21/02/2018 Daily Politics

Morning, folks - welcome

to the Daily Politics.

More than 60 Eurosceptic Tory MPs

have written to the Prime Minister

laying down their red lines

for the Brexit negotiations.

Will Theresa May and her cabinet

colleagues be able to hammer

out a compromise at her

country retreat tomorrow?

Jeremy Corbyn takes aim

at the newspapers after a series

of lurid headlines claiming links

with soviet-era spies.

What does the labour leader's

threat to the press -

and what he calls their "lies

and smears" - actually mean?

It's Wednesday -

so it must be PMQs -

what will the Prime Minister

be pressed on?

An uninterrupted.

-- we will bring

luck to

All that in the next 90 minutes

and I've managed to lure two

of Westminster's most lucrative

assets into the studio this morning

- please feel free to divulge any

intelligence you have,

safe in the knowledge that the BBC

will do everything it can

to protect your identity.

Brexit Minister Steve Baker

and Shadow Communities Secretary,

Andrew Gwynne welcome

to the programme.

So, it will seem like ancient

history to some but Jeremy Corbyn's

meetings with a Czech agent

and diplomat in the 1980s have

making the headlines in recent days,

with some papers accusing the Labour

leader of betraying his country.

The defence secretary,

Gavin Williamson, said

the revelations proved that Labour

leader "cannot be trusted".

But last night Mr Corbyn

hit back with a video,

posted on social media.

Publishing these ridiculous smears,

that have been refuted by Czech

officials, shows just how worrying

the media bosses are by the

prospects of a Labour Government.

They are right to be.

Labour will stand up

to the powerful and corrupt,

and take the side of the many,

not the few.

A free press is essential

for democracy.

And we don't want to close it down.

We want to open it up.

he says, for the newspapers, change

is coming. What change?

Absolutely.

It's been our position since the

General Election and before that we

will implement Leveson two. That is

the change that is coming...

Just to

clarify, it would be a second stage

of the Leveson Inquiry, that isn't a

change, that is an enquiry. It is

into hacking that couldn't be done

first time. And it is press

relations to the police. I ask

again, what change is coming?

The

change is happening already, Andrew.

We have seen the influence of the

newspaper media is less than it used

to be. At the last General Election,

the day before, we had a 13 page

smear on Jeremy Corbyn in the Daily

Mail. That proved not to be worth

the paper it was written on, it

didn't have a single thing...

You

are quite right to say that...

That's fine, that hasn't been

brought about by Labour or policy,

that is social media, that is a

systemic change...

By falling in

circulation...

I ask again, what

would you do to stop stories we were

just talking about there? You think

they are nonsense. What change would

you make to stop them being

published?

Calling it nonsense gives

it over credence.

What change?

We

want to open up the press. We talk

about having a free press. We should

be proud that we have freedom of

press. But it isn't freedom of press

when you have 71% of the media in

the hands of...

You are giving me

the analysis, excuse me, to justify

the change. I understand that. That

is what Jeremy Corbyn did in his

social media posting. I am trying to

get from you, what change would

Labour make in the law, what would

you do to stop stories like this

being published, what would you do

to stop papers reporting the claims

of a former Czech spy, what would

you do?

That's why Lebas -- that's

why the Leveson two is important. We

want to break the dominance of 71%

of our media being in control...

Leveson two is not about dominance,

it is about what I have just said.

Let me try one more time, how would

you change, how would a Labour

Government change the regulations

and reporting rules for the media?

We want to make sure there is a

genuine free press.

How would you do

that?

We would go forward by

bringing forward measures that make

sure that the press is not only

free, but also...

What with these

measures be? Would you ban foreign

ownership?

That is to be decided by

Tom Watson and his shadow...

So you

don't know?

Look, Andrew, we have a

situation here where 71% of the

media is in the control of tax

exiles. We want them to be paying

tax.

Is Rupert Murdoch a tax exile?

We want them to be paying tax...

Is

Rupert Murdoch a tax exile?

I'm not

going to get into individuals. You

know that the dominance of the press

barons in this country is not

healthy...

Would you ban foreign

ownership?

That is one option that

may be on the table.

Maybe? A change

is coming but we don't know what the

change is.

Change must come because

we cannot go on with media barons

being able to present smears as

fact...

Now you are back to the

analysis. You won't tell me what

this leads to. Let's move on. The

Defence Secretary says Jeremy Corbyn

has betrayed his country. In what

way?

The Defence Secretary has

chosen his own words. The .3 about

Mr Barkok...

Has he betrayed his

country?

He is a grave danger to

this country.

This has given people all sorts of

ideas. Your Defence Secretary, our

Defence Secretary, the Defence

Secretary of this Government, our

Government, has said that the leader

of Her Majesty 's opposition has

betrayed his country. In what way

has he betrayed his country?

That is

a question for Gavin Williamson.

You

don't agree with it?

I'm not

commenting. I think Jeremy Corbyn is

a grave danger to our country.

That's a political point. Of course

you do. Everybody in one party

things everybody in the other party

is a grave danger. The trailer is a

different matter. That is a serious

accusation. A senior figure in the

Czech Republic Defence Ministry says

Sarkozy, the person in question, is

a liar. No file showed Jeremy Corbyn

incorporating with Czech

intelligence. It has been said that

there are no Stasi files on Jeremy

Corbyn at all. So, in what sense has

Jeremy Corbyn betrayed this country?

I'm not commenting on that. This is

an area where there were lots of

questions to answer. We have a free

press. The free press is asking the

questions, they should answer.

Your

fellow Tories are piling in. Your

security minister, again, Security

minister, he has compared Jeremy

Corbyn to Kim Philby. Kim Philby was

a traitor. At the time had he been

found guilty he would have been

hanged. That is an outrageous smear

to say about the Leader of the

Opposition.

I would allow you to

draw me into potentially libelling

anybody. I won't comment on that.

So

you don't agree with that, either?

You don't agree with the defence

Minister or security minister.

The

Government this on the ropes.

I have

the Government on the ropes and you

have just interrupted me. That we

try and keep him on the ropes.

A

Tory backbencher MP, Ben Bradley, he

tweeted that Jeremy Corbyn had "Sold

British secrets to Communist spies

is great -- to Communist spies" he

then had to delete the message.

That is a matter for them. We

believe in a free press in this

country. Questions need to be

answered.

I'm not asking that. Do

you think Jeremy Corbyn can be

compared to Kim Philby? Do you think

he has betrayed this country in any

way? Do you think he sold British

secrets?

I have no evidence for any

of that.

