Sign up here to receive the daily news briefing in your inbox every morning with exclusive insight from the BrexitCentral team Cabinet’s Brexit champions hammer home the PM’s message of “Get Brexit Done” at Tory conference The headline act – Boris Johnson’s speech – may be three days away, but what better opener for a Tory Party conference tag-lined “Get Brexit Done” than three of its biggest cheerleaders. Such a trio was presented to members on Sunday afternoon in the form of Michael Gove, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Barclay. Mr Gove – no-deal planner in-chief and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster – kicked off the session with a little doom and gloom. He said the government was facing “a paralysed Parliament” – echoing the words of the attorney general earlier this week – and “polarised politics”, all because the referendum result had not been delivered after more than three years. Mr Gove said the only party to lift this fog was his very own. The Leader of the House, Mr Rees-Mogg, was next to take the podium and got a standing ovation before uttering a word. The speech was “classic Mogg”, as one party member put it, offering history lessons, literary refreshers and high-brow jokes to please the crowd. Mr Rees-Mogg said they left the government feeling like “Gulliver tied down in Lilliput,” fighting against “fumbling, fettling, flitting politicians” who have the “unworthy aim” of stopping Brexit. Last up was the Brexit secretary himself, Mr Barclay. Like an underdog edging towards the front of the race, he was optimistic – even if the noises from the EU haven’t been especially positive. “The Irish deputy prime minister said on Wednesday that ‘there are solutions to this but it is a matter of political will’ – I agree,” he said. “The Commission has said that it is open to ‘creative and flexible solutions on the border in Northern Ireland’ – I am too. And President Juncker said he is ‘not wedded to the backstop’ – Nor are we. So let’s abolish it.” The crux of his message – we want a deal, we’re working hard to get it, but in the end, no deal? No matter. – BBC News > WATCH: House of Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg addresses Tory Party conference > WATCH: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove addresses Tory Party conference > WATCH: Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay addresses Tory Party conference Keeping Corbyn out of No. 10 is bigger than Brexit, Dominic Raab warns whipless rebels The foreign secretary has warned 21 Tory MPs who were stripped of the whip for rebelling over Brexit that history will never forgive them if they put Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street. Dominic Raab said that keeping Mr Corbyn out of No 10 was “bigger than Brexit” as he warned against an interim government led by the Labour leader. He told the Conservative Party conference: “I say this as a passionate Brexiteer, there are some things even bigger than Brexit, and keeping that lot out of Downing Street is one of them. “So, to any of our colleagues — or former colleagues — tempted to put Jeremy Corbyn and his momentum mob into No 10 as part of some ‘temporary’ anti-Brexit coalition . . . I just say this, ‘History would never forgive you.’” Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons, also criticised plans for a government of national unity, arguing that they amounted to a “remoaner coup” intended to stop Brexit. – The Times (£) > WATCH: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab addresses Tory Party conference Boris Johnson declares that the EU wants Brexit because it doesn’t want ‘mutinous Britain’ in its ranks… Boris Johnson has said the EU wants to see Brexit happen and is keen to avoid a situation where a “truculent and mutinous” Britain would be lingering within their ranks indefinitely. The Prime Minister refused to give an update on the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the UK and the bloc, saying “they are “extremely interesting but they are also very delicate”. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Mr Johnson said his European counterparts share his strong feelings that negotiations should be wrapped up soon with a deal, but he declined to say if he would ask one of them to veto a delay. He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “I’m not going to get into my discussions with any other EU head of state about the negotiations, because they are extremely interesting but they are also delicate. Mr Johnson added “It is certainly true that other EU countries also don’t want this thing to keep dragging on. “They don’t want the UK to remain in the EU, truculent and mutinous and in a limbo, and not wishing to co-operate in the way that they would like. They want a good deal and there’s the opportunity now to get a good deal.” – Express > WATCH: PM Boris Johnson’s full interview on The Andrew Marr Show …as he fuels speculation that he could ignore Benn’s Brexit delay law Boris Johnson has ramped up speculation that he is planning to bypass a law that stops the UK from crashing out of the EU without a deal. The prime minister told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show that Britain can still leave the bloc on 31 October despite the passing of the Benn Act, which aims to prevent a no-deal Brexit by forcing him to ask Brussels for a delay. He also failed to deny holding talks with EU heads of state to request they block any request for a Brexit extension. In a bullish