8th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=61 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Reuters While Britain debates the merits of a second Brexit referendum Londons financial centre is steering clear of the argument resigned to the need to shift some business elsewhere. Burned by backing the illfated Remain campaign three years ago major global and British banks told Reuters they would shy away from taking a similar position in a new vote preferring to spend time and money on futureproofing their business including tackling outdated technology and moving into new markets. A Reuters survey of leadership attitudes at 17 British and global banks found just six of the 11 institutions who responded to the survey backed the idea of a Peoples Vote to break a parliamentary impasse on a proposed exit deal. Four banks said they opposed another vote while one bank said it would remain agnostic on all Brexit scenarios and would let the political process now stretching towards its third year run its course. https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-banks/banks-lose-appetite-for-new-brexit-fight-idUKKCN1SD1ZO 7th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Oxford Mail The UKs decision to quit the EU continues to deepen the NHS staffing crisis with local hospitals reporting a significant and unexpected increase in the number of EU nurses leaving their posts in March. According to Oxfordshire hospital chiefs the rise is largely down to an increase in Spanish nurses quitting the country because potential changes to rules in Spain threaten to render their work experience in the UK worthless after Brexit. Currently Spanish nurses can build up points by working in the UK and other EU countries which can be used to improve their job prospects and salaries if they want to work in hospitals in Spain. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17622068.eu-staff-leave-oxford-hospitals-in-droves-over-brexit-anxiety/ 7th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Almost 5000 nurses and midwives from EU27 countries have quit the NHS in the past two years with many of those identifying Brexit as the trigger. The number of EUtrained nurses and midwives working in the NHS across the UK fell from a record high of 38024 in March 2017 to 33035 in March this year a drop of 4989 according to figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council NMC which regulates both professions. The 13 fall prompted renewed warnings that Britains decision to leave the EU was exacerbating the NHSs growing staffing crisis. The referendum result has made many EU nationals feel unwelcome. Its no surprise nurses and midwives think theyll be better off elsewhere said Sara Gorton the head of health at the union Unison. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/08/nhs-nursing-crisis-worsened-by-brexit-exodus 7th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Evening Standard Sir Simon Fraser who was top mandarin at the Foreign Office for five years described Brexit as a bigger blow than the 1956 Suez Crisis which became an emblem of British foreign policy humiliation. The UKs credibility as a country that pragmatically conducts affairs had been badly damaged by the fallout from quitting the EU he said adding that the countrys pivotal role as a link between the US and Europe had been hit. Sir Simon said he also believes the nations security will be diminished. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-britain-will-lose-global-influence-unless-it-can-shape-a-new-role-on-the-world-a4135891.html 7th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Travelodge is aiming to recruit 3000 students this summer with contracts that allow them to fit work around their studies as the hospitality industry faces a Brexitfuelled labour shortage. The budget hotel chain said its student recruitment drive was part of its plans to be Brexit ready and it is looking to fill roles across its existing 560 UK hotels with 2200 of the student jobs to be filled on a permanent basis and 800 positions to be offered over the busy summer season. The jobs are in addition to the 3000 roles Travelodge is planning to create over the next five years as it opens another 100 hotels. The company has already announced plans to try to fill some of those roles by tempting unemployed parents back into the workforce with flexible hours that fit around the school run. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/07/travelodge-seeks-3000-students-as-it-faces-brexit-staff-shortage 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/european-parliament-elections-will-go-ahead-in-uk-government-confirms_uk_5cd18ce5e4b0548b736005e8 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/european-parliament-elections-will-go-ahead-in-uk-government-confirms_uk_5cd18ce5e4b0548b736005e8 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48188951 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters UK https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-may-regret-idUKKCN1SD1UQ 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/103702/theresa-may-left-red-faced 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-brexit-theresa-may-parliament-delay-article-50-a8903201.html 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Business Insider The European Parliament elections will take place in the United Kingdom later this month the government has confirmed. Theresa Mays deputy David Lidington said on Tuesday there was no longer enough time to pass a Brexit deal through the UK House of Commons in order to prevent the elections going ahead. Lidington said in a