How come your colleagues

do?

That is a question for them.

Surely the real scandal is not what

Jeremy Corbyn has supposedly done or

not done, it is the outright lies

and disinformation that your fellow

Tories are spreading. That is the

real scandal, isn't it?

I'm not

going to accuse my colleagues of

anything. They will need to defend

what they have said.

I would put it

to you that it is clearly a lie on

any evidence so far available to us

that Jeremy Corbyn sold British

secrets to the Communists. Agreed?

I

have no evidence to make a judgment.

To claim so would be a lie.

The

questions have been asked, the

questions need to be answered, it is

not for me to sit on your programme,

invent evidence, and reach a

conclusion myself, I'm not going to

do that.

You will leave that to your

Tory colleagues. Jeremy Corbyn said

the British press had gone a bit

James Bond in that video. Jeremy

Corbyn realises that James Bond was

on our side.

CHUCKLES

>> Gemma: absolutely. You have hit

the nail on the head, these are

fabrications.

-- absolutely, you have hit the nail

on the head, these are fabrications.

They have been designed to deflect

from the crisis the Government is

in.

I will stop you because we have

done that.

But it is an important

point to make.

That is why it has

been made more than several times.

Now, more than 60 eurosceptic

Tory MPs have written

a letter laying down their red lines

for the next stage of

Brexit negotiations.

The letter - which was sent last

week - comes as the Prime Minister

tries to get her Cabinet to a agree

on common position.

Here's Emma with all the details.

Thanks, Andrew it's time

to crack open the Blue Nun,

because there's a house

party at Chequers.

Tomorrow evening, Theresa May

will host her Brexit sub-committee

of senior ministers to try to thrash

out what they want their final deal

with the EU to look like.

There have been a series of speeches

by Mrs May and her senior team

outlining their vision,

the Prime Minister herself has said

she wants a "deep and special

partnership" with the EU and has

promised Britain would remain

committed to Europe's security.

Foreign Secretary Boris

Johnson has said Brexit

was a cause for "hope not fear"

and argued we had to leave

the single market and the customs

union to enjoy the

benefits of Brexit.

Yesterday the Brexit secretary

David Davis promised Britain

will lead a "global race to the top"

in rights and standards

and Environment Secretary Michael

Gove has claimed we'll

have a green Brexit, arguing

there is an historic opportunity

to improve the environment.

Today David Davis will outline

Britain's official response

to the EU's Brexit transition

proposals, he's expected to say

Britain needs protection from future

EU laws that could cause us harm

during the transition.

However, the party is having

some gate crashers,

The European Research Group,

which comprises over 60 Conservative

MPs led by Jacob Rees-Mogg,

has written to the Prime Minister

with a list of helpful 'suggestions'

for Brexit that include arguing

Britain should be free to negotiate

and sign trade deals as soon

as we leave next year,

and they say there should be "full

regulatory autonomy",

during the transition period.

A view that is at odd with others

in the party, Nicky Morgan,

who voted to stay in the EU,

called the letter a ransom

note and said the ERG was taking

Theresa May hostage.

Thank you. The European research

group, used to chair that, didn't

you?

I did.

It was like a full

regulatory autonomy, do you agree?

We will continue our relationship

with the EU on the same fundamental

basis as we do today but as a third

country outside of the former

structure...

So not full regular

Tory autonomy?

Where we need to

land...

On talking about the

transition.

transition. -- we are talking about

the transition. You don't agree on

this?

My job is to agree with the

Government. I will support with the

Government's policy. We need to have

an implementation period which

allows us to be a third country and

continue our future trade

relationship agreement. It is

through that agreement we should

have full regulatory autonomy which

is a policy that prime Minster has

set out during the course of...

Is

it broadly the Government's position

that we should remain aligned to EU

rules and regulations, even after

the transition?

The position David

Davis set out as the Government 's

position. We need to maintain high

standards. We should have control of

our own laws. We should get

ourselves into the position of the

normal free trade agreement where we

have a degree of mutual recognition,

a degree of confidence, and we are

able to control our own laws.

So we

will remain aligned?

In some areas

where we choose to achieve the same

goals by the same means. But this

isn't news. This is what the Prime

Minister has set out in her previous

speeches. We are signed up to taking

back control of our laws, borders,

our money.

But not during the

transition?

This isn't a new

statement.

I know legally we leave after the

Article 50 process, but we enter a

transition period, in practice, what

would the difference be between

membership and the transition?

We

will start negotiating and signing

our new trade agreements.

That is

what the ERG wants too, we will be

able to sign trade agreements.

That

is the Government's policy, during

the integration period we can sign

them, but only bring them into

effect...

You think we will be able

to sign free trade agreements during

a transition period. Not just talk

or negotiate, not even agree but

pigeonhole until we leave, we will

be able to sign them and agree them?

I'm expecting us to agree them to

come into effect after the implement

wapgs.

--

Implementation.

The reason

I ask again it is unusual to get

such clarity on these questions, I'm

somewhat taken aback. David Davis

said she wants to work with the EU

for a race to the top in rules and

regulations. But he wants to work...

So that would mean that we are going

to mirror each other. What is the

point of leaving?

The point is to go

to race to the top. We know the

public require high standards across

a range of issues from work

conditions, the environment, we want

to get to a position where we are

leading a race to the top globally.

So the impact will be the same as

the EU's rules?

The objectives may

well be the same.

So what is the

point?

We will strive to the

objectives in different ways. So the

point would be for example Iain

Duncan Smith pulled out a list of

regulations and talked of the next

round of solvency regulations, the

point is we should have control of

our laws and regulations and have

the opportunity to strive to similar

goals in different ways. What

What

would happen if your ideas went in a

very different direction to Europe?

We need to agree a regime of mutual

recognition.

We would have to take

into account what they want, which

is like being in the EU.

No, there

will always be a mechanism for

co-ordination. That doesn't mean

you're compelled to accept law from

there. One would have the choice

whether to adjust and taking the

consequences.

If we were going to

change our standard, we would go to

Brussels and say, what do you think?

I would not expect us to seek

consent. I would expect us to go

about the business of conducting a

multi-dimensional trade policy, to

have some unilateral measures, some

plural agreements with member states

and some multilateral agreements.

That is why we have our ambassador

at the WTO chairing the trade and

services committee to move the world

forward.

How long would the

transition period last?

The

transition period, the length is a

matter for discussion.

We know what

the Europeans think, they want it to

end in December 2020. What is the

British Government's position.

That

is the position of EU, we think the

right period is about two years.

