote
— Dr Phillip Lee MP (@DrPhillipLeeMP) November 23, 2018
And @DominicRaab is right https://t.co/cpKmtJ4OtU #peoplesvote
— Heidi Allen MP (@heidiallen75) November 23, 2018
.@annaturley – Even Raab says this deal isn’t as good as the one we’ve already got https://t.co/YFrh7EJear pic.twitter.com/5olvo7WX7Y
— People's Vote UK (@peoplesvote_uk) November 23, 2018
Theresa May will be continuing her campaign to try to sell the withdrawal agreement to the public in a BBC lunchtime phone-in later today.
Theresa May will be taking your questions on 5 Live and the BBC News Channel with @EmmaBarnett from 12.30 this lunchtime.
— Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds (@bbc5live) November 23, 2018
What would you like to ask the Prime Minister?
Use the hashtag #BBCAskThis | 📱 85058 | 📞 08085 909 693 pic.twitter.com/o4VFUmsAKQ
Fabian Picardo, chief minister of Gibraltar, has criticised Spain’s last-minute threat to veto the withdrawal agreement over the territory.
Speaking on the Today programme, he said: “Spain doesn’t need an article in the treaties, the future declaration or indeed the withdrawal agreement, to bring Gibraltar to the table. Gibraltar has demonstrated that we actually want a direct engagement on issues. Spain is the geographical gateway to Europe for Gibraltar. We recognise that and there is absolutely no need to be vetoed into being brought to the table.”
He added: “Spain should not think that we need to be dragged to the table in any particular way.”
Picardo warned against any last minute tinkering with the text of the deal. He said: “If it opened for one comma or one full stop on Gibraltar it is going to be reopened on any of the other issues that people in Westminster say they want to be seen done again, and the French and all the others. So far from a failure of negotiation, what this deal represents is actually a compromise arrangement where nobody wins 100% but we gain a lot.”
He also warned against the threat of a no deal with this movie reference: “Anybody who says that my political prospectus is that we should drive over this cliff like a political Thelma and Louise isn’t thinking about the best interests of the people off the best interests of the people of the United Kingdom or Gibraltar.”
Politicians campaigning for a second referendum have seized on Raab’s apparent preference for staying in the EU over May’s deal.
Just over a week ago Dominic Raab was in charge of negotiating May's Brexit deal. This morning on #r4today he conceded it is worse than our continued EU membership. If MPs are allowed to change their minds, the public must be given the same opportunity.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) November 23, 2018
Raab admits Theresa May’s deal is worse than staying in the EU on current terms.
— Mary Creagh (@MaryCreaghMP) November 23, 2018
That’s why we need @peoplesvote_hq!
Dominic Raab incoherent to the point of jibberishness on @BBCr4today
— Andrew Adonis (@Andrew_Adonis) November 23, 2018
I now understand today’s new Brexit concept: ‘a negotiated no deal.’ It’s Dominic Raab
Here’s some further reaction:
Beginning to wonder if May’s deal will keep Britain in Europe when even her former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab thinks it worse than staying in
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) November 23, 2018
Should be grateful for Raab's candour. We should recognise how weird (and dangerous) the current situation is: being spun a line by both front benches. Could be a huge price to pay when the truth emerges.
— stefanstern (@stefanstern) November 23, 2018
Updated
Raab: staying in EU better than May's deal
Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has claimed that Theresa May’s deal on Brexit would be worse than staying in the EU.
Asked on Today to chose between no Brexit at all and May’s deal, Raab eventually said:
If you just presented me terms: this deal or EU membership, because we would effectively be bound by the same rules without the control or voice over them, yes I think this would be even worse than that.
He pointed out that under the deal the only way for the UK to get out of the backstop arrangement would be with the EU’s agreement. He said this would involving losing control over our laws. He added: “We would have to kowtow to them”.
Asked about a report in the Telegraph that some Brexit cabinet minsters were plotting a negotiated no deal, Raab said: “I would certainly be up for making a best final offer and then considering no deal deals like, but that is not the course the prime minister has taken. The reality is the deal we have got on the table.”
Raab also said the current agreement was unlikely to be passed by the Commons, and that ministers should contemplate leaving without one, saying: “We will, I think, inevitably see Parliament vote this deal down.
“And then I think some of those other alternatives will need to come into play.”
Updated
The new work and pensions secretary, Amber Rudd, has promised to review how Universal Credit affects women and particularly single mothers.
In her first broadcast interview in the role, Rudd told Sky News that she was determined to push ahead with a Commons vote on a national rollout of the controversial system, but she said it would be reviewed first.
Rudd said: “That vote will incorporate additional money for people severe disabilities, additional earning power for people on Universal Credit.
“I don’t take anything for granted but I am confident that my colleagues will see how important this is.”
Rudd added:
I know that Universal Credit is a force for good. I have lots of experience of it in Hastings and Rye. I also know that there have been some real problems with the Universal Credit and I have seen those in my surgery as well.
I am going to be looking to see what we can do to address those problems.
I am going to look at what we can do to get cash into people’s hands earlier. But also people who have been on benefits have been used to getting in weekly or fortnightly.
I am going to be looking at how this works for women, and yes particularly single mothers.
If we need to make changes to support them then we will. I am going to specifically look at how Universal Credit impacts on women and whether the right incentives and benefits, the balances that we try to get in Universal Credit really works for them.
Farage to attempt to oust Batten as Ukip leader
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he is “appalled” by his successor’s decision to appoint Tommy Robinson as an adviser.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said he will to attempt to force out Gerard Batten as Ukip leader with a vote of no confidence in him.
“If it continues in this direction electorally it is finished,” Farage said.
Farage claimed Batten was “intent on dragging Ukip into a direction of being a street activist party, right at the moment when we have a betrayal of Brexit going on by both the Conservative and Labour parties”.
Farage claimed he wanted Ukip to be a non-racist party and denied that he denied he steered the party in that direction.
On Brexit he said there was a 50-50 chance of Article 50 being extended to allow a second referendum to take place. He said if that happens he was confident that Leave would win again.
Updated
Welcome to a rare Friday edition of Politics Live.
EU diplomats are meeting this morning to finalise the text of the Brexit withdrawal treaty amid last minute demands made by Spain over Gibraltar.
Spain’s prime minister has repeated a threat to veto the deal which is due to be signed off by member states on Sunday. After a 30 minute call with Theresa May, Pedro Sanchez tweeted this:
After my conversation with Theresa May, our positions remain far away. My Government will always defend the interests of Spain. If there are no changes, we will veto Brexit.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) November 22, 2018
Spain wants an addition to the withdrawal agreement stating that any future agreement between the UK and the EU would not apply to Gibraltar without Spain’s consent.
Also today:
