May wins ‘meaningful vote’ battle after rebels back down…

“Theresa May won the crucial Brexit Bill vote in the Commons tonight after Tory rebels dramatically backed down. The Government won 319 to 303 to defeat a potentially explosive amendment that would have allowed the Commons to overrule the PM on a no deal Brexit. The victory came after rebel ringleader Dominic Grieve effectively caved in following hours of frantic negotiations with ministers. Mr Grieve was ridiculed as the new ‘Grand Old Duke of York’ after he gave up his rebellion with no major new concession – even admitting to shouts of ‘shame’ Mrs May had conceded nothing new today… Mr Grieve – who has admitted in recent days he had lost sleep over the risk of collapsing the Government – called off his rebellion after accepting promises Parliament would get a proper say, whether there is a deal or not.” – Daily Mail

• Lee complains that whips employed ‘dark arts’ to pass bill – Daily Telegraph
• Vote means no-deal Brexit is ‘back on the table’ – Daily Express
• Sick MPs wheeled into the Chamber to vote in person – The Times
• Politicians ‘discussing possibility’ of delaying departure – The Sun

Analysis:

• The Brexit dividend and other myths – Chris Giles, FT
• Both sides emerged as winners… and losers – Henry Zeffman, The Times
• Zombie Government still on life support – Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun

Editorial:

• An arcane victory – Daily Telegraph

>Today:

• ToryDiary: Brexit. What May should do next. Replace Robbins with Davis – and prepare for No Deal.
• Video: WATCH: The EU Withdrawal Bill has now been passed, says the Prime Minister. We’re delivering – and getting on with the job.

>Yesterday:

• ToryDiary: Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: May looked white, tense and hunched, but she won
• MPs Etc.: Six Tory MPs backed the Grieve amendment, and four Labour MPs supported the Government
• Video: WATCH: “I am prepared to accept the Government’s difficulty” – Grieve calls off his ‘meaningful vote’ rebellion

…as Javid urges Brussels to ‘speed up’ plans for British expats…

“The home secretary has demanded that the EU provide detailed information on arrangements for Britons living in its member states after Brexit. Sajid Javid accused the EU of failing to match progress made in Britain to plan for the registration and settlement of about 3.2 million EU citizens living in the UK. The Home Office will outline details of a proposed settlement scheme for EU citizens today including how much they will have to pay and the information they will need to provide to secure their status… In a meeting with Mr Javid this week, Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, acknowledged that the EU’s 27 member states had not done enough to set out what the procedures would be for expat Britons living across the EU, according to the Home Office.” – The Times

• EU nationals ‘to be charged to stay in the country’ – The Sun
• Nokes accused of misleading Commons over immigration rule – FT

More:

• Brexit not ‘Trojan horse’ for united Ireland, says Sinn Fein leader – Belfast Telegraph

Comment:

• Brussels is relishing this rolling chaos – Iain Martin, The Times

…and Hammond plans for ‘global financial partnerships’

“Philip Hammond will set out a strategy on Thursday for securing new “global financial partnerships” with other countries after Britain leaves the EU. In an annual address at Mansion House in the City of London, the chancellor will pitch the plan as a way to make Britain the “undisputed gateway to global markets”. He will say that the new partnerships would be targeted at fast-growing markets such as China, India, South Korea and Australia, and build on existing agreements, such as “financial dialogues” with other countries. Many in the financial services industry have repeatedly raised concerns about the potential impact of Brexit, particularly if Britain fails to finalise a deal with Brussels.” – FT

• Britain will be ‘undisputed gateway’ to world trade – Daily Express

Chancellor says taxpayers should pay for NHS boost

“Philip Hammond will tell the City that he believes tax rises rather than borrowing must shoulder the burden of the NHS spending promised by Theresa May. The chancellor’s comments come as it emerged that the cumulative total extra commitments for the prime minister’s announcements on health amount to about £83 billion, excluding inflation. A YouGov poll for The Times has shown that the Tories have not received a bounce in the polls from Mrs May’s announcement, while Labour maintains a healthy lead on which party is most trusted on the NHS. In his Mansion House speech tonight, Mr Hammond will reaffirm his commitment to his fiscal targets and reducing the country’s debt, signalling to other cabinet ministers that their budgets might be frozen or cut if growth does not accelerate.” – The Times

• Chancellor criticised for delaying crackdown on gambling machines – Daily Mail

Comment:

• Obsession with raises taxes shows Tories have lost their way – Allister Heath, Daily Telegraph
• NHS must not blow this money on old-fashioned ideas – Niall Dickson, Daily Telegraph

Mordaunt wants to reform aid spending target

“Britain’s foreign aid minister wants to tear up the rules that govern the nation’s controversial 0.7 per cent aid target. International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt calls it ‘unsustainable’ because millions in aid spending do not count towards the target of 0.7 per cent of national income. These include profits made by government agencies that invest aid money. Humanitarian defence spending and disaster relief do not count towards the total either. It means that to hit the 0.7 per cent first agreed by ex-PM David Cameron, the Treasury has to plough in even more cash. Ms Mordaunt said this week that including these items would enable a cut of hundreds of millions from the £14billion aid budget, freeing cash for services at home.” – Daily Mail

• Minister says Equalities brief needs permanent home – FT

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