Why

does it need to be longer? Why does

a euro sceptic want it to be longer

than the EU wants?

I would be happy

for us to have the minimum period

necessary. That is a matter to

negotiate. You can see that they

want us to exit during, at the end

of the budget period, the Prime

Minister suggests two years. What

will be the case is when we have

agreed there will be a fixed date.

It will be time-limited.

Absolutely.

On Labour's position on the customs

union, what is the difference

between a customs union and the Cus

comes union -- customs union.

comes union -- customs union.

A

union would be negotiated.

In what

way would it differ?

It may differ

it is down to negotiation but may

differ in the sense that we retain

access to tariff-free trade with the

EU, but we have freedom to enter

third party negotiations on free

trade with other country.

You think

we can be in a customs union, and

still have the right to negotiate

free trade agreements?

That is why

we want to have the transition

period, so that we can have that

extra time to sit down with our

European colleagues and negotiate a

deal that works in the interests of

Britain.

Can you point to a single

sign, the slightest sliver of a sign

that the EU is prepared to agree to

us being in a customs union and to

negotiate our own free trade

agreements.

Don't be a pessimist.

Don't try and get out of it with a

joke. You point to any sign they

would agree to that.

A Labour

Government would approach the Brexit

negotiations in a different manner

and sit down with our partners and

negotiate a deal that works.

Do you

agree at the moment there has never

been the merest indication from Mr

Barnier or Mr Junker or the Germans

or the French that they would in any

way even contemplate Britain being

in a customs union with them and

still allow Britain to have free

trade deals.

They're dealing with

Steve and his government.

You have

talked to them as well.

They have a

different...

Jeremy Corbyn has

talked to them. Have you had any

indication that would be on the

agenda?

Absolutely, we believe we

can negotiate...

What indication.

We

believe we can negotiate an

arrangement.

I know what you want,

but I'm asking you can you show me

any indication, have you been given

any indication in the meetings you

have had with Mr Barner in that this

would even be discussed?

We wouldn't

be putting it down to be an option

if we didn't think it was possible.

Give me the evidence that it is

possible.

We believe it is possible.

You believing something, what would

be possible if Mr Barnier indicated

this was a route he would consider.

Can you give me any evidence that he

has indicated that

We believe.

I

know what you believe.

We believe

that we will be in a position to

negotiate a tariff-free trade...

It

is fan tasical. From everything Mr

Barnier has said it is fantasy.

I

don't believe it is it is in the

interests of British people we

secure a deal.

If we are in a

customs union, the EU would set our

tariffs. So we wouldn't be able to

negotiate free trade deals and his

argument falls.

And for more reporting

and analysis of Brexit,

check out the BBC News website -

that's bbc.co.uk/brexit.

Now, a major story in this morning's

newspapers has shocked

centres of global governance.

Yes, Westminster, Washington,

New York, and Brussels

are all reeling from the news

that the Hollywood star

Jennifer Lawrence is planning

to give up acting for a year

in order to help "fix

American democracy".

Here on the Daily Politics we've

been doing our best in the UK

for some time and, Jennifer,

let me tell you - you might need

to book a bit more time off.

One thing we can advise is that

there's no better way to acquaint

yourself with the glory -

and the nightmare -

of the democratic ideal

than by tuning into Prime Minister's

Questions - where the lead actors

stumble over their lines,

the director likes to be the star

of the show, and the supporting cast

seems to know only one bit

of script: an indistinct braying

that begs all viewers

to switch off the screen.

Perhaps the only way

to endure it is with a glass

of the strong stuff

and what better vessel

than one of these beauties -

a Daily Politics mug.

Unfortunately, Jennifer,

we don't ship internationally,

but for anyone out there who'd

like to win one, just tell

us when this happened.

# We can't go on together,

with suspicious minds

# And we can can't build our dreams

on suspicious minds #

# When it's early

in the morning over

by the window day is dawning #

Your opportunity is here,

seize it and in doing

so also strengthen your

your Labour government.

# Something in the early morning

meadow tells me that today you're

# on your way and today you'll be

coming home, home to me #

# Ever since I was a young boy,

I played the silver ball

# From Soho down to Brighton,

I must have played them all,

# but I ain't seen anything like him

in any amusement hall

# That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure

plays a mean pinball!

The magistrates came

in and thought they would cow me

with a little homily.

# It's you girl, making me spin #

# This is ground control to Major

Tom, you've really made the grade

# And the papers want to know whose

shirts you wear

# Now it's time

to leave the capsule if you dare

# This is major Tom

to ground control...#

To be in with a chance of winning

a Daily Politics mug,

send your answer to our special quiz

email address -

that's [email protected].

Entries must arrive by 12.30 today,

and you can see the full terms

and conditions for Guess The Year

on our website - that's bbc.co.uk

forward slash dailypolitics.

It's coming up to midday here -

just take a look at Big Ben -

and that can mean only one thing,

yes, Prime Minister's

Questions is on its way.

And that's not all -

Laura Kuenssberg is here.

You have had a chance to look at

this document, I believe it is from

the Government about its attitude to

transition period from the end of

the Article 50 process to fully

leaving the EU.

That's right on

these pages in my clammy paws is the

UK's draft proposals for what that

two year period should look like.

Most of it is what we knew all

along, the UK says we will be bound

by most EU laws. The UK is

processing a joint committee to work

out any disputes over new rules and

proposing we will be in the room and

have a say like any other country

over fisheries policy. That is

something really important in some

parts of the country. Also to many

Breck tiers, it was a part of

argument. What might be trickier for

the Government there does not appear

to be a concrete way of fighting

what the Prime Minister said he

would fight - the EU's proposal to

say EU citizens with apply for

settlement staying. Be Prime

Minister said again and again,

understandably, given immigration

was such a part of the the campaign,

immigration will have to look

different and the rules will have to

change. One source in Government

said it was clear that the EU would

not going to allow that to be the

case. The Brussels view was clear

and that was something of a brick

wall. So the UK seems to have

softened its altitude.

What does it

say in the paper about that.

There

does not appear to be anything

explicit. Most of this document

reads about things, paragraph 1.2

whatever. So right now, just outside

the studio, some very enthusiastic

of our excellent team here are going

through line by line, comparing it

with the Brussels document. What

doesn't appear to be is an explicit

clause that says... We will have

this plan.

We have the Brexit

minister here he can tell us. What

will be the rights of migrants from

the EU who come here during

transition.

We want to be an open

country.

What rights will they have?

