29/06/2016 Daily Politics

Good morning, and welcome to the Daily Politics.

Things continue to move at a breakneck speed

here at Westminster, with the future direction of both

the Conservatives and Labour in doubt.

And there's still the little matter of Britain's exit from

David Cameron has said farewell to his last ever EU summit,

and he warned his former fellow leaders they can't shy away

Jeremy Corbyn has lost the confidence of eight

out of ten Labour Mps, and has been hit by as many

as 60 resignations from his frontbench team.

He looks set to face a leadership challenge,

but Mr Corbyn says he won't "betray" his supporters by resigning.

You might not have heard of him, but Stephen Crabb becomes the first

Conservative MP to announce he's standing to lead the party

and become Prime Minister, he's promising to champion

With one leader definitely on the way out, and the other

increasingly isolated in Parliament, Prime Minister's Questions

could be a dramatic moment - or just a very strange one.

Either way you won't want to miss it, live from midday.

All that in the next hour and a half, and with us

for the whole of the programme today we're joined by Labour's

Emily Thornberry, and the Conservative David Davis.

At the time of writing this script, Emily was

the Shadow Foreign Secretary, and David hadn't announced he wants

Has anything changed in the last five minutes we should know about?

No, still in the job? No that I'm aware of. It could all change. It is

First today, let's talk about David Cameron,

who said au revoir to his last ever EU summit in Brussels last night.

The remaining 27 countries will continue meeting today,

but without the British Prime Minister for the first

Mr Cameron looked rather emotional in his parting press conference,

and he made it clear that he laid much of the blame for his failure

to win the referendum on the Eu's refusal to do much about migration.

I think people recognise the strength of the economic case for

staying, but there was a very great concern about the movement of

people, and immigration, and I think that is coupled with a concern about

the issues of sovereignty and ability to control these things, and

I think you know, we need to, we need to think about that, Europe

needs to think about that, and I think that is going to be one of the

major tasks for the next Prime Minister.

So Dave if it is about immigration, do you agree with that? It is not

all about immigration. But it was the single biggest issue. What was

the biggest? The big South West to control the country, if you look at

the poll analysis, that is what came first, but the second biggest issue

was immigration an certainly I think, in the northern working class

seat, the surprise of the night, it absolutely the issue, in my own part

of the world my local builder not had a pay increase for ten year. So

it follows therefore, that as we leave the EU, your side of the

argument will have to do something quite concrete and substantial about

immigration, all those who voted for your side will be deeply

disappointed. No doubt about that, we have to bring it under national

control and control it properly down to a viable level, really. One that

suits the overall economic and social interest of the country Is it

possible to give us an idea of what a viable level would be? It is

currently net total migrant last year was running about 330,000. A

lot less, probably 100,000 net. So you would have to splash slash

non-EU migration Both would have to come down. The point I am going to

make, is we talk about points system, the point about the points

system is that you decide each year what your Labour shortages are, what

your housing circumstances are, and make a decision each year-by-year.

So as a Conservative who believes in the free market you are advocating

manpower planning It is not manpower planning. It is. You will have to

guess at what the economy needs That is what the Australians do, that I

have a Conservative Government for long time and instituted just such a

system. You are slashing by over a third. They haven't had a

Conservative Government for a long time They did when they put the

points system in. When I was Shadow Home Secretary, it was 46, 60,000 a

year, we weren't suffer, we had great growth numbers, it happened to

be 3% GDP per capita so everybody was gaining from it. That went from

those numbers to ten times that, and stayed there for a decade. OK. All

unplanned. Labour will have to device a policy on ill integration,

now we are in a position to control non-EU migration and EU migration

when Brexit happens, you need a policy on immigration. Well, we

always had a policy on immigration but we immediate to listen carefully

to what the voters were saying about that. What was that policy? I think,

what was the policy? Well, the policy was that the, as to non-EU

migration people could come here if they were claiming asylum, if they

wanted to have family reunion. That is a legal obligation. Going through

them, family reunion and certain people could come here from round

the world if they had the skills necessary, and in relation to...

Show You didn't need one with the EU because it was free movement. So

what would is it possible at the moment to give us an idea of the

outline of the Labour immigration policy? No, not at the moment. It is

too early? Too early. I can tell people that know, we have been

listening to what the public have been saying. Labour politicians have

been telling me that for years you have been listen, people want to

know. I understand that, I think the plates have moved and I think we

need to as a matter of urgency address this. I was Shadow Home

Secretary when this big changed happened and it was plain it wasn't

deliberate. That was the year, those were the years in which David

Blunkett was saying we will get 13,000 people in from eastern

Europe, when the AA came in. I kept pressing him on it. He said the Home

Office view, not his, it was a mistake, and that, unfortunately

that mistake ran on, Can I clarify an issue with both of you. You have

been a minute stir, you have a legal background. Mr Juncker saying if the

Tories choose a Remain Prime Minister they will have two weeks to

invoke Article 50. Can we clarify it is not up to Jean-Claude Juncker.

None of his business. It's the call of the country involved. There is an

expulsion clause, it is not Article 50. I think it is article 7. That is

if we become a fascist state or something like that. It is not

relevant. Once the clock run there's is a two-year timetable but do you

agree with that, it is not up to Jean-Claude Juncker to decide. I

think more importantly it speaks of the anger that is felt in Europe.

You have to remember, what did Gove Gove say during the election? He

said he hoped that we would vote for Brexit and there could be a

contagion across Europe and the European countries would liberate

themselveses from Europe. You can imagine if a Brexiteer remain leader

of the country, there is not going to be... He can't tell us to... What

is Labour's position, when do you think Article 50 should be

triggered? I think that we should not personally, and again, we, this

is, this is very very early day, but I personally think that we should

consider, I don't think we should have Article 50 implemented until we

have a new Prime Minister, and I think that we should have a general

election. You think there should be a general election. I think there

should. All right. You wouldn't trigger Article 50 until after that.

The public need to have an opportunity to consider this. I

think it will play out and people will realise they were... I think

that people will realise they were lied to during this campaign, and it

will give them a chance to see the truth of what it really means to be

in Europe. People are angry at the Commission, the bureaucracy, not the

countries, the behaviour of Merkel and other countries and the Swedes,

it is very different. They are starting to be conciliatory. There

is an east European head of steam getting up to get rid of Jean-Claude

Juncker. We need to move on, do you think there should be an election

after the Conservatives have chosen a new leader? I don't because this

is a direct outcome of one of our manifesto proposals which was to

have the referendum. All right. So, on the one hand things look

pretty bleak for Labour He's lost the confidence

of the majority of his parliamentary party, and been hit by so many

resignations it's not clear that he can even come close

to filling all the vacancies Some may have to multi task. Do job

share. Pat Glass who was made Shadow Education Secretary on Monday, today

is Wednesday, she has said she is resigning after less than three

days. That is probably a record. But on the other hand,

the barriers for his opponents to challenge him are high,

and as best we can tell he retains the support of a large part

of the party in the country. These are difficult times

for the Labour leader, yesterday only 40 MPs supported him

in a vote of no confidence compared The vote has no constitutional

legitimacy, so what happens now? If an MP wants to initiate

a leadership challenge they need The vote has no constitutional

legitimacy, so what happens now? If an MP wants to initiate

a leadership challenge they need to get the backing of 20%

of MPs and MEPs. If this happens a leadership contest

is triggered with Labour Party members, affiliated trade union

supporters and registered The big question remains over

whether Jeremy Corbyn would automatically get

onto the ballot or whether he'd need If he did make it any contender

would have a difficult job. Over a quarter of one million people

voted for Mr Corbyn in the last Labour leadership election which

amounts to nearly 60% of the vote. Our political correspondent,

Iain Watson, can update Yet again, there is another

resignation, perhaps two, where do we stand at this point in terms of a

leadership contest? Think there is going to be one, the question is who

sit going to be. You mentioned it briefly but this is what Pat glass

is saying, with a heavy heart I am resigning at Shadow Secretary of

State for Education, it was my dream job but the situation is untenable.

