Good Thursday Morning.
22 November 2018 | 127 days until Brexit
Briefing By Nathan Shoesmith and Sam Haut
Three Points You Need To Know As You Wake Up
Theresa May fails to finalise key Brexit agreement
May fails to finalise Brexit deal in meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker
Theresa May will return to Brussels on Saturday after a meeting with Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday failed to finalise a key Brexit agreement. Their meeting last night lasted nearly two hours and was described by Mrs May as a “very good” meeting with “further progress”, however, the PM did admit that there are “remaining issues”. May’s failure to finalise a deal last night has raised questions over whether the EU Summit on Sunday will still go ahead. It is thought that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is considering not turning up to the scheduled summit because of concerns that it could turn into another negotiation meeting.
Labour could form minority government, says McDonnell
Labour’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has said that his party should be offered the chance to form a minority government if Theresa May keeps losing votes in Parliament. The party would then seek to get a majority for its majority of Brexit, according to Mr McDonnell. The statement comes as there appears to be no majority for Mrs May’s draft Brexit agreement, which MPs will vote on in the Commons.
MPs told off for playing football in the House of Commons
A group of MPs have been reprimanded after they were playing football in the chamber in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening. Members of the group had been due to play for the UK Women’s Parliamentary Football Club on Tuesday, but the match was cancelled amid concerns it would clash with votes in the Commons. In a statement to the House, The Speaker, John Bercow said “It has been brought to my attention that some football skills were displayed in the chamber yesterday evening after the House rose. “I think I can speak for us all when I say that our historic chamber should not be used for this type of activity and I gently remind colleagues if they are seeking to use the chamber outside of sitting hours beyond for the purpose of simply showing it to guests, frankly they should write to me asking for their request to be considered. “I have said what I have said, there are no hard feelings and I consider the matter to be closed.”
Politics On Today’s Front Pages…
The Metro – Theresa May repeats claim there could be ‘no Brexit at all’
Daily Express – Brexit: Cabinet ministers urge May to demand MORE EU concessions
The Daily Telegraph – Brexit summit in doubt as Theresa May reveals she will return to Brussels on Saturday after negotiations stall
i – An independent Scotland should be allowed to to rejoin the EU, Spanish foreign minister says
The Independent – Labour frontbencher calls for fresh Brexit referendum
The Guardian – Vote Leave loses legal challenge over Brexit spending breach
The Daily Mirror – Theresa May dismisses second Brexit referendum calls as ‘absolutely ridiculous’
The Times – Merkel may boycott key EU summit amid division
What To Watch Today
Business questions will today be posed to the leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom.
And In Other News…
A non-dairy surge in the UK has led to a shortage of oat milk. The oat drink brand, Oatly, has seen 100% growth since 2017.
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You’re Up To Date
The Speaker. 2018
