this morning, with exactly this conversation, and stephen barclay was trying to convince jacob will be just as uncomfortable for the eu and that is why we won't be in it permanently and jacob rees—mogg said he not seeing any evidence of that and he says it will only be uncomfortable for the uk. but the eu does not want a non—member getting access to the single market and being at the customs union, so on that simple measure it would be uncomfortable for the eu? yes, the backstop, the eu does not want businesses in northern ireland to know about this, but this puts businesses in the north in a very competitive position compared to the south. why would you moves to —— move manufacturing over? it puts them in a very good position, so it does divide the four freedoms which is the thing the eu says they don't want, but politically the backstop is very tricky for the eu and that is the argument ollie robins will use as they will not want to keep us in it for any longer, but it depends if you buy that. clearly the people on the front of the independent are clear that they do not buy i

the brexit secretary, stephen barclay, has insisted that tuesdays vote would go ahead despite speculationconservative mps would rebel against the government. in an interview with the mail on sunday the prime minister warns of entering ‘uncharted waters' if the deal is rejected. meanwhile, the former foreign secretary borisjohnson says theresa may will have a powerful mandate to renegotiate with the eu if mps vote against the deal on tuesday. our political correspondent, jess parkerjoins me now. so borisjohnson has been talking this morning. yes, as you mentioned there, he was talking about should theresa may lose tuesday's vote it would give her a powerful mandate to go back to brussels and say, not only are the elements of this deal, this issue, and acceptable to parliament, they are an acceptable to the way the country and we need to the way the country and we need to look again. it was pointed out that losing heavily in the house of commons doesn't suggest you got a powerful mandate, he suggested that was the case. he is not the only one making that point, the brexiteers in the cabinet

the brexit secretary stephen barclay has insisted the government will push ahead with the vote on the brexit deal in the house of commons on tuesday despite the possibility of theresa may's proposals being rejected. the former foreign secretary boris johnson meanwhile has said a defeat in parliament could strengthen the prime minister's hand in getting a better dealfrom the eu. he claims there'd be widespread cross—party support for the existing deal if the irish backstop proposals were removed. here's our political correspondent nick eardley. after more than two years of arguments and negotiations, this week parliament will pass its judgment on whether to accept theresa may's brexit deal or to try for something else. with most in westminster predicting defeat for the pm, some want the vote to be postponed. this morning the brexit secretary said that wouldn't happen. the vote is going ahead and that is because it is a good deal, the only deal. it is important that we don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. we are moving into uncharted waters. yes, the prime minister will conti

the brexit secretary stephen barclay has insisted the government will push ahead with the vote on the of theresa may's proposals being rejected. the former foreign secretary boris johnson meanwhile has said a defeat in parliament could strengthen the prime minister's hand in getting a better dealfrom the eu. he claims there'd be widespread cross—party support for the existing deal if the irish backstop proposals were removed. here's our political correspondent nick eardley.

stephen barclay was named as the new brexit secretary, and amber rudd returned to the cabinet as worktiations, eu leaders endorsed the brexit withdrawal agreement. but that didn't stop speculation around how long theresa may could continue as prime minister, or whether she would be able to get the deal signed off by parliament. she embarked on a tour of the uk to try and sell the deal to the public, but was criticised for not trying harder with her own mps. the ayes to the right, 311. the noes to the left, 293. the government suffered three successive defeats in parliament, something that hasn't happened for a0 years. in an unprecedented move, the government was found to be in contempt of parliament, and forced to publish the attorney general‘s legal advice to cabinet. mps were also given more powers if the government's plan fails in parliament. theresa may then opened what was meant to be five days of debate on the withdrawal agreement. and, with my whole heart, i commend this motion to the house. but it was a struggle. promises of taking back control, from a government that is so ou

