“Theresa May is to set out her next steps to build a Commons majority for a Brexit deal amid signs she is still unwilling to give ground on her central demands. Following the crushing defeat last week of her agreement with Brussels, the Prime Minister will make oral and written statements to the House explaining how she intends to proceed. She will also table a “neutral” motion to be debated and voted on – along with any amendments tabled by MPs – on January 29. Government sources said she would be holding further talks with MPs, as well as business leaders and trade unionists, throughout the week in an attempt to find a way forward. But after she briefed the Cabinet in a conference call on Sunday about her first round of cross-party contacts last week, there was little expectation she was ready to offer concessions that could win over opposition MPs. Instead May is considering amending the Good Friday Agreement as part of a fresh attempt to unblock the Brexit logjam, The Daily Telegraph understands… However there were signs some Brexiteers could reluctantly back Mrs May’s deal amid concerns a cross-party grouping of MPs are plotting to impose a “softer” Brexit – or derail it altogether.” – Daily Telegraph
Ireland:
Comment:
>Yesterday:
“Theresa May halted the cross-party approach to Brexit last night as she told her cabinet that she would focus on securing changes from Brussels designed to win over rebel Conservatives and the DUP. The prime minister used an evening conference call to announce that she would seek changes to the backstop, the Northern Ireland insurance policy to avoid a hard border, or its removal despite repeated refusals by the European Union to budge on the issue. Mrs May blamed Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, for the collapse of the cross-party approach after he refused to meet for talks unless she ruled out a no-deal Brexit. The prime minister will try to use a vote in the Commons on January 29 to show that these changes could secure a majority among MPs. Under her plan, she will then go back to Brussels with what she hopes will be a mandate from the Commons… Mrs May’s decision last night dismayed several figures in her cabinet. One government source called it “mad”, while another said: “It’s astounding that she’s putting party before nation.” The plan will involve facing down a string of amendments being drawn up by Conservative rebels.” – The Times
More:
NHS:
>Today: ToryDiary: Next, watch pro-Remain and pro-Soft Brexit Ministers push for the postponement of Brexit
“Two senior Tory MPs seeking to wrest control of Brexit from Theresa May will meet today to plan their strategy after being accused by a Cabinet minister of subverting the EU referendum result. Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve and ex-planning minister Nick Boles are planning to table amendments that would enable backbenchers to take control of the House of Commons and frustrate Mrs May’s Brexit plans. Mr Grieve’s proposal would temporarily suspend the Government’s historic right to dictate Commons business so that for one day MPs would be able to pass their own resolutions – and even legislation – on the way forward on Brexit. Mr Boles’ amendment aims to force the government to give time to a bill that would make it legally impossible for the UK to leave the EU without a deal on March 29. Both the amendments have cross-party support, largely from Remain MPs, and the two MPs are due to meet today to discuss whether they should both go forward in tandem or join forces… Mr Grieve’s new plan would overturn centuries of constitutional rules that give Government business precedence in the Commons. If the amendment succeeds, it would allow a motion put forward by a minority of 300 MPs across five parties – including 10 MPs from the governing party – to stand as the first order of business.” – Daily Telegraph
More:
>Today: Chloe Westley’s column: Ageist abuse – and the bigoted Remain campaigners who rejoice when older voters die
>Yesterday:
“Last Thursday, the BBC’s Question Time was broadcast from Derby, where an endorsement for no deal from the writer Isabel Oakeshott triggered mass whoops and cheers, and yet another explosion of Brexit noise on Twitter. The truth that brief moment underlined is obvious: whatever the warnings from politicians, many people currently support the nightmarish prospect of the UK leaving the EU without any formal agreement. The extent to which that belief is a matter of deep conviction is a moot point: I wrote about Brexit boredom last week, and it seems pretty clear that many people say they would opt for no deal if pushed, but do so in the midst of disconnection and bafflement. Nonetheless, an inconvenient truth remains. Whereas I have never heard any member of the public make the case for what politicians call Norway plus, and belief in a second referendum still seems to be largely the preserve of a certain kind of middle-class person, no deal is the position that scores of people have recently expressed to me without prompting: “We should just get out”; “We have to leave, now”; “Why can’t we just walk away?”” – The Guardian
Editorial:
“The Conservative Party has put out a fundraising appeal after calls for an election, but Tory MPs said it would be a mark of failure to go to the country three times in less than four years. Brandon Lewis, the party chairman, sent out mass emails yesterday declaring that Jeremy Corbyn was pushing for an election that “he admits no one wants”, and then appealed for donations. Theresa May is understood to be resistant to the idea of an early election, although aides in No 10 have conceded to allies that this may be the outcome. On Saturday The Times revealed that Commons officials were making discreet preparations for “washup” – working out which bills are pushed through parliament after an election is called but before it is dissolved. Yesterday The Mail on Sunday reported that James Johnson, Mrs May’s polling strategist, had been testing election narratives and messages in case of an election. James Marshall, the director of policy, has begun preliminary discussions about an “incredibly short and sharp” manifesto, and two policy advisers were reported to be involved in preparing to face voters again. No 10 has said that an election is not possible and there is not sufficient time before Brexit. Some MPs would want to try to oust Mrs May rather than have her fight another election as leader.” – The Times
Comment:
