hello, it's friday. it's ten o'clock. i'm joanna gosling at westminster. so, there's a brexit deal on the table. can borisjohnson really squeeze it through tomorrow's historic saturday parliament? the numbers are on a knife edge. this is a moment to focus minds. we've got ourselves a good deal. it dealt with the lion's share of the concerns, certainly that people like me had about the last deal, and it's an opportunity for us to move forward. at least one labour mp has newly emerged to say he will back the deal. i think this country isjust fed up with the way parliament's run this the last three years and it's we got around the table and got a deal and got us through.

the labour leadership is sticking firm and saying this is a bad deal, but are they still backing a plan for mps to vote on a referendum on saturday? three years on now, let the people have a sensible leave option, but also the option to remain as well, and let the people have the final say. i think that's what the majority of people now want. back home, the historic commons debate, first to be held at the weekend for a century... the last time the commons sat on a saturday was in april, 1982, during the falklands war. hello, welcome to the programme. we're live until 11 this morning. so, do you want borisjohnson‘s brexit deal to get over the line? let us know what you want to happen and why. doug on facebook, "it's the best deal we are going to get, so get over it and vote for it.

we need to get back to a nomal life. please." walter on twitter, "if the mps have already voted no three times on may's deal, it makes no sense that they should vote for a worse deal that borisjohnson has brought back." use the hashtag victoria live. if you're emailing and are happy for us to contact you — and maybe want to take part in the programme — please include your phone number in your message. if you text, you'll be charged at the standard network rate. now, anita has the news. good morning. borisjohnson is spending today in last ditch efforts to persuade enough mps to back his brexit deal ahead of an extraordinary knife—edge vote in the commons tomorrow. the prime minister has told eu leaders he is very confident the withdrawal agreement will win the support of the majority of mps. but his opponents had insisted he cannot be sure of victory. dominic raab says it is an opportunity for parliament to move forward. we need

to get the house of commons to come together from all parties and the country to come together, so we are making the argument, particularly to aunties worried about no deal, this is the opportunity to get a deal —— mps. this is a moment to focus minds. we have got ourselves a good deal. it dealt with the lion's share of the concern certainly people like me had about the last deal and it is an opportunity for us to move forward. coming up later, we will be answering your questions on the new brexit dealjust after answering your questions on the new brexit deal just after 12:30pm, answering your questions on the new brexit dealjust after 12:30pm, send us brexit dealjust after 12:30pm, send us your questions. more than 700 people have been arrested across the uk and a week—long operation to tackle so—called county lines drug gangs.

dealers use mobile phones to make sales outside of city and exploit children and vulnerable adults to deliver drugs. drugs with a street value of £a00,000 were seized. there have been sporadic outbreaks of shelling and gunfire near the syrian border a day after turkey agreed to a ceasefire. washington hopes a five—day pause in the turkish offensive will allow kurdish forces to withdraw. there have been fierce gun to withdraw. there have been fierce gu n battles to withdraw. there have been fierce gun battles in the mexican state after security forces sealed seized the son of the drug baron al chappell. heavily armed members of the cartel exchanged fire with police and troops. the authorities said they had released and to avoid further violence. what do you make of this? stopping employees from using work e—mail after hours, it could do more harm than good. companies are increasingly trying to curb e—mail use after the work day,

but researchers from university of is it could stop work meeting targets and end up causing extra stress —— university of sussex. it could be a problem especially for those with high levels of anxiety. they have been using satellites to investigate the largest ever recorded strandings involving 340 wales which washed up on the coast of chile four years ago. no one fully understands why it happens and previously it has taken several weeks to find than —— 340 whales. that is a summary of the main stories. the big question today is, can he do it? borisjohnson are spending today in last—ditch efforts to persuade enough mps to back his brexit deal ahead of an extraordinary vote in the commons tomorrow. the prime minster and says he is very confident of getting his

deal through. they dup have insisted they will not vote for it and all opposition parties say they will instruct mps to vote against a too. every vote counts and i will signs some waverers are moving in the direction of the government including labour mps. we can talk now tojohn baron, conservative mp for basildon and billericay. he voted against theresa's may's brexit deal three times. will you vote for this one? yes, we are seeking assurances, devil in the detail still, but the reason i am inclined to vote for this is very simple, theresa may's backstop could have had us locked into the arrangement indefinitely. boris johnson has torn the backstop which means that if the trade talks are not successful, after we hopefully agree a deal tomorrow here, if the trade talks are not successful, up to december 2020, that is how long they could take, we could leave no deal turns. by leaving no deal on the table, it makes a good trade

deal in those negotiations up to december 2020 more likely to succeed. when you say we could leave oi’ succeed. when you say we could leave or no deal terms, descend the next year, are you saying this is no—deal brexit but delayed by a year, effectively? —— we could leave on no deal terms. most of us prefer a good deal terms. most of us prefer a good deal to no deal but many of us accept the reality of life when negotiating that you have to leave no deal on the table. it helps to make for a better deal, trade deal, up make for a better deal, trade deal, up to december 2020. because the possibility exists after december 2020, it will focus minds within negotiations and we will get a good trade deal, that is our hope. we are signing a withdrawal agreement including the price effectively of the divorce settlement, 39 billion, down to 33 billion now because we have stayed on for longer, paid that, we could potentially leave without a deal having paid that

money? we would leave on no deal terms at the end of december 2020. would we pay that money? yes, it was a lwa ys would we pay that money? yes, it was always agree there are certain bills legally we are bound to pay up to december 2020 while we are negotiating a trade deal. if that was to be the case, isn't that against everything that you want borisjohnson said in terms of the benefits of a no—deal brexit would mean among other things that figure would not be paid? we will be paying that figure... my opposition to theresa may's deal three times was that we had to hold our nose to the transition period, trade talks, up to december 2020. nothing perfect, things we had to compromise on, but what worried us was if the trade talks failed by december 2020, we would be locked in this backstop, indefinite backstop, and we could be left suspended indefinitely and it would be a construction of the eu's

