Political Headlines – Barnier’s Brexit deal, McDonnell’s workplace and Johnson’s rocks

Today’s Political Headlines include the possible Brexit deal, McDonnell promising to restore the balance of power in the workplace, Johnson to throw rocks at May’s Brexit plans and arrests fall as police budgets are cut. 

Brexit deal possible by November, Barnier says
The Times reports that Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, has claimed that a deal could be agreed in less than two months. Meanwhile, Theresa May has ordered every cabinet minister to tour the country in the run-up to Conservative Party conference, to secure support at home, and Tory aides have been told that Michel Barnier’s stance on the Chequers plan has softened and they should prepare for a Commons vote on it by Christmas.

McDonnell promises to ‘restore the balance of power in the workplace’
The BBC reports that Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell is to use his speech to the TUC today to ‘restore the balance of power in the workplace’ by giving workers in insecure employment the same rights as those who are permanently employed, such as sick pay. He will promise new protections for trade unions and greater employee ownership.

Johnson to ‘throw rocks’ at Theresa May’s Brexit plans
The Guardian claims that Boris Johnson will continue to ‘throw rocks’ at Theresa May’s Chequers proposals in the lead-up to the Conservative Party Conference in an attempt to persuade her to return to her Lancaster House plan. It adds that he has no current plans to launch a leadership challenge owing to the recent revelations about his personal life.

Arrests fall as police budgets are cut
The Daily Telegraph carries the findings of a report by the National Audit Office which finds that police forces are now struggling as their funding and staffing levels fall. Arrests have decreased, patrols have been cut, fewer crimes result in charges, and proactive work has reduced. The NAO adds that because the Home Office takes a ‘light touch’ approach, it does not know if the current system is sustainable.

Boundary changes won’t be voted on until after Brexit
The Financial Times says that despite the Boundary Commission publishing its proposed changes to constituency boundaries yesterday, they are unlikely to be voted on until after Brexit in order to prevent further disputes. The plans are opposed by Labour, with Jon Trickett branding them a ‘Tory stitch-up’, and many Tory MPs, who fear losing their seats.

£1.1trillion economic boost from no-deal Brexit, Rees-Mogg claims
The Daily Telegraph reveals that Jacob Rees-Mogg will claim that a no-deal Brexit would grow the UK economy by £1.1trillion over 15 years at an event organised by the group Economists for Free Trade, at which he will advocate a Canada-style trade deal with the EU. The Sun has details of the European Reform Group’s plans for Northern Ireland which would see the introduction of an ‘Inland Clearance’ scheme, avoiding a hard border through checks at firms’ premises.

Public Health England advisor quits over drinks industry links
The Times reports that Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Public Health England’s Chief External Alcohol Advisor has left the body in protest at its links with the drinks industry. It has launched a campaign with the charity Drinkaware, which is funded by the sector. The paper adds that PHE’s tobacco advisor, John Britton, is considering following suit.

Network Rail sells £1.5bn of property to private sector
The Financial Times reports that Network Rail has agreed to sell 5000 commercial properties to the private sector for £1.5bn,delivering ‘significant additional funding’ to deliver upgrades. However, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister Rachael Maskell claimed that the deal would ‘undermine the financial sustainability of the railway and damage small and medium-sized enterprises across the country’.

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