Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20240714

Another referendum, then campaign against their own deal in that referendum. Perhaps the next policy will be to have a referendum on whether to have a referendum. Mr speaker, the leader of the opposition cannot bleed, he cannot make a decision. We cannot work out whether he is for brexit or against it, for a referendum or against it. The only options he likes our deva and delay. Did. The only options he likes our deva and delay. Did. Order order order stop i am immensely grateful to the Prime Minister for his complaints. A point of order for mr davies. Order idont complaints. A point of order for mr davies. Order i dont require any assistance from you. You wouldnt have the foggiest idea went to start. Im seeking to establish whether it is a point of order. When i have heard today will no. Mr lender when i have had a table iio. Lender when i have had a table no. People watching todays proceedings will say it is the second time the house has tried to move that motion. Given the Prime Minister is displaying a contradiction by saying he wants to ask the question of the house again but not allow the beep of scotland and independence referendum. Inaudible. It is hypocrisy on the part of the Prime Minister. An ingenious effort. Let me just say this motion would not be on the paper unless it was orderly. And they are happy to conduct a seminar outside the chamber at conduct a seminar outside the chamberata conduct a seminar outside the chamber at a later date. It is, at this time, given the context, orderly. I am this time, given the context, orderly. Lam happy feet this time, given the context, orderly. I am happy feet toppie does not meet the needs of the case. The Prime Minister. As i say again to everybody on the opposition benches, if you really want to delay brexit beyond october 31, which is what you seem to want to do, then vote for an election and let the people decide, let the people decide if they want to delay or not. And if you refuse to do that tonight then i will go to brussels, i will go to brussels, our government will go to brussels, our government will go to brussels on october 17 and negotiate oui brussels on october 17 and negotiate our departure on the 31st of october, hopefully with a deal, mr speaker, but without one if necessary. I will not ask for another delay. I will not asked to delay. Order. Apologise to interrupt the premise. They will take these points of order but they hope they are genuine. Order. Order come on. Order i hope they are genuine and the Prime Minister will then proceed. Mr Prime Minister, im keen to have your guidance given that we are supposed to be debating whether or not to have an early general election whether the Prime Minister in the context is want to share with the house whether or not he is willing to obey the law of the land. That is a political observation, not procedural adjudication by the chair. I have a point of order on behalf of the Liaison Committee, mr speaker. The Prime Minister gave an undertaking that he would appear before the Liaison Committee this wednesday at 3 30. The Liaison Committee have met today and we have gone to the Prime Minister to ask if he will still appear. Order order. I recognise the sincerity and the strength of conviction, if she wishes to conduct to the debate in an orderly way, on her feet, in a speech, because she catches my eye,. Prime minister. Prime minister, repeat mr speaker, repeat my point. Point of order. Graeme davis. The Prime Minister has informed the house that on the 31st of october he will go to brussels and ensure we leave with or without and ensure we leave with or without a deal. In contravention of a motion we have just passed to obey the law and complains of a law that hasjust passed. Is that out of order . M would be best if the honourable gentleman did not keep pointing at me. I know he feels strongly but it isnt a point of order. Order they would say, in terms of the saintliness of these proceedings, come on, let us have fair play. The premise is entitled to make a speech and be heard seemly in us. The Prime Minister. Thank you, mr speaker. Thank you for allowing me to appoint my salient point that i will not ask for another delay. The people of this country. Have had enough of the. The people of this country, mr speaker, have had enough of the delectable dispute. Order order this is profoundly disorderly. Members mustnt be shouted down in the chamber. They mustnt be shouted down in the chamber. There are standards to be upheld and they must be. The Prime Minister. Mr speaker, from the turbulent reaction of the benches opposite it is obvious they want another delay. The public have had enough of the delectable disputations of this house. And they must warn mumbles that their behaviour in watching the will of the people is undermining respect for this house in the country. Mr speaker, if honourable members want another delay the only proper way to do it is to ask permission from our masters, the people. From our masters, the people. From our masters, the people. From our masters, the voters. Anai commenced this motion to the house. Order the question is that there shall be an early parliamentary general election. A call the leader of the opposition, mrJeremy Corbyn. Election. A call the leader of the opposition, mrJeremy Corbyn. Thank you, mr speaker. The only point of any importance that the Prime Minister hasjust any importance that the Prime Minister has just included in any importance that the Prime Minister hasjust included in his speech is his clear indication that he does not intend to follow the law that has just been passed that requires him to ask for an extension in certain circumstances. He also, mr speaker, gave no answer to the two decisions this house is already made today concerning the publication of yellowhammer documents and his own behaviour as Prime Minister in respect of laws agreed. The Prime Ministerfailing we seem to grasp that opposition benches have been cleared. Laughter. The house, mr speaker, has expressed its well until the act has been complied with and no deal has been taken off the table, no deal taken off the table, we will