making. boris johnson has would be a construction of the eu's making. borisjohnson has torn it up. it has been worth hanging on for in opposition to theresa may deal because it is a significant concession from the eu, we have been campaigning in parliament to get rid of the backstop. boris has done it. any negotiation, coming back to your point about the 39 billion, there will be bets you have to compromise on, they have had to compromise, the eu, tearing up the backstop —— they will be bits. 0n eu, tearing up the backstop —— they will be bits. on that basis, i will be supporting the deal tomorrow. you and the other 27, 28 of you voted against theresa may's deal. and the other 27, 28 of you voted against theresa may's deallj and the other 27, 28 of you voted against theresa may's deal. i cannot vote for everybody —— i cannot speak for everybody, but my senses the momentum is with the government. for those for food the backstop was a problem, becausejohnson those for food the backstop was a problem, because johnson has... those for food the backstop was a problem, becausejohnson has... that he said they would never open up the withdrawal agreement, they have,

they have a major concession. in terms of where the support lies for this deal potentially, you are indicating potentially, you are saying you will not necessarily all move en masse, the hardline tory brexiteers will vote for this, what about the dup? have you been talking with them? yes, i have, up to the 11th hour, 36 hours... a week is a long time in politics but 36 hours is also a long time, we will see what happens tomorrow. all i can share is i am doing my best to persuade colleagues, so—called spartans, like me voted three times against theresa may's deal to look at this in a favourable light. provided we can get a clear assurance, i have been given it so far by people like michael gove and dominic raab, that we will be leaving after the trade talks, if the trade talks fail, up to december 2020, on no deal terms, but as long as we can get the assurance, i think

we have done, we will be supporting the deal tomorrow. we have done, we will be supporting the dealtomorrow. i want we have done, we will be supporting the deal tomorrow. i want to quote to you borisjohnson from the dup conference this time last year, something similar was being looked at, and at the conference, he said, we would be damaging the fabric of the union with regulatory checks and even customs controls between great britain and northern ireland on top of the extra regulatory checks done the irish sea already envisaged in the irish sea already envisaged in the withdrawal agreement, no british conservative government could or should sign up to any agreement. where is that pledge now? unionists in northern ireland, have they been sold down the river?|j in northern ireland, have they been sold down the river? i hope not. i can only look at this from a personal point of view, i served in the troubles, casualties on the both sides, the union is terribly important to me. if i genuinely thought it would cause a problem for the union, i would not be supporting it. these are slightly technical terms we can get around, i

appreciate symbolism is very important, but i think we can get around this. going back to what was said about the dup, you said they are hard negotiators, if they don't vote for this, how can you vote for it? they are representing their constituents, all i am suggesting... you are constituents, all i am suggesting... you are concerned constituents, all i am suggesting... you are concerned about the unionist... what i'm suggesting to dup colleagues is we have to look at this in the round, the eu has made a major concession, northern ireland under the new arrangements would remain within the union of the uk, so remain within the union of the uk, so if we don't get a favourable trade deal, and all of this tomorrow is not about the trade deal negotiations themselves leading into 2020, it is about the backstop, should the trade negotiations fail. northern ireland would come with us, with the arrangements in place, so they would remain a member of the uk for all intents and purposes. they would be able to look both ways. not

just the dup that reflects unionists views in northern ireland, would you be worried about... a harder line, would you be worried about the potential for violence? would you be worried about the potential for violence ?|j would you be worried about the potential for violence? i would would you be worried about the potentialfor violence? i would hope there would not be violence. they could have the best of both worlds, in the regulatory union with the eu and customs union with the uk. another major concession is not often talked about, the eu has allowed done now, the eu and london, has allowed stormont to have a say, democratic process, with regards the checks and balances —— the eu has allowed them now. if they don't like them, they can move away from it. would you expect any tory mp voting against us to lose the weight?” hope we can come together as a party. -- the wet. should they lose the weight? i voted against interventions in the middle east and idid not

interventions in the middle east and i did not lose the whip. those who voted against no deal dead.” i did not lose the whip. those who voted against no deal dead. i hope we can come together and get the deal through parliament —— those who voted against no deal did. we need to get back sit down and talk about other important issues, public services, health, economy. thank you very much. we can speak now to stephen hammond, wimbledon mp and former health minister thrown out of the conservative party earlier this year after he rebelled against the government to support the so—called benn actaiming government to support the so—called benn act aiming to prevent a no deal by compelling the prime minister to send a letter to brussels asking for a backset extension if the deal is not passed. no doubt he will have a view about people voting against us and having the whip remove —— asking for a brexit extension. will you support this deal? it is not as good as theresa may's deal and a number

of areas. i voted to make sure no deal did not happen because i do not wa nt deal did not happen because i do not want no deal, it would be bad for my constituents, bad for the country, but for future relationships. constituents, bad for the country, but forfuture relationships. this deal is basically theresa may's deal with a change to the northern ireland protocol and changes to political declaration. what i am encouraged as the language of the political declaration was not as ha rd political declaration was not as hard brexit as some suggested it might be. i was speaking to john baron and he said it could potentially be no—deal brexit delayed by a year, if there is no agreement on a trade agreement going forward with the eu, there is provision in a year for us to walk away because the backstop has gone. also provision for us to extend for two years. if there was a desire to walk away with no—deal brexit in a year, if there was not an agreement on the trade talks, we can do it, thatis on the trade talks, we can do it, that is the way that is open. that is how the hardline brexiteers...