statement that it was not going to be possible to finish that process before the date of the elections. https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-will-take-part-in-european-parliament-elections-government-confirms-2019-5 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Away from Twitter in real life meanwhile we have a Ukip candidate the odious Carl Benjamin who released a video suggesting he might cave and rape Jess Phillips. After he had previously written on social media he wouldnt even rape her his party leader defended him. You cannot stand for elected office if you are subject to bankruptcy proceedings. But somehow you can publicly discuss the rape of a female MP and its fine https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/07/twitter-misogynists-women-public-life-social-media-abuse 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bloomberg The U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May will face lawmakers in Parliament on Wednesday after another day of inconclusive talks with the opposition Labour Party further dented her hopes of reaching a Brexit deal. Already under pressure after a disastrous set of results for her Conservative Party in local elections last week the beleaguered premiers cabinet concluded on Tuesday that crossparty talks are stalling and unlikely to deliver an agreement on the way forward according to people familiar with the matter. That means the governments focus is likely to turn to what happens next and how to offer Parliament a range of Plan B options to chose from said the people who asked not to be named discussing confidential issues. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-07/may-s-team-said-to-be-gloomy-about-chances-of-labour-brexit-deal 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The president of the EU Commission has said he regrets not intervening in the UKs Brexit referendum to correct lies about the bloc during the campaign. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday JeanClaude Juncker said it was a big mistake to listen to David Cameron who he said had asked Brussels to stay silent. The mistake I made was to listen too carefully to the British government Cameron because the then prime minister asked me not to interfere not to intervene in the referendum campaign. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-juncker-vote-leave-boris-johnson-nhs-campaign-eu-a8902931.html 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Britains new MEPs may end up having to take their seats in the European Parliament after all Downing Street has admitted. David Lidington Theresa Mays de facto deputy had already confirmed that the UK will have to take part in the EU elections on 23 May because of the Governments failure to deliver Brexit. However the Government had hoped that the UK would have left the bloc by 30 June meaning the 73 successful candidates would not have to travel to Brussels when the new parliamentary session begins on 1 July. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103725/downing-street-admits-new-uk-meps-may-have-take-their 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Inside both leaders camps there is a genuine desire more intense since they both had a bad night at the polls on Thursday to see if they can sketch out a joint escape route from the mess of Brexit. But the historically awful result for the prime minister does not seem to have shocked her into ditching her red lines at least not yet. One former minister experienced and not prone to make wild prediction told me Number 10 was in la la land if they believed that could happen. About half an hour later another former and experienced minister told me they believe in fact it will fly and perhaps by the end of this month. Whoever you ask it is clear it is not straightforward. So when the two teams sit down again on Wednesday afternoon whether it is constructive or robust theres still an awful lot to do. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48195463 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Express Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage took a swipe at the BBC during a press conference on Tuesday. The Brexit Party has said it will contest all 650 seats at a future general election as leader Nigel Farage said the party would have to fight to leave the EU beyond the upcoming European elections at the end of this month. Jessica Parker a BBC News political journalist asked Mr Farage about the role the Brexit Party would like to play in future negotiations and if the UK was to seek a WTO Brexit how much negotiating would be needed. Mr Farage replied Well it is very very nice to see the BBC here I must say no it really is. I have been all over the country speaking at big rallies with a couple of thousand people at most of them we havent seen the BBC at any of them. So it is jolly nice that you have made the effort to come. The quick remark prompted some jeers from audience members as Mr Farage continued. He said I also notice that on no single major current affairs debate or news programme has a single person from the Brexit Party appeared. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1123793/BBC-News-UK-Brexit-Party-Nigel-Farage-EU-European-elections-general-election-Theresa-May 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters A Brexit breakthrough in talks between Prime Minister Theresa Mays government and the opposition Labour Party is possible but unlikely this week the BBCs political editor cited an unidentified senior government source as saying. Senior govt source says it IS possible though to see a way to a deal but unlikely to be resolved this week the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg said on Twitter. The aim is to set out a path to get the Withdrawal Bill to Commons with a fair wind she said. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-deal/british-government-source-sees-brexit-breakthrough-but-not-this-week-bbc-political-editor-idUKKCN1SD0LC?feedType=RSS&ampfeedName=domesticNews 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt suggested he would reluctantly accept a Customs Union with the European Union in a compromise agreement with the Labour Party saying angry voters want Brexit to be delivered. The Conservative frontbencher told the BBCs Radio 4 Today programme that while he did not want a Customs Union with the EU the drubbing his party had received in last weeks local elections meant a compromise needed to be reached. https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-jeremy-hunt-customs-union-conservatives-labour-bbc-radio-4-today/ 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Labour has accused the Government of not being willing to compromise as negotiations on a jointBrexit deal once again broke up without agreement. Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca LongBailey said the Tories were still refusing to move on their red lines and that it was still difficult to see how any agreement can be reached. Senior frontbenchers from both parties met in the Cabinet Office for nearly three hours as part of their ongoing attempts to thrash out a compromise to put to a Commons vote. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103727/labour-accuses-government-refusing-compromise 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK The Brexit Party is recruiting candidates for the next General Election Nigel Farage has revealed. The former Ukip leader said he was confident that his newlyformed party would be ready to fight a General Election by September. We are as of today recruiting candidates to fight the next General Election Farage told journalists at a press conference on Tuesday. We are looking for 650 men and women and we want people with realworld experience people who either in civic life or in business life have got some achievements under their belt he said. It will be a very new kind of politics. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/nigel-farage-brexit-party-general-election-candidates_uk_5cd16b45e4b04e275d500c25 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The president of the EU Commission has said he regrets not intervening in the UKs Brexit referendum to correct lies about the bloc during the campaign. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday JeanClaude Juncker said it was a big mistake to listen to David Cameron who he said had asked Brussels to stay silent. The mistake I made was to listen too carefully to the British government Cameron because the then prime minister asked me not to interfere not to intervene in the referendum campaign. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-juncker-vote-leave-boris-johnson-nhs-campaign-eu-a8902931.html 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Labours Brexit negotiations with the government appear to be failing it has been hinted after the government conceded that the UK will take part in EU elections despite comments to the contrary. Rebecca LongBailey shadow secretary for business and one of Labours Brexit negotiators gave an update on crossparty talks. She said Without a government thats willing to compromise its difficult to see how any agreement can be reached. When quizzed on whether theres any point in continuing with negotiations Ms LongBailey defiantly said of course theres a point before admitting there has been no movement or agreement. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-07/euro-elections-must-go-ahead-on-may-23-government-says/ 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@JessicaElgot Rumours around Labour backbench circles that the party could do a deal with Tories but then promise to whip in favour KyleWilson amendment on second referendum to show Labour members they are serious about fresh poll. With a nod and wink to Eurosceptic Labour backbenchers... https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1125816741945389058 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Close colleagues of the PM think she wants still to be PM and party leader at party conference which on her view would be the showcase for the duo of potential leaders picked by MPs prior to that final vote by members. I can find NO senior Tory who thinks the party will permit her to do that. And we should learn more about when and how she goes in the next 24 hours because Brady will communicate the PMs response to his executive tomorrow afternoon. And they in turn will have to decide whether she has either given an acceptable resignation timetable or failing that whether to step up the pressure on her to do so by changing Tory party rules to permit a new vote of no confidence in her within weeks. As I have said before she remains PM despite her party not because of it. And although her superpower is to defy political gravity even she cant ignore her party forever. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-07/theresa-may-cannot-ignore-her-party-forever-writes-robert-peston/ 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BuzzFeed News Weve entered the stage that Number 10 aides and political journalists are embarrassingly calling the death zone. Thats because the next month is pivotal in deciding what happens next as the UK tries to leave the European Union and will ultimately decide the fate of Theresa Mays premiership. Everything from a deal passing to May being ousted from Downing Street to a push for a second referendum to a further impasse lasting until October are all in play. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/brexit-back-again 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will this afternoon resume efforts on a crossparty deal that can get Brexit across the line. But as their teams prepare to meet MPs are asking whether any pact could possibly win majority support in the House of Commons If Mrs May does a deal with Mr Corbyn there would inevitably be a hefty Conservative rebellion. Any pact would require the prime minister to make a bolder commitment to membership of Europes customs union. This would make it very hard for the UK to do trade deals with nonEU states and there would be significant Tory discontent. Nigel Evans executive secretary of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tories told the BBC at the weekend reported in The Times If there is a compromise that turns out to be a kind of Brexit in name only involving anything close to a customs union there would be more than 100 Tory MPs who would never support it. https://www.ft.com/content/7f32ce66-70bd-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Europe has breathed a collective sight of relief after EU officials announced that serious discussion of Brexit would be banned at an upcoming leaders summit. Ahead of Thursdays meeting in the Romanian city of Sibiu one senior EU official said the summit would be in principle Brexitfree. For two years now the UK has repeatedly crashed EU meetings about other issues and steered discussions towards Brexit often to the great annoyance of other countries. But since April when the leaders agreed to delay the UKs departure until October the continent has gone on a Brexit holiday and is using the time to discuss other issues. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-eu-summit-article-50-delay-theresa-may-juncker-sibiu-a8903126.html 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk Ardant Remainers within the opposition party are demanding any deal to leave the European Union is sealed with a confirmatory vote by the British people. The Prime Minister and Mr Corbyn have been at loggerheads over any potential crossparty deal with a dispute over a customs arrangement being the main stumbling block for both parties. However even with a closer alignment to the bloc it is feared my Labour parliamentarians will still not vote to back an agreement in the House of Commons. One shadow cabinet minister told the Guardian Jeremy cannot be sure he has the numbers even if he whipped it so he cannot do a deal without a confirmatory vote. Discussions between the opposition parties will continue this afternoon with ministers set to outline proposals for a temporary customs arrangement with Brussels until the next general election. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1123904/brexit-news-eu-european-union-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-brexit-deal 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home David Lidington Theresa Mays de facto deputy had already confirmed that the UK will have to take part in the EU elections on 23 May because of the Governments failure to deliver Brexit. However the Government had hoped that the UK would have left the bloc by 30 June meaning the 73 successful candidates would not have to travel to Brussels when the new parliamentary session begins on 1 July. Mr Lidington hinted that the timetable could slip once again when he said hopes to certainly to get this done and dusted by the summer recess which will begin at the end of July. The Prime Ministers spokesman later admitted that would push the exit date back to 1 August meaning the MEPs would have to take their seats for a month. That would be yet another major embarrassment for Theresa May who has already seen two Brexit deadlines come and go without success. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103725/downing-street-admits-new-uk-meps-may-have-take-their 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times The European elections will go ahead and MEPs are likely to take their seats it emerged today after No 10 set a new deadline of midJuly to complete Brexit. Senior ministers said the government had abandoned attempts to claim that it may be able to meet a Brexit deadline that stops European elections going ahead on May 23. No 10 has instead set a new deadline of the Commons summer recess likely to be the end of the third or fourth week of July to finalise Brexit and pass legislation suggesting that they expect MEPs are all but certain to take their seats on July 2. This suggests that Mrs May wants to stay until summer recess as prime minister potentially pushing a leadership contest to the autumn which could prompt a backlash from restive Tory MPs. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/theresa-may-pushes-brexit-deadline-back-to-july-k0trv653q 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCLauraK Cabinet source says Cabinet decided it was untenable to pursue no deal in March they have to decide whether it would be justifiable to the country if we end up in the same position again in October https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1125795130735255556 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/07/tory-mps-give-theresa-may-one-day-set-roadmap-exit/ 7th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May has met the chairman of an influential committee of backbench Tory MPs Sir Graham Brady amid calls for her to set a firm resignation date. It followed a request from the 1922 Committee for clarity on the issue. No 10 insisted the meeting was routine but pressure is mounting on the PM with local Tory associations confirming they will hold a vote of confidence in her leadership on 15 June. Meanwhile crossparty talks to break the Brexit deadlock resumed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48182976 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9020154/price-tag-of-the-eu-elections-no-one-wants-soars-by-another-50m/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-brexit-theresa-may-parliament-delay-article-50-a8903201.