The Prime Minister said we need to

go forward on the same framework we

have with the EU. For that period,

when we will have a registration

period so people who come here

during the implementation period

need to let us know they're here and

have a conversation about their

rights and what rights they will

acquire here.

You're going to have a

conversation about their rights.

That what is a negotiation is. What

will the British Government's be

come the negotiation, which I

believe is next month.

Our starting

point is we would allow people to go

and and come during the

implementation period, but we will

need to have a conversation about

how they will continue after the

implementation.

Who is this kvrs

conversation to be with?

Our

negotiators and theirs.

You can't

have a negotiation until you have

decided your position.

Our position

has been that we would allow people

to come and go. ...

Would they have

the same rights as those who have

been coming and going up to the

start of transition period?

We would

hope we will be able to negotiate

that those people after we have

formally left would be subject to UK

law.

Would they have the right to

stay here?

We will need to have that

conversation.

Would they have the

right the stay here.

We need toov

that conversation.

You need to

decide you want before the Europeans

can negotiate with you.

Our starting

position is that we are leaving the

EU in March 19 and becoming an

independent third country.

What does

that

that heen mean for migrants who come

here?

We respect the freedoms of the

the single market while we are in

the implementation period and people

will be able to come and go

And can

they stay

That is we will have to

negotiate.

Do you want them to stay.

We want to be an open and tolerant

country.

We like motherhood and

apple pie too, it is a simple

question, if we are going to

negotiate with the EU and it is

coming up, what is the British

Government's position going to be on

migrants who come during that

period? Will they have indefinite

right to remain or not?

The cabinet

is meeting tomorrow and there will

be a conversation about a number of

these issues.

So you haven't

decided.

The cabinet will agree the

matters.

What is interesting to hear

until this document emerged if you

asked ministers the question they

would say it has to be different.

Let's see if it comes

This morning the High Court ruled

that the government's air quality

plan is unlawful. What does the

Prime Minister feel is worse, losing

for the third time in the High

Court, or 40,000 unnecessary deaths

and the impact on children's health

of the UK's unsustainable air

quality?

The issue the Honourable lady has

raised is an important one. That is

why we have been taking action to

improve air quality. May I just say

to the honourable lady that the way

she has described the court's

decision this morning, I don't think

properly reflects the decision that

the court has given. If I can just

perhaps... Mr Speaker, explain to

the house, because we... We do

welcome the fact that the court has

dismissed the complaint relating to

five cities with major air quality

problems, has found that we are

taking appropriate action, they have

agreed that the modelling we used to

support the 2017 air quality plan is

sound. They have asked us to go

further in areas with less severe

air quality problems where we

thought a pragmatic approach was

appropriate. We will now formalise

that. But on two of the three camps

they found in the government's

favour. -- to recounts.

We want to

see more police on the streets. I

lobbied the police Minister for

funds to put more police on the

streets. Will the Prime Minister

join me in urging the Labour Police

and Crime Commissioner... To put

more police on the streets instead

of increasing his Budget for back

office staff by £10 million.

CHEERING

My honourable friend raises an

important issue. He is right to

speak up for his constituents in

relation to this. He's also right

because as a Government we've been

keen to ensure police are out there,

not in back office jobs. More money,

more money is going to policing.

Order! Please. The questions and the

answers must be heard. And I make no

apology for repeating that the

discussions here at Prime Minister's

Questions should bear some

resemblance to what the house is

saying in relation to culture. We

have recently had a report on

harassment. Let's try to behave

properly in these sessions. That

means listening to the answers, and

listening to the questions. Both

sides of the house have got to try

to wake up to the reality that huge

numbers of people outside this place

couldn't care less about the press

gallery, huge numbers of people

outside this place disapprove of

this sort of behaviour on both

sides. Stop it! Prime Minister.

Thank you. The funding settlement

for next year provides extra money

for policing, which means that the

West Midlands Police will receive an

increase of £9.5 million. As my

honourable friend says it is up to

the West Midlands Police and Crime

Commissioner, the Labour

commissioner, to decide how he

spends that money. But I know that

police forces can be more effective

and productive. And I'm sure he is

going to make his case very strongly

to the Labour Commissioner.

Jeremy

Corbyn.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Yesterday the

Brexit secretary assured the country

that Brexit will not plunge Britain

into a mad Max style world road from

dystopian fiction -- borrowed from

dystopian fiction. Doesn't the Prime

Minister think that he could set the

bar a little bit higher?

LAUGHTER

I'll tell you, as the Right

Honourable gentleman knows, we are

clear we are going to ensure that

when we leave the EU we are going to

be able to take back control of our

borders, our money, and our laws.

CHEERING

As I have to say to him, the only

fiction around in relation to the

Brexit and the European Union is the

Labour Party's front bench who

cannot even agree with themselves on

what their policy is.

Jeremy Corbyn.

One of her former Brexit ministers

in the other place warned the Prime

Minister that Britain will be

walking a gangplank into thin air if

she doesn't decide what she actually

wants on leaving the EU. In his

speech the Brexit secretary also

said fears about a deregulatory race

to the bottom were based on nothing.

So, why then did his own

department's exit analysis say there

could be opportunities for Britain

in the regulating areas such as

environment and employment law?

He talks about what we actually want

to achieve when we leave the EU.

I'll tell him what we want to

achieve. We want to ensure this is a

country that can negotiate

free-trade deals around the rest of

the world. We want to ensure we have

a good trade agreement with the

European Union, and that is what we

will start negotiating. We want to

make sure we have a get security

partnership with the EU, as I set

out in detail in my speech in Munich

last week. But what we also want

insurers that this country takes the

opportunities that will be open to

us outside the EU to boost our

economy, to ensure we are developing

the economy of the future, the jobs

of the future, more high-paid, high

skilled jobs, for the people in this

country. We are putting people

first.

Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Speaker, in December the Foreign

Secretary and the Environment

Secretary were briefing about the

working Time directive would be

scrapped. CBI and the unions are

clear they are not looking for a

bonfire of regulations, quite the

opposite. The only party that wants

to scrap workers regulation issues

are the party opposite. In her

Lancaster house speech a year ago

the PM clearly stated, I also want

tariff free trade with Europe. Now,

a year on, she has downgraded that

aimed to a tariff free -- as tariff

free as possible. Businesses and

workers want tariff free to protect

jobs, so why has the Government

abandoned that and want as tariff

free as possible as to what the

Government has not abandoned its

negotiating position in relation to

this.

We will be ensuring that we get that

good, comrades of trade agreement

new economic partnership with the

European Union.

