9th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=62 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Financial Times The UK will lose more than 1.1bn in revenue as carbonemitting companies escape paying for the pollution they cause if the country crashes out of the EU without a withdrawal agreement in October according to Sandbag a climate policy thinktank. From January Brussels stopped providing carbon allowances or credits to the UK government for auction under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme because of uncertainty around Britains position in the bloc. Under the cap and trade programme the UK government receives millions of carbon allowances each year. Roughly 40 per cent of these are given to highemitting companies while the rest are auctioned with the revenue kept by the Treasury to subsidise climate policies. The government has said that a nodeal Brexit would exclude the UK from participating in the ETS from November. https://www.ft.com/content/ff07fd54-6dc6-11e9-a9a5-351eeaef6d84 8th May 2019

Economic Impact

Reuters Sterling slumped on Wednesday on signs that Brexit talks between Britains government and the main opposition party may soon collapse. The pound has been falling as negotiations between the Conservative and Labour Parties lumber on with little success and as concerns grow about a challenge to Prime Minister Theresa Mays leadership. But a suggestion by broadcaster ITVs political editor that the talks could be pronounced dead later on Wednesday took sterling down another leg. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-sterling/sterling-slumps-on-report-brexit-talks-near-collapse-idUKKCN1SE0UU 8th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Threats to MPs are at unprecedented levels Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has said. The Met chief disclosed that the number of crimes reported by MPs more than doubled in 2018 from 151 to 342 and was on course to rise further this year. Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu told a parliamentary committee Brexit was a huge driver behind the increase. Women and people from ethnic minorities were being disproportionately targeted Ms Dick added. So far this year MPs and staff have already reported 152 crimes and over 600 incidents while incidents involving MPs are now 126 higher than in 2015. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48205408 8th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Financial Times UK proposals for new immigration rules after Brexit that would prevent migrants bringing family members with them risk making the country far less attractive to talented overseas workers business leaders are warning. The UK has so far provided unusually generous arrangements for spouses and children accompanying migrants with job offers in Britain including an automatic right to work for dependants. But experts argue that Home Office plans for a tougher regime after Brexit may undermine this approach a proposed 12month visa for lower skilled workers excludes dependants. A youth mobility visa for 18 to 30yearolds which is due to be expanded to include EU nationals also does not allow family members. A report into dependant visa rules around the world by the law firm Fragomen described these omissions as significant departures from traditional UK immigration practice. https://www.ft.com/content/05add716-70db-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 9th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Independent ITV has blamed Brexit uncertainty after advertising sales tumbled 7 per cent in the first three months of the year. The broadcaster said it hopes reality TV hit Love Island will come to the rescue. ITV which produces shows including Line of Duty warned that revenues would remain lower for the first half of 2019 because Brexit has reduced demand for advertising. Revenues dropped as much as 16 per cent in March compared to the same month last year. They are set to plummet by around 20 per cent in June as ITV comes up against an exceptionally strong June 2018 which was boosted by the Football World Cup. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/itv-advert-sales-brexit-love-island-broadcasting-revenues-a8904261.html 9th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The New European New figures show that the number of registered nurses and midwives from the European Economic Area registered in the UK highlight the massive fall since the Brexit vote. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council the number of nurses and midwives decreased by 5.9 between March 2018 and March 2019 from 35115 to 33035. The number of EEA nurses and midwives registering for the first time was just 968 between April 2018 and March 2019 up from the 805 who registered in 20172018 but a massive decrease compared to the 9389 who registered in 20152016 before the Brexit referendum. Elsewhere in the survey findings 51 of those nurses and midwives who trained within the EU left the register and responded to the survey stated Brexit as a reason for encouraging them to consider working outside the UK. It has prompted antiBrexit campaign group Best for Britain to publish an open letter endorsed by the Royal College of Midwives CEO Gill Walton and signed by local midwives across the UK slamming Brexits impact on maternity services in the UK and calling for a final say on the Brexit deal. