25th Mar 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=31 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Unearthed Top Brexiteer Sir Jim Ratcliffe leaving UK to live in France runs INEOS. He said it could close its Middlesbrough manufacturing plant unless it is allowed to defer compliance with EU rules designed to prevent air and water pollution according to documents obtained by Unearthed. An analysis of data from the Environment Agency EA also reveals the plant clocked up 176 permit violations between 2014 and 2017 90 of which related to air and water emissions. An EA spokesperson said air emissions are well over legal limits and this poses a risk to the environment. https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2019/03/23/ineos-chemicals-environment-pollution-eu-lobbying/ 23rd Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Reuters UK The risk of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal is the biggest risk facing the slowing euro zone economy in the short term Finnish central bank chief Olli Rehn told Germanys Die Welt newspaper in remarks published on Monday. In the short term Brexit is surely the biggest threat said Rehn who sits on the European Central Banks ratesetting Governing Council. Financial markets seem to be too relaxed and appear to underestimate the risk. He said the ECB had made arrangements with the Bank of England to blunt turbulence in the case of a disorderly Brexit. Asked about the risk of recession in the euro zone Rehn who is often mentioned as a potential candidate to succeed ECB President Mario Draghi said Growth has indeed slowed down significantly and we must be worried about the economy. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ecb-policy-rehn/markets-seem-to-underestimate-threat-of-brexit-ecbs-rehn-idUKKCN1R50YI 25th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

CNBC U.K.s largest insurer Prudential said it finished transferring some of its operations to Luxembourg about a week ago. The insurer announced earlier this month that it was transferring 36 billion pounds 47.58 billion of assets to Luxembourg which is intended to be the companys hub for its European business after Brexit. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/24/prudential-ceo-mike-wells-on-brexit-moving-operations-to-luxembourg.html 23rd Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Bloomberg Pound traders face the risk of yet another vote on Theresa Mays Brexit plan next week with the prospect of nodeal continuing to hang over the currency. Sterling dodged a bullet as the European Union extended the Brexit deadline by two weeks to April 12 or to May 22 if the prime ministers deal passes Parliament at a third attempt. The lastminute reprieve still doesnt remove the threat of Britain crashing out of the EU and the pound tumbling for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-23/no-deal-brexit-risk-hangs-over-pound-investors-after-eu-reprieve 24th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

Gloucestershire Live A hard Brexit will cost every man woman and child in Gloucestershire 732 a year according to a new policy paper. The figure is nearly double the amount it will cost people in the county in the event of a soft Brexit which will cost 413 per person. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/brexit-cost-hard-deal-eu-2678578 24th Mar 2019

Economic Impact

City A.M. These measures recommended to potential investors include watching changes in the yield curve the wearing off of the effects of a weaker currency than have buoyed share prices for a while and the FTSE volatility index http://www.cityam.com/275064/countdown-brexit-three-market-indicators-watch 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/operation-brock-m20-to-partially-close-in-no-deal-brexit-test-11673346 23rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

iNews https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/kent-schools-warned-to-plan-for-stranded-children-under-no-deal-brexit/ 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

TES https://www.tes.com/news/dfe-preparing-pupils-who-cant-get-home-no-deal-brexit 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC A council has employed extra staff stockpiled supplies and warned schools against closing as it prepares for six months of nodeal Brexit disruption. Kent County Council is preparing for queues on the M20 and backlogs at the Port of Dover if existing border arrangements end next Friday. Additional trading standards officers are in place at the port. Schools have been told to suspend teaching and take on a carer role rather than closing if short staffed. Advice to head teachers warns that closing schools could result in several hundred working parents having to leave their place of work to look after their child. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-47653738 21st Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Sky News I think stockpiling will continue for the next six months at least until everybody knows how the transition periods are going to work if there is an agreement made so we know how the border control processes work and settle down. Personally I just want to see a decision made so that the industry the whole of the industry can get on with doing their jobs. 110 capacity is not an efficient way to operate but we need to service our customers and make sure their needs are met so we are squeezing every ounce of space that we can out of the units. https://news.sky.com/story/brexit-this-is-what-business-uncertainty-looks-like-11672890 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Euronews A petition calling on the UK to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU has gathered more than four million signatures in under three days. By 14.30 CET on Saturday it had attracted more than 4.2m names making it the most popular one ever on the UK parliaments website. The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is the will of the people it reads. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now for remaining in the EU. A Peoples Vote may not happen so vote now. https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/21/brexit-petition-to-remain-in-the-eu-hits-850-000-signatures-in-less-than-a-day 23rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC EU leaders have agreed on a plan to delay the Article 50 process offering to postpone Brexit for at least two weeks beyond the original 29 March exit day. Theresa May says she still wants to leave the EU with a deal but if she cannot win the support of MPs then the possibility of a nodeal Brexit remains. So with the clock still ticking what is the government doing to prepare for a nodeal Brexit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47652280 23rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Uncertainty about Brexit is the biggest single problem facing UK businesses right now. However for some sectors that uncertainty is proving to be a real benefit. The British tourism industry has seen a surge in business so far this year. Ashbourne Heights Holiday Park in Derbyshires Peak District has seen its bookings rise by over 60. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/business-47585733/brexit-fears-boost-british-tourism 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Conversation - UK Then there are those mostly with families whose livelihoods cannot be that easily transferred to another place. These women are therefore anxious about Brexit particularly on how it may effect their childrens future. Ksenia for example told me I might have to apply for residency or citizenship which is costly. Now that I started a family here and I have a child here thats linked to new worries. Will I have problems accessing the NHS or getting social assistance http://theconversation.com/i-spoke-to-40-uk-based-polish-women-about-brexit-heres-what-i-found-112787 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Oxford Mail Oxfords Mini plant will not be moving its planned shutdown period despite the UKs Brexit date shifting by at least two weeks. EU leaders last night agreed an extension to article 50 meaning the UK will not now leave the union until April 12 at the earliest. Prime Minister Theresa May was told if she can get her deal through parliament next week then the withdrawal date could be further extended until May 22 in order to pass the necessary legislation. But the lastminute developments wont impact on BMWs plans to close its Cowley factory for four weeks after the original Brexit date of March 29. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17520580.will-mini-plant-oxford-move-shutdown-date-because-of-brexit/ 22nd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Post A goslow protest at the way Brexit has been handled is expected to cause traffic chaos at locations throughout the UK later today. The Brexit Protest and Direct Action Group UK which now has 24000 Facebook members is scheduled to take its campaign to ... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/brexit-go-slow-protests-happen-16011645 23rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Daily Post Holyhead Port is bracing itself for a Brexit protest tonight. The Brexit Protest and Direct Action Group UK which now has more than 24000 Facebook members is set to demonstrate there over the Governments handling of leaving the EU. According to campaign leader Ian Charlesworth from Deeside a convoy of vehicles is set to roll into Holyhead Port at 10pm March 23 but what form the protest will take is yet to be fully decided. https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ports-braced-brexit-protests-further-16007665 23rd Mar 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Gloucestershire Live The planned action has been branded as hopelessly irresponsible by Tim Jones chairman of the South West Business Council. Mr Jones said Our usual estimate for disruption on this vital route is 1million an hour but given the timing on what is the most crucial time of the week for deliveries and employee movements I think you can easily add 25 per cent to that. It is hopelessly irresponsible and flies in the face of how the South West economy supports itself. Small businesses cannot withstand this and this is literally taking cash away from people. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/brexit-blockades-protest-roads-closed-2676284 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Until the statutory instrument adopting the EUs new deadlines is put into UK law this Friday March 29 will still be legally Brexit day. The prime minister and other ministers have intimated that this will be the first order of business tomorrow but the Brexit process has repeatedly demonstrated that the governments word is not always its bond. The vicars daughter has proved particularly unreliable. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tory-bastards-are-back-and-theresa-may-is-so-scared-of-them-she-might-give-us-no-deal-brexit-cbxjkjdqh?shareToken=19d01768ddf1cabaec8593c17521be6c 24th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Theresa May tries to stay in power as MPs seek to seize control of parliamentary business in a bid to secure a softer Brexit. Meanwhile Sunday newspapers had reported that a cabinet coup was under way with a growing number of MPs putting pressure on the prime minister to set a date for her departure. A proposal led by former Tory ministers Sir OIiver Letwin and Dominic Grieve together with Labours Hilary Benn will attempt to seize control of parliamentary business away from the government. https://news.sky.com/story/pm-fights-to-retain-power-as-mps-look-to-seize-control-of-brexit-11674589 25th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Number 10 is understood to be considering allowing parliament to vote on seven alternative options next week amid growing fears that Theresa May will not get her Brexit plan through the House of Commons. A senior minister in the government told Sky News that plans are being drawn up to give MPs a choice between revoking Article 50 a second referendum the prime ministers deal her deal plus a customs union the deal plus a customs union and single market access a standard freetrade agreement or a nodeal Brexit. Another source confirmed to Sky News that senior figures within government had been speaking openly about getting behind the idea. https://news.sky.com/story/plan-for-mps-to-get-votes-on-seven-brexit-options-if-theresa-mays-deal-defeated-again-11672593 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Yahoo! Avoiding a hard border in Ireland in a nodeal Brexit scenario will be very difficult the countrys European Affairs Minister has said. Helen McEntee said the risk of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement remained very strong but insisted Ireland was still not planning for border checks. Ms McEntee said the Dublin government would only enter into negotiations with the UK and EU Commission on how a future border would work when or if it became clear that a nodeal is the only option. If a nodeal scenario is the only option left and looking like that is going to happen then we need to sit down with the Commission and with the UK and we need to understand and work with each other and essentially this is negotiation as to how we can avoid borders on the island of Ireland and be under no illusion its very difficult without a deal she told RTE Radio One. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/avoiding-irish-hard-border-no-093211319.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May has told MPs there might not be a third vote on her Brexit deal next week if there is insufficient support for it to pass. If it does not pass the EU has set a deadline of 12 April for the UK to propose a new plan. Supporters of another EU referendum are due to march through central London later. Labours Tom Watson will speak at the event pledging to back Mays deal if she agrees to hold a referendum on it. Meanwhile an online petition calling for the UK to remain in the EU has attracted a record number of signatures. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47675261 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News The prime minister and the EU will be looking at the indicative votes that are due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday on Tuesday sponsored by the PM on Wednesday under the backbench initiative of Sir Oliver Letwin to see if a majority of MPs can demonstrate their support for a deliverable alternative to a nodeal Brexit. If they dont Theresa Mays conclusion may well be full steam ahead to a nodeal Brexit I am told which will be music to the ears of perhaps a third of the Cabinet and Tory Party. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-23/mps-have-one-shot-this-week-to-avert-a-no-deal-brexit-say-senior-government-members/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The extent and range of the impact of a nodeal Brexit is revealed in a confidential Cabinet Office document that warns of a critical threemonth phase after leaving the EU during which the whole planning operation could be overwhelmed. The classified document seen by the Guardian sets out the command and control structures in Whitehall for coping with a nodeal departure and says government departments will have to firefight most problems for themselves or risk a collapse of Operation Yellowhammer. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/22/secret-cabinet-office-document-reveals-chaotic-planning-for-no-deal-brexit?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews Theresa Mays control over the Conservatives was close to collapse last night amid fears that government whips were on the verge of quitting after a week of serious missteps by the Prime Minister. Party unity appeared to have all but evaporated as Cabinet ministers openly defied Mrs May by plotting to seize control of the Governments Brexit plans next week. The Prime Minister is expected to table her Brexit deal for a third meaningful vote on Tuesday but few MPs expect her to secure enough support to get the agreement over the line and many predict that a defeat could cost Mrs May her job. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/tory-whips-threaten-to-quit-after-theresa-may-brexit-blunders/ 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times There are two big lessons. First we are paying the price of our failure for years to explain the EU. What is it for Security. It delivers good political relations among neighbours the best guarantee of security you can get. We have benefited very directly from this. Being in the EU together meant that for the first time we worked with Dublin as equals. That and the open border enabled peace in Ireland. In Britain no one noticed. The EU is a political project the customs union and the single market are means to an end. Why did no one tell us The second lesson is that we are governed by the parties for the parties. The system would never get past a decent competition regulator. Most people know that it makes no difference how they vote. We are the oldest parliamentary democracy and it shows. https://www.ft.com/content/5f3df8bc-4c03-11e9-bde6-79eaea5acb64 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Eurosceptic Tories have erupted in anger as Cabinet minister Greg Clark confirmed MPs will be given a vote on a string of Brexit alternatives if they reject Theresa Mays deal for a third time. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/102746/brexiteer-fury-government-confirms-mps-get-vote 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Membership of the European Economic Area EEA may not be the right solution for the UK after Brexit the prime minister of one of its key members has said. Icelandic prime minister Katrn Jakobsdottir expressed hesitancy at the idea that Britain could join the EEA suggesting that the debate in the UK was far from the realities of the agreement. She was in Brussels to meet her EU counterparts for a celebration of 25 years of the EEAs existence joking that maybe some of the EU leaders have other things on their mind after a late night Brexit negotiation that spilled over into the early hours of the morning. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eea-norway-uk-eu-iceland-prime-minister-customs-union-a8835146.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Two ministers touted as a potential caretaker PM in reports of a cabinet coup say they fully back Theresa May. Environment Secretary Michael Gove told reporters it was not the time to change the captain of the ship. And the PMs de facto deputy David Lidington insisted he was 100 behind Mrs May. Meanwhile the Brexit secretary said an election will become more likely if MPs vote this week for a Brexit option the government does not want. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47683059 24th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express The former Education Secretary is a Remainer bur proBrexit MPs have privately suggested she could be a unity candidate to take over as leader according to the Telegraph. This suggestion follows her involvement in the socalled Malthouse Compromise for Brexit along with fellow Remainers and Brexiteers alike. Mrs Morgan campaigned to remain in the EU but has since said The abiding mood in the country is get on with it and patience on all sides is running out. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1104465/Brexit-news-nicky-morgan-theresa-may-prime-minister-coup-Brexiteer-Remainer-EU 24th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Nigel Farage claimed Russian collusion when it appeared that a number of signatories to a parliamentary petition calling for the government to stop Brexit came from outside the UK. It is unclear whether the former UKIP leader genuinely believes this or was simply conveniently drawing on an issue Kremlin interference in Western democracies many observers suspect played a part in the Brexit referendum that he and fellow Brexiteers such as Arron Banks won. Either way Mr Farages remark on his Twitter account is a reminder of the threat to democracy posed by hostile states that use websites and social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook as a weapon by exploiting existing divisions in democratic societies. https://news.sky.com/story/sky-views-britain-has-a-duty-to-investigate-potential-russian-interference-11673887 24th Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Labours deputy leader Tom Watson will tomorrow lead a huge march to overturn Brexit he announced tonight. Jeremy Corbyns no 2 is attending the Put it to the People protest in the clearest sign yet Labour will try and force through a second referendum. Mr Watson will tell Theresa May he is prepared to back her Brexit deal as long as she holds a public vote on it. It was previously thought none of Mr Corbyns top team would be at the march which is set to be attended by hundreds of thousands of diehard Remainers. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/8700619/corbyns-no2-tom-watson-leads-massive-anti-brexit-march-in-clearest-sign-labour-now-backs-staying-in-eu/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Yahoo! Avoiding a hard border in Ireland in a nodeal Brexit scenario will be very difficult the countrys European Affairs Minister has said. Helen McEntee said the risk of the UK leaving the EU without an agreement remained very strong but insisted Ireland was still not planning for border checks. Ms McEntee said the Dublin government would only enter into negotiations with the UK and EU Commission on how a future border would work when or if it became clear that a nodeal is the only option. If a nodeal scenario is the only option left and looking like that is going to happen then we need to sit down with the Commission and with the UK and we need to understand and work with each other and essentially this is negotiation as to how we can avoid borders on the island of Ireland and be under no illusion its very difficult without a deal she told RTE Radio One. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/avoiding-irish-hard-border-no-093211319.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Before any indicative votes can take place MPs must secure the parliamentary time for debate. Usually the government has control over what happens daytoday. MPs have tried and narrowly failed to take control away from the government in recent weeks but a fresh attempt by a crossparty group of MPs including Labours Hilary Benn and Conservative Sir Oliver Letwin may prove successful on Monday evening. However to avoid being forced the government could voluntarily set aside time for MPs to debate something ministers have previously suggested. Though the precise format is unknown one possible process would see a series of motions being presented setting out each Brexit option. MPs would then vote on each option in turn with the results announced after each vote. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47671056 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May has told MPs there might not be a third vote on her Brexit deal next week if there is insufficient support for it to pass. If it does not pass the EU has set a deadline of 12 April for the UK to propose a new plan. Supporters of another EU referendum are due to march through central London later. Labours Tom Watson will speak at the event pledging to back Mays deal if she agrees to hold a referendum on it. Meanwhile an online petition calling for the UK to remain in the EU has attracted a record number of signatures. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47675261 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has joined hundreds of thousands of people on a march in London to demand a second Brexit referendum. She spoke to crowds gathered at the end of a rally organisers of the Put It To The People campaign say more than a million people attended. Busloads of protesters travelled through the night from across Scotland to support the Peoples Vote event. It came after the EU agreed to delay the UKs departure from the EU. She told the crowd that Theresa May had pitched parliament against the people. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47671507 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Yahoo News The latest Brexit developments will destroy the Conservative Party Michael Portillo has warned. Speaking on the BBC1 politics show This Week the former deputy leader of the Conservatives said there was no chance Mrs Mays deal would get past MPs. He also insisted that nodeal was off the table but the prospect of revoking Article 50 and stopping Brexit was equally unlikely. Instead he painted a particularly gloomy picture for the Tory Party in his predictions for the coming weeks. He said I think Parliament will try to take over the process Parliament may well succeed. What emerges from that will be unacceptable to Mrs May. Mrs May will resign before April 12 and before April 12 an interim leader of the Conservative Party I suppose it would be David Lidington the deputy prime minister will say he will want to explore with the EU an alternative. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/brexit-destroy-tory-party-theresa-may-says-michael-portillo-131607146.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian ProRemain MPs are drawing up plans for a vote on revoking article 50 as an emergency measure to stop Britain crashing out of the EU after an online petition to cancel Brexit became the most popular ever. By Saturday night more than 4.6 million people had signed the petition on the parliament website which states A Peoples Vote may not happen so vote now. Public discussion about halting Brexit was considered politically toxic until just days ago. But that shifted last week as the prospect of crashing out drew closer and the number of petition signatures rose dramatically. A crossparty group of parliamentarians is now examining the possibility of cancelling the Brexit process following concerns that Theresa May could end up backing Tory MPs who favour a nodeal departure if her own withdrawal agreement is rejected again. They are planning to table an amendment to Brexit legislation closer to the day of Britains scheduled departure from the EU. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/23/remain-mps-plan-vote-revoke-article-50?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet is set to clash again over Brexit this week with supporters of a second referendum concerned that the Labour leadership will opt to facilitate a soft Brexit. With senior Labour figures openly calling for another public vote at the antiBrexit march in London on Saturday other influential MPs believe Corbyns inner circle is actually warming to a Norwaystyle Brexit that would see Britain leave the EU but remain closely aligned to it. Tensions between Labour and its proRemain activists are already high after the party released a tweet on Friday evening asking if supporters had any big weekend plans and called on them to go out leafleting for Mays local elections. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/23/corbyns-cabinet-set-for-another-huge-rift-michael-savage-toby-helm 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Calls for a public inquiry into Brexit are mounting among diplomats business figures peers and MPs amid claims that the civil service is already planning for a future investigation into how it has been handled. The decision to call the referendum the red lines drawn up by Theresa May and Britains negotiating strategy are all issues that senior figures would like to be examined. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/23/calls-grow-for-public-inquiry-into-brexit 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-47671409 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that Brexit will define the UK for the next generation. Mr Varadkar added that it doesnt have to define the Republic of Ireland. The taoiseach told delegates at the Fine Gael conference in Wexford that we live in extraordinary times. The last two and a half years the last two and half months even the last two and a half days have seen many twists and turns in the Brexit saga he said. Throughout all of it we have stayed firm. We have held our nerve and we have stayed the course. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47681876 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Theresa May has admitted she may not garner enough support to get her twicedefeated Brexit deal through the Commons next week amid mounting speculation about the future of her premiership. The Prime Minister wrote to MPs warning that if there is insufficient support for her Withdrawal Agreement in the coming days that she could seek an extension to Britains EU membership beyond the European Parliament elections. https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/theresa-may-admits-third-brexit-deal-vote-may-not-take-place-next-week-1-4894577 23rd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News MPs have a weekend to decide whether to initiate civil war against Theresa May and the government and instigate a onceinacentury reconfiguration of the structure of political parties. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-03-22/eu-forces-choice-of-their-political-lives-on-mps/ 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New York Times An online petition on Parliaments website is unlikely to change the course of Brexit but Britons keep signing anyway. Young people see a future threatened by restriction on freedom of movement and opportunity so many will be marching on Saturday https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/22/world/europe/cancel-brexit-petition.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Eurosceptic Tories have erupted in anger as Cabinet minister Greg Clark confirmed MPs will be given a vote on a string of Brexit alternatives if they reject Theresa Mays deal for a third time. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/102746/brexiteer-fury-government-confirms-mps-get-vote 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Public outrage at the crippling incompetence and indecision in Westminster reached new levels this week when the petition to revoke article 50 and remain in the EU hit 2m signatures crashing the parliamentary petition website several times. But this crisis must be ended with the publics consent and Saturdays march is another important opportunity to give a voice to this country on the defining issue of our age. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/22/stop-brexit-saturday-march-deal-put-it-to-the-people 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror If Labours alternative plan for a close economic relationship cant get a parliamentary majority then Common Market 2.0 is a Brexit compromise which might just get us out of this difficult period and out the other side with unity pride and purpose. We would leave the political institutions of the EU taking control of our laws our farming and our fisheries but keep close economic ties to our neighbours. It would avoid a catastrophic No Deal which would be a disaster for businesses in places like Ashfield. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/cross-party-negotiations-only-way-14174070 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman I fear the UK is still dangerously close to the fullscale disaster that a nodeal exit from the European Union would be. Employers and unions agree. In a rare joint statement the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress have warned of a national emergency. The time for the UK Government to rethink its approach is now. At this juncture it seems implausible that another motion to vote on the Withdrawal Agreement would actually win majority parliamentary support. And even with an extended Brexit deadline thats a major risk to the UK and to the Union itself. This is a moment of profound national crisis for the UK. Yet there is no sign of the inclusive leadership such a crisis requires. Prioritising party over country the Prime Minister is no longer acting in the national interest. Instead she has decided to pitch herself as the defender of the people against the machinations of Parliament. https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/richard-branson-uk-dangerously-close-to-full-scale-brexit-disaster-1-4894352 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has called for a lengthy extension to allow a second Brexit referendum ahead of the Put It To The People march in London. The Scottish First Minister urged opponents of Brexit to seize the moment of maximum opportunity presented by the delay agreed by the EU. Before she joined the rally backing a second EU referendum Ms Sturgeon said This is now the moment of maximum opportunity we need to avoid both the catastrophe of no deal and the damage which would be caused by the Prime Ministers bad deal. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17522244.scottish-politicians-to-join-anti-brexit-march/?ref=rss 22nd Mar 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Theresa May told Boris Johnson she had no intention of stepping aside to help resolve the Brexit impasse at a highstakes meeting earlier this week with the man seen as the favourite to replace her. In the meeting the former foreign secretary who remains opposed to Mays Brexit deal demanded to know how the prime minister would change approach which was interpreted as a coded message that he believed she should quit. May responded by saying she was drawing up plans in case her Brexit deal was carried through by the House of Commons including a restructuring of the Department for Exiting the European Union signalling she anticipated staying put. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/22/may-tells-johnson-i-wont-step-aside-to-solve-brexit-crisis 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times The PMs best survival hope may be that MPs cannot reach a strategy beyond her own withdrawal agreement. Emmanuel Macron French president arrived in Brussels giving Theresa May a 10 per cent chance that she could save her Brexit deal and probably her premiership. By the time he had listened to a haunted Mrs May address the European Council he had revised his opinion he gave her a 5 per cent chance. One EU diplomat said leaders of the 27 other member states had recognised Mrs May and her government had lost control of events. The message was We need to take over. They are not capable of doing it themselves added the diplomat. Donald Tusk European Council president said Mr Macrons 5 per cent chance was too generous. https://www.ft.com/content/be918e3a-4caf-11e9-8b7f-d49067e0f50d 25th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Theresa Mays address to the nation from Downing Street will rank in history as an affront to parliamentary democracy the former Conservative deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine has said. In a scathing assessment of the prime ministers decision to blame MPs for the current political crisis over Brexit Lord Heseltine said he was appalled by her speech on Wednesday. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-march-latest-theresa-may-speech-michael-heseltine-a8837041.html 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The organisers of Saturdays march demanding a fresh EU referendum estimated to have drawn a crowd of more than 1 million people have told MPs that it was too big to ignore. The Put it to the People protest was one of the biggest demonstrations in recent British history. Members of the Peoples Vote campaign group which coordinated it have expressed confidence that it will prove to have not been in vain. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/24/peoples-vote-march-too-big-to-ignore-organisers-warn-mps?CMP=share_btn_tw 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun On Wednesday No Deal suddenly seemed a likely option again. The EU were saying they would only grant Theresa Mays request for an extension if her Brexit deal passed before March 29 something that is highly unlikely. But on Friday morning that meeting was cancelled. Why Because after the EU agreed to halt the UKs departure until at least April 12 No Deal is once again highly unlikely. This delay means if Mays deal fails again Parliament will have enough time to step in and take control of the process. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8702461/theresa-may-brexit-deal-must-offer-job-face-general-election/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Theresa May has indicated she may not bring her deal back to parliament for a third vote if there is not enough support for it. In a letter to her fellow parliamentarians she wrote If it appears that there is not sufficient support to bring the deal back next week or the House rejects it again we can ask for another extension before 12 April. The prime minister set out four options available following the EUs acceptance of a delayed departure date. Revoke Article 50 Leave with No Deal Pull vote hold European Elections longer extension No Deal leave May 22nd https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-could-drop-vote-on-brexit-deal-if-it-lacks-support-11672888 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Chronicle Please somebody make it stop. This week the House of Commons is expected to vote again on Theresa Mays Brexit deal. In typical fashion the Government refuses to say exactly what it has planned. Thats probably because its as confused as the rest of us. But we should prepare for a third meaningful vote on the deal known at Westminster as MV3. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/news-opinion/its-time-mps-decide-what-16015839 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Hull Daily Mail A Hull MP says she has faced distressing calls online for her to be shot and hanged as the Brexit decision date has neared. MPs have twice voted against Theresa Mays Brexit deal in recent weeks with all three Hull representatives playing their in defeating the PMs deal https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/brexit-trolls-want-mp-shot-2676376 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews Daniel Hannan a Conservative MEP and leading Brexiteer compared the march to mob rule adding that 17.4 million is a lot bigger that one million. The great thing about elections is that they replace mob rule he added. We can ask people what they want instead of trying to infer the mood of the street. To remind you 17.4 million is a lot bigger than one million even if we accept the latter figure at face value. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/brexit-march-nigel-farage-reaction-put-it-to-the-people/ 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk The Sunday Express learnt a recent contingency planning meeting between the Brexit Department and HMRC included rejoining the EU as a high possibility. A senior Government source admitted that all departments are now including the same contingency planning on EU membership. The source said In the end government departments have to consider all possibilities and there is a high chance that a future government may want to take us back into the EU. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1104415/brexit-news-theresa-may-brexit-rejoin-eu-david-cameron 24th Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian ProBrexit campaigners have been prosecuted for inconsiderate driving while trying to bring roads to a standstill. According to organisers the demonstrations aimed to ensure the UK leaves the EU on 29 March by causing gridlock on motorways and Aroads using a convoy of slowmoving vehicles. The protesters were aiming to target between 30 and 40 locations over the weekend including the M25 M6 and M1. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/23/brexit-leaver-go-slow-on-roads-leads-to-prosecutions 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Stoke Sentinel A petition calling for Brexit to be cancelled has now been signed by more than three million people across Britain but it has gathered little support in StokeonTrent. The petition calling on the Government to revoke Article 50 the legislation which allows the UK to leave the European Union passed the three million mark before midday on Friday. https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/we-voted-leave-should-stoke-2675368 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Whatever happens we will not be leaving the EU on 29 March in an orderly fashion as the prime minister has so often promised. If Mrs May wants to know why she will only have to look in the mirror at the leader who has spread division instead of trying to unite a divided country. https://news.sky.com/story/sky-views-uk-marches-deeper-into-brexit-mess-created-by-cameron-and-may-11672794 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Atlantic Some migration advocates fear that the sheer volume of EU citizens applications could overwhelm the countrys evermore antagonistic immigration regimeone that hasnt exactly been known for its competence in recent years. Others worry that the most vulnerable EU nationalssuch as the elderly people with limited English and even childrenare at risk of being left behind. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/03/brexit-britain-millions-eu-citizens/584959/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Scotsman The SNPs Westminster leader Ian Blackford was harassed by a group of Brexit supporters who shouted abuse at him as he walked down Whitehall. Mr Blackford and fellow SNP MP Stephen Gethins were leaving the Cabinet Office shortly after 4pm following a meeting to discuss Brexit with minister David Lidington. A group of around a dozen people followed Mr Blackford shouting traitor to England and leave means leave. Media interviews that were scheduled to take place outside the Cabinet Office had to be abandoned. The pair were escorted back to parliament by a police officer. Mr Gethins said Ian took it with characteristic good humour but no one should have to face that kind of abuse. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election/traitor-to-england-ian-blackford-harassed-by-brexit-supporters-in-london-1-4894412 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Marchers are set to assemble on Park Lane around midday before the route takes hundreds of thousands of people down Piccadilly and St. Jamess Street through Trafalgar Square and along Whitehall to Parliament Square where a rally is expected to begin at 2.30pm and end just before 4pm. Met Office spokesman Steven Keats said There is a band of cloud and rain moving south so itll be a drizzly start to Saturday. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/brexit-march-london-forecasters-predict-fine-and-dry-weather-for-huge-rally-calling-for-peoples-vote-a4098981.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun Brexit wrecker Dominic Grieve will face a move to oust him as MP on the day Britain should be leaving the EU. At least 100 angry Tory members are threatening to oppose a confidence vote at his local partys AGM on Friday. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8706621/dominic-grieve-faces-move-to-oust-him/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian In one of the biggest demonstrations in British history a crowd estimated at over one million people yesterday marched peacefully through central London to demand that MPs grant them a fresh referendum on Brexit. The Put it to the People march which included protesters from all corners of the United Kingdom and many EU nationals living here took place amid extraordinary political turmoil and growing calls on prime minister Theresa May to resign. Some cabinet ministers are considering her de facto deputy David Lidington as an interim replacement for her although as proRemain he would be strongly opposed by Brexiters. Organisers of the march said precise numbers had been difficult to gauge but they believed the protest could have been even bigger than that against the Iraq war in February 2003. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/23/one-million-march-against-brexit-tories-plan-oust-may 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BuzzFeed News It was the moment according to one source present that Theresa May lost her whips office her best chance of passing her Brexit deal and her ultimate authority as prime minister. Having endured months of frustrations with Downing Street in the least envied job in Westminster chief whip Julian Smith assembled his team of enforcers to sit down with the PM and deliver their honest advice. Knowing the consequences of what they were about to do before the meeting they agreed What happens in the whips office stays in the whips office. One whip told colleagues they felt like crying. May began with a boilerplate speech imploring her team to do all they could to find a majority for her withdrawal agreement telling them the country wanted to move on and get the deal over the line so she could focus on her domestic agenda. It was too much for Paul Maynard one of her senior whips who spoke first in response. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/cabinet-ministers-are-plotting-to-oust-theresa-may-as-her 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Hundreds of thousands of people have marched in central London calling for another EU referendum as MPs search for a way out of the Brexit impasse. Organisers of the Put It To The People campaign say more than a million people joined the march before rallying in front of Parliament. Protesters carrying EU flags and placards called for any Brexit deal be put to another public vote. On Thursday European leaders agreed to delay the UKs departure from the EU. PM Theresa May is coming under pressure to quit after saying she might not put her Brexit deal to a third vote by MPs. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47678763 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC A man has walked 200 miles to join a march in London in favour of another EU referendum engaging with Brexit supporters along the way. Ed Sides set off from Swansea two and a half weeks ago and has taken time to listen as much as talk. Wales for Europe had booked out 30 coaches to transport protesters to Saturdays demonstration. But one Leave supporter said a fresh vote would just prolong the arguments for another three years. Others from across Wales made their own way to Hyde Park for the march. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47670317 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/all-the-best-banners-and-placards-from-huge-peoples-vote-march-a4099276.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times https://www.ft.com/video/df8aad87-6b10-44e5-89ab-d990112f99f3 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/23/why-marching-against-brexit-people 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/23/world/europe/brexit-march-london.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-march-london-put-it-to-the-people-live-updates-article-50-a8836386.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8703714/brexit-march-london-2019-peoples-vote-article-50/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/brexit-march-put-it-to-the-people-second-referendum-peoples-vote/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/brexit-march-best-outfits-put-it-to-the-people-protest-london-a8836911.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent In Londons Park Lane James Lancaster and his band Brass Against Brexit stood amid the gathering crowds preparing to march on Parliament Square. For the twomile walk the 10piece group trumpets trombones sax planned on playing a selection of New Orleans jazz classic pop and but of course Beethovens Ode To Joy the European Unions official anthem. Brexit is a national crisis its that serious the 54yearold from York said his giant sousaphone on his back. But that doesnt mean our protests against it cant be a carnival. Were here because we want to make today joyous. We want to show the world this movement is celebratory. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-march-latest-second-referendum-revoke-article-50-london-a8837171.html 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews A clutch of celebrities joined the Put it to the People rally calling for a referendum on the Brexit deal. Among them were cook Delia Smith Game of Thrones star Lena Headey Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman Music stars at the march included Bastille Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant James McVey and of course Billy Bragg. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/stars-from-delia-smith-to-neill-tennant-bastille-to-lena-headey-line-up-for-put-it-the-people-march/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home MPs are under increasing pressure to come to a collective view on Brexit. As the debate wears on and the impasse remains the stress is beginning to take its toll on some of our elected politicians. Over the last two months the stress has manifested itself in physical symptoms. Im reluctant to moan about it because its the same in lots of other jobs. But the weight of this decision is massive. For instance Ben Bradley MP is getting heartburn all the time has blotches on his face and has high blood pressure. Im at the doctors most days having my blood pressure checked now. Its amazing if I come off the TV and Ive been talking about Brexit I go straight to the doctors and have my blood pressure done. Its like 160120 or something ridiculous. If I talk to the kids for five minutes and have it done again its fine. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/house/house-magazine/102736/%E2%80%98brexit-killing-me%E2%80%99-eu-debate-weighs 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Shetland News Around 80 folk marched through the centre of Lerwick on Saturday to voice their support for a peoples vote on Brexit. Banners such as Put it to the people and Ask us were hold aloft as locals of all ages walked from the Market Cross to the Town Hall. Among the walkers included Shetland MSP Tavish Scott and NHS Shetland chairman Gary Robinson. The march took place on the same day a similar event was held in London. The slogan for the national peoples vote campaign proclaims that they can not must not and will not force this broken Brexit on the British people without giving us the final say. https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/03/23/lerwick-hosts-own-brexit-vote-march/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun If Brexit dies as seems increasingly possible it will have the unlikeliest of assassins some of those who most wanted it and stand to lose most from its demise. MPs have twice been given the chance to vote for an exit deal which would secure much of what 17.4million voted for and return some stability to Britain. Twice they have rejected it. In the diehard Remainers case thats because they will not support any Brexit or honour their promises to voters. In Labours case its solely because they hope to profit from the chaos. In the peculiar case of the Tory ERG and the DUP two groups who could not be more proBrexit its because the deal contains the controversial backstop they fear could one day trap us. So next week barring a dramatic Uturn they will all seal its doom. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8702067/sun-says-brexit-chaos-blame/ 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News A petition demanding Theresa May revokes Article 50 and cancels Brexit has passed three million signatures. The government repeatedly claims exiting the EU is the will of the people the petition says. We need to put a stop to this claim by proving the strength of public support now for remaining in the EU. A Peoples Vote may not happen so vote now. https://news.sky.com/story/petition-calling-for-brexit-to-be-cancelled-passes-three-million-signatures-11671784 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Post Protesters are gathering in the city of Bangor for a solidarity march to coincide with the Peoples Vote March taking place today in London. Around 300 people including politicians and residents armed with placards and banners have come together at the ... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-peoples-vote-march-staged-16018452 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Yorkshire Evening Post A proBrexit march promoted by Nigel Farage which has been travelling across the UK has been told it is not welcome at National Trust properties. The 60 odd people had been scheduled to use the properties during the course of the march https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/why-nigel-farage-s-pro-brexit-march-is-not-welcome-at-national-trust-properties-1-9668131 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Hartlepool Mail Hartlepool MP Mike Hill says the Brexit crisis is entirely down to Theresa Mays own making after the Prime Minister appeared to blame MPs for its delays. Mr Hill described the language used by Mrs May as even potentially putting MPs safety at risk from extremists. In a statement this week Mrs May said she was on the British publics side in wanting to see an an end to Brexit. She said You want this stage of the Brexit process to be over and done with. I agree. I am on your side. It is now time for MPs to decide. The EU has agreed to extend the Brexit deadline until May 22 if MPs back Mrs Mays deal next week. If not and no alternative plan is put forward the UK is set to leave the EU on April 12 instead of March 29. https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/politics/we-are-not-enemies-of-the-people-hartlepool-mp-mike-hill-hits-back-at-theresa-may-brexit-blame-1-9668368 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Record An online petition urging the Government to cancel Brexit has become the most popular to be submitted to the Parliament website with over 4150000 million signatures. The Revoke Article 50 petition on Saturday leapt ahead of a 2016 petition calling for a second EU referendum as thousands of demonstrators are due to march on Westminster calling for a Peoples Vote. It has had the highest rate of signups on record according to Parliaments official Petitions Committee adding over two million signatures in 24 hours. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-revoke-article-50-petition-14176094 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Star In some parts of Sheffield and South Yorkshire more than 12 per cent of the population have signed it whereas in others fewer than 2 per cent have registered their support. The parliamentary constituencies with the most support are Sheffield Hallam with 12.3 per cent of people signing and Sheffield Central with just under 10 per cent support. However in Sheffield South East the figure is around 2.5 per cent and in Rotherham just 1.79 per cent of people have signed. https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/latest/anti-brexit-petition-shows-stark-divide-in-sheffield-and-south-yorkshire-1-9668326 23rd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Cornwall Live About 10 vehicles have set off on a proBrexit protest along the A30. The vehicles three of which have been decorated in banners and flags left the service station at Plusha at about 3.30pm. No lorries have taken part in the Cornwall protest. The Cornwall Go Slow protest is one of dozens of events being held across the country by proBrexit groups. In Devon lorries are expected to block the M5 this evening. Organisers say the group will travel at about 20mph towards Truro. Initially they said 25 people had signed up to take part in the rolling road block after the prime minister asked the European Union to delay the UKs exit date beyond March 29. https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/live-updates-a30-brexit-protest-2676631 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Kent Live Protesters angry at the situation with Brexit vowed to bring the country to its knees in a go slow protest this evening March 22. But thats not exactly what happened. Elsewhere in the country there may well have been a hold up or two. But Kents roads moved as slowly as they usually do with no more hold ups than usual. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/we-failed-pro-brexit-m25-2677773?utm_source=twitter.com&amputm_medium=social&amputm_campaign=sharebar 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Irish Times British prime minister Theresa May hinted on Friday that she might not bring her European Union withdrawal deal back to parliament for a third time next week if there was not enough support for it to be passed. Mrs Mays Brexit deal has already been twice rejected by lawmakers but the prime minister was expected to try a third time next week. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/theresa-may-hints-she-may-drop-third-vote-on-brexit-deal-1.3835524 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Theresa May missed an opportunity to fix her Brexit deal and unite Parliament behind her plans in her recent trip to Brussels according to the DUPs deputy leader. Nigel Dodds delivered a fresh blow to the PM as he indicated his party will not be swayed to back her Withdrawal Agreement. He said The Prime Minister missed an opportunity at the EU Council to put forward proposals which could have improved the prospects of an acceptable Withdrawal Agreement and help unite the country. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-slammed-by-dup-for-missing-opportunity-to-improve-deal-in-brussels-a4098926.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The Conservative partys second biggest donor has called for a government of national unity to be formed as soon as possible to solve the Brexit crisis. John Griffin the taxi tycoon who has given 4m to the Tories over the last six years said the party should reach out to MPs from Labour the Lib Dems and the Scottish National Party if it is to emerge from EU negotiations with a successful deal. It follows similar demands from fellow Tories including Nicky Morgan and Sir Nicholas Soames. Other Conservative donors have threatened to withhold funds unless it solves the current political crisis it emerged on Thursday. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/22/top-tory-donor-form-unity-government-to-solve-brexit-crisis 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times Among 1800 people asked by YouGov last weekend to choose between various options 34 per cent chose a second referendum with an option to remain and 20 per cent chose no deal. A softer Brexit was third with 15 per cent narrowly ahead of Mrs Mays deal on 14 per cent. When YouGov asked voters to assess the merits of each of the four options on its own no deal slipped to third place. When what voters considered as an acceptable compromise was taken into account it fell to fourth place. https://www.ft.com/content/83d2880a-4bef-11e9-bbc9-6917dce3dc62 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Wales should hold a referendum on independence if a series of demands are not met after Brexit Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has said. In a speech to his partys spring conference he said European funding for Wales must be guaranteed. Mr Price also called for cuts in VAT for tourism and construction and for the devolution of powers over air passenger duty. Wales should also control its own migration policy the leader added. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-47656578 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent As the Brexit crisis deepens commentators have begun to liken Theresa May to perhaps the most disgraced leader in western history Richard Nixon. They dont mean she lied about a dirty tricks breakin at a hotel called Watergate but that shes adopted the former US presidents tactics for defeating an opponent by threatening an action so disastrous it suggests the person making the threat is now irrational. It has come to be known as the madman theory. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-richard-nixon-brexit-madman-theory-vietnam-war-a8835566.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard A 16yearold has been hailed for an articulate speech analysing the current Brexit chaos on Question Time. The teenager appeared on the show in Belfast on Thursday night and told the audience that there are going to be huge generational changes for all of us as a result of Brexit. In an articulate speech the 16yearold slammed the Conservative party for playing party politics with Brexit before calling for a general election and representative democracy. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/girl-16-hailed-for-articulate-and-detailed-speech-on-brexit-on-question-time-a4098426.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

CNBC You have to wonder about the future of the European Union itself ... this is an imperfect union and the survivability of it is I think a serious question Stephen Roach a senior fellow at Yale University told CNBCs Sri Jegarajah on Friday. Even before Brexit came about the EU faced multiple challenges over the last decade said Roach whos a former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. Those challenges include a sovereign debt crisis in Greece and a standoff with Italian leaders over the countrys spending plans. And with the U.K. one of the largest European economies planning to leave the bloc it remains to be seen whether the EU has the ability to withstand more pressure coming from member states while still reeling from the shocks of the global financial crisis said Roach. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/22/stephen-roach-on-future-of-european-union-brexit-global-economy.html 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

LBC James OBrien coined a new catchphrase for his feelings on Brexit Compassion for the conned contempt for the conmen. The people who voted for Brexit he says are our friends and families. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/brexit-contempt-for-conmen-compassion-for-conned/ 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Politico British members of parliament have been advised to take taxis or travel home together to avoid the risk of abuse over Brexit. Lindsay Hoyle a deputy speaker of the House of Commons wrote to all MPs saying the Metropolitan Police has been left in no doubt that they must ensure Members of Parliament can vote in Parliament without fear. https://www.politico.eu/article/british-mps-advised-to-travel-in-groups-to-avoid-brexit-abuse/ 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror The online petition calling for Brexit to be scrapped last night reached 3.5million names and revealed the new political reality in Britain. The darkest areas of the map are those with most support for revoking Article 50. As expected they are in ... https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/political-map-shows-spread-brexit-14174692 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

Shropshire Star Theresa May is returning from another tumultuous Brussels summit amid warnings that her premiership is on the line. EU leaders agreed on Thursday night to give her more time to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. But she faces a Tory Party losing patience with her leadership and threats that MPs could now seize control of the withdrawal process. Sir Graham Brady the chairman of the backbench 1922 committee was reported to have met Mrs May to tell her that most Conservative MPs now want her to quit. The Daily Telegraph said that Sir Graham visited her in Downing Street on Monday after being bombarded with text messages from MPs demanding she should go. https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2019/03/22/may-warned-her-job-is-on-the-line-amid-tory-anger-over-brexit/ 22nd Mar 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent A proBrexit march between Sunderland to London which has been heavily promoted by Nigel Farage has been banned from National Trust properties. The March To Leave procession has been told it is not welcome because the charity is apolitical. The revelation comes after it emerged marchers who are walking the 270 miles over 14 days had already been asked to leave a property run by the organisation in North Yorkshire. Plans to start Tuesdays leg of the walk organised by Leave Means Leave at picturesque Fountains Abbey had to be hastily rearranged after the trust said walkers should not gather at the sites car park. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-nigel-farage-march-national-trust-leave-eu-a8836221.html 22nd Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

Business Insider Countries are likely to offer the United Kingdom worse trade deals than it currently enjoys as an EU member the former head of Liam Foxs International Trade Department has told Business Insider. The United Kingdom alone can offer significantly less in terms of market access or government procurement than can all of the European Union Donnelly said. Major trading partners of the UK including Japan and the USA have indicated that they will seek tough concessions from the UK in trade talks because it is a relatively small trading partner. Trade negotiators are not sentimental Donnelly said. https://www.businessinsider.com/says-liam-fox-former-trade-chief-2019-3?r=US&ampIR=T 22nd Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

RTE.ie A US Senator has said that America will prioritise doing a trade deal with the EU over the UK once Brexit has happened. Democratic Senator from Connecticut Chris Murphy is currently on a visit to the UK Northern Ireland and Ireland to report back to congressional colleagues on Brexit. Senator Murphy said a trade deal that would rescue the British economy postBrexit was not going to happen. He said that he was skeptical that any trade deal with the UK would ever happen pointing out that there was not enough time to negotiate and pass a deal before the end of President Trumps first term in office and the current Congressional session. While President Trump has spoken of his desire to do a trade deal with the UK any pact would have to be passed by the US Congress before it could be formally signed into law. https://www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2019/0322/1038060-brexit-senator/ 22nd Mar 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian The Department for International Trade said it had signed an economic partnership agreement with the Caribbean forum Cariforum of nations helping to maintain the imports of good including bananas rum and sugar to Britain. The deal means the governments push to roll over EU trade deals from which the UK benefits has yielded agreements covering a little more than a third of its trade with the countries involved. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/22/uk-secures-post-brexit-trade-deal-with-group-of-caribbean-countries 22nd Mar 2019