they can choose to read it in that way but we spoke to the government yesterday and we were told the government perfectly well understood it would be quite difficult to negotiate that agreement inside a year and therefore that provision was there and would be used if necessary. it paves the way for there to be a lot of trust in what there to be a lot of trust in what the leadership would do going forward. it also paves the way for another vote in the house of commons to reject the free trade deal and ta ke to reject the free trade deal and take in the provisions of the political declaration as well. there is protection. what would you think should happen to any tory mp that votes against this deal? you lost the whip when you voted against no deal brexit. i am sure you would expect me to say they should have the whip removed. it has shown it has fractured the parliamentary party of the conservative party, people believe strong things on all sides of the debate. we probably agree about most other things. i think that if you take the whip away

from all people, less likely anything to happen. i think we need to think carefully. i would have thought the most sensible thing is to look at how you restore the conservative party family because... a very good point, when as i mentioned the conversation i have just had with john mentioned the conversation i have just had withjohn baron, you two could not have seen this more differently, so going forward, in a situation where there are mps in the same party who actually think there will be quite a different outcome, what does that do full healing divisions? i have said, i have been consistent, i am divisions? i have said, i have been consistent, iam here divisions? i have said, i have been consistent, i am here to stop no deal brexit and jeremy corbyn government both of which would be disastrous for the country. by signing up to the agreement, you are not necessarily stopping no—deal brexit. i think we are. how? not necessarily stopping no—deal brexit. ithink we are. how? given the fact the backstop has gone and that was the thing that potentially... that was the thing that potentially. . . the that was the thing that potentially... the backstop was about northern ireland. the benn

act... customs union going forward. if you read the political declaration, paragraph 77, key paragraph, the paragraph about level playing fields, starting point for negotiations, i accept the wording of the regulatory closer alignment has gone, but there are some huge things which still indicate we are starting at a higher level than no deal at all and hard brexit. it is for us to make sure and people like me to argue over the next year and probably the two years after that that we want to see an alignment. if you want a future economic relationship with the eu, we have to be realistic, you cannotjust walk away and say, come back to us, we will have to talk to them about how you align on standards and have some common views on what is the right way forward and services. and they will not necessarily be as closely as aligned but we need to make sure it happens and i will be arguing for that in the next 18 months and two

yea rs that in the next 18 months and two years beyond that. 7096 of your constituency voted remain. would you back a referendum if the government loses the vote tomorrow?” back a referendum if the government loses the vote tomorrow? i would have to think about it seriously. i have to think about it seriously. i have stood up for my constituents by making sure no deal does not happen and it was potentially going to happen on 31st october, and it now will not happen. if this deal fails tomorrow, the benn act kicks in and there is an extension and we can look at the best way forward for the country. i have never been a great supporter of the idea of a referendum because i worry about it being divisive rather than decisive. but if colleagues who claim to be brexiteers do not vote for something than the thing they want might not be available to them. lots of people are against lots of things, time for people to decide what they are full. you mentioned the benn act, jean—claude juncker has been indicating that if this deal does not get through, that is it, no extension. what he indicated what he

did not want it prolonged, not the same as saying he will not grant an extension. as your correspondence we re extension. as your correspondence were quick to point out, it is not his decision. thank you. stephen hammond. every vote counts for the prime minister tomorrow. how might he get the majority he needs? our political correspondentjessica parkeris political correspondentjessica parker is going to be here in a few moments to discuss the figures. first, let us seejim when an explainer of how the numbers stack. the future of brexit might all come down to a straight fight in parliament. i hope very much now speaking of elected representatives that my fellow mps in westminster do now come together to get brexit

done. we have 650 mps in the house of commons, but only 639 of them actually vote. borisjohnson then needs 320 mps to back his plan on saturday and we leave the european union. there are 287 conservative mps. all will be told, or whipped, in parliamentary language, to vote for the deal. that includes 28 members of the erg group who support a harder brexit and refused to back theresa may's deal. some may not end up voting for it this time, but let's assume they do, borisjohnson is still short. so, where does he find the numbers to get him over the line? well, not from the snp, plaid or the greens. they're all likely to vote against, as are the liberal democrats and the independent group for change. crucial here could be the ten mps from the dup in northern ireland. they are still insisting they will vote against the deal. but there are two other groups that could be won over.

first, 23 former members of the conservative party. most were expelled last month for voting to stop a no—deal brexit. some, though not all, are likely to back the government this time. then there is the labour party itself. leaderjeremy corbyn has called this new deal even worse than theresa may's plan. it does nothing to deal with all the concerns that we've raised during theresa may's premiership and his about a race to the bottom in rights and protections. but there are still a small number of labour mps in constituencies with a large leave vote who may disagree and vote with the government. borisjohnson needs to convince enough of these, perhaps with a handful of independent mps, to bolster the numbers. it does look very tight. a lot may even depend on whether some mps vote against his plan or decide to abstain, as in don't vote either way. if that happens, then the maths gets

even more complicated. but it could just tip the balance in favour of the prime minister's deal. it is all playful and we'll all be revealed over the next 24 hours —— all to play for and it will all be revealed over the next 24 hours. we can talk now to ian blackford, the snp's leader in westminster, and mp for ross, skye and lochaber, who says the snp are willing to put in for a vote of no confidence in borisjohnson if he intends to implement his new brexit plan. no way you will be supporting this deal but if it goes through? we will be saying to the opposition parties we have to come together and remove boris johnson's we have to come together and remove borisjohnson's government we have to come together and remove boris johnson's government from office and move to an early general election. this is a deal that if it is supported in the house of commons will be devastating for our communities, for jobs, and will be devastating for our communities, forjobs, and as leader of the snp in westminster, i have an obligation to stand up for the people of scotland, every local authority area that voted against

