13th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=65 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Financial Times The main issue for private equity firms when it comes to British companies is the difficulty of assessing the risk they are acquiring. Even seasoned investors such as Howard Marks who have made hundreds of millions of dollars investing in highrisk situations are not sure how to go about investing in the UK. Whether to invest in anything is always a question of the relationship between price and value as well as the outlook for value says Mr Marks the cofounder of Oaktree Capital who has made himself a billionaire from a career of investing in complicated deals such as raising large distressed debt funds to invest in undervalued assets. I dont know enough about these things to know whether the balance is currently attractive. He adds All I know is that value in the UK is reduced from what it was two to three years ago because Brexit introduces so much uncertainty and downside risk...maybe theyve moved down so much that assets are cheap. James Seagrave global head of financial sponsors coverage at BNP Paribas in London says the UK market has become sclerotic as a result of Brexit. https://www.ft.com/content/7dbefce0-6d92-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d 12th May 2019

Economic Impact

The Guardian One in 10 shops in UK town centres are lying empty according to figures that underline the scale of the high street crisis. The national town centre vacancy rate climbed to a fouryear high of 10.2 last month according to the British Retail Consortium BRC vacancies monitor. The vacancy rate has risen in each of the last four quarters to give the highest reading since April 2015 up from 9.9 three months ago. The BRCs chief executive Helen Dickinson said some struggling high streets were trapped in a downward spiral Empty shopfronts particularly for larger stores can deter shoppers from an area. This effect can be cyclical with the longterm decline in footfall pushing up vacancy rates particularly in poorer areas. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/13/uk-high-streets-in-downward-spiral-with-one-in-10-shops-empty 12th May 2019

Economic Impact

The Guardian Britains economy strengthened in the first three months of the year with growth of 0.5 helped by unprecedented stockpiling by manufacturers fearful of the impact from a nodeal Brexit. It was an improvement on 0.2 growth in the previous three months and was bolstered by the strongest quarterly performance for manufacturers since 1988 with factory output up 2.2 according to the figures from the Office for National Statistics. However widespread uncertainty about the Brexit negotiations proved to have a greater impact in March as the services sector and construction sectors went into reverse to leave GDP down 0.1 month on month. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/10/uk-economic-growth-picks-up-as-stockpiling-boosts-manufacturing 10th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Hundreds of overseas doctors are considering quitting the NHS in protest at being charged thousands of pounds a year for visas and healthcare in order to work in the UK. Medics from around the world are considering taking their skills abroad angered by high charges and fees. Immigration rules mean they must pay thousands of pounds a year for a working visa and 400 a year for them and each member of their family to use the NHS. More than 500 doctors from outside the EU have voiced their concerns in testimonies given to EveryDoctor a campaigning organisation run by medics to improve how the profession is treated. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/may/12/hundreds-of-foreign-doctors-mull-leaving-uk-over-crippling-fees 12th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Two competing views of what it is to be British in the world are at the root of the Brexit deadlock. Until we reconcile them we cant move on https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/brexiteers-britain-vision-introverted-selfish-brexit-gordon-brown 12th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian The new immigration regime is set to be rolled out from January 2021 at the end of the transition period that would come as part of the Brexit deal on offer from the EU. However January also marks the midseason transfer window when clubs desperately attempt to secure lastminute deals to bolster their squads. There are concerns in Whitehall that some clubs are not alive to the changes which will mean European players lose the automatic right to come and play for British sides. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/football-brexit-chaos-over-eu-player-transfer 12th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Irish Examiner At least one group of UK residents is flourishing in Brexit Britain An exclusive club of billionaires. The 15 Britons on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index have added 21.5bn 25bn to their fortunes since the country voted to leave the EU on June 23 2016 including 14bn so far this year. https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/business/richest-in-britain-got-25bn-richer-since-the-brexit-vote-923461.html 11th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Somerset Live A Dutch artist has said cancel Brexit as he sculpts the Prime Minister being beheaded on a Somerset beach. Sculpter and activist Johannes Hogebrink is currently creating a depiction of the beheading of Theresa May using sand at WestonsuperMare beach. As Britain prepares to leave the EU he said to cut off England from Europe is to cut off her head and added that if people cant understand his art then they shouldnt be allowed to vote https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/dutch-artist-shouts-cancel-brexit-2858608 11th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Oxford Times Brexit is unsustainable for the NHS according to Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran. Her comments come after Oxford University Hospitals OUH recorded a significant rise in the number nurses quitting their posts during March. As reported in this paper on Tuesday the trust which runs the countys acute hospitals including the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has seen a higher number of EU nurses leaving particularly Spanish nurses due to Brexit anxiety. Speaking yesterday Ms Moran said It is deeply upsetting to hear that hardworking EU staff members are leaving the NHS in droves in Oxfordshire the Conservatives should be ashamed. https://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/17631045.nhs-eu-exodus-is-unsustainable-says-oxford-mp/ 10th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

