18/01/2017 Daily Politics

Hello, and welcome to The Daily Politics.

She said she'd walk away from a bad deal with the EU,

and Theresa May certainly has a spring in her step

after yesterday's big Brexit speech, as her Brexit Secretary said this

morning "why on earth could it go wrong?"

Theresa May confirmed we would be out of the Single Market

and no longer full members of the customs union.

But what will our future trading relationship be with the EU

And Theresa May will face MPs for the first time

since her speech yesterday, we'll bring you PMQs live

And the Speaker said he'd retire next year,

who'll be pulled oh-so-reluctantly to the speakers chair once

All that in the next 90 minutes of the very finest public

And it's such an honour to appear on this programme, that our two

guests had to keep up what I can only assume is the pretence

of being reluctantly dragged into the studio this morning.

With us the Universities and Science Minister,

Jo Johnson, and Shadow Brexit Minister, Jenny Chapman.

So it's the morning after the big speech, and Number Ten will no doubt

They might be encouraged by some of today's front pages.

The Daily Mail hails the speech as "momentous",

and calls the Prime Minister as "the new Iron Lady".

The Daily Telegraph describes the speech as "bold",

picking up on the line that the UK might walk away if

The Times warns the EU not to try and punish the UK for Brexit,

saying that Britain could change its economic model and lure

The Daily Mirror chimes in on the same theme,

calling it May's "Brexit ultimatum: give us a deal...or we'll walk".

While the Sun has coined the new phrase "Brexodus".

And the Guardian leads with "May's Brexit threat to Europe".

What about the political reaction here in the UK?

Well, MPs had a chance to express their views

in the Commons yesterday evening, here's a flavour of some

I think we should loyally support the Government.

In 45 minutes, the Prime Minister hasn't delivered a plan.

Let's talk of just one example raised by my colleague,

She said she wants us to leave the common commercial policy

and the common external tariff, but to have associate membership

A membership that doesn't yet exist, and nobody else has.

Can the Secretary of State tell us exactly what this means now,

for the deals like the Nissan deal, on which thousands

Or simply, what cake is it that he wants

My right honourable friend, I'm sure, would acknowledge

that the Prime Minister's speech is principled, is reasonable,

My right honourable friend in his speech made clear that no

In the unlikely, I'm sure, event that we were to get a bad deal,

and the House were to vote against it, what would be the impact

in terms of our status with the European Union?

What I don't understand, when reading the Prime Minister's

statement, or listening to my right honourable friend, is which country

in the world is going to enter into a trade agreement with this

country, on the basis that the rules are entirely what the British say

they are going to be on any particular day, and, if there's any

dispute about the rules, it's going to be sorted out

Theresa May's speech had less positive reviews in the European

press. The German newspaper Die Welt

compares Theresa May's speech Cinco Dias, a Spanish business

and finance newspaper, says Theresa May is defying

the European Union by choosing France's La Tribune echoes that,

calling her choice a "hard Brexit". This morning, in the European

Parliament, the President of the European

Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has given his reaction

to Theresa May's speech. TRANSLATION: I welcome what the

Prime Minister of the UK said yesterday. I said yesterday a speech

alone cannot trigger negotiations. Once the UK has activated Article

50, the negotiations will start, and they should be concluded within two

years according to the treaty, the negotiations are going to be of

great significance to that country but also to the 27 other states. I

will do everything to make sure the negotiations will be according to

the rules, and will yield good results. That was the President of

the commission Jean-Claude Juncker. We're joined now from Berlin

by Daniel-Dylan Bohmer Welcome to The Daily Politics.

Theresa May says she wants the UK to be outside the single market but to

still have the best possible access to it. How has the speech gone down

in Germany? I would say in general, we are somewhat relieved that there

seems to be clarity now in London as for the cause that Theresa May's

government wants to take on those negotiations. Because lately there

has been the impression that the Brexit situation in the UK could

turn into chaos, that could potentially last forever. So, we are

happy here to see that there is a course she wants to take. As for the

nitty-gritty of what she said, I think some people here can't

understand that she is actually aiming for a hard Brexit, because we

thought that having even closer relationship with the European Union

would do better for Britain and the European Union. I think then there

are some who look at the words she said, and in particular staying

outside the common market, while having prime access to it. That

seems to us to be some kind of contradiction that is hard to

swallow for us. Except she says, if she doesn't get that or something

fairly close, she called it calamitous self harm. In other

words, German car manufacturers, German businesses, will suffer just

as much. What's been the reaction to that? Well, that of course is a

valid point, here. That's why in particular the chancellery has aimed

at negotiations likely to get the softest possible version of a hard

Brexit. Remember two things. For once, German business, including,

new factories, where rather relaxed on the props -- on the prospect of

Brexit, even before it was clear what kind of Brexit London was

aiming for. There was a survey done of major German companies a few

weeks ago showing that less than 10% think there could be strong negative

effects on their business. German business in general is relaxed on

that. Even though Angela Merkel recently appealed to German

business, to show a united front with EU governments in negotiations

over Britain's departure, urging them to support the principle of

full access to the single market only in exchange for signing up to

the four freedoms. That seems to demonstrate she's worried that

German business would be prepared to give Britain exactly what it once,

because it wouldn't want to have a negative affect on their own

industries. Angela Merkel can't afford for that to happen

politically. Well, that is definitely the case. On the other

hand, we have seen her acting as a very principled politician, not only

on moral grounds, but because she seems to fundamentally believe that

a policy can only work if it fundamentally in itself makes sense.

I think there's a sense here that whatever deal there is with the

Brits, there can't be a deal that puts into question the validity of

the core European liberties and freedoms. Because, of course, there

is a danger of contagion, if Europe gives Britain a deal that is too

soft, it could be a temptation to other countries to leave the

European Union. I think with the French elections ahead, where the

National Front has a clear chance to have someone from its own ranks as a

President and hold a referendum of its own, I think the cohesion of the

European Union and the future of the EU, that is a prime priority for

everyone here in Germany. That does include German business and German

companies. Very interesting to talk you, thank you.

Jo Johnson, the government committed to publish some sort of plan before

Article 50 was triggered. We heard the speech of today, is that it?

This is a strong plan that sets out our negotiating objectives. We can

see from the welcome offered from the business community and countries

such as Germany, is its welcome but we now know what our clear

objectives are... I want to clarify a couple of things before we come

onto some of the substance. There won't be a white paper now? This is

the plan, it's a strong, 12 point plan that sets out how the

government sees success. So it's on the basis of the text of Mrs May's

speech that you will trigger Article 50? It is, this is a clear

annunciation... Forgive me, but... This is the basis on which will be

triggering Article 50. I'm trying to get some clarity on the process. It

is interesting on this. When you come to trigger Article 50, if there

is to be a vote in Parliament, we wait on the Supreme Court ruling,

will that be a simple one clause Bill that this House votes to

trigger Article 50? That is prejudging the judgment... We can't

get ahead of ourselves. But if it is, what will you do? That's the

government to determine in light of any judgment from the Supreme Court.

