If nothing else, Brexit has taught us how mediocre our politicians are March 28, 2019 Earlier this year, the BBC Parliament channel briefly became more popular than MTV. Perhaps not quite able to believe how on earth this was all going so badly, a few hundred thousand people tuned in to see what was happening on the green benches for themselves. What they witnessed would have clarified things. Posturing, grand-standing, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Chuka Umunna downplays speculation Tory MP Nick Boles could join the Independent Group March 18, 2019 Former Labour MP Chuka Umunna has downplayed suggestions Tory MP Nick Boles could join the Independent Group (TIG), saying he does not share the same "progressive values" of its members. Asked why Boles, who quit his local party over his stance on Brexit, had not joined the rump of disaffected former Labour and Tory MPs, Umunna said: "I'm [...]
Labour hits back at social media giants over Christchurch attack footage March 17, 2019 Social media firms must be better at reacting quickly to take down live broadcasts, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said today. A gunman attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday, killing 50 Muslims. He live-streamed the attack on Facebook for 17 minutes, with footage of the event quickly spreading to other platforms such as [...]
Jeremy Corbyn says Labour will force another no confidence motion if May’s Brexit deal is defeated again March 17, 2019 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the party could force another no confidence motion in the government if it fails to get Theresa May's Brexit deal across the line for a third time. Corbyn said he thought it was likely that the May's Brexit deal would voted down and that the government's strategy was to [...]
City Hall at risk of Momentum takeover after Labour changes reselection rules March 14, 2019 City Hall could be targeted by hard-left Labour activists after the party changed rules to make the deselection of moderate candidates more likely. Labour’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), voted to change party rules for the Assembly last month, which one Labour Assembly Member (AM) said had sparked a “climate of fear and [...]
The Conservative party needs to rediscover its economic way March 12, 2019 For most people, the Conservative’s 2015 “long-term economic plan” is now a distant memory. But as someone who was deeply immersed in that election campaign, I still sometimes wake up at night reciting its contents. Though much mocked for its repetition, the plan was more than just a catchphrase. From deficit reduction and tax cuts [...]