6th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=59 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

Huffington Post Where we used to attract European midwives and nurses we now repel them as well as hundreds leaving the NHS just 33 registered to join us in the last year. As the chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives the biggest threat to the provision of maternity care Ive witnessed first hand is the almosttotal collapse in the number of midwives trained on the Continent coming to the UK to work in the NHS. In the twelve months to March last year just 33 individuals whod trained elsewhere in the EU registered to practice as midwives here in the UK. Before it would have been hundreds. And whats more the number of EU midwives leaving has shot up. We used to attract European midwives and nurses we now repel them. Make no mistake about it. Brexit poses an unprecedented threat to maternity care in our country. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/midwives-brexit_uk_5ccc4bd9e4b0d12395523a46?ncid=other_twitter_cooo9wqtham&amputm_campaign=share_twitter 5th May 2019

Jobs at Risk

The Guardian The fallout from Brexit which has left many eastern European workers feeling that they are more welcome in other European member states is also a concern. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs recently provided them with brochures in Romanian and Bulgarian declaring that the UK is open to foreign workers. But an expanding Romanian economy has seen fewer workers leave their home. A sizable drop in the number of workers returning year on year has also become apparent in figures collated by the NFU. Workers from Romania are no longer earning six times what they would back home Maurel said. Its more like three and a half times. That makes a difference. It is predicted that apple growers will be worse hit by the labour shortage than berry growers as they will need fruit pickers in the late autumn when many Romanians choose to return home having earned the maximum they can make before paying tax. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/04/shortage-fruit-pickers-britain-compete-germany 4th May 2019

Economic Impact

Sky News A top HSBC executive has urged a swift solution to Brexit telling Sky News that the uncertainty is hurting business and consumer confidence. Speaking to the Ian King Live programme the banking giants chief financial officer Ewen Stevenson said the UK was on a list of world markets that HSBC was concerned about. He was speaking as the global lender reported a 31 hike in profits in the first quarter of the year despite counting the cost of economic uncertainty in the UK. https://news.sky.com/story/hsbc-reports-31-profit-hike-in-first-quarter-despite-cost-of-uk-economic-uncertainty-11709882 5th May 2019

Economic Impact

Politics.co.uk Regulators on the continent have taken a firm line on British demands for special deals covering financial services. Germany and France see Brexit as an opportunity to build up their own insurance asset management and banking sectors. Firms will be required to constantly beefup their operations on the continent if they want to keep doing business in it. UK firms are already choosing to grow their operations in the EU27 not only to ensure compliance with the blocs rules but also to be nearer to where regulatory and political decisions are made. Its no coincidence that the insurance marketplace Lloyds of London picked Brussels a political but not financial centre as the location for its firstever full foreign subsidiary. US and Japanese firms looking for a location to base their European headquarters no longer see London as the default option according to Sir Mark Boleat deputy chairman of the City of London Corporations Policy and Resources Committee. Putting all their eggs in one basket carries far more political risk for these firms than they ever thought possible before June 2016. http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/05/02/brexit-will-hammer-britain-s-financial-services-and-no-one-s 2nd May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Financial Times The unravelling of the UKs relationship with the EU if it happens will take time and the impact on our economy and society will be profound. Brexit will dominate political discourse and consume public policy effort for years to come. The fractures it has caused in our political parties will continue to widen and deepen over time. It is hard to see how the Labour and Conservative duopoly that has dominated British politics for the past century can survive. https://www.ft.com/content/8b2995d6-6cf5-11e9-9ff9-8c855179f1c4 4th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Times Even with the timing of Brexit still highly uncertain the extension will be reviewed next month while Theresa May said last week that she wanted to leave the EU as soon as possible many businesses appear to be opting to burn through their reserves. That could spell trouble for the economy which was boosted by stockpiling. While the immediate cliff edge has been avoided the lack of a clear path forward means that many firms arent sure whether to maintain heightened levels of stockpiling or run off what they have said Suren Thiru head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce. Without clarity on the UKs departure date from the EU its impossible to predict when and if extra stock will be needed leaving businesses in the dark about how best to balance their orders. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/business/we-cant-just-go-on-hoarding-like-this-for-brexit-rmglncsxh 5th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Times The economy shrugged off Brexit uncertainty in the first quarter of the year boosted by unprecedented levels of stockpiling ahead of Marchs deadline official figures are set to reveal. City economists are forecasting growth of 0.5 in the three months to the end of March. If that rate is confirmed when data is released on Friday it would mean Britain outshone continental Europe at the start of the year despite the chaos surrounding Brexit. Figures last week showed the eurozone grew by 0.4 in the same period. Output was boosted as companies hoarded raw materials and finished products at a record pace early this year fearful that a nodeal Brexit would disrupt supply chains. Retail spending showed little sign of Brexitinduced weakness recent surveys indicate. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-stockpilers-and-shoppers-help-britain-to-outshine-europe-qzz78zdbd 5th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian An online service set up to help EU citizens in the UK to register to vote in the European parliamentary elections has been shut down after it emerged it was not working properly. Registertovote.eu which was promoted by some MPs on social media offered a form to fill in online and said it would submit the required paperwork to electoral authorities to allow people to vote. In order to take part in the election in the UK on 23 May EU citizens from countries other than the UK Ireland Malta and Cyprus have to fill in form UC1EC6 and submit it to their local electoral office before midnight on Tuesday 7 May. Registertovote.eu was set up by four people at ChangeLab a cooperative that does digital work for trade unions and campaign groups after publicity about the low number of EU citizens who had registered to take part in the election. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/04/site-claiming-to-help-eu-citizens-register-to-vote-is-shut-down 5th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Britain leaving the EU could make the country less appealing to international performers one of the worlds leading jazz musicians has said. Kamasi Washington whose album The Epic and his work with Kendrick Lamar made him a poster boy of the jazz revival said Brexit was not an inviting idea to musicians and could make coming to England harder for smaller bands. It is not an inviting idea and then yes there will be the notion of coming to Europe and the ease of travelling from one country to the next. That is part of what makes touring possible for lots of artists the US saxophonist told the Guardian. Once it becomes harder to get into a country just logistically much more planning would have to be involved he said. It is a bit unknown at the moment. We dont know how difficult it is to get a visa. But if you are playing in France and want to come to the UK you dont know how hard it will be. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/05/kamasi-washington-says-brexit-could-make-touring-uk-tricky-for-artists 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48165373 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-john-mcdonnell-says-public-15000505 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103680/john-mcdonnell-says-he-does-not-trust-theresa-may 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Labour accused Theresa May of betraying the partys trust on crunch Brexit talks as they prepared for a fresh round of negotiations on Tuesday. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said he did not trust the Prime Minister after details of potential compromises emerged. He hit out after the Prime Minister issued a desperate lastditch plea to Jeremy Corbyn for help in delivering Brexit. The Tories are expected to cave into Labour demands for a customs union as long as it is called something else. A temporary customs arrangement would last until the next general election when parties can put forward their alternatives. Ministers and their Labour counterparts have held meetings over the past month aimed at thrashing out a deal which can pass the Commons. Accusing the Tory leader of breaking confidentiality and an act of bad faith Mr McDonnell stormed Shes jeopardised the negotiations for her own personal protection.Asked on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show if he trusted her he hit back No sorry not after this weekend when shes blown the confidentiality. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/john-mcdonnell-accuses-theresa-betraying-14999598 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent A fierce Labour backlash has hit Theresa Mays hopes of quickly striking a deal to rescue Brexit. A host of senior Labour figures poured cold water on the chances of a breakthrough even as a Tory source called Tuesday a makeorbreak day. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the prime minister was inflating the prospects to try to save her job meanwhile Tories are piling on fresh pressure for her to quit. Ms May was also accused of refusing to shift ground on a customs union and of risking the NHS going up for sale. The collapse in support for her saw the talks likened to negotiating with a company about to go into administration. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-backlash-scuppers-theresa-may-s-hopes-of-brexit-deal-a8900796.html 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian This reestablishes a longterm trend of voter revolt against the bluered duopoly that has dominated British politics since 1945. I have been suggesting for some time that the rise in their combined share at the last general election was the product of freak circumstances and a false positive for the big two. That looks even more the case today. Multiparty politics is alive and kicking. The fragmentation of voter allegiances continues. Neither the red tribe nor the blue clan is exhibiting a capacity to get anywhere near to speaking for a majority of Britons. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/05/cynical-westminster-fix-wont-end-brexit-nightmares-of-may-and-corbyn 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph The Governments response to the catastrophic local election results has been astonishingly tineared rally around the leader call for unity threaten to do a deal with Labour over Brexit just to get it finished. This was an antiestablishment election in which Labour did badly too it has no legitimacy as a coalition partner and how does the Tory leadership respond By creating an establishment cartel with the very same Marxists theyve spent four years denouncing. The Conservatives are not listening to the voters. They are trying to survive the only way they know how by circling the wagons. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2019/05/05/way-save-conservative-party-new-leader-brexit-tax-cuts-war-crime/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The shadow chancellor John McDonnell has poured cold water on Theresa Mays plan to offer a temporary customs union to win Labour over to a Brexit deal saying the crossparty talks were like trying to enter a contract with a company going into administration. McDonnell said his party wanted to do a deal as quickly as possible but would require a permanent customs union to provide stability for businesses not just an interim arrangement until the next election. He also said he had no trust in the prime minister after details of the talks were briefed to Sunday newspapers. Asked whether he trusted the prime minister McDonnell said No sorry not after this weekend when shes blown the confidentiality I had and I actually think shes jeopardised the negotiations for her own personal protection. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/05/john-mcdonnell-pours-cold-water-on-prospects-of-brexit-deal-with-may 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Prominent figures from the SNP have called out the anonymous keyboard warriors who abuse others online and urged those in the Yes movement to condemn those that do so. In an interview with the Herald on Sunday Alyn Smith MEP Stewart McDonald MP and the partys former depute leader Angus Robertson said campaigners opting to engage in insults and attacks against those they disagree with should consider whether they believe they are helping the case for independence. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-call-out-yes-movement-s-keyboard-warriors-and-online-abuse-1-4921180 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Theresa May has been accused by Labour of jeopardising the crossparty talks as they enter their crucial phase after details of the key terms of a possible agreement were leaked to the Press. John McDonnell the Shadow Chancellor who has been taking part in the negotiations to find a compromise agreement accused the Prime Minister of acting in bad faith. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17619892.labour-accuse-may-of-jeopardising-talks-by-leaking-key-details-to-media/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Europes leaders will this week be warned that they cannot wield a veto over the EUs top appointments as diplomats push to agree the unions biggest jobs reshuffle in one package next month. The crucial process to pick presidents for the European Commission European Council and European Central Bank will be informally discussed by EU leaders on Thursday at a summit in the Romanian city of Sibiu. It is unprecedented for the EU to have such a clutch of senior vacancies. Officials involved in talks fear the process could become bogged down unless it is clear that majority voting could be used to push decisions through. https://www.ft.com/content/5110447e-6f1d-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The stunning gains made by the proremain Liberal Democrats and the Greens cannot be dismissed as a mere protest vote. The country remains divided voters united only in their apparent unhappiness with both main parties https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/05/observer-view-on-local-elections 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

GOV.UK Government announces a range of new measures to crack down on intimidation influence and disinformation and safeguard UK elections https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-safeguards-uk-elections 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa May has held secret discussions over a threeway second referendum ahead of a crunch meeting with Labour this week to agree a crossparty Brexit deal. The Prime Minister has carried out scenario planning with aides and ministers in case the Government cannot prevent a Parliamentary vote on a second referendum. John McDonnell the shadow Chancellor said it may well be the case that any deal would have to be put to a second referendum adding I think the Conservatives have to recognise that if a deal is going to go through there might be a large number of MPs who will want a public vote. Mrs May and her advisers are understood to have war gamed the possibility of giving voters a second chance to vote on EU membership https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/05/theresa-may-war-games-second-referendum-questions-case-talks/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews Theresa Mays hopes of a breakthrough in Tuesdays crunch allparty Brexit talks were dashed as Labour accused her of failing to negotiate in good faith. She appealed to Jeremy Corbyn to do a deal after both parties lost ground in last weeks local elections as voters appeared to take revenge on them for the Brexit impasse. In a move that would infuriate Eurosceptic Conservatives the Tory negotiating team is set to unveil proposals for Britain to remain in a postBrexit customs union until the next election. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/theresa-mays-hopes-of-a-brexit-deal-with-labour-dashed-by-accusation-that-she-has-blown-the-confidentiality/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph We need to get Brexit done properly as it should have been done months if not years ago and then knock Corbyn out of the park argues Boris Johnson https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/05/far-facing-blair-era-oblivion-huge-electoral-triumph-tories/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk A top level meeting between the Conservatives and Labour will take place on Tuesday with the aim of ensuring a Brexit deal is finalised this week. The meeting described as the big push will involve Mrs Mays deputy David Liddington Environment Secretary Michael Gove Chancellor Philip Hammond Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay Business Secretary Greg Clark and chief whip Julian Smith. On Labours side shadow chancellor John McDonnell shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer shadow business secretary Rebecca LongBailey and shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman. The plan is to bring in Mrs May and Mr Corbyn to finalise a deal which sources have confirmed will be based around a customs arrangement. Mrs May said We will keep negotiating and keep trying to find a way through because the real thing that matters is delivering Brexit and moving on to all the other issues people care about. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1122958/brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-jeremy-corny-eu-deal-customs-union-plan 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews The Conservative Partys disastrous showing in this weeks English local elections were a direct result of its failure to deliver Brexit Michael Gove has said. The Environment Secretary said the main lesson the Tories should take from their drubbing at the ballot box was that referendum verdicts must be honoured. In a speech to the Scottish Conservative conference in Aberdeen he said many of the 1334 councillors who lost their seats did so because Parliament has not yet delivered Brexit. Mr Gove who campaigned prominently for the Leave side ahead of 2016s vote also warned delegates that Jeremy Corbyn could get into power if the Tories failed to deliver on Brexit. https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/michael-gove-tory-local-election-disaster-a-direct-result-of-brexit-failure/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Theresa May has issued yet another Brexit rallying cry in a bid to convince MPs to push a deal through parliament. Speaking after disappointing local election results for the Conservatives and Labour which she and Jeremy Corbyn claimed were a message from voters to get on with taking Britain out of the EU the prime minister said the Commons needed to act with fresh urgency to end the impasse. Writing in the Mail On Sunday Mrs May said she understood why some Tory colleagues were uncomfortable with her decision to hold crossparty talks to try to secure a deal but urged them to support her efforts.Theresa May has issued yet another Brexit rallying cry in a bid to convince MPs to push a deal through parliament. Speaking after disappointing local election results for the Conservatives and Labour which she and Jeremy Corbyn claimed were a message from voters to get on with taking Britain out of the EU the prime minister said the Commons needed to act with fresh urgency to end the impasse. Writing in the Mail On Sunday Mrs May said she understood why some Tory colleagues were uncomfortable with her decision to hold crossparty talks to try to secure a deal but urged them to support her efforts. https://news.sky.com/story/theresa-may-urges-mps-to-break-the-deadlock-and-back-cross-party-brexit-talks-11711781 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Both Labour and Tories need to compromise to deliver Brexit Tory Justice Secretary David Gauke said after the two main parties suffered losses in the local elections. Voters forced out more than 1300 Conservative councillors during a bruising round of local elections in England causing the Tories to lose control of 49 local authorities. It was the worst performance by a governing party in local elections since 1995. https://news.sky.com/story/labour-and-tories-need-to-compromise-on-brexit-says-david-gauke-11711263 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Like a punchdrunk boxer the Tory Party is reeling from the local election disaster and walking into the potential knockout blow of a deal with Labour. Theresa May is days away from unveiling a soft Brexit compromise cobbled together in desperation with an equally battered Jeremy Corbyn which risks infuriating voters even more. It doesnt matter what they call it this will be a customs union in all but name. Such an arrangement will block Britain from striking its own lucrative trade deals after quitting the EU leaving us shackled to Brussels for years. If this climbdown is not enough weakwilled Mrs May also appears to have bowed to Labours wish to keep us tied to EU rules on workers rights. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9005910/theresa-may-corbyn-brexit-compromise/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk The British Parliament is giving the impression of clinging to its EU membership while Brussels has taken clear steps towards letting the UK go Erika Szyszczak a Professor of Law at the University of Sussex and a fellow of the UK Trade Policy Observatory UKTPO said. Ms Szyszczak analysed the conclusions to the European Council Meeting on April 10 as the EU27 agreed on extending Article 50 for six more months during an emergency EU summit. There she found Brussels more driven to deliver Brexit than the UK. She wrote It appears that the slogan Brexit means Brexit has assumed greater resonance in the EU than in the UK. The Decision affirms that the EU is not willing to reopen talks on the withdrawal agreement and importantly states that the extension period should not be used to negotiate the future EUUK relationship but that there is a willingness to renegotiate the nonbinding political declaration. In contrast the UK is falling out of love with the process of leaving the European marriage. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1122383/brexit-news-latest-EU-update-theresa-may-european-elections 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

CNN The second example of Brexit frustration can be seen in the results of municipal elections held across the UK this week in which the governing Conservatives and the opposition Labour parties both lost huge numbers of seats. Its tempting to read an antiBrexit protest into these results as both main parties lost seats to groups that support remaining in the EU. But while proremain voters found comfort in the europhile certainty of the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party Brexit supporters had less clear options. While the Conservatives and the Labour Party are nominally proBrexit their positions are confusing. The Conservatives have entered negotiations with Labour in an attempt to compromise on a deal diluting the clarity of their proBrexit message. Labours participation in those discussions has muddied its attempt to keep remainsupporting voters on board with a position that tried to face two ways at once. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/04/uk/brexit-fatigue-is-making-britain-weird-analysis-intl-gbr/index.html 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk George Osborne said he will be backing calls for a second Brexit referendum if no compromise can be found between the Leave and Remain camps as he blamed Brexiteers for the delay in Britain quitting the European Union. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1122392/Brexit-news-George-Osborne-second-referendum-UK-EU-withdrawal-Theresa-May-latest 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Jeremy Corbyn has responded to the local election results by claiming there is now a huge impetus to deliver Brexit. The Labour leader told ITV News that parliament had to resolve the issue of Brexit and get a deal done. He explained I think theres a huge impetus on every MP and theyve all got that message whether they themselves are Leave or Remain or the people across the country that an arrangement has to be made a deal has to be done parliament has to resolve this. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/jeremy-corbyn-on-itv-news-brexit-and-election-results-1-6032230 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Experts predicted Theresa May and her Conservative party would experience an electoral massacre. Certainly the results were a stinging rebuff as they lost well over 1000 council seats. It was even more dreadful than predicted. But the Tories were always going to do badly because the last time these seats were fought had been a high water mark for them electorally David Camerons general election victory of spring 2015. However Labour is also a big loser in these local elections. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6990863/PETER-OBORNE-Jeremy-Corbyn-snared-Brexit-death-trap.html 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC According to the Sunday Times Mrs May will comprise on three areas customs goods alignment and workers rights. The paper says she could put forward plans for a comprehensive but temporary customs arrangement with the EU that would last until the next general election. The BBCs political correspondent Chris Mason said reaching a deal was fraught with risk for both Mrs May and Mr Corbyn. A deal on a customs union would be deeply divisive for the Conservatives he said. Accepting thered be no new referendum would split Labour. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48165373 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Prospect Magazine British politics quite often feels like an unpleasant hangover but Labour and the Conservatives will be fully justified in spending today in bed last night they both ... https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/we-are-on-the-cusp-of-the-greatest-recalibration-of-british-politics-since-the-19th-century 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Nigel Farage has challenged Jeremy Corbyn to a debate before the European elections as he said he wanted to dig in to Labour voters who felt let down by the partys confusing Brexit stance. The leader of The Brexit Party said he would be targeting Leavevoting Labour heartlands in the run up to May 23 and that if his strategy was successful we can surprise even ourselves how well we do. Meanwhile Mr Farage warned Theresa May against striking a softer Brexit compromise deal with Mr Corbyn as he said it would represent a final betrayal for Leave voters. A recent YouGov poll found 30 per cent of voters intend to back The Brexit Party at the European Parliament elections far ahead of Labour on 21 per cent and the Conservatives on 13 per cent. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/05/nigel-farage-challenges-jeremy-corbyn-european-election-brexit/ 5th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Senior Conservatives said on Saturday there was an increased need for compromise after the local election results and the leader of the Scottish branch of the Conservative Party said a deal with Labour could be done within days. May added her voice to these calls in an essay published in a Sunday newspaper. To the Leader of the Opposition I say this Lets listen to what the voters said in the local elections and put our differences aside for a moment. Lets do a deal she wrote in the Mail on Sunday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-corbyn/may-steps-up-calls-for-labour-to-agree-a-brexit-deal-idUKKCN1SA0QS?feedType=RSS&ampfeedName=domesticNews 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News A customs union would not provide a longterm solution to Britains trade relationships after Brexit Jeremy Hunt has said as he suggested a breakthrough in crossparty talks could come within days. As discussions continue between the Government and the Labour Party the Foreign Secretary said it was still possible that the UK would not have to take part in the European elections in three weeks time. He warned that the outcome would not be pretty for both parties if they had to participate in the polls and said the crossparty talks could yield a deal in the next week. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-04/customs-union-not-a-long-term-solution-after-brexit-jeremy-hunt/ 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters British Prime Minister Theresa May has stepped up calls on Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to agree a crossparty deal to leave the European Union following poor results for both parties in local elections on Thursday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-corbyn/may-urges-corbyn-to-agree-a-brexit-deal-idUKKCN1SA0QS?feedType=RSS&ampfeedName=topNews 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Following Thursdays local elections in which both the Conservatives and Labour were punished severely by voters for failing to break the political deadlock May and Corbyn have insisted their parties must now urgently agree a way forward in crossparty talks which will resume on Tuesday. On Saturday the prime minister reiterated her appeal saying We have to find a way to break the deadlock. I believe the results of the local elections give fresh urgency to this. But opposition MPs and Tory Brexiters warned any deal the leadership teams stitch up behind the scenes would face inevitable defeat in parliament and cause more acrimony in the parties. The Observer can reveal that 104 opposition MPs mainly from Labour but also SNP Change UK Green and Plaid Cymru have written to May and Corbyn insisting they will not back a Westminster stitchup unless there is a firm guarantee that any deal is then put to a confirmatory referendum. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/04/anger-grows-may-corbyn-bid-stitch-up-brexit-deal 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Prime Minister Theresa May could reach a Brexit deal with the opposition Labour Party within days a leading Conservative Party figure said on Saturday after senior ministers urged compromise following poor local election results. Ruth Davidson the Conservatives leader in Scotland told party members that a crosspartisan agreement on Brexit was needed before this months European elections or Britains major parties would face an even bigger backlash from voters. https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1SA07W-OCATP 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Deutsche Welle In the first rally since First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she wanted another vote on Scottish independence tens of thousands of people marched in support in Glasgow. The rally was twice the size of the one last year. https://www.dw.com/en/thousands-march-in-glasgow-to-support-scottish-independence/a-48603424 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters The parties have been in negotiations for over a month to try to broker a Brexit deal that can secure majority support in parliament after Mays minority government suffered three heavy defeats on her preferred deal this year and was forced to delay Britains departure. To the leader of the opposition I say this Lets listen to what the voters said in the local elections and put our differences aside for a moment. Lets do a deal she wrote in the Mail on Sunday newspaper. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-corbyn/may-presses-labour-to-reach-brexit-deal-but-leaks-jeopardise-talks-idUKKCN1SA0QS 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Young voters could prevent Tommy Robinson from winning seat in the European parliament later this month according to new analysis. Only 41 per cent of 18to24yearolds say they will definitely vote in the European elections on 23 May a YouGov poll commissioned by antiracism group Hope Not Hate and the National Education Union NEU has suggested. Hope Not Hate claims the youth vote will be decisive in preventing Robinson whose real name is Stephen YaxleyLennon winning in the North West region. Based on low turnout in recent elections the group estimates that the antiIslam activist only needs 8.9 per cent of the vote to take one of the regions seat under the proportional representation system. The YouGov poll also shows that only 7 per cent of young people hold a favourable view of Robinson while 45 per cent saying they have an unfavourable view. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tommy-robinson-european-election-mep-yougov-poll-hope-not-hate-a8899466.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Nations are like people. Sometimes they just change. Does Britain encapsulate this truth as it convulses over Brexit three years on Middle Englands seismic revolt against the Conservatives has officially begun. After losing over 1200 seats in local elections the party will likely be obliterated in European elections later this month. The Tories seem irredeemably soiled by their grubby incompetence and dealings with Corbyn. Meanwhile although it is early days the popularity of a pristine new Brexit Party is surging. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/04/growing-voters-revolt-just-might-change-course-british-history/ 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times And youll perhaps have heard the political analyst Professor Sir John Curtice summing up on BBC radio yesterday In seats where the Liberal Democrats were second to the Conservatives doubledigit swings from the Tories to Lib Dems are commonplace. And these voters were telling you they just wanted to get Brexit done In Remainvoting Bath where the Tories lost 24 council seats and the Lib Dems soared were voters telling you they just wanted to get Brexit done And in Barnsley Leavevoting in 2016 where the Tory vote was down substantially Labour down massively and the Lib Dem vote up hugely were voters trying to tell Labour and the Tories that they just wanted to get Brexit done And when the Tory vote in Remaininclined Winchester went down by 5 per cent and the Lib Dem vote went up by 5 per cent was it because the good folk there just wanted to get Brexit done Almost the only conclusion to draw from these results is that the two main parties Labour and the Conservatives have lost a lot to the Liberal Democrats and a bit to the Green Party in both formerly Leavevoting and formerly Remainvoting parts of the country. Bolsover for Gods sake Derby Oldham Sunderland Chelmsford . . . all over Britain whether they voted Leave or Remain in 2016 nonpolitical people despair that neither the Tories nor Labour can secure a Brexit that benefits us. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/local-election-results-a-landslide-victory-for-clarity-on-brexit-3svv7mtpk 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Labour might do badly too but the overwhelming message from the European elections is likely to be delivered by a record turnout of people who are furious about what they see as the betrayal of Brexit. Those who want the opposite message to be heard should take comfort from that. The howls of protest from Leavers are a sign that the Brexit project is failing. The Leave movement has split over how Brexit is to be delivered which means that the 52 per cent majority no longer exists. The return in hollow triumph of Nigel Farage is a price that has to be paid for staying in the EU. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/local-elections-brexit-remain-labour-conservatives-lib-dems-greens-ukip-a8899596.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Jeremy Hunt has said that a royal yacht or a plane would be attractive options to promote postBrexit Britain on the world stage. The foreign secretary who is regarded as a contender to succeed Theresa May as prime minister said he is a big believer in flying the flag for Britain overseas but also acknowledged there are other ways of projecting the UKs national selfconfidence. His predecessor Boris Johnson first floated the idea of a Brexit plane during a trip to South America last year when he complained that the RAF Voyager jet shared with the prime minister and the royal family never seems to be available. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-royal-yacht-plane-jeremy-hunt-queen-elizabeth-a8898151.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Conservative MP Dominic Grieve will not face deselection proceedings despite losing a confidence motion at his Beaconsfield Constituency Association in March. Jackson Ng chair of the Conservative association wrote a letter to Mr Grieve which was also sent to all association members. The Executive Council has decided that this is not the moment to commence such procedures as it serves no constructive purpose Mr Ng said in the letter. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dominic-grieve-vote-confidence-motion-beaconsfield-council-a8899161.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard The Liberal Democrats today hailed a sea change in British politics as they enjoyed their best local election results in a generation. With around half of the national results in the party had gained more than 300 seats and swiped six councils from Tory control. Home Affairs spokesman Ed Davey MP said the party had taken seats from Labour in the North and Tories in the South adding Liberal Democrats are back in business. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections-2019-lib-dems-hail-political-sea-change-as-they-gain-300-seats-with-around-half-of-a4133411.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Journalists look at seats but not votes and stop asking questions. But in the real modern city of Sunderland the Green Party picked up their first ever seat while the local Liberal Democrats had a good night too. It was the day Sunderlands remainbacking Labour supporters and there are lots of them because the citys a big place where more people voted remain than in Cambridge gave us a bloody nose and showed us their support is not unconditional. Even where Ukip won seats it was because the Labour vote went off to the Greens the Lib Dems or stayed at home rather than turning to the far right. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/04/local-elections-politics-brexit-sunderland 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Buzzfeed News In the last week government ministers and officials presented Labour with a new offer on a customs arrangement that would effectively see the UK remain in the key aspects of a customs union with the EU sources familiar with the talks told BuzzFeed News. The proposed customs arrangement would ultimately meet the World Trade Organisations definition of a customs union including a common external tariff that would see the UK apply the same tariffs to imported goods as the EU after Brexit. May is also set to make Labour what one government source described as a generous offer on workers rights which would mean UK at a minimum follows new Brussels rules on workers rights after it leaves the EU. The offer would be tantamount to the government accepting in full Labours demands during the last few weeks of the negotiations a source familiar with the talks said. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/may-corbyn-brexit-deal 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The leak from a National Security Council meeting about Chinese firm Huawei did not amount to a criminal offence the Met Police has said. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson was sacked following an inquiry into the leaking of details from the council. Met Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said he was satisfied the Official Secrets Act had not been breached so he would not investigate the leak. But Mr Williamson said a proper full and impartial probe was now needed. The former minister who has strenuously denied being responsible for the leak described the governments inquiry into him as a shabby and discredited witch hunt . He said it had been badly mishandled both by Prime Minister Theresa May and the senior civil servant who led the investigation. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48160004 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable told me just over a year ago to pay attention to council byelections. Were doing a lot better in them than we are in the polls he said just like we were when we had our last surge in the wake of the Iraq War. The Liberal Democrats fiercely opposed that unpopular conflict by contrast to the main parties and were handsomely rewarded at the ballot box. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/lib-dem-gains-local-elections-brexit-stance-iraq-a8898051.html 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian She regrets that British politicians of all parties became afraid to make the case for Europe. We were apologising when actually we should have been saying this Be proud of our membership of the European Union. While McAvan thinks some of the mega proEuropeans go too far in wanting the EU to be loved We should just ask for it to be recognised as another level of decisionmaking. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/04/brexit-british-meps-still-here-limbo-jennifer-rankin 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn are experimenting with hazardous materials. They are seeing if they can create a ToryLabour Brexit compound without blowing up their own parties. Those in the talks are more optimistic than ever about getting some kind of agreement if not a finalised deal. But they know that things are very volatile. One senior figure tells me things are much better than people think but could blow up at any time. What is causing this Downing Street optimism is a sense that there is beginning to be pressure on Labour to do a deal. Look at the council seats they lost in Leavevoting areas and the progress Nigel Farages Brexit Party is making in Labour regions ahead of this months European elections. I understand that the compromise being drawn up goes as follows. The UK would initially enter into a comprehensive customs arrangement with the European Union. This would be very similar to a customs union. But the two parties would then commit and hope to persuade the EU to do the same to there being two choices for the future either an independent trade policy under a scheme similar to the facilitated customs arrangement that May proposed at Chequers or a customs union with a UK say over future trade deals which is Labours policy. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9000454/theresa-may-and-jeremy-corbyn-have-created-an-explosively-bad-formula-for-brexit/ 4th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Nicola Sturgeon will be barred from holding any legal referendum on independence the Scottish Secretary has said as he lambasted the SNPs currency plans as amounting to chocolate money. David Mundell insisted the First Minister would not be handed any of the levers to hold a second independence vote that were agreed in 2014. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17616899.david-mundell-nicola-sturgeon-will-be-barred-from-holding-legal-referendum/ 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Michael Gove has branded the SNPs plans to ditch the pound after independence the single daftest idea in British politics in my lifetime. The Environment Secretary insisted the proposals would be economic madness and would lead to poverty and inflation as prices rose. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17618173.snps-currency-plans-single-daftest-idea-in-my-lifetime-says-michael-gove/ 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have both recommitted to delivering Brexit after suffering the worst local election results in decades. The Conservatives shed more than 1200 councillors the deepest losses since 1995 while Labour failed to capitalise and lost more than 80 wards in council elections across England. Both the main party leaders said voters had delivered a rebuke over the failure to agree a Brexit deal in a strong signal that crossparty talks could produce a compromise ahead of a deadline in the middle of next week. The Prime Minister was confronted with anger from her own party with backbench MPs calling for her removal and warning the party would be toast if it did not change direction. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/brexit/politicians-pledge-to-sort-brexit-after-vote-drubbing-1-4920714 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Nicola Sturgeon was only ever interested is using Brexit as an opportunity to stage a second referendum on independence Theresa May has said. Mrs May claimed she knew from the start that the SNP leader would exploit EU divisions to revive the case for independence. But the Prime Minister insisted Scotlands has a bright future within the United Kingdom as she addressed the Scottish Tory conference in Aberdeen today. The SNP leader last week unveiled plans for a second Scottish independence referendum likely to be held next year in response to the Brexit turmoil. But Westminster has control over the constitution and Mrs May has refused to authorise such a vote.Ms Sturgeon was accused of not respecting the decision of voters. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/theresa-may-claims-nicola-sturgeon-using-brexit-as-opportunity-for-indyref2-1-4920583 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK The reelection of a Tory councillor by a majority of one has sparked controversy after a ballot paper marked with the word Brexit was counted as a vote for the Conservatives. Stephen Hirst retained his seat in Tetbury Town in the Cotswolds defeating independent Kevin Painter by 232 votes to 231. The voter is said to have written Brexit with a large arrow pointing towards Hirsts name ruled to be a vote for the Tories despite a backlash against Theresa May for delaying the UKs exit from the EU until October. Painter is considering challenging the result in court saying it was Blackadderesque bizarre and had brought the integrity of the local election system into question https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/ballot-with-brexit-written-on-it-counted-as-tory-vote-to-break-tied-local-election_uk_5ccc2ebae4b0d1239551ce88 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European New polling has found that 61 of those who would vote in a second referendum would vote to Remain in the European Union. The YouGov survey for KIS Finance found that between the choice of Theresa Mays Brexit deal or remaining in the EU 61 of those who confirmed they would vote stated they wanted the UK to stay in the European Union. When a nodeal scenario is added into the mix 53 of people would vote to Remain while 34 would vote for nodeal and just 12 would vote for Theresa Mays deal. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/new-poll-finds-majority-back-remain-1-6031751 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Labour MPs like Jess Phillips have a point when they call for Labours triangulation of Brexit its attempt to please both Brexiters and Remainers to be dumped in favour of what they see as a more principled position of backing a confirmatory Brexit referendum. That verdict will have consequences for Theresa May too because it will determine whether Jeremy Corbyn will be more or less enthusiastic about agreeing a Brexit compromise with her in coming days. As of first thing this morning Labour leadership was agonising about whether signing off a Brexit pact with the government that contains a CustomsUnion element would permanently alienate millions of proreferendum internationalist supporters and would be seen as propping up an ailing Tory government or whether it would end all the noise that makes it impossible for the country to hear the partys message for social and economic change. So these local elections will reverberate even to those parts of the UK like Scotland Wales and London where they didnt take place. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-03/why-was-labour-punished-in-local-elections/ 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@Channel4News I think people are fed up and they want us to get on with it and they want the issue of Brexit to be resolved. That was Emily Thornberrys reaction to Labour losses in the local elections. https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1124387420294778882 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Both the Conservatives and Labour have been punished by voters in local elections with early results showing dissatisfaction with the two main parties while the Liberal Democrats Greens and independents picked up large numbers of seats. The Lib Dems were particularly buoyant gaining nearly 300 seats so far and a series of councils including taking Bath and North East Somerset and Cotswolds district council from the Conservatives. The party was hoping for its best set of council results since 2004 in the aftermath of the Iraq war though the gains followed poor results the last time these seats were contested in 2015 at the nadir of the Lib Dems postcoalition unpopularity. The Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said his party was the big winner of the vote. He said Voters have sent a clear message that they no longer have confidence in the Conservatives but they are also refusing to reward Labour while the party prevaricates on the big issue of the day Brexit. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/liberal-democrats-conservatives-labour-local-elections-brexit-2019 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Michael Gove has insisted he has not gone soft on Brexit as he pledged to strive to get it over the line in the wake of the Tories disastrous local election results. The Environment Secretary told the Telegraph that he opposes a customs union compromise with Labour but hardline Brexiteers need to face facts that they do not have the numbers in the Commons for no deal. Speaking from his parents home in Aberdeen he also said he had learned from his botched 2016 Tory leadership campaign and insisted he was now a team player. Although he refused to be drawn on whether he intends to stand again in the race to succeed Theresa May he argued that his conduct since being recalled from the backbenches https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/03/michael-gove-not-gone-soft-brexit-hardline-leavers-need-face/ 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Asked about the results in which the Conservatives suffered much bigger losses Corbyn told ITV I think it means theres a huge impetus on every MP and theyve all got that message whether they themselves are leave or remain or the people across the country that an arrangement has to be made a deal has to be done parliament has to resolve this issue. I think that is very very clear. His comments echoed remarks from McDonnell who had earlier claimed the message from voters was Brexit sort it. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/deliver-brexit-is-local-election-message-says-labour-mcdonnell 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn responds following a difficult night for his party in the local elections so far. https://news.sky.com/video/local-elections-corbyn-defends-labours-brexit-negotiating-stance-11710101 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Prof Rob Ford tells me they may instead be a symptom of a different trend visible in these numbers that the more votes Labour had to start with the more they lost. In other words Labour dropped off most in its safest seats whether leave or remain. There are signs too of a more general malaise afflicting the two parties with voters sick of the sight of both of them in line with the polls showing both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn with catastrophically low personal ratings. Such doldrums are common for a ruling party entering its 10th year in office but all but unheard of for an opposition that should be reaping the benefits of the governments unpopularity. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/03/labour-local-elections-jeremy-corbyn 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Radical plans to hold back tens of millions of pounds from Holyrood and allow UK ministers instead to spend the cash directly north of the Border have been set out by environment secretary Michael Gove. The Scotsborn MP is among the frontrunners to replace Theresa May when she stands down. He insists his plan for Westminster to be allowed to spend Treasury funding in traditionally devolved areas would strengthen the Union. It could see Westminster funding projects in areas such as education and farming. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/michael-gove-unveils-plans-to-take-control-of-holyrood-cash-1-4920727 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