not vote to support the dissolution of this house and they general election. Now, i want and election, mr speaker, as the Prime Minister pointed out, and the conservative party has very generallyjust macro generously broadcast footage of me and my friend saying we want an election. I dont retreat from that at all friends. We are eager for an election. But as keen as we are, we are not prepared to risk inflicting the disaster of no deal on us, inflicting the disaster of no deal on us, oui inflicting the disaster of no deal on us, our communities, ourjobs, oui on us, our communities, ourjobs, our services, or, on us, our communities, ourjobs, ourservices, or, indeed, our rights. Mr speaker, no dealwould not be a clean break. It would not meanjust getting not be a clean break. It would not mean just getting on with it. Not be a clean break. It would not meanjust getting on with it. It would start a whole new period of confusion and delay. But this time, this time, mr speaker, set against a backdrop of rising unemployment, further deindustrialisation, and of deepening poverty all across this country. Order order. Order. They said a moment ago that the Prime Minister should not be shouted down. Let me say to everyone who is shutting their heads off, it will be readily obvious to people observing receding is that this is exactly what they are trying to do. Including some extraordinarily stupid and noisy yelling from people secreting themselves behind the chairand secreting themselves behind the chair and thinking they are being clever. Its very low grade, its very downmarket, is very substantive, its very boring, its very predictable, and if the web is operated any sort of discipline they would tell those people to try to get a life just macro whips. The leader of the opposition. Mr speaker, lee point i was making was it will be in a backdrop of unemployment increasing, deindustrialisation, deepening poverty within our society, not very surprising that our government was so surprising that our government was so keen to hide the yellowhammer documents, their own documents, which would demonstrate this to be the case. We have no faith that the government is seeking a deal in good faith. Indeed, the former work and pensions secretary said in her Resignation Letter i no longer believe leaving with a deal is the governments main objective. Eu leaders have received no proposals. Government ministers have offered no explanation of the deal they are seeking. Even if there is such a deal they are seeking. Let alone any workout proposals presented to parliament for scrutiny. No wonder they are so keen to avoid any scrutiny of what they are doing. The only conclusion, mr speaker, the only conclusion, mr speaker, the only conclusion, mr speaker, the only conclusion that can be reached, and it is backed up by all the lea ked and it is backed up by all the leaked reports in the press, is that the governments pretensions to negotiate a nothing but a sham. The Prime Minister knows, he knows full well there is no mandate for no deal. No majority support for it in the country, and no majority support for it in this house. But. But. But he refuses to rule it out and refuses, refuses to set out any proposals to avoid it. Mr speaker, this is a very serious issue. The Prime Minister is running away from scrutiny. Laughter. Running away. Laughter. Running away. Laughter. Running away. Laughter. Running away from scrutiny with his bladder and his shouting. Blather. Many people, mr speaker, including the member for hastings and rye, have come to the conclusion that no deal is his only answer. But he has no mandate for that. In the last general election gave no mandate for no deal. The 2016 referendum gives no mandate for that. And, mr speaker, the co convener that. And, mr speaker, the co convener of the Vote Leave Campaign said in march this year, and a quote, we didnt voted to leave without a deal. He is now the chancellor of the duchy of lancaster. No deal is opposed by every business group, every industry group, every trade union, and has been opposed in votes in this house. I want duterte this reckless government. Taif out. I want duterte this reckless government. Taif out. Laughter. This government that is driving up poverty, deepening inequality, scapegoating migrants, whipping up divisions, and failing this country. A general election isnt something for the Prime Minister to play about with four propaganda points or even his very poor quality post on social media. So perhaps the premise again, could be the last time in this session of parliament, answer some questions. Firstly. Firstly. Order order you are very loud. Calm down, young man. You are getting very overexcited. Very, very overexcited. Very, very, very overexcited. Very, very, very overexcited. Very, very, very overexcited. Very overexcited. You can do better than that. Jeremy corbyn mr speaker, firstly, to the Prime Minister, where are his proposals for renegotiation . Where are they . When were they published, what is the their contents . Secondly, if you think they know deal, why doesnt he argue and seek the mandate foretz that it so far does not possess. No, im not giving way. Thirdly, if he is making, if as he claims, he is making progress. Go to brussels and seek. Order order order let me. Order order order let me. Order order calm yourself. Order. Is the Prime Minister satisfied that he has made his intervention . Order. Or does he wish to complete it . Id like to know, id like to know, mr speaker, if the honourable gentleman wishes to avoid a no deal brexit, why does he not call an election, get a mandate, go to brussels, and negotiate a deal himself. What is his objection to that . Because, mr speaker, we are the responsible party in this room. We dont want to crash out with no deal. And there is also, mr speaker, the issue, of course, of trust in a Prime Minister who is unable to answer any questions and is desperate to suspend parliament to avoid any scrutiny. Thirdly, mr speaker, if he is making progress, as he told the house last week, why did the taoiseach tell the Prime Minister only this morning that he was yet to receive workable plans. That was only this morning. The Prime