-- as tariff free as

possible. I have been clear since I

became Prime Minister that this is a

Government that will not only

protect workers' rights, but enhance

workers' rights. Let's look at the

Conservatives' record in Government.

Which Government was a tactic action

on zero-hours contracts? A

Conservative Government, not Labour.

Which Government is it that got

Matthew Taylor to actually report on

the new economy so we insured

workers got the highest rights?

Conservative, not Labour. Which

Government is ensuring that workers

voices are heard on the boards of

companies? A Conservative

Government, not Labour.

I don't know if she has had a chance

to read the Daily Telegraph today,

but 62 of her backbenchers want a

bonfire of regulations, want to

destroy workers right in this

country. When the government's EU

and exit analysis... Mr Speaker,

when the government's EU and exit

analysis was published it said it

does not consider our desired

outcome. Could the Prime Minister

take this opportunity now to tell

the house and the country what is

the government's desired outcome?

the government's desired outcome?

A

bespoke economic partnership.

bespoke economic partnership.

OK,

given the PM ruled out any form of

customs union post Brexit, can she

explain how she expects to avoid a

hard border with Northern Ireland?

This question has been asked

previously. I've already pointed out

that the Government published papers

last summer which showed how we can

deliver exactly that, no hard border

between the Republic of Ireland and

Northern Ireland, they bespoke

economic partnership with the EU.

The Foreign Secretary recently made

a speech about Brexit. He found time

to mention carrots, spam, stag

parties a plague of boils and

V-signs. No mention of Northern

Ireland in his speech.

Ireland in his speech.

Calm

yourself. It's only Wednesday, you

have the rest of the week to get

through, this is not good for your

health. You should appreciate my

kindness.

We are halfway through the six

speeches we were told would set out

the Government's negotiating

position. So far all we have had is

a waffle and empty rhetoric...

Businesses need to know. People want

to know. Even her backbenchers are

demanding to know. But it isn't

clear from today's exchanges, this

Government isn't on the road to

Brexit, Mr Speaker, it is on the

road to nowhere.

I think...

I think... I think I have mentioned

to the right honourable gentleman

before that his job is to ask a

question, not make... But, you know,

I'm perfectly

I'm perfectly happy... I'm perfectly

happy to respond to the point that

he made. He said that we have not

set out any detail. Can I suggest to

him that he needs to think very

carefully about the security

partnership that we want with the

European Union when we have left. I

set out in my speech in Munich last

week exactly what we want that

security partnership to cover,

because we believe, we believe in

ensuring that we are maintaining the

security and safety of people here

in the UK, but also of people in

Europe. And we are unconditionally

committed to the safety and security

of Europe. But can I congratulate

the right honourable gentleman,

because normally he stands up every

week and asks me to sign a blank

cheque. And I know he likes Czechs,

but really.

LAUGHTER

My constituent was killed when a car

mounted the pavement with tests done

after the incident saying that the

driver had an undiagnosed medical

condition which would have been

assessed by the DVLA had it been

found up beforehand. What does the

Prime Minister think of the current

restrictions and rules of those

holding driving licences?

It is crucial. We want to ensure

that people who are driving are

actually fit to drive. I know that

the sympathies of not just my

honourable friend but the whole of

this house will be with her family

and friends. The current driving

licence system is designed to

balance the needs of road safety and

with those of the individual. All

drivers must inform the DVLA if they

have a medical condition which would

affect their driving and discuss any

issues with their own medical

professional. We take this seriously

and we are committed to ensuring

that those who are granted a driving

licence are those who are fit to

drive.

At least 194 people have been killed

in the last 48-hours in eastern

Ghouta, can the Prime Minister tell

the House what discussions her

government has had with UN

colleagues on Sunday on enforcing

existing UN resolutions calling for

an end of sieges of civilian areas

and attacks on civilians?

Can I say

he has raised an important issue and

we are appalled by the escalation of

air strikes in Ghouta and are

concerned by the reports of the

deliberate targeting of civilians

and this is in violation of

international law and we as a

Government do call on the regime and

its backers to cease this campaign

of violence and they should respect

international law, protect civilians

and allow rapid humanitarian access.

There is concern that it is

something like 700 people who need

medical evacuation are being refused

that. We will work with the UN and

the the process and finally I would

say that the UN envoy has our full

support in the work he is do Iing to

try to find a -- doing by trying to

find a solution.

The bombing is

relentless. Doctors are treating

pregnant women and babies who have

lost limbs, it is thought over 100

children have been killed since

Sunday. The UN has issued pleas

calling for political intervention,

state nothing words will do justice

to the children killed, their

mothers, their fathers and their

loved ones. Will the Prime Minister

show leadership and join me in

calling for an urgent meeting of the

UN Security Council to address the

horrific genocide unfolding in

Syria?

The UN has called on

governments around the world to call

out the action that has been taken

and to be ready to stand against

thattance. Action. We will be

ensuring that we will be talking to

our colleagues in the UN to ensure

that the best possible approach that

can be taken. But it is not just

about the Syrian government. It is

about the backers of the Syrian

Government as well and we call on

all their backers, including Russia

to ensure that this violence stops

and those in need of help are given

that help.

Thank you Mr Speaker. A

company has been manufacturing in

Britain for a hundred years in my

constituency. They're the only

British company bidding to produce

our new passport, the other two

being French. Will my honourable

friend commit to doing all she can

to support our manufacturers, our

innovators and making our new blue

passports truly British?

Can I say

to my honourable friend I'm sure he

is aware that this will be an open

and fair competition that I can't

comment on individual bids, but I'm

sure he will make his voice heard.

From autumn 2019 we will issue now

passports. That has been the colour

of voice for passports -- choice for

passports and it is right we return

to deciding the colour of passports

we wants and not the EU.

Thank you

Mr Speaker. My constituent Claire,

suffered tragedy when her two

children were murdered by their

father in an arson attack at the

family home. This brave woman has

since dedicated herself to

campaigning for protection of

victims of domestic violence. Can I

ask the Prime Minister when is the

domestic violence bill going to be

published and will it be as

comprehensive as she promised?

Can I

say to the honourable lady that our

thoughts are with Claire after this

terrible tragedy that she has been

through. And we do recognise the

need to ensure that we are providing

support for the victims of domestic

violence. As she said, there are

many aspects to this issue. The Home

Secretary before she brings forward

the legislation will be issuing a

consultation to ensure we listen to

all those who have been affected so

wir dealing with all the aexpects of

this Esh -- we are dealing with all

the aspects this. We are committed

to working to support the victims of

violence and to ensure that we end

violence against women and girls.

