Gardiner rules out Labour leadership contest, as Thornberry gives Corbyn ‘nought out of 10’ January 9, 2020 Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest, saying he does not believe he can command enough support “at this late stage”. Gardiner admitted he was toying with running last night, with the deadline for applications closing on Monday. But this evening the frontbencher, who is thought to [...]
Brexit: UK to leave EU with a deal on 31 January January 9, 2020 MPs today backed Boris Johnson’s Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) by majority of 99, clearing the way for the UK to leave the European Union with an exit deal on 31 January. Parliamentarians voted 330 to 231 in favour of the bill, which implements an exit deal agreed with the EU last year. After three [...]
Ukrainian jet shot down by Iranian anti-aircraft missile, say reports January 9, 2020 The Ukrainian Airlines jet that crashed on Tuesday outside Tehran was shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft missile, according to US media reports. All 176 people on board were killed after the Boeing 737-800 crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran’s international airport on Tuesday. US magazine Newsweek today said a Pentagon official, a senior [...]
PM Johnson urges Iranian President Rouhani to ‘end hostilities’ January 9, 2020 Boris Johnson told his Iranian counterpart there must be “an end to hostilities” during a phone call between the pair this morning. The Prime Minister spoke with Hassan Rouhani for around 20 minutes, to discuss the aftermath of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani late last week. “The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s continued commitment [...]
Can the UK pull off a Brexit trade deal? The key dates for 2020 January 9, 2020 After nearly four years, today will see the UK take its first real step towards leaving the EU before negotiating a tricky Brexit trade deal. The Commons is set to vote for Boris Johnson’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) after the Prime Minister emerged victorious from the December election with an 80-seat majority. But what happens [...]
Boris Johnson’s election majority set to pass Brexit bill – but second phase challenges loom January 9, 2020 Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill is expected to pass its final stage in the Commons this afternoon, bringing to a close months of wrangling over the UK’s exit from the European Union. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill – which Theresa May spent over a year trying and failing to get backing for during her premiership – is [...]
Barry Gardiner expected to enter Labour leadership race January 9, 2020 Labour frontbencher Barry Gardiner is expected to throw his hat into the ring and join the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn later today, in a sign that the left of the party is yet to back Rebecca Long Bailey. It is thought the shadow international trade security will make an announcement about his decision later [...]
America and Iran are sleepwalking towards disaster January 9, 2020 I well remember that I kept putting my hands to my head as I read, terror-stricken, Christopher Clark’s provocative The Sleepwalkers, which boldly posited that World War I was not part of anyone’s grand strategic design. Instead, Armageddon came about through a number of countries and statesmen making lesser errors, which compounded somehow produced the [...]
PMQs review: We’re in for a dismal ordeal for the foreseeable future January 9, 2020 The first Prime Minister’s Questions of the decade yesterday afternoon was the return of the unedifying spectacle of two men, neither of whom wanted to be there, both giving a performance so bad it made the new film Cats look watchable. Jeremy Corbyn, a blunt tool at the best of times, gave the newly emboldened [...]
City Hall needs a major shake-up if it is to deliver for London January 9, 2020 The immense challenges facing London are growing by the day, and meeting these requires not just a proactive national government but an effective administration at City Hall. The political power of the capital’s own local government is so often underestimated, but there can be no doubt that the mayor of London has the money and [...]