Minister must be able to remember it. Perhaps he can explain why they felt the need to say that. I realise the desperation of the tory party when all they can do is rearrange things on the titanic. And, finally, since, mr speaker, he didnt bother to turn up. Mr speaker, if i could just informed, with great respect, the members opposite, i have no intention of giving way to any of them. Ok and, finally, mr speaker, since the Prime Minister didnt bother to turn up for the previous debate, will he respect the law and implement the eu withdrawal number six are if he has negotiated an agreement backed by this house on the 19th of october . This parliament is not a platform for the Prime Ministers games stop no, it is a chamber in which the elect did representatives of people hold the executive to account. That is what parliamentary democracy is about. The Prime Minister has been asked four simple questions. Order. MrJeremy Corbyn. Thank you, mr speaker. The Prime Minister is talking up no deal to one wing of his party, and talking up. Laughter. And talking up getting a deal to another wing of his party. The sad reality is hes not preparing adequately for the first, and not negotiating at all for the other. On sunday, mr speaker, the 15th, it is Un International day of democracy when the un celebrates governments being held accountable to their National Parliament in a democracy. This government is only interested in shutting down parliament to avoid any scrutiny. His of the stations and evasions are being rumbled both at home and abroad obfuscations. And thats why he doesnt answer questions. And he is so keen to avoid any scrutiny, tonight he will be attempting to Prorogue Parliament for one of the longest prorogation is theres ever been. Shutting down parliament, shutting down democracy, avoiding questions, taking this country over aycliffe with a no deal exit with all the damage that will do too many of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in our society aycliffe. And all the damage it will do to trade and jobs. All because he wa nts to ta ke do to trade and jobs. All because he wants to take this country in the direction of a trade deal solely with the usa rather than anybody else. Mr speaker, we are not walking into traps laid by this Prime Minister cheering mrjeremy mr jeremy lefroy. Thank you very much indeed, mr speaker. Im going to be extremely brief, and that is simply, and if i could ask the right honourable memberwho could ask the right honourable member who will be concluding on behalf of the government one or two questions, if we do vote for a general election tonight, it will mean that we enter into new types of rules. There will be purdah, there will be other things, rules upon the civil servants. What i would like to know, because ive heard from his very lips, the Prime Ministers strong contention that he is in favour of a deal, is negotiating on behalf of a deal, and i absolutely believe him in this. Hear, hear what i would like to hear from the government is how this can be pursued and prosecuted in the course ofa pursued and prosecuted in the course of a general election in which i believe also that the opposition would have, to some extent, at least ke pt would have, to some extent, at least kept informed. That is all i want to ask because i think its a very important point at a time during a general election where everybody is so general election where everybody is so consumed with campaigning quite rightly, how are we going to prosecute these negotiations . And also deal with the matters of keeping everybody, including the leader robbie the opposition, informed . Leader of the opposition. Mr ian blackford. Thank you, mr speaker. Opposition. Mr ian blackford. Thank you, mrspeaker. Can opposition. Mr ian blackford. Thank you, mr speaker. Can i say its a pleasure to follow the honourable gentleman from stratford, and let me commend him for the way that he has behaved with dignity in his intervention tonight. Can i say to the house, this is an absolutely crucial time for all of us. Its an absolutely crucial time for all our constituents. Of course, there are strong opinions, and there should be. Of course we should have robust debate. Frankly, mr speaker, i be. Of course we should have robust debate. Frankly, mr speaker, lam utterly appalled and ashamed at what weve witnessed in the house this evening. Ican weve witnessed in the house this evening. I can see members laughing, but all of us have a sense of responsibility. And remember this, we had the death of an mp a few short years ago. Too many members in this house are receiving death threats. Too many members of this house are getting verbal abuse outside this place. The leadership that we show. How we all conduct ourselves in this place is very important, andl ourselves in this place is very important, and i appealto ourselves in this place is very important, and i appeal to everybody to show restraint, to act in a dignified manner and to show respect to each other. We are that to all oui to each other. We are that to all our constituents. I will give way. Thank you for giving way and i do believe he says what he says with total sincerity. In that spirit, was he ashamed when the Prime Minister was on his feet and shouted out the words, youre a liar. And another member from the labor benches shouted at the Prime Minister, youre a thug. Does he think those things bring the house into disrepute . Mr speaker, im appealing to all members to behave in a way respectful to colleagues and respect full to our constituents. I have to say i listened very carefully to what the Prime Minister said respectful. I will not ask for another extension. I will not ask for another extension. Mr speaker, just dwell on these words, because the Prime Minister is saying with those words that hes going to ignore and of parliament. That hes going to ignore the law. And i would simply say to the Prime Minister, be careful. Be careful. You occupy the highest office in the land and what youre demonstrating to the people of the United Kingdom is that the law doesnt matter. Thats a very serious situation to be in. And i ask the Prime Minister to think again, to think very