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/massive-fall-in-nurses-and-midwives-from-europe-since-brexit-vote-1-6038020 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Shes leading us to oblivion I dont understand why she is hanging on says one former cabinet minister. Shes using up the oxygen her successor will need to breathe says another. These are not wild claims from easily over excitable eurosceptics who have been the main cheerleaders to hurry Theresa May from her job. They are genuine frustrations from MPs who have worked alongside Theresa May who until recently have believed she should stay. Again today Number 10 bought the prime minister more time with the promise that she will meet the 1922 committee next week. And again the Tory backbenchers did not agree that the situation is so bad for the party and this Prime Minister that she must go. There are also many Tory MPs who believe sending the removal vans to Number 10 would be completely counterproductive and present once more to the country a picture of a party that loves nothing more than fighting with itself. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48209808 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Jeremy Corbyn will claim that Labour can unite our country and heal the divisions caused by Brexit as he launches his campaign for the European elections. After a bitter internal row within Labour over whether to support a second referendum Mr Corbyn will say that the party backs the option of a public vote if a sensible Brexit deal cannot be agreed and there is not a general election. He will promise to address the inequalities that helped fuel the 2016 Brexit vote insisting that the real divide in our country is not over Europe. The May 23 election will take place because of Parliaments deadlock over a Brexit deal and the failure of LabourTory talks. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-09/corbyn-says-labour-will-heal-the-divisions-opened-up-by-brexit/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Labour last night rejected a Brexit compromise deal put forward by Theresa May claiming that it was a million miles away from what the party would be prepared to accept. After three hours of robust talks in Whitehall Labour sources said that the government had tabled a completely unrealistic draft agreement on a customs compromise. Downing Street characterised the talks as constructive and detailed saying that both sides had agreed to meet again to continue the negotiations. Asked about the description one Labour figure said Youd have to ask the government about their choice of adjectives. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/customs-compromise-a-million-miles-away-from-labour-demand-mrntk90bs 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Having rejected a nodeal Brexit Labours choices are restricted to a miserable compromise or a slide back towards full EU membership. Neither option has the ring of bold adventure that Corbynism once promised. Socialism deferred until the pesky European question has been resolved is not much of a rallying cry. Meanwhile the radical right is on the rampage and Labour MPs seem confused as to whether they are defending moderation or opening a new front against it from the left. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/08/jeremy-corbyn-revolution-brexit-socialism 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News Labours negotiations on a Brexit pact with the Government may well be pronounced dead today partly because the party is launching its EU elections manifesto tomorrow and would presumably need to say something about a possible pact other than dont know. To be clear there are more talks between the two sides this evening. But those involved tell me they have no expectation a breakthrough will be seized from the jaws of futility. Simultaneously Labours leadership is consulting all the elements in and connected to the party so theres no great backlash from MPs or union leaders as and when the hopes of a Brexit compromise are officially abandoned which could happen tonight. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-08/labour-brexit-talks-with-government-near-collapse/ 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph A lifelong Conservative supporter who was an early investor in music app Shazam and appeared on Channel 4s the Secret Millionaire is the Brexit Partys candidate for next months Peterborough byelection. Mike Greene a former trustee of Peterborough cathedral and local benefactor will fight the June 6 byelection in a bid to give Nigel Farages party his first foothold in Westminster. Such is the pace of activity in the new Brexit Party that Mr Greene only met Mr Farage for the first time on Tuesday night at a rally in Peterborough. All candidates for the June 6 byelection have to be declared by 4pm on Thursday. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/08/brexit-party-candidate-peterborough-by-election-lifelong-tory/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Hes standing for election under a party label that doesnt quite exist in a contest that shouldnt be happening in a place that isnt a country but none of this puts Andrew Adonis off. The Mediterranean sun glints off his EU electricblue tie as he strides through Gibraltars old town its solid limestone walls reeking of the days when the Royal Navy called this peculiar bastion home. Adonis academicturnedjournalistturnedTony Blair policy wonkturnedpeer is doing what he has never done before in a long career shaping Britain and standing in a national election. Hes on the list for the Labour Party in the South West constituency which thanks to a quirk includes Gibraltars 20000 voters even though they live as close to Sierra Leone as they do to Plymouth. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/andrew-adonis-we-must-spell-it-out-now-labour-is-a-remain-party-a4137381.html 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC In a letter to the PM the Plymouth MP said it was regrettable that he could not continue to support the government. He called on Mrs May to end the abhorrent process of elderly veterans being dragged back to Northern Ireland to face possible prosecution. He has previously called for legislation to stop this happening. The former Army officer and member of the Commons Defence Committee told the BBC he had withdrawn support for Mrs May and that he would vote with the Conservatives on Brexit but nothing else. In his letter he said As you know the historical prosecution of our servicemen and women is a matter that is personally offensive to me. Many are my friends and I am from their tribe. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48209591 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bloomberg One of the sticking points in the talks with Labour is that the opposition cant trust that Mays eventual successor will stand by her teams commitments. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says its like trying to enter into a contract with a company thats going into administration. That problem is getting more acute as Conservatives increasingly lose patience with May. Graham Brady the head of the rankandfile Tories has given May until 4 p.m. Wednesday to set out a timetable for leaving or find it forced upon her according to the Telegraph. Stay tuned for the prime ministers next checkmatedefying maneuver. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-08/brexit-bulletin-losing-hope 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Ms Leadsom described Mrs Mays Brexit agreement as tolerable but said she would be prepared to leave the EU without a deal. I dont say that nodeal is better than the Prime Ministers deal. I think the Prime Ministers deal is the best solution because it protects jobs and supply chains said the Commons leader. What Im saying is at the same time I dont think nodeal would be the disaster some people portray it as. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/andrea-leadsom-announces-shes-seriously-15013946 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail The former Cambridge Analytica employee who spoke out on alleged ties between the data firm and the Brexit campaign for Britain to leave the European Union has a book deal. Brittany Kaisers Targeted My Inside Story of Cambridge Analytica and how Trump and Facebook Broke Democracy comes out on October 22 publisher HarperCollins announced Tuesday. Kaiser will share the dramatic and disturbing story of her time at Cambridge Analytica the British company where she was the business development director. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7001557/Cambridge-Analytica-whistleblower-book-deal.html 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A Brexit initiative chaired by two Conservative MPs has named a panel of 20 experts to advise them on technical solutions for the Irish border. Greg Hands and Nicky Morgan chair an Alternative Arrangements Commission. Some members of the panel such as Dutch customs expert Hans Maessen have previously advised proBrexit groups. The only member with a significant Irish connection is Graham Gudgin a former adviser to Brexit supporter Lord Trimble. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48201246 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Record Former prime minister Tony Blair has spoken out against the prospect of a second Scottish independence referendum insisting such a vote should not take place unless there is a really big groundswell of opinion for it. The onetime Labour leader whose government created the Scottish Parliament voiced his fears that a fresh vote on independence could fundamentally damage the UK. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already made clear her desire to hold a ballot within the next two years. The SNP leader cites Scotland being removed from the European Union against the wishes of voters north of the border as grounds for another referendum arguing this is a material change in circumstances from the 2014 vote. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/tony-blair-says-indyref2-could-15014710 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Theresa May has set up a showdown next week with MPs furious at her refusal to reveal when she will quit over Brexit failures. The Prime Minister will face senior backbenchers on the influential 1922 Committee next Wednesday after making an agreement with committee chairman Sir Graham Brady yesterday. It came after she faced a brutal public assault on her leadership today as backbench anger at her failure to stand down reached fever pitch in a row threatening to tear the Conservative Party apart. She had been given a 4pm deadline to set out a roadmap for standing down but has been given a weeks grace to explain her plans to the committee next week