3rd Apr 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=39 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Sky News Ford has stepped up warnings over a nodeal Brexit saying it would take a long hard look at its UK operations in that event. As Theresa May scrambles to find a way forward following a series of no votes on Brexit options in parliament the chairman of Ford Europe told Skys Ian King Live the company had a duty to protect itself from the prospect of becoming uncompetitive. Steven Armstrong said Ford which employs just under 13000 staff in the UK including workers at its Dagenham and Bridgend engine plants had already spent tens of millions of euros preparing for nodeal. https://news.sky.com/story/ford-to-take-long-hard-look-at-uk-future-in-no-deal-brexit-11682211 2nd Apr 2019

Jobs at Risk

Reuters Ford is spending tens of millions of euros preparing for a possible British exit from the European Union without a trade deal and has yet to decide on its longerterm plans for Britain Ford Europe chairman Steven Armstrong said on Tuesday. We love being in Britain but it has to be competitive and if its not competitive then well have to take whatever actions well need to take to protect the business Armstrong told Reuters at an event in the Netherlands. Ford which makes 1.3 million engines at two British locations Bridgend and Dagenham and cars in Germany has warned it could face 1 billion in tariff costs in case of a socalled hard Brexit. While the company has announced 5000 job cuts in Germany its secondbiggest European market it has yet to make major decisions in Britain which is its biggest. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-ford/brexit-leaves-ford-at-crossroads-on-long-term-british-plans-idUSKCN1RE10I 2nd Apr 2019

Jobs at Risk

CNN Frustration is now boiling over. Here are 10 of the most dire warnings about Brexit from business leaders this list includes Siemens Easyjet Citigroup Airbus McDonalds Sony Nissan Ford BMW Schaeffler https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/02/business/uk-business-brexit/index.html 2nd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

Bloomberg Instead of a prolonged stalemate or a chaotic nodeal scenario Zach Pandl said a soft Brexit approach which may include a permanent customs union packaged with a second referendum could come within the next day or two. Sterling is maybe the biggest opportunity among developed market exchange rates today Pandl said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-02/goldman-sees-a-big-finish-for-brexit-opportunity-in-the-pound 2nd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

BBC Northern Ireland potato firms will not be able to export to the EU in the event of a nodeal Brexit. Hundreds of tonnes of table potatoes and bulk shipments of chips are sent to the Republic of Ireland every week. But government guidance says trade to EU countries will face restrictions in the absence of an agreement. One of NIs biggest processors Wilsons Country said it had lorries crossing the border six days a week to supply southern supermarkets. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47781052 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC The government needs to stop leaving councils in the dark over Brexit and urgently provide more support MPs say. The Commons Housing Communities and Local Government committee said ministers should prioritise making sure that EU funding will be fully replaced after the UK leaves the EU. Its report said plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund need to be fasttracked to fill the gap. The UK is currently due to leave the EU on 12 April. The government has said that after Brexit it will replace EU funds for poorer parts of the UK with the proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund to reduce inequalities across the country. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47792719 3rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Britain is at risk of trashing its fabulous relationship with the rest of Europe because of its failure to secure a Brexit deal a top businessman says. Jurgen Maier the UK chief executive of Siemens told the BBCs Today programme We are at a point of crisis right at this moment in time. We need to find a way forward so we can reestablish that trust to give us the confidence to invest here again. Confidence in Britain would return once the situation was resolved he added. Mr Maier said If I was going to go to my board today and say here is another factory that I want to open for a major infrastructure project in the UK I can tell you that with this turmoil right now we would not be putting that over the line. Im saying to our parliament enough is enough and this is the week where a decision needs to be made. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47783708 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/police-investigating-pro-brexit-sabotage-14224917 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