carefully or be prepared to pay the consequences of ignoring the law of this land. Doesnt he agree with me that if this was the head of government in a country, say, georgia or moldova or in latin america, tory mps would be lining up to pontificate about that country being a failed state, but because a union flag has been wrapped around it with the usual tory jingoism, wrapped around it with the usual toryjingoism, they think its all a ok. Toryjingoism, they think its all aok. Hear, hear i am deeply concerned about whats happening and im deeply concerned about the proroguing parliament, and the fact the government has pushed this provoking of parliament on the votes of three members of the privy council against the express wishes of the majority members of this house. That concerns me and as democrats, it should concern us all. Mr speaker, i said last week and ill say it again, the snp wants a general election. We want the opportunity to bring this government down, and were going to take it. We wa nt down, and were going to take it. We want the opportunity for the people of scotla nd want the opportunity for the people of scotland to have their voices heard, to make their choice over their futures. Heard, to make their choice over theirfutures. And, mr heard, to make their choice over their futures. And, mr speaker, heard, to make their choice over theirfutures. And, mr speaker, we wa nt theirfutures. And, mr speaker, we want opportunity to stop this Prime Minister from want opportunity to stop this Prime Ministerfrom ripping us out of want opportunity to stop this Prime Minister from ripping us out of the European Union. Can i say to the honourable gentleman. Order, the right honourable gentleman shouldnt have to do so. You are a most statuesque figure and therefore your very readily busy and sometimes audible. I gently say to you, because youre generally a good natured because youre generally a good natu red fellow, it because youre generally a good natured fellow, it is quite inappropriate while standing at the bar of the house to be bellowing also. Stand and look impressive rather than yell, man, that would be my advice. Ian blackford. Thank you, mr speaker. We want opportunity to stop this Prime Minister from ripping us out of the European Union against our will. Members can macro three all they want but this Prime Minister has lost scotland. The Prime Minister has lost the support of the old scottish tory leader jeer. Writing in the Evening Standard tonight, Ruth Davidson has landed a blow on the Prime Minister. Things are really that bad for the Prime Minister and this shambolic, failing tory government. Mr speaker, the matter is simple, we want an election but we dont want it on the Prime Ministers terms. This is a Prime Ministers terms. This is a Prime Ministers terms. This is a Prime Minister obsessed with running down the clock. A Prime Minister who cannot be trusted. A Prime Minister who is seeking to cut parliament tonight so he can drive us off the cliff edge. Well, mr speaker, we are not falling for it hear, hear the Prime Minister thinks he can Treat Parliament however he wants. He things he can ignore the people of scotland, to treat our Scottish Parliament, our government and our citizens as second class citizens. Mr speaker, scotland will not be ignored scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union. Scotland voted overwhelmingly for the snp to oppose a tory government here in westminster, and scotland will have a chance to vote to say that this Prime Minister, this government, does not represent the people of scotla nd does not represent the people of scotland and our wishes. Mr speaker, since the referendum, we have been treated with contempt, shouted down, oui treated with contempt, shouted down, our voices silent, our interests sidelined. Well, mr speaker, let me put the Prime Minister on notice, the election is coming. I give way. I thank the right honourable friend for giving way, but the fact he fails to tell the house, and ive said it before, in 2016, there was more people in scotland voting to leave the European Union than voted for snp in the 2017 election you can ask for more, i can see the Prime Minister laughing, but let me tell you about 2016, we had an election to the Scottish Parliament and the smp won its third election on the trot and we did that with a ma nifesto on the trot and we did that with a manifesto commitment that if there was a Material Change in circumstances, then the scottish people had the right to have a referendum on their future. People had the right to have a referendum on theirfuture. So my message to the honourable member for ayr to the Prime Minister, respect the will of the people of scotland. Mr speaker, once the threat of a no deal brexit is removed from the table, the snp will act, and we urge others to act to bring down the tories, oust this Prime Minister and let the Prime Minister have their say. Once we are safe in the knowledge that were not leaving the European Union, the days of this government will be over. Once we return in october, we expect the opposition to Work Together to bring this government to an end. Weve had enough of this dictatorship enough of the deceit, the thick use, the sham fighting, the games and the stance. Weve had enough. So i say to members, so i say to people at home across these islands who are feeling lost, forgotten, anxious and worried about the future, our time is coming. We will keep fighting for you. Where we can we will work in the interests of the people across scotla nd the interests of the people across scotland and the uk to protect our economy from the brexit catastrophe. And we will create the circumstances, find a way to strip this government of power, and the democratic democratic. We will find a way to strip this government power. We will find a way to strip this government power. Tonight canno say to the honourable gentleman, if you wish to speak in a debate, refer to the speaker, shutting out like this, shutting down scottish voices, it is not the way to go. Mr speaker, give the people back control. An election is coming. Where no deal is off the table, the people of scotla nd off the table, the people