brexit, 62% remain vote, no desire to see ourselves dragged out of the eu against our wishes and in particular out of the single market and customs union. the important point, we appreciate the unique circumstances of northern ireland, eve ryo ne circumstances of northern ireland, everyone wants to see the continuation of peace and security, but northern ireland is in effect being kept in the customs market and single market, it was a compromise position, the uk government has shafted scotland and we need to make sure we can get... how do you see northern ireland's position? do you see it as having a privileged position going forward that you would like? absolutely. competitive advantage northern ireland will have. important for business but also forfarming have. important for business but also for farming and fishing. think about those engaged in fishing off the west coast, farming, they will not get the same terms and opportunities offered to those in northern ireland. i welcome the fact northern ireland. i welcome the fact northern ireland. i welcome the fact northern ireland has got this deal but scotland has been ignored

through this, the country that voted to remain, we were told if we stayed in the uk... the dup have played the cards they have had very well. they have got extra money previously. who knows what negotiations are going on behind—the—scenes. have theyjust played a different game to you? at the end of the day, nobody plays with peace and security and we have to respect the circumstances... in terms of strengthening the position... the reason we want to have an election, the people of scotla nd have an election, the people of scotland have to see what is happening and we were told if we stayed in the uk our position would be respected, our rights as eu citizens would be respected, it has not happened. a country that has voted heavily to remain, i would say to the people in scotland, we need a general election, people have to respond to the position we have got, people vote for the snp, a vote for the people of scotland to have the right to determine the future in an independence referendum. we want to stay in europe and be an independent

country and a destination in europe and that bridge between europe and the uk that might be outside of it, but we cannot sit back and allow the uk to take us out of the eu against oui’ uk to take us out of the eu against our will. if the deal goes through, speaking to john baron our will. if the deal goes through, speaking tojohn baron brexiteer tory mp whose view is this could potentially be no—deal brexit delayed by a year because of the times, the backstop going. simple fa ct times, the backstop going. simple fact is it is a withdrawal agreement under political declaration that has no real legitimacy. the government can deliver a hard brexit, the direction of travel they are in. real wrist to scotland that we will end up with the worst of all worlds —— real risks. end up with the worst of all worlds -- real risks. no real legitimacy, you say. there was a referendum that went the way it did and the tory government and they are the ones in the driving seat. 0bviously, potential changes if there is a general election, which brings us back to, why have the opposition

parties not been pushing for a general election sooner? absolutely, we have been arguing for the last few weeks. no one has to get it. we have said we are happy to trigger a motion of no confidence, we have set at the other opposition parties, accept your responsibilities. i look forward to having an election including against tory mps, looking like they will vote for it tomorrow. the other opposition party should accept responsibility as well, we should be having an election and taking this government on. should be having an election and taking this government onm should be having an election and taking this government on. it may well be the case that there is strong support for the tory party and for the past borisjohnson is currently on. that is not the view from scotland, i can tell you that. but it is the united kingdom. the other opposition parties have to ta ke other opposition parties have to take responsibilities. the snp is giving leadership in scotland but the government... it is about time

the government... it is about time the other opposition parties stepped up the other opposition parties stepped up to the plate. we cannot sit back and allow boris johnson up to the plate. we cannot sit back and allow borisjohnson and the brexit fan boys take us out of europe against our will. the point i was making about the political declaration, no certainty in terms of what the government would do. we leave the eu, if the deal goes through, in two weeks' time... potentially open to whoever wins the next general election, democratic vote, to decide the shape of things. but if the deal goes through, we are out, that is the point. that is why we have to defeat the deal tomorrow and get the extension and have the election. ian blackford, thank you very much. the thoughts of our political correspondent sarah jessica parker, with me at westminster, the houses behind us and usually going to be sitting tomorrow. for the first session of the commons since the falklands war

in1982, the commons since the falklands war in 1982, ferry rare sitting of parliament tomorrow, and it is going to be absolutely fascinating —— very rare. today the prime minister will be doing everything he can to get support for the deal, what is the latest you are hearing on how the numbers might stack up? looking incredibly close, anyway you look at it. the magic number two, 320 mps neededin it. the magic number two, 320 mps needed in orderfor it. the magic number two, 320 mps needed in order for boris it. the magic number two, 320 mps needed in orderfor borisjohnson it. the magic number two, 320 mps needed in order for borisjohnson to secure his exit deal to —— the magic number, 320 mps. potential tory rebels, 2i, number, 320 mps. potential tory rebels, 21, you are speaking to stephen hammond, the majority of those that look like they will back the deal. rebel labour mps, 7—10. crucially, the dup, i noticed sammy wilson, they have sent out a tweet reiterating the dup cannot support the deal and urging conservative mps, conservative and unionist mps, as he puts it, not to pack it. they

are actively calling on conservative mps, friends in the erg, not to back it as well. i was talking to john baron of the erg earlier indicating he will vote for it and thinking others will go the same way. 0bviously, others will go the same way. obviously, the importance is how the votes stack up tomorrow, what about the question of a second referendum? we know about an amendment for tomorrow from the snp calling for an extension, another really interesting amendment is from oliver letwin. he is this mastermind, as some people see it, trying to stop a no—deal brexit. he has put down this amendment which is designed to still make boris johnson ask for an extension, even if mps approve the deal tomorrow. the concern, from some in that camp, is that you could see the meaningful vote passed tomorrow, the benn act is therefore basically suspended because the

