PMQ's: Corbyn decided to go on Brexit, starting with Dr Fox's remark that it would be easiest deal in human history, May gets on general argument about trade freedom and says progress is being made but attacks Labour MEP's for voting against phase 2. Corbyn messes up with a out of context shot about looking behind her, quotes a Tory donor but it lacks a big punch and loses rhythm as he goes on not telling DUP, May points out Labour are all over place on Brexit. Corbyn ignores that and says missed Davies said it would be done by October and Forster not getting papers then asks about Irish border position, May says same as Lanchester house speech, Corbyn says she didn't answer question (felt mistake as soon as he said it) and goes on DUP in control, goes on Davies and sectoral reports, May points out she had answered question and gives technical answer on sectorial reports, Corbyn goes on the Davies scandal but doesn't go anywhere with it then asks about itemised accounts list of payments, May says that won't be possible till final deal. Corbyn goes for summery of government unable to solve any big issue, May more effective on Labour's promises they can't delivery including a leaflet on promising to abolish student debt
Poor by Corbyn, worst for some time from him, he seemed jittery, losing rhythm, his attacks lack punch or passion, delivery poor and not really responding to what was going on, May shaky at start but pounced on every mistake, growing in confidence and exploiting Labour's lack of coherence. Blackford says this week shows DUP has veto on Brexit, that Monday was embarrassing and shows May is in office, not in power, May talks about the particular circumstances of N.Ireland, Blackford calls for us to remain in single market and customs union which would save Irish question, May says Brexit means leaving both and building trade deals across the world. Blackford spoke with passion and better delivery but lack of killer blow, Haigh showed them both how it should be done.
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-Spring statement 13th March but Hammond warns not to expect too much other then OBR reports and setting out some thinking in preparation for budget
-David Anderson's review says Manchester attacks might have been prevented in certain circumstances, failed to pick up significance of two pieces of intelligence an MI5 needs to share more
-Davies met with laughter in Commons yesterday
-Hunt furious with Facebook creating a service for U13's
-Damien Green accuses one ex-cop of lying and now may face legal action
-Accusations inquiry into Sargeant got leaked before the late AM was told
-Dublin denies they stopped Forster being shown negotiation papers
-Rumours Boris has told cabinet he has concerns at "regulatory alignment" and rumours of a revolt forming
-Barnier deputy Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld says they need to know what UK wants, UK's Ireland proposal was unworkable but they have no wish to punish UK
-Boris wants phase 2 to start now
-Davies tells Brexit committee there is no sector by sector Brexit study, will be impact assessment later (as right now would be pointless) but won't be released as would hamper talks, refuses to defend government/whip decisions not to amend the Commons demand for Brexit papers to be released to committee, Brexit won't lead to shortage of nurses, willing to use privy council terms to give more information to certain MP's, they took no impact assessment before deciding to leave customs union. Not sure saying he is being made late for next appointment went down well
-Plenty of opposition MP's accusing Davies of misleading Parliament, Bercow says he will wait for Brexit Committee report before deciding if to allow a debate
-MI5 foil assassination plot against May
-Hammond banned from using RAF transport due to Treasury vs Mod row over bill (possibly also due to Hammond's allies saying Williamson has struggled to get head round the post). Hammond says cabinet have not discussed what final Brexit would look at (number 10 very quickly announces it will be done before Christmas), we will pay what we owe EU even without a trade deal (number 10 slaps him down for that), no deal would cost UK way more then Brexit divorce bill, when told he isn't trending on twitter like Davies did that morning Hammond remarks that is probably a good thing
-Confusion as Sir Stramer seems to indicate we should stay in single market and customs union
-Dublin offers to insert clarifying text to help May, suggesting it says integrity of UK won't be undermined
-Forster says DUP should have seat at EU talks, will travel to London when things are nearly done
-OECD says state pension is worst in any major country
-Sir Stramer
on Brexit-Junker says he is willing to meet May at any time to help
-A strong sense the Hard Brexiteers are losing patience with May and acting with loaded questions at PMQ's
-Varadkar says phase 1 could go into January but he is under some pressure to soothe things with N.Ireland
-Parliament's sports and social bar shut indefinitely after braw
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-Warm welcome for Jowell as she enters Lords
-IDS says EU needs to back off or we walk away from talk, Nicky Morgan calls that madness and a betrayal of the young
-Rees-Mogg says Davies and government have gone above and beyond call of duty in trying to help incompetent motion calling for release of papers and given more then called for. Not what he was saying last week... Notes May's red lines seem rather pink
-Robert Hutton
Brexit Committee hearing on sectoral analyses starts up. I'm having flashbacks to university seminars where I'd been caught out pretending to have done the reading.
-Tracy Crouch welcomes ban on Russia at winter Olympics combined with clean Russian athletes allowed under neutral flag
-Elisha McCallion
not happy with DUP stance-Momentum head Jon Lansman demands return of all council candidates in London, saying sitting Corbynites have been excluded from shortlist for no reason (some of the sitting councillors are considering legal action against Labour)
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-Mark Devenport
on Ireland issue-Eaton on
Labour's careful Brexit position-Behr
calls for Tory Remainers to rise up now-Simon Boyd wants
to leave EU standards behind-Mick Hume rails against
DUP being made scapegoat and EU generally
“You, are a rebellious son who abandoned his father. You are a cruel brigand who murdered his lord. How can Heaven and Earth put up with you for long? And unless you die soon, how can you face the sight of men?”