of scotland will have the opportunity to choose their future, to choose to be citizens who want to be part of europe, to live in a country that is outward looking unwelcoming. To choose to live in an independent scotla nd choose to live in an independent scotland focused on opportunity and fairness, free of broken bricks of britain. Mr speaker, the Prime Minister is warned his days in office a number brexit. Minister is warned his days in office a number brexit. Sir alan duncan. Mr speaker, had no intention a few weeks ago speaking in this debate, but i would like to say three things which i hope the house will take on board. The first is to appreciate the constitutional catastrophic significance of the fixed term parliaments act. I tried ina fixed term parliaments act. I tried in a ten minute rule bill to repeal it in 2015 and we all understand why it in 2015 and we all understand why it came into being. It was to be the glue in the Coalition Government after the election of 2010. But it should have had a sunset clause. And the effect of this act is now to travel this government and our Prime Minister ina travel this government and our Prime Minister in a very, very kafka esque trap that is finding it very difficult to govern but is unable to call a general election. And they very much hope that the first are, probably of the next parliament, will be to abolish the fixed term parliaments act. The second. The second point is this. It is just to issue a word of caution about the danger that comes with mixing up the difficult and complicated unresolved issue of brexit with a potential general election. A general election is, by its very nature, general. We are allupforgrabs. Is, by its very nature, general. We are all up for grabs. And all policies in the manifesto are also therefore debate. But this has been, brexit, the most divisive, poisonous, difficult issue of our life. And if we go into a general election with an unresolved brexit there is no way that a clear answer on brexit can be said to emerge from that process. And, quite possibly, because of the nature of brexit and the way that it is pushing our entire post Victorian Party system into near collapse, and we may have four way competitions in almost every constituency, we may find that it doesnt actually resolve the problem of government either. So would i so i would asked this house to appreciate that we are in a dreadful bind and that the binary politics of largely labour and conservative may be behind us if not forever at least for a very, very long time. In the third point is this. Id told my right honourable friend, the Prime Minister, that despite some of our past differences, although we worked together very closely in the foreign office, i will. Together very closely in the foreign office, iwill. I together very closely in the foreign office, i will. I will stick by the government. But id very much regret, and it is very painful, but 21 of the most decent members of parliament, hu wei very much regard as kindred spirits, have lost the whip who are very much regard. Imagine the scene, a slightly grotty victorian building that passes as the headquarters of the local conservative association, portraits on the wall of disraeli, churchill, thatcher, then perhaps a couple of blank spaces. And the chairman is there and the phone rings. And someone says there and the phone rings. And someone says i there and the phone rings. And someone says i am a there and the phone rings. And someone says i am a bloke from number10, someone says i am a bloke from number 10, you have never heard from me, but im afraid your mp has been sacked, you must strike him or her off all the records, you cannot talk to them now and we are going to reselect someone to them now and we are going to reselect someone straightaway. The only response a self respecting chaircan give is only response a self respecting chair can give is canno thank you very much for your call, young man, now hugger off. Can i think. So we must appreciate that the constituency is an essential unit of our democracy. It is the Building Block that makes this house what it is. And there may, of course, be party rules, but we should be very careful about letting party rules be superseded by the control at the centre. So a very much hope that although many of the 21 that will be standing down, that it matters less to them, one second, it is not the case for some whose careers should rightfully be ahead of them. So a very much hope that my right honourable friend and our party system, through our chairman, can appreciate that a route should be found back for those who wish to stand again and that all immediate selections for alternative candidate should be suspended so that it can be known that they have a chance. So, no, im not giving way to anybody. No, no so, mr speaker, those are the three points that a simply want to make. And they hope that as this house goes through what isa that as this house goes through what is a very difficult and painful process , is a very difficult and painful process, as we approach the election, that when it is re composed, after that election, we can appreciate the importance of legislation in this house and pay it proper attention so that members of parliament can see that making law is probably their most Important Role as members of parliament and the political combat should take a second place. And if we do that with an, i hope, neveragain have the folly of a fixed term parliaments act. Very well, point of order. Mr speaker, thank you very much. I fear my friends might have inadvertently misled the house in terms of the fa ct misled the house in terms of the fact that in fact every Single Member of this party that has lost the whip is still a member of the conservative party, unless they have chosen to cross the floor. And so the situation that he has described is not. And, actually, ithink the situation that he has described is not. And, actually, i think it is not. And, actually, i think it is important, therefore it is important to actually realise that the discussion we are having is that we need to be the place that we should be talking about. Order. It was to be unkind to the honourable