performance, Johnson said repeatedly that the public are weary of Brexit and just want to get it done – the slogan of this year’s autumn conference. He said there was still a chance of reaching a deal with the EU but that efforts were not helped by the Benn Act, which compels him to ask for a Brexit extension if he has not struck a deal by 19 October. He said: “Obviously the chances of a deal or no deal depend very much on the common sense of our friends and partners. It has not been helped by the surrender act. I do think there’s a good chance [of getting a deal] and we’re working incredibly hard. I’ve been having conversations … we will continue to work tomorrow and in the course of the next few days … to see if we can get this thing over the line. And there’s a good chance.” – Guardian Boris Johnson refuses to resurrect Theresa May’s hated Brexit deal and won’t quit to dodge asking for third extension – The Sun Britain ‘may well’ leave EU with No Deal, says Health Secretary Matt Hancock Britain “may well” leave the EU without a deal, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told Sky News. He insisted “we’ve got to get Brexit done” on 31 October, repeating the Conservatives’ key message at the start of their party conference in Manchester. The cabinet minister admitted changing his mind on the scenario, having previously said when he was running for the Tory leadership that it was “not a policy option available to the next prime minister”. Opposition MPs are sitting in parliament during the Conservative Party conference after the Supreme Court ruled its suspension was unlawful. Government whips are on alert for any fast manoeuvres from Labour trying to take advantage of the Conservatives being hundreds of miles away at their annual gathering of party faithful. “I think that the best way to leave is with a deal, absolutely, I’ve always thought that but we’ve got to get Brexit done so that we can get on to delivering on all the other things,” he told Sophy Ridge on Sunday. – Sky News > WATCH: Health Secretary Matt Hancock discusses Brexit on Sophy Ridge on Sunday No 10 has hopes of light at end of tunnel as EU’s verdict on Brexit plan looms Boris Johnson will know the European Union’s verdict on his plans for a Brexit deal by the end of next week, The Times has learnt, as Labour prepares to force a snap election. The government will make its official offer to Brussels in the form of a “legal text” at the beginning of next week before any formal negotiations. The proposal is expected to include further concessions to address EU concerns over its plans for the Irish border. Sources said that they expected to enter into a “tunnel” of secret negotiations after the offers had been made if there was any likelihood of a deal. “The more you hear, the less likelihood there is of a deal,” the source said. “We’ll know by the end of next week [that it is off], if we are seeing leaks.” The government will present its proposals for a deal to Brussels on Monday or Tuesday of next week. The Times understands that the proposals are likely to include a limited extension to the number of checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Britain, a key demand of the EU. The government is also expected to table plans to reassure the Democratic Unionist Party that Northern Ireland will be consulted by both London and Brussels over any changes in the province. “A mechanism for Northern Ireland consent is going to be important,” said a source. – The Times (£) Remain alliance hatch new plot to force Boris Johnson into a Brexit extension as early as this week… Opposition leaders will meet on Monday to plot a way of forcing Boris Johnson to request a Brexit extension as early as this weekend. The Remain coalition will meet in Jeremy Corbyn’s office to discuss changing the law to bring forward the date when the Prime Minister legally has to ask Brussels to extend Article 50. They believe the current deadline of Oct 19 does not leave enough time for a court challenge to stop a no-deal Brexit on Oct 31 if Mr Johnson defies the law and refuses to ask for an extension. The Liberal Democrats want the deadline brought forward by two weeks to this Saturday, Oct 5. The opposition parties hope to seize control of parliamentary business while the Conservatives are in Manchester for their party conference. Even if the plot was unsuccessful it would mean maximum disruption was caused to the conference, as MPs and ministers would have to dash back to Westminster to vote. The plan emerged on Sunday as the opposition parties’ preferred line of attack after they failed to agree on holding a confidence vote in the Prime Minister. – Telegraph (£) …as Remainer MPs plot new law to allow Bercow to take place of the Prime Minister… Remainer John Bercow could be handed new powers to step in for the Prime Minister and send a “surrender letter” to the EU asking them to extend the Brexit deadline if Boris Johnson refuses to do so, it emerged today. MPs are plotting to introduce a new law which would enable Mr Bercow to bypass the prime minister and go straight to Brussels on behalf of the House of Commons to prevent a no-deal Brexit. The politicians want Parliament to sit on Saturday, October 19, to pass the Bill, according to the Mail on Sunday. A senior Commons source said: “The rebels say that, if Boris wants to play with nuclear weapons, then so will they”. The Speaker of the House of Commons is due to step down on October 31. Former justice secretary David Gauke refused to comment on any