MPs prepare to block no-deal plans

“MPs will threaten next week to shut down the government if Boris Johnson defies parliament and tries to take Britain out of the European Union without a deal. In a cross-party move to thwart the frontrunner in the Tory leadership race, the Commons will vote on a plan to prohibit government spending in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The plan is being backed by Dominic Grieve, the former Tory attorney-general, and Dame Margaret Beckett, the former Labour foreign secretary. If successful, it would deny the government funds to pay for key elements of public spending including schools, welfare benefits and international aid.” – The Times

• Front-runner says chances of such an outcome are ‘one in a million’ – Daily Telegraph
• Barclay urges MPs not to frustrate preparations… – The Times
• …whilst Raab says Johnson could proceed despite them – The Guardian

More:

• More voters are pro-leave now than during the referendum – The Sun
• DUP leader warns candidates to leave by October deadline – Daily Express
• Carney hints at no-deal rate cut – FT
• Britain to hire ferries to transport life-saving medicine – The Sun

Katy Balls: What can the Commons actually do to stop it?

What can MPs do to stop a no-deal Brexit? With Boris Johnson insisting that as prime minister he would take the UK out of the EU by the end of October “do or die”, it’s a question that will be asked frequently in the coming months. If – as expected – Johnson enters No 10 next month, he will have little time to try to negotiate a new Brexit deal with the EU. What’s more, he sees the threat of a no-deal Brexit as key to winning last-minute concessions from Brussels. It follows that a Johnson government will be at pains to keep the option on the table. The problem? Despite Johnson’s insistence that MPs are coming around to the idea, swathes of parliamentarians are passionately opposed and have promised to do whatever they can to stop it. But what can these MPs actually do to stop a no-deal Brexit?” – The Guardian

• Leaving by October 31 really is ‘do or die’ for the party – Owen Paterson MP, Daily Telegraph
• ‘Full English Brexit’ could tear the Union apart – Martin Kettle, The Guardian

More:

• Remainers’ irrational terror of Johnson symbolises our toxic politics – Allister Heath, Daily Telegraph
• Ex-Mayor should have come south of the river sooner – Janice Turner, The Times
• I can’t be the only one depressed by this lacklustre contest – Stephen Glover, Daily Mail

>Today: Interviews: Johnson says that every member of his Cabinet must sign up to Britain leaving the EU on 31st October – deal or no deal

Johnson sets out points-based immigration system…

“Boris Johnson has pledged to introduce an Australian-style points-based system for migrants to restore “public faith” in immigration control. Foreigners who want to work in Britain will have to be able to speak English and must have a job before they arrive if Mr Johnson becomes prime minister. The Tory leadership front-runner said foreign workers will not be allowed to “cut ahead in the queue” by taking jobs that British people can do, and will have no entitlement to benefits when they first arrive. He said it was vital to have control over the number of unskilled migrants coming to the UK from the EU and beyond, though he said Britain must be “much more open” to highly skilled migrants such as scientists. He added that he would be “tougher on those who abuse our hospitality”.” – Daily Telegraph

• Over-50s could be banned from moving to Britain – Daily Mail
• Johnson and Hunt break with May on key issue – FT

>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Hunt and Johnson take part in the online leadership hustings

…and ‘prepares for spending spree’ with Javid as Chancellor

“Boris Johnson is planning to open the spending taps if he becomes prime minister, with Sajid Javid emerging as his favoured choice to become chancellor and oversee the expansionary new policy. Mr Javid, home secretary, has outlined plans to create a £100bn infrastructure fund over the next five years and has previously called for £50bn of extra borrowing to pay for a massive housebuilding programme. Meanwhile Mr Johnson this week endorsed Mr Javid’s proposal to spend £1bn over three years for the recruitment of an extra 20,000 police officers. The former foreign secretary also wants to spend more on social care, schools and broadband. According to close supporters of Mr Johnson, Mr Javid would be the most likely person to move into 11 Downing Street if the frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest becomes prime minister next month.” – FT

• Stewart would resign from DfID if Johnson won – The Guardian

More:

• Critics say his bus ‘hobby’ is a ruse to skew web searches – The Times
• The millienials helping candidates go viral – Daily Telegraph

>Today: Tim Bonner in Comment: The next Conservative leader shouldn’t take the rural vote for granted

Brexiteers criticise Fox over tariff remarks

“Eurosceptic Conservative MPs have hit back at the trade secretary, Liam Fox, for “ludicrously tilting at windmills”, after he rejected Boris Johnson’s claim that exporters would be spared tariffs if Britain left the EU without a deal. The former foreign secretary has promised to take Britain out of the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal, “do or die”. And Johnson has suggested that in the event of a no-deal exit his government could seek to use article 24 of the general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) to secure a temporary standstill, while details of a new trade deal are hammered out. Fox is an enthusiastic Brexiter, but supports Jeremy Hunt against Johnson.” – The Guardian

• Trade Secretary criticised for cost of Brexit ‘trade truck’ – The Sun

Continue to all today’s Newslinks