1st May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=56 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48103070 30th Apr 2019

Jobs at Risk

Reuters British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover JLR will move the assembly of its Land Rover Defender to its plant in Slovakia to make room for newer models at its factory in Britain the company said on Tuesday. The Defender 4X4 which is designed and engineered in Britain will be unveiled later this year JLR owned by Indias Tata Motors said. This decision is in parallel with plans for significant investment at the companys Solihull plant in the UK to support the production of the next generation of flagship Range Rover and Land Rover models JLR said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jaguar-ld-rvr-at-slovakia/jaguar-to-move-land-rover-defender-production-to-slovakia-idUSKCN1S61MQ 30th Apr 2019

Economic Impact

Exchange Rates According to sources close to the talks PM May could be willing to accept the possibility of a postBrexit customs union much to the chagrin of the more eurosceptic elements of her own party. Speaking to the BBC on Tuesday morning foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said Conservative Party MPs would not accept a crossparty Brexit compromise involving a customs union. If we were proposing which I very much hope we dont to sign up to the customs union then I think there is a risk that you would lose more Conservative MPs than you would gain Labour MPs said Hunt. https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/news/25635/2019-04-30-brexit-news-british-pound-sterling-exchange-rates-boosted-as-crossparty-brexit-talks-near-final-stages.html 30th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian The United Nations global poverty expert Philip Alston has warned that Britains preoccupation with Brexit will leave the country severely diminished whether or not it leaves the EU because too little is being done to alter policies driving people deeper into poverty. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/30/philip-alston-uks-brexit-obsession-will-diminish-country-says-un-poverty-expert 30th Apr 2019

Administrative Fall Out

@NaomiOhReally A graphic of Irelands ATM machine robbery spree by @NewstalkFM. The gangs steal diggers and use them to rip the whole machine out of the wall. https://twitter.com/NaomiOhReally/status/1123200212145565698 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Ukip has released a video of its former leader Nigel Farage making alleged antiMuslim statements. Ukip ridiculed the claim that Mr Farages new Brexit Party will be deeply intolerant of intolerance. The video showed Mr Farage who recently accused Ukip of a lurch towards extremism talking about a fifth column of Muslim jihadists living in Britain. They carry our passports. They speak our language and they hate us . . . they want to kill us . . . they want to overthrow our culture our constitution our whole way of life Mr Farage is recorded as saying at the Institute for Direct Democracy in Europe. It is not clear when the comments were made. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukip-releases-video-to-discredit-farage-95mcgzmcg 1st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Record Ten members of the partys Scottish Executive Committee have called on the Labour leaders to recognise the need for a second Brexit referendum. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-activists-pile-pressure-14970492 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa May is preparing to cave in to Labour demands on Brexit Eurosceptic ministers fear after they were told an unpalatable outcome would be better than a disastrous one. The Prime Minister has made it clear that she wants crossparty talks wrapped up by the middle of next week adding to suspicions that she is waiting until after tomorrows local elections before announcing a climbdown. A Cabinet meeting yesterday was dominated by discussion of how the Government can get a Brexit deal through Parliament so that Britain can leave the EU before the current deadline of October. Brexiteers still believe Mrs May can win round Tory rebels by making changes to the Northern Irish backstop https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/30/theresa-may-preparing-cave-labour-demands-brexit-eurosceptics/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The National Key SNP figures have slammed Labour for failing to properly back a second EU referendum in its European manifesto with Ian Blackford calling the move supreme cowardice. The new policy only commits Labour to backing a new vote if no agreement is reached with the Tories on an alternative Brexit deal including a customs union membership or if there is no General Election. @jeremycorbyn has failed to recognise there is no such thing as a good Brexit. A Peoples Vote allows for folk to have a say on the Brexit consequence. A failure to lead is supreme cowardice. Scotland has a choice Its time for indy. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17608649.snp-hit-out-at-labour-over-cowardice-of-peoples-vote-manifesto-move/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Labours ruling body has come to an agreement on a second Brexit referendum after a marathon fivehour meeting. In a victory for Jeremy Corbyns allies on the ruling National Executive Committee the party will support a new public vote but only in certain circumstances. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-labour-nec-second-referendum-14974573 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Jeremy Hunts picture rich tour of Africa shows he will be a formidable candidate in the Conservative leadership contest. Snapped taking the wheel of a Royal Marines rigid inflatable boat he strikes the pose of a clear frontrunner among the cabinet contenders. From thousands of miles away Hunt has also been showcasing his Brexit credentials by warning Theresa May against agreeing a deal with Labour involving a customs union. But Hunt has one fundamental weakness that could undermine his chances when he comes up against Brexiteer candidates such as Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab. The foreign secretary is in the eyes of many Tories a nouveau Brexiteer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48112004 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The National Much as Labour are not looking at a great result the Tories are guaranteed an awful time. So I do think the elections are happening and as to the second question of what comes next I think it will be largely decided by the result of the election itself. If there is a huge Remain vote for clearly proRemain parties then I think that tends towards a second EU referendum if there is a huge Leave vote then I think that tends towards them sitting down and quietly agreeing the Withdrawal Agreement. So this really matters this is our chance to stop Brexit. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17606081.alyn-smith-unhappy-labour-voters-join-a-party-which-supports-europe/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Labour List In an emergency meeting this afternoon Labours ruling body agreed to include current party policy on Brexit in the European manifesto. The result means MEP candidates will be officially standing on a commitment to back Labours alternative Brexit plan and only support another public vote if the opposition cannot secure either changes to the current deal or a general election. It is a victory for Jeremy Corbyn and the party leadership which faced attempts led by deputy leader and national executive committee NEC member Tom Watson to shift policy towards a clear public vote pledge that would apply to any deal. https://labourlist.org/2019/04/labour-agrees-to-put-current-brexit-policy-in-european-manifesto/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Jeremy Hunt has warned Theresa May she would lose the support of more Tory MPs than she would gain Labour MPs if she backed a customs union in an attempt to strike a Brexit deal with Jeremy Corbyn. The foreign secretary said on Tuesday he believed a deal would definitely be done and insisted there was still a great sense of urgency despite Brexit reportedly not even being on the agenda of todays cabinet meeting. The reality of Brexit is that it is the most controversial issue certainly in my political lifetime but we have a hung parliament so we cannot get it through without talking to other parties Hunt told BBC Radio 4s today programme. If we were proposing which I very much hope we dont to sign up to the customs union then I think there is a risk that you would lose more Conservative MPs than you would gain Labour MPs. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-hunt-warns-backing-customs-union-would-cost-more-tory-votes-than-it-would-gain-labour_uk_5cc7fca2e4b07c9a4ce85bb3 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News MPs campaigning for the party to back another poll declare victory after the fivehour meeting of Labours ruling body breaks up. https://news.sky.com/story/labour-manifesto-restates-position-on-another-referendum-11707945 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Since Windrush all we have seen is pathetic attempts at compensating victims and more scandals. Presiding over it all is the new benevolent dictator Sajid Javid who speaks in the language of a man who knows how to pay lip service to the forces that removed his predecessor while doubling down on policies that have not changed but are merely fronted by a new more mediafriendly face. One that does not hesitate to point out as often as possible that it is a brown one. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/30/home-office-tory-policy-ruin-scandal-british-economy 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Labour will fight the European parliament elections without a firm pledge to hold a fresh referendum on Brexit its ruling body has decided. In a bid to unite the partys warring factions the National Executive Committee NEC decided the manifesto for its MEP candidates should include a reference to the option of a fresh public vote on the UKs membership of the EU. But the NEC rejected more radical proposals pushed by deputy leader Tom Watson and the TSSA union for a tougher antiBrexit stance that would have committed the party to a referendum on any deal not just Theresa Mays. HuffPost UK understands that the partys Euro campaign leaflets will now be amended to reflect the new position following a huge backlash from MPs and MEPs over a draft version that omitted any mention of a new public vote. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-agrees-brexit-referendum-pledge-for-european-parliament-elections_uk_5cc839dee4b05379114aeba2 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Bridget Phillipson the Labour MP for Houghton Sunderland South and a leading supporter of the Peoples Vote campaign said Labour has done the bare minimum needed and I can only hope it will be enough to secure the support of all those millions of our voters demanding the final say on Brexit. There is no deal on the table other than the one negotiated by the government and there is no majority for it in parliament without a confirmatory referendum to show there is a majority for it the country too. The decision of the NEC today reaffirms conference policy and means Labour will have little choice except to back a new public vote on the most likely outcome of this vexed process. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/campaigners-react-as-labour-continues-to-push-for-brexit-with-new-manifesto-1-6025525 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Brexit is bringing government and policymaking in Whitehall and Westminster to a juddering halt. Since the June 2017 election it has been increasingly clear that Theresa May and her ministers dont have the capacity to contemplate much policy that isnt connected with Britains departure from the EU. But the past few days have brought home how the business of government has slowed to a snails pace thanks in large part to the impasse over Mrs Mays Brexit deal. On April 12 chancellor Philip Hammond revealed that he cant be sure of finalising the threeyear spending review for government departments and local authorities over the summer. A new spending review is vital if Mr Hammond is to begin ending austerity. But he told reporters If we dont have a Brexit deal done the level of uncertainty that will remain probably makes it inappropriate to do a longterm spending review. Yesterday Downing Street admitted that another major setpiece parliamentary event for later this year could also be postponed the Queens Speech setting out the governments domestic legislation programme for the next year. There have been only five years since 1900 when a Queens Speech hasnt taken place. The annual address is an important sign that a government has both a robust policy programme and a Commons majority to boot. https://www.ft.com/content/b5ac5ec2-6b3a-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Metro Labour needs to confirm its commitment to a public vote on Brexit according to nearly 90 of its elected politicians. Jeremy Corbyn is facing growing calls from key members of his team to confirm whether the party backs a referendum on a Brexit deal or not. More than 90 MPs and MEPs have said the issue needs to be urgently clarified in its manifesto for the European elections next month. Labours National Executive Committee NEC will meet on Tuesday and there are calls for a decision to be made by then. https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/27/labour-must-commit-peoples-vote-eu-elections-9328585/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Campaigners for a second Brexit referendum have launched a website allowing voters in next months European elections to find out which parties in their constituency are backing a fresh vote. The Peoples Vote campaign which set up the site says it will increase pressure on Labour to match pledges by other parties to back a new say on EU membership. Voters can enter their constituency on the site to see who matches their views. The Liberal Democrats Change UK the Green Party the SNP and Plaid Cymru are all backing a second referendum. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-brexit-second-referendum-which-parties-vote-a8891306.html 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Labours Jess Phillips predicts the party will get a drubbing if the party doesnt offer a second referendum in their European elections manifesto. The MP spoke to ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand on the ITV News podcast Acting Prime Minister as Labours National Executive Committee meets on Tuesday to finalise the partys position on Brexit for the elections in May. Asked what will happen if Labour goes into European elections without a clear promise on a second referendum Ms Phillips said I think people who voted remain and voted Labour will not vote Labour again. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-30/labours-jess-phillips-says-party-will-get-a-drubbing-at-european-elections-if-they-dont-offer-second-referendum/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Jeremy Corbyn has seen off a challenge from Labours Europhile wing defeating a bid to commit the party to holding a second EU referendum in all circumstances. After a lengthy meeting of the partys ruling National Executive Committee to decide the manifesto for European elections the Labour leaders position on Brexit was opposed by a minority of delegates including his deputy Tom Watson who had argued that the party should give unequivocal backing to a second vote. The Labour leader announced afterwards that the party would maintain its existing policy of backing a soft Brexit with a customs union. He added that Labour would support the option of a public vote only if it was unable to secure the changes to the governments existing withdrawal deal and could not force a general election. https://www.ft.com/content/3174b466-6b61-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa May will abandon attempts to strike a Brexit deal with Labour if no crossparty agreement can be struck within one week. The prime minister has bowed to pressure to finally set a deadline for ending the talks with Jeremy Corbyn if necessary deciding the Labour leader must be on board with seven days a government source said. If Labour agrees not to block the withdrawal agreement bill it would then be put to the Commons but the government will move in another direction if no guarantee is given The Independent was told. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-theresa-may-deal-labour-withdrawal-agreement-vote-a8892786.html 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Theresa May blocked cabinet demands to speed up the stalled Brexit process this week HuffPost UK has learned. Brexiteer ministers had expected the withdrawal agreement bill WAB to be brought before the Commons but were overruled by Downing Street. The prime minister is concerned that MPs could simply vote down the laws at the first attempt potentially triggering a general election. She is willing to give talks with Labour another week to reach either a crossparty deal or agreement on backing whatever solution comes out of a fresh round of parliamentary votes on alternatives. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclusive-cabinet-leavers-demands-to-speed-up-stalled-brexit-process-blocked-by-theresa-may_uk_5cc87b7ae4b07c9a4cea28cc 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCPolitics A second referendum would have no credibility says Leavesupporting Labour MP Graham Stringer the first referendum should be implemented in full it was unambiguous and unconditional https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1123176553980891139 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