Because that situation is untenable, that is why we are likely to see a

leadership contest. It is probably worth asking Emily Thornberry

whether she is still in place at the moment. The question is who is going

to challenge him? To trigger the leadership challenge you need the

support of 51 MPs. It is very very likely that Angela Eagle has got 51

fellow MPs ready to back her. The question is what does the Deputy

Leader Tom Watson do? Last night the view was it was best not to rush

into the immediate challenge to Jeremy Corbyn, to try as one person

said let him stew in his own juice, go to Prime Minister's Questions,

underline the scale of opposition from behind him on his benches. Make

him feel uncomfortable. If he throws in the towel Tom Watson takes over

as interim leader and he can have an open leadership contest, as it were

in his own time. If Jeremy Corbyn digs in his heels, then it needs a

challenge and the question then is whether Angela Eagle is that

challenger or whether Tom Watson who is reluctant do this, then becomes

willing to take Jeremy Corbyn on head on, which might mean of course

giving up his position as Deputy Leader. One other thing to think

about, is if there is a vacancy, normally you only need 38 to back

them. If Jeremy Corbyn slung in the towel as it were an restood he would

have to overcome a smaller threshold in the 51 votes you were talking

about. It will be very strange in PMQs on that side of the House.

Emily Thornberry isn't Mr Corbyn a captain without a crew? I don't

think, so if the Labour Party is a third of a million people strong,

you know, we are our Members of Parliament, members of the European

Parliament, we are councillor, activists. He doesn't have a crew in

the common, he can't fill the Shadow Cabinet position, it is not the

party in the country that is the opposition it is the political party

and he can't fill the positions. Think our democracy works, on lots

of different levels. We have to remember he was elected less than a

year ago on a 60% of the mandate. We are a democracy. I understand that,

but even so, how can he function now, and if he cannot fill a Shadow

Cabinet, or the posts that go with it? Well, he has made it clear he is

is not going anywhere, that if anybody wants to challenge them,

they should... I didn't ask about that, he still has six vacancies and

another 40 posts that follow, how does he do that? We will have to see

how it works out, but I think people need to be clear his view is, is

that he is going to stay. As say, we will maybe come on to that, who is

your shadow Foreign Office team. ? I have Fabian Hamilton, who is doing

Europe, and Catherine West on another junior minister. And has

everyone else had their teams appointed yet? I don't know. It has

been a chaotic couple of days. I couldn't be naming everybody's teams

today. Does this amount to a coup? I think this is something people have

been thinking about for some time. Who? I don't know. So it is a coup?

Well, it's certainly a challenge. The question is, what is Jeremy

going to do about it? Know, the question is, is this a coup, and if

so, who is behind it? The symptoms of a coup are evidence of prior

organisation. It was clearly organised to come about after the

referendum. There is going to be a challenge now from your

Parliamentary colleagues for the leadership. If there is, is it your

view that Mr Corbyn will automatically be on the alert paper

as the incumbent? In the end, I am a lawyer. I have obviously looked at

the rules! That is why I am asking. Your free legal advice is that of

course he will be on the ballot. The rules talk about challenge owners

and vacancies, and Jeremy is an incumbent and neither of those two

things will apply to him, so he will be on the ballot. I haven't seen the

other legal advice. I have seen the legal advice that was talked about

on some of the other news channels. And I have seen the rules myself. I

would be interested to see how it is put together. Did you think you

would ever see a time when 80% of the Parliamentary Labour Party would

have no confidence in its leader, and that the Scottish nationalism

would be vying to become the official opposition? Is this not a

measure of the depths to which your party has now sunk? I think we are

going through a very tough time, no doubt about it. And it is a huge

shame. My view is that the Labour Party should be focusing on the

country and the crisis we are having as a result of the Brexit vote. Why

have you not resigned? Because I think there needs to be a voice of

calm. We need cool head at this time and frankly, there needs to be

somebody within the opposition taking the role of pulling together

what Labour's position will be on the Brexit vote. If it is a battle

between Jeremy Corbyn and Angela Eagle for the Labour leadership, who

will you support? Firstly, I would support Jeremy, and secondly, I

don't think it will be just those two standing. You would continue to

support Jeremy Corbyn even in a leadership challenge? Jeremy has

been elected by 60% of the membership, and he still has that

democratic mandate. Why do so many of his parliamentary colleagues

think he is just not up to the job? What is interesting is that this is

all about personal criticism. It is verging on personal abuse. 80% of

the PLP, they say he is a nice guy, but they don't think he is up to the

job and they don't think with him as leader, you can win in 2020. What

was interesting at the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Monday was

that all the criticism was about personality. There was not one

criticism of him in relation to policy. In terms of where the party

is going. None of it was criticisms of what he stands for politically.

That is a hell of an achievement, to move the party in the last year to

where it is, putting the importance of fighting austerity on the map. We

don't know what that means, fighting austerity. There is no policy for

that. We don't know what the size of the Budget deficit would be, we

don't know the tax and spend policies, it is just rhetoric. It is

not rhetoric, it is about investing in our country to grow the economy.

I think it is completely opposite to what the Tories stand for. The idea

that we might be heading for a session, and the only -- we might be

heading for a recession and the only economist in the world who thinks

the way you get out of a recession is to cut back on the money supply

even more is George Osborne. He is not saying he would cut back on the

money supply. The austerity Budget is fiscal positioning. If we do know

Labour's position, the current budget deficit is 80 billion. How

big a deficit would you be prepared to run? We would need to look at the

books when we came into power, and we would need to make sure we were

investing. Investing means borrowing. It is also about the

extent of need. Who knows how big the recession may be when we do get

into power? We will have to make a judgment at that point. But the

responsible thing to do is for a government to spend money at a time

of recession. Is 80 billion too bigger deficit, eight years after

the crash? The economy is going. At the moment. The pound is crashing.

