more defections over brexit, this time from the conservatives — three mps leave the party, accusing it of moving to the right. anna soubry, sarah wollaston you're watching bbc newsroom live — it's11am and these are the main and heidi allen sat stories this morning: with the independent group of mps the teenage girl who joined is says at prime minister's questions — being stripped of her british the tory deputy chairman found out citizenship is "unjust" — but any appeal process is likely to be lengthy. about the defections live on air. what is your reaction? obviously it is disappointing, very sad and disappointing. this is a complex issue and it we'll bring you all the news could run for a very long time and analysis from westminster. also this lunchtime: through the courts and i suspect the result is going to be she will stay where she is for maybe the family of the uk two years at least. teenager who left tojoin the islamic state group in syria say mpjoan ryan becomes the eighth to quit labour to join they will challenge the new independent the government decision to revoke her british citizenship. plans to merge sainsbury‘s and asda group in parliament. are in doubt after the markets watchdog says it could push up with speculation mounting at prices for shoppers. one person has died and three are injured after a rare on—piste westminster, a clutch of tories could be poised to defect. is this liftoff moment for the new independent group? a warning from the uk's

competition watchdog, which says the proposed supermarket merger between sainsbury‘s and asda could push up prices. new powers to tackle the misuse of drones, as the no—fly zones around airports are extended. and young people in the uk are more likely to die from asthma than those in other wealthy countries — according to a new report. good morning. welcome to bbc newsroom live. the teenager who fled the uk to join the islamic state group says she's upset and frustrated that the home office has revoked her british citizenship. samima begum said the decision was "unjust" on her and her newly born son. it's thought she may be eligible for citizenship of bangladesh — as her parents were born there. the home secretary, sajid javid, ordered the move against the 19—year—old, who travelled to syria to support

the islamic state group in 2015. simonjones reports. she wants to return home but has been told she is not welcome. shamima begum remains in a refugee camp in syria. shejoined the so—called islamic state group when she was 15 but has now fled. she has just given birth after losing two previous children. i just want forgiveness, really, from the uk. everything i've been through i didn't expect i would go through that. she has been accused of showing no remorse after she equated the children killed in the manchester bombing two years ago with people being bombed by coalition forces in ijaz held areas of syria. are you sure she won't be left stateless? the home secretary

says his priority is the safety and security of britain. in order to deprive someone of british citizenship, the home secretary needs to be satisfied that it is conducive to the public good and they have conducted themselves in a manner seriously prejudicial to the interests of the uk. he must be sure they are able to become a national of another country. the home office believes shamima begum is eligible for bangladeshi citizenship as her mother is thought to be a bangladeshi national. this power is used quite a bit, about 100 times in recent yea rs. used quite a bit, about 100 times in recent years. it is normally used on people who are serious terrorists, occasionally on other types of serious criminal. we don't know how serious criminal. we don't know how serious this woman's women auntie was in syria, if indeed she broke uk law at all. family is considering all legal avenues to contest the decision. the birth of her baby boy, who she was carrying under her clothes when the bbc interviewed her, further complicates the situation. the baby is entitled to

british nationality. the baby is probably entitled to bangladesh nationality, and the baby's father is dutch. dutch law is a little different. if the father, who a p pa re ntly different. if the father, who apparently is still alive, and vows that the baby, says that the baby is his, as he appears to be, and the baby can also receive dutch nationality. the question of citizenship as a matter for the british authorities, according to bangladesh's foreign secretary. any appeal could take years so this refugee camp is likely to remain her home for the foreseeable future. let's speak now to the human rights lawyer, david haigh. hejoins me via webcam from cornwall. good morning. what you make of the home office's defence or rationale for starting this move? it says that shamima begum is eligible for

nationality of another country, may be bangladesh, because of her pa rents. be bangladesh, because of her parents. i understand the concern that people, the public have. it would we be looking at the same situation had she, in her interview, got the sympathy of the people and cried and showed remorse? what are the next steps? we have already seen that herfamily the next steps? we have already seen that her family is clearly going to challenge the decision of the home office. we have seen from previous precedent that they can go all the

way to the supreme court, european courts. and as you mentioned earlier you have the father's nationality, the banker —— he nationality of the child, it is a very complicated matter that will go on for years. the bangladeshi authorities say this isa the bangladeshi authorities say this is a matter concerning the british authorities and the bangladesh —— that bangladesh doesn't know anything about the matter. does that make a difference to the uk's case? it is unclear as to exactly on what basis they are, they have basically said she has nationality, it appears she is entitled to nationality in manga —— but at present she doesn't have it. whether or not due process has been followed in written and the existing laws is also a question. then there is the question of shamima begum's baby son. what complexities does that add to the

case? potentially could the authorities in the uk treat the baby separately from the way they treat the mother? that is the problem. another problem, you have technically got three potential nationalities, three nationalities for the child with bangladesh there, england's and potentially the netherlands. it is a very, located problem in terms of various jurisdictions and not made any easier in terms of brexit, that might even have an application. 24 your time might even have an application. 24 yourtime and your might even have an application. 24 your time and your thoughts on that case. “— your time and your thoughts on that case. —— thank you. another labour mp has quit the party to join the new independent group of backbenchers in the commons. joan ryan, who represents enfield north, said she was "horrified, appalled and angered" by labour's failure to tackle anti—semitism. speculation is mounting that a small number of conservative mps, unhappy at the government's approach to brexit, may alsojoin the group — with a possible announcement today. our assistant political editor norman smith is in the central lobby of the houses of parliament.

good morning. last night seven became eight. is it possible that even before the end queues at noon, that number could increase further? quite possible. it is eight minutes past 11 and no more defections yet but i think there is a growing view that there will be more. i was told by one more person who should know about these things to be on standby, which i take as meaning something is going to happen. what most people think is going to happen is that the clutch may be too, three, may be for conservative mps could leave to join the new independent group. that would be a significant boost for them, obviously broadening their appeal. also bolstering their numbers, that would take them to 11, maybe 12. it is a big blow to mrs may as well because it would make her even more of a minority government. let's just

her even more of a minority government. let'sjust put her even more of a minority government. let's just put it on hold for the time being because nothing has happened yet. what has happened overnight is the decision byjoan ryan to quit. citing in particular what she regards as the anti—semitism that has taken hold in the labour party onjeremy corbin‘s watch, accusing him of doing too little to tackle it and saying that the labour party is now institutionally anti—semitic. have a listen to her speaking on the radio this morning. actions speak louder than words and he has introduced or allowed to happen in our party this scourge of anti—semitism. it is completely infected the party. every opportunity to deal with it, it has not been dealt with. we have had a whitewash report, unprecedented actions of jewish people feeling they have to demonstrate against the labour party in parliament square,

we have had endless calls on him to deal with the most virulent and vile anti—semitism, bullying, abuse and aggression and he has turned away from doing that. norman, link to all of this, talk about some in labour wanting there has been a slightly splits response from the labour leadership. some ofjeremy corbyn‘s allies pointing out that joan some ofjeremy corbyn‘s allies pointing out thatjoan ryan was facing a deselection threat, as were three of the other labour mps who defected. noticeable as well that much more cautious response from jeremy corbyn compare to that of john mcdonnell who yesterday morning urged him to reach out, to listen to criticism. this morning we have heard again from tom watson, the deputy leader, renewing his appeal tojeremy deputy leader, renewing his appeal to jeremy corbyn and deputy leader, renewing his appeal tojeremy corbyn and others to take on board the concerns of unhappy labour mps. i have been a member of the labour party since i was 15, i love it as

an institution. but i did say there are aspects of it that i don't recognise any more, the harshness, the brutality, bullying. yes, it is small numbers of people. we are a half a million strong party and the vast majority of those members are enthusiastic, theyjust vast majority of those members are enthusiastic, they just want vast majority of those members are enthusiastic, theyjust want to live ina fairercountry. enthusiastic, theyjust want to live in a fairer country. that's why i joined all those years ago. but there are some new members, a tiny number, buti there are some new members, a tiny number, but i think are harsh and bullying in their ways. i felt shamed when luciano barger felt she had to leave. she was driven out by racist bullies. that is completely u na cce pta ble racist bullies. that is completely unacceptable in any liberal democracy. we have just heard that the three tory mps who i think many people thought would go have indeed gone.

that is anna soubry, sarah wollaston and heidi and. anna soubry saying in and heidi and. anna soubry saying in a letter that she leaves with a heavy heart. what unites them all is they have been prominent critics of mrs may over brexit. more than that they have also spoken out on what they have also spoken out on what they regard as the influence of the ha rd they regard as the influence of the hard right and tory brexiteer is. mirroring much of the criticism of the labour defectors about the influence of momentum and mr corbin‘s supporters. i am joined by a close friend ofjoan ryan who quit overnight. how do you read the tory resignations? i think it's interesting that there are three women who are incredibly brave. i congratulate them on their decision. if they felt that things were going to wrong in their own party, and they have been immensely brave. what does it do for the prospects for this independent group? they are now up this independent group? they are now up to 11. they now have tory and

labour. does that change their prospects in anyway?” labour. does that change their prospects in anyway? i suppose it is too early to say. this is uncharted territory for this generation. we don't know. perhaps it says to jeremy corbyn and the labour leadership that they have to decide whether they want to be a small rump thatis whether they want to be a small rump that is never going to be elected or they want to be a party of government. if they want to be a party of government they have to include the joan ryan is, the chuka umunna is, got to include all of the labour mps who have now left. your own position, will you stay or go? todayis own position, will you stay or go? today is my birthday, i am 59, it marks the 43rd year of my labour party membership. i love being in the party, serving my constituents, i want the party, serving my constituents, iwant go the party, serving my constituents, i want go without a fight. but it is up i want go without a fight. but it is up to i want go without a fight. but it is y i want go without a fight. but it is up tojeremy and how he responds. —— i will not go without a fight. three

