PM braced for September showdown over parliament suspension threat August 13, 2019 A court case designed to stop Boris Johnson suspending parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit has been fast-tracked for the first week of September – when MPs return from summer recess. The case, which was heard this morning in Edinburgh’s Court of Session while English courts are closed for the holidays, has been signed [...]
Next boss: Brexit deal can be struck – but we need nerves of steel August 13, 2019 Next boss Lord Wolfson has said the country needs “nerves of steel” in the coming weeks, but is still hopeful a deal can be struck on Brexit. Wolfson, who advocated Leave during the referendum, has been critical of the previous government’s handling of no deal contingency planning, warning that it could lead to “chaos and [...]
UK ‘first in line’ for trade deal with US after Brexit: Bolton August 13, 2019 The UK will be “first in line” for a trade deal after leaving the EU, according to one of Donald Trump’s most senior advisers. John Bolton, who is in London for meetings with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said Trump would “enthusiastically” support a no-deal Brexit, while ensuring trade deals were quick to follow. They would [...]
DEBATE: Is Caroline Lucas’ all-female ‘emergency cabinet’ a good idea for avoiding a no-deal Brexit? August 13, 2019 Is Caroline Lucas’ all-female ‘emergency cabinet’ a good idea for avoiding a no-deal Brexit? Kimberly McIntosh, senior policy officer at Race on the Agenda, says YES. At a time when compromise is absent, good faith gone and solutions scarce, radical proposals to stop a no-deal Brexit are a welcome change of pace. An all-women cabinet [...]
Free schools show how hard it can be to battle the Blob August 13, 2019 It was Michael Gove who popularised the term “the Blob” to describe the establishment forces battling his education reforms. It’s such a perfect description, because it captures the experience of anyone who tries to change the system – a constant, oozing pressure, flowing around your positions until they’re completely swallowed up. Another education minister, George [...]
Downing Street eyes early September for Brexit showdown August 12, 2019 The UK government is eyeing early September as the next big Brexit showdown, with the EU expected to bide its time until British politicians have thrashed it out. The parliamentary battle is expected to take place on 9 September – a week after MPs return from their summer break, a senior government source said. MPs [...]
Lib Dem mayoral hopeful Siobhan Benita: ‘We can win this’ August 12, 2019 Siobhan Benita, the Liberal Democrats’ London mayoral hopeful, arrives for our interview just two days before the crucial Brecon and Radnorshire MP by-election, where the pollsters’ predictions of a Lib Dem win proved to be right on the money: the party took just over 43 per cent of the vote, overturning a Tory majority and [...]
Time running out for Remainer MPs to stop no deal Brexit: IfG August 12, 2019 There is little chance of Remainer MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit before the Halloween deadline, a new report has found. With parliament still on summer recess, there will be less than two months for politicians to thwart Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to leave the EU “do or die” by 31 October. A new paper [...]
Coalition of women touted to stop no-deal Brexit August 12, 2019 A coalition of women, headed by Green MP Caroline Lucas, is bandying together to lead parliament if MPs go against Boris Johnson in a no-confidence vote. Writing in the Guardian, Lucas said she had “reached out” to 10 female colleagues, including members for the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour, SNP, Plaid Cymru and Independent Group for [...]
We can avoid a no-deal Brexit, if both sides just keep calm August 12, 2019 The Eurozone economy is not looking healthy. The German engine is stalling, global trade tensions will not abate any time soon, and President Donald Trump may soon turn his fire on Europe. China has allowed the renminbi to sink, thereby exporting deflationary pressures. Large economies like Italy, France and Spain are still in no condition [...]