The pound was rising this morning. Then I am glad to hear it. How

loaded we get before it starts to rise again? Why are you glad to hear

it? Of course I am glad. It could be good for exports. Not to have the

pound this low. But it has risen from a very low point, and the worry

is, where are we going? Where are we going? I will tell you

where we are going! Follow me. So we don't know if this summer will

see a Labour leadership contest, but we know for certain

the Conservatives will be choosing The pundits' favourites are either

Boris Johnson or Theresa May, but at least in the opening stages

the party should have a wider field This morning, Work and Pensions

Secretary Stephen Crabb announced I was brought up to understand

that nothing gets handed On the rainy rugby fields

of West Wales, I learned that it's not a question of waiting

for the ball to pop out If you want it, you do what's

required So, Stephen Crabb, the worst kept

secret in Westminster for the last 24 hours, has announced he is going

to run. But Boris Johnson is the favourite. Is he the best man for

the job? I think he is. I am going to be supporting him. The biggest

issue in front of us for the next several years will be managing

Brexit, bringing about the improvement in our trade position,

the control of our borders. But needs vision, optimism, energy,

drive. Boris has those. Is he a man of integrity that people will trust?

On those issues, yes. It has to go before MPs first. Oh, yes. I don't

do the numbers. I am not on Boris' team. Wood July to be? Not

particularly, I am just supporting him. I don't know the numbers, but I

would be amazed if he is not already passing 100. Theresa May, and

admittedly this is just anecdotal, but she is looking popular. On some

of the betting sheets, she is pulling ahead of Iris Johnson now

that the role is coming up. It is a bit early to make those judgments --

she's pulling ahead of Boris Johnson. But the favourite never

win. That is the old argument. These rules of thumb are always good until

they are not. There is no doubt that Theresa May will get a lot of

Parliamentary support. She is the primary Remain candidates. I think

it will be Theresa versus Boris, and we will have a serious argument

about what the country should look like in a few years. I think Boris

has the energy, drive, vision, optimism. If optimism is a force

multiplier, Boris is a force multiplier. You came out very

strongly about the importance of immigration and the importance of

being able to control our borders and cut back immigration to tens of

thousands, and yet the statement Boris has come out with is that we

should be in the free market and that the referendum was never about

immigration. That is not quite what he said. He clarified this morning.

With respect, this is going to be a two and a half year process. All the

things the Leave and Remain sides said before going to be proved

wrong. I am not sure, but I am pretty confident that we are going

to see a significant sea change in the attitude of Europe to migration

in the next couple of years. That was presaged by David Cameron. Are

you sure Boris Johnson is committed to some of the things he said about

immigration before? The only question I asked him was that. He

said, I am absolutely committed to proper control of immigration by us.

You said is no snap election, and sources close to Boris Johnson are

saying they would not favour a snap election. Why not? Because this is

the direct outcome of a manifesto proposal, namely the referendum. I

don't think that frankly, a year in... A year in, David Cameron won

with a majority. If I was making a tactical judgment given the state of

the Labour Party at the moment, I would say to have a snap election,

but there was no constitutional need for it. What will we do if there is

no election? Producing more history than we can consume at the moment. I

agree with that. I suspect in the weeks ahead, there will be ups and

downs with the currency. There have been some glum faces about this

week, George Osborne, Roy Hodgson, Jean-Claude Juncker. We thought we

probably would not see anyone any more glum, until we saw the pictures

of the first meeting of Jeremy Corbyn's new look, slimmed down

Shadow Cabinet. Technically known as having a face like a wet weekend.

This was just before the Labour leader turned to his spin doctor and

was overheard saying "I'm not sure this is a great idea". People often

say that when they tune in to the Daily Politics. So what could cheer

Mr Corbyn and his team up? What else but a Daily Politics mode

and a plate of biscuits? It is sure to improve even the most awkward of

meetings and chase away those no-confidence blues. But if you want

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this happened. # Together we stand,

divided we fall # Let's get on the ball

and work together... I'm not quite sure as to my legal

position as a member of Parliament and how much of my

work I can carry on. # Heaven help the boy

who won't reach 21 # Heaven help

the man who gave that boy a gun... # And you're always there to lend

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Because I said so. It's coming up to midday here -

there's Big Ben - Yes, Prime Minister's Questions

is on its way. It is going to be, well, different

from any others we have covered the past 30 years.

Laura Kuenssberg is here to tell us more.

Since this is a moving story, tell us the latest. In the last 15

minutes, I have spoken to Harriet Harman, the former deputy leader and

former acting leader. And after decades of not really speaking about

about leadership because she has always taken a leadership is

assumed, she has just told me that Jeremy Corbyn has to go. She urges

him to go. Chirac said that he was elected with a large majority -- she

accepts that he was elected with a majority of the leadership, but he

has failed in her view to lead, and therefore that mandate does not

apply. She is obviously very upset by the situation, and she warns that

if he stays on, he risks the party completely collapsing around him.

That was in the last few minutes. There is also a letter from 77

Labour councillors that has just been published, saying it is time

for him to go. Huge pressure piling on him, but his supporters still say

the mandate he got from last year allows him to stay. Are you

surprised Harriet Harman has said this, Emily Thornberry? No. I have

had conversations with Harriet. It has been simmering for a while.

Yeah. Let's goes Thank you. I know the House will

enjoy me in condemning the terrorist attacks in Turkey last night. Our

thoughts and prayers are with those who were killed and those who were

injured. There are no reports of any UK casualties but the Foreign Office

are working with the authorities to establish the full facts. I spoke to

the President this morning to express the UK's condolence,

detailseses are still emerging but we stand as one in our defiance

against these barbaric act, this week marks the sensory of the battle

of the Somme there will be a two minute silence on Friday morning. I

will attend a service at the memorial near the battlefield and it

is right the country pauses to remember the sacrifices of those who

lost their lives. This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues

and I shall have further such meetings later today.

Can I associate myself with the Prime Minister's remarks of

condolence to those who have been affected by this dreadful attack in

Istanbul. Can I offer him my personal best wishes to himself and

his family for life after Downing Street. He has served his country

but he has not done it alone, it is right we should acknowledge the

support he has had as we all have, from our families and public

service, before he goes, though, will he... Will he attend to one

matter, that when he was in opposition he described as doing

enormous moral damage to the moral authority of our country and that is

the involvement of our security services in rendition. Now that the

CPS have decided they are not going to prosecute Sir Mark Allen for what

he did, will he reinstitute, reconstitute the Gibson inquiry to,

so we can know what was done in our name and on whose authority. Can I

thank the right honourable gentleman for his generous remarks, and and I

am proud to have served this country and for the first Prime Minister to

get to Shetland and Orkney to look into his constituency. He raises an

important point about the Libya rendition issue, the Government

co-operated fully with the police investigation into these case, the

CPS set out their position concludes there was insufficient evidence to

prosecute. I would say and I can say it now, I think there are few

countries in the world that would have an such and independent an

thorough investigation into an issue like this, I think the right

approach, as Sir Peter Gibson finished the report is the ISC has

agreed to look at the issues raised in the report and I think they

should continue to do so. Thank you Mr Speaker.