Blogs.LSE.ac.uk Much has been written on the relationship between Parliament and the government in the wake of Brexit. Very little attention has been given to the role of our courts after Brexit which should not be overlooked. There are two important reasons why we should focus on this writes Martin Brenncke Aston Law School. First judges will be key players in delivering the goals of the statute that takes us out of the EU the EU Withdrawal Act 2018. Second this Act has the potential to intensify the shifting of power from Parliament to the courts. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2019/05/09/the-uk-will-remain-deeply-intertwined-with-eu-after-brexit-just-how-much-the-courts-will-decide/ 9th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The New European A man was told to remove a woolly hat with bollocks to Brexit on it before he could take his seat on a flight because another passenger reportedly found it offensive. IT consultant Derek Knowles was boarding FlyBes flight BE664 from Knock in west Ireland when a flight attendant said he would not be allowed to sit down while he had his hat on. She just took exception to it said Derek. She was polite but firm saying it might be offensive to other people and Im not allowed to wear it on the plane. The airline has since said that a passenger had complained about the hat and even followed up by writing to FlyBes CEO about it later. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/bollocks-to-brexit-hat-on-airline-1-6042512 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk The warning comes amid rumours that ministers may try to bring the Withdrawal Bill before Parliament as early as Thursday. Jacob ReesMogg has warned the Prime Minister that trying to strike a deal with the Labour leader in ongoing talks has reunited the Brexiteer European Research Tory MPs in opposition to any deal. Remainer Conservative MP Phillip Lee the first minister to resign over Brexit said that the 14 or so Tory MPs on his side of the debate were set to oppose the deal. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1126058/brexit-news-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-joint-deal-jacob-rees-mogg 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard The shadow Brexit secretary has warned that without a second referendum up to 150 Labour MPs would reject a Brexit deal. Sir Keir Starmer said more than twothirds of the partys 229 MPs could reject a deal in his first major interview since talks with the Government began almost five weeks ago. Speaking to the Guardian ahead of another meeting on Monday Sir Keir said he doubted any agreement that was not set to be ratified by a public vote would pass through Parliament. A significant number of Labour MPs probably 120 if not 150 would not back a deal if it hasnt got a confirmatory vote he said. If the point of the exercise is to get a sustainable majority over several weeks or months of delivering on the implementation you cant leave a confirmatory vote out of the package. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/starmer-150-labour-mps-would-reject-brexit-deal-without-referendum-a4140421.html 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail The European Parliaments chief Brexit negotiator has told British voters it would be insane to reelect Nigel Farage as an MEP as the Brexit Party stormed to a commanding lead in the polls. Former Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt tweeted that the Brexit Party leader would rather go to the pub than fight for British interests in Europe in his latest interjection in the UKs European election campaign. It comes after Mr Verhofstadt said he didnt know whether Brexit would happen and on the campaign trail with the Lib Dems said the coming vote was a chance to send message to the continent to say never repeat Brexit again. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7020489/EU-Guy-Verhofstadt-tells-Brit-voters-insane-Farage-Euro-elections.html 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner has said parliaments refusal to deliver Brexit has led directly to the surge in support for Nigel Farages Brexit party and is allowing him to dictate what the departure terms should be. Gardiner who is among those on the Labour frontbench most sceptical about the idea of a second referendum criticised the former prime minister Tony Blair for recommending in an Observer opinion piece that voters could opt for antiBrexit parties in the European elections on 23 May. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/brexit-failure-to-deliver-support-nigel-farage-party-barry-gardiner-labour 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The divisions in the UK are so deep and pervasive that reconciliation could take a generation Gordon Brown has said. The country was facing competing visions of its future isolated inwardlooking and disengaged or open outwardfacing and internationalist the former prime minister said. Speaking at the launch of Christian Aid Week in Westminster on Sunday morning Brown set out a passionate defence of the international aid budget and the importance of the fight against global poverty before addressing the themes behind the Brexit debate. The UK had endured three years of almost internecine division he said. The debate triggered by the Brexit referendum raised a fundamental disagreement about what it means to be British. And Ill be honest my worry is that the