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph The cost of staging this months European elections has rocketed by 50 million after Theresa May delayed preparations by insisting the poll would not be necessary. The extra cost which is 50 per cent higher than originally thought includes millions of pounds in contingency costs in case parties have to be reimbursed for the cost of fielding candidates who never get to take up their seats in the European Parliament. Brexitbacking Tory MPs described the cost of the elections as a complete waste of public money and said taxpayers would be appalled. The Government is expected to announce later this week that the cost of the elections on May 23 will be 156m compared to 108.7m when they were held last time https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/06/cost-staging-european-elections-rockets-50m/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/breaking-ukip-candidate-carl-benjamin-15008183 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Police are investigating comments by a Ukip candidate in the European elections speculating about whether he would rape the MP Jess Phillips amid growing concern over threats to politicians. Carl Benjamin Ukips candidate for South West England sent a tweet to the MP for Birmingham Yardley in 2016 saying I wouldnt even rape you. He added to the comments in a recent video saying With enough pressure I might cave. West Midlands police confirmed officers were examining whether an offence had been committed. It comes as fears grow that toxic rows over Brexit in the runup to European parliamentary elections later this month will further coarsen public debate. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/07/police-investigating-ukip-candidate-youtube-carl-benjamin-jess-phillips-comments 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph The Prime Minister must bear the brunt of the blame for last weeks local election wipeout says Norman Tebbitt https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/07/hard-working-conservative-councillors-have-sacrificed-altar/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun Theresa May is labelled insane and pathetic by the EUs chief Brexit negotiators in a damaging BBC flyonthewall film. Brexit Behind Closed Doors shows members of the European Parliaments Brexit coordinating team led by Belgian Guy Verhofstadt mocking Britain and launching foulmouthed rants at the PM. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/9024806/theresa-may-insane-brexit-behind-closed-doors/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Irish Independent A crowdfunded legal case against Boris Johnson for allegedly abusing public trust during the EU referendum campaign is to receive a hearing in court later this month. Private prosecutor Marcus Ball alleges that the former foreign secretary committed three offences of misconduct in public office by endorsing and making statements which he knew to be false at a time when he was mayor of London and an MP. The allegation relates to the muchtrumpeted claim by the Vote Leave campaign that the UK sends 350 million a week to the European Union which was found to be misleading by the UK Statistics Authority. https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/britain/a-world-first-boris-johnson-to-face-private-prosecution-over-brexit-campaign-claims-38087479.html 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Credit where its due. It had not yet been 24 hours since Nigel Farage had been on the Sunday politics shows warning of the final betrayal that was coming. And here he was not even waiting for it to come but delivering it himself. The Brexit Party the party Farage set up himself to contest the European elections he so desperately does not want to be contesting was holding a press conference to announce it was betraying its own voters. Farage was introduced by the Brexit Party chairman a man called Richard Tice who is best known though nevertheless unknown for appearing at political events in a white opentopped bus with Leave Means Leave painted down the side. When it turned up at Tory party conference last year he promised free nonEU booze to anyone who could spare five minutes to talk to him. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nigel-farage-brexit-party-richard-tice-theresa-may-latest-a8903581.html 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Former Conservative donors are ready to provide big bucks for Nigel Farages Brexit Party to fight a general election the antiEU campaigner has suggested. The Brexit Party has been formed to contest the upcoming European Parliament elections on 23 May which the government has now confirmed will definitely take place. But Mr Farage used a news conference on Tuesday to set his sights beyond this month. Promising the Brexit Party would be ready to fight a general election that took place any time from September onwards Mr Farage said For us these European elections on 23 May are but a first step. https://news.sky.com/story/ex-conservative-donors-ready-to-give-big-bucks-to-brexit-party-claims-nigel-farage-11713919 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Nigel Farage the Brexit party leader has insisted he is not a conspiracy theorist after he repeatedly appeared on a farright US talkshow and openly discussed ideas about a new world order linked to antisemitic tropes. The former Ukip leader distanced himself from Alex Jones the host of the Infowars website and claimed his appearances on the programme were infrequent despite a Guardian investigation finding he gave interviews at least six times on the show. In his appearances on Joness show Farage discussed themes commonly associated with an antisemitic conspiracy theory that Jewish financiers are behind a plot to replace nation states with a global government. Jones has been banned from Facebook and is being sued by bereaved parents after claiming a US school shooting was faked. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/07/nigel-farage-denies-being-conspiracy-theorist-after-far-right-talkshow-appearances 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Conservative MPs on both sides of the Brexit divide are telling Theresa May that a fresh referendum is becoming inevitable as talks with Labour to break the impasse looked set to fail. The prime minister faced the warning as she suffered the embarrassment of conceding this months European elections will go ahead and as her own deputy suggested the crisis would drag on until July. As crossparty talks entered their sixth week Labours Keir Starmer insisted he would force the Tories to end their refusal to contemplate a Final Say referendum as the price of a deal saying it was crunch time. Significantly the attempt to put a public vote centrestage was bolstered from an unlikely source when Daniel Kawczynski a Tory Brexiteer predicted it could become the only option to break the gridlock. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-second-referendum-deal-conservative-mps-theresa-may-labour-a8903691.html 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Express The Government has been in Brexit negotiations with the Labour Party since before Easter after the Prime Minister reached out to Jeremy Corbyn to try to secure Britains departure from the bloc. Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski a former member of the Conservative Partys eurosceptic European Research Group warned the UK could face another referendum if talks fail. Mr Kawczynski claimed another public vote would become inevitable and put the blame of those in the Tory Party and in the ERG who refuse to compromise. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1123873/Brexit-news-UK-Theresa-May-Jeremy-Corbyn-Labour-Party-European-Union-referendum 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times As Prime minister Mrs May has proposed limiting immigration to those earning more than 30000 a year. This has worried employers in fields from agriculture to healthcare. Josh Hardie deputy directorgeneral of the CBI employers group said All skill levels matter to the UK economy. Mrs May will not be around much longer. She has told her party that she will not contest the next general election which is due in 2022 but few expect her to last until then. Will her immigration legacy outlast her It depends on who succeeds her whether Brexit happens and what form it takes. The UKs EU residents who have been promised that they will have a right to stay after Brexit cannot take much comfort from what has happened to others. Institutional behaviour does not shift quickly. Once officials have been schooled to behave in a certain away it takes time for them to change even if the political will for a change exists which it may not. The hostile environment policy has left a tawdry legacy and as the immigration figures show it did not even achieve its own objectives. https://www.ft.com/content/fd592a16-6c07-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Cambridge News A controversial UKIP election candidate has been condemned after calling for rough sleepers in Cambridge to be rounded up and put in a camp outside the city. Peter Burkinshaw said rough sleepers obstruct the streets and called for a national solution. The politician was writing in a local weekly newspaper when he made the controversial statement as part of a policy suggestion. https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-ukip-council-candidate-says-16208169 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Tommy Robinson could exploit EU rules to access millions of pounds of public money if he is elected in Mays European Parliament elections a Telegraph investigation has revealed. The far right activist and his cronies could personally benefit to the tune of up to 2 million but he could access even more EU cash which is paid in part by British taxpayers. Robinson whose real name is Stephen YaxleyLennon paid his deposit to stand in the elections on Thursday. European elections will be held in Britain unless the Brexit deal is ratified in Westminster before May 23. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/tommy-robinson-european-elections-mep/ 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May has been given until tea time on Wednesday to come up with a roadmap to her resignation as leader of the Tory party or she will have one forced upon her. Sir Graham Brady the chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs is understood to have made clear backbenchers frustration at a meeting on Tuesday night. Tory backbench frustration with Mrs May boiled over after David Lidington her de facto deputy confirmed that Britain will have to take part in the European Parliament elections in 15 days time despite months of assurances that this would not happen. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/07/tory-mps-give-theresa-may-one-day-set-roadmap-exit/ 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Sir Graham Brady was due to meet Mrs May this afternoon on behalf of the executive to insist she give a firm departure date and timetable for a leadership contest. However the senior supporter of Mrs May said any attempt to alter the rules would be subject to a legal challenge meaning that Downing Street or a group of Tories acting on behalf of Mrs May would go to court. The clash was caused by the abortive confidence vote forced last December by members of the European Research Group which Mrs May won comfortably. Under party rules the PM is supposed to have a clear 12 months before any further confidence motion can be put. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-mays-allies-in-legal-threat-to-rebels-who-are-trying-to-oust-her-a4135801.html 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Voters were certain that their wishes in the referendum would be carried out without too much difficulty I lost count of the numbers of voters who during the referendum and since dismissed concerns about our withdrawal not only from the EU but of its myriad political economic and social auspices with a variant of the following reply Im sure they can sort it out. In other words the Brexit vote as well as a cri de coeur for Westminster to listen was also an affirmation of faith by the British public in the fundamental competence of the British state to prosecute even the most difficult political outcomes. https://news.sky.com/story/trumpism-is-coming-to-britain-and-nigel-farage-is-leading-the-charge-11714025 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Senior Labour officials have quit their posts in disillusion at the partys position on Brexit. Aaron Austin Locke and Robert McIntosh announced their resignation as the top two office bearers in the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency Labour party in an email to local members. They said they were unhappy with the partys failure to fully endorse another referendum on any Brexit deal passed by the House of Commons. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103689/excl-labour-officials-quit-their-posts-blast 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home A senior Conservative MP has blasted colleagues who failed to support Theresa Mays Brexit deal and suggested that they should quit and join another party. Charles Walker who is vice chair of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers hit out at Tory hardliners who he said were to blame for Britain still being in the European Union. The comments come as Nigel Farages Brexit Party tops the polls for next months EU elections in a backlash from Leave voters angry at the Governments failure to quit the bloc by the 29 March deadline. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103697/senior-tory-mp-suggests-colleagues-who 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Its no deal or nothing for Nige and his Brexit party is ready to negotiate the nonnegotiable. Nige rattled on undeterred. The Brexit party would contest a general election but it wouldnt have any credible policies. But he wouldnt seek to become an MP himself. Far too risky. Seven times bitten eight times shy. Rather he was far better off showing his MEPs the Brussels ropes. How to fiddle expenses. That sort of thing. And just because he had previous form on antisemitism and Islamophobia didnt make him a racist. After 30 minutes or so Farage appeared to lose interest. Enough was enough. It had been a decent mornings work. The more useless Westminster politicians appeared to be the easier his job became. And right now it was something of a doddle. He didnt need to sound even vaguely plausible. All he had to do was stand up and insist he would be different. As long as nobody started to look too closely all would be well. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/07/chipper-nigel-farage-grins-and-barely-tries-to-sound-plausible?CMP=share_btn_tw 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Whatever assurances May can offer they will not stop the hardright Tory Brexiteers in their quest to eradicate solidarity from the UK economy. If we are to avoid the fate of Ramsay Macdonald then any deal must be put to a vote of the people. To do otherwise would be to play either the knave or the fool and gives Theresa Mays successor the right to decide which we have been. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/07/brexit-right-labour-vote-tory-workers-rights-environment 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Brexit is a big deal for Ireland whatever form it takes it will be bad for Ireland but there is a genuine appetite to minimise the damages of Brexit allow for the closest possible future relationship and crucially protect the very fragile peace in Northern Ireland. In March we came the closest so far to a disastrous no deal Brexit a crash out scenario that would have a devastating economic impact as well as posing a greater risk to the peace process. We cannot let that happen with Conservative Party members suggesting changes on the Irish Border that are unworkable and dangerous and could endanger the peace process https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/07/brexiteers-still-chasing-unicorns-rather-facing-reality-irish/ 7th May 2019