As my right honourable friend has said and put current events in

perspective, at 7.30 this Friday we will start the process of

commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Will he

join me in thanking those involved in organising the forget never

project who have done so much to ensure young people will learn the

lessons of the past and forgetting our current challenges will he join

me in encouraging everyone to remember, Sam Lieutenant and

commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I join him in

commending all those organise nighing these events particularly

that in his constituency. I think it is important not only because this

appalling slaughter, 57,000 people killed or wounded on the first day

of this battle, but also because so many people are learning so much

about their own families involvement, and I would say in many

ways there is a link between the current events with are discussing

and what happened 100 years ago, is the importance of keeping peace and

stability on our continent. It was noticeable at last night's European

Union dinner that the French President mentioned the Somme

commemorations and how proud he was we would be standing together and

remembering the sacrifices all those years ago. . Thank you Mr Speaker. I

would like to echo the words of the Prime Minister concerning the 36 who

died and the 100 injured in the vile terrorist attack in Turkey, I am

sure our consular services will be doing everything they can to assist

those that have been affected. I would like to thank him for

referring to the memorial for the some on Friday and I look forward to

being with him there at the memorial service of those who died in that

battle. I think it would be appropriate if we paid tribute to

Lord Patrick Mayhew who died last weekend. As Northern Ireland

Secretary, he was the driving force behind the Downing Street

declaration in 19th 3, that dead lead to the first ceasefire, and I

think the relative peace we have now is in part thanks to him and of

course his successor Mo Mowlam lamb for all she achieved. What people

are worried about is the extra insecurity to their living

standards, jobs, wages and pensions following the referendum. In recent

days we have heard words about the future of some of the major

companies in Britain like see mans which has been here for a long time.

What meetings has the Chancellor had with major companies to stabilise

the situation? First of all, he is right to mention Patrick Mayhew, he

did play a huge role in the delivery of the peace process, he was also a

brilliant touring and someone who exuded a belief in public service

and the national interest and was a kind and goodly man, and I was very

sad to hear of his pass, I sent a message to him via his wife shortly

before he died, and I know there are many people this this House who want

to send their good wishes to his family. The Leader of the Opposition

asks what conversations we are having with business and what

preparations with are making to deal with the economic challenges we

make, we are in a strong position to meet his challenges, because we have

paid down so much of our deficit. We have had strong growth and job

creation but I don't belittle the consequences will be difficult.

There are going to be some very choppy waters ahead, I don't resile

from any of the warnings I made during the campaign, but we have to

pined the best way through this, one of the things we must do is talk

with businesses and reassure them about the stability there is today

and the strength of the British economy, the Business Secretary has

met with a range of businesses already. Tomorrow I have the meeting

of my business advisory group and I am inviting other companies to that,

including see mans who play a huge role in the British economy, what we

need to talk about the the reassurances about stability we can

give now, the fact our circumstances don't change until we leave the

European Union, and then, I want to hear from them, as we draw up the

possible blueprinters for Britain's future about what they think would

be the right answer. Thank you Mr Speaker, the credit rating agencies

have cut the UK credit rating to AA from AA plus, the Chancellor pledged

to keep a triple-A rating. What estimate has the Government made of

the cost to the Exchequer of this downgrade, in terms of borrowing

costs, and, of the risks to pension fund Well, the Leader of the

Opposition is right that the credit ratings by one agency has been taken

down by several points and another has put it on watch, the answer to

his question is the cost to the Exchequer and the taxpayer will

depend on what happened to the interest rates in the market at

which Britain can borrow, and he is right to draw attention to that,

look, as I said, head of the ECB confirmed this, all of the warnings

was if we voted to leave the EU, there would be difficulties in terms

of our own economy, and growth rates, and instability in markets,

we are seeing those thing, we are well prepared in term of the

reaction the Bank of England and the Treasury but there is no doubt in my

mind, these are going to be difficult economic times we must

make sure we maintain our strong economy so we can cope this them. We

shouldn't belittle the channels, they will be difficult and we will

have to meet them. Thank you Mr Speaker. Everyone across the House

should be concerned that the indications from business and

investors are the UK is less attractive, thus putting current and

future jobs at risk, in the circumstances will the Prime

Minister consider suspending the Chancellor's fiscal rule which is in

effect preventing investment from taking place? I don't believe that

would be the right approach. I think, look, what business needs to

hear, what consumers and investors and people concerned about our

economy want to hear, is that we have taken huge steps over the last

six years to get the deficit down, to make the British economy more

attractive, to make it an attractive destination for investment. They

want it to continue. Of course if we see economic difficulty, one of the

ways we have to react to that is to make sure that our public finances,

and our economy remain strong. We shouldn't have taken all the steps

of the last six years to get the deficit down, in order to see us get

on to a more difficult path. I don't think it would be right to suspend

fiscal rule, as I say, there are three phases to this, the first is

the volatility we see, which the Bank of England and the Treasury

must cope with, the second is the uncertainty about Britain's future

status, which we need to bring to an end as fast as possible but

examining the alternative models and my successors choosing which one we

should go for, then we need to bear in mind the long-term damage to the

British economy, is based on how good our trading relationship will

be with the European Union. Now for my part I think we want the closest

possibly relationship in terms of trading with the European Union, and

that is something that can be discussed and debated in this House,

as well as by the next Government. Thank you Mr Speaker, this week

sadly there has been more evidence that racist incidents are

increasing, evidence collated by monitoring groups shows in the last

threeer four days attacks an abuse from Stoke to Stockton, Dorset to

the Clyde. Can I ask the Prime Minister what monitoring systems he

and the Home Secretary have put in place, what reports he has received

from the police, and what extra resources are going to communities

that have been targeted in these vile racist attacks that are taking

place? Let me agree with him. These attacks are appallling and they need

to stop. It is right that everyone in this house and everyone on all

sides of the referendum debate utterly condemns this them, that is

not what we do in Britain, let me say I reassured Prime Minister's

countries such of Romania and the Czech Republic who are concerned

about this at the meeting we had last night. So we do monitor these

attacks and the Home Secretary gets regular report, we will be

publishing a new action plan on tackling hate crime shortly to step

up our response, we want new steps to boost reporting of hate crime and

supporting victims, new CPS guidance to prosecutors on racially

aggravated crime, a new fund for protective security measures at

potentially vulnerable institution and additional funding to community

organisation so they can tackle hate crime. Whatever we can do we will do

to drive these appalling hate crimes out of our country. I thank the

Prime Minister for that answer. Last Thursday, was a rejection of the

status quo, that clearly isn't delivering. There are now 13 point 5

million people living in poverty in Britain. Up 300,000 in the last

year, 4.5 million people in England and Wales are in insecure work and

two thirds of children in poverty are living in households, where at

least one adult is in work. The Prime Minister has two months left.

Will he leave a one nation legacy, and will that one nation legacy and

will that one nation legacy be the scrapping of the bedroom tax, the

banning of zero hours contracts and cancelling of the cuts to Universal

Credit? Where I would are-with the right honourable gentleman is of

course we need to do more to tackle poverty, we need to do more to

spread wealth and opportunity, but to pretend that last Thursday's vote

was a result of the state of the British economy is complete

nonsense, the British economy stronger than it was six years ago,

we all have to reflect on our role in the referendum campaign, I know

the honourable gentleman says he put his back in to it. It. All I would

say I would hate to see him when he is not trying.

