EU countries recognise opposition leader Guaido as president of Venezuela February 4, 2019 The UK, France, Spain and Sweden have recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela after a deadline for President Nicholas Maduro to call fresh presidential elections expired. British Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt wrote on twitter: Nicolas Maduro has not called Presidential elections within 8 day limit we have set. So UK [...]
Don’t let healthy scepticism about China become paranoia February 4, 2019 With Britain looking so intently at itself in the mirror of the Brexit debate, we are missing something important at the other side of the world. The China slowdown is the most important single factor in the bad news that keeps coming out of Jaguar Land Rover, and it is causing many other companies to reassess [...]
Starling Bank courts Irish banking licence as it launches euro accounts February 4, 2019 London digital challenger bank Starling is today kicking off preparations to apply for an Irish banking licence, as it launches support for euro currency accounts this week. Offered to its users based in the UK, the euro account will be available alongside Starling’s existing pound account in order for customers to hold, send and receive euros with [...]
There’s more to Nissan’s X-Trail move than Brexit, but there’s no denying the cost of uncertainty February 3, 2019 The UK may or may not leave the EU on 29 March, and if it does the departure may or may not be facilitated by a formal withdrawal agreement. Unfortunately that's about as precise as anyone can be at the moment. With politicians still wrangling over the kind of Brexit that may emerge, businesses from [...]
Labour MPs mull party breakaway to form centrist movement in wake of Brexit divisions February 3, 2019 A handful of Labour MPs are rumoured to be on the brink of leaving their party to create a new centrist movement in the wake of dissatisfaction over Brexit. Up to six Labour MPs are thought to be prepared to walk away from the Labour party because of its stance on Brexit, anti-semitism, immigration and other [...]
Sajid Javid shoots down speculation of a snap general election in June February 3, 2019 Home secretary Sajid Javid has shot down rumours of a general election in June, saying "the people would never forgive us" if one was called. Speaking to the BBC, Javid said "the last thing" people wanted was a general election. “They want politicians to get on with the job," added. "They have been given a very [...]
Hiscox chief executive Bronek Masojada elected as alderman in Canada election February 3, 2019 The chief executive of insurance provider Hiscox Bronek Masojada has been elected as a new Canada alderman. Masojada won Thursday's aldermanic election in Billingsgate with 52 votes with a turnout of 46 per cent. The runner up in the election was Andrew Heath-Richardson, director of development at the Canary Wharf Group, who secured 25 votes. Five [...]
Theresa May determined to deliver Brexit ‘on time’ ahead of crunch talks on Irish backstop February 3, 2019 Theresa May has said she remains "determined" to deliver Brexit on time as she prepares to reopen talks with the European Union on the issue of the Irish backstop. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, the Prime Minister said she would head to Brussels to with a "fresh mandate, new ideas and a renewed determination" to stick [...]
High-ranking Venezuelan general backs opposition leader as supporters rally in the capital February 2, 2019 A Venezuelan airforce general has publicly declared his support for the self-declared interim president of Venezuela Juan Guaido as thousands of opposition supporters rally in Caracas. In a video circulating on Twitter today, General Francisco Yanez of the air force’s high command, said most of the armed forces already disavowed Maduro, who claims he is [...]
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow defends himself after accusations of Brexit impartiality February 2, 2019 Commons Speaker John Bercow has defended himself after being accused of impartiality by some Brexiteers and parts of the Conservative party. Bercow has come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks and infuriated ministers in January for moving away from the traditional conventions of the House and allowing a Remain-supporting backbencher the floor. Conservatives have threatened to remove Bercow's automatic [...]