Tony Blair is to close his business consultancy so he can spend (most of) his time doing pro-bono work September 20, 2016 Tony Blair has revealed that he will close down his business consultancy operation to do mostly pro-bono work. Blair announced today that 80 per cent of his time will be spent on free work following the closure of the operation. “Substantial reserves” built up by Tony Blair Associates will also be handed to not-for-profit operations, [...]
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron appeals to Labour voters: Back us or face another Tory majority September 20, 2016 Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has launched a direct appeal to Labour supporters, demanding they back his party or face more than 20 years of Conservative majority rule. In his keynote speech at the Lib Dem party conference in Brighton, Farron also warned that businesses were “funding their own funeral” by backing the Conservatives in [...]
Corrie star makes Labour’s final list for candidates to replace murdered MP Jo Cox September 20, 2016 Murdered MP Jo Cox could be replaced by a former soap star, after ex Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin was included in a final list of candidates for the seat of Batley and Spen. Brabin featured on the soap for for eight years as Tricia Armstrong, as well as taking on roles in Eastenders and Holby City, and she will [...]
EU competition chief defends Apple tax ruling on visit to Washington September 20, 2016 Margrethe Vestager, the EU chief who presided over the decision to slap Apple with a €13bn tax bill has met with counterparts in Washington in an attempt to smooth over relations on the issue of tax. Vestager said she had a "good, frank discussion" with US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew about state aid and taxation but fired [...]
Donald Trump sparks outrage by comparing Syrian refugee crisis to Skittles September 20, 2016 The Donald Trump campaign has provoked uproar, yet again, with its latest campaign adverts comparing the Syrian refugee crisis to a bowl of Skittles. Just hours after a bomb attack in Chelsea, Manhattan injured 29 people in Trump's home city of New York, the controversial tycoon's campaign team put out a shocking advert claiming refugees fleeing [...]
Things move slowly in the WTO – there’s a significant leadership opportunity for the UK September 20, 2016 Step changes typically pass unnoticed until after the event that triggered them has passed. The step change anticipated if Leave succeeded was a huge loss on the markets. That did not occur. But there is an unanticipated step change. An opportunity has emerged for the UK to lead action in reconstructing the World Trade Organisation [...]
Theresa May hits back at Brexit veto threats, saying EU nations “will sign up to a deal with us” September 19, 2016 Theresa May has hit back at EU countries threatening the UK ahead of trade negotiations, insisting they will sign up for a post-Brexit deal. The Prime Minister also said she would be “ambitious” in negotiations and backed the UK to be a “global leader in free trade”. Read more: May calls Wall Street summit to reassure US banking giants [...]
Theresa May has called a Wall Street summit to reassure US banking giants in the aftermath of Brexit September 19, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May is to go on a charm offensive with US banks, holding a summit with some of the biggest institutions in a bid to reassure them over potential repercussions of Britain's vote to leave the EU. Wall Street heavyweights invited to attend the special summit later today include JP Morgan Chase investment banking chief [...]
Liam Fox has led the UK’s second meeting with Qatar in a week as he seeks to build ties with Gulf states September 19, 2016 Liam Fox has led the government's second engagement with Qatar's rulers in less than a week as Downing Street has vowed to comply fully with rules blocking the UK from trade talks while it remains an EU member. Qatari Emir Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Downing Street to meet Theresa May last week, [...]
Former Lib Dem MP Vince Cable says his party’s plans for a second referendum are “disrespectful” and “counter-productive” September 19, 2016 Former Lib Dem business secretary Vince Cable has reportedly branded his party's plans for a second Brexit vote "disrespectful" and "utterly counterproductive". Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has sought to make his party the logical choice of Europhiles everywhere since the June Brexit vote. Farron has repeatedly pledged his party's support for EU membership, and declared at [...]