The government must resist micro-managing our EU exit December 10, 2018 Unlike many commentators, I believe that a no-deal Brexit still very possible. It is the default as the clock ticks, and parliament must vote for government-backed legislation to change path. For all the threats about a second referendum, the Conservatives would implode if they rowed back on delivering Brexit. And as regrettable as a no-deal [...]
Theresa May to reopen Brexit negotiations amid backstop row December 10, 2018 Theresa May’s authority has suffered yet another blow as the government scrapped the planned vote on her controversial Brexit deal. In a chaotic day in Westminster, the Prime Minister pulled the vote planned for Tuesday evening after realising she was in line for a huge defeat at the hands of her own party. May is set to [...]
Mayday: PM delays crucial parliament vote on her Brexit deal December 10, 2018 Theresa May has confirmed a highly-anticipated vote on her Brexit deal will be delayed, following threats of a huge rebellion from within the Conservative Party. The Prime Minister confirmed the delay in the House of Commons this afternoon, saying she believed she could still win a vote after winning further reassurance on the Irish backstop. [...]
Crossrail crisis escalates as TfL confirms up to £2bn cost overrun and possible delay to 2020 December 10, 2018 The crisis facing Crossrail deepened today after Transport for London (TfL) admitted that the delayed project could need an extra £2bn in rescue funding to stay afloat. The Elizabeth Line, which will stretch from Heathrow in the west to Abbey Wood in the east, was projected to cost £15.4bn and to open by 9 December [...]
Here’s how politicians and markets are reacting to parliament’s Brexit vote being pulled December 10, 2018 Reports that Prime Minister Theresa May has pulled a highly-anticipated parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal have sent shockwaves through Westminster and into wider business world. Sources told City A.M. tomorrow’s so-called meaningful vote, in which May faced almost-certain defeat, has been dropped after over 100 Conservative MPs vowed to vote against the government. The [...]
Chief executives can no longer stay out of the political fray December 10, 2018 Activism is everywhere. From our neighbourhoods to boardrooms, national crusades to local causes, there is no shortage of people clamouring to bring pressing, worthy issues to our attention. And business is no exception, hence the rise of a new type of chief executive: the “activist”. This creature takes many forms: publicly outspoken, actively involved in [...]
Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya should be extradited, rules UK court December 10, 2018 Vijay Mallya, the Indian tycoon behind Kingfisher, should be extradited from the UK to India to face fraud charges over the collapse of his airline, it was ruled today. In a judgement at Westminster Magistrates Court, chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said Mallya – who co-owned Formula One racing team Force India until it went into [...]
With our North American friends, we are proving that trade is not a zero-sum game December 10, 2018 All eyes will be on Westminster tomorrow as parliament prepares for a crunch vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal. We must remember, however, that the world is not stopping for Brexit, even if it continues to dominate the headlines back at home. That is why I am today starting my first overseas visit since taking [...]
ITV pulls the plug on Brexit debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn December 7, 2018 ITV has joined the BBC in pulling out of hosting this weekend’s proposed Brexit debate, with the Conservatives and Labour again unable to agree on how to structure the televised debate. ITV said it “invited the Prime Minister and leader of the opposition to appear in an ITV programme this Sunday evening, and we have been [...]
‘Big Short’ investor Steve Eisman bets against UK banks December 7, 2018 Investor Steve Eisman who is known for his prediction of the 2008 financial crisis has said he is betting against three UK banks. Eisman, who was played by actor Steve Carell in the film The Big Short, said he thinks the British market will go down because of Brexit. He said that he bet against [...]