Youth justice minister Phillip Lee resigns over Brexit: I just want to ‘look my children in the eye’ June 12, 2018 A government minister and ally of Theresa May has resigned over the UK's Brexit policy, saying he wants to "look my children in the eye and honestly say that I did my best for them". Phillip Lee, the youth justice minister, announced he was quitting this morning, claiming the current government policy was "detrimental to [...]
Theresa May secures fragile unity with customs union amendment and Brexit plea to Tory backbenchers June 11, 2018 Theresa May appears to have secured fragile agreement among her MPs to back her ahead of a series of critical votes through an 11th hour meeting and a new customs amendment. The last-minute amendment proposes the government seek a “customs arrangement as part of the framework for the future relationship” with the EU after Brexit. [...]
Labour MPs urge investigation over ’embarrassing’ JezFest concert June 11, 2018 Labour MPs are demanding answers from the party HQ over the coming weekend's political and musical concert dubbed JezFest. The one-day Labour Live event will take place in Tottenham, north London, on 16 June. Musical acts include The Magic Numbers and Reverend and the Makers, alongside speeches by John McDonnell, Kate Osamor and activist Owen [...]
Justine Greening: Yes, it’s time for a woman mayor of London June 11, 2018 Don’t groan. Don’t roll your eyes. We may be two years away from the next mayoral election but the runners and riders for 2020 are already being lined up. And so they should. After 2016’s excruciating campaign pittingZac Goldsmith against Sadiq Khan, the Conservatives need a better plan – and a better candidate. One name [...]
Education secretary Damian Hinds issues ‘call to arms’ to involve businesses in the running of schools June 9, 2018 Education secretary Damian Hinds will issue a “call to arms” for school governors and trustees, urging leading businesses and skilled professionals to support schools and education. In a keynote speech to the National Governance Association conference today, Hinds will call upon leading employers to “play their part in helping the next generation to thrive”. The [...]
Michel Barnier: Backstop cannot be applied to whole of UK June 8, 2018 The EU's chief negotiator has rejected a major component of the UK's proposal around a temporary customs arrangement, saying it cannot apply to the whole of the UK. Speaking from Brussels this afternoon Michel Barnier said: "Let me be clear – our backstop cannot be applied to the whole of the UK… What is feasible [...]
Michel Barnier: Backstop cannot be applied to the whole of UK June 8, 2018 The EU's chief negotiator has rejected a major component of the UK's proposal around a temporary customs arrangement, saying it cannot apply to the whole of the UK. Speaking from Brussels this afternoon Michel Barnier said: "Let me be clear – our backstop cannot be applied to the whole of the UK… What is feasible [...]
Ken Clarke: Pro-Brexit ministers should back Theresa May or resign June 8, 2018 Brexiter Cabinet ministers should either back the Prime Minister or resign, one of the most senior figures in the Commons has said. Father of the house Ken Clarke told City A.M. this week had seen "diabolical" behaviour by Eurosceptics on the front and backbenchers, resulting in a "fairly shambolic" couple of days in Westminster. In [...]
Abortion and customs deals collide over the Irish border June 8, 2018 It all started with wood pellets. The Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) launched in Northern Ireland in 2012, providing subsidies for switching to low-carbon energy sources, such as biomass generators that burned wood chips. Unfortunately, the subsidies were worth more than the fuel cost, and no cap was set. This led to a bizarre situation where [...]
EU Withdrawal bill “a warm up” for Tory rebels as Trade and Customs bills set to return before summer recess June 7, 2018 The return of a critical piece of Brexit legislation to the Commons will be a "warm up" to the bigger battles faced by the government, MPs have warned. After being defeated 15 times in the House of Lords, the EU Withdrawal Bill is to be debated for a second time on 12 and 13 June. [...]