Archive for: Blog Posts

Today’s political headlines include Brexit adviser warned May against customs backstop, DUP threatens to withdraw support, former attorney general rejects Government’s legal advice position, Labour would table vote of confidence if Commons rejects deal. 

Brexit adviser warned May against customs backstop
The Daily Telegraph reveals that Oliver Robbins, the Prime Minister’s chief Brexit adviser, warned her that the backstop on customs would be a ‘bad outcome’ for the UK, and that an extended transition period would provide a ‘cast iron escape route’ instead. The letter was given to the paper by ‘a concerned minister’.

DUP threatens to withdraw support in confidence vote
The Times says that the DUP has threatened not to support Theresa May in a confidence vote, should the Brexit deal fail to get through the Commons. A source said that the party felt that the Conservatives were not keeping to the terms of the confidence-and-supply deal, by risking creating a sea border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Former attorney general rejects Government’s legal advice position
According to The Daily Telegraph, Lord Goldsmith, who served as Attorney General under Tony Blair, has said that the Government’s use of the Iraq War as precedent for keeping its legal advice on Brexit secret is wrong as the Commons never formally requested it. The Government is to publish a legal position statement today, with Attorney General Geoffrey Cox taking question from MPs.

Labour would table vote of confidence if Commons rejects deal
The Guardian says that Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that his party would almost certainly try to hold a vote of no confidence in the Government if its Brexit deal is rejected by the Commons. He said that if it couldn’t obtain a general election, it would then ‘press on to other options such as a public vote’, which should not include a no-deal Brexit as this would be too damaging.

Gove warns there’s a ‘real risk’ of another referendum
The Times reports that Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove has warned rebel Conservative MPs that there was a ‘real risk’ of a second referendum if they failed to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal, but did not rule out backing a Norway-style deal is the Commons rejected May’s. The Sun suggests that the Government has considered scrapping the vote on the deal so that May can reopen negotiations, either to extract concessions or to demonstrate that there is no better deal on offer.

Brexit TV debate dispute continues
The Guardian reports on the dispute over the proposed Brexit television debate. Several Conservative Brexiteers have written to the BBC complaining about their exclusion, while Sir Vince Cable, the Lib Dem leader, has made a similar complaint to the BBC, ITV and Sky. Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn still haven’t agreed on a format or a broadcaster.

Questions raised about Osamor following resignation
The Times reports that Sir Alistair Graham, former head of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, has claimed there are ‘questions about’ Kate Osamor’s ‘suitability to be an MP’. She stepped down as Shadow International Development Secretary at the weekend after the paper reported that she knew about her son’s conviction on drugs offences earlier than had been claimed, and she threatened one of the paper’s journalists, throwing water at him.

Javid and May in low-skilled migration disagreement
In an exclusive, The Sun says that Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Theresa May are arguing about how quickly to restrict low-skilled immigration after Brexit. Javid wants to keep the system as it is for a period, while May favours more immediate restrictions to encourage firms to recruit British workers instead.

Want to know what’s happening with Brexit as it happens? Get Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include 100 Tory MPs opposing May’s Brexit agreement, May rules out debating Brexit campaigners, EU prepared to give UK more time and Government relaxes doctor rules. 

100 Tory MPs now oppose Brexit agreement

The Daily Telegraph reports that a hundred Conservative MPs have now declared that they will vote against the Government’s Brexit agreement. The hundredth to declare his position was Matthew Offord, who warned that it would leave the UK ‘bound’ to the EU. The paper adds that Theresa May’s de-facto deputy David Lidington has promised the UK would follow the same single market rules as Northern Ireland if the backstop came into force, providing ‘reassurance to people that the commitment to the Union is very, very deeply felt.’

May rules out debating with Brexit campaigners

The Guardian says that Theresa May has agreed to participate on a TV debate on the Brexit deal so long as it is only against Jeremy Corbyn. Campaigners for a People’s Vote and hard Brexiteers, such as Boris Johnson, have called for their inclusion in any debate, so that a wider spectrum of views are represented. May has agreed to debate plans put forward by the BBC, but Labour prefers a proposal put forward by ITV.

EU prepared to give the UK more time to agree softer Brexit

The Times suggests that European leaders would be prepared to extend Article 50 by three months, allowing a second referendum or Norway-style Brexit to be agreed. However, this would only be offered if Parliament was clear on the form of Brexit it wanted. Yesterday, May claimed that extending Article 50 would lead to negotiations reopening and a potentially worse deal emerging.

Government relaxes limit on non-EU doctors

In an exclusive, The Guardian reports that the Government will relax rules on immigration in order to allow more non-EU medics to work in the UK under the medical training initiative, potentially increasing the cap from 1500 to 3000 and the amount of time spent in the UK as part of the scheme from two to three years.

Whips threaten to shorten Christmas break

The i claims that Conservative MPs have been warned by their whips that a defeat to the Government’s Brexit deal could lead to their Christmas break being curtailed and Parliament being recalled before the New Year. Rebels have apparently also accused whips of using ‘emotional blackmail’ and threatening that they risked Brexit not happening.

