24th Apr 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=51 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Reuters Britains markets watchdog has ruled out a new duty of care protection for consumers for the time being saying it will focus instead on revising existing rules. Regulation is also coming under the spotlight as backers of Britains departure from the European Union say that Brexit is an opportunity to cut red tape on financial firms to keep London competitive as a global financial centre. We know that consumer harm can be caused by different things so there is unlikely to be a onesizefitsall solution to any weaknesses in consumer protection the FCA said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-markets-regulator/no-duty-of-care-rule-for-financial-firms-for-now-uk-watchdog-idUKKCN1RZ0Y0 23rd Apr 2019

Economic Impact

The Times It would be easy to see all this as consequences purely of Brexit and Theresa May. Without Brexit there would have been no May premiership and no shift towards the dominance of the Home Office view of the world with the Treasury consequently diminished. Brexit has claimed all the governments bandwidth and left little time for anything else. The government gives the impression that it sees its job as to form a moral view on the economy and deploy the law against the bad bits as soon as it can work out what those are . . . The extent to which this government sees the economy not through an economic prism but through a moral one seems remarkable. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tories-no-longer-have-an-economic-vision-and-they-are-in-trouble-fkxtzhc8j 17th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Telegraph NHS executives have described Theresa Mays postBrexit immigration strategy as the most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment amid fears it could force some hospitals to close 25 per cent of services The Telegraph can disclose. Senior health officials have claimed the Governments proposals for a 30000 salary threshold on workers moving to the UK is appalling and could jeopardise efforts to attract the 50000 nurses required by the health service. The Telegraph has been leaked the minutes and a transcript of a highlevel meeting between NHS and Whitehall officials in January which lays bare the opposition to Mrs Mays flagship immigration policy. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/22/theresa-may-warned-post-brexit-immigration-strategy-could-close/ 23rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Mirror Top NHS officials have reportedly warned that Theresa Mays immigration plans postBrexit could shutter 25 per cent of services in some hospitals. NHS executives described the plans as the most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment and could cause chaos in hospitals across the UK. Documents leaked to The Daily Telegraph show that NHS chiefs met senior civil servants in January to share their fears. Among their concerns were fears that a proposed rule which would stop people who would earn less than 30000 moving to the UK could make it more difficult to fill empty nursing posts. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/nhs-chiefs-warn-theresa-mays-14472112 23rd Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Business Insider British companies are already making plans to stockpile for a nodeal Brexit on October 31. They are concerned that the UK could leave the European Union without a deal in the runup to Christmas time when demand for many goods including food clothes and medicine rockets. One of the UKs biggest beer companies is set to stockpile two or three times as much as it did in the runup to March 29 a figure involved told Business Insider. British businesses have already spent billions of pounds on nodeal planning. https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-companies-prepare-to-stockpile-for-christmas-time-no-deal-brexit-2019-4 21st Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48021730 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Metro UK https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/23/boris-johnsons-sister-stand-anti-brexit-european-elections-candidate-9291429/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Express https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1117747/rachel-johnson-change-uk-candidate-boris-johnson-sister-european-elections-2019 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bristol24/7 https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/change-uk-the-independent-group-launches-european-election-campaign-in-bristol/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/rachel-johnson-reveals-plans-to-stand-as-euro-candidate-for-change-uk-and-takes-swipe-at-brother-a4123756.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The antiBrexit party Change UK has launched its European elections campaign revealing a slate of 70 candidates that includes Boris Johnsons sister seasoned politicians disillusioned with their parties and people completely new to politics. Rachel Johnson said she was standing to make sure Brexit did not wreck the chances of a bright future for her children and other young people and that her decision to stand was not an attack on her Brexiter brother. Johnson a writer and journalist who will stand in southwest England did not speak from the stage at the launch event in Bristol but said afterwards Im sure that Boris understands why this is not a vote against Boris. This is a vote for change. We need to move the dial. People need to have a say. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/23/change-uk-independent-group-launches-european-election-campaign-brexit 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/20b9830c-65e6-11e9-9adc-98bf1d35a056 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Nicola Sturgeon is being urged to take independence off the table as she prepares to make a statement in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday on her plans for a second referendum. The SNP leader will make a detailed and substantive address to MSPs on Wednesday afternoon on Scotlands future in light of the Brexit turmoil and set out her thinking on the staging of a second independence referendum which she has pledged to hold. The First Minister will give a detailed and substantive statement setting out a path forward for Scotland amid the ongoing Brexit confusion at Westminster a spokesman for the SNP leader said. The First Minister will take time to set out her thoughts on that front and in doing so she will seek to strike an inclusive tone. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-set-to-unveil-party-s-scottish-independence-plans-1-4913894 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Teenage activist Greta Thunberg has described the UKs response to climate change as beyond absurd. In a speech to MPs the Swedish 16yearold criticised the UK for supporting new exploitation of fossil fuels and exaggerating cuts to carbon emissions. She was invited to Westminster after inspiring the school climate strikes movement. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said we have not done nearly enough. In her speech in Parliament on Tuesday Miss Thunberg said the UK was supporting shale gas fracking greater exploitation of North Sea oil and gas fields and expanding airports. This ongoing irresponsible behaviour will no doubt be remembered in history as one of the greatest failures of humankind she said. She also described the UKs carbon emissions reduction as the result of very creative accounting. The countrys reported 37 reduction in emissions since 1990 was only 10 when aviation shipping imports and exports were counted she said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48017083 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Britains opposition leaders met Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday to discuss what the teenager calls an existential crisis for humanity. After months of Brexit tumult climate change has leapt back up Britains political agenda due to protests that closed some of Londons traffic arteries. Thunberg who rose to global prominence by staging a school strike to protest about the climate has praised the Extinction Rebellion sitsins in London. The police have arrested 1065 people and charged 71 in connection with the Extinction Rebellion protests that targeted Oxford Circus Waterloo Bridge and other parts of London. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-climate-change-teen-activist/swedish-teen-accuses-uk-of-irresponsible-behaviour-over-climate-idUKKCN1RZ253?feedType=RSS&ampfeedName=topNews&amprpc=921 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Ed Miliband has called on the energy minister to persuade Theresa May to declare a climate emergency in the UK. The former Labour leader asked Claire Perry about the Extinction Rebellion protests in London over the last week saying it was no wonder activists were taking such a stand given the seriousness of the threat. Teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg was watching from the public gallery in the Commons. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-48025294/climate-change-miliband-says-uk-should-declare-emergency 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Around the year 2030 10 years 252 days and 10 hours away from now we will be in a position where we set off an irreversible chain reaction beyond human control that will most likely lead to the end of our civilisation as we know it. That is unless in that time permanent and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society have taken place including a reduction of CO2 emissions by at least 50. And please note that these calculations are depending on inventions that have not yet been invented at scale inventions that are supposed to clear the atmosphere of astronomical amounts of carbon dioxide. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/23/greta-thunberg-full-speech-to-mps-you-did-not-act-in-time 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Byline Times Much of XRs resilience is due to its decentralised collection of autonomous Affinity Groups of about 12 activists based on the Spanish Civil War model. They follow a threestage process of action reflection and rest. In practice this means that activists can create their own groups and decide their own actions as long as they follow XRs Ten Principles and sense check with another group. Of course these groups do work together for larger actions but they do this as equals. This means that XR itself is like a living organism and much more sustainable than previous activist groups. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/04/23/what-the-papers-dont-say-about-extinction-rebellion/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Mrs May said Junes state visit was an opportunity to strengthen our already close relationship in areas such as trade investment security and defence and to discuss how we can build on these ties in the years ahead. But shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry voiced concerns about the visit saying It beggars belief that on the very same day Donald Trump is threatening to veto a United Nations resolution against the use of rape as a weapon of war Theresa May is pressing ahead with her plans to honour him with a state visit to the UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48020410 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Like his political hero Nye Bevan Nick ThomasSymonds hails from the South Wales Valleys. From excelling at school to a successful career as a barrister his trajectory has always been upwards. Now shadow solicitor general does the 38yearold have higher ambitions He talks to Sebastian Whale https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/house/house-magazine/103171/nick-thomas-symonds-brexit-has-produced-more-assertive 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard At Change UK The Independent Group the new party of former Labour and Conservative MPs which started life just a few weeks ago we have a different view. We welcome these elections as a chance for the British people to send an unequivocal message to the political establishment we want the final say on Brexit and we want to remain in the European Union. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/european-elections-are-a-chance-to-tell-parliament-what-britain-really-wants-a4123826.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun As cross party talks to pass the EU agreement began again yesterday after the Easter break frustrated Mrs May accused Labour of dragging its feet. No10 is considering trying to speed up the process by asking Parliament to ratify the Brussels deal anyway by introducing the Withdrawal Agreement Bill that enshrines it in law. Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom were among several senior ministers who lobbied the PM for the emergency move during a meeting of her top table yesterday. It would be high risk without any newlyestablished majority ready to support it. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8924286/theresa-may-fourth-commons-brexit-vote/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Adverts using disinformation to influence elections is a significant online harm needing urgent action from the government MPs have been told. Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham spoke to a parliamentary committee looking at disinformation. She said that she was surprised that a recent government White Paper on online harms had failed to address the issue of political adverts online. It was a gap that needed to be addressed she said. I was surprised and disappointed that there wasnt more focus on what I think is a huge societal harm which is around electoral interference and the need for more transparency in political advertising.Its surprising to me and concerning that the government hasnt done a comprehensive examination of political advertising and the oversight thats needed in this space. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-48024553 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Labour has accused Theresa May of failing to offer any substantive changes to her Brexit deal in crossparty talks as Downing Streets hopes of a breakthrough in time to avoid taking part in European parliamentary elections waned. Brexit talks resumed on Tuesday between a team of ministers and shadow ministers. But Labour sources said the government team again appeared unwilling to countenance changes to the political declaration which sets out the UKs future relationship with the EU. Instead ministers offered alternative ways of giving reassurance about the issues Labour has raised such as on environmental standards and workers rights including through redrafting the withdrawal act implementation bill WAB and tweaking separate planned government bills. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/23/labour-says-theresa-may-unwilling-to-offer-key-brexit-concessions 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The government says progress needs to be made urgently on Brexit talks with Labour but that arranging time with the opposition has been difficult. Senior figures from both sides have been trying to break the deadlock by agreeing a Brexit deal MPs can support. No 10 said talks had been difficult in some areas including timetabling. But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the government really needs to move on and change its Brexit agreement to solve the impasse. He said We cannot go on hearing this tired old mantra that the Brexit agreement has to be adhered to. The deal Theresa May negotiated with the EU has been rejected twice by Parliament with the withdrawal agreement the terms on how the UK leaves the bloc rather than its future relationship with it defeated a further time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48018540 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Former Foreign Secretary is a clear favourite among member to be new leader. So moderate Tories are plotting to vote tactically to force him out of race he is leading Mr Johnson is backed by 33 in new poll on influential Conservative Home website. His rival Dominic Raab on 15 per cent with Michael Gove next on eight per cent. Three out of five Tory voters to back Farages Brexit Party at European elections https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6949801/Tory-Remainers-desperately-try-cobble-stop-Boris-plan-block-leadership-bid.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent No 10 goes public on fears that Jeremy Corbyn does not share a desire to avoid next months European elections. The criticism is striking because it is the first time the government has turned on Labour since approaching the opposition three weeks ago. Until now it has been Mr Corbyns party that has blamed the prime minister for the lack of progress accusing her of refusing to shift on her red lines in particular membership of a customs union. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-talks-theresa-may-labour-conservatives-cross-party-a8882896.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Speaking at an event in Westminster Mr Farage said Leavers have to get themselves mentally prepared that there could be a second referendum. Rather than just saying it is never going to happen. He added It seems to me that the better the Brexit Party does on 23 May the less chance there is of the people of this great country being insulted by being made to vote again. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-brexit-party-second-referendum-european-elections-leave-no-deal-conservatives-a8882821.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Theresa May has tried to blame Jeremy Corbyn for the continuing deadlock over Brexit suggesting that Labour is happier than the Tories to contest the coming Euro elections. As crossparty talks between government and the opposition restarted on Monday the prime minister hit out at Corbyn with her clearest warning yet that he was deliberately trying to slow down the negotiations. And in a sign of fresh tensions on both sides the Labour leader accused May of regurgitating failed plans that had been rejected three times by parliament. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-tries-to-blame-labour-for-brexit-deadlock-as-euro-elections-loom_uk_5cbf33d5e4b0f7a84a759eeb 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Mr Corbyn told the BBC that the government really does need to move on and change Mrs Mays deal for there to be any hope of a breakthrough in the talks. We cannot go on hearing this tired old mantra that the Brexit agreement has to be adhered to he said signalling that Labour would not vote for the withdrawal treaty unless there was an understanding with the government on future ties with the EU. Approval for the legislation on the exit treaty would kick off a tortuous passage through parliament during which the bill could be amended. Attempts to add a customs union which is at the heart of Mr Corbyns demands or a second referendum would be expected. https://www.ft.com/content/adaf81e2-65b1-11e9-9adc-98bf1d35a056 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Change UK has launched its campaign for the European Parliamentary elections with 70 candidates including journalist Rachel Johnson sister of Tory MP and leading Brexiteer Boris Johnson. The party formerly known as The Independent Group is made up of 11 MPs who quit Labour and the Tories. They are preparing for the European election as the latest Brexit delay means the UK may have to take part. Change UK are a proRemain party who back another referendum on Brexit. Ms Johnson who was most recently a member of the Liberal Democrats said Im sure that Boris understands why this is not a vote against Boris. This is a vote for change. We need to move the dial. People need to have a say. Interim leader Heidi Allen told the event in Bristol These elections are a chance to send the clearest possible message we demand a Peoples Vote and the right to campaign to remain in the European Union. We are not afraid to say it as clearly as that. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48021730 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Crossparty talks to break the deadlock will resume this week but a solution to the current crisis seems a long way off https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-what-happens-next-mps-holiday-easter-break-westminster-theresa-may-a8881651.html 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post More than 50 MPs have launched a crossparty movement to work together on issues ignored because of Brexit. The More United group dubbed politics for the Netflix generation features politicians from seven different political parties including Labour Tory SNP Lib Dem Green ChangeUK and Plaid Cymru. The new network which includes leading MPs David Lammy Nicky Morgan and Caroline Lucas will help fund candidates who campaign on poverty and homelessness responsible technology mental health and urgent climate dangers. Backed by 150000 members it has already helped MPs from different parties to work together on issues like immigration visas restoring the Enable Fund for deaf and disabled people and access to Legal Aid. MPs who lead and support More United campaigns will be eligible to receive money and volunteers from the movement at general elections with almost 500000 raised via crowdfunding and 54 candidates supported in 2017. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/50-mps-from-seven-parties-join-forces-on-issues-ignored-because-of-brexit_uk_5cbf829ee4b0764d31d990bb?ncid=other_twitter_cooo9wqtham&amputm_campaign=share_twitter 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Is it unfair of me to point out that under Farage Ukip was the party with councillors candidates and even MEPs who spoke of Bongo Bongo Land of telling Sir Lenny Henry to move to a black country of having a problem with negroes because there was something about their faces Back in 2014 the year of their triumph in elections to the European parliament they had a councillor who blamed floods on Gods wrath at new laws to allow gay people to get married. Farage himself has spoken of his unease at hearing foreign languages spoken on trains and has blamed immigrants for clogging up the M4 and thats before one even mentions his campaigning in the EU referendum. His horror at how Ukip has turned out reminds me of Captain Renaults horror at gambling in Casablanca. Shocked he was shocked. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/13a3c86a-6516-11e9-877f-447086620e98 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times If Brexit is stopped either through a peoples vote or revocation still unlikely the work must begin to discuss objectively and dispassionately the merits and demerits of membership. That would need to be shorn of false information the 350 million claim being only the most egregious of many and bombast. On leaving if that is what we do a new generation has it in its gift to start talking about Europe in a different way. The simple act of leaving will usher in a decade or more of negotiations. Those who thought Europe would be over have seen nothing yet. Complacency and ignorance characterised more than 40 years of membership. We are all experts now. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/after-40-years-of-eu-ignorance-we-are-all-experts-now-0bv8z80w2 23rd Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Nigel Farage has unveiled five more candidates who will contest next months European elections for his new Brexit party. Claire Fox a broadcaster and former Communist party member will fight the May 23 poll for the party. Other candidates named on Tuesday included James Glancy a former soldier and conservationist Matthew Patten a business and charity director Lance Forman the owner and chairman of the smokehouse H Forman Son and Christina Jordan a former nurse. Speaking in central London Mr Farage said the party was already doing very well with Conservative voters and would now set its sights on targeting Labour supporters. Brexit is not about left or right. It is about right and wrong he said. https://www.ft.com/content/04d56a60-65ba-11e9-9adc-98bf1d35a056 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Senior Conservatives are to vote on whether to make it easier to force Theresa May out of office within weeks by changing the partys rules to allow a noconfidence motion at any time. The 1922 Committee will meet later on Tuesday to discuss amending its rules which currently state a leader cannot face a second noconfidence motion within a year of the previous one. May defeated an attempt to oust her in December meaning she is safe from an official challenge for at least another seven months. However some Brexitsupporting members of the committee are trying to remove the time limit. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/23/may-should-go-today-says-senior-1922-committee-member-nigel-evans 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK May continues to try to plot a way to get her Brexit deal through parliament and may bring her Withdrawal Agreement back to the Commons for a fourth time. God loves a trier. The PM is also fighting a rearguard action to save her job with warnings her position will be under threat if voting in European elections goes ahead on May 23. The Tory grassroots has already fired off warning shots. With wouldbe Tory successors to May plotting in the background most notably Boris Johnson and crossparty talks in the hunt for a consensus solution continuing British politics returns to the Groundhog Day that it seems to have been trapped in for recent months. Is this the Brexit finale Anyone hoping for the latest season of Brexit to come to some kind of conclusion could be disappointed. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/brexit-is-back_uk_5cbe0d79e4b0315683fb755e 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times The British are nowhere to be seen in Washington as they become increasingly insular and obsessed with Brexit according to the outgoing French ambassador to the US. Grard Araud the outspoken 66yearold who has been Pariss man in Washington since 2014 can barely contain his glee over the growing French influence on US foreign policy. The UK has vanished said Mr Araud. The British ambassador told me and I loved it that every time the British military is meeting with the American military the Americans are talking about the French. https://www.ft.com/content/a0f227e8-6548-11e9-9adc-98bf1d35a056 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-48022800 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Tory MP Chris Davies could face a byelection to unseat him after he was fined 1500 and ordered to do community service for making false expenses claims. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103372/conservative-mp-set-election-fight-after 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times Cities including Brighton Cardiff and Edinburgh as well as London would be hit hard by a Brexit deal that neglects Britains powerhouse services sector according to research. Failure to preserve frictionless access to the European Union for leading service industries would risk a sharp fall in trade posing a threat to jobs across dozens of urban areas the economic think tank Centre for Cities warned. Its analysis found that British cities export services worth 78 billion each year such as insurance and legal advice to EU countries. A third of all exports from Edinburgh Brighton Cambridge Cardiff and London are generated by companies selling services to the bloc. Andrew Carter Centre for Cities chief executive said A goodsonly customs arrangement would leave services which comprise the majority of Britains exports to the EU facing trade barriers. This scenario could limit the economic prosperity of many of Britains cities and the millions of people living and working in them. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/customs-union-will-sell-british-cities-short-says-centre-for-cities-think-tank-znj07h7pz 22nd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Metro.co.uk There was an empty chair at the table as teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg met with party leaders in Westminster today amid ongoing environmental protests. Theresa May didnt turn up to the roundtable in the House of Commons today as Greta 16 met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn Liberal Democrat Sir Vince Cable Green MP Caroline Lucas and the Westminster leaders of the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru Ian Blackford and Liz Saville Roberts. A place was set for the PM with a sign bearing her name but she was instead chairing a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Mrs May had been sent an invitation but organisers said no response had been received though they were hopeful she still might make an appearance. https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/23/theresa-may-snubs-climate-change-meeting-schoolgirl-greta-thunberg-9291678/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home In a major embarrassment for party officials staff including those working in Jeremy Corbyns office voted unanimously to turn down the proposed rise. Bosses now have until 3 May to return with an improved offer with the prospect of staff taking industrial action on the table if they do not. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103401/excl-embarrassment-labour-bosses-staff 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Deep Tory splits have been exposed once again after one of their MPs described the Brexit Party candidates for next months European Parliament elections as fantastic Tory Backbencher Lucy Allen heaped praise on her own partys supposed rivals as they announced who would be standing for them should the poll go ahead on 23 May. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103400/tory-splits-erupt-once-again-mp-hails- 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Labour has accused Theresa May of failing to offer any substantive changes to her Brexit deal in crossparty talks as Downing Streets hopes of a breakthrough in time to avoid taking part in European parliamentary elections waned. Brexit talks resumed on Tuesday between a team of ministers and shadow ministers. But Labour sources said the government team again appeared unwilling to countenance changes to the political declaration which sets out the UKs future relationship with the EU. Instead ministers offered alternative ways of giving reassurance about the issues Labour has raised such as on environmental standards and workers rights including through redrafting the withdrawal act implementation bill WAB and tweaking separate planned government bills. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/23/labour-says-theresa-may-unwilling-to-offer-key-brexit-concessions 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Brexit party candidates prove as unconvincing as their leader in vowing to emancipate the people. Nigel was there to emancipate the little people he insisted. The downtrodden and the dispossessed who were being denied the Brexit that hucksters like him had always insisted would be a piece of piss. Even a skilled chameleon like Nigel couldnt quite pull that one off. However hard he tries he just cant manage anything more than ersatz sincerity. Nige has only ever been about the glorification of Nige. The narcissists narcissist. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/23/farage-new-recruits-join-class-struggle-for-glorification-of-nige 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European After five candidates introduced themselves the floor opened for questions where Telegraph reporter Christopher Hope asked Will we ever see a manifesto You have only one single policy which is Brexit. What does that mean in your eyes Nigel to be quite clear and when will we see actual policies from this new party https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/brexit-party-has-no-policies-1-6011379 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Real change could take place in Brussels beyond 23 May when the 27 heads of state will meet in November to agree on a new President of the European Commission. That outcome will be strongly linked to the election results. If the centreright EPP is more or less assured of getting the Commission Presidency the political strength of the Farright could have a huge impact on the next Commissions priorities and on its political approach towards Brexit thereafter should Brexit still be ongoing then. Similarly should the British right namely the Brexit party and UKIP manage to be among the first few parties theyll argue that Britain just held its second referendum in favour of Leave and pretend that nothing has changed. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/04/23/remainers-with-a-vengeance-how-eu-elections-could-provide-the-far-right-with-more-power/ 23rd Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Mrs May appears to possess not an iota of selfawareness. Rather than preparing a dignified resignation statement she has apparently spent the past few days contemplating a Cabinet reshuffle. In what parallel universe does she believe rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic is a sensible solution while the captain who deliberately navigated the ship into an iceberg remains on the bridge Shes already promised to resign not once but twice. Her authority is shot to pieces. She has been humiliated at home and abroad. Her dismal defeatist withdrawal deal is dead as a dodo. Her MPs treat her with undisguised contempt. Her own party activists want her gone yesterday. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-6948903/RICHARD-LITTLEJOHN-Stop-Brexit-circus-run-town.html 23rd Apr 2019