EU trade commissioner rules out talks until after UK formally departs July 1, 2016 Europe's top trade negotiator has told the UK it might not be able to negotiate a trade deal until it has formally left the European Union. When asked what her plans were for a new relationship between the EU and the UK, Cecilia Malmstrom, the EU trade commissioner and one of the most powerful officials in [...]
Tony Blair says Labour is “effectively disabled” while warning against a Brexiteer leading EU negotiations July 1, 2016 Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair has said the Labour party is "effectively disabled", stressing the neeed for statesmanship in crafting the negotiations with the EU. Blair, who was Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007, cautioned against a Brexiteer leading the negotiations with the EU. Writing in the Telegraph, Blair said: "With the Labour Party [...]
The Daily Mail and more senior cabinet ministers back Theresa May for the Conservative leadership July 1, 2016 Theresa May has stretched her lead as the frontrunner in the Conservative leadership race this morning, winning the backing of the Daily Mail, support from The Sun, and endorsements from more senior cabinet ministers. The home secretary, who announced her bid to succeed David Cameron in Westminster yesterday, was described as the only candidate with "the right qualities, [...]
Conservative leadership race must speak to the City July 1, 2016 As Michael Gove’s former head of communications, James Frayne, argued in City A.M. on Tuesday, nobody should be surprised that politicians lacked a ready-made vision of what Brexit will look like immediately after last week’s shock vote. UK politicians have abdicated responsibility over issues like trade policy to EU fonctionnaires for over 40 years, so [...]
Airport expansion: This is politics for grown-ups – a decision must be made soon July 1, 2016 Amid all the schoolyard bickering which took place yesterday between those in the running (and those deciding not to be in the running) for both Tory and Labour leadership came a rather sombre statement by transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin. During parliamentary questions, he confessed that a decision over increasing London’s airport capacity will not take [...]
London tech heavyweights call for European talent to remain in the capital following Brexit vote June 30, 2016 The London tech community has called for non-UK Europeans working in the sector to stay following the country’s vote to quit the European Union. Russ Shaw, founder of lobby group Tech London Advocates (TLA), has gathered around 150 signatures, including the Mayor of London and the likes of entrepreneur and angel investor Sherry Coutu and co-chief executive of digital literacy [...]
Brexit and Donald Trump expected to hit already falling M&A activity levels June 30, 2016 Deal values fell significantly in the UK and, to a lesser extent, globally in the first half of 2016. And mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is expected to fall further in the next six months, with Brexit and the prospect of Donald Trump causing uncertainty. Read more: What Brexit means for UK M&A: Experts expect further [...]
Conservative peer Lord Heseltine has launched a blistering attack on former London mayor Boris Johnson, accusing the MP of “ripping the party apart” June 30, 2016 Boris Johnson's decision not to stand for the leadership of the Conservative Party has been savaged by Tory grandee Lord Heseltine. In a blistering attack, the avidly pro-Europe Heseltine accused Johnson of “ripping the [Conservative] party apart”, and slammed the former London mayor's refusal to run for Tory leader, and therefore prime minister, as both “contemptible” [...]
Number 10 hosts business leaders for post-Brexit trade talks June 30, 2016 Number 10 held discussions with a host of business leaders this morning to discuss trade after Brexit. The UK is reportedly planning to launch trade missions to the US, China, India and Commonwealth nations as it prepares to leave the EU after last week’s vote. BP’s Bob Dudley, easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall and others from [...]
Yvette Cooper is leading a group of Labour backbenchers in talks with the government over the newly established Brexit Unit June 30, 2016 Yvette Cooper will lead a committee of senior Labour backbenchers across party lines this afternoon for a meeting with Oliver Letwin to discuss the newly established civil service Brexit Unit. Earlier this week, Downing Street launched the unit working on Brexit planning under Letwin in his role as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Labour [...]