So you don't know? It's not for me to pre-empt the judgment. I'm simply

asking if the Supreme Court rules against you, which is widely

expected, will you then bring forward legislation that cannot be

amended? It's that the government to set that out in the light of the

judgment. What the Prime Minister made clear again was that the

government will be triggering Article 50 by the end of March. And

in a sense, this is as good as it gets, isn't it? This is the

negotiating position. It now has to go into negotiations, no matter how

good, you never get everything you want. So whatever we end up with

will be less than what Mrs May outlined yesterday. I think this is

a really strong foundation for a negotiation. We set out clearly what

success looks like. I think people can be reassured that it means the

greatest possible access to the single market, while not being

constrained by the jurisdiction of the European Court, while having

control over immigration and those sorts of things which were so

important in the referendum. I'm just trying to get a broad position.

David Davis said on the today programme's this morning that there

wouldn't be a single vote as the process goes on, there would be a

series of fights on major law changes before ratification. What

did he mean by that? I think David Davis set out clearly yesterday how

this process will unfold. Parliament will have a say over the deal, it

will be a vote in both houses of Parliament. There will be a role for

MPs in this process. He said that there wouldn't be a single vote, now

he's saying there will be a vote at the very end, but there would be a

series of fights on major law changes before ratification. What

does that mean? -- series of votes. The government has set out its plan

to enact a great repeal bill which will bring into legislation those

rules and regulations we want to continue to have effect in this

country after we leave the EU. That process will itself of course

require votes in Parliament. In addition to the votes which the

Prime Minister promised yesterday. I thought that was to simply transfer

existing European law on to British law, and then after ratification you

could take your time to decide what you're going to keep and what you

won't. You going to change some of these laws before we leave? The

government has set out its plans to... Do you change that before we

leave or not? Before we leave or afterwards? I put the idea was to

move these laws onto the British statute book, and then deal with

them after ratification of our leaving. Are we now saying some of

that will be changed before we leave? I think David Davis was

making clear that the plans the government has set out with a great

repeal Bill will be carried forward and will require votes in

Parliament. Your boss Keir Starmer said yesterday the Prime Minister's

negotiating objectives were broadly on the right lines. We pushed the

Prime Minister into making this speech, we argued for a plan and

secured that in the House of Commons just before Christmas. Her response

has been to provide the speech yesterday, which actually did

contain the elements that we were requiring of her. We have the vote

at the end of the process now... I thought it was Labour's position I

wanted us to remain members of the single market? We think she could

have been more ambitions to give the negotiations of the single market

before negotiations start is lacking ambition. Given the spinningle

market, our membership of it or relationship to it is probably the

core of everything that is now going to happen. How can the Government

broadly be on the right lines when it's already admitted we will no

longer be members of the single market? That's the fascinating

things. She said yesterday she didn't want to be a member of the

single market but she clearly indicated in her speech that she

wanted to have all the elements of membership that we value most. So,

when we get to unravel what it is she's saying, we're finding her

ambition is being broadly termed a soft Brexit but the sting in the

tail is she threatens a hard Brexit should she not get the deal she

wants. If she gets the deal she outlined yesterday, we can support

that. We'll come on to more of that in a minute.

Yesterday, Mr May said after Brexit we will be out of membership of the

single market. But what else did we learn about our future trading

relationship with the EU and with the rest of the world? Here's JoCo.

Theresa May made clear that after Brexit the UK will no longer

be a member of the single market, the group of European

countries subject to the free movement of goods, services,

She also said Britain will no longer be a full member

of the customs union, where goods can move freely

between European countries with common tariffs on goods

Members also have to sign up to the same rules and regulations.

The Prime Minister wants the UK to strike new free trade

deals around the world, which customs union membership

But she said she also wants cross-border trade with Europe to be

So if the UK is no longer a member of the customs union,

Theresa May suggested the UK could either be an "associate

member" of the customs union, or there could be a new form

She also said she had "an open mind" on the issue,

suggesting the Government does not yet have a preferred option.

Northern Ireland shares a border with an EU country,

and so could need a hard border to carry out customs checks if

That could be damaging to the peace process.

Jo Johnson, what's an Osh yacht member of the union? She wants

frictionless trade between the UK and other members of the European

Union but, at the same time, the freedom to agree ambitious trade

deals with the US and India etc. What would an Oshiate member of the

customs union mean? It would be a bespoke deal for Britain giving us

the friingsless deals we enjoy with the European Union. No tariffs on

goods. A strong relagship with the regulatory bodies on the services

side. We want to maintain that whilst gaining the freedom to strike

trade deals for Britain around the world. We would have the advantages

of the customs union with our ability to set our own tariffs and

trade deals with the rest of the world. How will the rest of Europe

react to that? It is in both sets of interests to maintain the current

friingsless trade which remains -- frictionless. It is in neither sets

of interests. We want to keep that while striking deals around the

world. If we set our tariffs for the rest of the world, surely there has

to be some mechanism by which any goods coming to this country moving

to Europe, the Europeans would have to investigate that? That's what the

rules of origin are. It could not be friction-free. We'll explore these

over the months to come. That's the fundamental issue. The goal, as

great an access as is possible to the single market whilst retaining

our ab-I will toy to strike trade deals around the world. Do you

accept if we get a Free Trade Deal with the EU, it cannot by definition

give us the same degree of access we currently enjoy? We have to start

with the status quo. It is exceptionally advantageous. We all

start with the status quo. That's what it means. A strong relationship

between our regulatory bodies. We don't want to lose that. There's no

Free Trade Deal as good as the access we currently have? Let's wait

and see. Why would the Europeans agree to that? If we have access we

have at the moment, certain conditions come with that we're not

prepared to pay. Free movement of peoples and capital and so on.

Clearly, it will be a step down from what we have at the moment? It is

just a matter of how much? This is to be seen. We want to have as fri

consider, tionless trade as possible with the European Union, the ability

to strike trade deals around the world. If we don't want to be a Jude

Kated by the European Court of Justice but we have a Free Trade

Deal, what courts would adjudicate on that Free Trade Deal? There are

various dispute resolutions niches around the world which don't rely on

the European Court of Justice. They'll be explored during the

negotiations. There are other mechanisms available, ones we might

want to create. If we had a Free Trade Deal with the European Union,

on the European Union side that would be the European Court of

Justice who would adjudicate? Not necessarily. This has to be thrashed

out during negotiations. We do not want to be part of the European

justice going forward. That's key from the referendum. How can we be

outside the customs union and not have a hard border between the north

and are you lick of Ireland? Again, the Prime Minister's speech was

clear... She didn't explain how she could do it. She has the aspiration?