Thank you. I visited a memory cafe

in my constituency, the cafe is open

to individuals and their carers and

help to provide support for the

memory loss. I was touched by the

dedication of these volunteers and

will be hosting my own MP's memory

surgery to enable local residents

the opportunity to speak. Will the

Prime Minister take this opportunity

to update what the house what the

Government is doing to help with

those suffering from dementia.

I'm

happy to join my honourable friend

in congratulating the carers looking

after people with dementia. And also

the volunteers who provide services

for people with dementia and for

their carers. We are working with

partners across the health system to

ensure more people with dementia

receive a diagnosis, to raise

awareness and provide the care and

support that they need. I'm also

pleased to say there are 2.3 million

dementia friends across the country.

We are doubling spending on dementia

research and I'm going to make sure

that members of cabinet are given

the dementia friends training.

Last

night I attended a meeting of

resident s who are concerned about

rising levels of crime and

anti-social behaviour. Crime has

increased 18% and we have lost over

500 police officers and suffered £40

million worth of cuts to policing.

Will the Prime Minister commit to

giving back the money for

neighbourhood policing and apologise

to the constituent of the area who

have had to put their hands back in

their pocket to compensate for her

massive cuts?

First, can I say to

the the honourable lady that it is

good to see her back in her place in

this House. As I said earlier, what

we are doing, we are providing extra

funding for police forces. Now, it

is no good Labour members shaking

their heads and saying no you're

not. Because we are providing extra

funding for police forces. And of

course it is then up to the police

and crime commissioners to decide

how that is spent.

Mr Speaker I'm

sure the whole House would join me

in welcoming the delegation of

French MPs watching proceedings

today. The people from across the

European Union have the belief they

can build a life here. So they want

certainty. What reassurances can the

Prime Minister give that speedy low

cost system starting from the

premise they will be staying with

soon be in place to allow them to

get on with their lives and play an

important role in our community and

culture?

Well, can I say to my

honourable friend I'm happy to join

the fact that we are being, have

been joined by a delegation of

French MPs. But he has raised an

important points about citizens

living here. They have made a huge

contribution to our country and we

want them to stay. I'm clear that EU

citizens living in the UK today will

be able to stay. He refers to

process and I can assure him it

won't cost more Nan than a British

passport. It will be a digital

system and ensure that this is as

simple for people as we can provide.

Over a million people are living

with the consequences of acquired

Britain injury and thanks to the

government's new trauma centres, 600

extra lives are being saved each

year. The problem is many of these

people are having their lives saved

but they're not getting the

rehabilitation that get them to live

independent lives again. Miracles

can be done. But have the units have

no rehabilitation consu ant. Will

the get all those together, the MoD,

the justice system, and the

department for work and pensions to

make sure every person with an

acquired brain injury gets the full

rehabilitation that they need?

The

honourable gentleman has raised a

very important point. As he may know

there are two ways in which those

rehabilitation service are

commissioned. NHS England

commissions centres for complex

brain injury. But more routine

rehabilitation is provided,

commissioned locally. But NHS

England sets out guidance to those

commissioners. He has raised a very

important point and I will ask the

Health Secretary to respond to him

and take up the issues that, the

specific question he has raised.

Can

I tell the Prime Minister how

welcome the police minister's

statement was yesterday at the

urgent question that he is going to

help Alfie Digly find a way to get

through the law to access medicinal

cannabis. Will the Prime Minister

join the majority of states of the

EU, of the United States, of British

public opinion and all the

colleagues who raise questions

yesterday to give British citizens

the earliest possible action to the

benefit of medicines derived from

cannabis and for the United Kingdom

to get on the front foot in

licencing these to get the benefits.

I know that the sympathies of the

members across the House are with

Alfie and his family. And of course,

people with chronic pain and

illnesses, we recognise will always

look to alleviate their symptoms. We

do need to ensure that if we are

going to allow medicines are going

to be permitted to use that they

have been through the most rigorous

testing and we apply the most

rigorous standards before they're

used. We believe cannabis should be

subjected to same regulation as

other medicines.

Mr Speaker, I have

highlighted each Tory Scottish MP

costs a lot of money. The Scottish

leader is cheaper because £15,000

you can hire her for a day for a

fund-raising dinner. At that same

dinner the Defence Secretary was on

high for 30,000. 2,000 bought the

international Secretary and 55,000

the Prime Minister. Does she agree

that although they will sell

anything that moves, it is time to

halt the privatisation of Tory MPs.

I was struggling to hear. Before I

ask the Prime Minister to respond, I

need an assurance from tech the

honourable gentleman that he is not

suggesting the presence of a member

of Parliament was bought. If he is

suggesting that, that is out of

order. That is what the honourable

gentleman is saying?

I was referring

to a story in the newspapers.

I'm

afraid that is not good enough. I

have to make instant judgments if

the Prime Minister wishes to issue a

response she is free to do. No.

Twice in the last four weeks the

equalities commission has had cause

to write to the Labour Party

regarding breaches of equality law.

Does my honourable friend agree that

equality law must be applied equally

and they're there to protect all

groups equally?

I'm happy to agree

with my honourable friend on that

point. I was in opposition when the

equality act went through and we

supported that, it is there to

ensure as he said that people are

treated equally.

The Government's

decision to leave and withdraw from

the

the customs s union could limit our

access to medicines. The CEO...

Let's be clear about this. This

question like every question will be

heard. The honourable lady will not

be shouted down. And that is the end

of the matter. So if some foolish

person is seeking to do so, examine

your behaviour and stop it.

Thank

you. The CEO nuclear

you. The CEO nuclear industry say if

medical isotopes are delayed, they

could be useless on arrival because

of their short life. Will the Prime

Minister explain how to stop this.

She is wrong on two counts. We are

pursuing a Brexit to have enable us

to have that economic partnership

and sees I us have that freedom of

frayed across the borders of the

European Union. It is the case that

the availability

the availability of isotope is not

affected. Our ability to import from

Europe and the rest of the world

will not be affected by our

withdrawal from this.

Can I thank

the Prime Minister for taking an

interest in getting justice for

victims. These people went to the

GPs in good faith and were given a

drug that has ended up with the loss

of life for their babies. Is there

any good news that the Prime

Minister has for the victims of this

to put an end to this situation?

I was very pleased to meet him and

to meet my honourable friend the

member for Eastleigh to discuss this

particular issue. And I recognise

there are many individuals whose

lives have been affected by this.

There are very powerful stories of

these individuals. I know this has

been a concern across this house.