May to raise journalist’s death with Saudi crown prince

According to The Guardian, Theresa May has said that she intends to speak about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the conflict in Yemen when she meets the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman at this weekend’s G20 summit, calling for a ‘full and transparent investigation’ into the journalist’s death, and a ‘political solution’ for Yemen.

Labour MP uses debate to reveal he’s HIV-positive

The BBC reports that Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle used a House of Commons debate to reveal that he is HIV-positive, making him the first to do so in the Commons and the second in total. He called on ministers to review cuts to sexual health budgets which were taking the country in the ‘wrong direction’, and talked about his ‘long journey’ to acceptance.

BBC defends itself against ‘fake pastor’ accusation

The Daily Mail claims that the BBC is ‘under fire’ after Lynne Hayter, an actress who claims to be a pastor but seems not to have an actual church, appeared on Newsnight to discuss Brexit, leading Lord Adonis to dub her a ‘fake pastor’. Presenter Emily Maitlis warned Adonis against becoming ‘a peddler of fake news’, while the show claimed that Hayter was a ‘genuine participant’.

Want to know what’s happening with Brexit as it happens? Get Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include Trump’s criticism of May’s Brexit deal, MPs want May to set a resignation date and judges to consider if UK can withdraw the Brexit notification. 

Trump criticises May’s Brexit deal
The Daily Telegraph reports that US President Donald Trump has claimed that Theresa May’s Brexit deal means that the UK ‘may not be able to trade with the US’, and that it ‘sounds like a good deal for the EU’. The paper claims that his comments ‘will spark panic in Downing Street’, with Theresa May having hoped that she could promote her deal to world leaders, including Trump, at this weekend’s G20 summit.

MPs want May to set resignation date to secure their support for bill
The Times suggests that some Tory MPs are calling on Theresa May to set a date for her departure if she wants to secure their support for her Brexit deal, allowing them to push for a Canada-style agreement after Brexit. The paper adds that May has established a Whitehall unit, made up of Downing Street advisers, Brexit negotiators and Brexit department civil servants, to work with the chief whip to co-ordinate efforts to sell her deal to MPs.

Judges to consider if UK can withdraw Brexit notification
The BBC reports that the European Court of Justice is to start examining whether the UK can revoke its Article 50 notification that it is leaving the EU, in a challenge brought by a group of Scottish politicians. A ruling is not expected immediately, but those supporting the case believe that if they are successful, it would give MPs an extra option.

Hunt suggests that May should debate Blair
The Daily Telegraph says that Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, used yesterday’s Cabinet meeting to suggest that Theresa May should debate senior remainers, such as Tony Blair, rather than Jeremy Corbyn if she wanted to win MPs over to her deal, while Eurosceptic Tory MPs have called for a Leave campaigner, such as Boris Johnson, to take part.

Labour would block People’s Vote from appearing in TV debate
The Guardian claims that the Labour Party would block a representative of the People’s Vote campaign from taking part in the television debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, believing that this format would allow the Labour leader to broaden the debate to include issues such as austerity. Formal talks with broadcasters have yet to start.

Research warns May’s deal would hit living standards
The Financial Times carries details of new research by a consortium of academics and thinktanks, which warns that the Prime Minister’s Brexit agreement would hit living standards by up to £2,000 per person a year, with GDP between 1.9% and 5.5% lower by 2030.

Gauke blocks Javid’s knife crime plans
According to the Daily Mail, Justice Secretary David Gauke has blocked Home Secretary Sajid Javid’s plans to introduce ASBO-style ‘knife crime prevention orders’, whose breach could be punishable by imprisonment. Gauke warned they would ‘accelerate the criminalisation’ of young people and questioned their affordability, given the pressures faced by the prison service.

Foodbanks face record demand this Christmas
The Mirror reports that foodbanks will be facing record demand this Christmas due to the five-week delay to the first payment of Universal Credit, with volunteers expecting to serve 1.5m meals. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called on the Government to open ‘its eyes to the misery its causing’.

Can May sell her deal? Find out with Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include May’s warning to MPs about voting down her deal, May’s challenge to Corbyn to a TV debate, Juncker’s warning is the only deal possible and Cabinet ministers pushing for a Norway option. 

May warns MPs against voting down her deal
The Times claims that Theresa May will use a statement in the Commons today to warn MPs that if they vote down her Brexit deal, they risk going ‘back to square one’ and that they should listen to constituents who want to ‘move on’ from Brexit. The paper adds that up to 90 Conservative MPs are currently threatening to vote against the agreement with the EU.

May to challenge Corbyn to TV debate over deal
According to The Daily Telegraph, Theresa May is to challenge Jeremy Corbyn to a debate over her Brexit deal. The vote is expected to take place on December 12, and she will outline her plans for a fortnight’s ‘media blitz’ at a meeting of the Cabinet today. Her plans also include visiting ‘every part of the UK’ and a major speech the day before the vote. A Labour spokesperson welcomed the proposed debate.

