4th Apr 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=38 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Reuters Financial firms in Britain continue to shift business to new European Union hubs and wont stop unless Brexit is cancelled a think tank told British lawmakers on Wednesday. William Wright head of New Financial said its study published on March 11 showed that 275 financial firms were moving some of their business staff or assets from Britain to hubs in the EU to avoid Brexit disruption. Since the report was published we have found another 14 firms have set up new entities Wright told a House of Lords committee. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-banks/brexit-still-pushing-financial-jobs-from-uk-to-eu-think-tank-idUKKCN1RF1X6 3rd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47807801 3rd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

Sky News Mark Carney has told Sky News the risk of a nodeal Brexit is now alarmingly high branding suggestions such a scenario could be managed as absolute nonsense. In an exclusive interview with Sky News the governor of the Bank of England defended its gloomy forecasts for what a cliffedge Brexit would mean and denied they amounted to scaremongering. He said the Banks thinking on the issue which included predictions of an economic shock had been demanded by a committee of MPs and involved the work of hundreds of staff including its economists. https://news.sky.com/story/mark-carney-risk-of-no-deal-brexit-now-alarmingly-high-11683173 3rd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

@SkyNews Forget the fiction its absolute nonsense. It needs to be called out. Mark Carney says its a myth that the UK could maintain zero tariffs in a Brexit on WTO rules. https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1113490871125671936 3rd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

City A.M. The pound rose to 1.3184 this morning after the announcement last night by Prime Minister Theresa May that she would work with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over Brexit. The pound which rose sharply on the news had fallen as low as 1.2997 in the past week. http://www.cityam.com/275662/pound-rises-may-corbyn-brexit-talks 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC British civil servants were offered specialised support to deal with the strain of preparing for a nodeal Brexit the BBC has learned. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Defra spent 40000 on counselling services in London York and Bristol. The surgeries were primarily for those working on emergency preparedness in case of a no deal scenario. The government said the wellbeing of its staff was always a priority. The threemonth contract which was awarded to Gloucesterbased employee assistance firm Care First was brought to the BBCs attention by the data firm Tussell. It was designed to bolster Defras inhouse mental health services while the department made changes to its support programmes and ended on the 31 January. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47807800 4th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Politicians and campaigners should take care not to inflame tensions in the UK caused by Brexit a senior police chief has warned. The Metropolitan Police Services Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt said people should think carefully to avoid inciting others to violence. The warning follows increased concern about intimidation of MPs. Police have 10000 officers ready to deploy at 24 hours notice as part of possible nodeal Brexit preparations. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47806365 4th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Police chiefs have voiced fears that inflammatory rhetoric from politicians and activists could fuel Brexit tensions as they revealed they have amassed their biggest ever peacetime reserve of 10000 officers to deal with potential unrest in the event of no deal. The chair of the National Police Chiefs Council Martin Hewitt warned prominent individuals involved in the protracted Brexit debate should avoid inciting anger given the febrile and emotive atmosphere amid concerns of violence and disorder. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/04/police-amass-10000-officers-in-preparation-for-no-deal-unrest 4th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Reuters Britain will have to recover millions of euros from some multinationals after EU antitrust regulators ruled on Tuesday that an exemption in a UK tax scheme was illegal. The European Commissions decision following a 16month investigation is part of an ongoing crackdown against multinationals benefiting from sweetheart tax deals offered by EU countries. The EU investigation focussed on Britains Controlled Foreign Company CFC rules which are aimed at attracting companies to set up headquarters in Britain and discourage UK companies moving offshore. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-subsidies/eu-orders-uk-to-recover-illegal-tax-aid-from-multinationals-idUKKCN1RE0WB 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Irish Times The UK government is under pressure to clarify immigration rules that human rights activists say undermine the rights of Northern Irelandborn Irish citizens under the Belfast Agreement. Les Allamby chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission said changes in UK immigration laws treating people in Northern Ireland automatically as British citizens or British subjects goes against the grain of the 1998 agreement underpinning the Northern Irish peace process. He was referring to the changes to immigration rules published on March 7th but highlighted this week by citizens rights campaigner Emma DeSouza a Northern Irelandborn Irish citizen embroiled in a lengthy appeals process after her USborn husbands application for residence was rejected. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/uk-immigration-rules-deny-ni-born-irish-citizens-access-to-eu-rights-1.3846117 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Broadband TV News https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/04/03/brexit-bbc-prepares-for-dutch-move/ 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Mirror The BBC is moving some of its TV channels to Amsterdam so it can keep broadcasting to the EU if theres a nodeal Brexit . Aunties directorgeneral confirmed reports it was examining creating a European office so it can carry on providing services within the bloc. Lord Hall told the Commons Public Accounts Committee today Its simply us being cautious and saying we have channels that we run a market in the rest of Europe that we want to make sure we can continue doing. If we were to move somewhere and it depends entirely on what happens with the negotiations over Brexit it would be a handful of people four or five people. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-bbc-move-channels-amsterdam-14232676 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Politico A crossparty group of European Parliament lawmakers has accused the BBC of normalizing white supremacist language in its Brexit coverage. In a letter addressed to the BBCs director of news and current affairs on Thursday 14 British MEPs called for journalists to receive advice on the use of extreme right dogwhistles the Independent reported. https://www.politico.eu/article/meps-denounce-bbcs-use-of-white-supremacist-language/ 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Byline Times In what MP Jonathan Ashworth calls an extraordinary power grab from doctors the Government passed its Serious Medicine Shortages Protocol in February without parliamentary debate. A legal challenge to overturn the new law was refused permission in the High Court last Friday with lawyers planning to appeal. The law designed for emergencies lets Ministers direct pharmacists to prescribe different drugs to patients if there is a serious shortage. Pharmacists could then alter patients prescriptions in line with that guidance without calling their GP. Doctors received letters about the plan last month. One GP explained her worries on receiving the Government letter Pharmacists will be able to override and change prescriptions in event of shortages. This may sound OK but could in fact be dangerous because they arent currently party to the patients records. She added I do feel worried because in my 26 years as a GP I have never received a mailing from the Government about something that could willfully endanger patients. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/04/03/ministers-power-grab-from-doctors-over-brexit-medicine-shortages/ 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian From customs holding up CD and vinyl deliveries to visa issues putting roadies out of work the UK music industry is nervous about what Brexit may bring https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/03/brexit-effects-on-british-pop-classical-music 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Sky News The prime minister has tried to reassure the bosses of some of the UKs biggest companies about her undulating Brexit strategy amid efforts to persuade corporate Britain to publicly endorse her latest change of tack. Sky News understands that Mrs May held a call with the cochairs of her business councils on Tuesday night shortly after announcing that she would seek a further extension to Article 50 and hold talks with the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn aimed at forging a parliamentary consensus. A source close to the discussion said that Mrs May was keen to gauge support among the heads of companies such as BT Group GlaxoSmithKline GSK and RollsRoyce for her sudden shift toward a softer Brexit. https://news.sky.com/story/may-seeks-to-reassure-bosses-over-shifting-brexit-plan-11683098 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May had not moved far enough in a first round of crisis talks aimed at breaking the domestic deadlock over Britains exit from the European Union. The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday but nearly three years after it voted by 52 percent to 48 for Brexit in a referendum it is still unclear how when or even whether it will quit the bloc it joined in 1973. After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers the Conservative prime minister invited Corbyn a veteran socialist to talks in parliament to try to plot a way out of the crisis. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu/labours-corbyn-says-theresa-may-has-not-moved-enough-on-brexit-idUKKCN1RF0Y2 4th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Britains Brexit drama went into overtime Wednesday as Prime Minister Theresa May and the countrys main opposition sought a compromise deal to prevent an abrupt British departure from the European Union at the end of next week. In an aboutface that left proBrexit members of Mays Conservative Party howling with outrage the prime minister sought to forge an agreement with leftwing Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn after failing three times to win Parliaments backing for her Brexit deal. May also said she would ask the EU for a further delay to Britains departure date postponed once already to avert a chaotic and economically damaging nodeal Brexit on April 12. Skeptical lawmakers reluctant to take her word for it approved a hastily crafted law that compels May to ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline if a nodeal departure is looming. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-6880987/UK-Brexit-chief-says-May-not-offering-blank-check-talks.html 4th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times A lobbying company run by the Conservatives election guru Sir Lynton Crosby has been linked to a covert grassroots Facebook advertising campaign pushing for a hard Brexit. Two supposedly independent groups Britains Future and the Mainstream Network have spent nearly 1 million on a targeted campaign encouraging people to write to their MPs with a call to reject Theresa Mays agreement and support a nodeal Brexit. Documents seen by The Guardian have linked the groups with employees of CTF Partners Sir Lyntons lobbying outfit which also ran Boris Johnsons campaign to become mayor of London. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/10dca620-5656-11e9-b872-7488e2315159 4th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Theresa Mays appeal for a short Brexit extension has been rejected by JeanClaude Juncker who said that unless the withdrawal deal was passed within nine days the UK would crash out of the EU or have to sign up to a long delay. Less than 24 hours after May had spelled out her new strategy from Downing Street the European commission president dismissed her request for an extension of article 50 to 22 May. Speaking to the European parliament Juncker instead set an ultimate deadline of 12 April for the Commons to approve the withdrawal agreement. If it has not done so by then no further short extension will be possible he said. After 12 April we risk jeopardising the European parliament elections and so threaten the functioning of the European Union. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/03/eu-leaders-urged-to-refuse-may-appeal-for-further-brexit-delay 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror A crunch vote on Brexit was tied in extraordinary scenes the like of which have not been seen in the House of Commons in 26 years. And the last vote to be tied in the Chamber was ironically in a vote on the Maastricht Treaty with the European Union. The vote was on Labour MP Hilary Benns bid to bring forward a third set of indicative votes to find a way forward on Brexit which would have taken place on Monday. After MPs voted on the plan exactly 310 of them voted for and against it. In the case of a tie the Speaker has the casting vote. Speaker John Bercow voted no complying with the convention that when there is no majority in the House the chair should not create one. As such the amendment was defeated by 311 votes to 310. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-vote-tied-house-commons-14231925 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Jeremy Corbyn should walk out of crossparty talks with Theresa May if she refuses to discuss a second referendum the senior Labour MP Margaret Beckett has said. The remarks from the partys former foreign secretary come as talks between the prime minister and the Labour leader are set to commence in an effort to break to Brexit logjam at Westminster. Appearing at a press conference organised by the Peoples Vote campaign for a fresh referendum Dame Margaret said Mr Corbyn is now in a very powerful position. She said that if any new proposal is to command Labours support and a stable majority in parliament it cannot must not and will not preclude the idea of any Brexit deal is put to the people. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-corbyn-theresa-may-second-referendum-labour-peoples-vote-a8852446.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The EU would refuse to open trade talks with Britain after a nodeal Brexit until the UK decided to sign up to the main elements of the withdrawal agreement anyway the European Commission has said. Speaking in the European parliament on Wednesday JeanClaude Juncker said the Irish border citizens rights and the divorce bill would need to be agreed before any other negotiations could begin. He also warned that no further short Article 50 extension would be possible and that the UK would have to commit to European parliament elections and a longer delay if it wanted to put back its deadline again. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-no-deal-eu-juncker-irish-border-backstop-theresa-may-a8852756.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror The Shadow Foreign Secretary wrote to all Labour MPs after the Leader of the Opposition met with the Prime Minister. Emily Thornberry has insisted that any deal with Theresa May to save her Brexit plan signed off by Jeremy Corbyn MUST include a referendum. Ms Thornberry today warned that any agreement that did not include a public vote would be in breach of the decision made unanimously by Conference in Liverpool and overwhelmingly supported by our members. The Labour MP who had to miss a vote today on holding indicative Brexit votes because her daughter was ill in hospital said in the letter Any deal agreed by Parliament must be subject to a confirmatory public vote and yes the other option on the ballot must be Remain. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-emily-thornberry-says-corbyns-14232289 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC It is an article of faith that the UK must leave the EU to honour the referendum result Geoffrey Cox says. The attorney general told the BBC a customs union was not desirable but if that was the only way of leaving the EU he would take it. He suggested the governments only option was to seek with Labour some common ground for a swift exit. And he suggested that the UK could not be bound into a customs arrangement permanently. It comes as the Brexit secretary says rejection of the PMs deal would mean a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all. Meanwhile the PM has responded to criticism from her own party over talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn by saying all MPs had a responsibility to deliver Brexit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47806920 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters A lawmaker from the Northern Irish party which props up Prime Minister Theresa Mays government appeared to hold out the prospect of the party supporting Britains membership of a postBrexit customs union a BBC correspondent said. We would have preferred a form of Brexit that enables the UK to negotiate new trade agreements with other countries Jeffrey Donaldson a Democratic Unionist Party lawmaker was quoted as saying by BBC Northern Ireland Political Correspondent Enda McClafferty. That is part of the reason for Brexit and maybe a customs union might be a temporary staging post toward that objective Donaldson was quoted as saying. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-dup-idUSKCN1RF2MS 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard MPs have narrowly backed a bill by a majority of just one to force Theresa May to ask for an extension to the Brexit process to avoid a nodeal outcome. The crossparty CooperBoles Bill which was fasttracked through Parliament in one day was approved by MPs by 315 to 310 votes after its second reading. It was later passed in the Commons by just one vote with 313 votes for and 312 votes against. The thirdreading vote just before midnight on Wednesday means the Prime Minister has a mandate to ask for an Article 50 extension. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-mps-back-bill-that-rules-out-nodeal-and-delays-withdrawal-in-knifeedge-vote-a4108801.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Talks between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn to break the Brexit deadlock have been called constructive. The two leaders met on Wednesday afternoon and agreed a programme of work to try to find a way forward to put to MPs for a vote. It is understood that each party has appointed a negotiating team which are meeting tonight before a full day of discussions on Thursday. A spokesman for No 10 said both sides were showing flexibility. And he added that the two parties gave a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close. Speaking after the meeting Mr Corbyn said there had not been as much change as he had expected in the PMs position. He said the meeting was useful but inconclusive and talks would continue. Meanwhile Chancellor Philip Hammond has said a confirmatory referendum on a Brexit deal was a perfectly credible idea. He told ITVs Peston programme he was not sure if the majority of MPs would back it but it deserves to be tested in Parliament. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47807622 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News The House of Commons have narrowly approved a bill in the commons this evening that will compel Theresa May to seek a further extension on Article 50 to prevent a nodeal exit on 12 April. The bill laid by Labours Yvette Cooper requires the government to bring a legally binding vote to the Commons seeking an extension to Article 50 where MPs will be able to determine the length of the extension. 313 MPs voted for the bill and 312 voted against a majority of one. However this does not bind the European Union to the decision who could reject the outcome of the vote and not offer an extension. The bill raced through parliament in under six hours as backbench MPs took control of the parliamentary agenda from the government. https://news.sky.com/story/jeremy-corbyn-brexit-talks-with-theresa-may-useful-but-inconclusive-11683506 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Strictly speaking this is not the first time that Theresa May has tried to break free of the malign grip of the Eurosceptic Right. Her decision to hold a snap general election in June 2017 was generally interpreted as a bid to secure a personal mandate and the right to negotiate with Brussels on her own terms. Crush the saboteurs boomed the Daily Mail after she announced her plan. This was indeed the Prime Ministers intention. But according to those who worked with her at the time the prospective saboteurs were not Tory Remainers but the much larger number of Brexiteer hardliners the PM knew that they would never be happy with the deal that she was likely to deliver and sought a thumping Commons majority to liberate her from their veto. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/may-extends-a-squeamish-hand-to-corbyn-with-fate-of-the-nation-at-stake-a4108226.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jeremy Corbyn will resume Brexit talks with the prime minister on Thursday after Labour tensions over a second referendum burst into the open with the shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry writing to colleagues to insist any pact must be put to a public vote. Both Labour and Downing Street described the discussions as constructive and said they would hold technical talks facilitated by civil servants on Thursday. We have had constructive exploratory discussions about how to break the Brexit deadlock a Labour spokesperson said. We have agreed a programme of work between our teams to explore the scope for agreement. An emergency shadow cabinet meeting was convened in the aftermath of the discussions to consider how Labour should proceed. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/03/jeremy-corbyn-under-pressure-to-back-public-vote-on-brexit-deal 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

New York Intelligencer Benjamin Hart interviews Ian Dunt on the Brexit chaos in the UK http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/04/ian-dunt-discusses-how-badly-the-brexit-process-is-going.html?utm_campaign=nym&amputm_source=tw&amputm_medium=s1 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-brexit-mps-vote-force-14233721 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times MPs have voted in favour of a parliamentary manoeuvre to try to avert a nodeal Brexit on April 12 with a majority of one vote. The bill tabled by Labours Yvette Cooper and the Conservative Oliver Letwin requires Theresa May to negotiate a long delay to Brexit with all 27 EU leaders. The legislation which passed by 313 votes to 312 was rushed though the House of Commons on Wednesday. The bill will now move to the House of Lords for approval before it can become law. The bill was tabled before the prime minister said she intended to seek an extension of Article 50 at next Wednesdays emergency meeting of EU heads of government. The UK is set to leave the EU on April 12 without a deal unless an extension