Business Insider Labour party rejects calls to explicitly back a second referendum in all circumstances in defeat for partys proEuropeans. Jeremy Corbyns party is heavily split over the question of a second referendum. The ruling NEC agreed to maintain Labours existing policy of maintaining the option of a second referendum. https://www.businessinsider.com/jeremy-corbyn-labour-nec-brexit-european-parliament-elections-policy-2019-4?r=US&ampIR=T 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian You can cherrypick your vox pops to suit but Mary Creagh the local Labour MP and the local Peoples Vote campaigners say theyve found a marked change in the past two months. And this isnt just wishful thinking from remainers. YouGov this month polled 5000 Labour heartland voters in the northeast northwest Midlands Yorkshire and Humberside. Did these Labour voters back a new public vote on whether Britain should leave on the deal negotiated or stay in the EU Threequarters supported the idea and 43 said that if Labour backed a vote they would feel greater affinity for the party. Only 8 said it would make them feel less keen on Labour only 11 backed Theresa Mays Brexit deal. Labour never was the party of Brexit and its become even less so now. Dont mythologise northern workingclass Labour man when Brexit is overwhelmingly a Tory disease https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/30/labour-brexiters-northern-european-manifesto?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet 30th Apr 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Politicians need to come clean about the costs of pursuing Brexit about how it is likely to render poorer many of those places that voted leave about how it risks peace in Ireland about the awkward task of redefining the national interest and trying to give it new meaning while preserving the integrity of the UK. Instead amid indifference and confusion politicians have dodged the problem of Brexit. They ought to instead reengage in these polls by first organising the millions of EU citizens who have most to lose from Brexit and need to be registered to vote in a weeks time for European elections. Brexit is not going away just because it seems more convenient to ignore it. Politicians have not found a way out they will only do so by reconnecting with the public. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/30/the-guardian-view-on-mays-elections-resolve-brexit-defend-democracy 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian In a move that sparked an immediate backlash among remainsupporters Labours ruling national executive committee NEC announced that its manifesto for the election would be fully in line with its longstanding policy. That means continuing to support Labours alternative plan for Brexit and if we cant get the necessary changes to the governments deal or a general election to back the option of a public vote a Labour source said. The wording falls well short of the position set out recently by Watson and by the shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer who told the House of Commons in April At this late stage it is clear that any Brexit deal agreed in this parliament will need further democratic approval. Some Labour MPs reacted with fury to the NECs decision. Bridget Phillipson who represents Houghton Sunderland South speaking for the Peoples Vote campaign said The manifestos mealymouthed wording still maintains the fiction that there is a deal out there that can satisfy all the promises made three years ago avoid real costs to jobs and living standards or end the endless crisis around Brexit. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/30/labour-nec-backs-second-referendum-in-specific-circumstances 1st May 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews Theresa May has built a political career by being noncommittal and now new research has revealed the Prime Minister is the most evasive Tory leader to hold office in recent memory. A study by the University of York has shown Mrs May is the worst offender when it comes to avoiding difficult questions compared to the last four Conservative Prime Ministers. Academics studied her performances in a series of broadcast interviews and during Prime Ministers Questions to find she is employs covert evasion or equivocation more often than her predecessors. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-may-most-evasive-tory-prime-minister-research-shows/ 1st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News A leading Brexit Party candidate has been urged to disavow comments about an IRA bombing that killed two children. Tim Parry 12 died in the arms of his father Colin five days after the IRA attack in Warrington on 10 March 1993. Johnathan Bell three was also killed in the attack as he was shopping for a Mothers Day card with his babysitter. The Revolutionary Communist Party RCP defended the IRAs actions by writing in a newsletter published on 2 April 1993 We defend the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures are necessary in their struggle for freedom. Claire Fox who is now the Brexit Partys candidate in the North West ahead of next months European Parliament elections was a leading RCP member at the time. https://news.sky.com/story/brexit-party-candidate-claire-fox-told-to-disavow-ira-bombing-comments-11707877 1st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home The Foreign Secretary said talks aimed at thrashing out a jointapproach with the opposition could see the Prime Minister lose more Conservative MPs than she gains in Labour votes. Speaking to The Telegraph on a trip to Africa Mr Hunt said that weeks of discussions between the two sides had been more detailed and productive than we thought and expected. But he said it would still be very difficult to imagine a rose garden moment between the two leaders a reference to the friendly 2010 press conference held by David Cameron and Nick Clegg after a coalition deal was struck. And he added There is always a danger of doing a deal with Labour that means you lose more Conservative MPs than you gain Labour MPs but I think the essential question is whether Labour are serious about delivering Brexit. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/103540/striking-brexit-deal-labour 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News Brexit is fomenting a significant split in the alliance of Labour leftwing activists that keeps Jeremy Corbyn in power because of his and the party leaderships reluctance to commit to hold a referendum on any Brexit deal. A senior and influential activist told me Discussions are under way between leading Momentum activists antiBrexit MPs and campaign groups about a new process for drawing up a left slate for this years NEC election. What this means he said is that there would no longer be a joint slate of candidates put forward by Momentum and the much older hardleft campaigning group the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy or CPLD which was Corbyns ideological and spiritual home for decades. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-04-30/corbynista-left-splits-over-brexit-referendum/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Warrington Guardian A Warrington councillor says the top Brexit Party candidate for the north west is totally unfit for office over her views on the IRA bombing of Warrington. And the father of Tim Parry killed in the 1993 attacks says the views are highly inappropriate. Claire Fox is on top of the list for the Brexit Party candidates for the Euro Elections next month. As it stands if polling is to be believed she is likely to be elected as an MEP representing Warrington. She is a former core activist and organiser for the Revolutionary Communist Party. https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/17607393.dan-price-hits-out-at-claire-fox-of-brexit-party-over-ira/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Labour has launched an investigation into one of the partys councillors after he posted comments on social media in which he appeared to compare Gaza to Auschwitz.. Sandwell Councillor John Edwards is facing the formal party probe after he was accused of making antisemitic remarks by a Labour campaign group. On Friday Labour Against Antisemitism activist Saul Freeman flagged a series of tweets in which Mr Edwards railed against the partys adoption of the International Holocaust Rememberance Alliance definition of antisemitism as well as dismissing criticism of former Labour MP Chris Williamson as a smear. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103496/excl-labour-launches-investigation-councillor-who 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics.co.uk During the campaign I was happy to accept a Norwaytype arrangement as were many other Leavers. But once it was over two things quickly became clear. Firstly that a wellorganised and wellfunded section of Leave support with strong media connections would treat anything less than full severance from the EU as treachery. And secondly that the prime minister would place ending free movement and the views of her most hardline backbenchers above all other considerations. The nosurrender Brexiters have a dream of a free trade wonderland across the world but it is just that a dream. It relied on the idea of a stable international trading system based on increasingly global regulatory standards. http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/04/30/playtime-is-over-i-can-t-keep-on-supporting-brexit-if-this-i 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK On Tuesday morning new polling for YouGov showed a serious problem for the Labour Party. My party of which Ive proudly been a member for six years has spent the last three years sitting on the Brexit fence. And it shows. A massive one in four voters dont know whether the Labour Party is pro or antiBrexit. A further 20 say it is neither whilst 61 of Leave voters think the party is antiBrexit and only 28 of Remain voters think the same. Political triangulation can work or it can annoy all parts of your constituency equally. Unfortunately at Tuesdays National Executive Committee at Labour HQ we did little to bring further clarity to our members voters and supporters. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-brexit-second-referendum_uk_5cc88ccde4b05379114c13a0 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European Jeremy Corbyns car was stopped by antiBrexit campaigners as he tried to leave the meeting which confirmed his proBrexit manifesto for the European elections. One of the campaigners was Steve Bray a prominent antiBrexit protester who was holding a sign with the Labour leaders face on it. It included the message where were EU while another sign said revoke remain resist. Security guards outside the building where the National Executive Committee NEC tried to move on the protesters but Bray politely continued to protest until the Labour leader acknowledged him in his car. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/watch-the-moment-jeremy-corbyn-is-confronted-by-anti-brexit-campaigners-1-6025586 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Politico European Parliament liberal group leader Guy Verhofstadt had a pop at his longtime rival Nigel Farage on Monday saying the Brits MEP salary is the biggest waste of EU resources. Verhofstadt a former prime minister of Belgium said on Twitter Nigel Farage has been an elected MEP since 1999 but now says he comes out of semiretirement. As I already warned in 2012 the biggest waste of EU resources is Nigel Farages salary. Why would anyone reelect him to this role https://www.politico.eu/article/guy-verhofstadt-the-biggest-waste-of-eu-resources-is-nigel-farage-salary/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Business Insider Labour party rejects calls to explicitly back a second referendum in all circumstances in defeat for partys proEuropeans. Jeremy Corbyns party is heavily split over the question of a second referendum. The ruling NEC agreed to maintain Labours existing policy of maintaining the option of a second referendum. https://www.businessinsider.com/jeremy-corbyn-labour-nec-brexit-european-parliament-elections-policy-2019-4 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Labour supporters of a second Brexit referendum have failed to force Jeremy Corbyn to commit to a public vote in all circumstances after a marathon fivehour meeting. The partys ruling national executive committee agreed a manifesto for the European elections fully in line with Labours existing policy a source said. It means Labour is only pledged to support a fresh referendum if it cannot secure the necessary changes to the governments deal or a general election. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-labour-second-referendum-latest-jeremy-corbyn-public-vote-a8893361.html 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Jeremy Corbyn has been warned that demoralised Labour voters will boycott crucial elections after he crushed an attempt to commit the party to a second Brexit referendum in all circumstances. The Labour leader demonstrated his iron grip by defeating a bid led by his deputy Tom Watson to end the fudge that would mean no public vote if the partys alternative plan wins support at parliament. After a marathon fivehour meeting the ruling national executive committee agreed a manifesto for the European elections fully in line with Labours existing policy. Some antireferendum Labour MPs were delighted Gloria De Piero tweeting Labours manifesto for the European parliament will not contain a pledge to hold a second Brexit referendum. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-jeremy-corbyn-european-elections-labour-party-vote-eu-referendum-a8893651.html 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

@PaulBrandITV @OwenSmithMP tells me Labour has more to lose from being vague on Brexit than it has to gain from pandering to Brexit. He argues that polling shows Remainers deserting the party and he wishes the leadership recognised the risk to our vote. https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1123322440849993728 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

@LBC Labour MP and Shadow International Trade Secretary Barry Gardiner joins Iain Dale to take your calls. https://twitter.com/LBC/status/1123301840420917248 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Greg Clark the business secretary has agreed to provide 100m in funding to the UKs secondbiggest steel producer after it requested emergency support to make a repayment to an EUrun environment scheme. Sky News has learnt that Mr Clark will announce on Wednesday that the government has stepped in to meet a financial shortfall faced by British Steel ahead of a deadline for the company to pay its latest carbon emissions bill. Sources said that the government funding had been used to acquire carbon credits on behalf of British Steel before surrendering them to regulators with the company signing a deal with Mr Clarks department to repay the money on commercial terms over the coming months. https://news.sky.com/story/clark-backs-british-steel-with-100m-rescue-funding-11707935 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph What exactly is the point of this Cabinet Getting into bed with a Marxist catastrophist like Jeremy Corbyn Presiding over the abandonment of Ministerial collective responsibility Repudiating solemn manifesto pledges Ignoring the defeat thrice of your flagship political project in the Commons Reducing Her Majestys Government a Conservative Government no less into a virtue signalling Blair tribute act bereft of ideas principles or basic competence https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/04/30/craven-cabinet-must-move-now-stop-brexit-betrayal-face-career/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror A UKIP candidate standing in this weeks local elections is a convicted football hooligan. Paul Martin got six months jail for affray and an eightyear match ban over his role in a 2008 clash between 100 Coventry and Leicester fans ahead of a game. Mr Martin is standing for UKIP in Snibston South to join North West Leicestershire District Council and said he admitted his conviction to the party. He said I made one mistake in my life. I went through the process and was approved. I declared that on my application to be a potential UKIP candidate and I passed so what can I do I made an error in my life mate one error. I hold my hand up. What do you want me to say that I regret what happened... wrong place wrong time. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ukip-candidate-exposed-ex-football-14975838 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC UKIPs leader says a candidate who tweeted that he wouldnt even rape a female Labour MP is suing people who misrepresented him in the media. Gerard Batten said Carl Benjamin who is standing for the party in the South West England seat in the European elections was not making a joke about rape but was making a remark of nonintent aimed at Jess Phillips. Her Labour colleague Lisa Nandy criticised Mr Battens defence of the disgraceful comments when they were part of the panel on Politics Live. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-48106508/ukip-leader-gerard-batten-on-candidate-s-rape-comments 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

RSA Amidst the anger frustration and division of Brexit a different and more profound emotion lurks. This is a moment of national sadness. This sadness comes from a national event the referendum designed to resolve a question that has instead revealed how fundamentally divided we are. It has revealed that as nation we have little if any common understanding of who we are what expectations flow from such an understanding and what binds us beyond having ended up on these islands. https://www.thersa.org/discover/publications-and-articles/rsa-blogs/2019/04/brexit-divide 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

@tnewtondunn Furthermore the PM has not made any public comment on a national stage speech press conference or Commons about anything now for 20 days. PMQs and Liaison Committee tomorrow will stop the run of silence just before it hits 3 weeks. https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1123247916108349440 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

@Channel4News Shadow Trade Minister Barry Gardiner We will respect the referendum result we should leave the European Union https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1123328670871867392 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Populist antielitist libertarian Nigel Farages new party doesnt have any members and is secretive authoritarian and looks like a one man dictatorship. So the people who have logged on to the Brexit party website and paid their 25 are currently registered supporters. As such the Brexit party is more akin to the Dennis the Menace fan club than an actual political entity although sadly you dont as yet get a badge and a sheet of free stickers. Ironic isnt it that a man who has spent thirty years railing against the unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats at the EU should now be heading up the least democratic political party in Britain. But not unsurprising. Farages Brexit party goes from strength to strength. A remarkable achievement given that it still has no policies or members. No members You say but I thought they had tens of thousands of people signing up. Well yes and no. Nigel might be bragging but the Brexit party currently has no actual membership and the reason for that is simple. Nigel doesnt like members. The trouble with giving people membership is that it starts giving them ideas. They begin wanting to have a say in how things are run. They want to get involved and vote on policy and elect national executives and that way lies another Gerard Batten. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/04/30/%ef%bb%bfpaypal-man-why-wont-farage-reveal-who-is-funding-his-brexit-party/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8975188/jeremy-corbyn-praises-jews-control-banks-book/ 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/corbyn-s-praise-for-deeply-antisemitic-book-6jfcmh5fp 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/corbyn-endorsed-book-about-jews-controlling-banks-and-the-press-x6nd73jrq 1st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Jeremy Corbyn wrote the foreword to a deeply antiSemitic book written by an author with a record of vocal antisemitism who argued that banks and the press were controlled by Jews. In 2011 four years before Mr Corbyn rapidly rose through Labours ranks he endorsed a new edition of John A. Hobsons 1902 book Imperialism A Study The Times reports. In his foreword the Labour Leader said the work was a great tome and praised Mr Hobsons brilliant and very controversial at the time analysis of the pressures behind western and in particular British imperialism at the turn of the 20th century. But in the book considered deeply antiSemitic Hobson claimed Europe was controlled by a peculiar race Jews and blatantly acknowledged the antiSemitic Rothschild conspiracy theory. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1121149/jeremy-corbyn-antisemitism-labour-party-john-hobson-book-rothshild-conspiracy 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-tom-watson-storms-out-14972271 30th Apr 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Labours deputy leader Tom Watson has walked out of a shadow cabinet meeting after demanding to see the text of the partys draft manifesto for the European parliamentary elections. The shadow cabinet met before Labours ruling national executive committee NEC gathered to sign off the manifesto for the elections next month. Watson said he had asked whether the shadow cabinet would be shown a draft of the manifesto but when none materialised he politely walked out. The manifesto for the elections which has been drafted by the partys policy chief Andrew Fisher is expected to reiterate the policy announced in February. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/30/watson-stages-polite-walkout-over-labour-eu-election-manifesto-brexit 30th Apr 2019