Brexit latest: McDonnell slams Javid over ‘dereliction of his duties’ October 24, 2019 The chancellor and shadow chancellor locked horns today, with Labour’s John McDonnell accusing his opposite number of a “dereliction of his duties”. McDonnell pointed to the government’s “working majority of minus-45″, saying it was ” obvious that this Queen’s Speech is little more than a pretty crude election stunt”. He also slammed the Tories for [...]
Brexit secretary hammered over Northern Ireland checks October 24, 2019 Brexit secretary Steve Barclay has been hammered over the prospect of checks on goods coming in and out of Northern Ireland, after apparent inconsistencies in the government’s position. Earlier this week the minister admitted that firms in Northern Ireland would have to fill out export declaration forms when sending goods to Great Britain under the [...]
Mel Stride unveiled as new Treasury Select Committee chair October 23, 2019 Former Treasury minister Mel Stride has been named as the new chair of the Treasury Select Committee. Stride, the MP for Central Devon, won 263 votes in the race to replace former chair Nicky Morgan, who left the post after she returned to government as culture secretary. The appointment was delayed after Prime Minister Boris [...]
Brexit latest: Brussels figures edge towards backing 31 January extension October 23, 2019 Two key Brussels figures have indicated they would back a full extension to the Brexit process, until 31 January. The move comes as Labour confirms that a three month delay would be long enough for the party to back an General Election. Leo Varadkar, Irish Taoiseach, spoke with Donald Tusk this morning, where he backed [...]
Boris Johnson ‘pauses’ Brexit bill after key defeat October 22, 2019 The Prime Minister’s pledge to take the UK out of the EU before Halloween “come what may” has been left in tatters, after MPs blocked a key vote to fast-track his Brexit legislation. MPs voted in support of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), notably 52-48 per cent in favour, but refused to back the timetable [...]
Brexit latest: Oliver Letwin urges MPs to back programme motion October 22, 2019 Oliver Letwin has urged MPs to back the government on tonight’s programme motion as “the least of the evils”, after the Prime Minister threatened to pull the entire Brexit bill if he was defeated. Introducing the Brexit bill, formally called the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, Boris Johnson this afternoon told MPs he would abandon the bill [...]
Live update: Govt threatens to pull Brexit bill if MPs vote down timetable October 22, 2019 The Prime Minister has urged MPs to back his Brexit bill to ensure the UK leaves the EU by 31 October, saying it will allow the country “to heal”. Speaking in the Commons for the first time since he was forced to send a letter requesting an extension, Boris Johnson bemoaned the passing of the [...]
Donald Tusk opens door to Brexit extension ahead of key vote October 22, 2019 The president of the European Council Donald Tusk has indicated he is minded to back an extension to the Brexit process if MPs vote against the government’s timetable today. Speaking in Strasbourg today for the first time since he received the Benn Act-compelled letter from Boris Johnson, Tusk told MEPS: “The situation is quite complex [...]
What’s in the WAB? Government’s Brexit bill explained October 22, 2019 Today MPs will begin debating the government’s Withdrawal Agreement Bill – covering everything from the £39bn divorce settlement to EU citizens and setting out the path for the UK’s future relationship with the EU. But what is in it – and will it pass? What is the WAB? Brexit brings out the best (or worst) [...]
Timetable vote threatens to derail PM’s Halloween Brexit pledge October 21, 2019 A normally run-of-the-mill vote on parliamentary business today threatens to derail Boris Johnson’s last chance to get Brexit done by 31 October. A programme motion, setting out the timetable for debating the crucial Withdrawal Agreement bill (WAB), could be rejected by the alliance of opposition MPs and Tory Remainers who argue that it does not [...]
