Cameroon shows that Britain must learn to stand up to its friends on the world stage November 14, 2018 Aesop’s Fables teach us that a man is known by the company he keeps. The foreign secretary has been on a charm offensive in recent weeks, waxing lyrical about Britain’s future place in the world, our long-standing alliance with France, our unparalleled network of friendships, and our commitment to democracy. Jeremy Hunt has spoken of Britain [...]
The pressure is on to fix the broken audit market November 14, 2018 Accountancy may be “an art, not a science”, but there needs to be less “Jackson Pollock”. That’s according to the Labour MP Rachel Reeves, chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, who has made it her mission to fix the broken audit market. The Big Four firms (PwC, Deloitte, EY, and KPMG) are [...]
Let’s embrace No Deal and get planning for life after Brexit November 13, 2018 There is an anecdote doing the rounds at the moment where an acquaintance of a civil servant jests “I suppose you’re doing your best to stop Brexit!”, to which the official, not knowing that his friend voted Leave and was pulling his leg, replies “You bet I am, and every one of us too”. True [...]
Theresa May forced to back down in row over Brexit legal advice November 13, 2018 Theresa May has been forced to publish the legal advice she receives on her Brexit deal after Labour, the DUP and eurosceptic Tories backed her into a corner. The government backed down in a row over whether the advice from the attorney general – which traditionally remains private – should be given to MPs before [...]
Theresa May to present Brexit deal to emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday November 13, 2018 Theresa May has rolled the dice on a epic Brexit gamble as she presented a draft deal to key members of her cabinet. The Prime Minister invited leading ministers into Downing Street for one-to-one briefings on an agreement struck by negotiators in Brussels. The full cabinet will meet at 2pm on Wednesday to sign off the deal, [...]
Brexit: Theresa May gathers cabinet ministers to discuss draft agreement November 13, 2018 Theresa May has reportedly scheduled an emergency cabinet meeting for tomorrow morning to discuss a draft Brexit deal. Text governing the UK’s departure from the EU has reportedly been agreed at a technical level between negotiators, after a week in which talks have gone on long into the night. Downing Street summoned Cabinet ministers for [...]
CNN sues President Trump for banning correspondent from the White House November 13, 2018 CNN filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration today after the White House banned reporter Jim Acosta following a fiery exchange with the US President. The broadcaster is demanding that the White House return Acosta’s credentials, claiming the administration has harmed both its own and Acosta’s constitutional rights. “While the suit is specific to CNN [...]
Germany’s Merkel calls for creation of European army November 13, 2018 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the creation of a European Army, stressing that such an effort would not mean an end to the US-led Nato. The announcement, marking a seismic change in the EU’s common defence policy, comes amid tensions with Russia and worsening relations with US President Donald Trump’s more inwards-looking administration. [...]
European Commission offers Brits visa-free travel to EU countries in no-deal Brexit November 13, 2018 European Commission officials today proposed visa-free travel for Brits to the EU even in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The proposal, which would need to be reciprocated by the UK, will calm fears that travel to the EU would be far harder – and potentially costly – after Brexit. Under the Commission's plans, visa requirements [...]
Whatever Brexit deal Theresa May can do is the answer to reduce the pain of divorce November 13, 2018 As the Brexit deadline approaches and negotiations continue amid ever-more intense scrutiny, the actual detail of Theresa May’s talks with the EU becomes less and less important. Leaving the EU has been compared to a divorce. While I am fortunate enough never to have gone through one myself, I have witnessed plenty and it is [...]