18th Mar 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=26 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Financial Times British companies that generate most of their revenues in their home market are experiencing their worst share price performance since they were first hit by the UKs decision to leave the EU nearly three years ago. The FTSE Local UK index which measures the performance of listed companies generating at least 70 per cent of their revenue in the UK is more than 20 per cent lower than it was on referendum day relative to the FTSE 100 which is dominated by companies that operate worldwide. The FTSE 100 index tends to move inversely to sterling as weakness in the pound helps to boost the value of its members overseas revenues. Meanwhile the FTSE Local UK is more exposed to the nations economic prospects. https://www.ft.com/content/04b64f1a-4402-11e9-b168-96a37d002cd3 18th Mar 2019

Jobs at Risk

Financial Times To date 269 UK financial companies have relocated parts of their business moved staff or set up legal entities in the EU according to New Financial a London consultancy. New Financial has also identified almost 100 more financial groups that will need to act at some point but have not yet done so. Asset managers have been among the most active movers with 69 expanding their presence in the EU mainly in Dublin and Luxembourg. William Wright cofounder of New Financial said the available data significantly understated the real picture as many companies have not disclosed their Brexit response. The final tally is likely to be much higher which will reduce the UKs tax base supervisory influence and ultimately have an impact on jobs said Mr Wright. The UKs trade surplus in financial services with the EU will also shrink as more business shifts from London. https://www.ft.com/__origami/service/image/v2/images/raw/https%3A%2F%2Fd1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.net%2Fproduction%2Fa47a4fc4-3d7f-47fd-92d8-9f0424b5a797_FINAL.jpg?source=next&ampfit=scale-down&ampwidth=700 18th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

The Independent The UK governments nodeal Brexit tariff plan would be illegal under World Trade Organisation rules the EU commissioner in charge of agriculture has said. Phil Hogan characterised the British plan which would see no duties levied on goods entering Northern Ireland across the border as a political stunt pure and simple. Our initial assessment is that the proposal is illegal. It is not compatible with WTO rules and its the start of a process where theyll have to get approvals he told reporters in Dublin. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-no-deal-tariff-wto-trade-eu-theresa-may-northern-ireland-a8825076.html 15th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

The Guardian The governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney who says a nodeal Brexit is not the catastrophe many believed it would be when forecasts were made last year. In Carneys considered opinion the negative economic effects of leaving the European Union without a deal are lower following the considerable efforts of banks and businesses to minimise the impact. However the referendum vote has already knocked 2 off GDP and worse it has hit business investment to the extent that Britains capacity to produce hitech 21stcentury goods as efficiently as Germany France the US and Japan the UK is even weaker than it was 10 years ago. That shortcoming undermines Britains ability to grow smoothly and without debilitating side effects well into the next decade whichever of the central banks scenarios you pick. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/16/brexit-or-no-real-problem-failure-to-invest-underinvestment 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

ITV News Britons have spent over 4.6 billion stockpiling household goods in preparation for a hard Brexit according to new research. A survey carried out by finance provider Premium Credit shows that 17 of the country has started hoarding food drink and medicine with about 2.4 million people having spent more than 500 stockpiling. A further 6.1 million have spent up to 500 while one in five or 19 have spent over 1000 on hoarding. Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union in less than two weeks but with Parliament in a deadlock over Brexit the country is at acute risk of crashing out without a deal causing havoc to supply chains. Of those stockpiling 80 of people surveyed said they have done this with food 63 with medicine and 43 with drinks https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-17/brits-spend-over-4-6-billion-as-brexit-stockpiling-peaks/ 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Somerset Live Truck drivers are reportedly planning to stage UKwide blockades on highways if the country does not leave the EU on March 29. Brexit Direct Action an antiEU group claims it has received lorryloads of requests from Brexiteers to put on mass blockades of Britains major transport links reports The Express. Brexit Direct Action wrote on Twitter Several social media groups have been in contact to ask if well help gather support for a national truck drivers protest if Brexit is delayed. Another tweet said Brexiteers all over the country are planning to bring this country to its knees by blocking the main arterial routes M1 M6 M25 M62 A1 A55 M5 M4 M42 M55 M61 A66 etc. https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/lorry-drivers-threaten-stage-uk-2655961 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Post A goslow on the A494 in protest at the Governments handling of Brexit will take place next week. The Brexit Protest and Direct Action Group has revealed it will be held on Friday March 22 at 7pm. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/brexit-protesters-reveal-a55-go-15979036 15th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Express.co.uk Truck drivers are planning to stage UKwide blockades on highways if the country does not leave the EU on March 29 which they would see as a Brexit betrayal. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1101090/brexit-news-uk-transport-lorry-drivers-brexit-block-uk-motorways-brexit-delay-article-50 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Irish Times Brexit Britain has gone from the promises of sunny uplands to sounding like Gloria Gaynor we will survive https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/brexit-s-most-disturbing-aspect-is-the-casual-adoption-of-extremist-views-1.3829206 16th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Independent There has been almost a quarter of a million applications for Irish passports in less than three months with more than 3000 people on average applying every day so far this year. Irelands foreign minister Simon Coveney said more than 230000 applications have been received to date this year. The figures mean there have been two applications every minute on average. Mr Coveney said the figures represent a 30 per cent increase on the same period last year. It comes after 2018 proved to be a record year with the highest number 860000 of Irish passports ever issued. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/irish-passport-application-eligible-brexit-a8825811.html 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian International students will be given visa extensions of up to a year to look for work in the UK as part of a package of government measures to boost numbers of overseas students after Brexit. The move represents a break with current policy where students are allowed to stay for just four months after graduation. Announcing the strategy the Department for Education DfE said There is no limit on the number of international students that can study in the UK and to ensure the UK continues to attract and welcome them the poststudy leave period will be extended to six months for undergraduate and masters students and a year for doctoral students. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/mar/16/visa-extension-overseas-students-uk-brexit 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Scotsman It would be a fool who would predict that all the issues about Britains relationship with Europe will be resolved by Spring 2023 the latest date for the introduction of the new service but even for supporters of the 207m project it is surely fanciful to claim that three miles of track is somehow an insurance policy against the worst vagaries of international relations. But we are as they say where we are. Brexit is in the hands of 650 people in Westminster each seemingly with their own agenda which the Government has been powerless to control but 36 people in the City Chambers have decided the tram completion should go ahead no matter what it costs or how long it takes. https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/edinburgh-tram-extension-is-no-brexit-insurance-policy-john-mclellan-1-4890273 17th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Any delay to the UK leaving the EU could cost the government tens of millions in extra payments to keep its nodeal ferry contracts in place. The extra costs will be a fresh political blow to the transport secretary Chris Grayling after the collapse of one contract with an operator that had no ferries and a lawsuit by Eurotunnel that was settled out of court at a cost of 33m. It seems unlikely the contracts will now be realised after MPs voted to instruct Theresa May to seek an extension to article 50 which would delay Brexit beyond 29 March. According to the Financial Times the cost of the delay could reach 28m. Brittany Ferries which has contracts worth 46.6m under the deal said the terms included fair and proportionate compensation in a deal scenario taking account of the significant preparatory work and concomitant costs incurred. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/brexit-delay-could-cost-millions-in-extra-payments-to-ferry-firms-chris-grayling 16th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Local Sweden In an interview with The Local Swedens EU minister said he was currently unable to guarantee what the status of Brits in Sweden would be one year after a nodeal Brexit but said he was confident that any problems will be sorted out. We dont really want a nodeal Brexit to happen. But if it does and there is a serious risk that it might then we feel that we are pretty well prepared for that situation Hans Dahlgren told The Local. It doesnt mean that would be without problems. https://www.thelocal.se/20190316/brits-future-status-in-sweden-after-a-no-deal-brexit-uncertain-eu-minister-tells-the-local 16th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Hampshire Chronicle Signatories claim that along with the funding issues the NHS is currently facing the service is also overstretched due to the loss of thousands of European staff. As doctors nurses and healthcare professionals from the South East we see the damage Brexit is already inflicting on our treasured National Health Service they added. Make no mistake about it. Brexit is costing us lives. No one voted to leave the NHS overstretched and underfunded. We were promised an extra 350 million a week. But today our NHS is facing a nightmare. https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/17504845.doctors-claim-brexit-is-costing-us-lives/ 16th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Agriland.ie One of the UKs leading farmer representative bodies is calling for Article 50 which set the original deadline for the country to leave the EU to be revoked altogether. The Farmers Union of Wales FUW says that the article should be revoked to better reflect the votes that took place in the UK parliament this week. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/brexit-welsh-farmers-union-calls-for-article-50-to-be-revoked/ 15th Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Bloomberg Ford Motor Co. said it will be hit twice by U.K. tariffs to be imposed in the event of a nodeal Brexit. The U.S. company which only makes engines in Britain would be taxed on exporting them to assembly plants in mainland Europe and then face import duties for bringing finished vehicles back to the U.K. for sale it said in a statement Wednesday. Competitors that manufacture engines elsewhere and then ship them to the U.K. for assembly by contrast would incur no charges thanks to a tarifffree regime that Prime Minister Theresa Mays government plans to offer for autocomponent imports. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-13/ford-fears-double-whammy-from-may-s-no-deal-brexit-tariffs 14th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May has asked MPs to make an honourable compromise as she seeks to persuade them to back her Brexit deal at the third time of asking. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph the prime minister said failure to support the deal would mean we will not leave the EU for many months if ever. Mrs May is expected to bring her withdrawal agreement back to the Commons next week for a third vote. It comes after MPs this week rejected her deal and voted to delay Brexit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/47599860 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Admitting MPs would not definitely get a vote this week Mr Hammond said We will only bring the deal back if we are confident that enough of our colleagues and the DUP are prepared to support it so that we can get it through Parliament. Were not just going to keep presenting it if we havent moved the dial. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox agreed saying whether a vote was staged would be determined by whether we can succeed in getting that vote through the House of Commons It would be difficult to justify having a vote if you knew we were going to lose it he added. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-liam-fox-admits-government-14149031 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Sometimes in politics you can face a dilemma so painful that the best thing can be to lay it out before your own constituency association and ask for their advice. Last Friday I had the chance to do just that. By way of background the Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative Association could not be remotely described as hardline. We are a diverse thoughtful metropolitan bunch of One Nation Tories. There are probably as many Remainers as Leavers. In consulting my association I tried to frame the choice as neutrally as I could. There was a chance I said that the Government would ask parliament to vote for a third time on the Prime Ministers EU Withdrawal Agreement. If such a vote took place how should I proceed said Boris Johnson to his members https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/17/back-pms-deal-need-proof-next-stage-brexit-talks-will-radically/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News If May gets her deal approved next week the ERG Brexiters could still secure their cherished nodeal Brexit at the end of May by talking out the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill that would turn the meaningful vote into Brexit reality. Second if her deal is squelched the process of turning indicative votes into a deliverable Brexit deal would only be effective if Labour cooperated in an institutional sense and that could not be guaranteed. Third everything Ive written is redundant if the Speaker were to rule that the PMs desire to hold the meaningful vote for a third time is a blatant and unacceptable breach of parliamentary convention and therefore prohibits it. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-16/dont-bet-therell-be-a-third-vote-on-theresa-mays-deal/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Our plan would mean MPs voting for some form of Brexit deal conditional on it being confirmed by the people of the United Kingdom in a new referendum. On the ballot paper would be a straight choice a real form of Brexit rather than some fantasy idea that cannot be delivered which could be debated warts and all against the proposition of staying in the EU. We would not be asking MPs to vote for Brexit but to withhold support for any deal until the public has had their say in a confirmatory ballot. We would be taking the prospect of no deal off the table forever. And we would be giving proBrexit MPs who talk so much about the will of the people the chance to check back in with those same people. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/17/compromise-brexit-deal-phil-wilson-peter-kyle 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Metro The race to succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader is hotting up with more than six high profile Tories canvassing the support of MPs. It is understood that senior Tories believe Theresa May will have to step aside in order to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. Even aides in the PMs team believe she will be gone by the summer and prospective candidates are already busy building alliances and promises in the tea rooms of Westminster. https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/17/the-battle-to-be-theresa-mays-successor-heats-up-in-westminster-8916648/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Labour is preparing to offer its most strident support yet for a second referendum by voting for a plan to put Theresa Mays Brexit deal to a public vote. The Observer understands that the proposal drawn up by two backbenchers will be put to parliament when May launches her third attempt to pass her Brexit deal. She is expected to do so this week before heading to a summit with EU leaders on Thursday. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/17/labour-plan-commons-vote-second-referendum 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News The prime ministers frantic last attempt to persuade Northern Irelands DUP to back her third meaningful vote on Tuesday involves a promise that if the controversial backstop is ever triggered Great Britain would adopt any new food and business rules that could be forced by the EU on Northern Ireland. As a minister told me for the DUP to accept the offer it would have to trust that a future prime minister and government would honour the pledge which cannot be guaranteed even if May legislates for such alignment because any law can always be repealed. So logically the regulatory alignment offer should not pacify and win over the DUP. But sources close to the DUP tell me that to their surprise it may have done. If so they would announce this entente as soon as tomorrow. