It’s not just parliament facing a Brexit showdown: Brussels also has a big dilemma on its hands November 16, 2018 Two months is an exceedingly long time when it comes to Brexit. But try, if you will, to cast your minds back to September and the run up to the Conservative party conference. On more than one occasion EU leaders suddenly and unexpectedly changed tone and delivered Prime Minister Theresa May a vote of confidence. [...]
Kleinman: Beat Barxit? Jes he can – for now November 16, 2018 Come again? The fawning of business leaders who dialled into a conference call with the chancellor and business secretary after Theresa May’s Brexit deal announcement on Tuesday was stunning in its obsequiousness. Particularly odd was Sir Gerry Grimstone who – sitting alongside fellow Barclays board members John McFarlane and Sir Ian Cheshire – took it [...]
Donald Tusk says UK would be welcome to remain in EU if Brexit deal not reached November 15, 2018 European Council president Donald Tusk has said that the UK would be welcome to remain in the EU if a deal could not be reached. The former Polish prime minister told reporters in Brussels today that: “The EU is prepared for a final deal with the United Kingdom in November. “We are also prepared for a [...]
Facebook blasted by Soros foundation for ‘smear campaign’ November 15, 2018 Social media giant Facebook has reportedly severed ties with a public relations firm that allegedly linked its left wing critics to US billionaire George Soros. A story in the New York Times revealed that Facebook had employed Definers, a Republican PR firm, to discredit activist protestors, in part by linking them to Soros. The Open [...]
Brexit deal: Who resigned, when they resigned, and what they told Theresa May November 15, 2018 Dominic Raab – Brexit Secretary – 9.55am “I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues. “For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons. First, I believe that [...]
London Assembly launches new probe into scrapped Garden Bridge project November 15, 2018 The Greater London Authority (GLA) is to investigate the scrapped £200m Garden Bridge project that was promoted under former mayor Boris Johnson. The GLA announced at an oversight committee this morning that it had set up a cross-party working group to scrutinise decisions on the Garden Bridge taken by the Garden Bridge Trust and Transport for London (TfL), [...]
Theresa May vows to fight on amid cabinet resignations and calls to quit November 15, 2018 A defiant Theresa May vowed to fight any challenge to her leadership after she faced a host of ministerial resignations and calls for her to quit. On yet another day of high drama in Westminster, Brexit secretary Dominic Raab resigned his position in protest at May’s draft exit deal with Brussels, and was soon followed [...]
England housing stock increases but housebuilders still fall short of target November 15, 2018 The number of new homes completed in England in the last year reached its highest level in a decade, but growth has plummeted as Brexit uncertainties take hold. Just over 222,000 more homes were added to England’s housing stock in 2017-2018, according to figures released today by the minister of housing, communities and local government (MHCLG). [...]
TfL bosses stopped claiming expenses during the summer as the Elizabeth Line hit the rocks November 15, 2018 Transport for London (TfL) bosses did not claim any expenses over the summer while it was embroiled in troubles regarding the £15.4bn Elizabeth Line. From July to September, TfL bosses claimed no expenses for work-related activities such as travel costs, dinners and work mobile phones for the first time since 2013, the first year for which data is available. In 2013, [...]
Profit or purpose? Business must find a better balance November 15, 2018 Last week, I attended a meeting of entrepreneurs backing Small Business Saturday (coming up on 1 December) to look at a survey of what motivates these firms. I expected a tirade against red tape and tax. What we got was the news that, of over 1,000 SMEs polled, only 60 per cent were primarily driven [...]