ITV News https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-02/police-investigating-after-pro-brexit-sabotage-attempt-on-railway-tracks/ 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Independent Two malicious obstructions found on railway lines in the UK are linked to Brexit police believe. British Transport Police BTP said shortcircuiting devices were left on tracks near Yaxley Cambridgeshire and Netherfield Nottinghamshire last month in a serious and deliberate attempt by someone to cause significant sabotage and disruption to Britains rail network. Detectives investigating the attempted sabotage believe it relates to Britains exit from the European Union. The devices installed at Yaxley on 21 March and Netherfield on 27 March were detected by Network Rail workers and removed without disrupting services. A note found attached to the devices warned We will bring this country to its knees if we dont leave. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/brexit-train-railway-line-cambridgeshire-nottinghamshire-police-a8851181.html 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Yahoo! While business groups gave a cautious welcome to the domestic olive branch Ms Fairbairn said Welcome steps must be breakthrough not false dawn. Business confidence slumping growth stalled and UK reputation in tatters. Tories must compromise on red lines and Labour come to table in good faith. No excuses no time wasting no party politics. Enough is enough. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cbi-chiefs-warning-politicians-amid-201600313.html 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Scotsman While eyes are transfixed on the unfolding political drama the stark reality is firms are spending valuable money and effort on contingency planning for a disorderly Brexit. A lasting trade deal would have genuine benefits for Scots. It would help retailers keep down prices and ensure shoppers continue to have the widest possible choice on shop shelves. A no deal Brexit by contrast would hit the poorest who typically spend proportionally more of their family budget on groceries clothing and medicines. This is because these items can attract import tariffs. Thin margins in retail mean extra costs are likely to be passed on to consumers. Also a significant portion of the food we buy comes from the EU and needs transported quickly. https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/brexit-bickering-mps-ignore-stark-reality-of-no-deal-scottish-retail-consortium-1-4900185 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Nature A nodeal Brexit could be catastrophic for research. A timely reminder of whats at stake came on 28 March when UKbased scientists once again won the largest share of the prestigious European Research Council advanced grants claiming more than 21 of the awards and 112 million US126 million in total. A nodeal exit would instantly sever the United Kingdom from the scheme. Everyday research would take a hit as supplies clinical trials data collection and travel suffer disruption. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01060-6 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Scotsman A young Polish mother says she believes attitudes to Brexit are responsible for her failing a residency test leaving her without benefits despite living in Scotland for eight years. Agnieszka Maziarek 26 from Edinburgh who passed her first residency test two years after arriving in Scotland in 2011 says she is now dependent on loans from friends and food vouchers. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election/polish-mum-blames-attitudes-to-brexit-for-failing-residency-test-at-jobcentre-1-4899709 2nd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Atlantic Unlike the vast majority of British business leaders though Lance Forman isnt worried. In fact he isnt really worried about Brexit at all. The fourthgeneration owner of Britains oldest salmon curer told me that his familys company has survived fires floods and displacement. What we learned from each of those catastrophes is that change provides great opportunity for renewal Forman said. He believes Brexit will do the same https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/04/rare-business-cant-wait-brexit/586213/ 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News The fallout from this gambit is eyewateringly high risk by reaching across the chamber to Mr Corbyn she is tacitly preparing to water down her own red lines and place the success of Brexit in her opponents hands. If that fails she will proceed to indicative votes to find a way through. Both options point to the same thing a far softer Brexit than most in her party and cabinet would want. It goes without saying that her MPs are incandescent. https://news.sky.com/story/may-prepared-to-blow-up-her-tory-family-and-put-brexit-in-labours-hands-11682764 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times The second bigger blow for the Eurosceptics came when the prime minister opened the door to a softer Brexit announcing crossparty talks with Jeremy Corbyn the Labour leader to try to find a mutually acceptable exit deal. And in a third setback for the Brexiters Mrs May said that if crossparty talks failed she would hold a runoff in the Commons between her thricerejected Brexit deal and a sofar undefined alternative almost certain to be a softer option including a customs union with the EU. https://www.ft.com/content/ecadf298-5553-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics.co.uk