the brexit secretary, stephen barclay, brushed aside speculation that it could be delayed, saying theovernment's withdrawal agreement was a "good deal and the only deal". but conservative rebels say the prime minister must go back to brussels to persuade the eu to remove the backstop that's been agreed to avoid a hard border in ireland. here's our political correspondent iain watson. is she seeking divine intervention? theresa may attended church in her constituency this morning. she's weathered many political storms, but she's still having to fight for her deal and for herjob. some ministers think the outlook is so bleak she should postpone this week's crucial commons vote, but the brexit secretary said it wouldn't be called off. the vote is going ahead, and that's because it is a good deal, it's the only deal, and it's important that we don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. we are moving to uncharted waters. yes, the prime minister is fighting for us and will continue in post, but the question for... sorry, can she stay on as prime minister if she loses? she can stay on as

that is according to the brexit secretary, stephen barclay.was the only way to deliver what people had voted for, but there have been predictions of a heavy defeat for the government. 0ur political correspondent iain watson explains. theresa may is staring defeat in the face but downing street is insisting that tuesday's vote will indeed go ahead. but i have to tell you that very seniorfigures, even at this late stage, are still pressing for a postponement. what she intends to do is speak to some of her mps who still have very serious doubts about the arrangements for avoiding a hard border in ireland, the so—called backstop. she spoke to her irish counterpart. now, downing street know that if she can allay those concerns, it will diminish significantly, but it's still yet to be seen what of substance she can offer that will really make a difference. interestingly tonight, another development — jeremy corbyn, labour leader, also under the pressure. party leaders from across europe have delivered him this letter, calling on him explicitly to ba

but her brexit secretary, stephen barclay, has said it will go ahead on tuesday.e rigby has the latest. things are looking festive in downing street tuesday's brexit showdown could determine whether theresa may has a merry christmas and even a happier new year. any predict hard days ahead for the prime minister with the proposal widely expected to suffer defeat in the commons. some want the boat to be postponed. the final decision may not be until the 11th hour although the us brexit secretary says it will go ahead. it is a good deal, it is the only deal and it is important we do not let the perfect the enemy of the good. the irish backstop remains a major sticking point. theresa may sought to reassure her irish counterpart. she will reissue a debate with mps. the prime minister is fighting and will continue. despite optimism in some quarters, uncertainty remains. not only of the result of the so—called meaningful vote on brexit but also what defeat could mean to her leadership. plenty in her party appear increasingly willing to replace sir, while the leader of th

that is according to the brexit secretary, stephen barclay.said it was the only way to deliver what people had voted for, but there have been predictions of a heavy defeat for the government. here is our political correspondent iain watson. is she seeking divine intervention? theresa may attended church in her constituency this morning. she has weathered many political storms, but she is still having to fight for her deal and for herjob. some ministers think the outlook is so bleak she should postpone this week's crucial commons vote, but the brexit secretary said it won't be called off. the vote is going ahead, and that's because it is a good deal, it's the only deal, and it's important that we don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. we're moving to uncharted waters. yes, the prime minister is fighting for us, and will continue in post, but the question for... sorry, can she stay on as prime minister if she... yes. she can stay on as prime minister if she loses the vote? yes. the brexit secretary voted to leave the eu, but his better—

anything less than a change to the withdrawal agreement itself would not cut it. just seeing stephen barclay questions this evening. not easy for him who is new in the role. let's go to gavin lee. thursday the becomes a brexit summit, that is not something they wa nted summit, that is not something they wanted to do. they are not prepared to open the withdrawal agreement. what can they help the prime minister with? two things, there are two days before thursday's summit where brexit is on the agenda. right now theresa may and her team are stiffening the sinews and it is once more into the breach to try and convince european leaders, perhaps one by one, whether they can move an inch on this issue of trying to make sure there is some form of writing that allows to reza made to go back to britain to say that preventing a border with northern ireland and the republic, to suggest some wording that makes westminster not bound to that. i am told by sources on both sides of the water that that is not happening now at the moment. they are trying to work out when she can see mark rutte. it has been su