conditions have been met, and then the passage of the legislation which is needed to get the deal over the line, maybe some mps could change their mind, maybe it could get held up their mind, maybe it could get held up in the lords and then we could be looking at a no—deal brexit again on 3ist looking at a no—deal brexit again on 31st october, so that letwin amendment is designed to make boris johnson ask for an extension, even if he gets approval tomorrow. what about if this all goes through, and we we re about if this all goes through, and we were to be in a position where northern ireland has its special status, but there is the situation with consent, what would happen with northern ireland ? with consent, what would happen with northern ireland? there would be a joint committee to look at what to do next and a two—year calling off period, but a lot of those details are not quite clear on exact how it would work. but a lot of people are saying this is a major movement from the eu, because previously they were insisted they needed an absolute insurance policy, they did not want to leave anything to chance in terms ofa to leave anything to chance in terms of a hard border, so there has been some movement from them on that

issue. jessica parker, thank you. i called you sarahjessica parker!” enjoyed it very much.” called you sarahjessica parker!” enjoyed it very much. i once called bridget kendall bridgetjones as well! another classic! thank you very much. what is different about this deal, particularly when it comes to northern ireland? here is jim reed again. most of boris johnson's new brexit deal looks very much like theresa may's old plan. first then, here are the parts that haven't changed. if the deal passes we will leave the european union in less than a fortnight. the uk would enter a transition period in which all of the rules stay the same until the end of next year. that is meant to give us time to negotiate a future trading relationship with the eu. uk citizens in the european union and eu citizens in the uk would all keep their rights to residency, benefits and health care. freedom of movement rules will continue to apply during the transition, while a new system is worked out. the uk will have to agree

to settle its financial obligations to the eu. there is no set figure yet but the divorce bill, as it's known, is now thought to be around £33 billion. but there are key differences between this plan and the one voted down by mps earlier this year. one is to do with northern ireland. the most controversial part of theresa may's plan, known as the backstop, is now gone. the new plan is for an east—west customs border or north—south trade between northern ireland and the republic will be duty free. no checks or taxes. instead, goods will be checked between the british mainland and northern ireland itself. if a car, for example, was at risk of being exported south into the eu then extra taxes would be paid. the deal gives the full northern ireland assembly a vote on whether to keep the system, but no earlier than 2025.

one other point. promises by the uk to stick close to eu rules after brexit have been removed from the legally binding part of the deal. the withdrawal agreement. that has some thinking borisjohnson wants a much looser trading relationship with the eu in the future, though whether that happens all remains to be seen. so, northern ireland is crucial in all this — what do voters there think? some comments from you watching at home. this one on facebook says... this has to spell the beginning of the end of northern ireland as part of the uk. the dup prepared to subject the whole of the uk to more uncertainty. this from a province which receives far more public funds thanit which receives far more public funds than it generates, classic tail wagging the dog. this one says... a fantastic deal? i don't think so,

throwing northern ireland under the bus, scotland next, and making everybody poorer. tina mckenzie is chair of the federation of small businesses in northern ireland and malachi turner is from belfast wants a united ireland. 0n the phone is george lenaghan is a unionist also from belfast. good morning to all of you. to, first of all, how do you see this? well, for businesses, we really want to get some certainty, three years is too long without it. this deal, particularly has made some allowa nces for particularly has made some allowances for the things we were worried about in northern ireland. so, for example, we stay within the uk custom zone, yet we get the ability to stay within a customs relationship with the rest of europe, and importantly our neighbour the republic of ireland, and we get to trade tariff—free between the two. that was something we have talked to government about for a long time so we are absolutely very happy that that is in this deal. of course, what this deal

brings is more bureaucracy, we will have to have lots of regulatory checks at the ports, but to be fair, if there is going to be a brexit, there was always going to be checked if we were coming out of europe. so we're quite pleased that we got special arrangements around customs and also around the regulatory zone, so we still get to trade both ways, not completely so we still get to trade both ways, not com pletely u nfettered so we still get to trade both ways, not completely unfettered but as free as it is going to be, unless we remain. so you think it is good for business. george lenaghan, what do you think about it? i think it is a bad deal as a whole, and for the union as well. it basically cuts northern ireland off from the rest of the uk. it puts us into being aligned with the european customs code, it basically makes as a tax collector on behalf of europe. why do you think it cuts northern ireland off? northern ireland will effectively be looking in both

directions, won't it? yes, but when we voted for brexit, we voted as a nation as a whole, it was in or out, it wasn't to annex part of the uk from the rest of the uk. but this deal basically does that. it overwrites the good friday agreement also, in that it tears up the principle of consent, where there has to be a majority in both communities, to decide. there is no voted to opt into this at all. so for the people of northern ireland, it is being forced upon us. malachi turner, what is your perspective on this? well, you see, george is looking at it from the perspective of somebody who lives in britain, in other words part of the island of england, scotland and wales. unfortunately for him we are in a country called ireland and the long border between eu and britain is our border. you've got to understand that there was always going to be

special arrangements because of that border, because of the freight and the movement of people, working on both sides of what they called the border. and what unionism fails to realise, especially the dup, they we nt realise, especially the dup, they went into this whole negotiation with the attitude of, we want brexit. now, a lot of people here from the nationalist community, which i would be one of, would say that because it unionism... unionism is quite happy to have a hard brexit. a hard brexit for the movement of freight and people on out movement of freight and people on our island would have been catastrophic. it also would have been catastrophic for trade. we've also got farmers here, we've also got an agrifood sculpture here, a lot of businesses trade in this island as one. and unionism seems to forget this. so, any deal that was done with mainland britain was always going to cause problems and there was always going to have to be negotiations and they refused to acce pt negotiations and they refused to accept that. so this deal, in actual fa ct, accept that. so this deal, in actual fact, isn't the best deal in the