gentleman. They recognise that he thinks he has got a serious point i dont wish to be. The right honourable gentleman has made a speech whose meaning is perfectly clear. If the honourable gentleman was to disagree with him he can do so was to disagree with him he can do so elsewhere. It is not a matter that requires my adjudication. Why was absolutely clear and dont feel the house bills miss lead feels misled. Thank you, mr speaker. It is a delight to follow the right honourable member for rutland and melton. Who i thought made a thoughtful contribution to this debate in what is an important time for parliaments and, may i say, in some stark contrast to the beginning of this debate, which, im afraid, id do not believe was a very edifying spectacle for our constituents who are watching this and who are, many of them, worried about what is happening in our country right now. The braying, the bluster, britain deserves better. They also want to commend the right honourable member for hastings and ray for the brave decision that she took at the weekend. We are in exceptional times and in the face of a Prime Minister who is prepared not only to shut out of his party more than 20 individuals who have given it great service, he is prepared to shut down parliament, potentially flout the rule of law, and inflict on the British Public the consequences of no deal as outlined in the yellowhammer report. I think it is important that others in the conservative party also examine their consciences about what they can do and the role they are playing in all of this. The Prime Minister in his speech goaded those of us on the opposition benches who disagree with his dash for an election and he said it is because we are afraid that he will win. Well, id say to the Prime Minister, people in this country are afraid. They are afraid ofa country are afraid. They are afraid of a no deal brexit. They are afraid of a no deal brexit. They are afraid ofa of a no deal brexit. They are afraid of a no deal brexit. They are afraid of a no deal brexit. They are afraid of a no deal brexit that his own government analysis, that he is trying to keep secret, even in the face of this house of voting for it to be published, says that there will be Food Shortages of fresh food and prices will rise, that they will be delays and disruption to fuel supplies in the south east, and that there will be as severe extended delays for medical supplies that there will be. So it is no wonder that people are afraid and he should treat this matter with more seriousness. I will give way to the honourable gentleman. Would she agree with me that instead of the Government Spending £100 million of taxpayers money on propaganda they should disclose yellowhammer and spend £100 million educating the public about the horror that faces us public about the horror that faces us if we have a no deal . It is very clear that the government should release that report and they have been instructed to do so by this house. I want s got the myth that he is putting about that a no deal brexit is in some way and end to this whole brexit issue. As, indeed, leo varadkar made clear today, that that would be a case of being back to the negotiating table, that a no deal brexit isjust to the negotiating table, that a no deal brexit is just the beginning of many further years of negotiations. If people really want an end to this brexit meyer, the way to do that is to stop brexit mire. Igive to do that is to stop brexit mire. I give way. The guardian, of which i am an avid reader, said the lib dems are poised to back the revoking of article 50 entirely. Is that correct . The honourable gentleman cannot be surprised that the liberal democrats are a party that wishes to stop brexit. And in a general election, where we will stand to secure a liberal liberal democrat majority, such a majority government would revoke article 50. Ido government would revoke article 50. I do not think he should be surprised by that position. Perhaps he should pay more attention. But this government and this Prime Minister have no mandate for a no deal brexit that they are trying to force on the british people. It is clear, also, from the resignations of the right honourable members, that he has no plans for securing a brexit deal. He is not entering into this in any spirit of seriousness. And i think they speech by the right honourable memberfor stafford made this point exceptionally well. How does he think after negotiating a dealfor three years how does he think after negotiating a deal for three years that he alone can achieve in four weeks what he she failed to do and fight a general election at the same time . What arrogance . If he was serious about negotiating deal he would be negotiating deal he would be negotiating hard in brussels, not running away from the responsibility of thejob he now running away from the responsibility of the job he now holds that he said he wanted for such a long time. The right on member for rutland and melton i think made the excellent point that a general election cannot be guaranteed to resolve this issue one way or another right honourable member. The best way to do this is to hold a peoples vote on the brexit deal. That is the best way to resolve this crisis. To give people that choice of no deal. To give people the choice of the brexit deal thats been negotiation or to remain in the European Union. Negotiated. But i believe there is a majority for no specific type of brexit in this country a specific type. We can determine that in a peoples vote. The liberal democrats are Crystal Clear. We peoples vote. The liberal democrats are Crystal Clear. We want to stop exit. Ill give way to the honourable member for gellibrand. Exit. Ill give way to the honourable member for gellibrandlj thank her. Fee say she wants a second referendum but the question for the british people will be this, if she gets the answer she doesnt agree with the stated position of the lib dems is to ignore it she says cheltenham. The lib dems is to ignore it she says cheltenham. He should pay more attention to his constituents in cheltenham and what they would like to happen. But can i say in a nswer to like to happen. But