LBC Theresa May chose to put her fingers in her ears to cover her eyes to ignore Cambridge Analytica to ignore Vote Leaves cheating to ignore the Electoral Commissions findings to ignore the mystery of where the 8m for Leave.EU came from to ignore the fact that peoples Facebook pages were full of lies of an unprecedented and unbelievable scale she chose to ignore all that. Thats why yesterday the twoparty system came close to breaking point. Because neither Jeremy Corbyn nor Theresa May report reality. And thats what happens when you let liars and chancers and racists to poison the public discourse for clicks and ratings and controversies on Question Time. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/james-obrien/james-obriens-powerful-monologue-brexit/ 3rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Britains Brexit decisions have been damaged by a yearlong culture of cabinet leaks the foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has said in an apparent swipe at some of his colleagues including Gavin Williamson who was sacked as defence secretary. Referring to the effect of leaks on Brexit Hunt said I think it has made it harder to deliver what we have been trying to achieve and yes of course it damages trust. When we are faced with very difficult judgment calls on Brexit issues it is obviously of great benefit to the country if everyone can discuss them freely without having to think how decisions will be leaked afterwards. So I am hoping this will be a moment of change for the whole machinery of government works. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/02/cabinet-leak-culture-has-damaged-brexit-process-says-jeremy-hunt 2nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May will face her latest moment of truth on Tuesday when she presents Labour with a new Brexit compromise plan which she hopes will break the deadlock and deliver an orderly departure from the European Union. Success will be securing Jeremy Corbyns support while failure will see the Prime Minister forced to change tack and adopt the plan B of offering MPs votes on different Brexit options. Both ways forward are likely to have nightmarish consequences for Mrs May. The Prime Ministers new Brexit plan is based on a trio of major concessions designed to win over Labour but all three will be opposed by large numbers of Tory MPs. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/05/theresa-may-planning-three-major-brexit-concessions-win-jeremy/ 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European The point is that if Labours sole selling point is Were not the Tories thats scarcely a unique selling point. So why vote Labour in particular Is it beyond even someone of the evident wit and perspicacity of Tom Watson to make a positive case for Labour Of course in fairness to Watson its difficult for anyone to make a positive case for supporting a party when that partys position on the most urgent matter facing the country is so vague and contradictory as to be meaningless. Its hard not to feel a twinge of sympathy for all Labours advocates when they know that any statement they make on Brexit is likely to be backpedalled undermined or just flatly denied by someone further up the Corbyntology food chain. The trouble with Watsons exhortation to vote Labour in this local elections and by the time you read this I imagine most of you will have voted already and if not why not in order to send a message to the Tory government is that on the matter of Brexit their message still falls far short of a Peoples Vote. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/mitch-benn-labour-is-missing-the-point-1-6029354 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Theresa May is set to offer Labour a threepronged Brexit deal in a bid to break the deadlock at Westminster it has been claimed. The PMs negotiating team will reportedly give ground to Jeremy Corbyn on customs goods and workers rights. Conservatives were warned they will have to suck up concessions after Mrs May acknowledged there was no sign of her MPs uniting behind her deal. She is hoping to persuade the Labour benches to back her instead with crossparty talks expected to resume this week. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6994155/Theresa-climb-customs-goods-workers-rights.html 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has said that the name of his partys 100000 donor is irrelevant. and would not be named until after the EU elections. Speaking on Sky News Sophy Ridge politics show Farage started out sarcastically in response to Ridges line of questioning. Oh yes Im really going to tell you his name he said. Well why not Ridge shot back. This is the new transparent politics. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/nigel-farage-refuses-to-name-brexit-party-donor-1-6033502 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Two senior members of Nigel Farages Brexit party who left their roles after the Guardian uncovered offensive social media messages they had sent are still directors of the organisation weeks after they had supposedly cut all ties it has emerged. Catherine Blaiklock the first leader of the party who resigned over a series of antiIslam messages and the former treasurer Michael McGough who was ousted because of antisemitic and other offensive Facebook posts are still listed as directors. Blaiklock who also retweeted farright messages including one from a former British National party activist referring to white genocide also resigned as company secretary of the party soon after the posts emerged six weeks ago. But despite that change being made to the Companies House register she remains listed as a director. McGough is also still a director. He was removed as treasurer a month ago after posting what the party called unacceptable statements. A party statement at the time said he would no longer have any role in the organisation. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/05/brexit-party-figures-who-left-over-offensive-posts-are-still-directors 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Jeremy Corbyn will not be able to get enough of his MPs to back a Brexit deal without the promise of a second referendum even if Theresa May makes a big offer on a customs union and workers rights this week senior Labour figures believe. Senior party sources said they believe twothirds of Labour MPs including several shadow cabinet ministers and many more frontbenchers would refuse to back a deal without a peoples vote attached. Theresa May is preparing to make new proposals of a temporary customs union until the next election matching EU employment rights in the future and alignment of single market regulations on goods. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/05/labour-mps-say-they-wont-back-a-brexit-deal-without-a-peoples-vote 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Theresa May must resign or the Conservatives should force her out after the partys heavy local election losses Iain Duncan Smith has said. The former Tory leader called Mrs May a caretaker PM and described her attempts to reach a Brexit deal with Labour as absurd. The party suffered its worst local election result in England since 1995. Other senior Conservatives have urged Tory MPs to compromise with Labour to ensure Brexit is delivered. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48161178 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK In the debate Abbott said there should be a general election and added that the country needed to be brought back together as it is so divided over Brexit. Phillips hit back saying she had a very remain and very prosecond referendum position but was in a leave seat which meant she was only too aware of how we have to keep the country together. As much as we want an election I want to be a size 10 but I keep eating cake. You dont just get what you want. An election is not whats in front of us. Brexit is the thing that is in front of us. We have to show courage and leadership she said. As the camera panned to Abbott looking deeply unimpressed Phillips added People loved Corbyn because they thought that he was honest and would come out and say what he actually thought but what he seems to think on this Brexit is a bit like oh well well see... https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jess-phillips-just-gave-diane-abbott-the-perfect-analogy-on-labour-and-brexit_uk_5ccc4d6ee4b0e4d7573199c9 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The European parliament has recovered more than 200000 from Ukip MEPs accused of misusing public funds through payments to party workers. But with three weeks to go until European elections time is running out to recoup money from others alleged to have broken EU rules. The parliament has suspended the pay of two staff attached to Ukips former leader Paul Nuttall and his fellow North West England MEP Louise Bours the Guardian has learned. Neither MEP is standing for reelection on 23 May which could make it harder for officials to recover money. Since the Guardian revealed the parliaments investigation into Ukip misspending in 2017 202667 has been recovered from two current MEPs and one former one. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/eu-recovers-200000-from-ukip-meps-accused-of-misusing-funds 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Labour has suffered a net loss of council seats starting from the low base of 2015 in many cases. The Conservatives have lost more than 10 times as many councillors but what is remarkable is that the main party of opposition around the midterm of a notverypopular government has not made net gains. It seems reasonable to assume that some votes have been lost by Labour in Leave areas because as the leader of Sunderland City Council Graeme Miller has said the party hasnt decisively ruled out another referendum. It has retained it as an option if the Conservatives are unwilling to change their deal. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48150656 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Fiona Onasanya was the first MP removed by recall petition after she was jailed over speeding lie. She has said she will not stand for reelection during the byelection in Peterborough on June 6th https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-48153535 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Jeremy Corbyn said results from the latest local elections show a deal has to be done on Brexit. Asked about the figures so far he said An arrangement has to be made. A deal has to be done. Parliament has to resolve this issue. Mr Corbyn said there was a huge impetus on every MPs to find a way beyond the current logjam. His comments came after shadow chancellor John McDonnell tweeted So far message from local elections Brexit sort it. Message received. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/jeremy-corbyn-says-election-results-show-we-must-now-get-a-brexit-deal-done-a4134096.html 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Danyaal Mahmud says hes worried about his family after protest against farright candidate Tommy Robinson went viral. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/05/death-threats-man-threw-milkshake-over-tommy-robinson 5th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Record The Prime Minister was in Aberdeen to tell the Tory troops that everything in the garden was rosy despite making a mess of Brexit and being punished in polls. Theresa May just lost more than 1300 Tory councillors but you wouldnt know it to listen to her. Instead the Prime Minister chose to ignore the carnage of the English elections and pretend all is rosy in the garden. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-still-brexit-denial-after-14994074 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News Cabinet ministers place more importance on the next Tory leadership contest than Brexit Sir Keir Starmer has claimed in a swipe at the Foreign Secretarys warning that a customs union would not be a longterm solution. The shadow Brexit secretary said Jeremy Hunts comments provided yet more evidence that many in the Cabinet believe the most important thing right now is the race to be Theresa Mays successor. Sir Keir made the remarks in response to an interview in which Mr Hunt said he had never believed that a customs union is a longterm solution. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-04/starmer-tory-leadership-contest-most-important-thing-for-many-in-cabinet/ 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Metro.co.uk Purist Brexiteers in the Conservative Party are partially to blame for the Tories losing 1334 councillors Jeremy Hunt has said. The Foreign Secretary took aim at his own colleagues for refusing to compromise during the Brexit negotiations and added the Government could have done things differently. As a result of the massive losses across the country the Tories lost control of more than 45 local authorities. It was the Tories worst night of elections since 1995. https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/04/purist-brexiteers-blamed-for-massive-tory-losses-in-local-elections-9411163/ 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian A lot of Conservatives have changed to the Lib Dems here because they want a second referendum not because they want to push Brexit through faster she told the Observer on Friday as the results from the previous days poll trickled in. What makes me mad is that we are not being listened to. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/04/rees-mogg-heartland-voters-embrace-lib-dems-over-brexit 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Ukip has lost around 80 per cent of the council seats it defended on Thursday in a local election hammering following a politcal lurch to the right. Gerard Battens party went into Thursdays contest with 111 councillors and ended up with just 24 as of the 4.30pm tally on results day. The party has mostly failed to capitalise on the collapse of the Conservatives with its former leader Nigel Farage taking the lions share of Brexiteer support in polls with his new Brexit Party venture. Mr Farage quit the party in December alleging that Mr Batten had put too much emphasis on antiIslam policies and toxified its brand by associating with farright personality Tommy Robinson. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukip-local-election-council-eu-conservative-mep-labour-a8898496.html 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Nigel Farage was urged to sack one of his star Euro election candidates last night after the father of a 12yearold boy murdered by the IRA claimed she had refused to condemn the terror group. Colin Parry said that the Brexit Partys Claire Fox did not disavow her offensive views when he challenged her. Miss Fox is standing in North West England which includes Warrington where Mr Parrys son Tim was killed when the IRA bombed the town in 1993. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6989441/Nigel-Farages-star-candidate-apologist-IRA.html 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times Gavin Williamson was fired as defence secretary after Theresa May was informed that he had attacked her in private saying that her diabetes made her unfit to be prime minister. May became frustrated with Williamsons behaviour after hearing that he told fellow Tories that her health meant she should not continue in the job claims that Williamson rejects as categorically untrue. The warnings were delivered in the weeks before the former defence secretary was sacked amid claims that he leaked details of a National Security Council meeting last week about the Chinese firm Huawei. Sources at the top of government and the Conservative Party say slurs about the prime ministers health were overheard by a senior party official who reported the former defence secretarys conversation back to Downing Street. It is also claimed that Williamson was also overheard at a dinner denouncing Mays fitness for the job. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gavin-williamson-fired-for-diabetes-jibe-at-pm-j020dwkrp 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Theresa May must resign or the Conservatives should force her out after the partys heavy local election losses Iain Duncan Smith has said. The former Tory leader called Mrs May a caretaker PM and described her attempts to reach a Brexit deal with Labour as absurd. The party suffered its worst local election result in England since 1995. Other senior Conservatives have urged Tory MPs to compromise with Labour to ensure Brexit is delivered. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48161178 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Senior Conservatives have called for the party to pull together after it suffered its worst results in English local elections since 1995. The Conservatives lost 1334 councillors in Thursdays votes. Home Secretary Sajid Javid admitted voters had issues of trust over Brexit and said the European elections would be even more challenging. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the party needed to listen to the results and be in the mood for compromise. Both PM Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have insisted they will push ahead with seeking a crossparty agreement on Brexit following the results https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48157991 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Ruth Davidson has warned that the two main Westminster parties will suffer the wrath of voters in the EU elections unless they get Brexit sorted. The Scottish Conservative leader admitted that the Tories and Labour had been given an almighty kicking in English local elections. But she predicted that they will be given an even bigger wakeup call in the European election on 23 May. She urged the two parties to find a compromise so the UK can move on. Her speech to the conference was her first major public appearance since the birth of her son Finn in October. The Conservatives lost more than 1300 seats in the council election and Labour lost 82 as the Liberal Democrats Greens and independents surged across England. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48154057 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph The elections watchdog is spending more than 400000 defending its decision to fine a proBrexit campaigner 20000. Court papers reveal Electoral Commission estimates that the cost of resisting appeals by Darren Grimes will amount to 436000 after the body recruited James Eadie QC the Governments most senior advocate to argue its case in court. The watchdog fined Mr Grimes the founder of the BeLeave campaign group last year after concluding that he had wrongly reported 620000 of spending on the 2016 Brexit referendum. Mr Grimes insists he is completely innocent and that he is being pursued simply for ticking the wrong box. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/04/electoral-commissions-436000-bill-fighting-brexit-campaigner/ 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Former Brexit secretary David Davis has said he will not run to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister declaring his support for Dominic Raab in the upcoming contest for Conservative leader. The 70yearold Brexiteer who came second to David Cameron in the 2005 leadership contest but did not put himself forward in 2016 said the Tories need a generational change in leadership. He said that Mr Raab 45 was the bestplaced Brexit candidate to win the necessary support among MPs and party members and above all broaden our appeal to voters. Mrs May has said she will stand down as Tory leader when an EU withdrawal agreement is ratified handing over to a successor to negotiate the future trading relationship with the EU https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/04/david-davis-bows-tory-leadership-contest-says-will-back-dominic/ 4th May 2019

Political Setbacks

