4th Mar 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=16 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Swindon Advertiser Honda has admitted that it had already invested in manufacturing the next line of electric vehicles in Swindon. Senior figures at Honda told workers at the plant that robot technology to build electric cars was being delivered by boat before the sudden announcement last week that the plant will close. It is understood the new technology in transit was to switch the joinery of panels of the new 2021 hybrid models from welding to adhesive. The new technology would have been installed over the summer when the workers had planned stoppage time. https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/17471496.honda-reveals-it-had-plans-to-make-electric-cars-in-swindon-before-plant-closure/?ref=twtrec 2nd Mar 2019

Jobs at Risk

BBC All staff at the University of Surrey are offered redundancy as Brexit and tuition fee review hits income. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-47419418 1st Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Reuters British factories are cutting jobs and bracing for Brexit by stockpiling goods at a record pace but consumers seem less worried suggesting their spending might help to shore up the economy data showed on Friday. A measure of manufacturing the IHS MarkitCIPS Purchasing Managers Index hit a fourmonth low in February and the fall would have been worse if factories had not rushed to build up inventories to see them through any Brexit border chaos. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-economy-pmi/uk-factories-slash-jobs-stockpile-at-record-pace-before-brexit-pmi-idUKKCN1QI46V 1st Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Sky News The IHS MarkitCIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index PMI shows UK manufacturers are stockpiling at the fastest pace seen in any leading economy since data started to be collated https://news.sky.com/story/factories-stockpile-at-record-rates-as-they-brace-for-brexit-an-industry-indicator-shows-11651908 1st Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Reuters UK British businesses reported their weakest growth in nearly six years during the past three months due to fears of a nodeal Brexit and rising global trade barriers the Confederation of British Industry said on Sunday. The CBIs index of privatesector activity over the past three months dropped to 3 in February from zero in January. This was its lowest since April 2013 when Britain was still recovering from the global financial crisis. Firms expected similar weakness in the three months ahead when Britain is due to leave the European Union after over 40 years of membership. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-economy/uk-firms-report-weakest-growth-since-april-2013-cbi-idUKKCN1QK009 3rd Mar 2019

Economic Impact

BBC More than half of Welsh voters now think Brexit will have a negative impact on the economy the annual St Davids Day poll for BBC Wales suggests. Of 1001 adults polled 56 thought it would have a negative impact on the Welsh economy more than last year. Meanwhile 51 thought it would impact negatively on the general way of life in Wales also up on 2018. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47394303 1st Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Which? Brexit could have a big impact on house prices and mortgages. WHICH outlines a range of experts and their predict as to what will happen to the market over coming months. https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/02/what-will-brexit-mean-for-house-prices/ 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Global Meat News https://www.globalmeatnews.com/Article/2019/03/01/UK-meat-firms-already-feeling-affects-of-Brexit 3rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Pig Site The British Meat Processors Association said theyve been inundated with calls from companies reporting that overseas customers are now cancelling orders and buying their product from other countries due to the lack of clarity around Brexit. https://thepigsite.com/news/2019/03/meat-export-orders-cancelled-due-to-brexit 2nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/03/brexit-and-bad-weather-puts-uk-farmers-at-risk-of-suicide-say-charities 3rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

In Cumbria.com Desperate farmers are on the emotional and financial brink after being hit by late payments weather and Brexit. Distressed farmers are calling crisis networks and a The Cumberland News learnt some farmers are on suicide watch. https://www.in-cumbria.com/news/17469992.desperate-cumbrian-farmers-on-suicide-watch-after-being-driven-to-the-brink-by-late-payments-weather-woes-and-brexit/?ref=twtrec 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47414699 3rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Reuters UK Britain has paid out 33 million pounds to settle a claim with Eurotunnel which runs the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France after the firm took legal action over the process to award ferry contracts to cope with a nodeal Brexit. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-eurotunnel/uk-pays-eurotunnel-33-million-pounds-over-secretive-no-deal-brexit-ferry-contracts-idUKKCN1QI4BR 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Mirror Over 500 civil servants have left the Department of Exiting the EU since its creation in July 2016 DEXEU should have 700 staff. 516 staff left since its creation in July 2016 to last December. FOI figures show. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-exodus-quarter-civil-servants-14079115 2nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Times Millions of British lambs may have to be slaughtered and then buried or burnt rather than eaten in the event of a nodeal Brexit government officials have told farmers. This is because UK lamb may be banned from sale to the EU from March 30 under meat hygiene rules applied to nonEU countries. If exports are allowed to continue they would face tariffs of 45. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-deal-brexit-threatens-cull-of-10m-lambs-jp7c87qtm 3rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Telegraph The Spanish government has issued a range of measures aimed at protecting British citizens in the event of a nodeal Brexit. The royal decree approved on Friday gives British residents of Spain access to healthcare until at least the end of 2020. Spain will also provide residency for an estimated 400000 Britons and preserve freedom of movement across its border with Gibraltar. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/02/spain-unveils-measures-protect-400000-brits-no-deal-brexit/ 2nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