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-17/what-the-pm-offered-the-dup/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Support for a new public vote on Brexit has surged in the days since Theresa Mays Brexit deal was decisively rejected by MPs for a second time according to a new YouGov poll. The poll shows that the public which was more or less evenly divided on this question six weeks ago would now back the people being given the final say on Britains future relationship with the EU by a margin of 57 to 43 when excluding the dont know responses. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/poll-from-yougov-shows-surge-in-support-for-second-brexit-referendum-1-5942288 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Id urge Brexitbacking MPs to vote for the PMs Withdrawal Agreement on its third go. I hate the deal. It threatens to trap us in the backstop it grants too many concessions. Up to this point were I an MP Id have voted against it. But circumstances have changed dramatically and as a consequence it has become our only guaranteed route out of the EU. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/17/theresa-mays-withdrawal-agreement-now-guaranteed-route-eu/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Spectator Not for the first time the Speaker of the House of Commons appears to hold the Brexit process in his hands. There has been speculation this week that John Bercow has the power to prevent a third vote on Theresa Mays deal by resorting to a parliamentary convention which prevents a motion being debated in the Commons if it is substantially unchanged from a motion already brought before the House during the same session of parliament. Given that a third vote on Mays deal likely to be called on Tuesday would be essentially the same motion as was defeated by 149 votes last Tuesday and not all that much different from the one defeated by 230 votes in January there would appear to be a good case for Bercow to act. https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2019/03/john-bercow-should-block-a-third-vote-on-theresa-mays-brexit-deal/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Tory leadership hopefuls have stepped up a gear in making their pitches to replace Theresa May as pressure mounts on the prime minister to set a date for leaving Downing Street. Rivals have undertaken a flurry of activity both behind the scenes and in the media as speculation grows that Ms May will announce her departure in the coming weeks. The expectation has been fuelled by signals that Conservative MPs whose votes the prime minister desperately needs to pass her Brexit deal would back her plan if she sets out her departure schedule. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-leadership-bid-candidates-when-may-resign-a8826366.html 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Slugger O'Toole After the chaos of last week leading media reflect sharply differing views on the prospects for a third meaningful vote on Tuesday. The Leave supporting Telegraph newspapers have emerged as the unlikely cheerleaders for Mrs Mays battered deal. If the deal passes No 10 officials say the necessary legislation will have cleared the Commons by April 25 paving the way for a new Brexit Day in the final week of May or first week of June according to the Sunday Times. https://sluggerotoole.com/2019/03/17/nigel-dodds-speaks-out-but-is-the-dups-uncompromising-stance-any-more-than-cover-for-living-with-the-backstop/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Former Cabinet ministers Dominic Raab and Esther McVey are being tipped by MPs to be the Brexiteer candidate in a future Tory leadership election amid fears Boris Johnsons chances may be waning. Speculation is rife in Westminster that Theresa May will be asked to stand down by a group of senior Conservative MPs led by 1922 chairman Sir Graham Brady in April or May if Britain leaves the European Union in the next few months. This would allow time for a leadership election over the summer and the next leader to be crowned at the partys conference in Manchester in October. The new Prime Minister would then negotiate the future trade deal with the EU. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/dominic-raab-esther-mcvey-tipped-brexit-candidate-future-tory/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa May has appealed to MPs patriotism and urged them to cast aside their differences by voting for her Brexit deal to save her premiership. In a bid to stave off a third heavy defeat the Prime Minister writes in the Sunday Telegraph that MPs must stand together as democrats and patriots and support her Withdrawal deal. MPs are likely to vote on the deal for the third time on Tuesday or Wednesday. However remainers are also plotting to scupper her Brexit plan with Labour planning to back a backbench amendment calling for a referendum on Mrs Mays deal. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/dup-demands-seat-table-future-eu-trade-talks-price-backing-mays/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Irish Times Mr Coveney said that if the British government is asking for longer extension there will need to be a plan to go with that Presumably that will mean seeking time to build a new consensus. The Tnaiste was clearly hinting that Mrs May must indicate that she intends reach out to the opposition if she wants to get approval for a long extension from EU heads of state. More of the same will not suffice observers in Brussels have warned. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/brexit-uk-needs-to-reset-approach-to-justify-extension-coveney-1.3829694 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The Democratic Unionist Party has said there are still issues to be discussed with the government as Theresa May continues to try to win support for her Brexit deal. Mrs May is expected to bring her withdrawal agreement back to the Commons next week for a third vote. It comes after MPs this week rejected her deal and voted to delay Brexit. The DUP which has twice voted against the agreement said it remained in discussions with the government. It has been reported by the Spectator magazine that there is a better than 5050 chance the party will support the deal next week. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47597093 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Politicians will move heaven and earth to prevent the country leaving the EU with no deal John McDonnell has said adding that such an outcome would be catastrophic for the economy. Speaking before an event in Gravesend Kent the shadow chancellor also indicated that Labour might support a compromise proposed by two of the partys MPs which would see Theresa Mays withdrawal agreement put to a public vote after being passed in the House of Commons. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/john-mcdonnell-mps-heaven-earth-prevent-no-deal-brexit 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Irish Times He said if the British parliament ratified the withdrawal agreement negotiated by prime minister Theresa May next week he expected the EU would extend the Brexit deadline until the end of June to enable the UK to wrap up technicalities. But if parliament rejected the accord a third time Mr Coveney thought the EU might refuse to grant a longer extension. He based his prediction on the strength of this weeks vote in the House of Commons to avoid a nodeal Brexit. But having said that just because you vote against something doesnt make it happen the way you want it to he continued. The British parliament has to take a course of action to avoid the current default position in law which is that they leave on the 29th of March. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coveney-britain-is-negotiating-with-itself-over-and-over-again-on-brexit-1.3828825 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Press and Journal Parliament may end up cancelling Brexit if an exit deal is not finalised in the next two weeks according to Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable. Sir Vince speaking to the Press and Journal said that if Theresa Mays Brexit deal is rejected for a third time next week MPs could start taking steps to revoke Article 50 and effectively cancel the referendum result. The Lib Dem leader said he believed the only route from the current impasse was to hold a second referendum and dismissed the notion that it would cause a backlash from the public and diminish trust in politics. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/westminster/1700570/parliament-could-end-up-cancelling-brexit-if-deal-rejected-again/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Theresa May is ready to ditch her Brexit deal rather than face a third humiliating defeat. The PM will not force a vote this week unless she is convinced she has the support to get it through. In a stark message to dithering Tory MPs she vowed there will be no fourth attempt if she fails this time. She warned it will almost certainly lead to a twoyear delay and declared bluntly It hardly bears thinking about. With just 12 days until departure day it would mean going back to square one handing over billions to the EU and fighting the European elections. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8654149/theresa-may-ditch-deal-two-year-brexit-delay/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun One minister told The Sun on Sunday Theres a tremendous opportunity for Boris here bigger than when he decided to support the Leave campaign three years ago. In the next few days he can become the man who saves Brexit and be in a great position to mount a leadership challenge. Another admirer added If he backs the deal and it gets through Parliament at the third attempt he can claim to be the man who saved Brexit. Hes already stolen a march on his two biggest rivals so it would put him in pole position. Win or lose Theresa cant cling on to the job much longer so it would be his for the taking. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8654605/boris-johnson-to-back-pm-brexit-deal/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Yahoo! The European Union will tell the U.K. that if it wants the option of delaying Brexit for more than three months it must hold European Parliament elections or risk a perilous new cliffedge in July. A draft document discussed by ambassadors Friday opens the door to a long extension of membership beyond the March 29 exit day. But if Britain wants to extend beyond June it has to take part in the election which could be politically toxic. Otherwise it will be ejected from the club. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/may-apos-brexit-delay-threat-171403026.html 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The Democratic Unionist Party has denied cash for votes suggestions after the chancellor was sent into talks designed to win its support for the Brexit deal. We are not discussing cash in these discussions Nigel Dodds the DUPs Westminster leader insisted amid government pressure on the party to switch sides in next weeks repeat meaningful vote. Instead Mr Dodds said Theresa May must do more to convince the party that the deal would not breach its red line that Northern Ireland must not be treated differently from the rest of the UK. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-deal-latest-dup-nigel-dodds-hammond-theresa-may-cash-a8825381.html 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Yorkshire Post It is nearly 70 years since I joined the Civil Service. In all that time I do not think that I have ever felt even at the time of Suez a stronger sense of shame at the spectacle which we are presenting to an astonished world. As one journal put it Brexit is breaking British politics. A country once envied for its political stability steadiness and maturity has descended into a chaos of division and indecision. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/robert-armstrong-worse-than-suez-margaret-thatcher-s-cabinet-secretary-on-how-he-would-reform-brexit-relations-with-the-eu-1-9653949 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Express Jeremy Corbyn has written to MPs backing soft Brexit plans as well as supporters of a second referendum inviting them for talks to find a crossparty compromise. https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/uk/corbyn-launches-effort-to-find-a-cross-party-brexit-compromise/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk Jeremy Corbyn will hold a summit with the SNP and other opposition parties to discuss backing a second EU referendum to break the Brexit deadlock it has emerged. It comes after Labours divisions were exposed during the Commons vote on Wednesday. The Labour leader wrote to the SNPs Westminster leader Ian Blackford to offer talks at the earliest opportunity with aims to break the Brexit stalemate according to The Telegraph. Mr Corbyn said he would first examine Labours proposals for a softer Brexit which include a permanent customs union and a second EU referendum. He said We would obviously use that position as a starting point for any discussions but we would like to hear about the plans you are advocating and we are keen to see if there is scope to find common ground between our respective proposals and to work together to break the impasse. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1100878/brexit-news-latest-update-labour-jeremy-corbyn-second-referendum-SNP-nicola-sturgeon 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Exactly the same proportion of voters believe there should be a second referendum on Brexit as think the UK should leave the EU without a deal according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer. The survey shows the country split down the middle with 43 supporting a delay to Brexit in order to hold a second public vote and 43 believing the UK should simply quit without any agreement with Brussels. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/britain-split-over-prospect-of-second-brexit-referendum 16th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home As the leader of the DUP at Westminster Nigel Dodds could hold the key to unlocking the Brexit impasse. If Theresa May can secure the support of his party for her deal it could be enough to pass this week. With the public at large growing tired of the fractious debate is he feeling the pressure to act He talks to Sebastian Whale https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/house/house-magazine/102552/nigel-dodds-%E2%80%9Cwe-will-not-waver-our-brexit 15th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A Scottish Conservative MP has said if Theresa Mays Brexit deal comes back to parliament that he will not necessarily support it even if the DUP do. Ross Thomson MP for Aberdeen South told Sunday Politics Scotland that he will make up his own mind on the deal. He said he had a lot of the same concerns as the Democratic Unionists. He said the PMs withdrawal agreement is not the greatest but he could suck up some issues if concerns on the backstop could be addressed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47601678 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Conservative MP for Dover Charlie Elphicke said there needs to be a change of leadership in order for him to support the deal telling BBC Sunday Politics South East we need a new face and a new team to take us forward to the future relationship. His comments come after fellow Tory Andrew Bridgen told The Sunday Times that he was informed by party whips that Mrs May was willing to announce her resignation to get her Withdrawal Agreement approved when it returns to the Commons for a third meaningful vote potentially this week. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-should-make-dignified-exit-14150020 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC A Scottish Conservative MP has said if Theresa Mays Brexit deal comes back to parliament that he will not necessarily support it even if the DUP do. Ross Thomson MP for Aberdeen South told Sunday Politics Scotland that he will make up his own mind on the deal. He said he had a lot of the same concerns as the Democratic Unionists. He said the PMs withdrawal agreement is not the greatest but he could suck up some issues if concerns on the backstop could be addressed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47601678 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home The Labour leader said an agreement with Brussels that would allow for a dynamic relationship with the bloc could pose a way to unite the country. Meanwhile he said Labour will demand a noconfidence vote in the Government if Theresa May loses a crucial vote on her Brexit deal next week. Asked if he was enthusiastic about the prospect of a second referendum he would only say Im enthusiastic about getting a deal with Europe. His comments are likely to anger campaigners for a fresh vote many of whom are Labour members. However Mr Corbyn did suggest Labour would whip to support a backbench amendment this week that will demand a final say on the deal. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/102579/jeremy-corbyn-says-he-could-vote-leave-eu-second-brexit 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Despite the turbulence of last weeks votes the law remains that the UK will leave the EU at 11pm on March 29. The Remainer plots supported on some votes by certain unruly ministers to seize control of the parliamentary timetable or force a second referendum were all defeated. But the Commons did resolve that a short extension to June 30 2019 should be sought on the condition that the House has passed a resolution approving the negotiated withdrawal agreement. The Prime Minister will therefore present her deal to the Commons again. Without substantial changes I will vote against it again and I cannot see how the House having already emphatically rejected it twice will change its mind https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/still-wont-back-mrs-mays-deal-not-brexit/ 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Irish Times Britain has always seen the EU as something to be endured rather than embraced. https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/brexit-is-really-about-escaping-the-emotional-ordeal-of-europe-1.3826059 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Record The UK Parliament has not worked in Scotlands national interest for a very long time if indeed it ever did. But this was the week in which that was utterly exposed and plain for all to see. The madcap antics of the socalled Mother of Parliaments as it grappled with the conundrum of Brexit were perhaps best summed up by one political sketch writer who observed The House of Commons was a Benny Hill chase on acid running through a Salvador Dali painting in a spaceship on its way to infinity. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/can-no-good-brexit-scotland-14147082 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Theresa May came under the attack of former US Ambassador Anthony Gardner who claimed her Government had wasted two years trying to solve three Brexit issues which cant be solved at the same time. First leave the customs union and the single market second to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland and the third is to avoid a hard border in the Irish Sea. All three things cant be solved at the same time. You can solve two of the three. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1101012/Brexit-news-Anthony-Gardner-UK-EU-withdrawal-deal-Theresa-May-Irish-backstop-latest 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian For all the forlorn hopes that things might be different this time leaders across Europe and senior EU officials in their offices in Brussels watched on with a sinking heart as Theresa Mays deal was rejected again on Tuesday evening this time by 149 votes the fourth largest defeat for a sitting government. The Commons subsequently voted to delay Brexit by at least three months. Mark Rutte the Dutch prime minister who has described himself as Britains best friend among the 27 EU heads of state and government was left asking reporters Whats the point of whining on for months on end while we have been going around in circles for two years https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/brexit-disbelief-in-europe-at-another-lost-week-theresa-may-strasbourg-juncker?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Metro May was told in direct terms by several MPs in oneonone phone calls on Sunday that she should make a pact to resign as prime minister to get her deal through. The race to succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader is hotting up with more than six high profile Tories canvassing the support of MPs. It is understood that senior Tories believe Theresa May will have to step aside in order to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. Even aides in the PMs team believe she will be gone by the summer and prospective candidates are already busy building alliances and promises in the tea rooms of Westminster https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/17/the-battle-to-be-theresa-mays-successor-heats-up-in-westminster-8916648/?ito=article.mweb.share.top.twitter 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian If the governments managers do not think they have a chance of winning or at least of significantly reducing the margin of defeat they will not subject the prime minister to yet another humiliation on Tuesday. The case for trying is the remarkable speed with which a number of previously hardline Brexiteers are discovering the merits of pragmatism and reconciliation. It is amazing how quickly nonnegotiable objections can melt away as the clock ticks reality bites and careerism trumps principle. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/17/delay-brexit-tories-theresa-may-deal-pause 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

@ByDonkeys @ByDonkeys Day two of the MarchToLeave. 77 people including photographers. @Nigelfarage should apologise to those marchers for this farce. But of course hes disappeared. Shameful. https://twitter.com/ByDonkeys/status/1107214750532947968 17th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May has been told by the leaders of dozens of local Conservative grassroots associations that she will be personally held responsible for any betrayal of Brexit. Nearly 40 local party chairmen and longtime activists have told the Prime Minister that they are in an absolute state of despair as to what is happening to democracy in this once great country of ours. They add in an open letter seen by The Sunday Telegraph that if Mrs May cannot ensure that Britain leaves the EU as planned at the end of next week she should resign. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/theresa-may-told-50-tory-associations-will-personally-held-responsible/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Nigel Farages proBrexit march started in Sunderland on Saturday and is aiming to finish in Westminster later in the month. https://news.sky.com/story/they-feel-betrayed-over-brexit-and-are-not-just-crying-about-it-from-afar-11667958 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Nick Boles the Tory MP for Grantham and Stamford has resigned from his local Conservative association after public disagreements regarding his stance on Brexit. Boles who has represented the constituency since 2010 has been at the head of efforts in parliament to deliver a softer exit from the EU cosponsoring an amendment with Labours Yvette Cooper in January that would have given parliament control over the Brexit process. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/nick-boles-resigns-from-conservative-association-brexit 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian By Wednesday the French daily Le Monde had concluded that the hoarseness of the prime ministers throat symbolised the state of a supposedly pragmatic country left voiceless by its incapacity to accept compromise with its neighbours. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/brexit-disbelief-in-europe-at-another-lost-week-theresa-may-strasbourg-juncker 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Brexiteer and Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has called for Britain to get out of the EU now as he vowed to bring down the price of beer in the event of a no deal exit Brexit. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1101118/Brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-no-deal-brexit-tim-martin-wetherspoons-brexit-vote 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Scotsman A group of protesters has gathered in Sunderland ahead of a 14day march to London in a bid to avert perceived attempts to betray the public over Brexit. The March to Leave which has been organised by the Leave Means Leave campaign is being led by former Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Around 100 people assembled in Sunderland the first city to vote in favour of exiting the European Union on the night of the 2016 referendum in order to start the event. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/protesters-gather-as-nigel-farage-prepares-to-lead-brexit-march-1-4890525 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Shortly after she and three cabinet colleagues had dynamited the doctrine of collective cabinet responsibility last Wednesday by abstaining in the Commons vote on a nodeal Brexit Amber Rudd sought to justify herself. Leaving without a deal would in my view do generational damage to our economy and our security. She is entitled to her opinion and the few who still listen to her are used to her risibly defective judgment. However the luxury of holding a view contrary to the Prime Ministers and the Cabinets has always only been available to those choosing not to hold the office and collect the salary of a minister. The four abstainers patently care less about behaving correctly than they do about the interests of the Conservative Party and the country https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/may-wreaking-havoc-british-constitution-thankfully-days-numbered/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Somerset County Gazette Theresa May has warned MPs that if they fail to back her Brexit deal at the third time of asking then Brussels might insist on a lengthy delay potentially scuppering chances of leaving the European Union altogether. The Prime Minister said it would be a potent symbol of Parliaments collective political failure if a delay to Brexit meant the UK was forced to take part in Mays European elections almost three years after voting to leave. https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/national/17506425.may-long-brexit-delay-would-be-sign-of-collective-political-failure-by-mps/ 16th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Der Spiegel Matthew Parris began hearing from a growing number of officials lawmakers and ministers the extent to which May had isolated herself how unreachable she had become and the levels of frustration among those surrounding her. She is mean. She is rude. She is cruel. She is stupid. I have heard that from almost everyone who has dealt with her Parris says. He said he had never expected this much hatred and that is not a word I use lightly. The worst thing though he says is Mays inability to win over others to her position to compromise and to lead. Its crazy says Parris. That someone like her would end up in a job where the most important thing is to communicate answer questions make decisions. That is I believe more of a psychological than a political problem. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/theresa-may-s-brexit-disaster-a-1258101-amp.html 15th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Ireland will want to avoid a series of rolling cliff edges if the UK requests a delay to its exit from the EU the countrys finance minister has said. Paschal Donohoe said London would need to convince the EU27 that an extension to article 50 would not further risk economic disruption. I believe it is highly important that we do all we can to avoid being in a scenario of rolling cliff edges particularly from a financial market stability perspective and economic stability we need to be aware of that he said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/15/brexit-delay-cannot-lead-to-rolling-cliff-edges-irish-minister 15th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC A DUP MP has described comments by Michael Gove that a nodeal Brexit could lead to Dublin having more involvement in NI as insulting. Mr Gove said the UK would have to engage with the Irish government about more decisionmaking for NI in the event of no deal. Northern Ireland has been without a government since January 2017 after a row between the powersharing parties. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-47572796 15th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Yorkshire Post Id made the mistake of pointing out to them that the state we have got the country into on Brexit was totally predictable and highly probable. Common sense that for millions who voted leave and were told Brexit means Brexit the Prime Ministers deal with our country continuing to follow EU rules but now without any say was the exact opposite of taking back control. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/justine-greening-another-meaningful-vote-on-brexit-will-be-meaningless-it-will-be-just-another-charade-1-9653964 9th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Mr Cox admitted failing to register six months of income in a letter to Parliamentary authorities. Attorney General Geoffrey Cox was forced to apologise after he failed to declare thousands of pounds in rent on his London flat. Mr Cox admitted failing to register the income in a letter to Parliamentary authorities. The senior Tory minister was once the highest paid MP when he earned 800000 in a single year for his work as a criminal barrister but he still claimed 49p in expenses to pay for a pint of milk. Mr Cox admitted that he failed to register rent from tenants on his Battersea flat for six months between August and January this year according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph . https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tory-minister-geoffrey-cox-warned-14149207 17th Mar 2019