Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament is legal, Scottish court rules September 4, 2019 Boris Johnson’s move to prorogue parliament in the run up to the Halloween Brexit deadline is legal, a court has ruled. A Scottish court today rejected a legal challenge to stop the shutdown of parliament for almost five weeks until 14 October. Read more: Rebel, rebel: Boris Johnson faces day two of defiance MPs have [...]
The 21 Tory MPs Boris Johnson has sacked from the party after Brexit defeat September 4, 2019 Boris Johnson’s historic showdown with MPs ended last night with 21 Tory rebels being expelled from the party. The Prime Minister, who lost a crucial vote yesterday that gives the Commons control of the order paper, swiftly sacked 21 MPs who rebelled against him in the battle to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Among the MPs [...]
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam expected to withdraw controversial extradition bill September 4, 2019 Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, is reportedly set to announce the withdrawal of a controversial extradition bill that sparked three months of protests in the territory. The South China Morning Post reported that Lam would announce the formal withdrawal of the proposed bill later on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. Other local media outlets also [...]
MPs have only themselves to blame for the Brexit mess we’re in September 4, 2019 On 23 June 2016, the British people voted narrowly, but with a clear margin nonetheless, to leave the European Union. The precise form that this leaving would take – with a deal, and if so what type, or without – was not clarified at the time, but the intention was firmly stated and unequivocal. This [...]
DEBATE: Should the Conservative party deselect MPs who rebel this week? September 4, 2019 Should the Conservative party deselect MPs who rebel this week? Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. Everyone, subject to exceptions not applicable here, has a right to stand for parliament. But nobody has a right to be the adopted candidate of a specific party. That party’s members, activists and leaders must be willing to [...]
How to end the injustice of the skewed university degree system September 4, 2019 Imagine a world where Eton awarded its own A-levels. No one else could take them and, if you got an A grade in, for example, chemistry, it was worth more than an A grade in the same subject from any other exam board. It would be hideously unfair. Etonians would have a huge, inbuilt advantage [...]
Backed. Sacked. Cracked? Boris Johnson threatens election as 21 Tories rebel September 4, 2019 Boris Johnson expelled more than 20 MPs from the Tory party last night after they rebelled against him in the battle to stop a no-deal Brexit. Parliament last night voted 328-to-301 in favour of a motion giving MPs control of the order paper today, allowing them to propose legislation aimed at forcing Johnson to seek [...]
Chancellor announces extra £2bn Brexit funding during Westminster chaos September 3, 2019 Chancellor Sajid Javid will announce a further £2bn to be spent on Brexit when he lays out government funding for the next year tomorrow, taking the total spent on Brexit planning to £8bn. Read more: Rebel numbers creep up ahead of critical Brexit vote The new money is to be spent in the year after [...]
Labour MPs attempt to reintroduce old Brexit deal September 3, 2019 A number of Labour MPs are seeking to reintroduce the old Brexit agreement, struck during Theresa May’s leadership, in the hope of blocking a no-deal. Stephen Kinnock and a team of 17 MPs including Gloria De Piero, John Mann, Caroline Flint and Sarah Champion, who argue that a further extension will “leave the most of [...]
Live: Rebel numbers creep up ahead of critical Brexit vote September 3, 2019 The number of Conservative MPs willing to rebel and go against the government in tonight’s critical vote are creeping up, with a swathe of resignations, defections and rejections of the Prime Minister’s position. Sir Nicholas Soames has said he would “with a heavy heart” defy the whip and vote for the motion enabling backbenchers to [...]