And concerns raised by campaign

groups by not just this but other

issues. It has highlighted that

there is an issue with our

regulatory health system and we are

determined to do better. I was

struck by the powerful stories I

heard. We need a faster and more

understanding response to patients.

If my right honourable friend could

be more patient, he will be making a

statement this afternoon, setting

out his plans for review on these

issues.

It is over eight months

since the terrible fire at Grenfell

Tower. But thousands of people are

still living in blocks with

dangerous flammable cladding,

including cityscape in Croydon. This

dangerous cladding was allowed to go

out because of flawed Government

guidance. There is still on average

one fire every month linked to this

cladding. It's clear this is the

governments responsibility. Why is

she running the risk of a second

Grenfell Tower when she could act

and take this dangerous cladding

down? -- Government's

responsibility.

Over the years,

under both Labour and Conservative

governments, building regulation and

enforcement have been looked at. The

arrangement in relation to

enforcement were changed by the last

Labour Government. What we did

immediately following the appalling

fire at Grenfell Tower, what we did

immediately was to ensure that all

those, local authorities and others,

worked with their Fire authorities

to inspect towers, to look at where

the cladding was... And there are

not just issues about the cladding,

but how it is affixed to the

building, as well. Action was taken

by local Fire authorities in those

areas where they felt it was

necessary to do that. That's why we

saw, for example, people in Camden

leaving their tower block while

action was being taken. The Housing

Secretary has put in place that

review of the regulations. It was

urgently put in place. Action is

being taken as a result of that

review.

review.

Yesterday, after months of

ignoring evidence from a wide range

of stakeholders, the SNP agreed to

pause their plans to merge British

Transport Police into police

Scotland. During this pause the

Scottish Government must look at all

options for the future of PTP when

that is devolved from this

Parliament to ensure that we get the

best possible deal rather than these

failed regulation plans. -- BTP when

that is devolved.

This is an

important point. We are committed to

delivering business commission in

full. We are devolving powers over

to the Scottish Government in this

area. But the number one priority

must be the safety of the public as

they travel. We will work with the

Scottish Government to make sure

there is a smooth transfer of the

British Transport Police to their

responsibility. Whether or not the

British Transport Police is merged

with police Scotland is a matter for

the Scottish Government. But the

Scottish Government...

Order! Calm

yourself. You're supposed to be

setting an example to some of your

colleagues. You aspire to be a

statesman. One century or another.

The Prime Minister.

The honourable

gentleman is the right example, I

was going to say. It is a matter for

the Scottish Government as to what

they choose to do. But I would urge

the Scottish Government to ensure

they are putting the safety and

security of people who are

travelling first when they make that

decision.

decision.

I would like to ask a

question. Over the course of the

last two months this Government has

butchered Glasgow's job centre

network. Will the Prime Minister

look me in the high-end tell me no

more job centres in Glasgow are due

for closure -- look me in the eye

and tell me.

He is perfectly right to ask me for

questions about which I am

responsible. I have the right, as I

did previously to comment on issues

which we are taking up with the

Scottish Government.

I say to the

honourable gentleman, I will be the

judge of what is in order. And the

honourable gentleman will accept the

ruling. The Prime Minister was in

order and that is, again, the end of

it. Somebody must decide. I have

done so.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. What we are

doing in relation to the job centre

services is ensuring that there is

going to be no decrease in the level

of services that job centres are

offering people in Scotland. In fact

we will increase the number of work

coaches across the country to

provide more support to the people

that need it. These plans are

designed to retain the skills and

experience of the workforce across

the country and to ensure that we

not just protect but enhance the

service offered to people.

Will the Prime Minister tell the

international aid sector that

despite the abuses that have come to

light recently that this Government

is committed to helping the most

vulnerable and poorest people around

the world. But the sector really

does need to get its act in order.

This Government maintains its

commitment to helping the most

vulnerable people around the world.

We maintain our commitment to our

international development Budget.

But we do want to work with

organisations that meet the high

standards we expect. And the

behaviour of Oxfam staff in Haiti

was quite frankly horrific. Far

below those standards. But I am

pleased to say that not only has my

right honourable friend the

International Development Secretary

showed immediate action by demanding

assurances from all our charitable

partners here and abroad about their

safeguarding and protection

policies. And demanded those by the

end of the month. The Charity

commission will hold an emergency

safeguard summit. They will bring in

international charities and expects

to look at what can be used for aid

workers. -- charities and experts.

Then we'll take that into the

international arena. It is crucial

we continue our support of aid for

those most vulnerable. But they also

deserve to be treated by the same

high standards we would expect to be

treated ourselves.

My constituent was refused leave to

remain because of a minor legitimate

correction to his tax return which

the Home Office under section three

to 2.5 under the immigration act is

deemed a threat to national

security. Today there is a protest

outside against the planned policies

in the same nature. My constituent's

home is Glasgow. He has contributed

to society. Why does the Prime

Minister want to force him out?

I won't comment on individual case.

The Home Office looks at the

circumstances of individuals. There

are rules in place and the Home

Office will decisions accordingly.

-- will make decisions accordingly.

We will all be aware of the

excellent work done by the Holocaust

education trust. And the brilliant

efforts from the Auschwitz Project.

At the moment the Polish

Constitutional Court is considering

the idea of diminishing the role --

diminishing its role. Will the Prime

Minister ensure that the families

and victims and survivors' words are

heard, that history cannot be

rewritten by getting in touch with

the Polish Constitutional Court.

The Government has already raised

this issue with them. What we should

be doing is ensuring that nobody

forgets the Holocaust. Nobody

forgets the horrific, inhumanity to

man that was shown through the

actions that were taken by the Nazis

in the Holocaust. The Holocaust

education trust does very important

work. The education centre and

memorial which will be placed here

at Westminster will be a

long-standing memorial to people and

will also do that important job of

educating people of the past so we

make sure we don't see horrific

crimes like this being committed

against.

How would the Prime Minister feel if

somebody stole her car, then it cost

£200 to get it back? That is what is

happening to hundreds of people. Why

doesn't she allow the police to use

proceeds of crime returns to recover

legitimate cost and put an end to

this state sponsored secondary

marking of innocent victims?

A lot of work has been done on what

the proceeds of crime can be spent

on. The Home Secretary has heard the

question he has raised. I will

ensure this is looked into.