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Lammy – “I think an election’s extremely unlikely”
“The Speaker of the Commons may abandon plans to step down this summer after warnings that ministers could deny him a peerage. Friends of John Bercow hit back at Tory briefing against him by revealing that he was “seriously reflecting” on whether to stay on, possibly until 2022. Last week a cabinet source told The Times: “It’s a good job that peerage nominations are in our gift — I’m sure we’ll be thinking carefully about which individuals we would choose to elevate… I can’t imagine we would look favourably on those who’ve cheated centuries of procedure.” One source, who is said to know Mr Bercow’s thinking, told The Observer that if the government was seeking to “punish” the Speaker for how he conducted parliamentary business, and themselves defy centuries of convention under which Speakers are granted peerages on retirement, he could exercise his right to remain in the Commons chair until the end of this parliament rather than leave soon after Brexit. A spokeswoman for Mr Bercow did not comment yesterday. The Speaker tore up years of precedent ten days ago to change Commons rules and allow MPs to control the business of the House, outraging some Tory MPs and ministers. When elected Speaker in 2009, Mr Bercow promised to serve no more than nine years. Last year he changed his mind, telling friends he planned to see through Brexit.” – The Times
“An MP has demanded 24-hour aerial surveillance of the Channel to save lives after a rise in attempted crossings by migrants over the weekend. Sixteen people claiming to be Iranians and Iraqis were being interviewed by immigration officials yesterday. One of the vessels, a tiny Rib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) with eight passengers, was filmed being towed to the Kent shore by a Border Force patrol vessel. It coincided with an estimated 170 drownings of migrants after two dinghies sank in separate accidents off North Africa and has fuelled fears of deaths off England… Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover & Deal, said: “Crossing the English Channel in a small boat in the middle of winter is incredibly dangerous. Only yesterday we saw a terrible tragedy in the Mediterranean. It’s vital to do everything possible to protect life and prevent a tragedy in the English Channel. Much has been achieved in recent weeks: recalling Border Force cutters from overseas; the arrival of HMS Mersey; and deeper co-operation with the French. Yet greater action is needed.” – The Times
>Today: Steve Double MP in Comment: May has misread the mood of the country over free movement. Now is the time to drop hostile rhetoric.
“Men or women who mistreat their partners face up to five years in jail if they breach new domestic abuse ASBOs designed to change their behaviour. Councils, police, social workers and victims will be able to apply for the new court orders requiring an abusive partner to reform or face prison. The new orders, part of the first-ever Domestic Abuse Bill to be unveiled today by Theresa May, will force them to take courses to control their temper and behaviour, reduce their alcohol or drug intake, or undergo treatment for any mental health problems. Courts will also be able to issue orders to ensure they stay away from “exclusion zones” around their abused partners. New powers will be introduced to extend tagging to domestic abusers so their movements can be tracked by GPS and any attempts to enter the “exclusion zones” detected. Breaches of the new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) and Notices (DAPNs) will be a criminal offence subject to a maximum of five years in jail. The orders aim to make the criminal law bear down more on abusers. Apart from the offence of “coercive control”, police and prosecutors have largely had to rely on other criminal laws such as assault including sex crimes, stalking and harassment or civil actions.” – Daily Telegraph
“The new head of a regulator set up after a series of fundraising scandals has criticised hundreds of charities for refusing to pay a levy to fund its work. Lord Harris of Haringey, who took over this month as chairman of the Fundraising Regulator, accused some charity chiefs and trustees of arrogance in thinking that moves to stamp out bad practices did not apply to them. Grange Park Opera, Whitechapel Gallery, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and the Professional Footballers’ Association Charity are among those that have not paid. The regulator was set up in 2016 amid the public outcry after Olive Cooke, a 92-year-old poppy seller, took her own life while feeling overwhelmed by charities asking her for donations. Charities that spend more than £100,000 a year on fundraising are expected to make a voluntary annual contribution to the regulator’s running costs. This varies from £150 to £15,000 depending on size. However, 246 charities out of 1,883 judged eligible had not paid by the end of last week… Lord Harris told The Times: “There are some charities that feel they are above this process because [they think] of course everyone recognises that they behave impeccably and so why on earth should they be required to do it?”” – The Times
“Alex Salmond has pledged to end his “uncivil war” with Nicola Sturgeon, while at the same time telling her to concentrate “all her energies” on a new bid to break up Britain. The pair have been involved in a war of words since he won his civil case against the Scottish Government over its botched handling of two claims of sexual harassment made against him. As their relationship reached a new low, a spokesman for Ms Sturgeon accused his camp last week of launching a “smear” campaign. There were even claims that he had been “airbrushed” out of the SNP’s website, with less than a dozen mentions of his name, compared to 234 mentions of Ms Sturgeon. Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for the Western Isles, said he planned to write to Peter Murrell, the party’s chief executive and Ms Sturgeon’s husband, to have the former first minister “airbrushed back in”. In his first interview since the court case – in which the government was found to have acted unlawfully during its own inquiry – Mr Salmond said he wanted an end to the bitter exchanges… His comments came as one SNP veteran warned that having the current and former first ministers at daggers drawn was “incredibly damaging” to the party and anyone who thought otherwise was “living in cloud cuckoo land”.” – Daily Telegraph