tory defectorsjoining i will not go without a fight. three tory defectors joining the new independent movement whose numbers are now 11. thank you. we will continue to examine this breaking news. we are saying goodbye right 110w news. we are saying goodbye right now to viewers on bbc two. news just baking in the last few seconds that three conservative mps, anna soubry, sarah liston and heidi and, as was rumoured, have resigned from the conservative party. you can see the letter it there. it is with regret that we are writing to resign. our membership of the party. we will sit with the new independent group in parliament. the final line of the letter says, the final straw for us has been the government's disastrous handling of bags. we are hearing in the last few seconds that the three will be holding a news

conference around 12:45pm. let's head back to our assistant political editor, norman smith, in the central lobby of the houses of parliament. this was rumoured, of course, but nonetheless it has tremendous impact. this feels like a significant moment, that this independent group is growing. yes, an absolutely crucial moment for them to keep up the momentum. the last thing they wanted to become was a small rump, and tiejeremy corbyn club, moaning about the labour leadership. they needed to broaden out and to keep getting headlines, to keep creating a sense of purpose and drive, of happening. they have 110w and drive, of happening. they have now got that. they had joan ryan overnight now they have these three tories. crucially, in terms of their appeal, they want to, as they see it, break the old tribal moulds of politics. we have been here before, backin politics. we have been here before, back in the 1980s, with the sdp who

talked about breaking the mould as well. you cannot just talked about breaking the mould as well. you cannotjust be a group of labour refusers, you have to reach beyond that. they are presenting themselves now 30 much as the and tie brexit group. —— pretty much. all three who have jumped today our big and tie brexit campaigners. prominent critics of mrs may over brexit. interesting, they all have their difficult —— different disagreements with mrs may. heidi allen has been a vocal critic over universal credit. sarah williston over the nhs, lack of plans for dealing with social care. anna soubry over the party were languishing its one nation credentials and business credentials. they have a range of disagreements. the other thing i do think is significant is that these are three women. that matters if you think part of the beef with brexit

is its regards in parliament as a sort of all boys club. the decision of these three to go just changes the complexion of the new party, gives it a different feel and makes it slightly more inclusive. that may also make it more attractive. i suppose the question for mrs may is, how does she ensure that no one else follows them? there will be other tories thinking if these three have gone, why shouldn't i goat as well? what will be interesting is the response of team name because we have seen a very divided response from jeremy corbyn. we have seen the softly, softly approach ofjohn mcdonnell, everyone come down, and then the much either response from then the much either response from the likes of jeremy then the much either response from the likes ofjeremy corbyn who has sort of spurned the chance to reach out. interesting to see how mrs may responds. lets breakdown the many questions this gives rise to. talk to us more about what this means for parliamentary arithmetic and what greater burying it might have on how brexit progresses.

in terms of numbers it won't make any difference to the brexit votes because these 11 were always, and are always, i suspect, going to vote against brexit. it doesn't change the parliamentary arithmetic there. what it may do is in terms of stiffening the sinews of those tories who have not yet broken ranks. we know there are tory mps, ministers, indeed, who are deeply unhappy about mrs may's strategy, about running down the clock and the grip of the er g. the question is whether the decision of these three emboldened the tory sleepers who may 110w emboldened the tory sleepers who may now decide, you know what, if they have the guts to do this, i have the guts to make a stand as well. whether they will more inclined to vote for amendments like the amendment seeking to wrench back control of the brexit process from the prime minister and hand it over to parliament, enabling parliament to parliament, enabling parliament to delay brexit. it may have a very

real impact next week when we get to that crunch vote on the so—called cooper bowls amendment which would empower parliament to delay brexit. a final thoughts for the moment, we we re a final thoughts for the moment, we were just showing you as images from last month, where sarah wollaston, anna soubry and others were meeting those mps, there was a labourer, former labour mps who left to set up this independent group. clearly like—minded people coming together. in the longer term, are we looking potentially at a real realignment of british politics with a more centrist group emerging? that is the aspiration. but this begins with very small steps. they are miles away from this. the sdp, when they broke cover, they were big, big figures, royjenkins, former home secretary, shirley williams, former education secretary, david owen,

former foreign secretary. these individuals, with the best will to them, are not of the same calibre. they do not carry with them the same sort of political have to. that is not to say it is a foregone conclusion. and they can succeed. their calculation is that politics now is in a state of flux that we have not seen before. with so much turmoil and uncertainty, but opens all sorts of avenues. their hope is that there is a large slab of the electorate who feel politically disenfranchised. who feel nothing in common with jeremy disenfranchised. who feel nothing in common withjeremy corbyn‘s labour party and little in common with the tory party warring over brexit. the hope is they can tap into that and provide a home for a more centrist bloc of the electorate. for the moment, thank you very much. what a morning it is turning out to be.

let's talk to john curtis, morning it is turning out to be. let's talk tojohn curtis, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. good morning. you are aware of the rumours that he is now formerly conservative mps might leave the party and joined the independent group. now it is actually happens, what do you make of it? two crucial points, the first is the extent to which this underlies —— underlines how disruptive brexit potentially is of our party system. we have seen in the various votes about brexit procedure etc. we have seen labour mps breaking the web and voting for mrs may's deal. conservatives voting against their governments. the potential was always there, but now this has been turned into something whereby mps from both sides of the house of commons have decided to defect and. we have significant defections from both sides of the house of commons. this does to begin

to mark this as a rather different sets of developments from that of the sdp. the sdp was essentially a split in the labour party. only one conservative mps went across. it is only three but these three well—known conservative mps have now alsojoined this well—known conservative mps have now also joined this group. well—known conservative mps have now alsojoined this group. it well—known conservative mps have now also joined this group. it is filling the void which the liberal democrats have so far been unable to fill because still many voters won't forgive them their sins, as they see it, of the coalition. labour have increasingly struggled to fill that gap because they are keen to hang on to leave the voters. that is the void of a party willing to come out as being avowedly opposed to brexit. many will describe this as a centrist group, and in some respects so far, whether you are on the left

or —— or right, that is true. the thing that will demarcate this group, and the thing immediately facilitated this develop and, is brexit. that is something that comes —— cuts across the divide. on that debate, this group will not be in the centre, they will be very much on the pro—brexit side. the interesting question, norman has already pointed out that probably this development doesn't make much difference to the votes next week. but where it could potentially make a difference, but would almost —— also face this group with a difficult choice, if the house of commons does not take control of the brexit process and mrs may not being able to renegotiate her deal, the government faces another vote of confidence on the grounds that it is heading for a new deal brexit that mps don't want. three conservative mps, ex conservative mps, committed to vote against the government makes that vote potentially narrow. this isa group that vote potentially narrow. this is a group of now 11 mps who are in no fit state to fight an early

general election. they could precipitate an event that could make their own lives extremely difficult. how do you think theresa may will respond to this? we have seen some of the response from labour, a mixed response depending on who you listen to. i don't expect mrs may to push. i think today confirms why mrs may has been doing what she has been doing. she has been perfectly aware that if she goes towards a harder brexit goes for a new deal, she was a lwa ys brexit goes for a new deal, she was always at risk of losing that relatively small but prominent group of pro—remain tory mps. on the other hand, if she went towards a softer brexit and maybe take some compromises, she would lose the your g group. she has now lost already some of those remainder groups. she certainly won't have any further incentive to move in the direction

ofa incentive to move in the direction of a softer brexit. she probably now feels even more empowered to try to come up with something on her brexit deal that will keep the your g happy, that the eu will buy into. beyond this immediate domestic political drama, we are wondering what these various talks between stephen barclay, the attorney general geoffrey cox and michelle barnier, today with the prime minister and jean—claude juncker, what will come out of that. it is a very clear message, if theresa may is to keep the rest of the party together she needs to solve this rubik cube of brexit sooner rather than later. you think it will push to reason may closer to the er g group? it doesn't provide her any incentive to keep her remain mps on board because there are now fewer left. they need to come up with something that keeps the your g group happy, and the bulk of her party happy, in such a way that in the end the commitment to leave his delivered, but the damage to business that it is thought no deal

would bring, and which is clearly something many tory mps are not willing to contemplate, that is what she has to still, keep that coalition together. i think today underlines how crucial it is that she keeps that coalition together. today certainly doesn't provide her with an answer as to how to solve that problem. we are just hearing some reaction from therese anais. it has just some reaction from therese anais. it hasjust come into some reaction from therese anais. it has just come into us saying that she is saddened by the resignations but insisting that, and the quote is, we are doing the right thing for our country. still with professor john curtis, i guess that is a reaction we would expect from theresa may. a fairly neutral reaction, not giving much away. given that 70% of conservative voters are predominantly pro—leave, and the prime minister has committed her premiership to delivering

brexit, she could hardly turn around and say anna soubry is right and therefore we will turn around. i start as the possibility of changing brexit, i don't think theresa may has room to manoeuvre. that is why she is sticking doggedly to trying to get her deal through. on the other hand, in the labour party, there is still going to be an argument about what the labour party should be doing about brexit. inside the labour party the argument isn't just about brexit, it is about anti—semitism, the alleged bullying culture, social security and whether the party is too left—wing, but most immediately this developments potentially put pressure onjeremy corbyn to say, we know you need to hang onto your lever voters but at the end of the day, you need to understand that there are far more strong remain voters inside the labour coalition than strong lever voters. if you allow that group to be tempted away by what now is an

avowedly pro—remain group, this will do nothing for us. the difficulty forjeremy corbyn about how to position his party, those choices are the ones that have been made more difficult by the development of the last 72 hours. theresa may is stuck, if she has to move from where she is she will probably not survive as by minister. thank you. let's have a quick look at this lengthy letter from anna soubry, have a quick look at this lengthy letterfrom anna soubry, heidi allen and sarah wollaston. the three, now and sarah wollaston. the three, now a former conservative mps who had resigned the party whip and membership of the party to join the new independent group, saying it's with regret that we are to resign.

