Parliament is likely to be virtually powerless as Brexit remakes Britain February 10, 2017 The government's publication of a Brexit White Paper establishing a high level, if vague, overview of its vision for a post-Brexit Britain provides welcome clarity on its key negotiating objectives. In practice, however, the extent to which the government will be able to deliver upon these goals will rely not only on the outcome of [...]
The UK government’s crackdown on encryption threatens to undermine London’s fintech boom February 10, 2017 Talk of calamity befalling corporate Britain as we negotiate our EU exit is typically overblown. Nevertheless there is a potentially serious conflict in the making between the UK government’s stated desire to maintain access to certain online data for reasons of national security and the continental European determination to institute a modern system of information [...]
Post-Brexit Britain will be a paradise for lobbyists – and it’s not necessarily a bad thing February 10, 2017 Picture the scene: a small conglomerate of agricultural businesses demand a meeting with their local legislator. They tell her their businesses will go bust if she does not vote against a forthcoming trade agreement and they indicate no further donations to her party will be made if she does not speak out more against the deal. [...]
As government plays down its threat to abolish the House of Lords over Article 50, is it time for it to go anyway? February 10, 2017 Chris Snowdon, director of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says Yes. There was a time when the House of Lords defended our ancient liberties against mendacious governments. The whole idea of unelected politicians is problematic. In a perfect world, we would have democracy and liberty but, if I may speak candidly, so [...]
Opponents to President Donald Trump’s travel ban have a reason to celebrate February 9, 2017 US President Donald Trump has been dealt a fresh blow, as the court-ordered suspension of his controversial executive order to ban passport-holders from seven majority-Muslim countries entering the US has been upheld. Following the ruling, Trump tweeted: “See you in court, the security of our nation is at stake.” A US federal appeals court has just unanimously upheld a [...]
A Tory MP has tabled a no confidence motion in John Bercow over his controversial Donald Trump intervention February 9, 2017 The role of House of Commons speaker John Bercow is under threat after a Conservative MP tabled a "no confidence" motion. James Duddridge has been a vocal critic of Bercow's Donald Trump intervention, in which the speaker vowed to fight any invitation for the US President to address MPs and peers in Parliament. Read More: Commons speaker John Bercow [...]
Jeremy Corbyn kicks off his latest reshuffle by promoting John McDonnell’s deputy February 9, 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is beginning to rebuild his front bench following some high-profile resignations, with Treasury number two Rebecca Long Bailey stepping up to cover the business sector. Long Bailey served as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, but will replace Clive Lewis as shadow business secretary. Always a high profile patch, the business remit has [...]
Optimism growing over “make or break” steel pensions vote ahead of next week’s result February 9, 2017 Optimism is increasing over a "make or break" vote for the future of British steel, with a result expected to be announced as soon as Wednesday. Members of GMB, Unite and Community are still being balloted over proposals that will see Tata Steel pump £1bn into the sprawling Port Talbot steelworks in exchange for workers accepting [...]
Apple boss Tim Cook has spent the day meeting the PM and Mayor of London February 9, 2017 Apple boss Tim Cook, arguably the most important man in tech, has spent the day meeting with British politicians. He started a whistle stop tour of the UK by heading to Glasgow, where he picked up an honorary degree from its university yesterday. And this morning he headed to 10 Downing Street for a chat with [...]
Donald Trump will visit the UK around June, according to the Metropolitan Police February 9, 2017 US President Donald Trump's state visit could be just months away, according to Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe. Speaking on LBC, the capital's top policeman said the visit would be "around June". Trump's invitation to visit the UK has been a source of huge controversy in the UK, with MPs set to debate the [...]