iNews Supermarkets are planning for possible disturbances in the event of a No Deal Brexit according to a new Kantar report. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/no-deal-brexit-supermarket-food-shortages-looting-preparations/ 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Financial Times Jersey Guernsey and the Isle of Man face a financial transparency crackdown after Conservative MPs ambushed prime minister Theresa May to demand an end to secret company ownership. The three crown dependencies are exempt from EU rules requiring countries to publish registers of the real owners of companies. Transparency campaigners argue that the lack of disclosure has aided largescale moneylaundering. Jersey has previously warned that such a move would trigger a constitutional crisis because the crown dependencies are selfgoverning and not represented at Westminster. https://www.ft.com/content/d96a3bac-3c3e-11e9-b72b-2c7f526ca5d0 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Telegraph Slightly more people now believe the decision to Leave was wrong than they did before according to UGov polling reflecting a shit in public opinion over the last 10 months https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/01/four-weeks-go-brexit-day-polls-getting-interesting/ 1st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Bloomberg A meeting of German businessmen identified the pitfalls they face with regard to the UK dropping out of the EU a British components may no longer count as EU content and that could affect whether they meet tarifffree criteria with partners like Japan and South Korea b Accessing corporate IT systems from British subsidiaries may breach EU datasharing rules c Accounting systems need to be able to allow the U.K. to reclassify as a third country for tax purposes to avoid potential penalties d Contracts need to be reviewed to clarify which countrys laws are being applied and where conflicts will be resolved e Sending employees across the channel to attend conferences could raise visa issues https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-27/german-companies-have-a-brexit-plan-send-the-bill-to-the-brits 27th Feb 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Politics Home Tthe Mineral Products Association MPA is calling for all MPs whether leavers or remainers to wake up to the need for the national interest to trump party politics over the coming weeks. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/economy/construction-industry/press-release/mineral-products-association/102112/mpa-calls 27th Feb 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-theresa-may-deal-bribe-towns-fund-deprived-areas-vote-labour-remain-leave-a8805931.html 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Much of the cash will be distributed to Leavevoting Labour heartlands to give communities a boost after leaving the EU. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-mays-16bn-shameless-bung-14083195 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Leftbehind towns in England are to get a 1.6bn funding boost as part of a package of measures to win support for Theresa Mays Brexit deal among Labour MPs who said the new cash would not buy their votes. Labour MPs including Lisa Nandy and Gareth Snell who have signalled they might back Mays deal criticised the approach and said the cash would do little to tackle the effects of austerity. The prime minister said the Stronger Towns Fund much of it allocated over seven years to the north of England and the Midlands would go to areas that had not shared the proceeds of growth. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/03/16bn-for-left-behind-towns-as-may-woos-labour-mps-to-back-brexit-deal 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph The Attorney General has abandoned attempts to secure a hard timelimit or unilateral exit mechanism from the Irish backstop The Telegraph has been told. Some Cabinet ministers are already resigned to the Prime Minister losing a second meaningful vote on her deal amid concerns that changes to the backstop secured by Mr Cox will not be sufficient to win round Brexiteers. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/03/exclusive-attorney-general-abandons-time-limit-unilateral-exit/ 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters A group of Brexitsupporting lawmakers who rejected British Prime Minister Theresa Mays European Union exit deal in January have set out the changes they want to see to her agreement in return for their support. The mechanism has got to be legally binding so effectively treatylevel change one of the group Conservative lawmaker Michael Tomlinson said in an interview with the newspaper. The second part is the language. It cant be a reinterpretation of the withdrawal agreement or a reemphasis its got to be really clear language as to where we are going ... The third requirement is a clear exit route. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-tests/brexit-supporters-give-uk-pm-may-three-tests-for-eu-deal-idUKKCN1QJ0MT 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph The fate of Theresa Mays withdrawal agreement could be decided by a star chamber of Eurosceptic lawyers. The panel of eight lawyers seven of whom are serving MPs has been assembled to forensically examine any legal changes to the Brexit deal secured by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox. When the amended agreement is put to another meaningful vote on March 12 it is likely to hinge on whether the lawyers agree that what Cox has brought back from Brussels constitutes a legal change that will ensure the Northern Ireland backstop cannot endure indefinitely. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/02/28/brexiteers-assemble-team-legal-eagles-scrutinise-revised-withdrawal/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BuzzFeed News Senior figures in Theresa Mays team privately fear she will lose the second meaningful vote on her Brexit deal and are gaming whether they can secure a majority at a third attempt. As Westminster waits to see if Attorney General Geoffrey Cox returns from Brussels next week with legallybinding changes to the Irish backstop the insurance policy to prevent a hard border allies of the prime minister conceded to BuzzFeed News that whatever he comes back with may not be enough to win the second vote on the deal. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/fears-second-meaningful-vote-wont-pass-pms-brexit-deal 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Jeremy Corbyns decision to support a fresh Brexit referendum enjoys the overwhelming backing of Labour voters in Leavevoting areas new research has found. Only 21 per cent of those in the north and the midlands who voted Labour at the last election said they opposed the dramatic policy shift a figure dwarfed by the 66 per cent in favour. In a further boost for Mr Corbyn 35 per cent said it made them feel more favourable towards Labour compared with just 14 per cent who said it made them feel less positive https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-second-referendum-labour-jeremy-corbyn-final-say-vote-leave-remain-survey-a8804931.html 3rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Tory Brexiteers are prepared to settle for what they call a hop skip and jump Brexit paving the way for a deal as early as this week so Britain leaves the EU on time. The HOP is to reluctantly accept Theresa May s new deal with Brussels.The SKIP is the transition to get a free trade deal in place while we are effectively still in the EU. And the JUMP is to finally cut all EU ties by December 2022 at the latest. Tory Brexiteer Nigel Evans said Hop skip and jump is not the clean break we all campaigned for. But now is the time for compromise to break the logjam. Fellow Brexiteer and exMinister John Whittingdale added I want to leave on March 29. We have to compromise. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/now-tory-brexiteers-plan-hop-14078527 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Several of Theresa Mays Cabinet colleagues believe she will have stepped down as Prime Minister by the end of the year it has emerged. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/102212/cabinet-ministers-expect-theresa-may-quit-november 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Both ministers make the case that moving to an Article 50 extension without some strong purposes is futile particularly if it is just to thwart the result of the 2016 referendum https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/02/active-pursuit-delay-brexit-no-purpose-beyond-frustration-betrayal/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Delay to Brexit is now unavoidable even if MPs sign off a deal next week the European Commission has suggested. In an interview with a Spanish newspaper Michel Barnier the EUs chief negotiator indicated that a technical extension would be needed to implement a deal. His deputy Sabine Weyand later liked a tweet summarising his comments in English as extension now inavoidable sic will be granted. Mr Barniers comments confirm the private view of a significant number of the Cabinet that a limited delay is now inevitable https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/02/brexit-delay-now-unavoidable-says-eu-andrea-leadsom-jeremy-hunt/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Hardline Brexiteer Daniel Hannan calls on Eurosceptics to vote down Theresa Mays Brexit deal https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/02/no-self-respecting-country-would-accept-deal-mps-must-vote/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent I dont see how Cox could come up with a form of words on the Irish border that would bridge the gap between the EU27 and the DUP. But and I have no inside information on this it would be astonishing if the DUP were not also engaged in negotiations with the prime minister over the next stage of their supply and confidence agreement. The twoyear commitment to extra public spending in Northern Ireland which was signed after the 2017 election expires in the summer. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-dup-northern-ireland-theresa-may-vote-commons-a8804466.html 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Here we are at last faced with the two ghastly choices a bad deal or No Brexit. Theresa Mays terrible Withdrawal Agreement looms out of the miasma of confusion and incoherence as the only possible way of avoiding the trap laid long long ago by the invincibly arrogant Remain forces. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/02/promised-voters-would-leave-means-backing-theresa-mays-brexit/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun If Mrs Mays deal hasnt won a Commons vote by March 12 the Commons will vote on whether to proceed with No Deal. The Parliamentary arithmetic is such that No Deal will be defeated. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8543711/james-forsyth-brexit-days-to-go/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard A refreshing gust of honesty and candour has blown into a decrepit process of posttruth delusion and deception. The door is ajar to new and liberating options. But it must now be forced fully open. Posterity will not smile on MPs if they surrender this final opportunity to do the right thing. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/may-has-been-forced-to-move-on-brexit-now-mps-must-keep-pushing-a4077916.html 1st Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Theresa May envisages only a short delay. But any extension of article 50 raises big issues that would take many months to sort out. So the UK should take part in the European Elections to facilitate a longer extension period https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/the-guardian-view-on-delaying-brexit-time-to-take-part-in-the-eu-elections 1st Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Not since Lord North was prime minister in the 18th century has Britain been governed so appallingly and yet the Tories could paradoxically still end up crushing Labour and winning the next election with a massive majority. As Friedrich Nietzsche put it in Beyond Good and Evil In individuals insanity is rare but in groups parties nations and epochs it is the rule. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/02/27/tories-have-historic-opportunity-destroy-labour-could-still/?li_source=LI&ampli_medium=li-recommendation-widget 27th Feb 2019

