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Brexit news - live: MPs pass emergency law forcing prime minister to avert no deal by one vote

Follow our live coverage of the day’s political events

Lizzy Buchan
Political Correspondent
,Adam Forrest
Wednesday 03 April 2019 23:35 BST
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Brexit: MPs pass emergency law forcing Theresa May to seek further delay to avert no deal by one vote

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A cross-party bid to block a no-deal Brexit has cleared the Commons after Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn met for last-ditch talks to break the deadlock.

In a series of late-night votes, MPs backed the bill, tabled by Labour's Yvette Cooper, which was rushed through in a single day to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal next Friday.

It comes after Ms May was hit by two ministerial resignations over her decision to hold talks with Mr Corbyn, which also sparked fury among Tory MPs.

Mr Corbyn said the meeting in the prime minister's Commons office was "useful but inconclusive", adding: "There has not been as much change as I expected".

Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load

Today’s front page Telegraph story suggests 14 cabinet ministers have backed a no-deal Brexit, but other accounts of yesterday’s meeting suggest something more subtle – that only four are opposed to any delay and are in favour of crashing out the EU without a deal.

Adam Forrest3 April 2019 11:12

Jeremy Corbyn has seen his odds of becoming the next PM cut. The leader of the opposition now finds himself as Ladbrokes’ joint 5/1 favourite with Boris Johnson to succeed Theresa May. Michael Gove follows close behind at 6/1, with Dominic Raab chalked up as an 8/1 chance.

Adam Forrest3 April 2019 11:14

Returning again to the Brexit committee, the Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay found himself having to discuss a second referendum.

Although he admitted it was one possible outcome of talks with Labour, he stressed his opposition, telling the MPs: “That is a very undesirable option, because it takes us back to square one.”

He also claimed the legislation “would take around 12 months,” which will raise eyebrows because independent experts have previously suggested a fresh public vote would take six months to arrange and complete.

Adam Forrest3 April 2019 11:35

The Eurosceptic Tory MP John Redwood has told BBC Radio 5 Live that if Theresa May secures an agreement with Jeremy Corbyn, she would “effectively become the leader of the Labour party”.

Speaking to Emma Barnett, Mr Redwood said: “The important issue is, does parliament sign away our right to govern ourselves by approving the agreement? I and many other Conservatives wouldn’t dream of voting for that, if it particularly was linked to a customs union.

“If she’s got Labour on board, if she’s effectively become the leader of the Labour party for this most important item, and she can command the Labour majority, the fact that I should think well over 100 Conservative MPs would say we don’t wish to break our manifesto promise on the customs union wouldn’t matter.”

He also confirmed that he would vote with the government in any confidence vote, saying: “Well of course – I am a Conservative, and I am sticking to the manifesto. The issue today – and we don't know she’s going to do this – but the issue today is, would the prime minster tear up important manifesto pledges that we jointly made, in order effectively to lead the Labour party rather than the Conservative party? And I hope she doesn’t do it.”

Adam Forrest3 April 2019 11:40

Labour’s former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett said Mr Corbyn should demand a second referendum when he meets the prime minister.

Asked if the Labour leader should walk out if Ms May fails to offer a second vote, Dame Margaret said: “If she says that this is a condition that we don’t even discuss it, then yes, I think he should.

“Maybe she has got more sense than that, you just never know.”

Adam Forrest3 April 2019 11:44

It's nearly time for PMQs and here are the MPs who have questions to the prime minister.

Not many Conservatives on there - so lots will be trying to catch the Speaker's eye. It will be worth watching for Brexiteer and DUP questions, as they are pretty furious about her promise to meet Jeremy Corbyn.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 11:54

Theresa May is up. She says it marks 70 years since the founding of NATO, and praises its role in UK security.

She says she has held meetings with ministerial colleagues and others - and will hold meetings later today - eg Jeremy Corbyn.

Jim Cunningham, the Labour MP, has the first Q. He asks about shortages of doctors and tells her to raise it with the Chancellor.

May says she is aware of the problem and Philip Hammond will have heard his words.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:03

Tory Brexiteer David Amess says party loyalties have been sorely tested of late, and questions whether Brexit means Brexit.

He asks a bonkers question about whether there could be a meaningful vote on whether Southend, in his constituency, become a city.

May says he's been clever. It's important to get the investment in to spend in the UK. She says it's important to get the deal through and welcome Britain's future outside the EU.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:04

Jeremy Corbyn starts his questions. He welcomes her offer of Brexit talks and says he looks forward to meeting her. He moves onto asking her about poverty, which has risen recently.

May says no one wants to see poverty rise. The number of households with no one in work has fallen, she says. She also wants to make sure work pays.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:06

Corbyn cites official figures that show child poverty, in work poverty and pensioner poverty have risen. He says her party opposed the introduction of the minimum wage - and says these are poverty wages.

There are 8m people in work and in poverty. He asks her to half the rollout of universal credit and completely overhaul it.

May says the government has done lots of work to improve universal credit. The only way to prevent poverty is to have a stronger economy, to make work pay.

She then goes on the attack, and says Labour would make things worse. She argues a Labour government would spend £1tn and would put up taxes.

Lizzy Buchan3 April 2019 12:08

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