In a logical world, the EU would never risk the fallout of Britain crashing out with no deal at all March 26, 2019 At a dinner the other week, a friend of mine wondered whether Theresa May would have been treated with quite so much patience, forbearance and courtesy by her EU colleagues had she not been a woman. It’s a fair question. Her reportedly dismal performance at the EU summit on 21 March must have been enough [...]
A Norway Plus compromise is the worst of both Brexit worlds March 26, 2019 As the Brexit process descends ever deeper into chaos, a simple argument has started to gain ground. Remainers want to remain. Leavers want to leave. So isn’t the obvious way out of this impasse to go for the version of leaving that is closest to remaining? As I write, MPs are due to vote on [...]
UK and Ireland in talks to avoid hard border in no-deal Brexit, reveals Leo Varadkar March 25, 2019 Irish PM Leo Varadkar has confirmed talks have begun with the UK over avoiding a hard border with Northern Ireland in the case of a no-deal Brexit. The Taoiseach revealed the UK government has suggested treating Northern Ireland differently to the UK for customs purposes to prevent checks being carried out on the island. Avoiding [...]
Boris Johnson accuses Theresa May of ‘bottling’ Brexit in rallying cry for no deal March 25, 2019 Boris Johnson has called on Theresa May to “channel the spirit of Moses” and urge the EU to “let her people go” as he advocated for a no-deal Brexit. Read more: Brexit live: Ministers deny May under pressure to resign The politician accused the Prime Minister of having “bottled it completely” after she chose to [...]
Don’t you dare tune out – your country needs you to step up March 25, 2019 Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose. So sang Janis Joplin in what sounds like a 1970s version of the Prime Minister’s “No Deal Is Better Than A Bad Deal” refrain. Perhaps this was at the back of her mind when she called for a “moment of decision” last week. One EU leader’s response [...]
Brexit alarm bells: City optimism tanks at fastest rate since financial crisis March 25, 2019 Britain’s biggest business group today warns that the “alarm bells have reached deafening levels” as the political crisis surrounding Brexit threatens to force the Prime Minister from office. Read more: Brexit secretary admits indicative votes 'could be ignored' The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) declared Brexit a “national emergency” as it revealed that financial services [...]
KPMG downgrades UK economic growth forecast for 2019 due to Brexit March 25, 2019 Audit firm KPMG has downgraded its short term expectations for the UK economy due to the lack of clarity around Brexit and global headwinds. The firm forecasts that the UK economy will expand by 1.2 per cent in 2019, assuming that a Brexit deal is reached. The predictions are included in KPMG’s latest quarterly Economic [...]
Omers launches €300m European venture capital fund March 25, 2019 Canadian pension fund Omers has launched a €300m (£257m) European venture fund based in London in a vote of confidence in the continent despite Brexit uncertainty. Omers Ventures, which has previously backed e-commerce platform Shopify and flight-booking app Hopper, plans to target the rise in start-up activity across Europe. Read more: Women-led startups win under [...]
Drinks giant AB InBev rebrands as Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I March 25, 2019 Beer behemoth AB InBev has changed its UK name to Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I as it doubles down on its commitment to the region after Brexit. The world’s biggest brewer, whose brands include Budweiser and Stella Artois, said the more recognisable name will boost awareness of the company and marks the firm’s latest show of [...]
London tourism industry pivots to long-haul markets in the face of Brexit March 24, 2019 Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the royal family: London is blessed with renowned attractions wrapped in tradition and heritage most cities can only dream of. But with Brexit looming, the UK tourism industry, which supports more than one tenth of the country’s jobs, has hit turbulence. Almost every industry representative I spoke with used the [...]