How do you do it? Work closely with the republic and Northern Ireland

and make sure there isn't a return of things of the past. I'm asking

you if we're outside the customs union, how can you achieve that?

These are the issues we'll work our way through over the next 24, 25

months. All rye. Jen ise, we talked about the single market before. Are

we right saying Labour would like to remain in the customs union? We

would like the unincumbent trade we currently have. Theresa May says we

can have all the bib fits... Sure, you accept we'll come out of the

single market though you don't don't support it. It wasn't your position

but you are in favour the remaining in the customs union contrary to

what she said yesterday? We want all the benefits of the customs union.

To get that, you have to be in the customs union. If there was a way of

achieving in an outside the customs union, which is what the Prime

Minister said she wants yesterday and what they promise add Nissan,

free and unincumbent trade, let's look at that. It is an incredibly

hard task to achieve. Right. But Labour would rather we remained in

the customs union but we couldn't pursue free trade deals across the

world? It would make it incredibly difficult. That is the challenge,

putting it lightly, that we have. If that's Labour position, you are

happy, or accept we come out of the single market but want to persuade

the Government to remain in the customs union without the

opportunity to receive new trade deal, that would be the worst of all

words. That's not what I said. It is what Theresa May said she could say

chief yesterday. We don't know how she can pull this off. It would be

the most incredible feat of diplomacy if she can pull it off. If

she can't, we're in a very different situation in two years' time when

you look at the deal. You sound like you don't necessarily think she can,

it is a very tall order. In we come towards Article 50, the towards the

type of Brexit Labour doesn't want or think she can achieve, will you

vote against it? We won't vote against Article 50. We've made that

clear. What are you going to do? We'll hold the Government to the

standards it set itself yesterday. How will you stop her coming out of

the single market or moving towards that? We get a vote. One of the

things she guaranteed us yesterday is a vote at the end of the process.

That was a very significant commitment from the Government. If

the vote is on the final deal and the choice is coming out of the EU

without a deal or voting for what's been negotiated even if you don't

like it, how would Labour vote? We'd have to look at what's on the table

at the time. We will not vote for a hard Brexit at that point. She also

said yesterday there would be no cliff edge which suggests

transitional arrangements. We would be in a position in two years' time

with a transitional arrangement so the choice isn't the Deal or No

Deal. Which is an old thing for her to have said yesterday. It would be

very have a transitional deal already in place. We can't predict

the position of the UK in relation to the EU in two years' time at this

early stage. Keir Starmer was asked about Labour's policy on free moment

today. He said the rules will have to change. We are not seeking the

status quo. Do you want free movement to change? We cant the

management to be reasonable. You don't want it to end? We want the

status quo. That's clear from the British public.

Now, the pound might have surged following

But those techie types at Apple have blamed the UK's weaker currency

following the EU referendum for a rise in the price of apps.

Yes, the California based corporation say they'll increase

the prices of their cheapest apps, which currently set you back 79

That means it'll be more expensive to play Angry Birds,

a favourite of former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Candy Crush Saga, Pokemon Go and Minecraft,

a favourite of JoCo's, will all cost more too.

Luckily, there's one premier item that will never,

We even throw in the postage and packaging.

Yes, it's the inflation-busting Daily Politics mug.

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Yes, Prime Minister's Questions is on its way.

And that's not all - Laura Kuenssberg is here.

Can Jeremy Corbyn avoid Europe? Of late, he has been going on the

subjects which are the subject of day more often. It will be

surprising if he choses not to go on Brexit. What angle would he go on?

This is where the complication comes in. Forgive me, I've been listening

to the last few minutes of the programme. It is not clear to some

people on the Labour benches what their position is. What did Keir

Starmer really mean when he said Theresa May ruled out a hard Brexit.

People say, had she? Did she really? Where's the party's position on

freedom of movement. It will be surprising if he doesn't go on

Brexit. This is such a momentous time. The speech yesterday will be

looked at a genuinely important moment in the tangled web of how we

extricate ourselves. We're relieved you watched the programme. We

thought you were too busy to do that! Nothing else. Blocked it out

in my diary. Doubled the ratings in one go. I understand Jo Johnson's

brother, other Foreign Secretary's been speaking about the French

president? If Jeremy Corbyn were nimble he would have put it to

Theresa May. Ghi us the line. This morning, Boris Johnson compared

Brexit to some escape from a World War II camp. He said if Mr Hollande

wants to administer some punishment beating to anyone trying to escape

like in a World War II movie, that is not the way forward. Of course,

that is immediately being written up as another one of the Boris Johnson

gaffes like the having cake and eating it, all of that. Implicitly,

some people are suggesting he's somehow comparing the French to the

Germans. Now over the common. Alcohol is a primary factor in

domestic violence attacks on women. Does the primers to recognise the

seriousness of the country's alcohol problems and the billions of pounds

of cost to the public purse and will she instructor government to address

these problems effectively and as a matter of urgency? I can certainly

say that I recognise the problem is that alcohol causes. He particularly

referenced not just problems for pregnant women but also the issue

around domestic violence and the part alcohol can often play on

domestic violence and abuse. That's why when I was Home Secretary we

produced an alcohol strategy, we worked on the issue and the

government continues to recognise the importance of this issue and to

work on it. Will the Prime Minister join me in paying tribute to the NHS

staff who provide us with such magnificent treatment day in, day

out? Will she also agree with me that people who miss NHS

appointments without cancelling them cost the NHS a great deal of money

and also take up slots which would otherwise be used by other patients?