world for us. the best deal for us as an island would have been to stay in europe. but as deals go, there was always going to have to be a deal made, and that means compromise, the dup have never, in all the compromises that they have ever taken part of, said yes to anything. they said no to the anglo—welsh cup, they said no to the backstop, they said no to boris johnson's deal —— the anglo—irish agreement —— they said no to staying in ireland as one unit. so, everything... ijust want in ireland as one unit. so, everything... i just want to go in ireland as one unit. so, everything... ijust want to go back to tina, because, tina, in terms of the practicalities of this and how it will work, you're saying it's good for business... we have got your back. in terms of the practicalities, if goods go into northern ireland and stay there., then there is no customs issue, but if they go beyond, then there is

scope for rebate. so, you end up with businesses having to pay up front sometimes and then get rebates. are you concerned about how that might work? that is not necessarily how it is going to work and we will be continuing to seek... u nfortu nately, we and we will be continuing to seek... unfortunately, we can't hear tina at all. let's go backjust quickly to george, because, george, malachi turner was giving his perspective, which is very different from yours, how do you respond? let me just address a couple of malachi turner's points. he said about trade, well, the bulk of our trade comes from the mainland, 85% of our trade comes from the british mainland into northern ireland. we do 5% to 10% into the irish republic. so that shoots his trade thing down. and as regards the dup compromise, the dup

made a massive compromise last week when they agreed to regulate our alignment but without the customs union, without opting into the customs union. so, nothing came back from the irish or the eu. the dup are the only ones who have compromised in boris johnson's are the only ones who have compromised in borisjohnson's prime ministership, and tried to move forward in that. it was a massive compromise, where they were getting abuse here for it. so, the two points made by malachi turner, they are not quite true, in regards to trade and in regards to dup compromise. thank you to all of you. the dup as things stand saying that they will vote against that deal but talks are continuing. let's get some more reaction from here at westminster. joining me now isjim fitzpatrick, labour mp who plans to vote for the deal. sam gyimah, who was thrown out of the conservatives

after trying to prevent a no deal, and whojoined after trying to prevent a no deal, and who joined the liberal democrats last month. and also with us a brexit party mep, henrik 0vergaard—nielsen. welcome, all of you.jim 0vergaard—nielsen. welcome, all of you. jim fitzpatrick, you voted against theresa may's deal two times, you voted for it on the third 90, times, you voted for it on the third go, will you vote for this one? yeah, the basic position i adopted on 29th march was that i was opposed toa on 29th march was that i was opposed to a no—deal brexit and i thought that prime minister may‘s deal gave an opportunity to prevent that from happening, and now that we have a deal which i always thought was the best way to prevent no deal, i expect to be voting for the deal tomorrow, barring any unforeseen circumstances. i have not quite finished reading all the documentation yet but i anticipate that that is what is going to happen, yes. jeremy corbyn says this is worse than theresa may's deal, did labourmps miss is worse than theresa may's deal, did labour mps miss a trick in voting against theresa may's deal?” think we might have missed a trick during the cross— party think we might have missed a trick during the cross—party negotiations in the summer, we probably missed a

trick in the two years when mrs may was not concluding a decent deal. we fought a 2017 general election on the basis that we would respect the outcome of the referendum and we are still committed to leaving the european union. i don't think this is much worse than mrs may's deal, i don't think it is worse at all. and i think it sorts out the irish backstop which was a big issue, and so backstop which was a big issue, and so it isa backstop which was a big issue, and so it is a deal that people will be looking at seriously and i suspect i will not be the only labour mp who is looking at it with the prospect of voting for it tomorrow. have you had conversations with many labour mps? there were 19 of us who wrote to the commission to weeks ago saying that we wanted to support a deal and hoped that negotiations would be concluded, so, that's 19 collea g u es would be concluded, so, that's 19 colleagues who were clearly thinking about it and who are going through the paperwork like i am, consulting the paperwork like i am, consulting the local party, looking at the analysis of experts and i'm sure that a number of them like me will be voting for the deal tomorrow. but i can't speak for the 19 because everybody is making their own

decision. and on consulting your constituency, your constituency is remain? why aren't you going along with the labour mps who are trying to block the deal in favour of having a referendum?” to block the deal in favour of having a referendum? i and my party said we would respect the outcome of the referendum and the manifesto said so, too. i voted to revoke article 50. i am not a delegate from my constituency, i am a representative. my job my constituency, i am a representative. myjob is to weigh up representative. myjob is to weigh up the issues and to make the decision which in my conscience i think is best for the country. every mp will be approaching this in exactly the same way but we will be making different decisions tomorrow. sam gyimah, you are in the tory party, you are now in the lib dems but is it true you had a call last night from a conservative whip who had forgotten you had left the party? i can only put it down to they were trying every trick in the book to get votes ahead of saturday. so what happened ?”

