14th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=64 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/honda-swindon-manufacturing-plant-closure-jobs-employees-latest-a8911766.html 13th May 2019

Jobs at Risk

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/breaking-honda-closures-confirmed-15661069 13th May 2019

Jobs at Risk

BBC Hondas decision to close its Swindon plant is a body blow and a betrayal a union has said. The Japanese car maker said a threemonth consultation produced no viable alternatives to its plan to close the factory in 2021. It added talks to agree redundancy packages with the 3500 workers would begin immediately. Unite national officer Des Quinn said the union would speak to members about next steps. A proposal to cease production of 160000 Honda Civics a year was confirmed in February. Honda UK director Jason Smith said the decision was taken with a heavy heart. We understand the impact this decision has on our associates suppliers and the wider community he said. We are committed to continuing to support them throughout the next phases of the consultation process. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-48255590 13th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Nursing Notes Over half of EU nurses leaving said Brexit was a contributing factor to them quitting the profession. Nearly 5000 nurses and midwives from EU countries have quit the profession in the past two years with many citing Brexit as a contributing factor. The number of EUtrained nurses and midwives working in the UK fell from a record high of 38024 in March 2017 to 33035 in March this year a drop of nearly 5000 according to official figures released by the Nursing and Midwifery Council NMC. When the NMC asked these staff why they were leaving 51 said Brexit was a key contributing factor. Experts have warned that Britains decision to leave the EU is exacerbating the NHSs growing staffing crisis and urgent action is needed. https://nursingnotes.co.uk/brexit-blamed-for-exodus-of-eu-nurses-and-midwives/ 13th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Financial Times A report by the IFS to be published on Tuesday at the reviews launch noted that while UK income inequality had been stable this was largely because tax credits had offset worsening earnings inequality. Benefit income received from the government may feel quite different in terms of the dignity and security it brings from income earning in the labour market said the report. But inequality is not just about money added the report. Among other examples it called attention to a rise in the UK of middle aged deaths of despair from suicide drug overdose or alcoholrelated disease. https://www.ft.com/content/578e4ad4-7590-11e9-be7d-6d846537acab 14th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Metro.co.uk Once youve experienced the lifechanging destructive trauma that is sexual violence rape stops being a laughing matter. And you realise it never was a laughing matter we just happened to live in a culture too uncomfortable with the topic to call out a rape joke for what it is an insult to the actual trauma that rape has on real lives and a gross denigration of human worth. Recently Ukip MEP candidate Carl Benjamin refused to apologise for his ongoing rape jokes about Labour MP Jess Phillips. Ukip leader Gerard Batten has defended Benjamins jokes as satire. But anyone who has ever claimed the mantle of free speech in defence of rape jokes has surely never been a victim of rape themselves. Theyve never had to face the seemingly insurmountable flood of posttraumatic stress disorder depression and anxiety that disrupts your life upends your career and ruins your own sense of trust in other people and the rest of the world. https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/13/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-rape-joke-9507372/ 14th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Are the talks between the government and the opposition dead Not yet. Olly Robbins remember him the governments Brexit negotiator is off to Brussels on Tuesday to talk about how long it might take and how the broad outline of the future arrangement between the EU and the UK could be changed if there were to be some kind of deal. On its own that sounds rather promising. Its been a demand from Labour that there would be changes to the socalled political declaration so that any compromises can be trusted. And broadly the actual policies of the two main Westminster parties arent so far apart after all. If you squint at the detail you can just about see where with some understanding and urgency they could collide. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48262338 14th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times As the chairman of the 1922 Committee and former cabinet ministers and who voted for your Withdrawal Agreement in the most recent vote on March 29 we are writing to urge you not to agree any customs union with the Labour Party. A customs union with the EU is both bad policy and bad politics. On policy we would be stuck in the worst of both worlds. First the democratic deficit for the first time in this nations long trading history we would have neither an independent trade policy nor any significant say in the trade policy of a wider entity. The British people would not be able to understand how none of their elected representatives had any say. A Latvian MEP would have more say over our trade policy than anyone elected in this country. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/the-letter-to-theresa-may-3tgkfz0v5 14th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Even Tory loyalists cannot deny the pointlessness of carrying on as now. Brexit is unresolved they cannot move on to any other issues and a radical Labour opposition goes unchallenged. It is not only the Tories who are suffering those who wish to undermine faith in politics are being handed a new weapon with each week of torpor. There is no reason for Tory moderates to be optimistic about the next leader. Yet the delay till a deal strategy is exhausted. The governing party has ceased to function and so has Westminster. Mrs May should bank her records and set a departure date. In the words of one Tory MP Whatever comes next is coming. We may as well get on with it. https://www.ft.com/content/68d17d28-7565-11e9-bbad-7c18c0ea0201 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Theresa May is under pressure to abandon Brexit talks with Labour amid warnings she risks losing the loyal middle of the Tory Party if she gives ground on a customs union. Thirteen former ministers together with the backbench 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady have written to the Prime Minister urging her not to concede Labours key demand. The signatories of the letter seen by The Times were said to include Gavin Williamson who she sacked as defence secretary as well as Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-told-to-abandon-talks-with-labour-and-not-give-ground-on-customs-a4141421.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@alexwickham NEW Julian Smith has just told Tory MPs they are now on a three line whip for Thursday. It was previously a one line whip. No reason given for the update. MPs are asking if this means we could finally be getting a vote on the WAB https://twitter.com/alexwickham/status/1127917318586163200 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Labours deputy leader said not voting for his party in the European elections will give Nigel Farage a win and has reached out to Remainers by saying its agenda is to remain and reform in Europe. Tom Watson is expected to plead in a speech at the Fabian Society for supporters to back Labour in the polls next week. There are only two forces that can win this election that nasty nationalism of the Farage Brexit Party or the tolerant compassionate outward looking patriotism of the Labour Party Watson will say. I can only plead with Labour supporters dont stay at home dont put that cross elsewhere dont let them win. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/tom-watson-warns-not-voting-labour-will-let-nigel-farage-win-1-6046798 14th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Pressure is growing on Sajid Javid to allow asylum seekers to work in a desperate hunt across Government for new cash streams. The Treasury has demanded the Home Secretary reduce the spiralling bill for claimants in the UK which now stretches into the hundreds of millions every year. One idea being looked at is to end the long standing ban on foreign nationals who have claimed asylum taking jobs. The controversial move which could be pushed through as part of new postBrexit immigration rules would save the Treasury a fortune in paying out handouts as well as bringing in extra income tax. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9067907/pressure-sajid-javid-asylum-seekers-work/ 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A crossparty Brexit deal will not get through Parliament unless it is subject to a fresh public vote shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer says. Talks between Labour and ministers over leaving the EU have been going on for a month with little sign of progress. Sir Keir told the Guardian that without a new referendum up to 150 Labour MPs would vote against any agreement made. Environment Secretary Michael Gove suggested Labour needed more time to come to terms with the idea of a deal. For some in the Labour Party it will be a significant step to accept supporting Brexit and to come behind the prime ministers approach he told the BBC. After talks broke up on Monday evening a Labour spokesperson said the shadow cabinet would be updated on what had been discussed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48245499 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Mark Harper MP insists such selfindulgent speculation about the party leadership should not be the priority with the European elections looming large. But is the former chief whip mulling a crack at the top job He speaks to Sebastian Whale https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/house/house-magazine/103770/mark-harper-%E2%80%9Ci-will-vote 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Theresa May will be prime minister for a while to come yet a Cabinet minister has told Sky News. Environment Secretary Michael Gove said Mrs May should be given the time space and dignity to leave in a way that she believes is right. The PM has promised to leave office once the first phase of Brexit has been sorted out but the deadlock over Britains departure from the European Union continues to drag on. https://news.sky.com/story/michael-gove-theresa-may-will-be-prime-minister-for-a-while-to-come-yet-11719224 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Labours Brexit divisions have been laid bare once more after two frontbenchers warned any Brexit deal was impossible to get through the Commons without a public vote attached. Sir Keir Starmer the shadow Brexit secretary and deputy leader Tom Watson have both thrown their weight behind calls for a second referendum on a crossparty agreement. But the prospect of a Final Say vote remains divisive among senior Labour figures which has led in part to the partys carefully crafted Brexit position. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-brexit-final-say-jeremy-corbyn-shadow-cabinet-a8911771.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Londoners are saying an emphatic no to Theresa Mays Brexit deal with seven out of 10 saying they would rather stay in the European Union. The exclusive poll also found that nearly half of Londoners want a second referendum to be called the strongest support yet with 47 per cent in favour and just 29 per cent against. The findings by YouGov with research commissioned by Queen Mary University of London suggest a big shift from the referendum in 2016 when the capital divided 6040 for staying in the EU. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/seven-in-10-londoners-would-back-staying-in-eu-over-may-s-deal-a4140766.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian A greater challenge then presents itself. The Commons must empower a plausible executive machine to deliver what it decides. The party leaders must agree in advance to implement that decision. This would require the Tories to support May still their leader to present Brussels with whatever the Commons has decided irrespective of what the Tories alone decided. To carry any credibility the prime minister would need other Commons parties alongside her. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/13/brexit-mps-commons-leaders-deal-eu 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Top minister Liz Truss has said the Conservatives should build one million homes on the green belt as she all but confirmed she would stand for the party leadership. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury said the eyecatching proposal would allow the under 40s to own their own homes. But it is likely to get short shrift from the old guard in the Tory membership which has been strongly opposed to building on green belt land. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/103813/liz-truss-says-tories-should 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Brexit talks are not in good health but not dead yet Olly Robbins is heading to Brussels tomorrow to talk about how and how long it might take to change the political declaration IF there were to be an agreement https://twitter.com/bbclaurak/status/1128042076854202371 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Brexit negotiations between the Government and Labour are on the brink of collapse after the latest round of talks ended without agreement. Senior frontbenchers from both sides met for nearly two hours on Monday in a fresh bid to find a breakthrough. But sources said they broke up without any substantive progress being made. In a clear sign that the negotiations a deal is as far away as ever no further talks have been pencilled in. Theresa May will report back to her Cabinet on Tuesday as will Jeremy Corbyn with his Shadow Cabinet. And it looks increasingly likely that both sides will decide to pull the plug on the talks which began more than a month ago. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/103858/brexit-talks-between-labour-and 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Nigel Farage has confirmed that he will mount an eighth attempt to become an MP in a bid to ensure Britain leaves the European Union. The former Ukip leaders new Brexit Party is on course beat both Labour and the Conservatives at the EU elections next week amid a growing backlash from Leave voters over the ongoing parliamentary deadlock. Mr Farage also confirmed that he would be willing to prop up a minority Tory government at Westminster if it meant that a nodeal Brexit would be delivered. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/news/103855/nigel-farage-launch-eighth-bid-become-mp-next-general-election 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Theresa Mays hopes of a Plan B Brexit deal with Jeremy Corbyn look set to be dashed as senior Labour figures have warned they cant sign up to her plea to abide by a fresh set of Commons votes. Talks between the government and opposition broke up again without any substantive agreement on Monday night and few on either side now expect a crossparty agreement on major issues such as customs or a second referendum. But with her preferred option of a joint deal on the edge of collapse HuffPost UK has learned that even Mays fallback plan of a series of indicative votes is set to be rejected by Labour. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/plan-b-brexit-labour-talks-falter_uk_5cd9976ae4b0615b08170cb5 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard As a BBC correspondent in Northern Ireland I often asked prominent members of the IRA what they made of Corbyn. They repeatedly used the same phrase he was they said a useful dupe. Now he is flirting with Theresa Mays Brexit deal. It will make London poorer and will see Mrs May replaced by a hardline Brexiteer in her own party. Even his supporters surely cannot wish for him to become a useful dupe once more this time of Nigel Farage Mark Francois Boris Johnson Dominic Raab Jacob ReesMogg and Ukip. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/at-change-uk-we-will-fight-to-save-london-from-brexit-a4140816.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The Commons has sat for 298 days and with MPs unable to agree a Brexit deal no new session is in sight. The current session of parliament is now the longest since the civil war period as the impasse over Brexit continues House of Commons officials have said. As of Friday the Commons had sat for 298 days comprising 2657 hours and 56 minutes the House of Commons library said in a briefing. The existing record was set during the long parliament when members sat for 3322 days without prorogation from 3 November 1640 until 20 April 1653. The record session which the library noted was unlikely to be broken included not just the civil war but the trial and execution of Charles I and ended only when Oliver Cromwell used soldiers to remove MPs. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/13/brexit-impasse-longest-uk-parliament-session-civil-war 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph The Brexit Party looks set to drain the Tories Eurosceptic base though Labour are struggling too. There have been plenty of previous challenges to the electoral grip of the Conservatives and Labour. The Liberal Democrats have long been snapping at their heels regularly winning around a fifth of the vote until they entered the 201015 Coalition. In the last Euroelection in 2014 Ukip shocked the political establishment by coming first. Scotland is now a SNP fiefdom. However until now these challenges have occurred separately not in combination. Ukips challenge coincided with a collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote. The SNP does not threaten the two main parties south of the border. Now The Brexit Party does. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/13/thanks-brexit-party-conservatives-can-expect-worst-ever-result/ 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@TNewtonDunn Interesting. Gove is far from alone among Cabinet Brexiteers in not wanting the leadership contest until after Brexit. Holding it before in their view 1. Favours Raab and Boris 2. Creates a No Deal showdown with the Commons and therefore 3. Invites on a general election. https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1127977281912168448 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian With Brexit on the horizon and the main parties so divided its no wonder that progressive voters want to come together to show a united front. Tactical2017 a progressive campaign that encouraged people to vote tactically in the 2017 general election to get the Conservatives out of government is being asked again for guidance this time for the European parliament elections on 23 May. Here is why we wont be making any solid recommendations and why we advise people not to follow other sites that do https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/13/why-i-wont-be-advising-people-to-vote-tactically-in-the-european-elections 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jude KirtonDarling was looking forward to spending a bit of time with her toddler Natan this spring. Although the northeast Labour MEP remained disappointed about the EU referendum result she thought it would be nice to be a fulltime mum for a while. But Theresa Mays failure to get a deal through parliament means KirtonDarling finds herself on the stump again instead of going to playgroup. If you had told me three years ago I wouldnt have believed you she said. As MEPs we see the Brexit process very very closely from both sides and I have never seen such incompetent negotiations. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/13/how-will-labours-heartlands-greet-its-brexit-tightrope-act 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail The most significant consequence of a Brexit Party advance however would be Labour winning well over 300 seats way ahead of the Tories. On this basis Jeremy Corbyn with the support of the Scottish National Party would become Prime Minister and John McDonnell Chancellor of the Exchequer. That would not bring about the Brexit that Nigel Farage wants. Labour is fundamentally a Remain party and even if it were to take the UK out of the EU it would be only on the basis that we remained permanently part of the Customs Union it has repeatedly said as much. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7021455/DOMINIC-LAWSON-ironic-Farage-City-boy-help-Corbyn-crash-economy.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Brexit was and remains largely about this mythical EU and its symbolic opposition to an equally mythical Britain rather than about anything specific to the actual EU. Brexit is pure magic standing in for your hopes or fears. Bring it down to the level of the prosaic to MEPs and trade policy and it loses this magic and becomes ugly and undesirable. Ultimately Brexit cannot be fulfilled it can only be betrayed. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/13/european-elections-brexit-middlesbrough 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Heidi Allen the leader of the proremain Change UK party has challenged the Brexit party leader Nigel Farage to a live TV debate before the European elections. Allen the former Conservative MP who joined the breakaway Independent Group said she wanted to take on Farage so the British people could decide which new partys vision they preferred. The challenge was made on Monday night in Change UKs party election broadcast launched in Cardiff at a rally in which Allen spoke alongside the former Labour MP Chuka Umunna another key voice in the party. Im challenging Nigel Farage to join me in a new live TV debate and lets share with the British people our vision for the future and let them decide which they prefer Allen said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/13/heidi-allen-challenges-nigel-farage-to-live-tv-debate-before-eu-elections-brexit-party 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Late Labour leader John Smith would have backed calls for a second referendum on Brexit Tom Watson will declare. In a heartfelt address on Monday the deputy party leader will argue that Mr Smith who died in 1994 would have seen a socalled Peoples Vote as a route out of this destructive mess. Mr Watson will also urge Labour voters to stick with the party at the upcoming European Parliament elections and deny victory to the far right and the Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/tom-watson/news/103816/tom-watson-says-late-labour-leader 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times The Conservatives have fallen into fifth place behind every major political party with the exception of Ukip and ChangeUK in this months European elections a new poll for The Times suggests today. The YouGov research has the Tories at just 10 per cent behind the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent and the Greens on 11 per cent. The poll indicates that Labour is also haemorrhaging support to Nigel Farages new party with its vote share down five points to 16 per cent. The Brexit Party is up four points on 34 per cent while ChangeUK is on 5 per cent. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/politics-tories-slump-to-fifth-place-in-polls-7jzfprmhn 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Nigel Farages Brexit Party. Both will be fighting for political survival in an increasingly crowded field. A poor performance is likely to send them to an early grave. As things stand the public dont think either of these two new parties will still be around in a decades time. The majority of Britons 56 per cent think Change UK will eventually fade from politics and probably not be a force in British politics in 10 years. Just 10 per cent think that they are here to stay and will likely remain an important part of British politics for the next 10 years. The public are even more pessimistic about the Brexit Party with 63 per cent thinking it will fade over the next decade although 13 per cent think its here to stay. UKIPs prospects are just as gloomy as those of their newer rivals 61 per cent think it will fade and 13 per cent think is here to stay. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/most-britons-think-the-brexit-party-and-change-uk-will-be-dead-within-a-decade-cksncxxz5 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Jeremy Corbyn is facing increased public pressure from senior figures in his own Shadow Cabinet to throw the leaderships weight behind a second EU referendum on any crossparty Brexit deal in order to gain the backing of their own MPs. Sir Keir Starmer the Shadow Brexit Secretary warned it was impossible to see how an agreement between the Conservatives and his party could clear the Commons unless it guaranteed the deal would be put back to the public for a confirmatory vote. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17636682.jeremy-corbyn-urged-to-commit-opposition-to-peoples-vote-to-win-labour-mps-support-for-cross-party-brexit-deal/ 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Tom Watson has launched a fresh bid to convince Jeremy Corbyn to back another Brexit referendum by claiming that former party leader John Smith would have understood the need for a Final Say vote. In a speech on Monday the partys deputy leader will admit that Labour supporters are not happy with its current Brexit policy and make an impassioned plea to them not to abandon the party in European parliament elections later this month. In comments that will be widely interpreted as on attack on Mr Corbyn he will hit out at leftwing critics of the EU and say that they are just as wrongheaded as rightwing Eurosceptics. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-latest-labour-second-referendum-jeremy-corbyn-tom-watson-a8910711.html 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland A confirmatory Brexit referendum would place democracy at risk Arlene Foster has warned. The DUP leader rejected calls from senior Labour politicians that any Brexit deal that might emerge from their partys talks with the Conservatives should be put to a public vote. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17636082.arlene-foster-second-brexit-referendum-places-democracy-at-risk/ 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A crossparty Brexit deal will not get through Parliament unless it is subject to a fresh public vote shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer says. Talks between Labour and ministers over leaving the EU have been going on for a month with little sign of progress. Sir Keir told the Guardian that without a new referendum up to 150 Labour MPs would vote against any agreement made. Environment Secretary Michael Gove suggested Labour needed more time to come to terms with the idea of a deal. For some in the Labour Party it will be a significant step to accept supporting Brexit and to come behind the prime ministers approach he told the BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48245499 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Channel 4 News Vince Cable that there could be three options on any future second referendum No Deal Theresa Mays Deal or Remain in a TV interview with Krishnan GuruMurthy https://www.channel4.com/news/sir-vince-cable-lib-dem-leader-three-options-in-second-eu-referendum 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Downing Street said May had made clear her views about a second public vote She has said on many occasions that she is focused on delivering the result of the first referendum. Mays spokesman declined to put a deadline on the talks but said the government was prepared to move on to a series of indicative votes in parliament if no resolution was possible. If we were able to make progress with Labour then we would look to bring the bill before the House of Commons before the European elections he said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/13/theresa-may-remains-opposed-to-any-form-of-brexit-referendum 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European new YouGov poll has thrown into doubt claims that Labour is the main opposition party to Nigel Farages Brexit Party with 60 of 2017 general election voters moving away from the party. The latest figures put Labour in second place but with just 16 of support as 44 of voters from the 2017 general election plan to vote for proRemain parties instead. It has given the Liberal Democrats a boost giving them 15 of the support a difference of just 1. This is followed by the Greens on 11 and Change UK on 5. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/poll-puts-lib-dems-just-1-behind-labour-in-european-elections-1-6047639 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Crossparty talks to break the Brexit deadlock are not succeeding because of Labours demand for another referendum a Welsh MP has warned. Aberavon Labour MP Stephen Kinnock says his partys call is torpedoing the discussions between both main parties. Talks between Conservative ministers and Labour over leaving the EU have been going on for a month with little sign of progress. Half of Welsh Labours 28 MPs have backed another public vote. The shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has said a crossparty deal will not get through Parliament unless it is subject to a fresh public vote. He suggested a referendum on the final deal had become a red line of its own for many Labour MPs saying a significant number probably 120 if not 150 would not back a deal if it hasnt got a confirmatory vote. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-48255352 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The UK should consider decisively increasing defence spending after Brexit Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said. He told the Lord Mayors Banquet in London the threats facing the UK had changed markedly since the Cold War. We simply do not know what the balance of power in the world will be in 25 years time he added. He said any extra money should be spent on new capabilities and not simply plugging gaps. Mr Hunt said it was not sustainable to expect the US to spend 4 of its GDP on defence while other Nato allies spent between 1 and 2. So for these and other reasons I believe it is time for the next Strategic Defence and Security Review to ask whether over the coming decade we should decisively increase the proportion of GDP we devote to defence he said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-parliaments-48262331?ns_mchannel=social&ampns_campaign=bbc_politics&ampns_linkname=news_central&ampns_source=twitter 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103818/tory-civil-war-erupts-partys-own-election 13th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Conservative infighting has broken out after the party produced a European Parliament election leaflet which tells people to lobby directly Brexiteer MPs who have voted down Theresa Mays Brexit deal. A leaflet seen by The Telegraph and titled How to show you want a Brexit deal delivered as soon as possible says that for a deal to pass it needs the support of more than half of all MPs. It includes a photograph and quote from Mrs May saying At this critical moment for our country parties should not be playing politics or acting for their own personal gain. We need to come together stay the course and deliver Brexit in the national interest. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/12/conservative-mps-fury-party-produces-election-leaflet-urging/ 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK Jeremy Corbyn has admitted that Labour needs a clearer message on Brexit after a raft of his MPs warned the party was haemorrhaging votes to the proRemain Lib Dems and Greens. At a heated meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party PLP on Monday night the Labour leader faced repeated questions on why the partys leaflets for the Euro elections had fudged its support for a public vote on a Tory Brexit deal. MP after MP got up to slam the damage being done by talks with the government and warned that Labour faced an existential threat if it continued to be unclear about its position on quitting the EU. Corbyn pledged he would take immediate action to respond to the concerns though he insisted that his antiausterity message offered a chance to unite the country in both Remain and Leave areas. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-mps-corbyn-losing-votes-lib-dems-greens-euro-elections_uk_5cd9be90e4b073aa0b320964 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The boss of a popular ice cream firm faces restrictions on his business after a judge raised concerns that he could commit slavery offences. Salvatore Sam Lopresti 75 of Long Ashton will not be able to employ staff or deal with wages at Lopresti Ice Cream in Bristol. The measures are part of a Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order STRO that was imposed last week. However he will not face a charge relating to modern day slavery. The company is owned by the family of Tory MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke Jack Lopresti. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-48253749 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Otto English delves deeper into Claire Fox and Spiked Onlines close connection to Nigel Farages new party and discovers another PR executive involved in recruiting potential MEPs. It seems just a few short weeks ago that we were howling at its laughaminute March for Leave and lowtech website. How did it turn from an amateurish outfit into an undeniably slick operation with a superior launch video and a festivalstyle roadshow touring the country And on that journey why has Nigel Farage stuck so steadfastly by Claire Fox the only weak link in the chain https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/13/astroturfers-of-britain-part-two-who-is-behind-brexit-party-recruitment-and-its-pr-makeover/ 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Leave voters in Pontefract West Yorkshire lashed out at Jeremy Corbyn admitting they now prefer Nigel Farage to the leftwing leader after being Labour supporters for a long time. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1126670/Brexit-news-Jeremy-Corbyn-Nigel-Farage-Brexit-Party-European-elections 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Express Speaking to LBCs Theo Usherwood during an interview with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage Leave voters in Ponterfact vowed to vote against the Labour Party at the next general elections. Asked whether they will support West Yorkshire MPs Yvette Cooper or Jon Trickett one passionate Brexit supporter said Jon Trickett will be gone. He will be gone. He will be wiped out in no time. He will be gone. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1126693/Brexit-news-UK-general-election-Jeremy-Corbyn-Yorkshire-Yvette-Cooper-Jon-Trickett 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Hard Brexiteers such as Farage and their cheerleaders dont much like the institutions that are fundamental to a liberal free democracy the judiciary described by the Daily Mail as enemies of the people our independent civil service accused of fiddling the figures by Jacob ReesMogg the Bank of England Brexiteers have called for the governors resignation and backbench MPs defending their constituents jobs against a hard Brexit. They have all been subject to attack abuse or threat. The reason we are in this mess is because Brexit in the form that it was sold to the British people by the Brexit elite Nigel Farage ReesMogg and others is impossible to deliver. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-party-nigel-farage-andrew-marr-bbc-enemy-european-elections-a8911986.html 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian More than 800 people were unable to vote during a second trial of compulsory voter ID at this months local elections according to interim figures. Across the eight out of 10 test areas that have so far given figures 819 people were turned away from polling stations and did not return according to the Local Government Chronicle LGC. The average of 102 per area compares to 70 in the first trial last year when 340 people were unable to vote in the five councils trialling the system. Labour and election organisations renewed their condemnation of the governments planned national rollout of compulsory voter ID which critics say disproportionately affects vulnerable voters and tackles a negligible problem. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/13/second-voter-id-trial-sees-800-people-unable-to-vote-in-local-elections 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Nigel Farage has been a public fraud and phoney for decades. It is only recently that he has been calling the tune. His is the only story that is emerging from these weird elections because the other pipers have lost their breath. The Tories are not campaigning at all. Labour is trying to be all things to all people trying not to be eaten alive by the Brexit beast that would have posed an unimaginable headache to any Labour leader but the biggest one of all to Jeremy Corbyn who has been a professional liar on Brexit since he first launched Labours campaign three years ago at the Ministry of Truth. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nigel-farage-andrew-marr-bbc-bias-brexit-party-a8912001.html 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Financial Times Labours Brexit dilemma is deepening as Tom Watson deputy leader steps up calls for a clear commitment to a second EU referendum amid signs that proRemain voters are abandoning the party. Barely two weeks ago Mr Watson was routed by Jeremy Corbyn who won a healthy majority at the partys National Executive Committee against efforts to ensure that Labour back another referendum in all circumstances. But since then Mr Watson and other proEU senior shadow ministers have continued to wage their campaign against the more ambiguous policy championed by Mr Corbyn and a group of his top officials. Mr Corbyns policy has also failed to convince the voters according to polls with Labour supporters increasingly switching to other parties with clearer messages on Brexit little more than a week ahead of EU elections. https://www.ft.com/content/3f2b124e-7570-11e9-bbad-7c18c0ea0201 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian There is no knowing if Jeremy Corbyn is capable of this agility or too stubborn to shift. But when driving towards a concrete wall a swerve is advisable. Some obstacles have been removed. The Peoples Vote campaign was viewed by some Labour conspiracy theorists as a way of covertly rallying antiCorbynites. But now the Change UK group has split off so far making very moderate headway the path is clear for Labour remainers to be seen as just that proLabour proreferendum proremain no subversive agenda. In this election Labours remainers will put country before party and vote accordingly. The partys Brexit voters have already fled. Its for Corbyn to decide if he wants Labour humiliated his remainers are waiting to hear before they too defect. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/13/jeremy-corbyn-labour-brexit-nigel-farage-european-elections 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Journalism largely missed or muddled the Brexit story because it is an exemplar of that inequality. To ward off criticisms of elitism it gives platforms again and again to figures it misapprehends as voices of the people. Only an elite could mistake a wealthy privately educated former commodities broker for a man of the people. The only way in which Farage has ever aided the people is in highlighting the unfairness of a system that gives much more weight to some votes and voices than others. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/13/nigel-farage-womens-equality-party-elections-media 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times Nigel Farage has angrily accused the BBC of outrageous bias after he was repeatedly challenged in an interview about his past political views. During a series of confrontational exchanges on The Andrew Marr Show the Brexit Party leader said that the broadcaster was in denial about public anger over Brexit. Marr used the interview to challenge Mr Farage over comments he has made in the past on issues such as immigration climate change and gun control. He highlighted the politicians previous support for bringing in a health insurance system for the NHS relaxing laws on gun control and his admiration for Vladimir Putin. He also quoted Mr Farage as saying that worrying about global warming was the stupidest thing in human history and that he felt uncomfortable hearing foreign languages on Tube trains. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bbc-is-now-the-enemy-declares-furious-farage-after-tv-grilling-zrmf0bdv5 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun Theresa Mays husband Philip will persuade her to resign if she fails to find a majority for a Brexit deal within a month ministers now believe. Even No10 loyalists think the PM will find it impossible to overcome such a head of steam against her from Tory MPs and activists if the crippling deadlock continues into June. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9059132/theresa-may-husband-resign-brexit/ 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun The Tories are on course for their worst election performance ever as they bleed voters to the Brexit Party. Nigel Farages outfit is so new it doesnt have any policies yet imagine how much bigger the damage could get. Every day the PM remains in office Jeremy Corbyn gets closer to power. News that one in ten wealth creators will flee Britain if Labour gets in is a reminder of how high the stakes are. No one could accuse Mrs May of not feeling a huge sense of public duty. But when even her adoring husband Philip admits she needs to resign surely she must realise that she is now the problem not the solution. This week Tory grandees will tell the PM to name the date she plans to hand over to a successor. She must do it. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9060105/theresa-may-resignation-tories-damaged/ 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BuzzFeed News The Brexit Party has distanced itself from its most senior election official after BuzzFeed News found he had defended Tommy Robinson and repeatedly mocked the concept of Islamophobia. Noel Matthews the Brexit Partys national election agent and the person with ultimate legal responsibility for its European election campaign last year posted an article sympathetic to the farright former EDL activist and wrote THIS. Tommy Robinson Drew Attention to Grooming Gangs. Britain Has Persecuted Him. Nigel Farage has said that one of his main reasons for quitting UKIP and setting up the Brexit Party was his former partys fixation with Robinson and Islam. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/brexit-party-national-election-agent-tommy-robinson 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK A new website targeted at Remain voters has been launched by data scientists in a bid to help tactical voting against the Brexit Party. RemainVoter.com promises to identify the best tactical voting options to stop candidates from Nigel Farages latest party winning a seat in the upcoming European elections. The site uses a new mathematical model to power a tactical voting engine for the European elections said team leader and exGoogle software engineer Cheryl Hung. We are entirely nonparty political said Hung. Our sole aim is to remain in the EU as we see the damage that leaving it will do to our country. We understand that party politics political reality and technical factors prevented a proRemain alliance. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tactical-voting-explained-stop-brexit_uk_5cd90c15e4b054da4e8bf823 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Record The Labour Party sent campaign leaflets written in Welsh to voters in the Highlands after a Euro election bungle. Voters received bilingual literature that should have been sent to the Welsh Valleys. Labour has launched an investigation into the miscommunication which resulted in Scots being implored in English to Vote Welsh Labour on Thursday 23rd May. The message Pleidleisiwch dros Lafur Cymru ar ddydd lan 23 Mai was posted alongside a picture of Jeremy Corbyn who ads Theresa May and the Tories are in chaos and Britain is in crisis. In Welsh the message was Mae Theresa May ar Toraid mewn anhrefn ac mae Prydain mewn argyfwng. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/labour-send-euro-vote-campaign-15681951 13th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Im not the first person to have been on the receiving end of BBC bias and I wont be the last. But with an election campaign under way I had expected our state broadcaster to behave responsibly in its coverage of this pivotal moment for democracy in Britain. Not a bit of it. On Sunday I was on The Andrew Marr Show. I anticipated a tough and freeflowing interview about the Brexit Party our candidates their strikingly different backgrounds our campaign and the merits of MEPs and the EU elections. Instead shortly after the interview began Marr produced a piece of paper and started reading scripted questions relating to things I allegedly said or thought years ago questions I did not want to be asked https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/13/andrew-marrs-obsession-past-betrays-bias-heart-bbc/ 13th May 2019

EU Funding Benefits

The Guardian Its clear that the EU is leading on the design of financial levers to encourage a sustainability transition for the finance sector and thus for all companies. Rather than picking off the London Stock Exchange Labour needs to embrace our continued membership of the EU. When it comes to tackling serious global issues such as climate change and transitioning towards a green economy we will achieve so much more working together cooperatively with our European neighbours. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/labour-climate-support-green-party-carbon-eu 12th May 2019

EU Funding Benefits

The Guardian London will have the worlds first hydrogenpowered doubledecker buses on its streets next year as the capital steps up attempts to tackle its polluted air. Transport for London TfL has ordered 20 of the buses which cost around 500000 each and only emit water as exhaust. As well as cutting polluting exhaust emissions the buses will run on green hydrogen produced via North Kent offshore wind farms according to TfL. The overall cost for the new fleet including the refuelling infrastructure will be 12m 5m of which will come from European funding. The transport authority expects the running costs to be comparable for a diesel bus. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/10/london-to-have-world-first-hydrogen-powered-doubledecker-buses 10th May 2019