Three months ago I rose at the case

of a constituent distressed by the

relationship between his 17-year-old

daughter and her much older driving

instructor. The driving and vehicle

standards agency announced this week

that a consensual sexual

relationship between an approved

driving instructor and a 16 or

17-year-old pupil will now be

considered and exploitation of their

position of trust. Any instructor

involved will likely be struck off

the register. Can I thank the Prime

Minister for her response. The DVS

aphid their action. And does my

right honourable friend agree that

this sets a strong example and which

you ask the Department for Education

to consider adding driving

instructors and other coaches to

their list of those formerly covered

in law by a position of trust. --

bank the DVSA for their action.

From that has a change in attitude

from the DVSA. Hopefully that will

benefit others who may have been put

into that awful situation. I was

certainly off the

certainly off the Department for

Education about it.

£11.1 million projected current

overspend is the highest in

Yorkshire and Humber and the second

highest in England. This is clearly

in correlation with the cuts since

2010. What does the Prime Minister

say to those children who need these

vital council services but may not

be able to access them because the

Conservatives continue to cut

council budgets so savagely.

As I pointed out earlier, in

response to other questions. What we

are doing is ensuring, as we have

done over the settlement period,

that local authorities have more

money to deal with... Particularly

difficult issues they have to deal

with at a local level. We want to

see and ensure that children are

given the best possible start in

life. But it is completely wrong to

suggest that decisions taken at

local level are all the

responsibility of this Government.

It is clear from academics,

behaviourists, charities and

trainers that electrocuting dogs

does not help train them but risks

more long-term consequences for

their welfare. Thank you to all of

the colleagues who came along to the

event yesterday to sign up the

pledge to ban the electric shock dog

collar. As dogs are man's best

friend it's time we showed some of

that loyalty and friendship in

return by banning the use,

distribution, and sale of these

barbaric devices.

I think you are raising this issue.

I know he has been campaigning long

and hard on this particular issue.

We have made clear in the updated

statutory code of practice for the

welfare of dogs that positive

training should be used, any

training that involves injury, pain,

or distress would breach the animal

welfare act of 2006. I understand my

honourable friend will be meeting

the Environment Secretary to discuss

this matter further.

The deputy president of the National

farmers union has said that losing

full access to the European single

market could be absolutely

disastrous for British agriculture.

Does the Prime Minister agree with

her?

My position is we are going to

negotiate an economic partnership, a

new partnership with the EU and I

can assure the honourable lady that

the interests of agriculture will be

one of the considerations we take

into account when we make sure we

are still able to have a good trade

arrangement with the EU as well as

immoved trade with the rest of

world.

Prime Minister's questions has

finished early. And surprise and

surprise, even more, Jeremy Corbyn

went on Europe. And on Brexit. That

doesn't often happen. He started

with a good joke about... How the

Brexit Secretary said that leaving

the EU would not result Britain

descending into a kind of Mad Max

dytopia and the leader of the

opposition asked the Prime Minister

if she could raise the bar a little

higher. Theresa May said the Shadow

Cabinet couldn't agree. That may be

true, but wasn't a funny response.

She was pushed by Jeremy Corbyn on

what will happen to regulation, will

there be deregulation on the

environment and financial services,

the working time directive. Theresa

May said she wanted to protect and

enhance workers' rights in or out of

the European Union. Jeremy Corbyn

said could you tell us what the

desired outcome of the Brexit

negotiations will be. Theresa May

answered very briefly saying it was

a bespoke economic partnership.

Meaning a specially tailored deal

between the UK and the EU. What the

content of that is is another

matter. We finished on questions

about whether any deal that didn't

involve a customs union could still

avoid a hard border between the

North and South of Ireland. Well

still with me, the Brexit minister

Steve Baker, Andrew Gwynne and Laura

Keunssberg. Unusual for Jeremy

Corbyn to go on Brexit.

Yes he

normally avoids it. It not a thing

that gets him up in the morning. He

has spent more time on housing and

health, thing he is cares about. But

I think this week in a way maybe he

didn't have a choice, tomorrow is a

huge day where the cabinet will be

locked away to hammer out a day for

the opening offer of the next phase

of the negotiations and really every

now and again you get the sense

Jeremy Corbyn thinks, actually this

is the big issue. So David Davis's

joke and met aforeabout Mad Max give

him an easy.

Who is his speech write

sner

Do you want to hire him?

I

would like to know, you could see

the pit falls the moment you

mentioned it. The senior Brexit, it

is the Brexit sub committee. Is that

meeting tomorrow to decide on the

Government's bargaining position on

the end game or is it meeting to

determine what it wants for the

transition?

It is to discuss the

future economic partnership, but the

agenda is for the members of the

committee. I haven't seen the

agenda. The future economic

partnership. I'm sure there will be

many matters to discuss.

Talk us

through the time table. Let's say

that the British Government manages

to come to some positions, the next

with Mr Barnier resume next month.

The technical negotiations are in

progress now.

Involving civil

servants.

Relating to separation and

we hope and expect the conclusion of

an agreement on the implementation

period in March and we will

accelerate into...

The substance of

what the end state will look like.

Yes.

Are you confident of that

Yes.

Is it your view or the Government's

view, my understanding is Mr

Barnier, the lead negotiator on the

EU said, said he wants to get it all

done and dusted by October. Because

he wants to leave time for

ratification process to take place.

Is that the British Government's

time table? .

The Prime Minister

said we want to get these elements

in place by October and we should

do. There are plenty of precedents

to work for. Mr Barnier has had

financial services and TTIP.

The

treaty that never was.

There are

plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

This is the question mark, can an

agreement in October be more than a

single sided A4. The Government

position has been they can get

something, but the pace of how will

ing they are are to put forward

their position and actually hammer

down into some of the details that

are difficult for the Tories to

agree on, that has such an influence

over the pace the question mark over

whether October can be something

that is meaningful rather than a

heads of terms is an open one. In

the last few days No 10 and cabinet

ministers have been sounding more

optimistic about being able to get

some form of compromise position.

Because after all, the Prime

Minister has promised to stand up

next week and make a big speech,

that will be the third in the trio

of his big Brexit speeches. We had

Lancaster House in January, Florence

in September and next week we are

expecting part 3. They have given a

commitment that I which the Prime

Minister has committed to saying

something more.

It must seem a tight

time table.

Yes the clock is ticking

closer to March 2019 when we leave

the EU. That is why the Labour Party

has argued not an implementation

period but a proper transition

period to buy time to act as a

bridge from where we are today to

where we want to be, our future

relationship.

The minister calls it

an immremation period. It will be a

transition period?

We have different

views on what should happen in that

period. Because we have been clear

we would remain within the single

market and the customs union during

the time-limited transition period

and accept all the rules and