EU27 mull trade-off over Single Market for goods August 9, 2018 Leaders of the EU27 are considering a deal in which the UK could remain in the Single Market for goods without having to compromise on freedom of movement. The Times reports that member states are willing to abandon one of the four freedoms – said to be indivisible – if Theres May accepts more concessions [...]
It’s time for a grown-up conversation about immigration August 9, 2018 Business has been well served by immigration, but even before the word Brexit had worked its way into daily use, it was clear the wider public has a less rosy view of untrammelled free movement. As negotiations have progressed, sectors as varied as healthcare, fruit-picking, hospitality and banking have pressed their own special cases, to [...]
Brexit: City vents at EU’s failure to reciprocate on no deal regime August 8, 2018 The City has vented its frustration at the EU’s apparent failure to grapple with the regulatory challenges posed by a no deal Brexit. Work in the UK has begun on a ‘temporary permissions regime’, allowing EU firms to continue passporting into the country in the event of a hard Brexit, in which scenario there would [...]
Exclusive: Tory members plot Brexit rebellion at party conference August 8, 2018 Theresa May is facing outright rebellion at this year’s Conservative party conference, as aggrieved party members plot tactics to force her hand on Brexit. Activists are thought to be plotting protests against both the Prime Minister and Chequers-backing MPs at the conference in early October, just weeks before the crunch European Council to discuss Brexit. [...]
Peter Hargreaves: Government hasn’t got ‘a clue’ on Brexit August 7, 2018 One of the co-founders of Hargreaves Lansdown and a major supporter of the Leave campaign has slammed the government's handling of negotiations, saying there "isn't one person on our Brexit team who has a clue". In an explosive interview with Bloomberg, Peter Hargreaves railed against Theresa May and ministers for failing to involve business in [...]
Antisemitism oblivion could push Corbyn’s leadership over the edge August 6, 2018 In the wake of his appointment as Labour leader three years ago, it seemed that Jeremy Corbyn could do no wrong. His controversial history and past parliamentary rebellions were all proof of genuine commitment rather than poor judgement, and were a breath of fresh air in politics. But the decisions he is taking as leader [...]
Europe stands ground over US-Iran feud August 6, 2018 European leaders hit back yesterday at US President Donald Trump’s decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, which took effect tonight. A joint statement from the UK, French, German and EU foreign ministers said they “deeply regret” the US decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump has repeatedly railed against the agreement signed [...]
Antisemitism oblivion could push Corbyn’s leadership over the edge August 6, 2018 In the wake of his appointment as Labour leader three years ago, it seemed that Jeremy Corbyn could do no wrong. His controversial history and past parliamentary rebellions were all proof of genuine commitment rather than poor judgement, and were a breath of fresh air in politics. But the decisions he is taking as [...]
Brexit via the lobby: Cicero’s executive chairman on why City lobbyists are about to focus on extending Article 50 August 6, 2018 The reputation of professional lobbyists – never particularly burnished, it’s fair to say – has gone through the wringer of late, with everyone from Boris Johnson to Greenpeace (itself active in that regard) sticking their oar in. There is a problem, acknowledges Iain Anderson, boss of the newly supersized City lobby firm Cicero, much of [...]
Britain continues to reject the far right August 5, 2018 An economics professor at the University of Warwick published a study last week claiming to show a direct link between the Leave vote and areas hit hardest by “Tory austerity” and welfare cuts. Political scientists were quick to criticise the paper for failing to acknowledge the existence of other motivating factors, but the claim was [...]