@PaulbrandITV WATCH Corbyns full words below about the need to get a deal done. https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1124325644136013824 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News The Conservatives and Labour have suffered a bruising day following the local elections as voters vented their anger at the two main parties over the continuing Brexit deadlock. The Tories lost over 1300 seats in what was a devastating night for Theresa Mays party surpassing even the worst projections. But there will be few celebrations in the Labour camp as they failed to capitalise on Tory losses with the Liberal Democrats Greens and Independents picking up seats in England in local elections where national politics appeared to dominate all else. Elections were fought in 248 English councils six mayors and 11 councils in Northern Ireland. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-03/tories-and-labour-suffer-in-council-polls-amid-voter-anger-over-brexit/ 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Bloomberg L.P. Voters are turning their backs on both the main parties amid frustration over Brexit according to results from local elections in England. Prime Minister Theresa Mays ruling Conservatives are paying the heaviest price at the polls for overseeing the political chaos of the U.K.s divorce from the European Union. But Labour has also suffered serious setbacks while the biggest winners so far are the proEU Liberal Democrats. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-03/brexit-backlash-hits-big-parties-in-local-elections-u-k-update 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Jeremy Corbyn today said he was very sorry for Labours losses in the local elections as he accepted Brexit was a factor. The party leader arrived amid a steaming row and pouring rain in Trafford a rare gain for Labour overnight after losing heartlands Hartlepool Bolsover and Wirral. There was a swing from the Tories to Labour in many parts of southern England but the party lost a whopping nine seats in Brexitbacking Sunderland. And the Lib Dems hailed their best election night ever as a Remain backlash added hundreds of council seats to the antiBrexit party. Mr Corbyn said he was very sorry to have lost control of northern strongholds but insisted Well fight back and well win them back. And he admitted Labour may have lost votes from people disagreeing with both parties on attitudes towards the EU. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/local-elections-corbyn-very-sorry-14987921 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail The Daily Mail attempts to explain that there are some apparent problems in Oldham in terms of the ethnic mix of the community in an attempt to either justify or explain Nigel Farages extreme comments in a speech in the USA earlier in whcih he spoke about communities totally divided in Oldham but which has drawn near universal condemnation as dog whistle Far Right politics https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6990645/Ghetto-Britain-complex-division-Nigel-Farages-dog-whistle-politics.html 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Actor Sir Tony Robinson a former member of Labours governing National Executive Committee says he has quit the party over its current direction. He said he was leaving after nearly 45 years because of Labours stance on Brexit its handling of antiSemitism allegations and its poor leadership. Sir Tony 72 is best known for playing Baldrick in the comedy Blackadder. The political activist has spoken at rallies for the Peoples Vote campaign for another referendum. His decision comes as Labour lost seats in Thursdays local elections with voters turning to smaller parties and independents. Announcing his move on Twitter Sir Tony said it was partly down to the partys continued duplicity on Brexit. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48152475 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

@PaulBrandITV WATCH Theresa May heckled in Wales as party member shouts WHY DONT YOU RESIGN The National Convention dont want you we dont want you May responds in slightly dodgy Welsh And good afternoon https://twitter.com/PaulBrandITV/status/1124278124307521536 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Voters are punishing Labour for its Brexit fudge angry MPs have warned Jeremy Corbyn after the party was the shock loser from the local elections urging him to finally guarantee a fresh referendum. A disastrous night for both big parties saw the Conservatives lose more than 1200 seats and fresh calls for Theresa May to quit including from a Tory heckler in Wales who demanded to know Why dont you go As the Liberal Democrats and independent candidates surged little more than half of the public backed the Conservatives or Labour who were tied on just 28 per cent of votes each. But proEU Labour MPs seized on the evidence that their party even in Leave areas had lost out to parties demanding a Final Say public vote as the Greens as well as the Lib Dems were rewarded. Between them the two Remain parties claimed more than 850 seats enjoying big swings from Labour in places including St Helens 18.8 per cent Barnsley 17.3 per cent Sunderland 13.4 per cent Peterborough 6.9 per cent and Derby 6.2 per cent an analysis by the Peoples Vote campaign found. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/latest-corbyn-labour-mps-brexit-referendum-final-say-local-elections-losses-a8898676.html 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have vowed to press ahead with seeking a crossparty solution to the Brexit deadlock at Westminster after voters punished both major parties in local elections. The Conservatives net loss of more than 1300 seats on their 2015 figures marked their biggest defeat since John Major was prime minister. Disillusioned voters deserted the party in droves including in traditional Tory areas such as Chelmsford and Surrey Heath. Labour had expected to make gains but instead suffered a net loss and lost control of a string of councils including Burnley Darlington and Wirral. Vince Cables remainsupporting Liberal Democrats were the major beneficiaries taking control of 10 councils including Cotswold and Winchester while the Greens and a string of independents also fared unexpectedly well. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/tories-lose-over-1200-seats-in-local-elections-as-major-parties-suffer 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Boris Johnson has been blocked by Ruth Davidson from attending the Scottish Conservative party conference in Aberdeen this weekend. Scottish Tory sources said a number of potential leadership candidates had been discouraged from attending the event which begins on Friday amid concerns their appearance could distract from party leader Davidsons return from maternity leave insisting the decision was not personal. Davidson appeared to downplay Johnsons chances of success in any leadership contest in an interview on STVs Scotland Tonight on Thursday night. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/scottish-tory-leader-ruth-davidson-blocks-boris-johnson-from-party-conference 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The Conservatives have lost 1334 councillors with Theresa May saying voters wanted the main parties to get on with Brexit. Labour also lost 82 seats in the English local elections in which it had been expected to make gains. But the strongly proEU Lib Dems gained 703 seats with leader Sir Vince Cable calling every vote received a vote for stopping Brexit. The Greens and independents also made gains as UKIP lost seats. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48142181 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Jeremy Hunts 12500mile odyssey through Ghana Senegal Nigeria Ethiopia and Kenya has been a chance for the man who could be the UKs next prime minister to learn more about Africa and for us to learn more about him. The visit by the foreign secretary was ambitious in mileage and scale speckled with meetings with presidents helicopter rides to Maiduguri the Boko Haram haven in Nigerias northeast keynote speeches at the African Union headquarters seminars with civil society and photoops. Meticulously planned it ended with a visit to the HIV educational charity he helped fund in Kibera in the slums of Nairobi from the proceeds of his business. He is greeted as a longlost friend and Honourable Jeremy. The children speak eloquently to him about the stigma of HIV. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/03/the-next-pm-time-will-come-for-talk-of-that-says-jeremy-hunt 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Blackadder star Sir Tony Robinson has quit the Labour Party blaming its continued duplicity on Brexit and complete s leadership. The 72yearold best known for playing Baldrick in the classic sitcom announced his departure following a disappointing night for the opposition in the local elections. Sir Tony who previously voiced fears that a leftist clique had completely taken over Labour also blamed the ongoing issue of antisemitism for his decision. https://news.sky.com/story/sir-tony-robinson-attacks-labours-s-leadership-and-quits-party-11710308 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

BuzzFeed News https://www.buzzfeed.com/markdistefano/jess-phillips-carl-benjamin-new-rape-comments 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/ukip-candidate-attacked-over-rape-joke-video-38076560.html 3rd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times A Ukip candidate in the European elections was under pressure to withdraw yesterday after releasing a video suggesting he might rape a Labour MP. Carl Benjamin who had already been attacked for a social media message saying he wouldnt even rape the Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips posted a video online suggesting that with enough pressure I might cave. Ms Phillips said the comments had upset her and questioned whether he should be allowed to stand in the election this month. She said to Buzzfeed If Facebook and Twitter can ban these people for hate speech how is it they are allowed to stand for election Mr Benjamin had released the video on YouTube where he has a large following under the name Sargon of Akkad. After a list of spoof Ukip policies including invading Spain he said Theres been an awful lot of talk about whether I would or wouldnt rape Jess Phillips. I suppose with enough pressure I might cave. But lets be honest nobodys got that much beer. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-might-rape-mp-jess-phillips-says-ukip-candidate-carl-benjamin-rchlh3m86 4th May 2019