https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7005045/May-given-4pm-TODAY-spell-quit-plans-stay-AUTUMN.html 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Peterborough Evening Telegraph The Liberal Democrats Green Party and Change UK are expected to put forward a single candidate between them to fight the upcoming Peterborough byelection. The Lib Dems Beki Sellick and Greens Joseph Wells have already chosen their candidates for the seat so at least one of them would have to stand down. https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/politics/peterborough-by-election-lib-dems-greens-and-change-uk-to-put-forward-single-remain-candidate-1-8919612 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The SDLPs European election candidate Colum Eastwood says Brexit can be stopped. The party leader was speaking as he launched his bid to win a seat in the European elections on 23 May. The SDLP leader says the focus of his campaign will be to take a proEuropean stance to the electorate and fight to stop the UK leaving the EU. He told the BBC The main priority is to stop Brexit and I think we still can. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48206796 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The prime minister has rejected calls to resign as more Tories demand an exit date how might her departure play out and when might it occur https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/08/how-theresa-mays-departure-from-no-10-could-play-out 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times On these issues the outstanding guide is The European Elections and Brexit a report by The UK in a Changing Europe a research group at Kings College London. The May 2326 elections seem certain to produce a more fragmented European Parliament. The two main party groups on the centreright and centreleft are set to lose their combined majority. A hotchpotch of rightwing nationalists antiestablishment populists and antiEU critics may win 30 per cent or so of the assemblys 751 seats. All this would undermine the prospects for a quick EUUK deal on trade security and other areas of postBrexit cooperation. In fact ratification of an EUUK trade agreement might be a Herculean task in a European Parliament pushed one way by rightwing protectionism and another way by leftwing demands on climate change regulatory standards and social policy. https://www.ft.com/content/7d750460-717e-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Since informing the country he would be stepping down as PM and humming a jaunty tune as he walked into Downing Street for the last time David Cameron has said little about the Brexit process he set in motion. In January he surfaced to tell journalists he does not regret calling the EU referendum just the result but according to his former press secretary he is actually distraught about it all. Speaking to The Times Baroness Bertin insisted the perception he has travelled off into the sunset is far from the truth. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/david-cameron-is-distraught-about-brexit-according-to-former-advisor-gabby-bertin_uk_5cd27513e4b07ce6ef77b340 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent If your policy is for all options to remain on the table then your intent is for all to remain seated at the table. Last week many Labour voters in the north of England got up and walked away. Of course local elections are always and rightly about all kinds of local issues. But Brexit was the elephant in the room and when thats the case there is little space for the kind of deliberate ambiguity my partys leadership has tried to create around the biggest issue facing our country for years. There was a rejection of ambiguity in Barnsley where there as a 17.3 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats. There was a rejection of ambiguity in Sunderland where there was a 13.4 per cent swing to the Liberal Democrats. There was a rejection of ambiguity in Wirral where there was a 11.1 per cent swing to the Greens. Others followed suit. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-labour-corbyn-remain-north-england-local-elections-lib-dem-green-a8904201.html 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/remain-candidate-at-peterborough-by-election-1-6038933 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European It has been claimed there will be a Remain unity candidate at the Peterborough byelection to tackle the Brexit Party at the ballot box. Remain campaigners had criticised the likes of Change UK Lib Dems and Greens for rejecting an electoral pact at the ballot box during the European election campaign after the idea was reportedly floated by Sir Vince Cable. It has allowed the antiBrexit parties to appear fragmented up against Nigel Farages Brexit Party which has surged in opinion polls in recent weeks. But with a byelection set to take place in Peterborough and the Brexit Party considering standing it has been reported there may be a Remain candidate representing the smaller parties too https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/remain-candidate-at-peterborough-by-election-1-6038933?utm_source=Twitter&amputm_medium=Social_Icon&amputm_campaign=in_article_social_icons 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News The former chancellor has urged cabinet ministers to move against Theresa May as he says the Conservative Party needs new leadership. George Osborne says The Conservative Party in 2017 didnt want