earlier, we heard from the brexit secretary, stephen barclay.o secure a deal, that hasn't changed. in preparation for a no deal scenario, preparations have to be stepped up. this is what he had to say after the meeting today. the government's priority is to secure a deal, that hasn't changed. alongside that, as part of our continuation of preparing the no deal, responsible government needs to ensure that we are ready for that default option which we don't want to happen but we are ready in case it did happen. at cabinet today we agreed to prepare for no deal, it is agreed to prepare for no deal, it is a operational priority. 0ur priority remains to secure a deal. what would that consist of? we have already seen an increase that consist of? we have already seen an increase in communication from government, for example to pharmaceutical firms to eu from government, for example to pharmaceuticalfirms to eu citizens living within the uk. we will see that temporal increase in the coming weeks. we need to get over the business that this is something t

the brexit secretary stephen barclay has insisted the government will push ahead with the vote on tuesdaysibility of the prime minister's plan being rejected. the former foreign secretary borisjohnson said a defeat in parliament could strengthen the prime minister's hand if she had to go back to brussels in search of a better deal. however, earlier the prime minister warned of the uk entering ‘uncharted waters' if the deal is rejected. here's our political correspondent nick eardley. after more than two years of arguments and negotiations, this week parliament will pass itsjudgment — whether to accept theresa may's brexit deal or to try for something else. with most in westminster predicting defeat for the pm, some want the vote postponed. this morning, the brexit secretary said that wouldn't happen. the vote is going ahead and that's because it is a good deal. it's the only deal. and it's important that we don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. we're moving to uncharted waters, yes. the prime minister is fighting for us and will continue in post. sorry, can she stay on as prime

the brexit secretary stephen barclay says the prime minister is fighting hard to win and would stay on deal is rejected by mps. today the leave—supporting former foreign secretary boris johnson, said a defeat in parliament could strengthen theresa may's hand in getting a better deal from the eu, and he claims there'd be widespread cross—party support for her plans if proposals for the irish backstop were removed. here's our political correspondent iain watson. is she seeking divine intervention? theresa may attended church in her constituency this morning. she's weathered many political storms but she's still having to fight for her deal and for herjob. some ministers think the outlook is so bleak she should postpone this week's crucial commons vote. but the brexit secretary said it won't be called off. the vote is going ahead. and that's because it is a good deal, it is the only deal. and it's important we don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. we are in uncharted waters. yes, the prime minister is fighting for us and will continue in post. but the question is can she stay on

ona on a factory floor in peterborough, a long way from westminster, the brexit secretary, stephen barclayof 30 or so government ministers and sent out today with a sales pitch for the prime minister's brexit deal. what is really coming through in constituencies like this in peterborough is the strong view of business that they want the certainty of the deal and they don't wa nt certainty of the deal and they don't want the uncertainty of no deal or no brexit and that's why we are making the case to colleagues across parliament, this is a way of honouring the referendum result. the message is clear — the deal might not be perfect but it is the best you're going to get and the man who is effectively the prime minister's deputy says people want the government to get on with it. the voice of ordinary people is to say, let's get on and get this done. they know that in real—life, agreements, deals, involve compromises and pragmatism and they see the prime minister's deal is a sensible, constructive way forward that will enable us to have a good trading partnership with the eu in the future and

also giving evidence was the new brexit secretary stephen barclay: are there any provisions of that backstopthat you have concerns with, or are you wholly comfortable with the way that it's drafted? well, there are compromises. i think with any negotiation there are compromises. no, but concerns that you have. what would be the specific concerns that you have about the way the current backstop is drafted? i think the first point i make is the intention is not to go into the backstop, so there's a number of safeguards. one of which is the option to avoid going into the backstop. there is also things for example like staying in the interim period, implementation period. he said the backstop would be uncomfortable for the uk and the eu. some in europe have criticised the backstop, and though it seems odd in the context of the uk political debate, but some in europe have criticised the backstop because they feel that mr robbins has got an advantage in the negotiation and the prime minister has an advantage, because it gives access to that market without the financial contribution, and without fr