new Act which could see the Speaker’s powers increased. When asked about the plan during an interview with Sky News, the Tory MP sought to divert attention to the Benn Act, which was passed into law earlier this month. – Express …although plans for a parliamentary ambush to stop a no-deal Brexit are reportedly mired in disagreement over tactics Plans for a parliamentary ambush to stop Boris Johnson’s Brexit plans risk running into the sand, after deep tactical differences emerged among the anti-no-deal parties ahead of a crunch meeting. Opposition parties are hoping to take advantage of the Conservatives’ absence from Westminster for their annual conference in Manchester by seizing control of events in the Commons. But as leaders of the so-called “rebel alliance” prepared to meet on Monday to discuss tactics, there was little consensus on the way forward. Jeremy Corbyn will come under intense pressure at the meeting in Westminster to accept that he cannot lead a government of national unity to prevent no deal. The Labour leader’s position was emerging as a key “roadblock”, with only the Scottish National Party apparently ready to consider him as the head of a caretaker administration to if Mr Johnson resigns or is ousted by a vote of no confidence. – Independent EU unlikely to change its Brexit position, says German minister An electoral victory for Boris Johnson will not solve his Brexit problems with the EU, a senior German MP has said. Günter Krings, the parliamentary state secretary to the interior minister, told the Conservative party conference the EU is unlikely to change its negotiation position on Brexit even if there is a change of government. The interior minister said he was “gloomy” about the prospects of a deal despite Johnson expressing optimism that a deal was close. “Why am I gloomy? I know that the EU is not willing to make many concessions on this. The deal has been done between 27 members as it is,” he said. In a setback for Johnson and his strategist Dominic Cummings, who hope a clear majority in parliament will clear the path for a Brexit deal of their choice, he said that an election may not solve the issue. “Even after a new election, there might still be a possibility that you get a deal which is not much different than the one you have now. – Guardian Arlene Foster says the DUP would consider backing a Brexit deal if Boris Johnson secures time-limit to the backstop The DUP would consider voting for the current Brexit deal if Boris Johnson can secure a time-limit to the controversial Northern Ireland backstop, Arlene Foster has said. The Northern Irish party leader ruled out supporting any backstop that would apply only to Northern Ireland, but said the DUP would “look at” a time-limit if the EU were to offer one. Ms Foster also confirmed that the DUP will back Mr Johnson in any confidence vote, amid speculation that one could be called in the coming days. Speaking at a fringe event at the Conservatives’ annual conference in Manchester, Ms Foster said she did not believe that the Irish government or the EU would be willing to put a time limit on the backstop, which would see the UK stay in a temporary customs union with the EU if no trade deal can be agreed. – Independent Liz Truss tells Remainers to ‘wake up’ as ‘the world is waiting’ to strike Brexit trade deals Trade Secretary Liz Truss says she has no fears about a no-deal Brexit but finds the prospect of a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour government positively terrifying. She said countries were chomping at the bit to strike trade deals with a post-Brexit Britain, but were frustrated at the hold-up in the House of Commons. The International Trade Secretary warned that her dreams of transformative continent-crossing deals will be shattered if Labour take power. “All of that would be shot to pieces with a Jeremy Corbyn government,” she said. Ms Truss, 44, shares other nations’ impatience with “this whole sorry Parliament” and says she wants a general election. “Britain is ready to move on and some people have not realised that.They need to wake up.” She argues that Parliament “as it is currently constituted is simply not working” and is in no doubt why opinion polls show MPs are held in such low esteem. Ms Truss says: “The fact is that Parliament has gone down in the public’s estimation because it has failed to deliver what people voted for – which is Brexit. The Prime Minister has huge public support. They want us to get on with Brexit.” – Express > WATCH: International Trade Secretary Liz Truss addresses Tory Party conference Jacob Rees-Mogg accuses John Bercow of sinking the reputation of House of Commons to ‘lowest point in modern history’ John Bercow has “damaged the standing” of the House of Commons in the eyes of the public to “the lowest point in modern history”, Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said. In a speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Rees-Mogg criticised the Speaker of the House of Common over his handling of Brexit. He was greeted by cheers and a standing ovation as he walked on stage, but Tory activists started murmuring in discontent as he spoke about Mr Bercow. Mr Rees-Mogg said: “As a parliamentarian, no listen, listen, because I’m actually going to be nice about him. As a parliamentarian, I have been in many ways and remain a great admirer of the Speaker. “He has helped MPs hold the Government to account and to seek redress of grievance. But in my view, he has now flown too close to the sun and