book to get votes ahead of saturday. so what happened? i am not here to discuss... ijust got a call saying, are you going to vote for this deal and is there anything i can do to help? i told and is there anything i can do to help? itold him and is there anything i can do to help? i told him that actually there was nothing they could do to help me, this is a lousy deal. it is worse than theresa may's deal, it was the eu's opening offer. was the call to you because they thought you we re call to you because they thought you were still in the conservative party? who knows? did you have to remind them that you were in the lib dems? i didn't even bother, ijust said, you're wasting your time. so is there any chance you will vote for this deal? absolutely not, it's a lousy deal. and what, then, if this deal goes through, potentially it might, it is on a knife edge, what will your party's position be? that's not a question i want to answer today. the question for me to answer today. the question for me to answer today. the question for me to answer today is that this deal has got to go down tomorrow. this is incredibly serious. what we have, and nobody is thinking about what

happens next, if this deal passes tomorrow, you're giving boris johnson a free pass for no deal. the reason? what happens if it goes through tomorrow is that we are going to have to have a general election pretty soon because it is a government without a majority, and then at that point, whichever party represents what the people out there want, we'll get to drive through what happens next, so why are the lib dems afraid of that? we are not afraid of it, what we are focused on is explaining that the deal was only announced yesterday, we have hardly debated the substance of it and we are talking about what happens next. you can't do post—match analysis when you actually haven't had the match. i think it is important. this has been framed as a way of stopping no deal, but the truth is, once it passes, because there is no backstop, if borisjohnson passes, because there is no backstop, if boris johnson cannot negotiate a free—trade agreement in a year, which it is not possible to do, the default will be wto brexit in december2020. so, those do, the default will be wto brexit in december 2020. so, those who think they are voting for this to

stop no deal, all they are doing is actually delaying no deal and giving the erg a free pass. henrik 0vergaard—nielsen, nigel farage has said, he was very critical of jean—claude juncker, he was said, he was very critical of jean—claudejuncker, he was talking about the extension, and talking about the extension, and talking about the extension, and talking about the eu being a thug—ocracy, power without accountability, . . . ? the reality is that we are very much against this deal. it isjust slightly better than they completely u na cce pta ble slightly better than they completely unacceptable theresa may deal, but the reality of life is that if this deal does not go through, then we will end deal does not go through, then we willend up deal does not go through, then we will end up with an extension. nigel farage was really will end up with an extension. nigel fa rage was really clear yesterday when he said that he wanted there to be an extension, effectively, he said the eu is trying to override the benn act. people having a double ta ke the benn act. people having a double take when nigel farage is coming out and saying he supports the benn act? i think he supports that westminster has passed a law which is the law of the land and for the eu to try and

actually surpassed that is completely unacceptable. what will the brexit party's position be if and when we go to an election now? because voters will say, i am unclear about what they brexit position is because nigel farage is talking about an extension? it's completely wrong. we are for a clean break brexit, we have said that all along. this is hardly taking back control, as we were promised. this deal is unacceptable. we know that out deal is unacceptable. we know that our fishing waters are still not there, our fishermen are still going to go bankrupt because of this, we are still under the jurisdiction of the european court ofjustice, and we still have to align on foreign policy and defence. so, this is completely unacceptable. we want a clean break brexit. but the reality is that if this deal is not voted through, then we will have an extension. and therefore, that's the way it is. we do not want the eu to override a law that is passed in this parliament. what is the brexit

pa rty‘s this parliament. what is the brexit party's constituency now with boris johnson and with this deal, which sam gyimah says actually does pave the way potentially for a no—deal brexit? i think his legal advice is completely different from mine, i can't see that. is not the only one saying it. he wants no deal now! absolutely! but the problem we are facing is that we are signing up to have full alignment with the eu on foreign policy and on defence. if you're looking at the last budget from the european parliament, there isa22 from the european parliament, there is a 22 fold increase in the money for defence. the problem is, we're talking about it now, everybody seems to be having a go at the free trade and all the problems we're going to place, but actually they should be looking at where we are going. we are going for a defence and an army in the european union, we're going to get rid of all of the unanimity on the council of ministers, and we are moving further and further towards... ministers, and we are moving further and further towards. .. this is a threshold agreement, there are going to be negotiations on all the detail

in due course, but as my colleagues have demonstrated, this is neither not leaving or leaving immediately, this is working out a deal with outright arrangements, with customs unions, with corporation, and it was a lwa ys unions, with corporation, and it was always going to result in compromise between the european union and the united kingdom, and that is what this deal offers. we are going to be tied in four years. when you have the hardline erg and labour party people voting for the same thing, somebody is going to be bitterly disappointed. can i say, 9096 of mps said they were going to respect the referendum. the problem we are facing now is that the population is generally fed up with this, they wa nt generally fed up with this, they want brexit and they want it now. they were not told the truth. that isa they were not told the truth. that is a message we they were not told the truth. that is a message we are they were not told the truth. that is a message we are getting loud and clear in the texts we are getting, people say they want progress now and mps will get to vote tomorrow. we can now move away from brexit just for a moment because extension rebellion is back at oxford circus in central london despite being

banned from protesting in the capital. we can talk to our correspondent now. what is happening? well, we are in the centre of central london, oxford street and regent street, and this whole area has come to a complete standstill here this morning for the last couple of hours. we'lljust show you the scene right in the middle. protesters from extension rebellion have set up what looks like a makeshift tp. from the middle of it, a piece of deadwood that is hanging down from the middle, and some of those protesters we think have glued themselves to the bamboo in the middle. now, in terms of numbers, there aren't a huge number of protesters here, compared to other protests that have taken place. but there is significant disruption here. you might be able to see as welljust along from where we are, some of the protesters on the ground have chained themselves

together, and we now have in the last couple of minutes, you can probably see them, a specialist team who are using cutting equipment to try and release these protesters. and we think the protesters on the ground are the people who don't actually mind being arrested. so they are not moving at the moment but the teams have come in, the specialist teams who are going to try and cut them away. there is a significant police presence here this morning, joanna. 0fficers significant police presence here this morning, joanna. officers from the metropolitian police, city of london, also transport police as well, trying to bring things under control here. but nothing at all is moving, and we think, we understand this is the last of the demonstrations by the climate change protesters, a bit later on they are going to be holding a closing ceremony. but nothing moving in the centre of london. now that we have heard