Will she consider how she might let those people know of the

inconvenience they are causing? My honourable friend makes two

important points. I'm pleased to join with him in paying tribute to

the dedication and hard work of all those who work in our NHS. Secondly,

he is right to point out that if somebody misses an appointment it is

a cost on the NHS. There are a number of ways in which this is

being dealt with, including in some hospitals sending out text messages

reminding people of appointments and telling them how much it costs if

they miss that appointment. Jeremy Corbyn. Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr

Speaker, yesterday the Prime Minister snubbed Parliament, and

snubbed the Brexit committee's recommendations to bring forward a

white paper, while at the same time describing the referendum as a vote

to restore our Parliamentary democracy. This is about our jobs,

living standards and future prosperity. Why will it not be

scrutinised by this House? I say to the right honourable gentleman that

what I did yesterday was set out a plan for a global Britain. I set out

a plan that will put the divisions of last year behind us, that will

show a vision... That shows a vision for a stronger, fairer, more united,

more outward looking, prosperous, tolerant and independent, truly

global Britain. It was a vision which will shape a stronger future

and build a better Britain. Mr Speaker. Restoring democracy whilst

sidelining Parliament. It's not so much the Iron Lady as the irony

lady! Yesterday, Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister finally provided some

detail. Can I urge her to stop her threat of a bargain basement Brexit,

a low pay tax haven on the shores of Europe. It won't necessarily damage

the EU, but it would certainly damage this country. Businesses,

jobs and public services. She demeans herself and her office, and

her country's standing, by making these kind of threats. What I set

out yesterday was a plan for a global Britain bringing prosperity

to this country, and jobs to people, and spreading economic growth across

the country. But actually yesterday, we'll so learned more of the right

honourable gentleman's thinking on this issue. What he said was the

following. "She Has said will leave the single market but at the same

time says she wants to have access to the single market. I'm not sure

how that's going to go down in Europe. I think we have to have a

deal that ensures we have access to the market". LAUGHTER I've got a

plan, he doesn't have a clue! Mr Speaker, she made the threat. She

was the one he made the threat about slashing corporation tax. If you

reduce corporation tax to the lowest common denominator, this country

loses ?120 billion in revenue. How, then, do you fund public services as

a result of that? Last year, the Prime Minister said leaving the

single market would make trade deals considerably harder. And, while we

could certainly negotiate our own trade agreements, there would be no

guarantee that they would be on terms as good as those we now enjoy.

But yesterday, the Prime Minister only offered as vague guarantees.

Can I ask her, does she now disagree with herself? LAUGHTER The right

honourable gentleman might also have noticed that when I spoke in the

Remain Campaign, I said if we voted to leave the European Union, the sky

wouldn't fall in. Look at what has happened, actually, to our economic

situation, since we voted to leave the EU. I say he talks about the

future of this economy, I want us to be an outward looking nation,

trading around the world, bringing prosperity and jobs into the UK. The

one thing that would be bad for the economy is the answer is that the

right honourable gentleman has. He wants a cap on wages, no control on

immigration, and to borrow an extra ?500 billion. That wouldn't lead to

prosperity, that would lead to no jobs, no wages and no skills. The

Chancellor said after the referendum that to lose single market access

would be catastrophic. A few days later the Health Secretary said, the

first part of the plan must be clarity that we will remain in the

single market. The Prime Minister said something about frictionless

access to the single market and a bespoke customs union deal. Could

the Prime Minister give us a little bit of certainty and clarity about

this? Has she ruled out paying any kind of access to what she describes

as a frictionless market? I can say to the right honourable gentleman

that access to the single market is exactly what I was talking about

yesterday in my speech. One of the key principles, key objectives, is

that we negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union

that gives us the widest possible access for trading with and

operating within the European Union. And he talks about frictionless

access, actually this was a separate point, which is about frictionless

borders in relation to the customs issue. A very important issue in

relation to our relationship between Northern Ireland and the Republic of

Ireland. The Taoiseach and I and all parties are absolutely on a single

page on this, we want to ensure we have the best possible arrangement

that doesn't lead to a Borders of the past in Northern Ireland. The

question was, would we have to pay for access to the market or not? The

Prime Minister hasn't given an answer on that. Yesterday she set

out a wish list on immigration referring to skills shortages and

high skilled migration. Does she now disagree with the Secretary of State

rural affairs, who told an employer 's conference, don't worry, you can

still have cheap EU labour after we leave the European Union? The Right

honourable gentleman talks about access. Yes, the whole point is that

we will negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union,

but it's about the best possible access for British business to

operate in the European Union member states and for European businesses

to operate here in the United Kingdom. It's about sitting down and

negotiating the best possible deal for the United Kingdom. That's what

I'm committed to and that's what this government is going to deliver.

My question was about how much we are going to have to pay to have

access to the market. Still no answer. Yesterday she talked about

the pressure put on public services by migration. Can I just remind her,

as one of her honourable friends did earlier, but at the moment there are

55,000 EU citizens working in our NHS, helping to treat all of the

people of this country. There are 80,000 care workers helping our,

mainly elderly, people. There are 5000 teachers, educating our

children. The real pressure on public services comes from a

government that slashed billions from the social care budget, that is

cutting the schools budget, that is closing A departments and walk-in

centres and sure start centres. Instead of threatening to turn

Britain into an offshore tax haven, let's welcome those who contribute

to our public services and fund our public services properly, so that we

do have the fully functioning NHS that we all need and deserve! I made

clear yesterday, we value those who have come to the UK and contribute

to our economy and our society, and there will still be people coming to

the UK from the European Union, when we leave the EU. The crucial issue

is that it is this government that will be making decisions about our

immigration system for people from the European Union. But yet again, I

say to the right honourable gentleman, there is indeed a

difference between us. It's very simple, when I look at the issue of

Brexit, or indeed at any other issue like the National Health Service or

social care, I consider the issue, I set out my plan, and I stick to it.

It's called leadership, he should try it sometime! Yesterday was a day

for being bold and ambitious and I'm sure that she noted Lincoln city

football club... Qualify to the fourth round of the FA Cup. I noted

her recent comments about white working-class boys in university. In

ten years half a million fewer males have gone to university than

females. Exam result of lower -- exam results are lower at all

levels. I ask my right honourable friend, when can we expect to see

practical action on closing the gender education gap? Can I join my

honourable friend in congratulating Lincoln city on their victory last

night and say I think it was a fitting tribute to Graham Taylor

that they won that match. He's raised an important point. I have

highlighted the issue particularly of white working-class boys who are

the group in society least likely to go to university. We are committed

to making sure that every child gets the opportunity to fulfil their

potential, that is about ensuring apprenticeships are as accessible as

possible and I'm pleased to say that the number of apprenticeships

started by males have increased this year to almost 50%. Also,

universities expect to spend ?800 million this year in improving

access and success for disadvantaged students. We want everybody to

achieve their potential, whatever their background and whatever their

gender. Shortly after the Prime Minister confirmed she wants to take

the UK out of the single European market, the Scottish Parliament

voted by a large cross-party majority to remain in the single

European market, just as a large majority of people in Scotland voted

to remain in the EU. The Prime Minister has said that Scotland is

an equal partner in the United Kingdom. Does she still believe this

is true, or is she just stringing the people

I might refer the right honourable gentleman to my speech yesterday

where I reiterated my commitment to be working with the devolved

administrations to ensure their voice is heard of, their interests

are taken into account as we proceed along this path negotiating our exit

were European Union. I specifically references the Scotland plan. I

understand the Welsh Government will produce a plan for Wales for us to

look at too. That Scotland plan will be considered by the JMC on European

negotiations tomorrow, I believe. We'll look at it seriously, working

with the Scottish Government on the proposals they bring forward.