I hope that as he comes to his retirement he will not allow the good he has done in his earlier years to be forgotten. “But his recent mistakes have to my deepest regret as Leader of the House of Commons damaged the standing of the House in the eyes of the British public to the lowest point in modern history.” – Telegraph (£) Scottish Tories swing behind Boris Johnson no-deal Brexit plan to stop ‘endless drift’ The Scottish Tories have officially swung behind a no-deal Brexit after their interim leader argued that more “endless drift” beyond the October 31 deadline would be even more damaging. Jackson Carlaw told a fringe event at the Conservative conference in Manchester that another extension to the Article 50 process “doesn’t guarantee anything” and concluded that “at some point you have to say ‘we need to move on’ and I think we are at that point.” In a major break from the stance adopted by Ruth Davidson, who vigorously opposed no deal when she was leader, he said that the roof would not “fall in on the world” provided the UK Government has conducted the necessary preparations. He also rejected accusations that Boris Johnson is an English nationalist who does not care for Scotland, arguing that the Prime Minister is a passionate and committed Unionist. Mr Carlaw is expected to remain as interim leader for the foreseeable future, with a contest to elect a permanent replacement to Ms Davidson postponed until the Brexit deadlock is resolved. He told the fringe even that “more dither and delay” would be more damaging than no deal, saying: “The Prime Minister does have a solution and I support him 100 per cent.” – Telegraph (£) Nigel Farage vows to ‘take charge’ of Brexit if Boris Johnson fails in Brexiteer takeover of Parliament… Nigel Farage has vowed to take charge of Brexit if Boris Johnson fails to take the country out of the EU by 1st November – after announcing his plans to run to be an MP. Nigel Farage has said that his Brexit Party will have a “very important role to play” if Boris Johnson fails Brexiteers. Announcing his plans to run to be an MP, Mr Farage told Sophy Ridge on Sky News that he is ready to “lead the charge” for Brexiteers who simply want a “clean break Brexit”. The Brexit Party leader’s warning to Boris Johnson comes amid the looming 31st October deadline. He told Andrew Marr on the BBC that the Conservatives “do not do deals with other parties”. Mr Farage had earlier predicted that this electoral pact would hand the Prime Minister a massive majority of 60-100 seats. The Brexit Party leader told Ridge: “Here is a way for Boris to get a big, workable majority. We’re happy to help with that.” – Express > WATCH: The Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage’s interview on Sophy Ridge on Sunday …as Johnson refuses an electoral pact with Brexit Party Boris Johnson has ruled out a forming an electoral pact with the Brexit Party after Nigel Farage claimed it could deliver the Tories a 100-seat majority. Mr Farage renewed his offer of an olive branch to the prime minister in a snap election, but warned the deal could only occur if the UK leaves the EU without a deal in a “clean break” Brexit. But asked if he would do a deal, Mr Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “No. There is good reason for that, that is that the Conservative Party is the oldest and greatest political party in the world. “It is a big, broad church and we don’t do deals with other parties.” – Independent Brian Monteith: A government of national unity would be even more divisive After a week in which the UK’s Supreme Court created law where none before existed, where it gave power to the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament, that overrode that previously in the gift of the head of state as advised by her Prime Minister and approved by the Privy Council – whatever will happen next? Two small but important points. So long as we remain in the European Union, the Supreme Court is not supreme, it is in fact the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg that is supreme over us. That its activist judges cannot be trusted to act impartially as a final court of appeal for our government seeking to deliver the peoples’ vote is just one of many democratic reasons why we must see Brexit through to the finish. It is one of the ironies of the UK’s descent into constitutional chaos – thanks to the resistance of the losers in the EU referendum and their unwillingness to respect the decision given to the British public – that those wishing to leave the EU so our Supreme Court can become truly supreme have been so badly let down by the very people they would empower. Secondly, the agreement of the Privy Council to advise Her Majesty the Queen for a prorogation of Parliament only four days longer than the usual period demonstrates the idea it was all Boris Johnson’s doing is as absurd as it is untrue. What we are witnessing is the intentional demonisation of Boris Johnson to become a hate figure – the target for all fermenting odious bile that can be spewed from critics mouths – by politicians who claim to be amongst the most meek and placid amongst us. What next then from this descent into ungovernability? Shall the opposition parties who want something different find common cause by passing a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister? And if they do, what then? A Government of National Unity? Where would be the unity in having a government that is against the will of the people? How can those that claim they