Corbyn fails yet again to grasp the magic of competitive markets March 19, 2019 It is not the worst thing that Jeremy Corbyn has ever said. But it’s certainly one of the most revealing. A year ago, the Labour leader was explaining why he wanted to leave Europe’s Single Market while staying in the customs union – a stance memorably described by my fellow think tanker Kristian Niemietz as [...]
‘Everyday economy’ neglected by government’s industrial strategy, MPs warn March 19, 2019 Retail, hospitality and steel sectors are being neglected by the government’s industrial strategy, a group of MPs have warned. A report published today by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee is calling on ministers to publish an “action plan” on how they will boost productivity in the ‘everyday economy’. The MPs also demanded the [...]
The UK government should take inspiration from an unlikely source when writing its post-Brexit migration plan March 19, 2019 Another day, another chance for UK politics to reach hitherto unimaginable levels of farce. But while Downing Street reels over speaker John Bercow's characteristically dramatic intervention, it's worth remembering that the government is capable of making a complete mess of many things – not just Brexit. Take immigration, for example. We have a Prime Minister who [...]
‘Constitutional crisis’ as John Bercow blocks another vote on May’s Brexit deal March 18, 2019 Theresa May's bid to win parliamentary approval for her Brexit withdrawal deal has been dealt another dramatic blow after Commons Speaker John Bercow declared he could block any attempt to put the question to MPs again. In a surprise statement, Bercow said he would only allow the government to put its Brexit plan before MPs again [...]
Pound drops as Commons speaker John Bercow rules out third meaningful vote on same Brexit deal March 18, 2019 House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has ruled out a third meaningful vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal unless it contains "substantial changes". Bercow said the government was now not able to "resubmit the same proposition or substantially the same proposition as that which was rejected" in January and March this year. Making an unexpected statement [...]
Chuka Umunna downplays speculation Tory MP Nick Boles could join the Independent Group March 18, 2019 Former Labour MP Chuka Umunna has downplayed suggestions Tory MP Nick Boles could join the Independent Group (TIG), saying he does not share the same "progressive values" of its members. Asked why Boles, who quit his local party over his stance on Brexit, had not joined the rump of disaffected former Labour and Tory MPs, Umunna said: "I'm [...]
Want to break the Brexit deadlock? Change the negotiating terms March 18, 2019 Who knows, Theresa May’s deal may yet get through parliament at the third attempt. It seems unlikely given the scale of previous defeats. But making predictions about what will happen next in the Brexit saga is a mug’s game. If the deal fails again, the UK will request a long extension to the Article 50 [...]
City Hall accused of ‘repeating mistakes’ of Garden Bridge scandal over £22m housing loan March 18, 2019 City Hall has been accused of repeating the mistakes of the Garden Bridge after it agreed to loan nearly £22m towards the development of a controversial housing site in south London. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has agreed to loan American property developer Anthology £21.8m to build homes at Woodlands and Masters house in Lambeth, despite [...]
Once Brexit is sorted, Theresa May has to go March 17, 2019 Could this be the week that unlocks Brexit? Despite twice having voted down Theresa May’s proposed withdrawal agreement and despite having put on record its absolute opposition to a no-deal Brexit, parliament has failed to coalesce around an alternative proposal. A Norway-style deal, a second referendum, a general election and a significant extension to the [...]
Vote Leave chief urges MPs to back Theresa May’s deal as Brexiters start to turn March 17, 2019 The head of the Vote Leave campaign has urged MPs to swing behind Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement, saying Brexit has “never been at greater risk”. Matthew Elliott, the former chief executive of the official Brexit campaign that had the backing of Michael Gove and Boris Johnson, said the UK’s departure from the European Union “probably won’t [...]