Midnight crisis: EU leaders offer two new Brexit delay deadlines March 22, 2019 European leaders debated late into last night in a bid to avert a no-deal Brexit on 29 March, with negotiators agreeing to give Theresa May one last shot at getting her deal through parliament. Read more: Editor’s Notes: A dose of rational optimism blew away the fog of Brexit The Prime Minister travelled to Brussels [...]
DEBATE: A third of voters would rather AI ran the country than politicians – so should robots move into Downing Street? March 22, 2019 A third of voters would rather AI ran the country than politicians – so should robots move into Downing Street? Takashi Sonoda, chief executive of internet of things company Uhuru, says YES. The idea that an artificial intelligence (AI) device could wholly take over the decision making at the top of the British government is pure [...]
EU agrees to delay Brexit until 22 May if MPs back Theresa May’s deal March 21, 2019 The EU has said it will agree to a short delay to Brexit only if MPs back Theresa May's withdrawal deal next week. A leaked EU document read: "The European Council commits to agreeing to an extension until 22 May 2019, provided the WA is approved by the HoC next week. Given that The UK does [...]
Investor confidence soars to 10-month high despite Brexit uncertainty March 21, 2019 Investor confidence hit a ten-month high in March despite ongoing uncertainty related to Brexit. The Hargreaves Lansdown Investor Confidence Index reached 80 points this month, recovering from a record low of 52 points in December, indicating that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union is no longer tainting investor sentiment to the same extent. Read [...]
After blaming MPs for Brexit delay, Theresa May seeks Article 50 extension in Brussels March 21, 2019 | City Talk If Brexit were a Netflix original series it would be considered one of the greatest dramas ever produced. The enormous cast of characters, the sprawling subplots, the infighting, the defections, the backstabbing – next to it, Game of Thrones would seem like your average kitchen sink drama. Even as Brexit supposedly reaches its finale on [...]
House transactions edge up despite Brexit uncertainty denting Spring bounce March 21, 2019 Signs of growing activity in the UK housing market have emerged this morning, with new figures signalling a potential change in tune among buyers who have so far been holding off on deals in the run-up to Brexit. A modest rise in property transactions last month has industry experts noting that some buyers are choosing not [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates amid Brexit deadlock despite sunnier economic data March 21, 2019 The Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) has voted unanimously to hold interest rates at their current level of 0.75 per cent, after weighing up “mixed” economic data, it said today. Read more: Government borrowing falls to fresh 17-year low The central bank said it will not change its primary bank rate from where [...]
For all the fire and fury, there’s only one deal in town – and MPs should vote for it March 21, 2019 Yesterday afternoon a rumour spread around Westminster that the Prime Minister was going to make a live statement in Downing Street. The appearance of the Number 10 lectern always excites journalists as the PM tends only to use it when making dramatic announcements. Talk of her resignation or a high-stakes ultimatum continued to occupy Westminster-watchers [...]
Sadiq Khan confirms TfL will remove controversial Michael Jackson bus adverts March 21, 2019 Controversial adverts that express support for Michael Jackson are to be removed from the side of Transport for London's (TfL) buses, Sadiq Khan has confirmed. The adverts, which bear the tagline "Innocent", were pushed by a Jackson fan group in response to a two-part Netflix documentary, Leaving Neverland, in which the late singer is accused of abusing young boys [...]
German chancellor Angela Merkel says Brexit delay possible if MPs support May’s deal March 21, 2019 German chancellor Angela Merkel said today that the EU could green light a short delay to Brexit, but only if MPs back the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement in a vote next week. Read more: Donald Tusk: Brexit delay only if MPs pass May's deal However, a third successive rejection to Theresa May’s Brexit deal might [...]