Mr Speaker, Government figures released yesterday show the number

of children living in poverty has jumped by 200,000 in a year. To a

total now, a disgraceful total of 3.9 million children in this

country, living in poverty. Does he not think he should at the very

least apologise to them, and the parents that have been failed by his

Government, and do something about it, so that we do reduce the levels

of child poverty, in this country? If he wants to deal with the figures

let me give them to him. Income and inequality has gone down, average

incomes have grown at the fastest rate since 2001. He asks about

poverty, there are 300,000 fewer people in relative poverty since

2010. 500,000 fewer people in absolute poverty since 2010. If he

is looking for excuses about why the side he and I were on about the

referendum frankly he should look somewhere else. I have to say to the

honourable gentleman, he talks about job insecurity and my two months to

go, it might be in my party ice interest for him to sit there, it is

not in the national interest and I would say for heavens sake, man, go.

Quinn. My constituents have been struggling over who gets to press a

button. Will my right honourable friends condemn this in the strong

possible terms? My honourable friend is right. Outcome sport

infrastructure is a crucial part of our economy. I condemn any

industrial action that disrupts the travelling public, and they will not

thank the RMT for their recent disruption. The performance of

Southern has been unacceptable and passengers deserve better. The

Transport Secretary will be announcing further details of

compensation soon. Angus Robertson. On the terrorist tragedy in Turkey,

we in these benches join with the Prime Minister and the leader of the

official opposition in our condemnation and condolences to the

people of Turkey. Mr Speaker, a strong majority voted for Scotland

to remain in the European Union. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is in

Brussels today, where she is meeting with the President of the European

Commission, the president of the European Parliament. Yesterday,

there was a standing ovation in the European Parliament when the case

was made to protect Scotland's place in Europe. What will the UK

Government do to protect Scotland's place in Europe? Firstly, let me

thank the right honourable gentleman for what he says about the terrorist

attacks and how we should stand against them. On the issue of the

UK's future and our relationship with the European Union, we need to

negotiate the best possible deal for the United Kingdom and the closest

possible relationship. That will also be the best possible deal for

Scotland. That is what needs to be done. On the contrary, the Prime

Minister is wrong on that issue. Yesterday, the Scottish Parliament

passed a motion across the Parliament including the Labour

Party, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Greens, were all

mandated the Scottish Government to have discussions with the UK

Government, other devolved administrations, the EU institutions

and member states to explore options for protecting Scotland's

relationship with the EU, Scotland's place in the single market and the

social implement and economic benefits that come from that. Every

party in the Scottish parliament voted for that, except the

Conservative Party, who abstained. When will the Conservatives finally

join all other parties in Scotland in protecting Scotland's place in

Europe? The best way to secure Scotland's place in the single

market is for the United Kingdom to negotiate the closest possible

relationship with the European Union, including in my view, the

closest relationship with the single market. Our membership with the

European Union is a UK membership and that is where we should take our

negotiating stance. Market traders in Rossendale make a huge

contribution to our local economy. With that in mind, would my right

honourable friend call with me and literally thousands of others to

stop Blackburn Council going ahead with its plan to bulldoze Darwin's

three-day market? I join him in paying tribute to all the

hard-working market traders across the country, who provide us with

excellent goods, often locally produced and sourced. I know how

important these markets are. I hope the local council will listen to my

honourable friend's campaign and make sure this historic market is

not lost. The Prime Minister will recall visiting the Vauxhall car

plant in my constituency as part of the referendum campaign. Now we have

voted to leave the EU, we face a fight to keep those jobs in this

country, so I will be urging General Motors to recognise their

responsibility to build vehicles where many are bought. Can the Prime

Minister ensure there are early talks with the voter industry and

that they are given the reassurance needed that motor vehicles will

still be able to export it to the EU at a competitive price? The

honourable gentleman is right. The story of the automotive industry in

Britain over the last decade has been a positive one. There are

150,000 people directly employed. There are another 300,000 people in

the supply and components industry, more of which has been coming

onshore in recent years. We need to secure the best possible deal for

Britain to make sure we have full access to the single market, because

many companies, General Motors, Toyota and Nissan included, one of

the reasons they invested in Britain was because of access to that

market. I would urge General Motors and others to make their voices

heard, and we will listen. Yesterday, a former member of my

staff was verbally abused and attacked while out shopping in

London because of the colour of his skin. He is of Pakistani origin. He

was chased down the road by a lady shouting that they have voted out

and that people like him should others and blow up people. Can I ask

the Prime Minister to reiterate the commitment he has given this morning

to do everything in his power to eradicate this evil hatred and

reiterate that leaving the EU should not be used to breed racism but the

opposite, and provide us with an opportunity to be much more

international rather than just European? In this country we have

many imperfections, but we are one of the most successful multi-faith,

multiethnic democracy is on Earth, and we should do everything to

safeguard that. That means the clearest possible statements from

all our political leaders, which you have heard today. More to the point,

we want action by the police and prosecuting authorities. The laws

are therefore these people to be prosecuted. They should be used. We

are going to strengthen the guidance and we should not put up with this

in our country. Alex Salmond. Turning now to the Chilcot report,

is the Prime Minister satisfied with the arrangements announced for prior

access for service families of soldiers who died in Iraq? Given

that Mr Blair has had months to prepare his PR defences, given that

he has seen the relevant passages? And what are the parliamentary

arrangements for secure prior access so that this House can properly

examine the findings and express any relevant views concerning the future

suitable accommodation for Mr Blair? First of all, in terms of members

with service personnel families, we have made sure they will not face

the cost that they originally were in terms of accessing the report. I

will check the details for the time they get to access the report and

perhaps write to him. The parliamentary process, I can again

put in a letter to him so that we are clear about what time the

statement will be, how much time people will have to study the report

in advance, and other right honourable gentleman. I remember how

important this was when I was Leader of the Opposition, having access. As

for those who could be criticised in the report, he will know that there

is a process where matters have to go out so that people have a chance

to respond to what is in the report. That is entirely independent of the

government. That has been dealt with by the Chilcot report under

long-standing conventions, but I shall put that in my letter to the

the ayes to the right. Sir Alan Duncan. Moving to watch for matters,

would my right honourable friend educate the house from his

experience as Prime Minister on how, in terms of the country's reputation

and success, he would compare the undemonstrative competence and

dignity of Angela Merkel with the theatrical and, colliding ticks off

Silvio Borisconi? -- the theatrical antics of Silvio Borisconi?

Neureuther of the people he is talking about our candidates in this

election, and election I will stay out of -- neither of those he is

talking about our candidates in this election. One piece of advice I was

given was not to go to a party with Silvio Berlusconi, and that is

advice I have taken. I thank the Prime Minister for giving us last

week's exercise in democracy. BOOING.