Political Setbacks

Luxembourg Times https://luxtimes.lu/european-union/36633-uk-must-hold-eu-polls-if-brexit-delayed-beyond-may-says-bundestag 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent A Brexit delay of longer than two months could be illegal unless the UK elects new MEPs lawyers are warning appearing to torpedo Theresa Mays strategy. Article 50 cannot be extended beyond the end of May unless the UK takes part in fresh European parliament elections according to a legal opinion issued by the German Bundestag. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-delay-article-50-theresa-may-european-parliament-meps-a8803546.html 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-47416873/may-struggling-to-see-any-brexit-upside-says-ex-aide 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/102196/theresa-mays-former-top-aide 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Theresa Mays former chief of staff has told the BBC she always saw Brexit as a damage limitation exercise. In his first TV interview Nick Timothy suggested the PM and other ministers attitude meant the government has not been prepared to take the steps needed to make the most of Brexit. And he warned the governments mishandling of it risked opening up space for a populist right wing party. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47414079 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/02/tories-islamophobia-bigotry 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

HuffPost UK The Conservative Party is showing worrying telltale signs of institutional racism over its handling of Islamophobia Baroness Warsi has said. It comes after HuffPost UK revealed the Tories failed to expel member Colin Raine despite him sharing hate online and an allegation he was behind a farright protest at an MPs office. Raines membership was instead allowed to expire Bishop Auckland Conservative Association confirmed. Reacting to the story Warsi tweeted Reactive not proactive hiding behind bureaucracy using process as an excuse failing to acknowledge the challenge opaque complaints system. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/signs-of-institutional-racism-over-islamophobia-says-baroness-warsi_uk_5c7948b6e4b087c2f2957979 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-02/barnier-casts-doubt-on-whether-uk-will-leave-eu-on-schedule/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Irish Times EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has indicated he does not believe the UK will have enough time to approve British prime minister Theresa Mays withdrawal deal by the scheduled exit date of March 29th. Mr Barnier suggested a technical extension of up to two months may be needed. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/brexit-barnier-doubts-whether-uk-will-leave-eu-on-schedule-1.3812513 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent If Corbyn fails to show real leadership in stamping out antisemitism declines to give more centrist MPs shadow cabinet roles and influence on policy and allows 50 MPs to be deselected by their local parties then TIGs ranks will swell and Labours election prospects diminish. Corbyns handling of Brexit will also be important. Although he is edging towards backing a public vote in return for allowing Mays deal to pass the Commons he will be happy if antireferendum Labour MPs defeat him. As one MP put it He will go into the division lobby with his fingers crossed behind his back. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/tig-more-labour-defections-corbyn-a8802981.html 3rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home The Shadow International Trade Secretary told the BBCs Question Time that a socalled Peoples Vote on whether or not to overturn the result of the 2016 referendum would be divisive. His comments came just days after Labour announced that it would formally back another referendum between a credible Leave option and remaining in the EU. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/102184/barry-gardiner-second-eu-referendum-would 3rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph A senior Government minister has approached The Independent Group of MPs it has emerged as three more Conservative MPs face no confidence votes by their local parties which could end their political careers. The unnamed Minister of State wrote a letter to a senior member of the group saying they agreed with everything you have done opening the possibility of a hugely damaging defection away from the Conservative party. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/01/minister-approaches-independent-group-mps-three-tory-mps-face/ 3rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Tory Eurosceptic group says at least two days will be needed to scrutinise new compromise on Irish backstop https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/03/liam-fox-extending-article-50-may-be-only-option-for-a-smooth-brexit?CMP=share_btn_tw 3rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politico It is not clear who runs the EU or how to kick those particular bastards out said former U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. My objection to the EU was not that it was run by foreigners Johnson a Brexiteer who quit Prime Minister Theresa Mays government last year in protest at her Brexit strategy told a New Delhi conference Saturday according to AFP. The problem is we dont really know who is running it. https://www.politico.eu/article/how-do-you-kick-eu-bastards-out-asks-boris-johnson/ 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Leave supporters who want to join Nigel Farages march against Theresa Mays Brexit approach are being charged 50. Core marchers those who walk for two or more days will have to make the oneoff payment which covers accommodation dinner and breakfast. Other supporters can join the event for free as cheerleaders but would have to fund their own accommodation if away from home overnight. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-betrayal-march-nigel-farage-50-pounds-vest-sunderland-parliament-square-a8803131.html 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Wales Online Hundreds of people marched through Cardiff on Saturday to protest against the UK leaving the EU. A march organised by Wales for Europe started outside the Central Library on The Hayes on Saturday afternoon before heading along Queen Street in the city centre. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hundreds-turn-out-cardiff-protest-15911428 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Michel Barnier has told EU ambassadors that no progress has been made in the Brexit negotiations as the UK keeps pushing for changes that would unacceptable to the 27 remaining member states https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-news-updates-support-may-deal-a8802776.html 2nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews The Conservative Party the supposed party of business seems to have abandoned its core principles. It has failed to address the concerns of firms facing massive uncertainty about their future operations as Brexit looms closer brushed aside the warnings from business representatives and refused to plan properly for all eventualities. This has already resulted in many companies relocating operations and investment away from the UK. Without any clarity about the future relationship with the EU firms have been forced to spend enormous sums on stockpiling relocation and administrative changes. Large companies have spent millions revamping their operations to prepare for all contingencies whereas small businesses have in the main not even begun preparations. That is because they have no idea what to prepare for and are struggling to find resources to devote to projects that may be entirely unnecessary. https://inews.co.uk/opinion/comment/no-deal-brexit-business-tory-party-ros-altmann/ 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The beleaguered transport secretary Chris Grayling is under mounting pressure to resign after reaching a humiliating 33m outofcourt settlement over a botched Brexit ferry deal. The deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said heads must roll after the latest chapter in the fiasco in which the startup company Seaborne Freight was awarded a 14m contract to open a new UKEU ferry route for emergency medical supplies in the event of a nodeal Brexit even though it had no ships and no port contract. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/01/grayling-reaches-33m-settlement-over-brexit-ferry-fiasco-court-case-eurotunnel 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph ExMinister George Eustice launches a blistering attack on the EU saying they smell our fear and we should just walk out the room as his route for a negotiated withdrawal agreement https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2019/03/01/eu-smells-fear-thinks-biddable-time-walk-room/ 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Funding for the Port of Ramsgate which was at the centre of a row over a nodealBrexit ferry contract has been axed. Thanet District Council has approved cuts of 730000 saying it will no longer keep the port ferryready. In December the government gave Seaborne Freight a contract to run a service to Ostend Belgium to offset delays in the case of a nodeal Brexit. The Seaborne contract was later cancelled after a backer pulled out. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-47413280 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times If May wins her meaningful vote the real arguments begin and many of the ERG would rather be martyrs than victors. In the deepest recesses of the Brexiteer mind lies a fear of winning of being tested. Buried in their psyche is the ache for martyrdom. The divide between those who will vote for Mays deal in the days ahead and those who wont is just a difference of opinion about when to cry foul. Betrayal is their unconscious dream. Our job as Remainers will be to help them fulfil it. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/diehard-brexiteers-long-to-feel-betrayed-lm9hcwhj9?shareToken=c56da90093ad9f093d8704e6c4088f37 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Der Spiegel Ivan Rogers I knew that it would be a long tortuous and potentially conflictual process. That doesnt surprise me. What does surprise me is the extent of the mess and the fact that four weeks before the deadline the political class is unable to come to any serious conclusion about what kind of Brexit they want. Of course Brexit is a revolutionary moment but I have never seena political crisis like this in my professional career. http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/ivan-rogers-on-brexit-what-surprises-me-is-the-extent-of-the-mess-a-1255789.html 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Express Mr Zahawi added that a second referendum undermines the whole principle of democracy in this country. He said Another referendum would cause more uncertainty for business and will be divisive. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1094121/brexit-news-BBC-question-time-peoples-vote-liberal-democrat-conservative-labour 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The prime minister said the governments commitment to the 1998 agreement remains steadfast to the principles it embodies the political institutions it seeks to establish and the rights that it guarantees. No government that I lead will ever take risks with the hard won relative peace and stability that these agreements have established she added. The US group had expressed concerns about recent votes in the House of Commons where the governments Brexit deal was rejected because of the Irish border backstop the insurance policy to maintain an open border unless and until another solution is found. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47421795 1st Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times Forty years after the repeal of the Corn Laws the failure of Irish Home Rule nearly broke the Liberals. Today Ireland is still the bone in the throat of British convenience masked as selfrighteousness and Theresa Mays weekly peregrinations to Brussels in ever more pitiful search of amending the backstop to something that can command a majority in Parliament betray the tinniest of ears to what is truly at stake. https://www.ft.com/content/68c8efa8-39df-11e9-b72b-2c7f526ca5d0 28th Feb 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The UK government is preparing to reject any call from Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for the power to hold another independence referendum sources have told the BBC. Ms Sturgeon has said she will reveal her next steps on independence soon. There is an expectation at Westminster that she will call for the power to hold another referendum in the coming weeks. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47406529 28th Feb 2019