this is according to michael gove and stephen barclay, speaking on sunday. suppose there is a sense that she can handle a fight, she is determined. these are being seen as qualities and perhaps today, that has tipped over into stubbornness on some people's mines. atin ear. stubbornness on some people's mines. a tin ear. not realising until the very, very last moment that this deal was not going to go through parliament. there is also the question of losing faith in someone. the lady is returning, the headline, there was briefing that theresa may was going to have her handbag moment. thatcher language. most people are as good as their word and this is a woman who unfortunately, she said there would be no general election, there is a general election. the conversation about what was going to happen, the speculation about this vote being called, sending out ministers to confirm it was happening. it was clear they went going to win it for weeks, really. it's been known that deal was not keen to be accepted. again, it goes back to that trust issue. believe in me,

parliament, where the commons' brexit committee are hearing evidence from the new brexit secretary, stephen barclay, the prime minister's europe adviser. secured actual a hard fought negotiation, lasting over two years where the prime minister fought day and night to secure a good deal for this country that honours the referendum, the point if we don't deliver deliver on that we risk uncertainty, as the prime minister has set out that, could be no deal, 01’ no has set out that, could be no deal, or no brexit, a. sure many reflect different perspectives on the referendum will explore both sides but the point is we will move into uncharted water, significant uncertainty a and that could be no deal, but it could also be no brexit and that is the risk and both option, that uncertainty will be very damaging for the jobs of your constituent, the jobs of mine and thatis constituent, the jobs of mine and that is why this deal is the right dealfor us. let that is why this deal is the right deal for us. let me ask you one more time, would you personally support leaving the european union with no deal? well,

the brexit secretary, stephen barclay will give the government's reaction later.ay, eu leaders will meet in brussels for a summit, where brexit isn't formally on the agenda, but events at westminster, will more than likely change that. this report is from our political correspondent, chris mason. first thing this morning, peterhead fish market, and the big sell was still on. when a cabinet minister is wearing a baseball cap, a white coat and a pair of wellies, he's holding a fish and there are cameras in tow, you can be sure they are hawking something. the scottish secretary's produce was the government's eu withdrawal agreement and he sounded pretty definitive. do you think that there should be a delay on the meaningful vote? the prime minister has been clear the vote's going ahead and i believe it should go ahead. people have to make up their minds, but when they do that they don't just look at the deal itself, they have to look at alternatives. but look at this... will it go ahead? i certainly hope so. the prime minister's confirmed that so i look forward to su

on a factory floor in peterborough, a long way from westminster, the brexit secretary, stephen barclay 30 or so government ministers sent out today with a sales pitch for the prime minister's brexit deal. what's really coming through in constituencies like this in peterborough is the strong view of business that they want the certainty of the deal and they don't want the uncertainty of no deal or no brexit, and that's why we are making the case to colleagues across parliament, this is a way of honouring the referendum result. the message is clear — the deal might not be perfect, but it's the best you're going to get and the man who is effectively the prime minister's deputy says people want the government to get on with it. the business voice and the voice of ordinary people is to say, "let's get on and get this done". they know that in real life, agreements, deals, involve compromises and pragmatism, and they see the prime minister's deal is a sensible, constructive way forward that will enable us to have a good trading partnership with the eu in the future and deliver on the referend

on a factory floor in peterborough, a long way from westminster, the brexit secretary, stephen barclay of 30 or so government ministers and sent out today with a sales pitch for the prime minister's brexit deal. what is really coming through in constituencies like this in peterborough is the strong view of business that they want the certainty of the deal and they don't want the uncertainty of no deal or no brexit and that's why we are making the case to colleagues across parliament, this is a way of honouring the referendum result. the message is clear — the deal might not be perfect but it is the best you're going to get and the man who is effectively the prime minister's deputy says people want the government to get on with it. the business voice and the voice of ordinary people is to say, let's get on and get this done. they know that in real—life, agreements, deals, involve compromises and pragmatism and they see the prime minister's deal is a sensible, constructive way forward that will enable us to have a good trading partnership with the eu in the future and deliver on the refe