Order. The honourable gentleman will be heard. It is about us and this

place that he will be heard. Mr Douglas Carswell. I thank the Prime

Minister for giving us last week's exercise in democracy. We on the

Leave side recognise that although we won, it was a narrow mandate with

decent, patriotic people voting for Remain. Does the Prime Minister

agree with me that both sides now need to come together to achieve a

new, post-EU national consensus, whereby we have close links with our

friends and allies in Europe and beyond, while reclaiming our

sovereignty? First of all, I thank the honourable gentleman for making

the point that there were people with a deep sense of Patrick is on

both sides of the argument. I also agree that it is time for people in

our country to come together -- a deep sense of patriotism. He is also

right that we now have to work on what the alternatives are. These

were debated in the referendum campaign, but they were hypothetical

alternatives. They are now real alternatives. One of the roles the

government can play in the next few months is to set out these different

blueprints, the Canada blueprint, the Swiss blueprint and the Norway

blueprint and any other blueprints, and looked at the costs and benefits

so people can make a reasoned assessment now that this is a real

choice rather than a hypothetical one. I know all of them to's members

of Parliament would wish to be associated with the tribute paid by

my right honourable friend to Paddy Mayhew. He was a scholar and

gentleman and he was a great friend to his younger colleagues. Mr

Speaker, there are thousands of expat United Kingdom citizens living

around Europe who did not vote in the referendum. Many of them are

elderly and frail. They live on UK pensions and UK benefits. Will my

right honourable friend seek to insure that his successor defends

their interests? Thirsty, let me add to what he said on Sir Patrick

Mayhew, who was a wonderful man and a great public servant. I know he

meant a lot to me honourable friend and many others. On this issue of

British citizens living overseas, we should reassure people that until

Britain leaves the EU, there is absolutely no change in their

status. One of the things that this unit at the heart of Whitehall can

do in the coming weeks is to go through these issues methodically

and work out what might need to change in all the different

scenarios to give these people certainty about their futures. Mr

Speaker, London is the greatest city in Europe and in the world. Order! I

have enjoyed listening to the honourable gentleman for 25 years

and I want to continue to hear him. Its prosperity and tax revenue are

vital for the whole United Kingdom. London voted Remain. Does the Prime

Minister agree with the Mayor of London that a Labour winner, Sadiq

Khan, that London now need to remain in the European single market and

needs devolved additional powers to deal with the problems caused by the

vote last week? I certainly agree with the Merit London not only that

London is the greatest city on earth, but London needs to make its

voice heard in these Butel negotiations. Obviously, there are

many vital industries for London, but financial services, it is the

capital not only of the UK's financial services, but Europe's

financial services, and securing the best possible access to the single

market is going to be an important challenge in these negotiations. So

London should have its voice heard. This is a UK negotiation, and we

should listen to the nations of the Benatia kingdom, but the cities and

regions as well. -- of the United Kingdom. I pay tribute to my right

honourable friend, his premiership and the many achievements of his

government. Of which we can be proud. May I also commend his

condemnation of the racist attacks that have been reported from all

over the country, and would he take this opportunity also to condemn the

ridiculous and revolting behaviour of a certain MEP in the European

Parliament yesterday, and make clear that he does not represent this

country and he does not represent... Order. I will not have people adding

their own take on these matters. The honourable gentleman has the floor

and does not need help from the Scottish National Party benches. The

honourable gentleman will be heard, and that's all there is to it. He

does not represent this country, and he does not even represent the vast

majority of patriotic and law-abiding people who voted Leave

in the referendum. I thank my honourable friend for his kind

remarks and congratulate him for the role he played in the campaign. As

for what MEPs and others have said, people should judge them by the

remarks they make. I have made clear what I have felt about Nigel Farage

and that appalling poster in the campaign. I think the motive was

absolutely clear and everyone can see what he was trying to do. My

constituency has received substantial amounts of EU funding.

The Leave campaign in the referendum promised that funding would continue

even if we left the European Union. Does the Prime Minister agree that

if my constituency loses a penny piece of its funding under his

successor, that will be a gross betrayal? It is the case that Wales

as a whole is a net beneficiary of EU funds. And as I said throughout

the campaign, if the vote was a Novo to, I would want to do everything I

could to make sure we continued to help disadvantaged regions and our

farmers. Obviously, it is difficult for anyone to give guarantees,

because you don't know what will happen to our economy in the event

of a Leave vote, and our economy does face challenges. But it will be

a matter for my successor as we leave the EU to make good on what

they said at the time. I am pleased to announce that residents across

error wash have chosen the rocking horse nursery entry as the winning

card for my design a birthday card for the Queen competition. Will the

Prime Minister congratulate the 207 children who entered the

competition? Order! I want to hear about these

pupils, who should be congratulated. Let's hear the honourable lady. Will

the Prime Minister congratulate the 207 children who entered the

competition with their amazing designs, and would he agree to

present the card to Her Majesty at his next audience? There are many

ways in which members of Parliament or able to interact on a more human

level with our constituents, and getting them to do birthday cards is

an excellent idea. Having Brize Norton in my constituency, someone

once did a Christmas card with Santa letting presents out of the back of

a sea 17, which I thought was excellent but some felt it was

carpet bombing rather than handing out la Jess! I think it is a good

idea with a proviso and I am sure Her Majesty will be delighted to

receive them. Sheffield city region was set to receive ?180 million in

European structural funds through to 2020. That money is now at risk.

Those leading the Leave campaign did give guarantees that no area would

lose out as a result of Brexit. Now, we know those promises were

worthless, but will the Prime Minister join with me in urging his

access to ensure that Sheffield city region is compensated by the UK

Government for every pound of funding lost as a result of last

Thursday's decision? As we negotiate our way out of the EU, a range of

decisions will have to be made. Future governments must make sure we

help our universities and sciences and disadvantaged parts of the

country and we continue to support farmers. There will be a challenge,

but we will be able to judge for ourselves about whether we have more

money to do this because we have left the EU, or less because of the

impact on the economy. That is something we will judge for

ourselves in the years ahead. Unfortunately earlier this morning,

the Supreme Court ruled against a right to return of the Chagos

Islands to their homeland. I know that my right honourable friend will

be pleased that I will not pester him much more on this issue, but I

suggest that a fine legacy of his premiership might be to allow these

British citizens to return to their homeland. The national Security

Council has been considering this issue. We have looked at the

alternative options, the costs and benefits of the various things we

could do. And we will make an announcement in the coming months.

Grade one listed Rochdale town hall has been described as a rare,

picturesque beauty. A bid to renovate this iconic building was

rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund in April. Of the five projects

awarded grants, all five are based in the south of England. Would the

Prime Minister consider supporting the renovation of this fantastic

municipal building? It is a beautiful building and it is a

historic town that he represents. In terms of the Heritage Lottery Fund,

here's a little unfair in focusing on those last five projects. More

broadly, he would find at the Blackpool museum received a grant of

over 13 million. So I believe it is fairly balanced across the country,

but I will look further and perhaps write to him about the general point

and issue of his town hall. As well as Brits living abroad in the EU,

there are a number of EU nationals living in this country and my

constituency were working hard and paying taxes entirely legitimately.