Scotland's leading economic forecaster says, real wages will

fall... LAUGHTER Tories jeering and cheering when the forecast for

people's income is as likely to drop by ?2,000 and that 80,000, Mr

Speaker, that 80,000 people may lose their jobs in Scotland as a result

of the hard Tory Brexit plan of the Prime Minister. Does the Prime

Minister believe that this is a price worth paying for her Little

Britain Brexit? I repeat what I said earlier. We'll work to ensure we get

the best possible deal in terms of access to the single market and

continuing to cooperate in part are inship with the 28 remaining member

states of the European Union. The right honourable gentleman once

again talks about the possibility of a negative impact on Scotland if

Scotland were not part of the single market. His party is dedicated to

taking Scotland out of the single market by taking it out of the UK.

Mr Speaker, this week directors of our larger companies have been told

by investors to reign in senior executive pay which is too often

distorted by long-term incentive plans which are too complex to

manage and too excessive in their rewards. Will my right honourable

friend look the such schemes as part of her corporate Government review?

I'm pleased to say this Government's taken action on executive pay

already giving shareholders the power to veto pay policies and force

companies to Des cloy their board's pay. I want to build on that. We've

pubbish Hirsched a Green Paper on how to strengthen shareholders'

influence over executive pay and have greater transparency. Will the

#3r50i789 provide a commitment today that no part of Great Repel Bill

will be subject to ennish votes for English laws? -- lengthish votes.

The honourable lady might recognise the Great Repel Bill will have a

number of complex issues it will be dealing with. It will be ensuring at

its heart will be the European communities act repeal. One of the

issues we'll need to look at looking at that bill and negotiating our way

out of the European Union is the issue of reserve matters and

devolved matters. There are many aspects...

THE SPEAKER: Order. Order. Members of the Scottish National Party led

by the right honourable gentleman on the front bench who's supposed to be

a statesman-like figure should demonstrate some calm and reserve

while being answered by the the Prime Minister who was questioned.

The Prime Minister. The honourable lady will know full well that any

legislation brought before this House, if any part of it only

applies to England then it will be subject to the English votes on

English laws. May I congratulate the Prime Minister on her delivery

yesterday of an historic, defin tiff, pragmatic, outward looking

speech which saw the pound rise to its highest level in two years and

the FTSE up today. Would she agree with me a strong and prosperous UK

as she has planned, would be a nightmare for the Leader of the

Opposition and the EU ruling class? I agree with my honourable friend, a

strong and prosperous Britain is what we want to build as we leave

the European Union. It is only a pitty it seems the Labour Party

aren't interested in doing that and want to do the opposite and bring

this economy down. Number 3, Mr Speaker. I always enjoy my visits to

Wales. I hope to visit Wales in the future. Quite an answer as to

whether she'll visit the Rhondda. I'm happy to accommodate her. I can

do bacon and eggs. More importantly, I could take her to see the best

brass band in the world. Or I could take her to the local food bank

which is based in the closed down Conservative Club. What's happening

at the moment is since 2010, the Government's closed the local

courts, closed the local tax office, the DWP office and the driving

centre. Now the Government's intending to close all the tax

offices in Wales and centralise them in Cardiff. We feel in the valleys

as if we're just ignored by the Government. Can I just beg her to

change direction and start putting Government offices in the small

towns, villages, valleys of this country? Can I say to the right

honourable gentleman, the last time I looked, Cardiff was actually in

Wales. He says we're going to take offices away from Wales but we'll

put them in Cardiff. I think he might find the whole point about

what the HMRC is doing is they are taking, moving from outdated offices

to large, modern, regional centres. That will make it possible for them

to modernise their ways of working, make tax collection more efficient

and improve customer services by HMRC. I welcome my right honourable

friend's speech for a global Britain. It shows you are list why

enning to this side of the House. The council leaders considering the

grater Manchester framework consultation responses as they

listen to the people, give us better infrastructure and protect our green

spaces. I thank my honourable friend for his comments and raising the

issue. The con siltation -- consultation closed earlier this

week. There has been a huge amount of interest from local people. I

echo his comment sayings local leaders should take all

representations into account. In the UK, we have 14 regional markets for

electricity disprobe Ewingses. Highlanders and islanders are facing

higher charges. They are an eye watering 84% higher than

distributary bugs charges for London. Will the Prime Minister

introduce a universal market for electricity pricing. Those of us who

live in the coldest windiest place are are diskrilled against by her

Government and it must end. The honourable gentleman draws attention

to the fact of course geography has an impact on these matters. He talks

about living in the coldest and windiest place. One of the issues

that's interesting to look at in relation to Scotland is the whoa

question of renewables and the opportunities for renewables. I can

tell him we are looking at the impact... We are looking at making

sure... We are looking at making sure energy markets in the UK are

indeed working properly. I'm very pleased the Prime Minister has said

she will take the necessary action on air quality to deal with the

40,000 premature deaths it causes across our country every year. As I

know she believes in her Government leading by example, will she make

sure that all diesel cars are removed from the Government car

service as soon as possible? My honourable friend is right,

improving air quality is a priority for this Government. We are

determined to cut harmful emissions. We've committed money since 2011 to

supporting the take-up of low-emission vehicles. The

Government car service is working to remove diesel cars from its fleet.

It has replaced a quarter and this work conditions to remove diesel

vehicles. Is the Prime Minister aware that I totally agree with what

she said yesterday. It is the job of people in this... Wait for it...

LAUGHTER We in this House have a real responsibility for our children

and grandchildren to have a bright future. But is she aware there are

dark clouds looming on the horizon in terms of intolerance, racism

across Europe and the foundering and flux of many of our great

institutions that have kept peace and prosperity since the last world

war. I speak of the in UN, Nato and indeed the European Union. Are we

fit for purpose in keeping this country safe, secure in that ward?