then they say, sadly, conservative party has increasingly abandoned these principles and values. dramatic developments here this morning. you are watching bbc news. we are welcoming the us now on bbc world tojoin us we are welcoming the us now on bbc world to join us as we take stock of these dramatic developments at westminster. the seat of political power here in the uk. where three mps have left the conservative party. anna soubry, sarah wollaston and heidi allen announcing in the last few minutes that they are resigning their membership of the party tojoin the resigning their membership of the party to join the new independent group. that's of course, until a few minutes ago, had consisted of eight former labour mps you had resigned from labour in protest over handling of brexit and howjeremy corbyn was

handling we can return to professor john curtis at the university of strathclyde. let's ta ke let's take stock of the rational of the leaving of these formally conservative mps. you are talking about how it is significant that we have support know from both formally labour mps have support know from both formally labourmps and have support know from both formally labour mps and conservative mps for this new independent group. what difference does that make? it now means that this is a group of people who can hope, at least, with some degree of realism, to reach beyond primarily labour voters. insofar as until a few minutes ago this was a schism inside the labour party, it would be a group that would find it

easier to reach out to disconcerted labour voters. what they might want to do asa labour voters. what they might want to do as a predominantly pro—remain group is to see whether or not they can appeal to some of the programming voters who are still voting for the conservatives. it is around 30% of the conservative vote. it isa around 30% of the conservative vote. it is a minority but not a trivial one. this is going to be a difficulty they will face with both conservative and labour voters. many will feel that they have always been conservative, always been labour, why should they move? they have that brand loyalty. insofar as now we have got mps who have held that back from moving for quite some time, they are now saying the game is up. they will be hoping that conservative remain voters, many of them on the centre—right, whereas many remain voters in the labour party were ce ntre—left, many remain voters in the labour party were centre—left, they are traditional conservatives but above all the issue of seeing the

conservative party at the end of the day as the party of economic competence, that looks after the interests of business, an image which certainly has been challenged by the way in which the conservative government has been handling brexit. the concern that many people have about the possibility of a no—deal brexit will have on business. they hope will be that they can appeal to that section of the electorate, as well as to disgruntled labour voters. certainly, iam racking my historical brain, i certainly cannot think of any recent phase of british politics where we have seen the creation of a new formation and defection coming from both sides of the aisle in any significant numbers. the sdp was essentially a labour split. this is now something that signals the ability of brexit to split both political parties. that said, this group, i think, will rapidly face much the same question that faced the sdp no sooner than it was formed, which is what relationship is it going to have? at

the end of the day, the lib dems themselves are also appealing to a very similar electorate, centrist on economic issues but programming on brexit. it is not going to make much sense for these two groups to be fighting each other, there is at least one possibly two by—elections coming up in the nearfuture. if this group wishes to maintain momentum, then fighting by—elections ina way momentum, then fighting by—elections in a way that delivers a success is one we have doing that but there is no point in doing it against lib dems,. they will need them to at least have activists on the ground. at the moment, we have 11 mps inside the palace of westminster. they need much more of that in terms of bodies and people on the ground if they are going to turn this into a political party. they will need the help of the liberal democrats along the way. you raise very interesting points. in the very immediate term, given that these 11 are remain as, does that these 11 are remain as, does that potentially put more pressure onjeremy carbon in terms of his response and how he handles brexit?

iam response and how he handles brexit? i am talking in the very immediate term over the next couple of weeks. undoubtedly, there is an argument going on inside the labour party, particularly about the issue of whether or not the party should be in favour of a second eu referendum. in truth, it has long been fairly obvious that this was potentially an issue that could end up with the labour party splitting and is already beginning to have that effect. there clearly is, we should not assume it as a majority of labour mps but there is a substantial body who do feel strongly committed to the idea of a second referendum and that the labour party conference motion of last september, which we had had off repeated to us, has said that everything was on the table and if everything was on the table and if everything else didn't work out, a second eu referendum. let us assume that next week and attempt by the house of commons to try to force the government to avoid no deal and to ask for an extension of article 50, if that attempt fails and therefore,

as it were, we seem to have run out of road, in all other respects, may be at this point the labour party will have to frankly decide which way to go. jeremy carbon clearly does not want to put down this path but may discover that even the safest way of him handling the situation will be at least two be rather warmer about a second eu referendum than he has been so far. 0k, referendum than he has been so far. ok, as ever, thank you very much. let's head back to westminster to talk to our assistant political editor norman smith. norman, i am scanning this letter from anna soubry, and others and they say the intent to sit as independents alongside the two of mps. but will they be acting as one? for all intents and purposes, yes. it isa for all intents and purposes, yes. it is a significant boost for the independent movement. the last thing they wanted was to remain a labour group of malcontents. now they have got renewed momentum. the three tory

mps who have moved over our women, for i think that is —— i think that is significant. a lot of the complaint is about the tone and nature of the conservative party. the nature of what they regard of the hard right. the abandonment of more inclusive, one nation sort of conservatism. a significant moment which, yes, it was for the independent movement. also, i would suggest, a blow for theresa may. she now becomes more of a minority government. let's mull it over with vicky, conservative mp, and patrick mcloughlin, former cabinet minister for vicky, what is your take on the decision? it is busily very sad because they are very good collea g u es because they are very good colleagues and extremely hard—working however, colleagues and extremely ha rd—working however, they colleagues and extremely hard—working however, they are collea g u es hard—working however, they are colleagues who have had quite a lot of differences with party policy for quite a long time. yes, they are three women and they are three women that i have enjoyed working with, but we have got 64 other women

members of parliament in the conservative party, who i have spoken to today who have said they are very sad that this happened but reminded us that we are a pro—church and that there are many within the party who voted remain but still wa nt to party who voted remain but still want to continue to find resolution from the centre from the conservative party for —— we are a broad church. we have seen tory defections here and there but never a tranche of three going. what does that say? these are extraordinary circumstances we are in, as far as the referendum is concerned. i circumstances we are in, as far as the referendum is concerned. lam very sorry these three colleagues have decided to leave the party but, as has been said before, they have been slightly distant for some time. it is regretful but we have seen it before. it is notjust about brexit. when you look at their letter, they are fearful that the party has basically turned its back on traditional tory values, pro—business, more inclusive. one

nation conservative nice. pro—business, more inclusive. one nation conservative nicelj pro—business, more inclusive. one nation conservative nice. i do not buy that. i am a one nation tory and also people there are a lot of other conservative members of parliament who are one nation tories and will continue to make that case. as i say, it is very sad that we have got a job to say, it is very sad that we have got ajob to do, say, it is very sad that we have got a job to do, the prime minister has got a job to do, and she must not get distracted by this. she must go ahead and carry on with those negotiations which are so very important, not just for the conservative party but actually for the country. let me put this to you. their decision, whatever you make of it, requires a degree of courage. is there not a likelihood it will stiffen the sinews of those tory remainders that we nor unhappy with the process of brexit, and may be tempted to resign or certainly vote for the so—called clipper bowls amendment, giving parliament the power to delay brexit. does it increase the chance of a greater tory revolt? anybody who tries to

predict at the moment is very brave, because we are in very uncharted territories. i do not know what next week will bring. i will agree with you. i think to leave a political party that you have belonged to all of your life is something which is very difficult. of course, both sarah, i don't think had been a conservative much before she became a memberof conservative much before she became a member of parliament. but it does ta ke a member of parliament. but it does take courage. vicky, how should the party respond? take courage. vicky, how should the party respond ? we take courage. vicky, how should the party respond? we have seen a rather split response to labour defections. john mcdonnell trying to adopt more emollient approach, mr corbin less so. how should mrs may respond to this? it is enormously important that the prime minister continues focusing on making sure that the next month and a half of negotiations with brussels end up with a resolution and not a no—deal brexit. policy has always been to try to have an orderly exit from the

eu. that is what she wishes to deliver, that is what i voted for the withdrawal agreement, and i would continue to urge her to work on finding a resolution to that issue so that we can pass the withdrawal agreement. would you be tempted tojoin withdrawal agreement. would you be tempted to join them? you, withdrawal agreement. would you be tempted tojoin them? you, as withdrawal agreement. would you be tempted to join them? you, as you say, i've been a prominent critic? no. right now, we need to put the country ahead of any other egos. making sure that we get the right resolution with this government to make sure that we can pass that withdrawal agreement and leave in an orderly manner is key. that is what the prime minister has said again and again. i am convinced that finding a deal with our european neighbours is absolutely vital for our future. that should neighbours is absolutely vital for ourfuture. that should be neighbours is absolutely vital for our future. that should be what we are all focusing on. we know that there is much wider unease within there is much wider unease within the tory party about the influence, in particular, of the european research group, widely criticised as a party with any party. how likely is it that the fear that the party

is it that the fear that the party is now being influenced by the european research group will make others decide, you know what, really i don't think the conservative party is my home anymore?” i don't think the conservative party is my home anymore? i hope they don't. i think the conservative party is a broad church. it requires to bea party is a broad church. it requires to be a broad church. you stay in there and you fight for you believe. but to say that parties are split, thatis but to say that parties are split, that is true. the country is a split. the results of the referendum, although decisive, was quite a close result. there are those people who feel very strongly that we should never have had a referendum, but we did and we said the referendum would be binding. let's talk a little bit about the prospects of this new independent grouping. they will argue, prospects of this new independent grouping. they willargue, i prospects of this new independent grouping. they will argue, i am sure, that they present a much more credible force, a much more broad—based potential party. after prospects significantly improved as a result of these defections? let's

regency. we have got a long way to go before the next general election. at one stage, when the sdp were first born, they got 52% popular support. come the general elections, they did not win a single seat. there is a long way to go and i think it is a bit too early to make predictions on what might happen to a brand—new party which has been formed. let me suggest one thing which perhaps has changed since the sdp in the 1980s is that politics now is a state of flux. therefore, the conventional wisdom that the 2—party politics simply crosses the life out of any alternative perhaps is no longer quite so certain. that is no longer quite so certain. that isa is no longer quite so certain. that is a possibility. all i am saying is we are into four days of this party be informed. ithink we are into four days of this party be informed. i think it is... we can have this discussion, perhaps, once it has been formed for four months or it has been formed for four months ora it has been formed for four months or a bit longer. we can see how things settle down. it is far too early to predict that and i am not

