Brexit: Tory rebellion against withdrawal agreement breach grows September 14, 2020 Boris Johnson’s former attorney general Geoffrey Cox has vowed to not support the government’s plan to breach its Brexit withdrawal treaty. The Torridge and West Devon MP said he would not vote for the Internal Market Bill, when it comes before parliament in a series of votes this week, as it would ruin “the standing [...]
Plan for flexible UK rail tickets now facing a delay September 13, 2020 Plans by train operators to provide flexible season tickets to cater for people returning to the office part-time have been reportedly been stifled by government inactivity. Rail companies last month submitted plans to the Department for Transport to offer Carnet-style ticketing, which would allow commuters to use up their rail trips over a certain period [...]
Rishi Sunak eyes fresh tax breaks for UK businesses September 13, 2020 Rishi Sunak is mulling over multi-billion pound tax cuts for UK businesses that invest in property, plant and equipment in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The plans involve giving companies tax breaks on capital investments, such as machinery, in an attempt to stimulate economic activity and boost the government’s “levelling up” agenda. Companies receive [...]
Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey closes gap to Sadiq Khan September 13, 2020 Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey is just seven points behind mayor of London Sadiq Khan in shock internal Conservative party polling. The private polling reportedly shows Khan is leading Bailey by 42 per cent to 35 per cent on first preference voting, according to the Sunday Telegraph. The internal Tory polling has Khan winning on [...]
Brexit: UK’s justice secretary will not quit over international law breach September 13, 2020 Justice secretary Robert Buckland has said he will not resign his post after the government introduced controversial Brexit legislation this week that breaks international law. Buckland said the legislation – which could amount to a breach of the Brexit withdrawal agreement – is only an “insurance policy” and that he believed it would not come [...]
Tony Blair and Sir John Major urge government to drop plans to breach Brexit deal September 13, 2020 Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have warned that the government will ruin the UK’s international reputation if it goes ahead with its plan to breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement and break international law. The former adversaries said Boris Johnson’s plan “is shaming itself and embarrassing our nation”, and that his actions [...]
Brexit: EU intensifying no-deal preparations after latest negotiating round September 10, 2020 Brussels is “intensifying” its preparations for a no-deal Brexit as the two sides still harbour “significant differences”, according to EU negotiator Michel Barnier. The UK and EU wrapped up the eighth round of trade negotiations today, with the two sides still deadlocked over several key issues. It comes on the same day that the EU [...]
City of London Corporation hits out at China for breaching its UK treaty September 10, 2020 The City of London Corporation has accused China of breaching the Sino-British treaty, after imposing draconian national security laws on Hong Kong. The local authority’s Court of Common Council – which comprises all of its elected officials – voted in favour of the motion, which accused Beijing of denying Hong Kongers the right to enjoy [...]
Brexit: EU threatens legal action against UK after ‘seriously damaging trust’ September 10, 2020 Brussels has threatened the UK with legal action for Boris Johnson’s attempts to breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement, claiming that his actions have “seriously damaged trust between the EU and the UK”. The European Commission’s vice president Maroš Šefčovič warned Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove today that the withdrawal agreement was a “legal obligation”, and that [...]
Brexit: UK and EU to hold emergency talks amid flaring tensions September 10, 2020 The UK and the EU are set for a heated emergency meeting today over Boris Johnson’s decision to breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement by adding a number of “clarifications”. An “extraordinary” meeting of the UK-EU Joint Committee is scheduled for this afternoon, along with a one-on-one meeting between Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove and the [...]