The US midterms: Good for Democrats, but better for markets November 13, 2018 American politics is in a febrile state. Deep partisan divisions, heightened by Donald Trump’s controversial rhetoric and policies, have resulted in a historic year for midterm voter turn-out. Last Tuesday, voters on the left and right were spurred on by a conviction that the 2018 midterms were more important than any other in history. Politically, [...]
Brexit deal still possible within 48 hours, says Cabinet Office minister David Lidington November 13, 2018 A Brexit deal may still be achieved within the next 48 hours, according to a government minister. Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told Radio 4’s Today programme that “we are almost within touching distance now” this morning. Lidington said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the prospects of negotiators striking a deal in the next two [...]
Theresa May says Brexit deal is near as talks enter endgame November 12, 2018 Theresa May has declared that the Brexit talks are entering the endgame, though she warned that the UK would not accept an agreement “at any cost.” Speaking to a senior City audience at the Lord Mayor’s banquet, the Prime Minister described the negotiations as “immensely difficult” but insisted she would not shy away from tough [...]
Not all foreign criminals should be deported – the case of Kweku Adoboli reveals a system that is too draconian November 12, 2018 Foreign criminals should be deported when they have served their sentences – this is effectively the government’s position, and one that remains popular with voters. On the face of it, the policy seems entirely reasonable; why should the UK show clemency to people who arrive on these shores and commit crimes against our citizens? And [...]
Labour’s Keir Starmer insists Brexit can be stopped as he defies Jeremy Corbyn November 12, 2018 Labour’s top team is once again at odds over Brexit, with frontbencher Sir Keir Starmer contradicting his leader’s claim the decision to leave the EU cannot be reversed. Speaking on Monday morning, the Shadow Brexit secretary said: “Brexit can be stopped – but the real question is what are the decisions we are going to [...]
Up in smoke: Tobacco shares fall as investors panic over a possible menthol ban November 12, 2018 Cigarette shares plummeted today as investors responded to reports that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to crack down on menthol cigarettes. British American Tobacco (BAT) shares suffered the most, diving by nearly 10 per cent in early trading, while Imperial Brands saw shares fall four per cent. News about a potential menthol ban that [...]
Sadiq Khan: UK must remain clearing king after Brexit November 12, 2018 London mayor Sadiq Khan will weigh in on the debate over Europe's post-Brexit clearing industry today, warning the EU that it must guarantee firms continued access to the UK in the event of a “no deal” scenario. Khan will tell German finance minister Olaf Scholz that EU banks and traders should not be permanently “locked out” [...]
The Conservatives must not be afraid to stand up for free markets November 12, 2018 Today’s younger voters were born after the Berlin Wall had fallen and the battle of ideas over economics and the role of the state had been won for a generation. Since then, the world has changed. The Labour party has fallen under the control of people who do not believe in markets, free enterprise, or business. [...]
Parliament will vote down May’s Brexit deal, predicts former minister November 12, 2018 Parliament will reject the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal in order to trigger a fresh referendum, a former minister said today. Justine Greening said there was no chance that May’s proposed Brexit deal could win a parliamentary vote, calling it the “worst of all worlds”. “It leaves us with less influence, less controls over the rules [...]
Theresa May to face crunch Cabinet meeting as EU rejects key customs plan November 11, 2018 Theresa May faces a last-minute battle to formulate a Brexit deal to present to her Cabinet this week. The Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday yet is still as loggerheads with the EU, and is coming under increasing pressure at home. May endured a tough weekend following the resignation of [...]