The European elections are a crucial moment in the Brexit process. The EU has been clear that if the UK does not take part in those elections it cannot remain inside because it would mean that the European parliament would potentially be illegally constituted. The danger was always that May would use this fact to pivot parliament into a place where it had to choose between her deal or nodeal. The elections are on May 23rd. But the last date Britain can pass the domestic legislation to take part is April 12th. This creates a kind of danger zone a time window in which May could put her deal to parliament in the knowledge that no further extensions of Article 50 were possible. http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2019/04/02/no-10-statement-look-out-for-theresa-may-s-no-deal-trap 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Nevertheless it would be a mistake to dismiss Mrs Mays gambit. She has ruled out nodeal she has after three attempts abandoned her entire political strategy of trying to get her deal through with Tory votes alone. In advance of the decision the cabinet was briefed on Tory prospects in a snap election. Given the decisiveness of Mrs Mays move the outlook must have been grim indeed. The inevitable consequence if she sticks to this plan is that Brexit is about to get a lot softer if it happens at all. https://www.ft.com/content/4bad9a24-556c-11e9-91f9-b6515a54c5b1 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC She was for budging. Today the prime minister made her priority leaving the EU with a deal rather than the happy contentment of the Brexiteers in the Tory party. 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 Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa May is to hold talks with Jeremy Corbyn in an attempt to break the Commons deadlock on Brexit negotiations. The Labour leader said he would be very happy to meet the prime minister and would not set any limits ahead of their discussions but he vowed to ensure his partys Brexit priorities remained on the table. Labour wants a softer Brexit than Ms Mays withdrawal agreement proposes. Its priorities include a customs union with the European Union EU access to the single market and protections for consumer environmental and workers rights. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-brexit-plan-jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may-a8851931.html 3rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times The EU is preparing to offer Theresa May a long Brexit delay with strict conditions attached including the need to hold European Parliament elections and a possible gentlemans agreement over Britains future conduct as a member state. Measures under consideration in Brussels include the EU postponing Brexit to January or April 2020. In one extreme scenario such an offer could be made even if Mrs May makes no request for an extension before next weeks summit https://www.ft.com/content/3924a7ac-5559-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters The British government still wants the support of Northern Irish unionists to pass its Brexit deal despite pivoting in its strategy to consult the opposition Labour party on the way forward environment minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday. The Democratic Unionist Party DUP have said they will never support Mays deal so long as the socalled Irish border backstop is in place contributing to three defeats in parliament for the withdrawal agreement with the EU and forcing a change of approach. We want the DUP to support our approach as well Gove told Sky News after May said she would ask for another Brexit delay to sit down with the opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Conversations are ongoing with the DUP he added. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-gove-dup/gove-still-hopes-northern-irish-dup-will-back-mays-brexit-approach-idUKKCN1RE2A8 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph It was billed as the ultimate Brexit showdown and in the end the sevenhour marathon cabinet meeting ended in rows and recriminations after a cabinet majority for no deal was ignored in favour of a customs union consensus with Jeremy Corbyn. The fact that the epic political pow wow started with a brief delay should have acted as an omen. Ministers had initially been summoned to Downing Street for 8.30am only for it to be announced six minutes later that the meeting had been postponed to 9.30am and that the afternoon session might be cancelled. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/02/seven-hours-rows-recrimination-cabinet-produced-surprising-shift/ 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May will ask the EU for an extension to the Brexit deadline to break the logjam in Parliament. The PM says she wants to meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to agree a plan on the future relationship with the EU. But she insisted her withdrawal agreement which was voted down last week would remain part of the deal. Mr Corbyn said he was very happy to meet Mrs May and would ensure plans for a customs union and protection of workers rights were on the table. The crossparty talks offer has angered Tory Brexiteers with Boris Johnson accusing ministers of entrusting the final handling of Brexit to Labour. The former foreign secretary said Brexit was becoming soft to the point of disintegration and he could never agree with staying in a customs union. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47794235 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Brussels chief Michel Barnier has accused Brexiteers of trying to destroy the EU. The blocs chief Brexit negotiator claimed Nigel Farage had another motive for campaigning for Britain to leave than simply regaining sovereignty for the UK. Mr Barnier said Mr Farage and other Brexiteers wanted to tear the Union apart from the inside and from the outside. And he warned remaining member states to take good care of the Union. Mr Barnier recounted talks he held with Mr Farage during the negotiations during a meeting of the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs Council. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-michel-barnier-accuses-farage-14222639 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday she would seek another Brexit delay to agree an EU divorce deal with the opposition Labour leader a lastditch gambit to break an impasse over Britains departure that enraged many in her party. In a hastily arranged statement from her Downing Street office after spending seven hours chairing cabinet meetings on how to plot a way out of the Brexit maze May said she was seeking another short extension to Brexit beyond April 12. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu/may-gambles-on-talks-with-labour-to-unlock-brexit-enraging-her-own-party-idUKKCN1RE0J4?feedType=RSS&ampfeedName=domesticNews 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Another anticlimax then from the queen of the let down Theresa May. She really is debasing the currency of the setpiece Downing Street statement. It used to be reserved for declarations of war or general elections or tearful prime ministerial resignations. Next time shell probably make a solemn promise to get the next round in. In truth it appears to be an exercise in the blame game tying to pin the failure of Brexit on Jeremy Corbyn this time. The rhetoric about national unity is incredible from someone who has so studiously ignored and disdained parliament for the past few years. And it is a flimsy transparent effort to get Jeremy Corbyn to back what he has always called a Tory Brexit. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-deal-customs-union-a8851631.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa May has dramatically torn up her Brexit strategy paving the way for a softer withdrawal in a bid to secure Jeremy Corbyns backing to pull Britain out of the EU. The prime minister confirmed the UK would seek a further short delay to Brexit beyond 12 April in a Downing Street statement that infuriated Eurosceptic Tories. Government insiders believe the two big parties positions on future customs arrangements are not so far apart and could form the basis of a new deal. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-leave-eu-speech-cabinet-a8851846.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Paul Flynn was the MP for longer than Ive been alive and was immensely popular in the area while I was at school he championed the satirical group Goldie Lookin Chain and was mentioned on their album sleeves and at gigs. The band commemorated his death in February by penning a song that included the line Paul you were the best forever representing Newport West. It was significant as a teenager demonstrating against the Iraq war to have the vocal support in your city of one of the minority of Labour MPs who opposed the conflict. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/02/newport-west-byelection-labour-brexit-jeremy-corbyn 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Wales first minister has said he would back stopping Brexit if it was the only way to stop leaving the European Union without a deal. But Mark Drakeford said the move would have profound political consequences. He spoke after MPs failed for a second time to back alternative Brexit proposals on Monday night. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said the position of Carolyn Harris as deputy Welsh Labour leader was untenable after she abstained on a further public vote. Labour whipped its UK MPs to support the measure. 24 of them voted against. In Wales two abstained Ms Harris and Islwyns Chris Evans. Ms Harris said that her voting reflected the majority view of my constituents. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-47790000 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian It seems that a majority of cabinet ministers could now back a nodeal Brexit over a long delay and a customs union with former remainers such as the Treasury chief secretary Liz Truss and the home secretary Sajid Javid now among the voices calling on Theresa May to seek this option. Ten cabinet ministers have signed a letter coordinated by Chris HeatonHarris the Brexit minister in charge of nodeal planning urging the prime minister to leave without a deal. Heres how the cabinet splits in favour of no deal versus a softer Brexit compromise and those who could go either way. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/02/where-do-cabinet-ministers-stand-on-soft-brexit-v-no-deal 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times MPs have urged Theresa May to listen to the 6m people who signed the biggest petition in British history calling on the UK prime minister to revoke the Article 50 EU exit process and stop Brexit. In a debate in Westminster Hall Catherine McKinnell Labour MP for NewcastleuponTyne North called Brexit an allconsuming exercise in futility arguing that most of the public want this national nightmare to be finally over. Chuka Umunna a member of the proEU Independent Group of MPs who have defected from the Labour and Conservative parties added that whether people voted Leave or Remain there is no majority for the mess that has unfolded. https://www.ft.com/content/77320272-54a2-11e9-a3db-1fe89bedc16e 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Theresa May risked a Cabinet walkout last night by defying the wishes of 14 of her ministers throwing an olive branch to Jeremy Corbyn and pivoting towards a soft Brexit. More than a dozen senior Tories including Sajid Javid Jeremy Hunt and Liam Fox spoke out against a long delay to Brexit in a sevenhour ministerial marathon at Downing Street. But the Prime Minister went with the minority a group of 10 ministers including Amber Rudd and Michael Gove who backed a further delay in a move which enraged Brexiteers and could trigger a Cabinet walkout. Mrs May vowed to break the logjam in Westminster by offering talks with Mr Corbyn who favours a customs union in a lastditch bid to find a compromise saying she would ask Brussels for more time to reach a deal. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6876035/Kamikaze-cabinet-Hammond-wants-second-referendum-Tories-afford-election.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May will ask the EU for an extension to the Brexit deadline to break the logjam in Parliament. The PM says she wants to meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to agree a plan on the future relationship with the EU. But she insisted her withdrawal agreement which was voted down last week would remain part of the deal. Mr Corbyn said he was very happy to meet Mrs May and would ensure plans for a customs union and protection of workers rights were on the table. The crossparty talks offer has angered Tory Brexiteers with Boris Johnson accusing ministers of entrusting the final handling of Brexit to Labour. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47794235 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The European Union will not be hostage to a political crisis in the UK Frances president has said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47781254 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Nicola Sturgeon has accused Theresa May of kicking the can after the prime minister said she would ask the EU for a further Brexit deadline extension. Mrs May called for talks with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to break the logjam in the Commons over Brexit. Ms Sturgeon said the prime minister was kicking the can and delaying making any decision on how to compromise. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47790048 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian From hardman Steve Baker to Mark Francois of the TA posturing no dealers are dragging us towards Armageddon https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/02/macho-drama-queens-brexit-steve-baker-mark-francois 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Everyone is exhausted and everyone is furious. Nick Boless choked emotional resignation from the Conservative party on the floor of the Commons in despair at its refusal to compromise will sum up a black mood for many today. Once again parliament has spoken and the only comprehensible word was no with some remainers now digging in for a second referendum as obstinately as leavers are for no deal. It sounds mildly unhinged to suggest this mess gives any grounds for optimism and yet strangely enough that must be what this unfamiliar feeling is. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/02/brexit-labour-nick-boles 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent MPs have begun a fresh push to agree an alternative Brexit plan that would be put to a referendum in the autumn despite throwing out all options last night. Talks will begin to settle on a composite motion combining soft Brexit proposals with a commitment to putting them to the people to confirm with the alternative of staying in the EU. Anna Soubry who defected to The Independent Group from the Conservatives insisted a compromise was still achievable and that supporters of a Final Say referendum were making huge progress. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-second-referendum-peoples-vote-theresa-may-commons-a8850401.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New York Times Michel Barnier the European Unions chief Brexit negotiator warned on Tuesday that Britains seeming inability to decide on an orderly departure agreement has made a socalled nodeal Brexit more likely with less than two weeks until April 12 the latest deadline. While a further extension of the deadline was possible nothing was certain. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/world/europe/brexit-no-deal-outcomes.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The DUP has called the prime ministers handling of the overall Brexit negotiations lamentable. The partys criticism comes after Theresa May said on Tuesday that she is to ask the EU for a further extension to Brexit. Mrs May also said she has called on Jeremy Corbyn to meet her to find a compromise. The DUP said that Mrs Mays plans would be subcontracting the future of Brexit to Mr Corbyn. Mr Corbyn said he was very happy to meet Mrs May and would ensure plans for a customs union and protection of workers rights were on the table. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47794976 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The National Theresa May told her MPs to vote against the Common Market 2.0 in last nights indicative votes because of fears it could weaken the case against Scottish independence a BBC journalist has claimed. Newsnight reporter Nicholas Watt said the Tory leader believed the proposal put forward by her former minister Nick Boles would have destroyed main proUK argument in a Scottish independence referendum. The Common Market 2.0 or Norway plus plan tabled by Boles and backed by MPs from all parties would commit the Government to joining the European Free Trade Association and European Economic Area. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17544537.brexit-theresa-may-whipped-tories-to-weaken-scottish-independence-bid/ 3rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun No Deal Brexit would cause a recession and huge hikes in the price of food according to Britains top civil servant. Sir Mark Sedwill wrote to Cabinet ministers claiming No Deal would leave the country unsafe but his warning was dismissed as a Whitehall scare story by Brexiteers. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8771044/brexit-no-deal-warning-sir-mark-sedwill/ 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews The Labour leadership had issued a threeline whip on Monday calling on all its MPs to vote in favour of backbencher Peter Kyles motion to hold a confirmatory vote on any agreed Brexit deal. The bid was defeated by 12 votes after Mr Lavery abstained along with fellow Shadow Cabinet member Jon Trickett. In total 40 Labour MPs either voted against or abstained on the alternative Brexit option to demand another referendum including eight junior shadow ministers. It is the second time in a week that Mr Lavery has ignored the party whip to abstain on the motion to put a withdrawal agreement to the public in a confirmatory vote. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/brexit-labour-second-referendum-mps-anger-ian-lavery/ 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Reuters UK A junior minister in Prime Minister Theresa Mays government is said to have collected 200 signatures from Conservative lawmakers for a letter calling for a managed nodeal Brexit ITVs Political Editor Robert Peston said. DExEU minister Chris HeatonHarris... is said by several of his colleagues to have collected 200 Tory MP signatories on an oldfashioned paper letter... calling for what is frequently described as a managed no deal Peston said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-nodeal-idUKKCN1RD334 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror MPs today unveiled a new plan to force Theresa May to delay Brexit after their indicative votes were left in tatters. Labours Yvette Cooper made the bombshell next move after the House of Commons voted down all four alternative options to the Prime Ministers deal. The result which failed to approve soft Brexit by just 3 votes meant Parliament was deadlocked despite two rounds of indicative voting with MPs in control. So Ms Cooper has now shifted her focus to a dramatic bid to delay Brexit in order to block No Deal. She and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin have published a crossparty Bill that would force the PM to delay the April 12 Brexit date to avoid No Deal. Usually it takes weeks months or even years for a Bill to clear Parliament. Instead the MPs intend to force their Bill through ALL its stages in the Commons tomorrow culminating in votes at 7pm on the second reading and 10pm on the third reading. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-brexit-mps-unveil-new-14223535 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Birmingham Mail An explosive letter has been leaked revealing Britain will be plunged into catastrophe by a No Deal Brexit. The letter warns of ten per cent price rises a recession and direct rule in Northern Ireland. A leaked letter from cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill has been obtained by the Daily Mail. It showed that the UKs top civil servant has warned of 10 food price hikes economic recession and disruption to security if Britain crashes out without a deal. Leaving the EU without any sort of trade deal and relying on what are called World Trade Organisation rules would also see a 10 spike in food prices. The government is said to have been preparing for a no deal scenario but during the Brexit referendum the idea was barely mentioned by Brexiteers or Remainers the Mirror reports. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/leaked-no-deal-brexit-letter-16065708 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK Tory Eurosceptics have vented fresh anger and frustration at Theresa May after the PM offered to sit down with Jeremy Corbyn to hammer out a Brexit deal. Backbenchers called the plan announced by May outside Number 10 after a tumultuous sevenhour Cabinet meeting drew to a close on Tuesday night frankly grotesque and appalling. May said her decision was an attempt to break the logjam after MPs rejected her own Brexit deal three times. The two leaders would attempt to agree a withdrawal deal she said and if they fail to broker a compromise by April 10 when the EU Council is next to meet new options would be put to MPs. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/frankly-grotesque-tory-brexiteers-react-with-fury-after-may-proposes-deal-with-corbyn_uk_5ca3a859e4b0f2df866a226b 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Let us please get real. No deal remains a clear and present danger and that is what we must focus on. Mark Sedwill the cabinet secretary spelt out to Mays ministers exactly what it will mean. Prepare for a recession significantly worse than 2008 a police force that can no longer keep order food prices shooting up by 10 and direct rule in Northern Ireland his report says. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/02/may-mps-corbyn-no-deal 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Britains most senior civil servant has privately warned cabinet ministers of the dire consequences of a nodeal Brexit. Sir Mark Sedwill the cabinet secretary told ministers that leaving the EU without an agreement will result in food prices rising by ten per cent the police being unable to protect people and the economy suffering the worst recession in a decade. Direct rule would have to be restored in Northern Ireland for the first time since 2007 and the government would come under pressure to bail out companies that had gone bust he warned. In an explosive 14page briefing sent to every cabinet minister and obtained by the Daily Mail Sir Mark said leaving without an agreement would make Britain less safe and see pressure on law enforcement authorities enormously increase. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-no-deal-theresa-may-vote-cabinet-civil-service-mark-sedwill-a8850531.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Conservative MP Huw Merriman has told Radio 5 Live he has gone from a 34 inch waist to almost under a 30 due to the stress of Brexit. The MP for Bexhill and Battle told Anna Foster much of the stress is caused by abuse from his constituents and that hes also started seeing a counsellor. Ive decided that I need to make sure that Im properly looked after and that we look after our mental health. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-47794203/tory-mp-huw-merriman-i-ve-lost-four-inches-off-my-waistline-due-to-brexit 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Mrs May further angered the Tory backbenchers by stating her intentions to work with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to try to agree a plan. Mr ReesMogg slammed Mrs Mays strategy to work with a known Marxist and insisted the public did not vote for a CorbynMay coalition Government. European Research Group chairman also warned the Prime Minister history did not show success for political leaders who tried to get policy through the Commons on the back of Opposition votes. The leading Brexiteer added this approach is deeply unsatisfactory and is not in the interests of the country. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1108533/brexit-news-latest-uk-deal-vote-today-EU-no-deal-theresa-may-customs-union 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said it has become more likely that the UK will leave the European Union without a Brexit deal. Mr Barnier was speaking at an event in Brussels after MPs rejected four alternative options to Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-47784328/barnier-no-deal-brexit-has-become-more-likely 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Vote Leave managed to run a campaign that connected on a much more emotional level than any of the financial threats the Remain campaign rolled out. The urge to Take back control was clever the use of the word back hinting that we somehow had lost an advantage or control over huge areas. What is obvious now and perhaps to many was even before the referendum is that leaving does not allow the UK to gain any control. Leaving the EU actually means losing control losing power losing influence and losing opportunities. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-second-referendum-peoples-vote-theresa-may-deal-student-a8850406.html 2nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The EU has given the UK until 10 April when it will hold an emergency Brexit summit to decide what next or to slip however unintentionally into a nodeal Brexit. On Monday European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker said EU patience was running out. Its hardly a surprising comment nor the first time an EU leader has said something similar. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47772603 1st Apr 2019