going to. apart from the sort of electoral prospects, if any, of this new grouping, would you nevertheless welcome the fact that if their establishment helped to foster a more tolerant, inclusive attitude and atmosphere in this place, which many people say has been soured by brexit? i am a centre-right politician, and the centre is very much where i think the conservative party needs to be. we need to be a party needs to be. we need to be a party that is pro—the economy, because it is only when the economy is strong that we can continue to do wonderful things like funding the nhs and health care, welfare, education. we have got the strongest ever education. we have got the strongest everjobs education. we have got the strongest ever jobs number, ever, education. we have got the strongest everjobs number, ever, in our country, came out yesterday. really, really important that we continue to focus on the middle ground and making sure this country works for everyone. making sure this country works for everyone. that is what i would say to the er g at this crucial time as well. we are leaving the eu, but

let's try and do that anyway that also reassures the 48% that voted remain, and make sure that we can continue to focus on the centre—right of politics, and not the far right. thank you very much indeed. i will educate into pmqs, which gets under way in the next 15 minutes. very interesting to see how mrs may now response. what tone she adopts to the departure of these three, and i guess the mood is well on her back benches. if there is any response from them as well. 0k, response from them as well. ok, forthe response from them as well. ok, for the moment, norman, thank you very much. let me remind you of the short statement on your screen is second ago from theresa may in response to the news that heidi allen, anna soubry and sarah wollaston had resigned. she said she was saddened by the resignations but insisted, open cut we are doing the right thing for our country by delivering brexit. because good let's look any better more detail at

the later those mps have written to resign. they said that they believed theresa may was committed to immoderate, open—hearted conservative party but then they say brexit has redefined the conservative party, undoing all the effo rts conservative party, undoing all the efforts to modernise it. open code there has been a dismalfailure to stand up to the er g which sets as a party with any party. two. they say they have tried to keep the particles to the centre ground of british politics but the final straw has been this government's disastrous handling of brexit. they say we have not changed, conservative party has. it no longer reflect the values it believes we share with millions throughout the united kingdom. open ——" our politics needs urgent reform and we are determined to play our part. to

michael subjust some are determined to play our part. to michael sub just some of the lines there from the three conservative mps announcing their decision to resign from the conservative party and citizen dependents alongside the independent group of mps. we are also seeing that anna soubry has centre constituency later. i am seeing it for the first time full stock quickly scanning it, in the message to constituents, anna soubry, the mp for broxtowe, says, " as you may have heard, i have resigned from the conservative party which i firstjoined over 40 years ago. it has not been easy but i believe it is the right decision. two she says. it will not come as much of a surprise to regular readers of this e—mail newsletter. " if you can, i hope you make to send me your support. two let's head back to westminster and to our political editor norman smith. just a few minutes away from prime minister's

questions. it is going to be quite an extraordinary atmosphere, is it not? ‘s prime minister's questions is always a daunting occasion for any prime minister because you have to get your head across so many different areas. now to be thrown a real curve ball in half an hour so before you go out there, very difficult. reading her letter, i suspect theresa may will try to strike a fairly emollient tone. we will see. also watching will be paul scully, conservative mp, vice—chair of the london party, whojoins me now. the beef of these three is they believe that the party has basically given in to the brexit years. yourself. they believe that you have changed the culture of the party from the traditional one nation tory party. i do not buy that. in terms of brexit, what the perimeter is doing is respecting the result of the referendum. she is persisting with, you know, the negotiations on her deal with the alternative

arrangements on the irish backstop, which is what the majority of the house has said that they wanted to do. in terms of one nation tories, still doing a lot of things. in terms of domestic policy. i am sad to see colleagues go because sarah pushed through the stalking bill, how the elements and a lot of work with the department for work and pensions and anna soubry had her time as business minister, doing some good things as a proponent for small business. that was part of a one nation tory team and that will continue to happen. do you think they should fight by—elections? continue to happen. do you think they should fight by-elections? that is up to them. do voters not have a right to say they voted for a conservative mp and no longer have one? at the end of the day, there is no vacancy, they would need to resign due cause a by—election. according to the rules, it is their decision. if they want to put themselves up now the constituents of the full facts, maybe they will fight a by—election, it is their decision. we can see they have just gone into the chamber and are sitting just behind the snp, where i

think angela smith and chris leslie we re think angela smith and chris leslie were sitting yesterday. they have chosen to take up those seats with the snp, with the lib dems, with the dup, amongst those smaller parties, where the position themselves. how do you think mrs may should respond now? she has got prime minister's questions but, more broadly, how does she handle this?” questions but, more broadly, how does she handle this? i do not think it changes the arithmetic in terms of brexit. i think she needs to be resolute and continue with negotiations. in terms of the party, and the party management, the vast majority of us wanted to do the best for the country in terms of brexit and domestic policy, but also realise that we have a broad church ofa realise that we have a broad church of a party that we need to keep together, we need to come back together, we need to come back together after our differences have been aired on brexit. that usually important to keep unified for the country's sake as well as the party. thank you very much for your time. i will educate into pmqs. it is going to bea will educate into pmqs. it is going to be a fascinating one, really. interesting to see whether any of

the 11 as they know our stand up and actually get called. what a moment that will be. interesting to speculate what the reaction might be, say, of conservative mps if anna soubry gets up. we get an insight into the emotional wrench of this occasion it is a massive moment and for the 11, it is a huge moment. absolutely huge. they are waving goodbye to friends, people they have worked with for many, many years, traditional allegiances, alliances. they know their local party members will be watching on television wondering what their mp is doing. it is an absolutely massive moment. we have not really seen this sort of defection from both the main parties in this way, well, you go back to the sdp obviously but they only had one defector, christopher brocklebank fowler. i mean, just one

tory. this time, we have seen three tories, and that is a gear change. yes, we have had a smattering of one of tories who have abandoned but here we have three any coordinated move abandoning party, with a very clear objective of trying to set up a separate anti—brexit, centrist, more inclusive party. enormous task first early steps, big moment in pmqs. norman, thank you very much. you can watch prime minister's questions here on bbc news. we will be there alive for the beginning of that in about eight or nine minutes' time. i think we can just show you some images now of those three mps, anna soubry, heidi ellen and sarah coming into the commons chamber to take their seats. there they are.

alongside the independent group, over where the snp, scottish national party, six, just behind them. just fascinating, that alone, seeing the different format, if you like, of the house of commons. people sitting in different places from where we are used to seeing them, just highlighting, underlining how brexit and other issues have caused such fractures in british politics. let's head back to professor sirjohn curtice, professor of politics at the university of strathclyde, still in our glasgow studio for us today. interesting looking into the letter that the three a conservative mp substance, announcing their decision to resign from the conservative party. it talks about either satisfaction not just party. it talks about either satisfaction notjust with brexit, although that they say is the final

straw, but with a change in the conservative party which they say brings it away from the traditional values that they expect. yes, i think in particularfor them, above all, it is a feeling that he conservative party is meant to be a party that promotes the interests of business and they feel the way that brexit is being handled cuts across that. properly also insofar as those who are the most ardent brexit years are probably also amongst the more socially conservative section of the conservative party and these three ladies have undoubtedly been at the more liberal end of the party. the undoubtedly also feel that the party has pushed two away from what they call one nation toryism. the remarkable thing also, those who will be watching a few minutes ago, the reaction of patrick mcloughlin, a former chairman of the conservative party, deep loyalist, to go with the keyboard. the action there was not the return codes, they should be condemned for what they

have done. they were basically saying i think we have got a point, and they might even succeed. —— was not that they are turncoats. that has also been the reaction of many labour mps to the defection of the original seven on monday. i think we certainly need to be aware that this group are echoing sentiments that are not confined to these mps alone. on both sides of the house of commons. an indication that at least there might at least be the potential for this group to be further. what we should now note is that today, this group is as large as the liberal democrats, and it will be interesting to see whether a not gel, john barco think they have as much entitlement has drawn cable does to pmqs questions. they would like to get up to 36 mps, to become a larger group than the snp and you have that guaranteed to questions that pmqs every week. frankly, much more guaranteed visibility on the

media as well. they are still a very long way away from that. insofar as they are articulating views that other mps share, unless the concerns of these other mps, with respect to the parties, are made in some way, in the next few weeks, then there may well be more going this direction. their letter says our politics needs urgent and radical reform and we are determined to play our part. the part they do end up playing, of course, will be of course to some extent determined by how many other mps decide, if they do, tojoin them. how many other mps decide, if they do, to join them. it will indeed. the other thing that one should say about the last 72 hours, in both cases, the resignation letters and state m e nts cases, the resignation letters and statements have been primarily about what we do not like about our existing parties and while we are resigning. the challenge that now faces this group is to move on from this and begin to think out what is their political strategy for trying

to persuade the electorate to back them and begin to come up with something of a broader image. i suspect that their immediate strategy probably has to be to layout that we are the party that is committed to reversing the brexit process and in so doing try to convince voters that the labour party is not doing enough to stop brexit, from their point of view, and to try to win over that 40% of the labour vote that is a very strong remain vote, but also to try to pick of at least that minority of the conservative vote that is also concerned about the locations of brexit for business. —— the implications. they have to be able to say what they stand for and not simplyjust to to say what they stand for and not simply just to say what they do not like about their parties. yes, it will be fascinating to see, indeed if any of those 11 mps is given the opportunity to ask a question and pmqs. what that might eliminate for us pmqs. what that might eliminate for us in terms of their thinking, their

policy, their strategy at this point. just to develop a question i was asking you if you minutes ago, john, do you think in the immediate term this presents more of a challenge forjeremy corbin than it does for theresa may? well, it presents a challenge to both of them but i think at leastjeremy corbyn probably has more decisions to make than the prime minister. as i was exploding earlier, at the end of the day, the prime minister, for as long as possible at least, has to try to keep her dealer float. as possible at least, has to try to keep her dealerfloat. that is as possible at least, has to try to keep her dealer float. that is what she is trying to do. she is hoping that by doing that she can bring back the coalition of the erd, the bulk of our party and the minority of labour mps to get her across the line. the difficulty for her will arrive if we ever reach the point where the road for her deal runs out and it looks as though she cannot come up with something that keeps the erd on board and can be got