What reassurance can the Prime Minister give them that their

position is secure? A number are very concerned. First of all, we

must praise the contribution they make to our country. There are

50,000 EU nationals working in our NHS, 60,000 working in our care

sector, looking after our overly. Many work in education -- looking

after our elderly. As I said on Monday, we can obviously say that

all rights are guaranteed of members of the European Union. In the

future, I have heard members of the Leave campaign make this point that

people who are already here, already studying and working, must have

their rights and their access guaranteed. But we can't say that

now, we have to say it is part of the negotiations that will shortly

take place. Can I join with the tributes to you, Prime Minister, for

all you have done in your time of office? Does the Prime Minister

agree that whatever the disagreements about the European

Union, you were in the Remain come, I and my party were in the Leave

campaign, but the union that matters is that of the United Kingdom and

Northern Ireland, and that should be of the utmost importance. What is

being done to make sure we stay together in your remaining time in

office? I agree with the honourable gentleman that keeping the UK

together is the paramount interest for our country because of the

decision that has been made about Europe. We need to have exhaustive

conversations between officials in Whitehall and Northern Ireland, and

strong relations with the Republic of violence that we keep the

benefits of the Common travel area. The honourable gentleman has always

supported one blue team, Leicester City, and one day I hope he supports

another blue team. As members of the single market for over four decades,

many businesses have deeply embedded supply chains and customer

relationships across the EU. Does the Prime Minister agree that any

future deal with the EU but include access to the single market? My

honourable friend is right. Obviously, the term access to the

single market has many potential different meanings. Many countries

outside the EU have access to the single market, from Sue -- some

through a trade deal, some through World Trade Organisation rules. The

best access is to be a member of the single market, and the next Prime

Minister will have to decide what sort of access we want, what the

costs and benefits are of having that sort of access, and I am sure

we will talk about that in a moment when I give my statement on the

European Council. The Prime Minister will be aware that staff in my

unions are being consulted this week. The company has approached the

government for support, but has only received a guarantee to the value of

one of its trucks. Will he commit to meet with me to discuss this

perilous decision for the company and its workforce and what support

his government can provide? I am aware of the recent announcement

about these further job losses. This will be a difficult time for the

workers and their families. I understand that the Scottish and UK

Government have been working with the company over the past couple of

years as part of the partnership action for continuing employment

scheme. The Secretary of State for Scotland is also keeping an eye on

the situation and I am happy to arrange a meeting between him and

the honourable gentleman to talk about what more can be done.

Sit there, it is not in the national interest and I would say for heavens

sake, man, go. I said it was going to be unique. It

was uniquely quiet to be begin with. People said they don't like the

Punch and Judy. At the end things bucked up a bit.

MCorbyn went on the threat to living standards, as, he moved on the cred

it rating agency, not a subject you often here Mr Corbyn talk about, he

then moved on to ask if the fiscal rules should be suspended. Would he

suspend it? Mr Corbyn wanted it to suspend it. He went on the racist

incident and went on to an increase in poverty in the country in recent

months. It came alive at that bit, and culminated in the Prime Minister

saying to M Corbyn, it is not in the Conservative interest that he goes

but it is in the country's interest and he e Prime Minister saying to Mr

Corbyn, it is not in the Conservative interest that he goes

but it is in the country's interest and he shouted at Mr Corbyn "For

everyone's sake man, go." That no doubt is what will lead the news

tonight. We also had the Tory party

leadership campaign beginning to take off, with Alan Duncan, clearly

not supporting Boris Johnson, since he described him as M Borusconi. I

don't know who that could be referring to? I thought I would make

a bad joke. I'm not sure what we make of that at all, for the most

part the Labour benches heard MCorbyn in absolute silence.

What that means ion. What the view sear? They noticed the sombre

atmosphere, you could not. Mark said pretty tame Prime Minister's

Questions with a lame duck Prime Minister and opposition that has no

support from his party. I am looking forward to new leadership on both

sides who can provide a compelling vision for the future of the

country. Robert said over the past few days I have seen the vigour and

passion with which MrCorbyn is fighting to keep his job. What a

pity he didn't show this degree of commitment during the EU referendum.

How typical of politicians. And this from Martin, watching today was

pitiful. Jeremy Corbyn has no support behind him. It was unwise of

him to point out how long the Prime Minister has left. Hoped up the

charge against his lack of effort in the campaign and this culminated in

the Prime Minister charging Corbyn to go in the national interest with

his own benches nodding approval. The Labour benches nodded approval:

I didn't catch that, that is what Martin said. You didn't see it. It

was hard from the. A cram to see that much. Anything been happening.

In terms of other people saying they are off or calling for Corbyn to go,

not at that moment. What with didn't mention is that Pavt Glass appointed

two days ago to be the Shadow Education Secretary has already

quit. A record. Yes. A record for being in Shadow Cabinet was held bay

Tory for six day, she has beat than by 50%, she was in for three days.

It is a Parliamentary record. A Parliamentary record and a properly

political nerd top pub quiz fact for future Westminster quizzes. Don't

you speak about our viewers like that. I think in a funny way, you

know, PMQs was an illustration of actually how there is given the

scale of the events that are happening in the country and on the

questions an our future in the world, that was an illustration of

how the current, politics right now is not giving the country those

answers. You know. Both party, the Prime Minister said he is off His

decision, he explained why he felt he had to go. Somebody else has to

continue the negotiations. But the Labour Party's authority in

Westminster certainly is shot. Just at the moment, when many people

round the country are looking to Westminster for some kind of

leadership. That strange muted scrappy Prime Minister's Questions

really was an illustration of how right now, today, maybe not in the

coming weeks and month, today, politics is not providing the

answers to the public, after they made an enormous decision. Or MPs in

fact. Or MPs. I agree, there were lots of questions asked of the Prime

Minister as to what buzz does the Brexit vote mean, there was

questioning about regionally, all different things, all he could say

well, it will up to the next Prime Minister and so he can't answer any

of that. It is as if we are holding our breath. He couldn't say anything

frankly about the 3.9 million children in poverty though he was

able to tell us he could congratulate 120 children for doing

good cards, that seems to be the level at which we have descended

when it comes to Prime Minister's Questions because he can't answer

the crucial points. One of your readers referred to him as a lame

duck Prime Minister. It is a lame duck Parliament. We are going to do

it in the course of the next two months and we know we are. We don't

know the status of the Labour leadership. On that questioning of

MP, no decisions can be made between now and the new leader. Some of the

questions being put to. Cam Ron, he was the other side of this argument.

It is not easy for him to turn round and say now we are here, all the

scare stories I said are not true. The Prime Minister will have to

answer them. He will have to answer think, in terms, and I would expect

the new Prime Minister to have a very clear idea of where we are

going, that is part... He is irony, after everything that has happened,

in the sense Mr Cameron said this would settle the question, the Tory

leadership is going to be defined by the answers the tentative leaders

can give about what our relationship with the European Union should be

like. In terms of winning or losing the campaign, in terms of putting

this issue to bed for the Tory party, that is the question Stephen

Crabb, Theresa May, Boris Johnson whoever else might go for it. Andrea

Leadsom, still a bit of chat about that, possibly still Nicky Morgan

possibly. After that it is seems to be the divisive issue it has been.