Juncker warns agreement ‘is the only deal possible’
The Financial Times reports that European leaders approved the Brexit deal at a summit yesterday which ‘felt more like a wake than a breakthrough’, with European Council President Donald Tusk saying that EU leaders has achieved ‘one of the hardest tasks of our lives’ and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker adding that ‘this is the only deal possible’.

Cabinet ministers push for Norway option if May’s deal fails
The Sun claims that cabinet ministers Amber Rudd and Michael Gove have joined forces to push for the UK to join the European Free Trade Association, but will only push for this if the meaningful vote fails, followed by attempts to call for a general election and a people’s vote, in order to ensure maximum support from Labour MPs.

New analysis shows economic cost of May’s Brexit deal
The Times outlines new analysis by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, commissioned by the People’s Vote campaign, which reveals that Theresa May’s Brexit deal would leave the country’s GDP around 3.9% lower than remaining in the EU. Remaining in the backstop, GDP would be 2.8% lower, while in a no-deal scenario it would be 5.5% lower.

Academic pardoned by UAE following lobbying by Hunt
The Guardian reports that the Durham University academic Matthew Hedges, jailed by the UAE on spying charges has been pardoned following lobbying efforts by the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The country continues to claim that Hedges was an MI6 agent, and that clemency had been given in response to a letter from his family.

Jenrick to embrace ‘new methods of construction’
The Sun says that Treasury minister Robert Jenrick will today call for ‘new methods of construction’ to be ‘embraced’ as he announces £600bn of infrastructure spending, allowing building projects to be sped up by pre-building components in factories, cutting the construction time of a school from a year to four months and reducing waste by up to 90%.

Shortage of carers will increase costs for pensioners
The Daily Telegraph carries details of a new report by the thinktank IPPR, which warns that there will be a shortage of 350,000 social care workers by 2028, unless their pay increases. The problem will especially affect pensioners, who could face rising care costs as a result.

Deal or no deal? Keep up to date with the latest political announcements with Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include May’s fight to save her Brexit plans, the committee telling advertisers to boycott tech giants, Mike Ashley’s demands to give evidence on saving the high street and the CBI’s doubts over Brexit deal.  

May fights to save her Brexit plans
The Guardian claims that Theresa May is fighting to save her Brexit deal on two fronts, following the publication of the text of the political declaration yesterday. Tory backbenchers repeatedly called on her to renegotiate the deal during a debate yesterday, while the EU has warned that no further concessions can be made. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez [pictured] has even claimed that he will ‘veto Brexit’ over Spain’s concerns about Gibraltar.

Advertisers should boycott tech giants, committee says
The Times reports that Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee has called for advertisers to boycott tech companies like Facebook and Google unless they demonstrate a serious commitment to tackle terrorist material online, warning that this had been a key contributor to incidents including the Manchester bombing. Dominic Grieve, the committee’s chair, said that firms should follow the example of advertisers such as Unilever.

Mike Ashley demands to give MPs evidence on saving the high street
According to The Guardian, Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has demanded to give evidence to the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on how to save the high street. The committee originally asked for a representative from House of Fraser to speak as part of a panel of four, but Ashley felt that this ‘wouldn’t achieve anything’.

Internal email reveals CBI’s doubts about Brexit deal
An email accidentally sent to ITV News has revealed a difference in opinion within the CBI over Theresa May’s Brexit deal. While the organisation’s Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn has publicly welcomed the deal, while admitting that it is ‘not perfect’, an internal email from the business groups’ head of EU negotiations described it as ‘not a good deal’.

New teams to tackle drugs in prisons
The Sun reports that Justice Secretary David Gauke has announced the creation of new ‘SWAT teams’ in 100 prisons to tackle gangs behind drug-fuelled violence in jails. The teams of specially-trained prison officers will detect drugs, mobile phones and other illicit items, and have already been deployed at eight high-security prisons.

New report criticises smart meter rollout
The Daily Mail carries details of a report by the National Audit Office that warns that plans to install smart meters in every home by 2020 will not succeed, will cost at least £500m more than estimated and the devices may not deliver the cuts to energy bills which were originally promised.

Home Office admits to failings over settlement visas
The Financial Times says that the Home Office has admitted that it wrongly applied rules, leading it to refuse settlement visas to professionals over tax discrepancies. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said that the findings of the department’s inquiry would be ‘used to inform our future decision-making’.

Farage calls for UKIP leader to be sacked
The Daily Telegraph reports that Nigel Farage has called for Gerard Batten to be sacked as UKIP leader after he appointed the EDL founder Tommy Robinson as an adviser, warning that if UKIP continued heading on its current trajectory, it would be ‘finished’. Robinson is banned from joining UKIP under a rule barring those with EDL links from becoming members.

Fighting to understand the political landscape? You need Vuelio Political Services.