DUP denies it would soften position on Irish backstop September 13, 2019 The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has denied reports it would accept some EU regulations after Brexit as part of a new deal to replace the backstop. The Times reported that the DUP was prepared to “shift its red lines” by accepting some EU rules and dropping its objections to regulatory checks in the Irish Sea. [...]
M&A activity targeting UK slumps amid no-deal Brexit fears September 12, 2019 Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity targeting the UK has fallen almost 40 per cent on the same period last year, with investors slowing down decision making amid ongoing political turmoil. Corporate M&A also tumbled to £15.1bn in the second quarter of 2019, its lowest value since the EU referendum according to data from Mergermarket. Read [...]
Barnier rejects Brexit extension without ‘concrete’ proposals September 12, 2019 A number of leading European figures have said there is “no reason” to extend the Brexit process, with little sign of any change to the UK’s position. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier held a closed-door meeting with members of the European Parliament today. Ahead of that meeting, Barnier told reporters: “We are still ready [...]
The ‘Boris Bridge’? PM puts price tag on ‘very good’ idea September 12, 2019 Boris Johnson has told a group of schoolchildren about his “very good” idea for a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland. Speaking to children during his visit to the ship NLV Pharos on the Thames, the Prime Minister said he had recently discussed the possibility of constructing a bridge over the Irish Sea. He said: [...]
No deal Brexit to force up cost of wine, industry warns September 12, 2019 A no-deal Brexit could push up the price of wine after the government rowed back on promises to suspend paperwork, the industry has warned. Additional red tape will have to be introduced after the UK leaves the European Union, which is expected to cost the country’s wine businesses £70m. Following a meeting with the Wine [...]
Boris Johnson denies lying to Queen over prorogation September 12, 2019 The Prime Minister has denied lying to the Queen about the reasons for proroguing parliament. Boris Johnson told reporters claims that it was “absolutely not” true he had made a false representation to Her Majesty when he sough the five-week suspension. Yesterday a Scottish court argued that the prorogation was “unlawful” and that the principal [...]
Nigel Farage hits back as Prime Minister Boris Johnson rules out Brexit Party election pact September 11, 2019 The Prime Minister has ruled out a General Election pact with Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, saying the former Ukip leader was not a “fit and proper” person. According to the Sun, Farage had been in conversations with “people who are very close to Boris [Johnson]” about a possible agreement to help win what is expected [...]
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces ERG rebellion as sources hint at shift on backstop September 11, 2019 Parliament has been shut down for the next five weeks – but Boris Johnson has just 50 days to get a deal and save his premiership. At the same time, rebels on both sides are threatening to thwart him. Read more: Parliament prorogued: Scenes of chaos play out in Commons Working for the man Despite [...]
Leadsom: Yellowhammer doc would ‘just serve to concern people’ on Brexit September 11, 2019 Business secretary Andrea Leadsom has said the government will not publish its Brexit assessment documents Yellowhammer, arguing it would “just serve to concern people”. Leadsom, who has been doing the broadcast rounds this morning on the back of Number 10’s announcement about relaxing post-studying visas, told BBC Breakfast the “reasonable worst-case scenario” was “not a [...]
Most likely Brexit outcome? PM Boris’s resignation, says JP Morgan September 10, 2019 Of the three main options facing Boris Johnson, the most likely outcome is that he will resign, leaving a new prime minister to go to the EU and request a Brexit extension, JP Morgan said today. In a research note sent to clients, JP Morgan’s head of UK economics Malcolm Barr outlined the “only options” [...]