1. Been talking to MPs ahead of PM's lockdown statement - no question a lot of Tories are v angry, not just about the decision, but about how its been handled, and No 10's attitude to those arguing for a different course
2. Senior MP says 'I've just had enough of being lectured or accused of being mad, bad, or dangerous to know'
3. A lot of concern about precedents being set - Charles Walker even planning to ask PM for a written constitution to underpin rights he believes are being ridden over roughshod right now by pandemic measures
4. But - while some of the wannabe rebels are well known like Sir Graham Brady, only a dozen or so at the moment are prepared to say publicly right now they will vote against govt plan on Wednesday, others estimate as many as 40 might rebel
5. But Labour will definitely back the plan - so no chance in any case that the lockdown will be blocked, but the level of Tory support does matter, backbenches already pretty hacked off after v bumpy few months
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Hoyle not holding back - slams the way Govt has brought some Covid rules to house
I know I am a nerd but this is a big deal ...
But says he is ‘disappointed’ cos he can’t give time to Brady amendment based on advice he has had - so no vote ... that spares ministers blushes from a possible defeat but doesn’t mean they get off
Separately, Liaison Committee of Senior MPs write publicly to the PM calling for MPs to have more of a role in scrutiny of what Govt is doing
Meeting btw Rees Mogg and Brady likely sooner rather than later - could there be a deal even before Speaker has to make a decision on whether to call the vote that Govt could lose ?
One compromise suggested by rebels wd be for minister to put forward a draft law with a date for it to come into force at some point in the future ...gives a window where MPs can debate + they say could still be done under ‘made affirmative’ Statutory Instrument
1. 'Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič called on the UK government to withdraw these measures from the draft Bill in the shortest time possible and in any case by the end of the month.'
2. 'He reminded the UK government that the Withdrawal Agreement contains a number of mechanisms and legal remedies to address violations of the legal obligations contained in the text – which the European Union will not be shy in using.'...... from the EU side
1. Coronavirus will dominate headlines today but..... Former Cabinet minister involved in putting together the EU deal gobsmacked that Hancock said the changes to Withdrawal Bill were about the peace process this morning
2. 'I cannot allow anyone to get away with saying the govt is doing this to protect the peace process. This does the precise opposite. It is about the internal market in the UK and is more likely to lead to a harder border which will imperil the peace process.' they say
3. A reminder, Hancock told @BBCr4today govt was acting to change the deal using UK law because 'first and foremost' its priority was to protect the peace
Strange morning in socially distanced court - Labour apologises unreservedly to Panorama Antisemitism whistleblowers, promises to pay damages - party’s lawyers say Labour here this morning ‘to set the record straight’
Labour extends same unreserved apology over allegations made against John Ware, the journalist who made the Panorama programme
Last minute legal wrangling by lawyers for some of former Labour leadership team didn’t stop the apology and settlements going ahead this morning
But in sum 1. MPs accuse govt of turning blind eye to Russian attempts to interfere in referendum, 'astonishing' after they tried to meddle in indyref in 2014 2. Russian interference is new normal 3. Russian expats in London using biz to try to exert political influence
4. Intelligence services short on right resources + direction to focus on threat from Russisa 5. Some members of House of Lords accused of doing Russia's bidding 6. Number 10 gave reasons for delaying publication that were not true