through the opinion. that is when she will face the tough choices. or jeremy corbyn however, he, next week, i think will almost undoubtedly be under very strong pressure to back whatever moves come forward from the amendment to try to get the commons to take control. he must be hoping that happens, in a sense. if that does, he can put off talking about a second eu referendum for longer. if that goes down, certainly, he has got to think about, how do i keep my remain mps happy and, above all, how do i keep that substantial body of remain voters who voted labour in 2017 from defecting to that independent group? insofar as his position is potentially more flexible, he is the one that perhaps is going to have more tactical decisions to make, at least in the immediate future. thank you very much for all of those thoughts on this developing story today. just another line or two to bring you from the letter written by anna soubry, sarah woolaston and

heidi allen. they say that the final straw for them has been what they call this government's disastrous ham damning handling of brexit. they say handling the eu referendum no genuine effort was made to get a national consensus to deliver brexit. they find it unconscionable that a party once trusted on the economy more than any other is now recklessly marching the country do what they call the cliff edge of no deal. responsible government should knowingly and deliberately inflict the dire consequences of such a destructive exit on individuals, communities and businesses. it is putting at risk the prospect of ending austerity. the prime minister, theresa may's response to thatis minister, theresa may's response to that is to say that she is saddened by the resignations but, she said, any short statement, we are doing the right thing for our country by delivering brexit. those three mps saying they will now sit as independents alongside the

independents alongside the independent group, taking that numberup to 11. independent group, taking that number up to 11. former labour and former conservative mps leaving their parties since monday. you're watching bbc news. let's take you live to the commons now for prime minister's questions. just a few minutes to go until the start of prime ministers questions. our assitant political editor, norman smith, is at the houses of parliament. yes, we may yet have an extraordinary half—hour to come at prime minister's questions. i was going to turn to my guest but i think the panellist is on his career as a backbencher and wrote a helpful guide on commons knowledge, how to be a backbencher. before being made shadow leader of the and secretary of state for wales. he will be remembered for one of the great parliamentary quotes

when he left the front bench in 2016. he said, our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities to geriatrics on the front bench. and it was so successful that he decided to create opportunities on the backbench. i am doubly blessed. in addition to my duties in the house, i will have further such meetings later in the day. paul flynn was a remarkable man and will go down as one of the great parliamentarians of the last 40 yea rs parliamentarians of the last 40 years and was an inspiration to many of us and he once gave me a copy of that book when i was a teenager and he must have seen something in me. in the mix of a political crisis.

will the prime minister stop playing russian roulette, and put a deal back to the people so they can have a final say. he knows there are two ways to ensure we don't see no deal and one is to stay in the european union, which is not the result said, and the other is to agree on a deal, and the other is to agree on a deal, andi and the other is to agree on a deal, and i am taking the view of this house of commons about the concerns of the backstop of the deal and working with brussels to resolve the issue. this house will debate this afternoon anti—semitism. and with

that in mind i quote the honourable memberfor enfield that in mind i quote the honourable member for enfield north who explored the activity of labour on this issue that given that given the choice of and given that you hate they have decided to go with the anti—semites. in the light of that, with —— will the prime minister me in urging labourto with —— will the prime minister me in urging labour to rid the party of this scourge once and for all. can i say to my right honourable friend that i think this is a very important issue. that everybody in this house should take seriously.” never thought i would see the day when jewish people never thought i would see the day whenjewish people in this country we re whenjewish people in this country were concerned about their future in this country, and i never thought i would see the day when a once proud labour party was accused of institutional anti—semitism by a member of that party. and it is incumbent on all of us in this house

to ensure that we act against anti—semitism wherever and however it occurs. it is racism and we should act against it. could i start by joining should act against it. could i start byjoining in paying tribute to my friend i'm yours, paul flynn. he served in the house for over 30 yea rs served in the house for over 30 years as member for newport west. he was courageous, warm and witty. and as the prime minster pointed out, when he served briefly on the shadow front bench, she came to the first meeting and welcomed to me my diversity project to promote octogenarian study shadow cabinet. his book on how to become an mp is absolutely a must read. he was respected all across this house, and i think we are all going to miss his contributions and his wit and his wisdom. my deepest condolences to his wife, sam, and all of his family and all of his wider family across newport and wales. he was a truly wonderful man and a great idea

friend. i also hope, mr speaker, that the house willjoin me in paying tribute to the baroness who died earlier this month and sending condolences to her friends and family. when marcia served with distinction as political secretary to harold wilson, she was subjected to harold wilson, she was subjected toa to harold wilson, she was subjected to a long campaign of misogynistic smear and innuendo. i to a long campaign of misogynistic smearand innuendo. ithink to a long campaign of misogynistic smear and innuendo. i think she suffered a great deal as a result of it and we should remember the great work she did as political secretary to harold wilson. the prime minister responded just now to a question on anti—semitism. i would simply say this. anti—semitism has no place whatsoever in any of our political parties, in our life, in our society... mr ellis, be quiet now, and for the rest of the session. used to practice as a barrister and didn't make those noises in the courts, and if you did, no wonder you no longer practice there. my

political party will be taking the strongest action. wherever it rears its head. last week an eu official said the uk government was only pretending to negotiate, adding there was nothing on the table from there was nothing on the table from the british side. so with just 37 days to go, can the prime minister be clear what she will actually be proposing today when she travels to brussels. first of all, there are a number of meetings taking place today in brussels. my right honourable friend the brexit secretary were in brussels earlier this week and had constructive meetings with officials in the european commission on the issue of alternative arrangements and work on alternative arrangements and work on alternative arrangements. the issue i'm taking to brussels is the one i've been speaking to eu leaders about over the last few days. and thatis about over the last few days. and that is the concern expressed in this house of ensuring we could not

find ourselves in the current backstop indefinitely. there are a number of ways i've identified on the number of occasions at this dispatch box to deal with that and i've referenced the work of alternative arrangements and there is also the option of an end date or a unilateral exit mechanism, legal work, and what matters in all of this is legally binding changes that ensure we address the concern addressed by this house. that is what i will discuss with the european commission and will continue to discuss with them and european union leaders. sounds like it might be confusing for the european union to understand what the prime minister is turning up with. she has had three groups of backbenchers working on three proposals. firstly, to remove the backstop, secondly, to make the backstop, secondly, to make the backstop time—limited and thirdly to give the uk the right to exit unilaterally. so which of these proposals is the prime minister

negotiating for today? one, two or three? the right honourable gentleman points out that as i have said in my opening response to his question, and he could have listened to that answer, but i'm happy to repeat it. there are a number of ways in which it is possible to address the issue being raised by this house of commons. and work is being undertaken on the issues. andy extent to which derivation from european law would be necessary to put those into place, there is concern about being able to achieve that if we are going to leave in time. nevertheless we have agreed that a work stream will go forward on those matters. we are also exploring other avenues but the point is a simple one. it's a question of saying to the european union that this is just the one thing, it is actually a question of sitting down at the european union

and finding a solution that is going to deliver for the people of northern ireland and ireland, that will ensure we deal with the concern raised here in this house of commons and is going to enable a deal to be brought back to this house of commons which this house of commons can support, so we leave on the 29th of march with the deal. this week the foreign office minister said categorically that we are not leaving without a deal, but sadly he doesn't speak for the government. her business minister says he is very conscious of the damage of not ruling out a hard brexit on business and industry. people's jobs ruling out a hard brexit on business and industry. people'sjobs and livelihoods are in the prime minister's hands. will she stop playing games with peoples jobs and make it very clear that no deal is absolutely ruled out. people'sjobs and futures are in the hands of every member of this house. once again, the right honourable gentleman could have listened to the a nswer gentleman could have listened to the answer i gave to his honourable

friend in the first question that he asked. there are only two ways to ta ke asked. there are only two ways to take no deal off the table. one is to back a deal, and the other is to revoke article 50 and stay in the european union. he has refused to back a deal, so the obvious conclusion is that he must want to revoke article 50. so he can stand up revoke article 50. so he can stand up now and tell us what his policy is, to back the deal, or stay in the european union? well, i did write a very nice letter to the prime minister setting out what our views we re minister setting out what our views were and i'm sure she received it and read it and were and i'm sure she received it and read itand i were and i'm sure she received it and read it and i hope she's going to think on it. but it appears, mr speaker, that the right honourable memberfor west dorset speaker, that the right honourable member for west dorset is right when he said last week that this government and my prime minister will actually prefer to head for the exit door without a deal in the event her deal does not succeed. and he went on to say it is a terrifying fa ct. he went on to say it is a terrifying fact. mr speaker, thousands of car workers in derby, sunderland,

birmingham and swindon are facing redundancy. does that matter to the prime minister? may i say to the right honourable gentleman, first of all, we have seen decisions taken by car manufacturers and obviously the decision this week by honda is deeply disappointing and they have made absolutely clear that this is not a brexit related decision. this isa not a brexit related decision. this is a decision about the change that is a decision about the change that is taking place to the global car market. jobs of course matter to this government and while the right honourable gentleman wants to talk aboutjobs, honourable gentleman wants to talk about jobs, perhaps you honourable gentleman wants to talk aboutjobs, perhaps you would like to change the habit of a lifetime and stand up at that dispatch box and stand up at that dispatch box and welcome the insolentjob figures under this government that we have seen this week. the prime ministers

and seem interested in the bodies that say they need a customs union. when she talks aboutjobs, will she talk about those on zero—hours contracts, those who are so low pay they have to access food banks just to survive and those suffering from in work poverty. under her watch and government. last year investment in the car industry halved, and brexit uncertainty is already costing investment, and where investment is lost today, jobs are cut tomorrow. that uncertainty would not end even if the prime minister's rejected deal somehow or other got through because it promises only the certainty of a spectrum of possible outcomes. so will the prime minister see sense and offer business and workers the certainty of a customs union that could protectjobs and industry we have also heard from car

manufacturers the deal negotiated. if he wants to talk aboutjobs, because what have we seen in the latest figures, employment at a record high. unemployment at the same as the 1970s. 96% of the increase in employment in the last year has gone from full—time work. youth unemployment has almost halved in female employment is at a record high. it's all very well shouting from the front bench about let's see what record we saw from the labour party and government. mr avery, calm yourself. let's look at the record that the labour party had in terms of employment in government. unemployment rose by nearly half a