can i say in answer to his point, of course i wa nt answer to his point, of course i want us, liberal democrats want us, to stay in the European Union. Of course we want that to happen. And we wa nt course we want that to happen. And we want people to have the choice to choose that option in a peoples vote. Order. Order. There are points of order earlier in our proceedings about conduct that was very intimidating for members, and in some cases members families. I know there are inflamed passions but i ask know there are inflamed passions but iask members know there are inflamed passions but i ask members to consider this the honourable lady is trying to deliver a speech, and doing so with her customary eloquence and fluency. No, with her customary eloquence and fluency. She shouldnt be shouted down and she wont be. Stop it jo swinson. Thank you, mr speaker, and i appreciate others in the house would like the liberal democrats to be silenced, and that will not happen on my watch. Because we are Crystal Clear on brexit, we want to stop brexit, and thats why thousands across the country are joining the liberal democrats, including mps from both the labor and conservative parties. Now, whether its votes in this house all ministerial colleagues, the Prime Minister is making a habit of losing. And although i believe a peoples vote is the best route to resolve this, i say to the Prime Minister he can have his general election as soon as he secures an extension, because otherwise we risk a scenario where there is a general election where we might crash out of the European Union without a deal either during or in the immediate aftermath of such an election, and with parliament not sitting at those crucial moments, it would be the height of irresponsibility to dissolve parliament at that time. Any general election must be undertaken in a period of calm, with an orderly approach, not in a period of national. The Prime Minister is playing at this. In his speech tonight, he made it sound like this was sport, that this was a game. This is not a student debating society. This is about the national interest. About being sure we avoid the risk of a no deal brexit, and thats why we will vote down his motion tonight. Studio so, if yourejustjoining us, ican studio so, if yourejustjoining us, i can confirm we are listening to the debate on the Prime Ministers motion to bring another snap election vote. It seems from what weve heard that hes not likely to get the two thirds jollity he needs. Lets up some some of the contributions weve had. Majority. Youve heard from Boris Johnson that he will not go to the European Union and request another deal in spite of the law that got royal assent today. Hes said hes had enough of this, the people in the country have had enough of it, it is undermining respect in this house. He asked the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, who stands in his way why is he conniving to stop exit at a cost of £250 million a week to stay in the European Union . Jeremy corbyn said there would be no election stop brexit. Not until the Prime Minister has complied with the bill and no deal has been taken off the table. He reiterated what the taoiseach said today, leo varadkar, no deal wouldnt be a clean break, it would be a new period of confusion and delay. We heard from ian blackford, the leader of the snp, who said he wanted an election but not on the terms of the Prime Minister. You heard from the lib dem leader, jo swinson, who said in her words the uk is at risk of crashing out without a deal during or immediately after an election, and that would be the height of irresponsibility. There was one interesting contribution through that from alan duncan, the former foreign minister, who said that we are in this kafkaesque situation, which many people around the world, andindeed which many people around the world, and indeed the country, will be watching. An government unable to govern without a majority and unable to call an election. He called on the house after an election to look again at the fixed term parliaments act and to abolish it. He also spoke warmly for his 21 colleagues who had lost the whip who had been suspended from the conservative party. He called, as many of his colleagues have done so, for an appeal to be readmitted to the party. Another typically boisterous and impassioned closing session, and this is the closing session, and this is the closing session, and this is the closing session because once they have voted on this election this evening, the commons will stand and cross to the house of lords. They will probe parliament and parliament will probe parliament and parliament will not sit for another five weeks, not until october the 1ath, which would be just two weeks before the official brexit date. Lets bring you jessica parker, whose been watching with us in the lobby this evening. As i was saying, jessica, listening to the contributions from various opposition leaders, it doesnt look likely, as suspected, that Boris Johnson doesnt look likely, as suspected, that borisjohnson will get his election tonight. Very unlikely the Prime Minister. Second attempt in a week, as it happens, well get this snap election on october the 15th stop the opposition parties basically saying for the most part, 0h, basically saying for the most part, oh, we are game for an election but we think calling one in october would be a mistake because under the fixed term parliaments act it can be changed to november the first, see Parliament Dissolved in the run up to that election and forced through a no deal brexit. Thats the suspicion. Downing street would push back on that and suggest it is nonsense. You heard from Boris Johnson perhaps the suggestions we heard last week that he believes the opposition, especially labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, is simply running scared. We heard again, and its the most important point from what we got from the Prime Minister tonight, that hes not going to go and request that delay labour leader. Despite the fact many today have said he would be in breach of the law and thats not a good precedent to set, of course. You wonder how hes going to get around