That depends how long it will take. It depends whether or not, Article

50 itself is triggered. This is a bit of conspiracy theory but there

is chatter about some kind of alternative process to Article 50

being put forward. Is That is Big cash is pushing that And various

other people. The lawyers say... It is an argument of lawyer, not people

who have looked at the whole process, what would happen if for

example, you dropped one piece of the 72 bill, you broke the treaty,

you triggered, you put uncertainty, I think the Article 50 is what we

will take, but to come back to Andrew's point, the two things that

will happen. First we have to resolve the issues, that we have

been talking about for 20 years, and in that process, Parliament and

particularly Conservative Party in Parliament will have to come behind

what the policies are, it will put it to bed but it will take two

years. I think this illustrates in spades what Brexiteers have done to

the country. Let me... What do you mean Brexiteers? Let me tell you,

they charged this country in, they told a myriad of different stories

but they united unwill dethe line of let us take back control of the

country. They have got, they are about to take back control of the

country yet they have no idea what they are going to do. They have

taken us into this dark place and we are now lost, and on the one hand we

have the Tory party in Government with no Plan B if there was, if the

referendum went the wrong way we have Brexiteers with a load of

different ideas as to where it is we are going to go. We have no

leadership and we are in a sorry state. None so blind as though who

will not see. Lots of debates will go on, this will define the future

of country for year, decades so it is proper, we are in a dedemocracy

remember, it may be difficult for the Labour Party, we are in a

democracy, we will make decision, a lot of journalists haven't been

wanting to cover it... You have no been agreed. There are so many

different lines. But also the Brexiteers said different thing,

simply on the issue of immigration, now yeah you are saying different

things, during the campaign you were saying different things. David

Cameron's reasons for remaining were different to Jeremy Corbyns. Is

there a chance that Labour could fight the 2020 election on rejoining

the EU? First is there going to be 2020? Let us take these things, we

are in such a state of flux at the moment. Such a state of flux. If you

feel the way you do about this, let me ask again, is there a chance

Labour would fight the next election on rejoining the EU? You ask

hypotheticals to politicians all the time. I don't know how many times

they answer them. Why don't you break my run and answer it? Let

us... It is a real issue, a legitimate question. It is a very

serious question and it needs a serious answer. There is a long way

to go before we are in that. We have to lose through, what is going to

happen... You don't rule it out. You are right to ask that question,

because there is chatter among some Labour MPs about a huge opportunity

for somebody to come forward as a stop Boris, stop Brexit candidate.

The Labour Party has much bigger questions to sort out, but there is

a potential political opportunity there, that is being discussed

because a small point, this petition calling for a second referendum has

given potential Labour leadership candidates a whole massive huge big

list of data of voters who they might be able to get on side if they

are brave enough to put a stop Brexit campaign together. Very

interesting. We will see. We haven't had time to ask the real big

question which is do you think it was worthwhile getting up at 5am

this morning and getting a train back from Brussels to watch Prime

Minister's Questions. To sit and talk to you.... That is good.

Another busy day for you, Laura. Thanks for being with us.

Let's talk more about the attempts by MPs to remove

The former acting leader of the Labour Party,

Margaret Beckett, is in Central Lobby.

What is happening to your party? My party is in disarray, no doubt about

it. Over 80% of our members of Parliament have decided it is no

longer possible to work with our elected leader. But he insists he is

staying. And if he insists he is staying in his post, what are you

going to do about it? I suppose there will come a point when people

have to make a decision as to whether or not there is a challenge.

For myself, this has been very rushed. At the outset, I thought it

was a mistake to start this process when it was started. But that has

been overtaken by events. Over the next 24 hours, I hope Jeremy will

think again. We will see a reaction from a lot of people who are saying,

this is not a sustainable situation. You said on the Today programme in

that vein today that there are people around Jeremy Corbyn who

would rather see the Labour Party split than for him to go. Who are

you referring to? Part of the problem is that nobody really knows

who the people of influence are around Jeremy, because they are on

the whole a separate group from the Labour Party. But it is clear that

some of those who were hoping to express their concerns, without

necessarily intending to resign, had it made clear to them that if it

came to a choice between Jeremy and the Labour Party, the Labour Party

is the one with the problems. Emily Thornberry has said that some people

in the Shadow Cabinet and the Labour Party have been thinking about

trying to bring Jeremy down for some time. Do you agree? There wasn't any

doubt that there are people who were so unhappy at Jeremy's election that

they have been resentful from the beginning. That is a relatively

small group. My perception is that that was a diminishing group, that

most the party were willing to support him. But they have found it

not possible to do so. There is still strong evidence that Jeremy

Corbyn enjoys mass support amongst the membership. If he is on the

ballot paper after a leadership challenge and winds, would you

advise your colleagues to form a different Labour Party -- if he

wins? We are a long way from that. Jeremy was elected overwhelmingly to

be leader of the Labour Party. That is a grave responsibility and it is

in his hands. In my view, it is his duty as leader of the Labour Party

not to put us into an abyss whereby he has no PLP behind him. It is his

duty. I'm sorry to say this, but it is his duty to stand aside to save

the party that has given him everything. Otherwise it will split,

in your mind? Well, there seem to be people who would rather that it

split. Angela Eagle is expected to launch a formal leadership challenge

against Jeremy Corbyn. Would you support her? I don't know what will

happen. My view is that no one should launch a leadership challenge

at this moment in time, because the challenge of leadership is in Jeremy

Corbyn's lap, and he should exercise that leadership, and I'm afraid he

should go. If he steps down, then there could

be an open contest. Where is the danger Margaret Beckett is worried

about is that if there is a leadership challenge, Mr Corbyn

could be re-elected by the members. Would that not mean that Labour

could face a historic split? I certainly hope not. As I said at the

outset, the Labour Party is more than the parliamentary party. We are

a mass movement one third of a million strong. People throughout

the party have responsibilities to the nation. I think the Labour Party

is so important in terms of our nation's history and what we have

achieved for our people, and it's vital that we stay together. Is it

sustainable that the party in the country and the parliamentary party

could be so far apart? Isn't that going to lead to a realignment of

forces on the left? I certainly hope not. At a time like this, we need to

be thinking about the interests of the nation first and foremost. I

don't think people should be thinking about their individual

careers. They should be thinking what is best for our nation, which

is a united Labour Party and a proper opposition, particularly at a

time of Brexit, when things are as frightening as they are. This is the

worst time in Labour's history since at least the 30s, isn't it? I don't

know. It is as hard a time as I have had. But you stay in and fight. I

was born into the Labour Party, I will always stay in the Labour

Party. For me, the Labour Party is what brings about positive change in

our country and we have to stick together. If it continues like this,

would you not want to go to Mr Corbyn and save the game is up? No.

Jeremy is his own man. He is strong willed and he has made it clear that

he is going to stay. Even if it rips Labour apart? He listens to members

around the country and party members and his constituents, and I am sure

he will take his cue from them. There's just time to put you out

of your misery and give It was a long while ago, 1970. So,

Emily, just to cheer you up, press the red buzzer and see what happens.

OK! Mark Craven from Cheshire has won. On the subject of support for

Jeremy Corbyn, Momentum, the grassroots movement that came about

after his leadership, they have postponed an event scheduled for

tonight because there was too much demand. They are looking for a

bigger venue. Is there going to be a lot of Tory campaigning over the

summer? Over August, yes. I thought the Tories were on holiday over

August. Perhaps they will cancel them. Do you think they will develop

a mass movement of enthusiastic support for the Tory party?

The One o'clock news is starting over on BBC One now.

Jo will be here at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Just when you think you've got it all sorted...

..things don't turn out quite as you'd expected.

But then, no-one said it was going to be easy.

So, how long have you been living as a woman?