million under the labour party. female employment rose by nearly 26%. unemployment rose by 26%, and youth unemployment rose by 44%. the number of households where nobody had ever worked nearly doubled. that isa had ever worked nearly doubled. that is a record of a labour government where the working people pay the price of labour. and, mr speaker, child poverty halved under the labour government. we invested in sure start in children's centres, in a future for young people. she should get out a bit more and hear the anger of so many young people around this country at what they are suffering from now under her government, under her watch. the chair of the manufacturers organisation make uk said, i am saddened by the way some of our politicians have put selfish,

political ideology... you should hear the rest of it first... ahead of the national interest and people's livelihoods and left us pacing the catastrophic prospect of leaving the eu next month with no deal. —— facing. the society of motor manufacturers and traders, food and drink federation, national farmers union and the cbi all want a disastrous no deal ruled out. along with the tuc, many also support the uk being in a permanent customs union. a little over a month ago and this government —— to go and this government has failed to put the country first. the crisis ofjobs going, industry is under threat, and the prime minister indulges in what her own business minister calls fanciful nonsense. when is she going

to put the interests of the people of this country before the interests of this country before the interests of the conservative party? i say to the right honourable gentleman, he has consistently put his party political interests ahead of the national interest. we can ta ke of the national interest. we can take no deal off the table by agreeing a deal, and yet at every stage he has acted to frustrate a deal. he has acted to make no deal more likely, but that is not surprising from this labour party, because what do we see from his labour party? israel and the united states enemies, hat and a zero. attlee and bevan will be spinning in their grave. that is what the gentleman has done to a once proud

labour party. we will never let him do it to our country. charles walker. thank you, mr speaker. my right honourable friend will know from shelter that many people in receipt of benefits are blocked from renting in the private sector. these people are often carers or have a disability. i know number ten is working with shelter to resolve this problem. the prime minister give all of her officials her support to resolve this pressing issue?” of her officials her support to resolve this pressing issue? i say to my honourable friend, he is absolutely right to races issue. we are working with shelter on it. i do urge that the work to go ahead and work towards a fruitful conclusion. cani work towards a fruitful conclusion. can i also say that actually this is an issue that one of my local councillors, stewart carroll, has raised with me and i know he has come into work with number ten is well on this issue. it is an important issue. we are working on

it, and we look to find a satisfactory resolution of its own. ian blackford. thank you, mr speaker. can i associate myself with the remarks of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition because of the sad death of paul flynn. he was a unique and a truly gifted parliamentarian. it was a pleasure to serve on a committee with him. it was a pleasure to have known him. mr speaker, westminster is broken. we are in the middle of a constitutional crisis, on the brink ofa constitutional crisis, on the brink of a brexit disaster, and yet this place is at war with itself. the tories and the labour party are imploding. scotland deserves better. we need a way out. time is running out. will this house get to vote on prime minister's brexit deal next week, and if not when?”

prime minister's brexit deal next week, and if not when? i say to the right honourable gentleman, obviously we are in these discussions with the european union and we will bring about back to this house when it is possible to bring about back, to bring a deal back that deals with the issue that the house of commons has raised. we have listened to the house of commons and we are working on the views of the house of commons with the european union and we will bring about back when it is the right time to so. missed a speaker, quite simply that is not good enough. time is running out. 3500 jobs lost from honda. the nfu says a no—deal brexit is the stuff of nightmares. 100,000 jobs in scotla nd stuff of nightmares. 100,000 jobs in scotland under threat. prime minister, you are bringing the uk economy to its knees. how many warnings, how many jobs, economy to its knees. how many warnings, how manyjobs, and how many resignations will it take the prime minister to stop this madness? if you don't act, prime minister, scotla nd if you don't act, prime minister,

scotland will. i say to the right honourable gentleman, wheezy debt down, deficit down, jobs up, taxes down. not in scotland, of course, where the snp are putting taxes up. and if he says it is not good enough, i'll tell him what's not good enough. it's an snp that once to ta ke good enough. it's an snp that once to take scotland out of the united kingdom, knowing full well that being a member of the united kingdom is worth £1400 every year for each person in scotland. he talks about damaging the economy. the only people who are going to damage the economy in scotland are sitting on the snp benches. thank you very much, mr speaker. well the prime minister joined much, mr speaker. well the prime ministerjoined me in thanking the home secretary for making it very clear that those who join a support

terrorist organisations abroad do not deserve british citizenship, and this government is not a soft touch for terrorists. and ict my honourable friend, it is an important message for us to give that we are very clear that we will ta ke that we are very clear that we will take action against those who are involved in terrorism. obviously the question of deprivation is one that each home secretary deals with on a number of occasions. i dealt with deprivation cases myself. there is a very clear set of criteria on which the home secretary considers that matter, but the overall point my honourable friend makes is absolutely right, which is how important it is for this government and this country to make very clear that we will take action against those who are involved in terrorism. thank you, mr speaker. before i go into my question, can ijust say about paul flynn, i went to bangladesh with him and his wife, and it was absolutely lovely. he was and it was absolutely lovely. he was

a very nice person who will surely be missed. can i give my condolence to his wife sam and hopefully she will get in contact with me as soon as she can. thank you. right, prime minister. laughter hardy prescott is a little girl who lives in my constituency. she was born with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy. she is ten yea rs old spinal muscular atrophy. she is ten years old and her condition is worsening. she is losing the ability to work and spending most of her time ina to work and spending most of her time in a wheelchair. there is a treatment which could help her to slow down the deterioration. it is not available in england. but will be in scotland in april 2019. can i ask the prime minister, why can't this treatment be accessible to my constituent and other children in england with this disease?”

constituent and other children in england with this disease? i say to the honourable lady obviously she has raised a particular case about her constituent, and obviously i am sorry to hear that she is in these circumstances. the question of the drugs that are available and the treatments that are available, obviously we do have a robust independent process into the settle m e nt independent process into the settlement refused to look at new medicines that are possible. this is the case with this medication. i am pleased that biogen have submitted a new puzzle which is to be reviewed and there will be a meeting on which those recommendations will be considered. —— make a new proposal. any human being should spend the night sleeping on a pavement. with my right honourable friend take the opportunity, following the visit from the relevant minister for derbyshire, that southend borough council, together with its

associated bodies has reduced rough sleeping by 85%, and that is another reason southend should become a city, and will the government do all it can to address issues of alcohol abuse and mental health? well done for getting in his bid for southend once again to be a city. he raises very important issues. we are addressing these issues of alcoholism and mental health, and of course often these are edges that are connected where people do find themselves homeless or rough sleeping. i'm happy to congratulate southend council on the work that they have done to reduce rough sleeping in their area. they have done to reduce rough sleeping in theirarea. i'm they have done to reduce rough sleeping in their area. i'm pleased to say that the rough sleeping initiative which the government has introduced is where we are working with local authorities at the highest levels of rough sleeping and have seen in those areas rough sleeping falling by 23%, so action is being taken. it is having an impact. of course, there is more to

do, and we do focus on those issues which underlie the problem is that those find themselves rough sleeping are experiencing. thank you, mr speaker. hundreds of leaseholders in my constituency and many thousands more across the country are not only still living in privately owned buildings covered in dangerous cladding, they have no idea whether they will have to pay the full cost of remedial works and interim fire safety measures. i'm sure the prime minister will tell me that she expects building owners not to pass on these costs and that nothing is ruled out, but all my constituents wa nt to ruled out, but all my constituents want to know is when will the government act to make private owners pay rather than just continue to ask them nicely? i say to the honourable gentleman, i think he has heard me respond on a similar issue on this before. because we have repeatedly called on private building owners not to pass costs onto these holders. as a result of our interventions, 260 owners have either started, completed, or have commitments in place to remediate, and 50 are not cooperating, but we

are maintaining pressure on those and we will nothing out. we have established a task force to oversee the remediation of private—sector buildings and that is actively working to dojust buildings and that is actively working to do just that. thank you, mr speaker. sometimes our public services failed to provide our military personnel, veterans are theirfamilies with military personnel, veterans are their families with the support that they need and they have nowhere to ta ke they need and they have nowhere to take the case for arbitration. with the planning is to meet with me to discuss my campaign to create an armed forces covenant ombudsman so that those who have served our country will know they are valued?” thank my honourable friend for the way in which she has worked to champion the armed forces covenant and the interests of the armed forces, and of course we should all recognise the sacrifice and dedication of our armed forces and the work they do for us day in and day out. i would be very happy to meet with my honourable friend and discuss the proposal that she has. thank you, mr speaker. i minister, alongside the tributes paid to our

late colleague paul flynn, i hope she willjoin me in recognising his dogged determination and his fight for the legalisation of medicinal cannabis. since november, however, deviously scheduling of medicinal cabinets —— my cannabis has not changed anything, not a single new nhs perception has been issued, causing the families of children with tablets particular unbearable suffering. it is evident that someone somewhere is blocking it, but did the government mean to block this life changing medicine to these children? and if not, what will they do about it? i thank the honourable lady. of course, what the government has taken action in relation to the issue of medicinal cannabis, but the important thing is that decisions are taken on the basis of clinical evidence and taken by those who are best able to take those decisions rather than simply being taken by government ministers, so a process has been put in place to ensure that where there are cases, those cases are looked at, they are looked at

very carefully and decisions are properly taken by the clinicians who are best placed to do so. the home secretary is to be congratulated for his swift and decisive action in removing british citizenship from shamima begum. the fact remains that of the 900 british nationals who have gone to support daesh, fighting against british forces in iraq and syria, only 40 have been prosecuted, with 400 of these individuals set to return back to this country in the very return back to this country in the very near return back to this country in the very near future. with the prime minister revisit the provisions of the treason act to make sure that these appalling activities receive suitable and just punishment? obviously, our priority is ensuring safety a nd obviously, our priority is ensuring safety and security here in the uk. and we also recognise that anyone who has travelled to syria has not only got themselves in considerable danger but potentially poses a serious national security risk. and any british citizen he does return from taking part in the conflict

