PMQs - as it happened: Emily Thornberry labels Tory Government 'coalition of cavemen' over voting age stance

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Emily Thornberry: Conservatives are a 'coalition of cavemen'

Cabinet minister David Lidington said young people lack "sufficient maturity" to vote at 16, as he stood in for Theresa May during Prime Minister's Questions.

Labour's Emily Thornberry branded the Government and its DUP allies as a "coalition of cavemen", when she asked why 16-year-olds were denied the right to vote when they are able to get married, leave school and join the armed forces.

It comes as Downing Street reprimanded a Justice minister who questioned whether Brexit should go ahead if damaging assessments of Britain’s economic prospects are accurate.

In an unusual and hugely significant intervention, Dr Philip Lee asked whether Theresa May could “legitimately lead a country along a path that the evidence and rational consideration indicate would be damaging” after leaked papers laid bare the potential economic damage of withdrawal.

After Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour’s opposition day motion – calling on the Government to release the papers – also passed after the Government ordered its MPs to abstain on the motion.

The documents will now be released to the Exiting the European Union committee “in confidence” and in a “hard copy” format for MPs to study.

Key Points

• Government minister questions whether Brexit should go ahead if secret Brexit papers are correct
• Theresa May arrives China, declaring: 'I'm no quitter'
• Labour to force Government to publish secret Brexit papers

[31 January 2018 16:24 · Ashley Cowburn]

MPs have started the debate on a potential multibillion-pound refurbishment of the Palace of Westminster.

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom said it was a debate that arguably should have taken place around 40 years ago.

"The Palace of Westminster is the seat of our democracy, an iconic, world famous building, and it is in dire need of repair," she said.

"Whilst it is our responsibility to safeguard this Unesco world heritage site, it is equally our responsibility to ensure value for taxpayers' money.

"We've been clear that there can be no blank cheque for this work."

[31 January 2018 16:25 · Ashley Cowburn]

"I can't believe I'm going to say this - but everybody vote leave!" says Anna Soubry on Houses of Parliament restoration.

[31 January 2018 16:28 · Ashley Cowburn]

Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, on the Brexit papers motion passed in the Commons before:

“I’m pleased the Government has finally accepted the need for transparency. This is a victory for Parliament and for our country. 

“The Speaker has made clear that this decision should be implemented as a matter of urgency. Labour therefore expects ministers to hand these documents over by the end of the week. To not do so would obstruct the will of Parliament.

“I look forward to studying the documents in full and helping to ensure that in future Brexit policy is driven by evidence, not ideology. It’s time the Prime Minister reflected on her reckless redlines that are clearly not in the national interest.”

[31 January 2018 16:42 · Ashley Cowburn]

[31 January 2018 17:01 · Ashley Cowburn]