to the Article 50 divorce process is approved by EU member states. https://www.ft.com/content/02492618-5630-11e9-91f9-b6515a54c5b1 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Irish Times Proposed legislation to further delay the date of Brexit has cleared the House of Commons by one vote. MPs passed the Bill instructing British prime minister Theresa May to seek an extension to article 50 and avoid a nodeal Brexit on a third reading by 313 votes to 312. The Bill now has to pass the upper chamber the House of Lords. The plan spearheaded by Labours Yvette Cooper and the Conservative Oliver Letwin was almost scuppered during a frenzied day in parliament after MPs voted by a majority of just one to let the snap Bill proceed. After MPs voted 312 to 311 to allow the Bill to proceed Ms Cooper and Mr Letwin then had four hours to pass the Bills second reading committee stage and third reading through the Commons. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/brexit-british-mps-attempt-to-push-through-bill-to-block-no-deal-exit-1.3848627 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A vote in the House of Commons has been defeated by one vote after the Speaker John Bercow cast the deciding ballot. MPs were voting on a motion to hold more indicative votes on alternative plans for Brexit but the result was tied with 310 votes for and 310 against. Mr Bercow then voted no in accordance with precedent. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-47802664/speaker-casts-deciding-vote-after-dead-heat 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Spains prime minister Pedro Snchez has compared Brexit to the failed push for Catalan independence warning that engaging in campaigns or political projects based on lies eventually leads societies down a blind alley. Renewing his appeal for the UK to accept the EUs withdrawal deal Snchez said he saw clear parallels between the rhetoric that drove the Brexit debate and the arguments used in the regional independence campaign that plunged Spain into its worst crisis in four decades. The techniques of the Catalan independence movement are very similar to those of Nigel Farage and other ultraconservative leaders who have defended Brexit he said. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/03/spanish-pm-pedro-sanchez-brexit-catalan-independence-bid-both-based-on-lies 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

@ChhCalling After much contemplation I have decided to leave Theresa Mays Government. Im grateful to the PM for giving me the opportunity to serve the UK and I will continue to represent my constituents as the MP for Daventry. https://twitter.com/chhcalling/status/1113456229232381953 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Former Conservative MP Nick Boles who resigned the party whip on Monday has asked the prime minister for reassurance that she will enter crossparty talks without the red lines that have bedevilled the Brexit process so far. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-47802658/nick-boles-says-brexit-talks-must-start-without-red-lines 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Brexiters may well be frustrated but their rhetoric of betrayal sabotage and treason is fuelling a dangerously febrile atmosphere https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/the-guardian-view-on-brexit-radicalisation-take-time-lower-the-temperature 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politico European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker said Wednesday there would be no short extension for Brexit once the April 12 deadline hits and reaffirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement is the best way forward. If the House of Commons does not adopt a stance by that date no extension no shortterm extension will be possible Juncker told the European Parliament. After April 12 we run the risk to jeopardize the correct running of the European elections and function of the European Union. Juncker added a nodeal scenario on April 12 is more and more likely. https://www.politico.eu/article/juncker-draws-hard-line-on-april-12-deadline-for-uk/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Scottish first minister warns against cobbled together least bad option and calls for long delay to Brexit instead. Any Brexit deal agreed between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn would make the country poorer Nicola Sturgeon has said. The Scottish first minister said a crossparty compromise plan would be a cobbled together least bad option that satisfies nobody and could be unpicked by a future Eurosceptic prime minister such as Boris Johnson. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-theresa-may-corbyn-nicola-sturgeon-deal-meeting-eu-a8852786.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the remorseless logic of the House of Commons was pushing the UK towards either a softer Brexit or no Brexit at all. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme he also claimed it meant the Tories now had to seek support from the opposition. The Prime Ministers deal wont go through and no deal in law is taken off the table then the consequence of that is either a soft Brexit or no Brexit at all he said Its regrettable that what we have been saying for several months now is coming to pass but that is the remorseless logic of not backing the Prime Ministers deal. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/brexit-secretary-says-remorseless-logic-could-drive-uk-to-softer-brexit-or-none-at-all/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Unison Commenting on the meeting today Wednesday between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said Theresa May should have been reaching out across Westminster to find a Brexit solution a long time ago not just at the tail end of her premiership when shes little else to lose. With just nine days to go every effort must be made to avoid a catastrophic nodeal Brexit and protect public services jobs wages the economy and peace in Northern Ireland. A general election is our preferred option but until that time the socalled Norway plan allowing the UK to remain in the customs union and the single market is the next best bet. Whatever deal emerges in the coming days should be put to the country. We cannot allow the UKs future to be dashed on the rocks of a nodeal Brexit. https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2019/04/brexit-deal-put-country/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCPolitics Vote by MPs on whether to hold fresh round of votes on Brexit options ends in a tie with Speaker John Bercow using casting vote to reject the plan https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1113487762441875457 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

