EU leaders did not discuss extending Brexit transition period, reveals Donald Tusk October 18, 2018 EU leaders did not discuss extending the UK’s post-Brexit transition period last night despite Theresa May floating the offer as a way to jumpstart negotiations. The PM made the proposal to her EU counterparts on Wednesday, but European Council president Donald Tusk revealed it was not talked about after she had left the room. German [...]
Brexit uncertainty puts small businesses at risk, warns FSB October 18, 2018 Tens of thousands of small businesses would be put at risk from a no-deal Brexit, the Federation of Small Businesses claimed today. The business campaigner added that the lack of progress in negotiations between the UK and EU is increasing uncertainty among firms, forcing them to consider putting business decisions on hold and even cutting [...]
Whitehall’s move to Canary Wharf should inspire us towards a smaller, smarter state October 18, 2018 Moore's Law is an observable rule that has held broadly true since the mid-1960s. Named after the co-founder of Intel, it argues that every two years the number of transistors on a microchip will double at the same time that costs halve. In the real world, this has meant phones, cameras, and computers that are now [...]
Brexit: Theresa May is losing the confidence of colleagues as negotiations stall, says ex-minister October 18, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May is losing Cabinet members’ trust in her ability to reach a Brexit agreement, a former minister claimed today, accusing both the UK and EU of secretly hoping for a no-deal scenario. May and her EU counterparts are running down the clock towards a no-deal Brexit, said Tory MP Nick Boles, who [...]
Dominic Raab seeks to scupper MPs’ ‘meaningful vote’ on Brexit October 17, 2018 MPs will face a straight 'deal or no deal' vote on any agreement struck with the EU, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has claimed in a blow to those hoping to reopen negotiations. In a letter to the Commons procedural committee, Raab spelled out that any motion relating to the Brexit agreement must deliver an “unequivocal [...]
Theresa May to hold conference call with 150 business leaders October 17, 2018 Theresa May will hold a conference call with 150 CEOs on Friday to brief them on the state of the Brexit talks. The call is part of a charm offensive of the business community following a fractious period – summed up by former foreign secretary Boris Johnson claiming “f*** business” when it came to the [...]
Jeremy Corbyn slaps down Emily Thornberry for using Brexit to defend John Bercow October 17, 2018 Jeremy Corbyn today slapped down one of his closest allies for using Brexit to defend under-fire Speaker John Bercow – but stopped short of calling for him to quit. On Monday, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said with Parliament set to play a key role in the Brexit process it was “absolutely not the time” for the Speaker to step [...]
US says it wants to start trade talks with the UK ‘as soon as it is ready’ following Brexit October 17, 2018 The US said last night it wants to start trade talks with the UK as soon as possible after Brexit. The US trade representative’s office told Congress it wants to negotiate new trade deals with the UK, EU and Japan. “We will continue to expand US trade and investment by negotiating trade agreements with Japan, [...]
It’s time for Theresa May to use her secret Brexit weapon: business October 17, 2018 Two weeks ago, I was in Birmingham among my fellow Conservatives awaiting Theresa May’s closing conference speech. I expected her to take a strong stance on the Chequers-based plan for Brexit and finally call upon her most valuable and underused supporters – business leaders – to champion her vision, not least because I and my [...]
Chomping at the bit: The race is on to be the next Tory leader October 17, 2018 There will be no deal this week. It was intended, then hoped for, but a Brexit deal is now as far away as it has ever been. The longer this goes on, the more likely it is that there will be a late capitulation, the mother-of-all-compromises by Downing Street, presented as a victory for all [...]