EU referendum: Alan Johnson given role to head up Labour’s “yes” campaign June 19, 2015 Former Labour cabinet minister, Alan Johnson, has accepted the role of leading Labour's "Yes" campaign during the EU referendum. The Labour party veteran had repeatedly turned out Ed Miliband's approached to join the shadow cabinet, but said that Harriet Harman was "very persuasive" when talking to him about the campaign role. Johnson said that he [...]
Poll: Two thirds of British voters would vote to stay in EU June 19, 2015 Two-thirds of British voters said that they wish to remain in the EU, while just 22 per cent would vote to leave, according to a new poll. Excluding those who did not know, the result would come out at 75-25 in favour of staying in Europe, according to the poll, by Ipsos Mori. The news [...]
EU referendum: Labour, Tory and Ukip MPs band together to form “Out” group June 19, 2015 Seven Eurosceptic MPs have formed a group to campaign for the UK to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum. The MPs, from the Conservatives, Labour and Ukip, have called the group the "Exploratory committee for the EU referendum". It includes former Conservative cabinet minister Owen Paterson and Ukip's only MP, Douglas Carswell, as well [...]
Nicola Sturgeon calls for devolved government leaders to have input into EU renegotiation June 19, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, has demanded that her views should be heard in David Cameron's renegotiation talks with the EU. As the Prime Minister continues his discussions with EU leaders in a diplomatic blitz of Europe, Sturgeon called for a "forum" which would allow the administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to [...]
EU president says compromise is needed as he discusses “controversial” reforms with David Cameron June 18, 2015 The president of the EU has said that compromise is needed as Cameron pressed on with his plans to renegotiate Britain's relationship with Europe. President Martin Schulz met the Prime Minister at Downing Street, as Cameron continued his bid to court European leaders. He later hosted Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny. Mr Schulz said there were [...]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel: Greek deal still possible – and EU must engage seriously with UK on Brexit June 18, 2015 German Chancellor Angela Merkel struck a conciliatory tone on the UK's plans to renegotiate its relationship with the EU, saying the bloc must "engage seriously" with the UK's demands. During a speech to the German parliament today, Merkel said she wanted the UK to remain a "strong, active" partner with the European Union. "It's about [...]
Britain’s still great: Opportunities abound from the Northern Powerhouse to infrastructure revamp June 18, 2015 EUROPE REFERENDUM To the relief of many, the UK election turned out to be a simple affair. But while we avoided protracted wrangling over the make-up of the government, the key risk facing the UK now is the referendum on European Union membership. It is due to be held before 2017 – but some business [...]
UK house prices: Tony Pidgley’s Berkeley calls for Britain to stay in the EU as housebuilder’s profits rise 42 per cent June 17, 2015 London-centred residential property developer Berkeley Group announced a 42 per cent increase in full-year profits today, but warned a British exit from the EU would be bad for the capital's property market. Read more: How can the UK build more houses? In preliminary results for the year to the end of April, Berkeley stressed that the [...]
David Cameron gets a bloody nose as rebel Tory backbenchers flex their muscles over EU referendum bill June 16, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron avoided an embarrassing parliamentary defeat last night, but only after Labour decided to abstain from a key vote. More than two dozen Conservative backbenchers rebelled over rules surrounding an EU referendum that Cameron has promised will take place before the end of 2017. A cross-party combination including 27 Tory rebels and [...]
EU referendum bill: 27 Tories rebel as David Cameron beats “purdah” amendment June 16, 2015 David Cameron has won his first significant battle with the Eurosceptic arm of his party – and he has Labour to thank after a "purdah" amendment to the EU referendum bill was defeated in the Commons Although 27 Tories rebelled against their Prime Minister, Labour abstained from the vote meaning Bill Cash's rebel amendment was [...]