New Statesman By backing a confirmatory referendum and opposing Theresa Mays deal the Labour leader has pulled his party back from the brink. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2019/04/tories-self-destruct-over-brexit-jeremy-corbyn-s-new-stance-has-been-vindicated 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Washington Post Mays dramatic swerve across her own red lines threatens to tear her beloved Conservative Party apart as fellow Tories on Wednesday heaped scorn upon their leader for sitting down with an opponent they daily excoriate as a leftist menace. Hardline Brexiteers on Mays right are not only enraged that she seeks compromise with Corbyn but they also fear she will agree with the Labour Partys vision for an ultrasoft version of Brexit. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/brexit-theresa-mays-party-is-in-a-rage-that-shes-negotiating-with-opposition-leader-jeremy-corbyn/2019/04/03/6dd6a704-561f-11e9-aa83-504f086bf5d6_story.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Jeremy Corbyn has risked the wrath of his shadow Cabinet by making a lukewarm appeal for a second referendum in his meeting with Theresa May. The Labour leader has faced pressure to back a Peoples Vote but said he had merely put it there as one of the issues in his Brexit summit with the PM today. He said there had been no agreement on a new referendum which ministers have insisted is not on the table. It puts Mr Corbyn on collision course with his shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry who earlier demanded that any deal reached must be put to a public vote. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6881363/Corbyn-ally-suggests-WONT-ask-second-referendum.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New York Times The problem with holding out for a perfect Brexit plan is that you cant fix stupid. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/opinion/brexit-news.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Hes faced repeated deselections and a noconfidence vote but Sam Gyimah wont give up. Here the MP talks about being thrown to the wolves and how toxic Brexiteer infighting is threatening to tear the Conservatives apart https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/sam-gyimah-i-m-still-a-tory-it-s-the-party-i-joined-in-2010-that-s-changed-a4108276.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian A senior official from Nigel Farages proBrexit party has been removed after the Guardian uncovered antisemitic and other offensive Facebook posts he made two weeks after the party leader quit her role for similar reasons. The party said Michael McGough its treasurer had made unacceptable statements and would no longer have any role in the organisation. In some messages McGough refers to Ed and David Miliband and Peter Mandelson as having shallow UK roots or being devoid of UK roots seen as a common antisemitic trope about Jewish people. A Facebook post saw McGough refer to a foreigner as someone from a bingo bongo land. In another he said many survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire were illegal aliens enjoying an amnesty. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/apr/03/brexit-party-official-removed-after-antisemitic-posts 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Theresa May has risked igniting a fresh Tory civil war after she blamed her own MPs and the DUP for the fact she is now seeking Jeremy Corbyns help to deliver Brexit. The Prime Minister has written a letter to every Conservative MP explaining why she will hold talks with the Labour leader in an attempt to break the Parliamentary deadlock. Parliament has rejected Mrs Mays own deal on three occasions with Tory Brexiteers and the DUP whose 10 MPs she relies on to prop up her government repeatedly refusing to back it. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/103025/theresa-may-says-tory-and-dup 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European Michael Gove has denied any knowledge of Vote Leaves wrongdoing during the referendum campaign claiming as a coconvenor he was too busy on the campaign trail. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/michael-gove-on-vote-leave-law-breaking-1-5974547 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC For so long Theresa May has been derided by her rivals inside and outside for cleaving to the idea that she can get the country and her party through this process intact. But after her deal was defeated at the hands of Eurosceptics in the words of one cabinet minister in the room during that marathon session today she tried delivering Brexit with Tory votes Tory Brexiteers said No. Now shes going to try to deliver Brexit with Labour votes. In a way it is as simple as that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47796013 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-jacob-reesmogg-clashes-with-bbc-presenter-after-he-tweeted-german-farright-leader-a4108516.