-- world. I recognise the important issue that the right honourable

gentleman raised in this area. It is pro sighsly as we move out of the

European Union, the UK will be more outward looking. We want to ensure

we play our part in the UN. That the UN itself is able to do the job that

everybody wants it to do. Nato has been the most important bull washing

in terms of maintaining safety and security across the European

continent. That's why we're continuing to support Nato. British

troops are in Estonia. British Forces in Poland, Romania,

continuing to show our commitment to Nato. The thrust of my speech

yesterday was we want a strong, strat edgic partnership with the

European Union. That access to the single market, that free trade

agreement but to continue to work with them on justice and security

matters. Now is not a time to cooperate less, it is a time to

cooperate more. Delighted the third round replay where Sutton united won

against Wimbledon. The pressing issue is to be able to get into work

on a day-to-day basis. Does the Prime Minister welcome the talks

between Aslef and Southern to finding a solution for hard pressed

commuters? As a former Wimbledon councillor, I am anot sure I share

the enthusiasm for the defeat of AFC Wimbledon. On the point about train

strikes, yes, I do. I hope those sitting around the table will

enensure we see an agreement reached which enables passengers to get on

with their lives, their jobs and not suffer the misery brought about by

the strike in the first place. Can I agree with the Prime Minister and

disagree with the last member about the reference to last night's

meeting and AFC's results. If the Prime Minister really believes that

GP surgeries should be open seven days a week, 12 hours a day, would

she be my guest at a meeting against Department of Health diktat which

will close a 6,000 strong surgery. Even better, could she just tell her

Government to stop cuts to GP Ps Sir verieses which force thousands to

attend hard pressed A's like St George's and St Helier or is she

happy to see the poisible collapse of the NHS on her watch? I might

remind the honourable lady, she and I sat on a council together where we

tried to keep Wimbledon playing in Wimbledon other at least in Murton.

GPs are part of the solution in terms of the NHS for the future.

We've seen more GPs coming into the NHS. Something like 5,000 more GPs

being trained and will be in place by 2020. But what we do want to

ensure is that GPs are open and providing the services at times when

the patients want to access them. Mr Speaker, it was quite clear from the

Prime Minister's speech yesterday that she seeks to build a Brexit

consensus and to bring our country back together. I thank her for that.

To that end, and to strengthen the Prime Minister's negotiating hand,

before Article 50 is triggered, would she please considerate least

publishing all those 12 objectives in a White Paper so that we can

debate them here in this place on behalf of all our constituents? My

honourable friend is right. I absolutely understand the point she

raised about Parliament's desire to be able to debate those objectives

which I set out in the plan yesterday. One of the objectives,

one of the principles was about certainly and clarity. It continues

to be the Government's intention that we will provide clarity

whenever it is possible and we will ensure that at appropriate times

both the public and Parliament are kept informed and are able to

consider and properly scrutinise these issues. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

While dedicated and talented staff at the royal Liverpool hospital's

A department struggle to find beds for sick people, around 135 patients

are unable to be discharged solely because of Government cuts to social

care. When will the Government recognise its responsibilities and

not try to blame GPs for a problem of the Government's own making?

There is a pressure on social care. I accept that and recognised this in

this House. That's why the Government's recognised it and put

improved funding through the better care fund and social care

pre-September. Liverpool raced ?8 million and they'll receive ?48

million from the better care fund by 2019/20. This isn't just a question

of money. It is ensuring we have a sustainable social care system for

the future. That's what the Government's working on. Could I

commend by right honourable friend for her remarks yesterday, not least

the constructive terms to the future of the EU in marked difference from

others over the years. Would she confirm that constructive tone will

remain as the best base for getting an agreement between ourselves and

the EU and the default position of no deal will remain a default

position and not the Government's default position? Absolutely. We

want to get that good deal and expect to be able to get that good

deal. It is right that it is through goodwill and a positive approach on

both sides of these negotiations we will achieve that. I'm clear the UK

wants to see a continuing strong European Union of 27 member states.

We want to have a strong, strategic partnership with that Europon and

continue to work bilaterally with individual states. I made this point

to a number of European Union leaders yesterday when I spoke to

them after my speech, we want to approach this in a positive and

optimistic fashion. I believe a deal that is good for the UK, will be a

deal that is good for the European Union. This week, the national

auditor revealed the abject failures in the con accept tricks fiasco

which resulted in thousands of people wrongly denied their tax

credits. This was not one rogue contractors but a system designed by

Government to pursue and chase down claimants for profit. So, does the

Prime Minister agree with the Chief Executive of HMRC that payment by

ruts has no -- results has no mace in our welfare system. Will she

review this model or will she wait for the next scandal to hit

vulnerable people? I recognise many people received a poor service. It

is not the first time this has been highlighted in this chamber this was

not acceptable. I apologise for the poury and stress caused for people.

We have been clear about that service. HMRC will learn the lessons

from that contract. They remain committed to providing a high

quality service. It will not use a private sector service to undertakes

tax or fraud checks again. Further to the question from my honourable

friend, the Prime Minister did yesterday confirm her commitment to

parliamentary democracy. Therefore, I assume she accepts the long

standing convention that the he can he can tiff, the Government, is

continuously accountable to this House for the policies that she is

pursuing. Can she clarify whether or not she intends to make any further

statements of policy intentions to this House and whether she

anticipates this House having an opportunity to vote its approval for

those policies earlier than two years away when the whole

negotiation has been completed? My right honourable friend raises a

matter that not only our honourable friend has raised but others as

well. If I can simply make this point. Yesterday, my right

honourable, the Secretary of State for exiting the European Union came

here and answered questions for two hours. There is a further general

debate on exiting the European Union matters taking place today. There

have been a number of these do Bates already looking at the issues which

are part of the objectives we have set. We will have to consider the

result of the decision of the Supreme Court which may, if it goes

against the Government, require legislation to be brought before

this House. There will be an opportunity in the great wee peat

bill to look at issues around the exiting the I the the EU. We can't

vote on the deal until we know what the deal is. Parliament will have a

vote when we know what that deal is. The Prime Minister's passing

reference to the interests of Spanish fishermen in her speech

yesterday let the cat out of the bag that our fishing opportunities are

already on the table as a bargaining tool before the Brexit negotiations

have even started. What does the Prime Minister want to offer the

Spanish fishermen? I made a very simple point yesterday which is that

negotiation is not just about the UK. There will be others in the

European Union who will be looking for ensheering the deal we get is

good for the UK and for the European Union. I have to say to the

honourable lady, if she thinks continued membership of the common

fishers policy is not the case and one of the things we will vote

against. The people of Stafford shirt and Stoke-on-Trent are being

confronted with the possible loss of emergency services in Stafford or

Burton when our Acute Hospitals are under intense pressure. Would the

Prime Minister agree with me and others that closing A is no way

to deal with increased, real, not imagined, need. I would say to my

honourable friend, the important issue is the level of service

available for people in a local area. That's why the sustainability

and transformation plans being published are taking into account

and are being considered at a local level for local clinicians and local

people to agree what is best in their particular area. Mr Speaker,

last Friday I went to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where the number

of people waiting 12 hours or more in A doubled last year. 100 of

them aged 90 or over. Trust managers said the biggest factor is dig

charging people. Government cuts erodele support for them. Will she

stop waffling about her shared society, listen to her own budget

watchdog saying we'll need ?30 billion from older people in the

next ten years and put that money into local adult care and the NHS?