must be in no doubt they will be questioned, investigated and potentially prosecuted. it is right that we follow that process, but i am sure my honourable friend will also accept that one of the issues in looking at prosecution is ensuring there is evidence to enable prosecution to take place. but decisions on how people will be dealt with and are dealt with are taking on case—by—case basis to make sure the most appropriate action is taken and of course what we are doing is ensuring in every decision that we put the protection of the public and the safety of the public first. the prime minister is correct. history willjudge us all. history willjudge us all and those in positions of authority will be particularly harshlyjudged, people like the prime minister and leader of the opposition, for dividing the country and dividing their parties. so will the prime minister finally rule out no deal and stem the

blood—letting in british jobs, dismiss the nonsensical notion of a jobs first brexit, and extend article 52 enable the people finally to vote on what is the sole justification that she sees far backing brexit and that is the will of the people? if he is so concerned about ensuring that we do not leave the european union without a deal, then he has a simple route through it, to back the deal that the government brings back from the european union. well the prime ministerjoin me in playing tribute to my old friend steve diamond, haemophiliacs offer who was infected by blood which was contaminated. he fought bravely for over 20 years, showing great bravery and resilience and was supported

throughout by his wife. he was very grateful when the inquiry was set up i grateful when the inquiry was set up ,and grateful when the inquiry was set up , and does she agree with me that it is vital that all the necessary nhs documents and medical notes which may be needed by that inquiry are available so it can be fully comprehensive? ijoin my right honourable friend in paying tribute to steve diamond. the contaminated blood sample was an appalling tragedy. it should never have happened. it is vital that victims and their families who have suffered so much get the answers and justice they deserve. they have waited, as we all know, decades for this. i am assured by the department for health and that they have sent thousands of documents to the inquiry already and will send more when necessary. we are committed to being open and transparent with the inquiry and have with the usual legal privileges to assist the process. it is important that this inquiry is able

to get to the truth. since 2010, conservative government have taken £6 billion out of the north—east. can we have it back please? can i say, this is a government that is ensuring that we are working across the whole country, that we are delivering an economy for everyone across the whole country, and he talks about billions of pounds in relation to the north. he mightjust wa nt to relation to the north. he mightjust want to reflect on the £13 billion being put into transport in the north of this country. will the prime ministerjoin me in welcoming councillor and meadows, who, today, left the labour party in neighbouring brighton hove, has crossed the floor, jointly conservatives, who are now the largest group on brighton and hove council? the reason councillor meadows has left the labour party is because of the rise of anti—semitism and bullying that she and her

collea g u es and bullying that she and her colleagues have experienced under momentum activists. so much so that only seven of the 23 councillors there will be restart in may. does there will be restart in may. does the prime minister agree that no anti—semitism is rife throughout the whole of the labour party. and i agree with my honourable friend. a long serving labour councillor in brighton and hove has today chosen to leave jeremy brighton and hove has today chosen to leavejeremy corbyn's labour party and join the conservatives due to the bullying, and anti—semitism she has received from momentum and the hard left. that is the harsh reality that a decent, moderate labour councillors are having to face every day. that is due to jeremy corbyn's failure to stand up to bullying and racism and his party. we welcome her with open arms into the conservative party, i am sure she will be an excellent conservative councillor. thank you, mr speaker. i have a constituent who was left doubly incontinent

following a serious and very violent sexual assault. she previously had a lifetime award disability living allowa nce. lifetime award disability living allowance. however, recent assessments have concluded that she is not entitled to dla. terrible! despite this extremely difficult condition dominating every aspect of her daily life. well the prime minister please ask the secretary of state to look urgently at the dwp's failure to recognise the impact of this very serious condition?” failure to recognise the impact of this very serious condition? i think the honourable lady will recognise that i am not able to respond to the individual details of the case at the dispatch box but i will ensure that the department for work & pensions and the relevant minister looks at that case and response to the honourable lady. improving mental health care has rightly become a priority for the government. can my right honourable friend the prime minister tell us, as the government doing anything to

improve the situation concerning mental health for nhs staff who are ha rd mental health for nhs staff who are hard pressed and deserve support? he raises an important point because obviously our dedicated nhs staff, day in and day out, are delivering unwavering commitment to caring for us unwavering commitment to caring for us all. obviously, it is necessary that we ensure that their mental health is looked after. we are setting up a dedicated mental health support service which will offer nhs staff confidential advice and support 24 hours a day. it will be staffed by qualified professionals who have had training in situations that are unique to the national health service. it will ensure that mental health referrals through agp are occupational health tradition for nhs employees are fast—track visa but is right that the mental and physical well—being is at the forefront of our health service and we are taking this action to support our dedicated nhs staff. the local

government association has identified a potential £1.6 billion deficit for special needs education. the government has responded with a paltry £350 million for as a result, head teachers in my constituency are literally having sleepless nights. vital reading programmes for children are being cut, crucial support staff are being lost. instead of repeating her usual line of schools funding, will she agree to meet a delegation of head teachers from brighton so that she can hear direct from them about the real pain that is being caused? first of all, i am sure the honourable lady will look forward to working well with the largest group on brighton and hove council now, the conservative group. she raises this issue about education funding, she refers to answers i have given in the past because we have been giving more funding to education. we have been doing that any number of

ways. we have announced extra support, as she said, for children with complex special educational needs. that is building on the £6 billion which is in place for that this year. the highest level on record. the honourable lady says it is not enough, but it is the highest level on record. we are also putting money into new school places and facilities for children with special educational needs. communities up and down the country are installing defibrillators to stop the village of brompton in my constituency has won any former telephone box, a stone throw away from the main road but not directly visible from it. does the pre—minister think it would bea does the pre—minister think it would be a good idea if we had a nationally approved different religion road signs are that these life—saving devices could be quickly accessed in the event of an emergency? can i commend the action being taken in his constituency question mark i see the same action being taken in my constituency, people ensuring that different polluters are available. he has raised a very interesting point and

i will ask the department for transport to look at it seriously. in recent research from the charity place shows that two thirds of others have returned to work whilst their premature or sick babies are still in the neonatal intensive care unit. if the prime minister thinks this is unjust, but she work with me to ensure the change employment law, make sure that the fathers and pa rents of make sure that the fathers and parents of premature babies like myself get the support they need to support their families? obviously i know this is an issue that is close to the heart of many members, but particularly to the honourable gentleman. i know that he has met with ministers to discuss this issue last year. officials are not taking what is a shorter focused internal review for parents of premature, sick and multiple babies to obtain an understanding of the barriers to participating in the labour market. they're working with organisations to better understand these issues and have held focus groups with a number of parents. they have offered

to discuss the conclusions that are reached with those interested parties in due course and i am sure will be happy to meet with the honourable gentleman to discuss this and take this forward. the prime minister will be aware that the british army has engaged in a recruitment campaign from commonwealth countries. however, it is the case that only after soldiers have signed up for the minimum four year contracts do they find out that they are not allowed to bring their children to this country. given that these are brave women and men who are prepared to put their lives on the for us and our country, i hope the for us and our country, i hope the perimeter will agree with me that this is something that needs to be into urgently. —— the prime minister will agree. will she agree to meet with me and others concerned to meet with me and others concerned to see how this matter be progressed? the issue, i am aware of theissue progressed? the issue, i am aware of the issue that he has raised. i am told by the ministry of defence that they do make sure that information is available to individuals about

what their situation will be. i know that this is a matter that obviously is not just of that this is a matter that obviously is notjust of concern to the ministry of defence, obviously the issue of emigration rests with the home office as well. i will certainly meet with my right honourable friend and discuss this issue. 70% of flights are taken by 1596 issue. 70% of flights are taken by 15% of the population, yet £90 million of taxpayers' money has been spent buying an airport by the tees mayor when most people across the area cannot get a bus home after 6:30pm. could you help them out?” recognise the importance of buses to our communities to stop we have been spending £250 million every year to keep fares down. to maintain an extensive network. the honourable gentleman might like to know that since 2010, we have seen 10,000 new routes across the north and the midlands and live bus services,

local, registered, have increased 15% injust local, registered, have increased 15% in just the last two years. paul flynn was, in his time, it valued member of the united kingdom delegation to the parliamentary assembly of the council of europe. i know that colleagues on both sides of the house serve on not body and would like tojoin of the house serve on not body and would like to join others of the house serve on not body and would like tojoin others in expressing our condolences to his family. mr speaker, my armed forces constituents will be pleased to know that with effect from the start of this year, ex servicemen and women will receive id cards. well my right honourable friend join me in expressing the hope that in time that card will become a passport to public recognition of some of the bravest and finest in our country? we always huge debt of gratitude to the ex forces community and our working hard, as he has indicated, to make sure they receive the support they deserve. any personnel who left the military since december 2018 will automatically be given one

of these new id cards which will allow them to maintain a tangible link to their career in the forces. as my right honourable friend the minister for defence, as my right honourable friend the ministerfor defence, people as my right honourable friend the minister for defence, people and vetera ns minister for defence, people and veterans said, these new cards celebrate the great commitment and dedication to those who have served this country and i hope they can provide a further link to x personnel and the incredible community around them. i hope they will, as my honourable friend says, bea sign will, as my honourable friend says, be a sign of the incredible valour that those ex servicemen and women have shown. in 2017, during the election, we learned what the prime minister's definition of strong and sta ble minister's definition of strong and stable was. as our automotive industry disintegrates before our eyes, as investment is put on hold, as growth slows, are we no learning what the prime minister's definition of smooth and orderly brexit is? as

i say to every member of this house, there will come a further point in this chamber when every member will have a decision to take as to whether we want to ensure that we deliver on the vote of the referendum on which most members of this has stood on a manifesto to do that, and to do that by leaving the eu with a deal. that will be a decision for all members of the size. i know where i stand, i believe we should be leaving with a deal. i hope the honourable lady agrees. order. point of order, mr speaker! so, prime minister's questions comes to an end and notable by its absence was in discussion about the fact that a total of 11 mps have now defected from both the labour and conservative parties to sit independently. pretty difficult, i guess, forjeremy corbyn and theresa may to have a go at each other when