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jacob-rees-mogg-afd-bbc-leftie-approach_uk_5ca4799ae4b0ed0d780e9d03 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Tory MP Jacob ReesMogg lost his customary cool during a live BBC interview after being confronted over his promotion of a farright German leader. The antiEU Conservative had prompted anger after approvingly quoting the leader of the AfD senior figures from which have called for refugees to be shot. Asked on the BBCs Today programme about his decision to shine attention on the AfD remarks he replied Well I think this is typical of the BBCs obsession dare I say it the Today programme obsession. Challenged again he told presenter Mishal Husain Hold on. You must be patient and not interrupt because the answer needs to be given properly. The BBC does have this obsession. Referring to what he said was a slur made by another BBC presenter about the European Research Group which Mr ReesMogg chairs in the Conservative Party he continued When I quote someone and its not my view thats a great shock and that seems to be typical of the Today programmes leftie approach. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jacob-rees-mogg-afd-far-right-germany-twitter-bbc-today-interview-a8852101.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Labour List Jeremy Corbyns spokesperson has confirmed that it is Labour policy to end freedom of movement once the UK leaves the EU. The 2017 manifesto For the Many Not the Few began its section on immigration with the statement Freedom of movement will end when we leave the European Union. It added Labour will develop and implement fair immigration rules. After PMQs today in which the Prime Minister cited ending free movement as an area of agreement the Labour leaders office said that this pledge remains party policy and that Labour supports fair rules and reasonable management of migration. https://labourlist.org/2019/04/labour-confirms-it-wants-to-end-freedom-of-movement/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian A series of hugely influential Facebook advertising campaigns that appear to be separate grassroots movements for a nodeal Brexit are secretly overseen by employees of Sir Lynton Crosbys lobbying company and a former adviser to Boris Johnson documents seen by the Guardian reveal. The mysterious groups which have names such as Mainstream Network and Britains Future appear to be run independently by members of the public and give no hint that they are connected. But in reality they share an administrator who works for Crosbys CTF Partners and have spent as much as 1m promoting sophisticated targeted adverts aimed at heaping pressure on individual MPs to vote for a hard Brexit. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/03/grassroots-facebook-brexit-ads-secretly-run-by-staff-of-lynton-crosby-firm 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa Mays response to Brexit has resulted in falling opinion polls a drop in donations to the Tory Party and collapsing membership. I am ber loyal to Conservative Prime Ministers. I have been ber loyal to Theresa May. But no longer. I have become exasperated with this decent kind hardworking but stubborn Prime Minister who is cursed with a political tin ear. On Tuesday the Cabinet met for a tortuous 7 hour session. As they entered No 10 their phones were confiscated and put in the little pigeon holes to the left of the door. During the course of the meeting 14 Cabinet members argued hard to Leave on April 12th without a Deal and were not listened to https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/03/party-loyalist-can-no-longer-support-reckless-pm-watered-down/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European The government has lost another Brexit minister following the resignation of Chris HeatonHarris. In a letter to the prime minister HeatonHarris wrote I simply cannot support any further extension to Article 50. He continued I have constantly voted in Parliament for us to leave the European Union on March 29th 2019. I truly believe we should have honoured the result of the 2016 referendum and left on that date. Indeed every time we seek an extension to this process we diminish faith in our political system and the good people from all political parties who serve within it. I simply cannot support any further extension to Article 50 and this obviously means I cannot stay in government. HeatonHarris was previously condemned for demanding that university lecturers reveal details of their lessons plans that reference Brexit. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/chris-heaton-harris-resigns-1-5976429 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Jeremy Corbyn is facing a backlash from his shadow cabinet after resisting calls to demand a second referendum during his talks with Theresa May. The Labour leader was told by Emily Thornberry the shadow foreign secretary and Tom Watson the partys Deputy Leader that any deal agreed must be subject confirmatory public vote. However Mr Corbyn said that he will only pursue a second referendum to prevent crashing out or prevent leaving without a deal. Both Labour and Downing Street described the talks as constructive and will continue with further technical talks today. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/03/jeremy-corbyn-faces-shadow-cabinet-backlash-resisting-calls/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Are we really stuck with a Tory Prime Minister who believes Jeremy Corbyn to be the countrys last hope of salvation Is this just a nightmare from which we are all about to awake or is Theresa May actually for real Corbyn for those who are now so afflicted with Brexit Derangement Syndrome that they need reminding is the most dangerous leader in Labours history a hardcore socialist desperate to tax nationalise and control a man who has allowed his party to be infected by a posse of despicable antiSemites and who is soft on national security. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/03/allying-corbyn-kamikaze-pm-has-declared-war-party/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Three quarters of Jeremy Corbyns own constituents back a Final Say referendum on Brexit new polling has revealed as the Labour leader faces pressure from within his parliamentary party to back a second vote. A nationwide survey of 9500 people conducted by campaign group Right to Vote found 58.1 per cent who expressed a view now want another public vote on the UKs withdrawal from the European Union. Polling found high levels of support for the idea in London including in Mr Corbyns Islington North seat where 75 per cent of those polled backed a Final Say. In Theresa Mays Maidenhead constituency 59 per cent of voters also supported the idea. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corbyn-brexit-final-say-second-referendum-poll-constituents-survey-islington-north-a8853841.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun Theresa May was last night struggling to hold her Government together as two ministers quit in protest at her national unity Brexit talks with Jeremy Corbyn with 15 more ready to go. The PMs decision to compromise with Labour for a softer Brexit that will pass the Commons split the Conservative Party down the middle yesterday. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8785831/theresa-may-struggles-to-hold-her-government-together-as-ministers-jump-ship-over-brexit-talks-with-jeremy-corbyn/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times The first challenge is to restore economic growth. The second is to produce a migration and visa regime that does not seek in spirit or in application to shut out the world as part of a foreign policy that does the same. The third challenge is not to lose Northern Ireland and Scotland from the union. If there is any event that would diminish the UK further in its international standing it would be the radical shrinking of its physical territory a sign too that it could not contain the diverging views within its society https://www.ft.com/content/4ca8f9dc-55f3-11e9-8b71-f5b0066105fe 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC It will be difficult to protect both the Good Friday Agreement and the European single market in a nodeal Brexit Leo Varadkar has said. The taoiseach Irish prime minister said the Republic of Ireland and the EU will do everything possible to avoid the emergence of a hard border. He said reasonable questions are being asked about the protection of the single market and the customs union. Mr Varadkar described this as the basis for the Irish economic model. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47798754 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News Angry Conservative Party members are slicing up their membership cards and sharing the results on social media in protest at Theresa May looking to Jeremy Corbyn to get her Brexit deal done. Members have decried the prime ministers move to hold talks with Labour leader Mr Corbyn as the final straw. Pub owner Adam Brooks from Essex was one of many to share a photo of his chopped up card. Mr Brooks said the leader of the Opposition has no right to be involved in Brexit talks and Mrs May has killed the Conservative Party. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-03/conservatives-cut-up-membership-cards-after-pm-agrees-to-talks-with-corbyn/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Ian Lavery offered to resign from Labours frontbench for rebelling in a key Brexit vote but was turned down PoliticsHome has learned. One source said Jeremys office hassled them for their resignation letters yet dont say anything about Shadow Cabinet people. These are people who sit on the discussions and contribute to the debate yet still get special treatment. It has also emerged that the row sparked angry scenes at Tuesdays meeting of the Shadow Cabinet. Diane Abbott Nia Griffith and Angela Rayner all made clear their unhappiness at Mr Lavery as well as shadow Cabinet Office minister Jon Trickett breaking the Labour whip. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103033/excl-jeremy-corbyn-refused-accept-ian-laverys 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European The new nationwide poll conducted for the campaign group Right to Vote involving 9500 adults across Britain reveals that 58.1 of voters who expressed a view now want a final say on Brexit with 41.9 against. Overall voters in nine out of 10 of Great Britains 632 constituencies support a final say. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/almost-three-in-five-voters-want-a-peoples-vote-1-5976351 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

@NAAdams Following yesterdays cabinet this morning Ive been to Downing Street resigned my position as UK Govt Minister for Wales Govt Whip. Im grateful to the PM for the opportunity to serve as a Minister since 2017 will continue to serve my constituents from the backbenches. https://twitter.com/nadams/status/1113359638769164289 3rd Apr 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian Liam Foxs international trade department has faced further criticism for its lack of Brexit readiness after it emerged that the creation of the watchdog tasked with protecting UK companies from unfair global trading practices was behind schedule. The government said on Wednesday that the Trade Remedies Authority TRA would not be established in time for a nodeal Brexit. The organisation exists in shadow form only as a part of the Department for International Trade and is without a chairman after the person designated unexpectedly quit last week for personal reasons. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/03/blow-to-uk-global-trade-as-new-watchdog-chief-quits-liam-fox 3rd Apr 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

Reuters The European Union will immediately introduce customs checks and import duties in the event of a no deal Brexit erecting barriers to British exports ranging from cars to farm produce and preventing consumers bringing in British cheese or meats. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-moscovici/eu-would-begin-customs-controls-right-after-no-deal-brexit-idUSKCN1RF19V 3rd Apr 2019