Political Setbacks

New York Times Since her Brexit plan was overwhelmingly rejected last month Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain has repeatedly set off for Brussels ostensibly to negotiate new terms for her countrys departure from the European Union. Each mission has ended without a deal or even a hint of progress leaving baffled observers to wonder what exactly Mrs. May and European officials talk about in these gettogethers. Now a confidential document summarizing a Feb. 7 meeting from the European side has offered up an answer Nothing. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/world/europe/brexit-theresa-may-brussels.html 27th Feb 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/02/us-ambassador-to-uk-woody-johnson-under-fire-over-defence-of-chlorinated-chicken-post-brexit-jay-rayner 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

BBC Woody Johnson described warnings over US farming practices as inflammatory and misleading smears from people with their own protectionist agenda. He also said the EUs Museum of Agriculture approach was not sustainable adding American farmers are making a vital contribution to the rest of the world. Their efforts deserve to be recognised. Instead they are being dismissed with misleading scarestories which only tell you half the story. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47426138 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-trade-deal-us-chlorine-chicken-nhs-drug-costs-a8803086.html 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-us-trade-deal-chlorinated-chicken-woody-johnson-a8804496.html 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/01/us-seeks-greater-access-to-uk-food-markets-after-brexit-trade-deal?CMP=share_btn_tw 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/01/britain-should-embrace-us-farming-methods-agree-trade-deal-says/ 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

BBC The UK will not lower food standards to secure a postBrexit trade deal with the US the government says. It comes after Washington published its objectives for a USUK trade pact. The US wants comprehensive market access for its farmers products that would see more USmade food on British supermarket shelves. European Union rules currently limit US exports of certain food products including chlorinewashed chicken and hormoneboosted beef. If free of EU trade rules the US want the UK to remove such socalled sanitary and physiosanitary standards on imported goods. A Downing Street spokeswoman said We have always been very clear that we will not lower our food standards as part of a future trading agreement. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47418505 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian Recall the fury of the leave crowd when Barack Obama dared puncture the Anglosphere fantasy by warning that a postBrexit Britain would in fact be at the back of the queue for a trade agreement with the US prompting Boris Johnson to reach for his racist dogwhistle and remind British voters that Obama was partKenyan. Recall too the needy relief of those same Brexiters when Michael Gove interviewed the newly elected Donald Trump and extracted a notquitepromise that Britain and the US would get something done very quickly. This week we got a double glimpse into what that something might be and it wasnt pretty. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/01/brexit-trump-trade-hanoi?CMP=share_btn_tw 1st Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

CNN The Trump administration on Thursday outlined its goals for a free trade deal with Britain in a document that takes a tough line on agricultural products and warns the United Kingdom against getting cozy with China. The list of priorities which runs to 18 pages makes sobering reading for a British government that was hoping for a quick deal on trade with the words largest economy after Brexit. This is an uncompromising document from the US point of view with no mention of mutual benefit said David Henig the director of the UK Trade Policy Project and a former UK trade official. https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/01/business/us-uk-trade-deal-brexit/index.html 1st Mar 2019