wish to unite us do so by only representing the minority view – and including in its number only those who wish to overturn the referendum result? – Brian Monteith MEP for The Scotsman Arron Banks: Brexit was the first time in the history of Britain that people had won With every day we approach the leaving date of October 31 the establishment’s ruthless campaign against ordinary Britons is exposed for what it is. Within the past few weeks, the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police have announced the closure of investigations into me and my Brexit campaign. In America, once the phoney Russian collusion conspiracy was quashed by the Mueller Report, the Attorney General opened up investigations into how so much time and money was wasted on leftist fabrications. It is time we did the same in Britain. Never in my wildest imagination could I have foreseen the mass delirium of every powerful institution in our country that followed the Brexit vote. The establishment could not comprehend that anyone would actually want to leave the EU, let alone 17.4 million people. Then they started to make up why Britain voted to leave. At first, it was that Leavers are a bunch of thick racists who probably thought Nice was a type of biscuit, instead of where one takes the family for summer. Then it turned more sinister. Cries of Russian interference, illegal campaigns and murky online interference in our elections became rife. Remain MPs needed a bogeyman, a scapegoat, anything to deflect from the fact that their EU dream was crumbling. Their campaign against me was a campaign against every single Leave voter and an excuse to overturn the biggest vote in our history. – Arron Banks for the Express Express: Boris cannot weaken in quest to leave EU In 1918, a writer for the Syracuse Herald in New York State complained that he could not get out to enjoy something because the streets were blocked by “everything but the kitchen sink”. It was the earliest known use of the term and certainly resonates with the current travails of Boris Johnson. The Remainer alliance of Labour, the Lib Dems and SNP are indeed throwing “everything but the kitchen sink” at him to block Brexit and thwart the will of the British people. As this newspaper has also shown today, Donald Trump is facing the American equivalent of the same establishment forces who could never accept his victory in 2016. On both sides of the Atlantic the last week was an unedifying and tumultuous one, and it looks like things will only get worse. But as he prepares for his conference in Manchester this week, Boris Johnson should listen to the sage words of Sir Bernard Ingham, the press secretary who helped Margaret Thatcher through her dark days. Mr Johnson must, as Sir Bernard says, “stick with it and not weaken”. Only then can the EU understand that it has to compromise to give Britain a proper deal that does not trap it forever. But, even more importantly, only with that attitude can the Prime Minister restore trust in democracy by fulfilling the will of the British people – deal or no-deal. – Express editorial Nick Ferrari: Your Brexit vote means nothing to those in the Westminster bubble Just who is running the country? That was the question the listeners to my weekday breakfast show were set after that regrettable, but so predictable, decision from the Supreme Court that left the Prime Minister packing less punch than a freshly neutered tabby cat. Time to dispel any shred of doubt here. The establishment will stop at nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing to prevent Brexit. If you voted Leave your vote is as meaningful and valued as last night’s losing lottery ticket. If you’re inside the loathsome Westminster bubble, the wishes and demand from the electorate count for nothing, as they know so much better than you. We are in the pitiful situation that a panel of judges for whom none of us vote can inform a House of Commons Speaker who answers to no one of a decision Speaker that can force a nation to remain under the control of an unelected EU Commission. And we’re meant to be the cradle of democracy! What a saddening and maddening joke it all is. – Nick Ferrari for the Express The Sun: Boris Johnson must fight back against elite’s dirty tricks for the sake of our democracy Boris Johnson must fight back against an arrogant, toxic Remainer elite taking a sledgehammer to our democracy. They are coming for him at every turn — with tactics more sickening by the day — knowing that if they can topple him they can halt Brexit. Some have absurdly branded the PM a “tinpot dictator”. But their disgusting and unprecedented manoeuvres are by far the greatest threat to the fabric of our society. Some reportedly plotted with the EU to produce the “Surrender Act” that requires us to beg an extension on Brussels’s terms. They are even said to be trying to empower their biased Speaker John Bercow to sign off that capitulation. Some want to “impeach” Boris. Do they imagine themselves as heroes of some TV drama in the White House? Their vicious personal attacks are cynically political. Strange that London Mayor and arch-Remainer Sadiq Khan should be behind probes into Boris’s dealings with a US businesswoman. Boris is the one man capable of seeing Brexit through. To Remainer MPs, he is a danger. – The Sun says Brexit in Brief Boris Johnson has a simple message for his Brexit critics… surrender – Michael Deacon for the Telegraph (£) Brexit Party MEP has whip withdrawn over ‘unacceptable’ behaviour – iNews