to confront the reality. Eventually the party has to confront the truth. It needs a new leader a new agenda it needs to win over supporters who have disappeared and make an appeal to urban metropolitan Britain that has turned its back on the Conservatives. https://news.sky.com/story/george-osborne-former-chancellor-urges-cabinet-to-move-against-theresa-may-11714591 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Irish Independent Theresa May is targeting July 1 as the day Britain leaves the EU after abandoning a deadline for a Brexit agreement with Labour. David Lidington the cabinet office minister said the British government was redoubling its efforts to ensure a Brexit deal is passed by Parliament in time to prevent MEPs taking up their seats in Brussels. If that proves impossible the government will make sure the EU Withdrawal Agreement is done and dusted before Parliament rises for the summer meaning Brexit day would be August 1. It means that Mrs May has now set five separate dates for Britain to leave the EU. https://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/britain/may-targets-july-1-brexit-but-tories-more-focused-on-resignation-date-38090765.html 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Byline Times Ever since Nigel Farage revealed in an interview with LBCs Iain Dale that the Brexit Party has had one big donor questions have rightly been asked as to who this anonymous benefactor might be. It seems peculiar that a grassroots movement which sells itself on being different to the traditional parties should be so unforthcoming about something as basic as funding. Its also in stark contrast to the other new kid on the block Change UK also known as TIG The Independent Group which for all its many flaws in presentation and style has been transparent from the start. Even before it formally became a political party and had a legal requirement to declare its funding Change UK revealed this on its website. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/08/whos-the-money-man-nigel/ 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@ITVPeston Who is funding The Brexit Party @Peston asks @NigelFarage Peston https://twitter.com/itvpeston/status/1126248601691217920 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@Peston There is now a war of attrition between @theresamay and her own MPs. Most of them want her to set an unconditional timetable for her departure. She is refusing to do so saying she will only go when her divorce deal with the EU the Withdrawal Agreement is law. https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1126106057623986178 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Candidates received a confidential briefing at Conservative campaign headquarters CCHQ on what many admit will be a damagelimitation exercise. Party chiefs are said to be sending only taxpayerfunded mailshots with the first wave of literature targeting postal voters due within days. The Conservatives message will be that only the governing party can deliver Brexit as it pleads with voters not to back Nigel Farages insurgent Brexit Party according to a senior figure. The first leaflet includes a photograph of Theresa May. Its aimed at Conservative supporters who think the prime minister is doing her best to get this over the line and that the delay is not her fault said another source who had seen a draft. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dbec5148-710a-11e9-a5e9-48f686bb2833 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News In the end the prime minister chose her side. After months of trying to hold together the two very different wings of her parliamentary party she finally weighed in behind Remainers. There would be no nodeal instead there would be delay for as long as it took to get a Brexit deal across the line. It has been a torturous journey for her party as MPs and members have watched their prime minister move from Brexit means Brexit to nodeal is better than a bad deal before performing a handbreak turn to its my deal or no Brexit to go full nearly full circle on Tuesday and confirm the UK will after all fight the EU elections.From the illfated snap election to this Brexit bungle under Mrs Mays leadership the Tories have gone into free fall. https://news.sky.com/story/sky-views-tug-of-war-over-mays-exit-date-a-proxy-for-the-brexit-civil-war-11714213 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May has been given a stay of execution by her backbench MPs after agreeing to meet them next week to discuss her future as leader. The Prime Minister had been given a deadline of 4pm on Wednesday to set out a timetable for her departure but she bought herself another a week in which to set a timetable for her departure https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/08/brexit-latest-news-talks-labour-million-miles-away-breakthrough/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews The bitter nature of Brexit negotiations has been laid bare in a BBC documentary due to air on Wednesday night showing European Parliament Brexit coordinator Guy Verhoftstadt and his team ridiculing Theresa Mays Tory Party conference speech. The Brexit Behind Closed Doors documentary recorded over two years by Belgian filmmaker Lode Desmet shows acrimony towards the British Government from many in Brussels. https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/theresa-may-dancing-queen-speech-brexit-documentary-bbc-guy-verhofstadt-aides-video/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Michel Barnier the European Unions chief Brexit negotiator has accused Nigel Farage of telling lies during the referendum campaign. Mr Farage denied he lied and challenged Mr Barnier to Tell me one thing I said that was untrue. Mr Barnier was speaking in Zagreb Croatia at a citizens dialogue ahead of European elections later this month where Mr Farages Brexit Party are expected to triumph. He warned that the MEP and former Ukip leader hopes to destroy the EU. Mr Barnier said on Wednesday that the British people were not told of the risks Brexit would pose to peace in Ireland before they voted to leave in 2016. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/08/michel-barnier-accuses-nigel-farage-lying-brexit-referendum/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK At one point Verhofstadts head of office Guillaume McLaughlin discusses the meeting with Davis who eventually quit as Brexit secretary in July 2018. He says David Davis explained to us that Ireland is not a problem they have got lots of control systems they know everybody who is going in and out across the border they have automatic... and they will take a loss in the excise duties that they are getting but it doesnt really matter. So basically we dont really give a fuck what goes through our border in any case we know who the baddies are there might be a problem with terrorism and if theres a problem with terrorism that might be a problem but okay. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/david-davis-did-not-give-a-fk-about-the-irish-border-during-brexit-talks-eu-figures-claimed_uk_5cd1c61be4b0548b7360c896 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent EU officials involved with Brexit negotiations privately considered aspects of Theresa Mays approach insane and pathetic a new behindthescenes documentary shows. BBC camera crews were given access to Brexit officials in the European parliament to make Brexit Behind Closed Doors a twopart series focusing on the team around Guy Verhofstadt the European parliaments Brexit coordinator. It shows officials having completely lost confidence in the UKs ability to negotiate with frustration regularly boiling over at behaviour emanating from the government in London. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-theresa-may-eu-bbc-documentary-behind-closed-doors-barnier-verhofstadt-a8904156.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews What theyre trying to do with Brexit is take an old car and fix it announced another even as a weary Verhofstadt announced hed spent time with Brexit Secretary David Davis at a vintage car fair We discussed nothing of course. Things worsened considerably with the arrival of the Irish question. Guy Verhofstadt went to Northern Ireland to learn firsthand about life on the border during The Troubles. Davis said there was no problem with Ireland. The committee collectively sighed. They might actually stay the worst possible outcome someone noted gloomily. Brexit it gets to us all in the end. https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/storyville-brexit-behind-closed-doors-bbc4-review-guy-verhofstadt/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Police are investigating after a Jewish candidate standing for the Brexit party at the European elections had a 10 metre 30ft swastika painted on his companys building in east London. Lance Forman a businessman who owns the H Forman Son smoked salmon company found his headquarters and restaurant near the Olympic Park had been daubed with an antisemitic mural. Formans business is the UKs oldest salmon curer which was set up by his greatgrandfather in 1905. A Met police spokesman said officers were investigating a suspected incident of racerelated criminal damage. It is thought to have occurred shortly before midnight on Tuesday. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/may/08/swastika-painted-on-building-of-jewish-brexit-party-candidate 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun No more repugnant figure struts the corridors of Brussels than the curtainhaired slimeball Guy Verhofstadt. Try as they might even the drunk Juncker or the peacock Barnier cannot match the Belgians detestable blabbermouthed arrogance. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9024871/guy-verhofstadt-theresa-may-eu-documentary/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph It is now a month since the House of Commons has divided on a motion. To the justified derision of those outside it has frequently risen in midafternoon for lack of anything to do. On Tuesday the Government trumpeted as an iconic Parliamentary moment the Second Reading of the Wild Animals in Circuses No. 2 Bill. The ban will affect only two circuses and a grand total of 19 animals. This paralysis is the result of the barely believable intransigence of a Prime Minister consumed by the increasingly deluded aim of passing an Agreement which MPs have thrice told her in emphatic terms is a bad deal. Her response each time has been unmoved Pass my deal. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/08/politics-descending-farce-intransigent-theresa-may-still-refuses/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May has been given a stay of execution by her backbench MPs after agreeing to meet them next week to discuss her future as leader. The Prime Minister had been given a deadline of 4pm on Wednesday to set out a timetable for her departure but she bought herself another a week in which to set a timetable for her departure https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/08/brexit-latest-news-talks-labour-million-miles-away-breakthrough/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Pink News The human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Government of consciously frustrating attempts to circumvent Stormont on the issue of equal marriage. Spokesman Patrick Corrigan said that while Amnesty was not aware of the specific assurances mentioned by Murphy it believes that there were plans to let backbenchers take control of the process. As a draft DUPSinn Fein deal was shaping up last February Karen Bradley thenNorthern Ireland Secretary gave an ontherecord response to a written question from Conor McGinn MP which committed the Government only to allowing a free vote if backbenchers brought samesex marriage legislation to Parliament he told the Belfast Telegraph. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/08/northern-ireland-gay-marriage-sinn-fein-claims/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times The Conservatives are mounting a lacklustre campaign ahead of the European Parliament election on May 23 as Britains governing political party edges towards the poll with a sense of dread. Senior party figures admit they could take a hammering as voters turn to Nigel Farages new Brexit party to protest against Theresa May and her failure to deliver the UKs withdrawal from the EU. Last weeks local elections which saw the Conservatives lose almost 1300 council seats and control of 37 councils has highlighted how disillusioned many voters are with the party. The Tories are so underwhelmed by its chances in the European elections it is not expected to hold an official campaign launch or even publish a manifesto. https://www.ft.com/content/55da3c7e-719f-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times Theresa May has told senior Tories she will make a fourth attempt to break the Westminster deadlock on Brexit before European elections take place on May 23 as she tries to head off growing demands that she quit. But the prime minister has also promised to meet the executive of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservative MPs next week to discuss a timetable for her departure. Shes living from day to day said one minister. Brandon Lewis the Conservative chairman warned a sullen meeting of Tory MPs on Wednesday night to expect the worst in the European Parliament elections. Downing Street fears that the results will lead to a clamour for Mrs May to step down. The prime minister tried to buy time by telling senior Tories that she would bring forward the legislation to ratify her withdrawal treaty in the next two weeks even though the chances of winning the backing of MPs currently look minimal. https://www.ft.com/content/0e5900da-718e-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home A Conservative former minister has branded Downing Street utterly selfish after the party suffered a local elections drubbing. Robert Halfon said failures over Brexit and a lack of strong leadership from Theresa May had weakened the party as he warned its grassroots campaigning power was on life support. The former deputy chairman of the Conservatives launched the blistering attack on Downing Street after the party last week lost almost a third of the councils it was contesting at the local elections. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103733/tory-former-minister-blasts-utterly-selfish 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The National A gentrification of Scottish political engagement is now in full spate. It began to gather pace during the first Scottish independence campaign when the UKs political elites began to encounter forces they felt unable to control by the usual means. These political classes and they are by no means confined to the Conservative and Unionist Party until recent years had always set the order and laid down the rules by which politics is permitted to unfold in this country. Anyone who threatened to reveal the truth of these matters or who refused to abide by the rules set down a long time ago could only hope to get so far before having their collars felt and their lives trashed https://www.thenational.scot/news/17624306.my-message-to-the-snp-on-cybernats-stop-perpetuating-a-unionist-myth/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Staff working for the Labour party could take strike action after rejecting a third and final pay offer by bosses. The decision at an emergency meeting at Labour HQ came despite the GMB and Unite unions both recommending that they accept the proposal. It is understood that staff voted by 13737 against the offer with some union members shouting strike strike strike as the meeting broke up. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/news/103747/labour-staff-could-take-strike-action-after 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Theresa May has set up a showdown next week with MPs furious at her refusal to reveal when she will quit over Brexit failures. The Prime Minister will face senior backbenchers on the influential 1922 Committee next Wednesday after making an agreement with committee chairman Sir Graham Brady yesterday. It came after she faced a brutal public assault on her leadership today as backbench anger at her failure to stand down reached fever pitch in a row threatening to tear the Conservative Party apart. She had been given a 4pm deadline to set out a roadmap for standing down but has been given a weeks grace to explain her plans to the committee next week. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7005045/May-given-4pm-TODAY-spell-quit-plans-stay-AUTUMN.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The PM has rejected calls to quit over her handling of Brexit saying it is not an issue about me. Theresa May was replying to Tory Brexiteer Andrea Jenkyns who said she had failed to deliver on her promises and had lost public trust. Calls have been growing for the prime minister to name an exit date. The PMs spokesman said she had already promised to leave after delivering the first stage of Brexit and was sticking to that generous and bold offer. Mrs May has agreed to address a meeting of the 1922 Committee an elected body of Tory MPs which represents backbenchers and oversees leadership contests next week. Its chairman Sir Graham Brady told the BBC he had had two very good meetings with the PM organised to raise concerns about her leadership. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48199725 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Nigel Farage has branded Theresa May the most dishonest Prime Minister of his lifetime over her handling of the countrys exit from the EU. The leader of the burgeoning Brexit Party said that Mrs May had promised many times that the UK would leave the bloc following the 2016 referendum vote. But speaking on Good Morning Britain today he slammed her failure to secure an exit and said the only reason she still leads the Conservatives is because Tory MPs have not got the backbone to get rid of her. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7004809/She-without-doubt-worst-PM-lifetime-Nigel-Farage-tears-Theresa-May.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

MSN.com https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/revealed-expenses-watchdog-suspended-official-credit-cards-belonging-to-377-mps-including-jeremy-corbyn-and-boris-johnson/ar-AAB4bhN?ocid=st 7th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Hundreds of MPs including Jeremy Corbyn Boris Johnson and nine Cabinet ministers have had official credit cards suspended by the expenses watchdog. They are among the 377 MPs to be penalised since 2015 for breaking the rules by not providing receipts or failing to pay back ineligible expenses. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority tried to prevent the disclosure saying it would have a chilling effect on its relations with MPs. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7003917/Expenses-watchdog-suspended-official-credit-cards-belonging-377-MPs.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politico.eu https://www.politico.eu/article/theresa-may-vows-liverpool-style-comeback-in-europe/ 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK Theresa May tried to channel Jurgen Klopp on Wednesday when she said the Conservative Party could make a comeback on Brexit just like Liverpool had against Barcelona on Tuesday night. What the prime minister might have forgotten is that the Liverpool manager has said Brexit makes no sense and has backed a second referendum. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-jurgen-klopp-liverpool_uk_5cd2baa3e4b0a7dffccf2c81 8th May 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

Financial Times The UK and Ireland have signed a deal to maintain their citizens rights to travel freely between the two countries after the UK leaves the EU in an initiative that some Brexiters said had wider significance for future relations with the bloc. The agreement includes a memorandum of understanding between London and Dublin guaranteeing reciprocal rights to social security health services and education in Ireland and the UK after Brexit. It also confirms the rights of the two countries citizens to work and vote in local and national parliamentary elections in each others jurisdiction. The move to continue arrangements known as the common travel area that have been in place since Irish independence in the 1920s was welcomed by Eurosceptic MPs as a sign that bilateral accords can help ease tensions over the UKIrish border. https://www.ft.com/content/2b3fccf4-7186-11e9-bf5c-6eeb837566c5 8th May 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian The government has signed a Brexit sidedeal with Ireland to guarantee Irish and British citizens retain special rights in each others countries in the event of no deal. The Cabinet Office minister David Lidington and Irelands deputy prime minister Simon Coveney said the deal reflected two years of work to ensure the existing common travel area CTA and associated bilateral agreements were secured whatever the outcome of Brexit negotiations. Our message to Irish citizens in the UK is that your rights will not change. You will still be able to move freely between Ireland the UK and the islands said Lidington. You will still be able to work study draw your pension and access social security and public services in the UK. Above all you will be welcome. And we welcome the similar commitment the government of Ireland makes to British citizens in Ireland. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/british-irish-deal-guarantee-rights-citizens-after-brexit 8th May 2019