from the politicians what they make of the latest developments, let's find out what voters across the political spectrum are thinking. do they want their mps to vote for the prime minister's deal? peter garstin owns a micropub in dover and would like mps to back the deal. he has no party affiliation but voted for the brexit party in the european elections. charlotte norton is a lawyer and labour activist originally from northern ireland. she wants a second referendum. conservative member lacey butcher supports borisjohnson and wants brexit to happen on october 31st, come what may. and ayo adesina, an it contract worker, who voted leave in 2016 but now supports remain. so, let's come to you first of all, peter, you want mps to back the deal, why? because we've been going on with nothing decided for 3.5 yea rs on with nothing decided for 3.5 years now, it's time to put an end to this, put the country out of its misery. frankly i don't care now whether the deal is passed or

whether the deal is passed or whether we decide not to leave the eu. butl whether we decide not to leave the eu. but i would prefer to leave the eu, that is how i voted in the referendum. we've really been messing around for three and a half yea rs messing around for three and a half years with politicians of all sides saying not what they want, but what they don't want. charlotte, you want a second referendum? as you were saying, it has been going on for 3.5 years, there was less time between the last general election and the most recent one. i think it's completely farcical to say that people know what they voted for, and thatis people know what they voted for, and that is what is happening now, i think it is completely undemocratic to push ahead with any option that doesn't go back to the people, to have another say. i would urge all mps to vote against the deal, i'm aware my local mp, mps to vote against the deal, i'm aware my localmp, jim mps to vote against the deal, i'm aware my local mp, jim fitzpatrick, was on here earlier, and our local party, we have been urging him for quite some time to reject boris's

deal and ensure that it goes back to the people because that is what we want. what do you think about that? we are all lobbying him and the local party are quite angry, we are sending e—mails, we've had meetings, there's been quite a bit of fuss being kicked up. there is no way to hold him to account because he is stepping down. but we're hoping the next mp that is selected is going to be someone that will fully back a people's vote. so, would you support any party in order to get that? no. because labour is the party that is promising to deliver a people's vote. the conservatives want to push through brexit, the lib dems want to revoke, both are antidemocratic. the lib dems position is not undemocratic. they are saying, if a general election happens before a referendum, they will revoke article 50. if you don't agree with that, then don't vote for them. if they

come from being the third—party to actually being in power and saying they will revoke article 50, then thatis they will revoke article 50, then that is completed democratic. at the moment we have now got a new version of brexit, brand—new, just yesterday, what is the rush that this has to rush through parliament tomorrow, they have to vote it through? how come no—one has got to scrutinise this? i was actually in brussels yesterday and i was speaking to some meps. i am from a campaign groupfor speaking to some meps. i am from a campaign group for people who voted leave but we have changed our mind. 0ver leave but we have changed our mind. over three years we have got to learn a lot more about the eu and what it is all about. we should be allowed to have a say. i still have faith in the british people, that we should be allowed to have our destiny, why should we have boris johnson put through his version? what is the actual difference? they can't have it both ways. our destiny was decided back in 2016 when there was decided back in 2016 when there was a democratic mandate to leave the european union, and finally it seems like it is actually going to be implemented on. what do you think

about a general election, how do you feel about that, because we are going to be having one pretty soon? the sooner the better.” going to be having one pretty soon? the sooner the better. i think we need one but before we have one we need one but before we have one we need an extension so that we can have a people's vote, ideally before an election, so that this is sorted and the election can be on party ma nifestos, and the election can be on party manifestos, rather than brexit again. we should definitely have a people's vote before a general election. this started with a referendum, it has to be finished with a referendum. if we have a general election, it is just with a referendum. if we have a general election, it isjust going to get muddled up. who says who is going to win the general election? do you realise the precedent that would set if we simply abolish the democratic mandate back in 2016 without actually implement in it first? do you realise what that would say about... ? first? do you realise what that would say about. . . ? we are first? do you realise what that would say about...? we are not overturning the democratic mandate of the people. at the end of the day, we had a referendum, we've gone through three years, we have got

several versions of brexit, it is not just... several versions of brexit, it is notjust... borisjohnson was not elected, he was elected by a tiny proportion... he does not have a mandate to put through his version. i have got to stop you, we are out of time, thank you very much, we will have to see what happens in the commons tomorrow. we'll boris johnson get that vote through? the numbers are tight and today boris johnson is out there trying to sell the deal to those who he hopes will support it and take us through to the next stages. it is all to play for, newsroom live will keep you updated. not all of us are going to see the

showers, but you will be fairly lucky if you catch those showers completely. the most frequent of them across south—west england into wales, they will be quite heavy across southern coastal areas, rain across southern coastal areas, rain across the north—east of england and up across the north—east of england and up into the east of scotland. the odd shower still cannot be ruled out, maximum temperatures today, about 12—15d. this evening, that rain will continue across the east of scotland, just edging a bit further southward into central areas. elsewhere, showers continuing throughout the night and into the start of the weekend. further showers expected on saturday. 0n sunday there will be fewer showers around, a little bit drier. but look at the temperatures, they're dropping down. it will feel chillier on sunday with that northerly wind.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown live in westminster. the headlines at 11am. borisjohnson tries to persuade mps to back his new brexit deal, ahead of an historic vote in parliament tomorow. we've got a chance now to get brexit done with a deal, and allow the country to move forward. we won't go for anything that makes our constituents and our country poorer. and by any assessment, that's what this deal will do. i'm nuala mcgovern, in brussels, where the summit continues. leaders move on to matters of climate change, also long—term eu budget, and priorities for the next five years. we'll have the latest reaction from here in westminster. this morning's other stories. more than 700 people

are arrested across the uk,