Well, just looking at the figures for what has happened for health in

his particular area, there are more doctors and significantly more

nurses in his NHS Foundation Trust. I know what the honourable gentleman

is talking about. I'm about to comment on it! But the honourable

lady who is shouting from a sedentary position might have

recognised he started talking about the NHS which is what I'm also

commenting on. THE SPEAKER: Order. I'm not having

an exchange across the dispatch box. Order. The Prime Minister was asked

a question. Order! I require no help from the honourable gentleman which

is of zilch value! The Prime Minister will answer and she will be

heard with courtesy, including by the honourable gentleman. The Prime

Minister The honourable gentleman asked me about pressures on the

national health service. We are sighing more doctors and nurses in

his hospitals Foundation Trust and he health funding in the honourable

gentleman's area will be ?3 billion this year rising with a further 450

million by 2021. In terms of the issue of social care, as I said in

this House before, we are putting extra money into social care, giving

local authorities the opportunity to raise more money and spend it on

social care. This is not just about more money. It is about ensuring

best practise is spread throughout the country. About a long-term

solution to sustainable social care for the future. An issue ducked by

Governments, including a Labour Government for 13 years. On Friday,

the east coast of England faced threat of a tidal surge that

endangered tens of thousands of homes and thousands of lives. A

simple change in the weather meant flooding was averted. Will the Prime

Minister join me in praising the response of the emergency services

planning ahead, involving the army coastguard, the Fire Service and the

ambulance and police to make sure the best possible plans were made

and will she further join with me in making sure the public know these

warnings, in future, should always be taken seriously? My honourable

friend raises an important point. I'm happy to commend the action of

all those in the emergency service, Armed Forces, and local authorities

who worked so hard to make sure this problem, a change in weather took

place, but it is absolutely crucial that when these warnings are given,

people recognise they are given for a very good reason, because there is

a concern about the danger that could take place. The efforts put in

protected tens of thousands of properties. I'm pleased to see the

work we have learned from previous flooding incidents, the work between

emergency services, local services and the Armed Forces was much better

coordinated than perhaps has been in the past. We've been able to learn

from flooding in the past. Mr Speaker, in response to the

honourable member for Broxtow the Prime Minister talked about her

desire to give clarity around our exit of the EU. Many of my

constituency yentas are paying taxes. What assurances can she give

them about their future. Particularly if they change their

employer or are freelancers? What I said yesterday is about the

guaranteeing of rights for EU citizens living here in the UK. I

want to see the rights of UK citizens living in the 27 member

states being given guarantees as well. I encourage others across

Europe to agree this is an issue we should look at at an early stage and

as early a stage as possible in order to give people the confidence

and reassurance she is looking for. ? Supporting my right honourable

gentlemen in social care and the Health Service, can she endorse the

confidence in our hospitals in market towns across the country.

They provide a vital piece of the jigsaw in our NHS such as the

Westminster memorial in stats brie? I'm sure as my honourable friend

says, the Westminster memorial in Shaftesbury is providing good

services for local people. What the structure of the local services

should be is a matter for discussion at local level. It is crucial local

clinicians agree and others agree we have a safe and secure service for

people. They are provided within the NHS services they need at the most

appropriate level. I accept very often we think only of major

District General Hospitals and acute hospitals but the NHS is made up of

different parts. Patients need to be treated at the most appropriate

level for their needs. How can aband onning membership of the customs

union that thaws 68% of Wales' exports, crucially 90% of our food

and drink exports and supports 200,000 jobs cause any other than

calamitous self-harm? What we will be doing is negotiating a free trade

agreement with the European Union to get the best possible access for

trade. We also want to be able to negotiate trade agreements with

other countries around the world. A number of countries have already

expressed interest in doing that. We want to open up, see new export

markets being delivered for businesses here in the UK, including

for the sort of trade that he's talking about in Wales. In the

customs aspect with the European Union, we want to have an

arrangement with them to have as frictionless borders as possible.

Were Prime Minister's Questions comes to an end there.

He began with some process about the role of Parliament in the Brexit

process, saying the Prime Minister should have made the speech before

Parliament rather than at Lancaster house yesterday and called her the

irony lady. He then moved on to matters of substance about access to

the single market. The Prime Minister through that back in his

face. About how much we would be paying there, we'll come on to that

in a minute. Finished up by talking about health as well. I'm not sure

this took us any further forward but will go through it nonetheless.

First, let's find out what you made of it. This view of those please

explain to me the difference between a freak trade deal with the EU and

access to the single market. No wonder people find so is confusing.

Another viewer, Mrs May continues to take the best possible deal for

Britain, it's meaningless to say so any substance to substantiate her

statement. Another viewer says, Mrs May, not rattled by a lightweight

Jeremy Corbyn but he tick-macro she was by Angus Robertson who shows a

credible opposition to the Tories. Another viewer, two questions on why

Theresa May didn't bring her speech to Parliament first, no one cares,

cut the stuff that matter to ordinary people. There's no point

asking her how much frictionless access will cost, she can't know,

the question is how much issue prepared to pay. Did I miss

something? I don't think it's moved us very much further forward in

terms of this whole thing. What was interesting was that the Speaker

called on... Them and Jeremy Corbyn have retreated to asking questions

of process. Talking to somebody in that camp yesterday, they felt down,

because their main argument has been trying to preserve membership of the

single market. That's gone. Theresa May killed that off yesterday. We

see them instead talking about Parliamentary process today. Ken

Clarke asking the question that Jeremy Corbyn tried to ask but

didn't quite get there. I think that's quite telling. At the moment

they are scratching their heads wondering where to take the fight

next. Another question that came up was the status of European Union

citizens currently working here. There's a lot of uncertainties, some

of them don't know what's going to happen, they would like clarity. Why

doesn't the British government turn around and say, if you are an EU

citizen, working here, you and your family are welcome and will have the

right to stay here for as long as you want? In .7 of her speech

yesterday she said as soon as she is able to do that and as soon as other

EU countries guarantee the same rights for UK nationals... You're

making them a bargaining chip when you say we are only going to do it

when we understand the rest of Europe is going to do it. Why would

we not take the high ground or, just to be pragmatic in laying the fizz

of these people, who have come here to work and brought their families,

just as they we hope that Europe treats are people well, too, but

whatever they do we are treating you well, why went you do that? Their

importance is underlined by the fact they've got their own place in the

Prime Minister's speech. She said, we value the contribution of EU

nationals... So why not give them clarity? So they are a bargaining

chip? We've got to have the same clarity for UK nationals. Why? So

you are making the EU citizens here a bargaining chip in the

negotiations? It is important we have reciprocity. The same rights we

want to be able to give the EU nationals are available to UK

nationals living in the European Union. This line we have quite a lot

from Mr Corbyn about a race to the bottom, and of what he regards as

the low tax economy, low regulation. He said, if you reduce corporation

tax to the lowest common denominator, I assume by that he

means to the low levels you may get in Ireland, Singapore, this country

loses ?120 billion in revenue. Do you agree with that? I think what

he's trying to say is that there is a vision hinted at by Philip

Hammond, that the UK could somehow become a tax haven off the coast of

Europe. Or a low tax economy, that's different. Philip Hammond was

clearly signalling we would be prepared to have a very different

type of economy in this country to one that we've ever had previously.

