Brexit: Analysts give govt just 20% chance of striking EU trade deal this year January 14, 2020 The government has just a 20 per cent chance of striking a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU within its stated deadline of this calendar year, a new report by Oxford Economics argues. Indeed, analysts believe there is a higher chance of talks disintegrating entirely, leaving the UK trading on WTO terms from the start [...]
Boris Johnson says Brexit trade deal ‘epically likely’; says he won’t risk UK security over Huawei January 14, 2020 Boris Johnson has said a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU by the end of this year is “epically likely” – but admitted he could fail to clinch it within the deadline. Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning the Prime Minister said it was “very, very, very likely” the UK will get a trade deal [...]
Foreign secretary warns Iran of further economic isolation January 13, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has warned Iran of further political and economic isolation if the country does not start charting “a peaceful way forwards”. The government, which has been urging a de-escalation of tensions since the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by the US, is still seeking a full, independent investigation in the Ukranian [...]
And then there were five… Thornberry scrapes through to second round of Labour leadership race, as Lewis drops out January 13, 2020 Five candidates have secured enough nominations to get through to the second round of the Labour leadership contest, with just one contender dropping out. Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry is thought to have scraped through after she secured enough support from MPs and MEPs with just minutes to go, however Clive Lewis dropped out before [...]
Northern Ireland: Boris Johnson insists ‘no circumstances’ for checks on goods after Brexit January 13, 2020 Boris Johnson has insisted there will be “no circumstances” in which goods coming between Northern Ireland and Great Britain would be subject to checks after Brexit. The Prime Minister, who is in Stormont after the breakthrough last week restored the power-sharing executive, praised those involved for having “stepped up to the plate and shown leadership”. [...]
Iran’s ambassador to UK summoned by Foreign Office following arrest of British ambassador January 13, 2020 Iran’s ambassador to the UK has been summoned by the Foreign Office in response to the “unacceptable” arrest of the British ambassador to Iran in Tehran this weekend. Robert Macaire was detained for a short time on Saturday night after attending a vigil for those who died when Iranian forces mistakenly shot down a passenger [...]
Major sacrifices will have to be made for rushed Brexit trade deal, report claims January 13, 2020 Rushing a post-Brexit trade deal to meet the end-of-year deadline will require major sacrifices to be made and will leave businesses with just weeks to adapt to the new trading terms, a new report claims. The Institute for Government believes Boris Johnson and team will have to accept only “a narrow agreement” can be reached [...]
Johnson’s Brexit bill passes Commons without fanfare January 9, 2020 Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was passed by MPs without fanfare on Thursday afternoon, with the Prime Minister not even marking the moment with a valedictory speech. The Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) passed its third reading in the Commons with 330 votes to 231, and will now move to the Lords for further scrutiny. It is [...]
Gardiner rules out Labour leadership contest, as Thornberry gives Corbyn ‘nought out of 10’ January 9, 2020 Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner has ruled himself out of the Labour leadership contest, saying he does not believe he can command enough support “at this late stage”. Gardiner admitted he was toying with running last night, with the deadline for applications closing on Monday. But this evening the frontbencher, who is thought to [...]
PM Johnson urges Iranian President Rouhani to ‘end hostilities’ January 9, 2020 Boris Johnson told his Iranian counterpart there must be “an end to hostilities” during a phone call between the pair this morning. The Prime Minister spoke with Hassan Rouhani for around 20 minutes, to discuss the aftermath of the US killing of Qasem Soleimani late last week. “The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s continued commitment [...]