stephen barclay was named as the new brexit secretary, and amber rudd returned to the cabinet as worknd how long theresa may could continue as prime minister, or whether she would be able to get the deal signed off by parliament. she embarked on a tour of the uk to try and sell the deal to the public, but was criticised for not trying harder with her own mps. the ayes to the right, 311. the noes to the left, 293. the government suffered three successive defeats in parliament, something that hasn't happened for 40 years. in an unprecedented move, the government was found to be in contempt of parliament, and forced to publish the attorney general‘s legal advice to cabinet. mps were also given more powers if the government's plan fails in parliament. theresa may then opened what was meant to be five days of debate on the withdrawal agreement. and, with my whole heart, i commend this motion to the house. but it was a struggle. promises of taking back control, from a government that is so out of control. beneath the camouflage, we find the same old eu institutions as the customs union and

stephen barclay was just trying to explain to jacob rees—mogg that this was necessarily a compromise,terday, appealing to brexiteers like you to understand that and accept this is as good as you are going to get if you want an orderly brexit in four months' time. solam orderly brexit in four months' time. so i am very relaxed about compromised on many things, and meant show the liberal agreement has beenis meant show the liberal agreement has been isi meant show the liberal agreement has been is i am not terribly keen on, that the meps will get their pensions paid by us now forever tax—free, no one else does. do you know what? i will live with it, its legacy, it's fine. but the withdrawal agreement is the basis on which a future trade arrangement is set. it's very clear in the political declaration again and again it says so. so the withdrawal agreement has to give us the correct rates that we are genuinely free of the eu, and i don't believe we are. just quickly, in the next few days is there anything the ministers or the prime minister could say to you that will persuade you to bett

the brexit secretary, stephen barclay, said a short while ago, that businesses should take the possibilitye european union much more seriously. our political correspondent jonathan blake reports. months of disruption at the uk's busiest port. uncertainty about travel and driving or using your mobile phone abroad, and concerns that medical supplies could run low. warnings about an no—deal brexit have covered almost every aspect of life. now, some ministers are clear. it is time to ramp up preparations. we will be discussing no—deal planning today. it is right that we step up no—deal planning now, not only do we need to prepare the country, it is also the best way that we will ensure that we get a deal. there is a deal on the table, but parliament doesn't support it. raising the risk, some argue, of leaving without an agreement. we are preparing for eventualities, we are not intending to have a no—deal brexit but parliament needs to approve the deal, otherwise the legal position is heading for no brexit. not all ministers are united on how to prepare for a no—deal scenario and some have spok

the brexit secretary stephen barclay has warned businesses they should take the possibility of a suddenrom the european union much more seriously. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake reports. months of disruption at the uk's busiest port. uncertainty about travel and driving or using your mobile abroad, and concerns that medical supplies could run low. warnings about a no—deal brexit have covered almost every aspect of life. now, some ministers are clear. it's time to ramp up preparations. we're going to be discussing no deal planning today. it is right we step up our no deal planning now, not only do we need to prepare the country, but it's also the best way that we will ensure that we get a deal. there is a deal on the table, but parliament doesn't support it. raising the risk, some argue, of leaving without an agreement. we are preparing for all eventualities. we're certainly not intending to have a no—deal brexit, but parliament does need to vote for a deal, otherwise the legal default position is we will head for no brexit, no deal in march 2019. not all ministers are united

and in an interview with the bbc, brexit secretary stephen barclay had this to say on whether mps wouldey want the certainty of the deal and not be uncertainty of no deal and not be uncertainty of no deal or no brexit, and that is why we are making the case to colleagues across parliament that this is a way of honouring the referendum results, bringing through things such as the skills —based immigration policy, putting an end to the common agricultural policy, sending money to europe, and people voted for the referendum, but doing so in a way that protects jobs and response to the concerns of manufacturers and others across the business community who once you ensure that we have a deal that gives us the confidence and certainty moving forward. the health secretary, matt hancock, has confirmed that medicines could be given priority access through the ports in the event of a no—deal brexit. the likely impact of delays will form part of an update in the event of a no—deal brexit. the likely impact of delays will form part of an update on contingency planning by whitehall departments, whic