How do we lose ?120 billion in revenues if we slash corporation

tax? Philip Hammond was talking about... I'm asking you about what

Mr Corbyn asked the Prime Minister. What we are trying to say is that

the vision for the UK economy, which looks like a tax haven off the coast

of Europe, is something we will oppose. How could we lose ?120

billion, if we slash corporation tax? When total corporation tax

revenues are under ?50 billion? He said, if you reduce corporation tax

to the lowest common denominator, not get rid of it all together but

make it really low, the country loses ?120 billion. How can you lose

that if it is at under ?50 billion? Jeremy says he doesn't want to undo

the way our economy has functioned since the Second World War... What's

the answer to my question? This is an economy that supports our public

services, the taxation that pays that our public health services,

that's very important. We oppose getting rid of that. The figures

don't add up. In what way would be more like Singapore be a race to the

bottom? If we change the economic consensus that we've had in this

country, which supports our public services, it provides the tax

revenue... Why would be like Singapore be a race to the bottom?

There are pensions, our health services, our free education system,

free health care at the point of need... Those other things we enjoy

in this country. Do you know what per capita incomes are in Singapore?

Per capita incomes in Singapore are $80,000 per year. They are $42,000

in the UK. They've got the second highest life expense seat in the

world, much higher than Britain. Unemployment is 2% -- second highest

life expectancy. Why is that a race to the bottom? Singapore is a very

different society. Labour says that's what you have in mind. We

want to protect our public services and we want proper investment. We've

had a big debate about social care, about local government, about the

health service. You cannot provide those services in the way that this

country has enjoyed, in the way we say we want to continue to enjoy, if

you fundamentally change the economic... Would be being more like

Singapore, given the statistics, be a race to the bottom? I think it

would be. To have the second highest life expectancy in the world? We are

a very different country. We have high unemployment and lower per

capita income! We've got Boris Johnson's remarks. One of the

disappointing fact is that in the last 25 years, since the dawn of the

single market, it's other countries including India, that have done

better at exporting into the single market than we in the UK have. We

have no terrors about this prospect. I think if Mr Mr Mr Hollande wants

to issue punishment beatings, I don't think that is the way forward.

Actually it's not in the interest of our friends and our partners. Why

pick a fight with the French President who won't even be there

after May? I think it's good the Foreign Secretary is in India

promoting trade deals but he's making the same point as the Prime

Minister. It's in no 1's interest for the EU to reintroduce tariffs or

other barriers to trade... President land isn't even running again. --

President Hollande. Why pick a fight with someone who will be essentially

irrelevant come the negotiations? He's reinforcing the Prime

Minister's point which is that it's in Europe's interests and our

interests to get a deal along the lines of the 12 point she sat out so

powerfully yesterday. Thank you very much.

Now, when he became speaker eight years ago, John Bercow said

That foolish hostage to fortune has set all sorts of hares running,

and the race is now well and truly on to replace him.

Now, Mr Bercow could just decide not to stand down next year,

but that hasn't stopped us fuelling the speculation.

Everyone knows he does more than just tell MPs off.

THE SPEAKER: The Prime Minister has finished and he can take it

They'd be big non-ceremonial shoes to fill, so who could do it?

An MP who's just as comfortable having a go at the PM

Let me indulge in the floxiknockinhilapipification

Of course, convention says the next Speaker should be

I don't know what I want to do next week, let alone in a year's time.

The Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle's name has also been in the frame.

But then he'd no longer be the voice of the balls, the man who draws

215 will cross-reference the member's name to the number.

Douglas Carswell, Ukip's only MP has been cited as a possible suitor

Maybe it's his ability to keep other politicians

brief, to the point and, above all, prescient.

If the British people vote to leave the European Union,

will the Prime Minister remain in office to implement

But the man most likely to be Speaker this time next year...

A fizz of excitement, here in the studio!

Ellie there with the runners and riders.

But who's the favourite to replace Speaker Bercow?

Jessica Bridge of the bookmakers Ladbrokes is outside Parliament.

Give us the odds! Good afternoon. Jacob Rees-Mogg is the favourite at

the moment with odds of 6-4. He is being touted as a very good speaker

to replace John Bercow. That's why he's in there as the favourite. He

does appeal to both sides of the party. He's been described as a man

of the people which I'm not sure I get personally! I don't know many

right wing Etonians who wed double-breasted suits in 2017! Then

Chris Bryant, he's probably going to struggle a bit because he needs to

appeal to more than his own party. He did make that gaffe about Kiss a

Ginger Day. Lindsay Hoyle is obviously the main Deputy Speaker

right now. He's very popular, he's got across both sides of the House.

Ladbrokes are going to be keeping a close eye on him. He's not an

outsider, he's not an underdog, but he's definitely the one we need to

keep an eye on. Thank you very much for that. Who do you fancy as the

next speaker? There's no way I'm answering that! Why not?! Offending

your colleagues isn't the best way to spend an afternoon. It's hard to

remove a speaker who doesn't want to be removed. We'll probably be where

exactly we are now in a year's time. I surprised Jacob Rees-Mogg is the

favourite? Jacob has the character to fill the role but John Bercow has

been the most extraordinary speaker. He may not be a giant of a man

physically but he's filled the space in the most extraordinary way. Do

you think you'll definitely go? At some point! He said he would go

after a certain amount of time. He doesn't have to actually go. What

about Lindsay Hoyle? He is very popular, isn't he? He is, he'd be a

great candidate. He has shown himself to be able to manage the

really tricky big parliamentary occasions with great skill and

humour. I think he'll be a very popular choice. I then understand

why his odds are so low. Convention, does that mean it should be Labour's

turn? I think this is up for grabs. It's a matter for the House to

determine. Let's put you out of your misery and give you the answer. It

was 2012. There was some great music in that film as well. Toby Simmons

from Orpington. Well done! The News At One is starting

over on BBC One now. Jo is going off to Strasbourg so I

will be here on my own, working hard as usual as she gallivant around

Strasbourg! Goodbye.