Former Lib Dem MP Vince Cable says his party’s plans for a second referendum are “disrespectful” and “counter-productive” September 19, 2016 Former Lib Dem business secretary Vince Cable has reportedly branded his party's plans for a second Brexit vote "disrespectful" and "utterly counterproductive". Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has sought to make his party the logical choice of Europhiles everywhere since the June Brexit vote. Farron has repeatedly pledged his party's support for EU membership, and declared at [...]
A London branch of campaign group Momentum isn’t just focused on the Labour party any more September 19, 2016 Civil war between Labour MPs and backers of Jeremy Corbyn is spilling over into the Co-op party, with London members of the Corbynist Momentum campaign now seeking to gain representation in their sister group. In August the Sunday Times reported some Labour MPs had considered the party as a possible escape route if, as expected, Corbyn triumphs in [...]
Moody’s says UK banks don’t need EU passporting rights September 19, 2016 Leaving the EU Single Market and losing passporting rights would be far from a disaster for Canada, leading analysts at Moody's have found. The new research comes amid ongoing wrangling between the UK and Europe, between government ministers and across different industries all competing to put their views about what deal Theresa May should [...]
Canada issues vote of confidence in London’s future with new export hub September 19, 2016 Canada is to open a brand new trade hub in London this week in a big vote of confidence in the capital's post-referendum economy. Export Development Canada (EDC), the Canadian government's official export support service designed to help its firms crack in to new markets and win investment from around the world, will launch its second European operation at [...]
Downing Street looks to have snubbed a Boris Johnson-backed campaign to recommission the royal yacht for Brexit trade talks September 19, 2016 Downing Street has snubbed a fledgling campaign to recommission the Royal Yacht Britannia for trade talks in the aftermath of the UK's Brexit vote. This weekend the Telegraph reported that dozens of MPs were backing its call for the yacht to be brought out of retirement. In an editorial, the paper said the yacht had [...]
Labour leadership: Channel 4 Dispatches goes undercover in Jeremy Corbyn supporters group Momentum September 19, 2016 A documentary set to air tonight will provide an undercover look at Momentum, the grassroots group of supporters backing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Channel 4 said Dispatches has discovered "a number of hard left revolutionaries inside and influencing Momentum, one of whom advocated a “flood” into the Labour Party and others that want to oust anti-Corbyn MPs [...]
In quotes: Jeremy Corbyn’s quite sarcastic Today programme appearance September 19, 2016 Two days before the ballot closes in the Labour leadership contest, Jeremy Corbyn has given his first interview to the BBC's flagship Today programme since the contest started in July. The programme, widely seen as agenda-setting in Westminster, the City and beyond attracts an average weekly audience of 7.4 million listeners. That's only 1.9 million [...]
Junck(er) mail: The EU Digital Single Market copyright proposals could be bad news for advertisers September 19, 2016 The EU Commission’s Digital Single Market (DSM) strategy promises to “tear down regulatory walls” and “make the EU’s Single Market fit for the digital age”. But its current wording looks like a bum-deal for advertisers. Launched last week to coincide with Jean-Claude Juncker’s state of the union address, the latest raft of proposals aim to [...]
Dear Juncker, more integration is not the answer to EU woes. Focusing on cooperation between states might do the trick September 19, 2016 The EU’s head honcho, Jean-Claude Juncker, was in the news last week for the televisual highlight of all good Europeans: his annual State of the Union address. It was a sombre affair, unlikely to cheer up anyone’s Wednesday morning. It sounded like a eulogy, and Juncker should at least be commended for his honesty. Addressing members [...]
Head of Germany’s central bank warns EU against further integration after Brexit September 18, 2016 The head of Germany’s central bank has warned the EU against pushing for further integration after the UK’s Brexit vote. Jens Weidmann, the president of Deutsche Bundesbank, said this approach “no longer resonates with the public”. In a meeting with media organisations including the Guardian, Weidmann said: “For many of its citizens, Europe has indeed [...]