both leaders are suffering from the same problem. no questions asked or allowed to be asked, depending on whether any of them stood up, i could not quite see all of the detail of what was happening, where those mps are setting during pmqs. nothing from any of those 11 during pmqs. let's head to assistant political editor norman smith, who was watching all of that, of course. norman, theresa may and jeremy corbyn having a good go at each other over brexit but clearly tiptoeing around the issue of these defections. extraordinary, was it not? it was a bit like having a great big elephant sitting in the living room chewing hobnobs and nobody noticing it. no mention at all of this extraordinary moment in british politics were for the first time we have seen a clutch of tories defecting. we have had one or two going individually in the past but this was a coordinated move bya group past but this was a coordinated move by a group of tories. yes, and great

brexit but more broadly a sense of despair at what they believe is a conservative party which no longer reflects traditional, one nation conservative values. —— angry at brexit. you think they have got a point, tom? i think it is a very saturday for the conservative party, as it is a saturday for their constituencies. they have been fine advocates for their communities and iam advocates for their communities and i am sorry that they have decided to leave. i think they have made a mistake, have to say. the conservative party is very strongly anyone nation tradition and we do have divisions over europe, that is not much of a secret. everybody knows it. those who have left from the labour party have left because of the rising tide of anti—semitism, hatred, the racism. they have left because of a judgment of personal vitriol against them. when i look at an eye, heidi and sarah, i see three friends of mine who should not have gone. what they should have done, i think, is satan fight for

conservative values which they represent in the conservative party. -- is represent in the conservative party. --isa represent in the conservative party. —— is a and fight. how should mrs may respond? —— is a and fight. how should mrs may respond ? they —— is a and fight. how should mrs may respond? they say there has been a dismalfailure to may respond? they say there has been a dismal failure to stand up to the european research group.” a dismal failure to stand up to the european research group. i have been very supportive of the premise's desire to get a deal over the line. that is what we have got to do. we all stood on manifestos in 2017 that that we were committed to honouring the result of the referendum. i did not vote for it and many people know what my position was, but i do respect the democratic will of the constituents i am elected to serve. i will be looking to support the prime minister's deal, because that is the way that we honour the referendum, get it over the line. i wish that my colleagues could have done the same post i am sorry that they will not. what i am intending to do is target much harder the party towards the future. we can speak about europe all you like but the truth is most people care about how they get to school and work,

buses, schools, hospitals. every timei buses, schools, hospitals. every time i go around tunbridge and edenbridge, i speak to people who are constantly talking about the future, not the past. we need to work on making sure that that future includes growth, ideas and opportunities. presumably, i imagine, heidi allen, sarah wollaston and anna soubry say that is exactly the sort of debate which has been credited by the tory pa rty‘s has been credited by the tory party's civil war over brexit so maybe you should think of looking some pathetically, evenjoining this new group of you share those views. i will not because i have spent the last pa rt i will not because i have spent the last part of the —— the best part of the last 15 years working as part of a team. i understand very well that teams work and individual action tends not to. working together with the conservative family to make sure that the values that i think are fundamentally conservative, opportunity, enterprise, those views which have seen young people across the country start businesses and look at changing the world in which they live is exactly the kind of

party that i want to see succeed. i wa nt to party that i want to see succeed. i want to conservative party that drives for that, that is these people being able to take the opportunities before them, able to see that individual effort, not a status led a project control policies, are the way that we want to build this country. let's talk a bit about the prospects of this new independent grouping. everybody knows the history of third parties isa knows the history of third parties is a pretty dismal one in our 2—party system. might that be about to change? i do not think so because the truth about all politics is all politics is about cooperation. cooperation and compromise. this place is here for the sole purpose of sending representatives from around the country who can cooperate together, come up with compromises that work for as much of the united kingdom as we can manage to try to get ideas and policies over the line that will serve the people of this country. that is what political parties do, they offer you the compromise in advance. this is

making that compromise harder and therefore very sadly giving the opportunity of a party that is being led to soberly, you know, on the labour side, the anti—semitic movements we are seeing, so strongly represented. making that more likely to have a voice. i noticed yesterday john mcdonnell, when he was trying to adopt a more emollient tone, suggested he would like to keep up the dialogue with the defectors. some of your colleagues are already calling for by—elections. do you think that is the right approach or should you try to keep talking? maybe even to bring them back into the party? i have worked across parties for the best part of the last four years and certainlyjeremy foreign affairs select committee, i worked very well across various other parties stop the idea that will not work with these people simply because they have decided to sit somewhere else in parliament is rubbish, of course i will. i will work with anybody to try to get the best policies for the united kingdom, the best policies for the

people i have the privilege to represent. of course we should keep up represent. of course we should keep upa represent. of course we should keep up a dialogue. the idea that the division between us and the conservative benches is as great as on the labour benches is simply not true. the conservative party is pretty much united except for one, admittedly very important, issue. on the labour side, that is simply not true. as they fight over values, the co re true. as they fight over values, the core values of the labour party, that has gone from being a major national party to a party that, as those who have left it have made very clear, has seen luciana berger bullied out of her own party and anti—semitism lead to many people who we all know feeling very uncomfortable. thank you very much. we should be hearing from three tory defectors shortly because they will be having a news conference and that will be a fascinating moment, i am sure. it will norman. thank you very much, on this dramatic day at westminster. norman smith. let's take a quick look at the letter that heidi allen,

anna soubry and sarah woolaston used to an end their decision to leave the conservative party. they say to the conservative party. they say to the prime minister, we believe you we re the prime minister, we believe you were committed to a moderate, open hearted conservative party, but then they go on to add, brexit has redefined the party, and doing all the efforts to modernise it. there has been a dismalfailure the efforts to modernise it. there has been a dismal failure to stand up has been a dismal failure to stand up to the hardline erd, which operates openly as a party with any party, with its own leader, whip and policy. they say we have tried consistently and for some time to keep the particles to the centre ground in british politics we have not changed, the conservative party has. politics needs radical and urgent reforms and we are determined to play parts ofjust a few lines from the lengthy letter from the three no former conservatives stop and the independent group of mps formed on monday when seven labour party members left, now eight, has tweeted its welcome to the three former conservatives who join them today. the tweet reads, welcome to

the independent group, sarah wollaston, heidi allen and... and let's just take a look when that moment when those three mps took their seats on the benches, joining those eight former labour mps who left the labour party on monday to set up the independent group. they are the our shaking hands, being welcomed by v8, now 11, sitting as independents. the independent group, let's see whether others willjoin them. conservative mp villa player, who resigned from his ministerial role last summer over brexit, has told the programme politics live he understands his colleagues' concerns. my view is the conservative party is a broad church and if people like me start by

getting it, it will be, you ukip light. john major made a forceful intervention last night in a speech andi intervention last night in a speech and i echo every word he said. i joined the party in march 1992, underjohn major, and i am not going to stand idly by and watch my party morph into uk plate in front of my eyes the meantime, anna soubry, heidi allen, sarah wollaston would have said to you, forget it, philip, we have lost. it isa we have lost. it is a longer list than that for there are people and government to say the conservative party is history. ministers? yes. i have been a bit ofa history. ministers? yes. i have been a bit of a lightning conductor because i was the first minister to go over the top. i have had lots speaking to me, indeed lots spoke before, and i have tried and failed to persuade ypres minister to change tack on her approach to brexit. today, you're seeing three good colleagues, three solid, dependable, honest, honourable women deciding to

leave the conservative party.” never thought i would see it. what did they say to you about why they thought it was necessary to quit rather than to stay and fight? i think they had become increasingly dismayed, i think is probably best way of describing it, about the approach particularly on brexit. the reasons are slightly different to labour colleagues who have left the labour party, because there are more reasons there, i understand. on our side, it has been the manner in which this brexit process has been handled. clearly, anna commissary and —— sarah and heidi has been vocal about this for many months and have decided to leave. let's just show you the scene in westminster where we understand heidi allen, anna soubry and sarah woolaston will be speaking, talking more about their decision to leave the conservative party and join the independent group. we are expecting that around about quarter past one, and you will be able to see that here on bbc news when it happens. do

stay with us for more analysis, of course, of these dramatic developments at westminster today. in a moment, it's time for the one o'clock news but first it's time for a look at the weather. a bit grey and damp for some of you this afternoon but, believe it or not, but of tropical caribbean weather is heading our way over the next few days. taking you back to monday, the stoma former at is going to be transported by vigorous jet strea m to be transported by vigorous jet stream towards us, pushing on towards all parts as we finish the week. lifting temperatures, unseasonably warm conditions. could see pics of 17 degrees across parts of eastern, north—western england, north wales in the north—west, north—east of scotland. record—breaking warmth was set in 1998, when the temperature got close to 20 degrees, but still unusual for this stage of the year. at the moment, a part of a contrast. grey skies for many. bits of rain coming and going for wales, bits of

scotland, england and wales differ stopped temperatures finishing around 11 or 12 degrees this afternoon for not quite tropical levels yet but above where they should be at this time of year. affected by a strengthening south—west wind, with us into tonight. further patchy rain around especially through the central swathe of the country. developing a bit more across the west and into south—western scotland later. parts of north—western scotland —— north—eastern scotland will stay clear. it touch of frost on the grass on the cards for some areas but for most, a mild start. lots of cloud patchy drizzle across east anglia and parts of —— and light rain and drizzle to begin with. one or two spots through the day but for most, a dry day with increasing amounts of hazy sunshine winning through. noted temperatures. already the rise. around the moray firth, eastern parts of england, we could hit 17 degrees. clear skies into friday, meaning some fog across parts of central and south—eastern

england to begin with that will gradually shift. but of cloud and it is northern ireland most likely to see rain at times. a few showers in scotla nd see rain at times. a few showers in scotland but lots of sunshine on friday and temperatures in a few spots of self devil —— still 17, may 18 degrees. changes and the weekend. we will be dragging air all the way up we will be dragging air all the way up from africa. that means a better chance, especially in eastern areas, of some sunshine around. innovative cloud in the west right and a few showers but it stays on the incredible mild side, at least to begin with. it touch cooler for the start of next week before temperatures may rise yet again. goodbye for now.