that because although ministers have said they will test it to their legal limit they will test it to their legal limit its legal limit, we heard from lord somerton, former Supreme Court judge, from lord somerton, former Supreme Courtjudge, theres no way around this and this is the law of the land and he has to comply. Thats right, this is Boris Johnson and he has to comply. Thats right, this is borisjohnson and what are his ministers thinking . It was interesting to him at the dispatch box and repeat i think that he will not be seeking a delay to brexit. That is after mps have passed a bill, it became law officially today that potentially mandates him to do just that and afterJeremy Corbyn even held a special debate trying to remind, as he put it, the Prime Minister and his ministers about the rule of law. Thats why theres speculation that comes around the 19th of october, the sort of cut off debate for this demand for Boris Johnson to seek a delay to brexit, you could see a court battle, for example. We know a number of mps, including rebel tories, basically seeking legal advice and lining up a legal team to try to compel Boris Johnson to seek that delay if he appears reluctant to do so. And tonight he seemed very reluctant. Its important to make the point that the strategy he has devised to keep no deal on the table and to not ask for a withdrawal is not aimed at neutralising Jeremy Corbyn and the labor party, it is devised to neutralise nigel farage and the brexit party and if he were to ask for that la, elliptically he would be goosed, wouldnt he . This whole strategy would be up in smoke and it would open up the conservative party that delay. Would open up the conservative party that delay. I remember from Boris Johnsons leadership campaign, he said kick the can further down the road and we kick the bucket, which is what you are alluding to. The feeling from the conservative Party Leadership at the moment that the people they need to take on is indeed the brexit party. If they look back to those European Election results, for example, that really scared a lot of conservatives and borisjohnson, it scared a lot of conservatives and Boris Johnson, it seems, scared a lot of conservatives and borisjohnson, it seems, and his tea m borisjohnson, it seems, and his team in downing street, they have decided they are picking a side on this remain versus leave debate. Sticking their colours firmly to the mast of leave, saying its a do or die brexit on october the 31st, trying to take on the brexit party, neutralise them, and trying to paint Jeremy Corbyns party as a party of remain. As you will be filled million with, you would argue that labour Party Positions are more nuanced and some would say confused on their position on brexit familiar. That seems to be a Boris Johnson strategy and one he was repeating tonight. Jessica parker, good to get your thoughts and thanks for being with us stuffy no ambiguity in in the position of the lib dems this evening, a line from them being with us. Their Party Conference starts in bournemouth on saturday and jo swinson said in the last few minutes that if they were returned with a majority, they would be no referendum, no asking the people again, article 50 would be revoked and the uk would stay in the eu revoked and the uk would stay in the eu there would stop does that rule out an alliance with the labour party . There would. Plenty of questions about that in the coming days. Lets return to the house of commons and the debate but before that, we will be here with continuing coverage of this debate and the vote on this motion from the Prime Minister on that snap election in the next 20 minutes or so. Stay tuned also for the spectacle of the commons rising and being prorogued. Its an ancient spectacle. They will cross to the house of lords. It is something to watch. For the moment, lets go back to that debate. There were times in my travels to the beautiful constituency of thirsk and malton, where i have been approached by people saying what on earth are you lot doing their . Why cant you just sort it out together . There are three reasons why they cant we cant stop in there are lots of remain remain mps remain mps we cant. I voted to remain. If there was another referendum i would vote to remain again. But i dont advocate a referendum. Ive had my fill of referendums. I also voted in this place to give people a voted in this place to give people a vote to decide whether we stay or leave, but nevertheless, if people are straightforward, when push comes to shove, there are a number of mps in this place who do want a second referendum whatever they might say. The second reading of course is Party Politics, and the leader of the opposition, of course, is the worst culprit of this second reason. He seems to claim two leave the eu without a deal would be catastrophic despite his decades old claim we need to leave whatever to leave. And a deal that came to this house, a fair dealfrom the former Prime Minister, 90 of collea g u es former Prime Minister, 90 of colleagues on the side of the house and voted to pass that deal. He voted for it 296 of members opposite voted for it 296 of members opposite voted for it 296 of members opposite voted for that, five members of parliament. Too much Party Politics got in the way of a sensible deal. And the final point is i think in terms of brexit perfection. There are 10 of the colleagues on this side of the house that for whatever reason thought the deal was too hot or too cold, we did not vote for that deal. It was not seen as the goldilocks deal. Some people said it wasnt brexit. Some people voted for a clean break, they said. Studio we are live in the house of commons where politicians, the Prime Minister has asked politicians to back a general election. Lets listen to the debate. When we when we leave when we leave we when we leave we will when we leave we will be when we leave we will be part when we leave we will be part of when we leave we will be part of it. When we leave we will be part of it. It is quite reasonable that people would expect that when we leave there would be a deal. And that is why the Prime Minister put her red lines, set out her red lines,