divisions in our country are now so deep and so pervasive that it could take a generation for us to reconcile these differences bring people together and find a unifying vision of our country and a sense of purpose and direction that takes us forward into the modern world Brown said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/reconciliation-in-uk-could-take-a-generation-says-gordon-brown 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Even if Nigel Farage won every single vote he could not guarantee frictionless trade he could not prevent a postBrexit recession and he could not solve the Irish border riddle. Nor could any other politician https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/brexit-party-european-elections-poll-latest-nigel-farage-lib-dems-a8910516.html 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Allies of Jeremy Corbyn fear his deputy Tom Watson could launch a coup within days if the Labour leader agrees to strike a Brexit deal with Theresa May that is not subject to a confirmatory referendum. Sources close to the Labour leader have become increasingly alarmed by Watsons behaviour after he began recruiting colleagues to join his Future Britain group following the defection of eight Labour MPs for the Independent Group now Change UK in February. There are fears in Labours high command that Watson is establishing a party within a party that could eventually take control of its finances and MPs. The fears have been fuelled by claims that more than 100 Labour MPs will demand a firm guarantee that any Brexit deal is put to a confirmatory referendum before endorsing a Westminster stitchup. A senior Labour source said There has been lots of chatter for months about the idea of Labour MPs resigning en masse if Corbyn backs away from a second referendum. But its clear as day to many of us that there will be an internal challenge for the leadership first before there is any kind of further break away from the party. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/labour-fears-tom-watson-coup-if-jeremy-corbyn-strikes-deal-with-theresa-may-l629k99bx 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The shadow Brexit secretary said he feared the party risked losing its remain voters after worse than expected losses in the local elections but he warned Labour remainers tempted to vote for the Liberal Democrats or Change UK that only Jeremy Corbyns party could deliver a fresh referendum. In his first major interview since talks with the government began almost five weeks ago Starmer Suggested a referendum must be part of any package agreed with the government. Said Labour could call time on the crossparty talks within days if it became clear no new offer was forthcoming. Warned Theresa May would further damage the prospect of any deal if she set an imminent departure date from No 10. Said the option was on the table to face Nigel Farage or Tommy Robinson in an EU elections debate. Starmer a human rights lawyer for 20 years is to be the key face of Labours EU elections campaign which will be framed as a battle of values. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/keir-starmer-brexit-deal-unlikely-pass-without-confirmatory-referendum-interview 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News If we go ahead and tumble out of the European Union with a nodeal Brexit of the sort that Farage and Boris Johnson and these people want you are going to get a silent revolution in this country as well. There are people who are going to feel so strongly about this that I just say this to both main political parties theyre going to sweep them away. https://news.sky.com/story/tony-blair-warns-a-no-deal-brexit-would-spark-a-silent-revolution-11717842 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Crossparty talks to break the Brexit deadlock are not getting very far a senior shadow minister has said dealing a further blow to hopes of a breakthrough. Jonathan Ashworth the shadow health secretary claimed the government was refusing to agree to Labours demands for a customs union with the EU and accused Theresa May of being unprepared to compromise. The comments contradict claims made by those involved in the negotiations who have repeatedly said that talks have been constructive and made progress. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-latest-labour-talks-conservatives-theresa-may-a8910346.html 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Our Devastated Pessimist group are young. They make up 53 of 18 to 24yearolds but only 21 of those aged 65plus and are well educated and middle class 44 of the AB social class but only 24 of DEs. This makes them natural Labour supporters but they are particularly angry with Labour with more than half agreeing that on Brexit Jeremy Corbyn is more concerned about his political career than the national interest. Disappointment in Corbyn is palpable as his apparent fencesitting challenges the man of principle positioning he successfully occupied in the early days of his leadership. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/in-eu-elections-devastated-pessimists-hold-key-to-turnout 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Guy Verhofstadt has claimed the Liberal Democrats are the only truly proEU party in Britain as he joined Sir Vince Cable for campaigning in London. The European Parliaments Brexit coordinator endorsed the Lib Dems ahead of EU elections later this month saying they offered an alternative to nationalism. Speaking alonside Sir Vince in Camden north London he said The reason Im here to support the Liberal Democrats is there is only one proEuropean party in Britain and it is the Lib Dems. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/liberal-democrats-brexit-eu-guy-verhofstadt-pro-remain-european-elections-a8907986.html 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Theresa May was warned about Gavin Williamsons bad mouthing when she became PM but dubbed him my bitch now. The former Defence Secretary who she sacked two weeks ago after accusing him of leaking secrets is a wellknown Westminster plotter. Yesterday Mr Williamson avenged his firing by branding Mrs Mays decision to hold Brexit deal talks with Labour as a grave mistake. The Premiers aides reported the senior Tory MP who was then Chief Whip to her in 2016 for allegedly telling other MPs she was a charisma free bitch . But in a defiant riposte that showed the PM thought she could control Mr Williamsons ways Mrs May told her staff Well hes my bitch now. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9059056/theresa-may-warned-gavin-williamson-bad-mouthing/ 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Farages success is at least as much explained by the eagerness of mainstream politicians to yield to his brand of politics rather than to challenge it. On Europe Farage has only ever stoked antiEU sentiment without ever offering constructive fixes. He has consistently got away with telling untruths that the EU is on the cusp of creating a panEuropean army that EU membership costs the UK 55m a day that threequarters of British law is made in Brussels. He has repeatedly praised Norway as a model for the UKs relationship with the EU in the past but last week denied it. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/the-observer-view-on-european-elections-nigel-farage?utm_source=dlvr.it&amputm_medium=twitter 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Edinburgh Evening News The billionaire reportedly responsible for introducing Arron Banks to Nigel Farages campaign to leave the European Union has topped a league table of Edinburghs richest people for 2019. Capitalborn businessman Jim Mellon was estimated to be worth around 1.1 billion placing him tenth on the overall UK rankings in the latest Sunday Times rich list. https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/brexit-backer-tops-edinburgh-s-rich-list-overtaking-harry-potter-author-jk-rowling-1-4924510 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Amber Rudd has warned Tory rebels that Theresa May could make a comeback and urged them not to move against her until a Brexit deal is reached. The Work and Pensions Secretary described the current phase of negotiations as a delicate time and that launching a bid oust the Prime Minister would only deepen the crisis. Speaking on BBC Question Time Ms Rudd admitted that crossparty cooperation was at this stage needed to break the impasse and to find the right compromise. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/question-time-amber-rudd-tells-rebel-tories-to-not-move-against-pm-until-brexit-deal-reached-a4138666.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Express BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg warned the Prime Minister might be set to face a leadership contest by the end of July. The date speculated by Ms Kunessberg on Brexitcast is based on the BBC veterans knowledge of Theresa Mays allies changing their tune since the results of the local elections last month. And with the Conservatives set to lose further public support at the European elections later this month after the Governments mishandling of the Brexit negotiations the Prime Ministers position looks very unstable. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125516/Brexit-news-Theresa-May-resignation-date-BBC-news-Laura-Kuenssberg 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Change UK has sought to market itself as the party of Remain as it put the NHS climate change and fighting Brexit austerity at the heart of its European election campaign. Acting leader Heidi Allen said Brexit was the biggest symbol of our broken system as she launched the newly formed partys Charter for Remain ahead of the 23 May contest. The blueprint pledges to campaign for a referendum with remaining in the EU on the ballot paper and to fight to ensure any Brexit deal has a confirmatory vote attached. It also sets out how the UK could use membership of the EU to push for change on domestic and international issues. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-2019-change-uk-brexit-climate-change-nhs-vote-a8908661.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Labour doesnt exist to stop Brexit the shadow cabinet minister Richard Burgon has claimed in comments that risk angering proEU members. Mr Burgon an ally of Jeremy Corbyn made the remarks after the Labour leader launched the partys manifesto for the European elections in two weeks time. Mr Corbyn insisted Labour was neither a Remain or Leave party and rather appealing to both sides of the debate as he made no apology of attempting to offer something to everyone. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-labour-richard-burgon-manifesto-european-elections-corbyn-a8907551.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Sir Mark Sedwill faces the axe as Cabinet Secretary if a Brexiteer wins the race to become Tory leader PoliticsHome has learned. The Whitehall bigwig who is also Theresa Mays national security adviser is unpopular with a number of highprofile Conservatives. They include Boris Johnson and Michael Gove both of whom are tipped as possible successors to the Prime Minister. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/103785/excl-sir-mark-sedwill-facing-axe-cabinet 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa Mays deputy has given fresh hope to second referendum campaigners by saying another vote was perfectly practical according to two party leaders. Change UK leader Heidi Allen said David Lidington the Cabinet Office minister had clearly done his research on the mechanics of a Final Say vote when she attended talks alongside Liberal Democrats Sir Vince Cable and Jo Swinson. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-latest-second-referendum-vince-cable-david-lidington-a8909401.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Lib Dem leader Vince Cable claims that Theresa Mays deputy revealed to him in a meeting that a second Brexit referendum could be imminent as secret planning in the Government is already underway. Mr Cable said that David Lidington has mulled over the perfectly practical idea. The Twickenham MP said he left a Thursday morning meeting with fellow remainer Heidi Allen and Lidington feeling sure that there are secret plans in place. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7017605/Lib-Dem-leader-Vince-Cable-claims-Government-secretly-planning-hold-second-referendum.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian So the big message vote. Because your vote will affect their vote. Who to vote for if youre on the antiFarage side of the ledger. There are unequivocal remain parties Liberal Democrats Change UK Greens SNP and Plaid Cymru. If because of Labours equivocation you simply wont vote Labour then vote for them. If like me despite everything you can vote Labour then vote Labour. But whatever you do vote This is not a vote to choose a prime minister or a government. It is a vote for the Farage Brexit or against it. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/11/farage-cannot-be-allowed-to-dictate-britains-future-he-must-be-thwarted 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Brexit talks are on the brink of collapse after Labour heavyweight John McDonnell accused Tories of literally falling out in front of us. The Shadow Chancellor said there was a growing sense of frustration round the talks with Conservative leadership contenders fighting among themselves and making a deal impossible. The administration is falling apart. In terms of different points of view nothing new has been put on the table in some instances it has gone backwards. Its so precarious. Were dealing with an institution that might not be there in three weeks. Theresa May is living day by day. You cant run a country on a 24hour programme. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-talks-on-brink-collapse-15244819 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror John McDonnell puts his finger on the problem which faces the whole nation. The country is sailing in a rudderless ship of state whose crew might chuck the skipper overboard at any moment. We hope these talks succeed. We hope Brexit will be sorted out once and for all. But like the shadow Chancellor we are sceptical. And because Brexit occupies every Tory waking moment there is a vacuum of ideas needed to solve the nations ills. The country is crying out for leadership. And if the Tories cannot provide it Labour is ready and willing. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/voice-mirror-labour-ready-provide-15283689 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Brexit is obviously important but it seems clearer now that the only way it will be resolved is through a fresh referendum. This is no longer a matter of supporters of EU membership such as The Independent trying to frustrate Brexit. The Leave movement has crashed its own project. By failing to unite behind the prime ministers withdrawal agreement it has prevented the UK from leaving. There is no majority either in parliament or in the country for a nodeal Brexit which is what the candidates in a Conservative leadership contest are likely to advocate. Therefore it seems that a majority in the House of Commons must eventually come round one way or another to giving the people a final say on the Brexit question. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/theresa-may-boris-brexit-editorial-leadership-contest-second-referendum-a8909621.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The EUs centreleft is planning to introduce a continentwide minimum wage to correct the blocs neoliberal failures if it wins control of the European Commission after this months elections. The socialist group in which the UK Labour Party sits could capture the commission presidency for the first time in decades with Dutch social democrat Frans Timmermans as its candidate to replace JeanClaude Juncker. With Brexit delayed the UK is set to participate in the elections on 23 May and with a strong showing expected for Labour it could be British MEPs that take the socialists over the line to be the biggest group in the European parliament. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-minimum-wage-eu-labour-european-commission-a8908761.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Professor Len Shackleton from the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank said Labours announcement made clear it was in a bidding war with the Tories and had closed the door on experts on the Low Pay Commission. Accusing politicians of preferring to pluck pay increases out of the air Prof Shackleton said This would mean doubling the pay of young people who understandably have fewer skills and less experience than older colleagues. Such a rate hike could raise youth unemployment to levels comparable with those in continental Europe. The possible dangers of a political bidding war over minimum wages have been highlighted time and time again. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-warned-10anhour-minimum-wage-could-have-grim-consequences-a4140001.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph My apologies for recent absence from this space I have been attempting to finish my late Thatcher studies. As a result of this temporary detachment it has been easier to discern a deeper pattern in the repetitious deadlock in Parliament and the astonishing fact that we are now about to take part in elections for a European Parliament in which we do not intend to sit. This pattern first became visible 30 years ago. But before I explain this did you see Brexit Behind Closed Doors on Wednesday and Thursday nights Probably not since it was on BBC 4 and your idea of fun may not involve being trapped in the colourless offices of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg for two hours https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/10/first-european-elections-history-feel-enthusiastic/ 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian You may have become aware of a worsening background hum to British public life. Think of it as the clamour. This is the very specific sound heard by Tory MPs reluctantly deciding that it falls to them to answer the call for a leadership bid. The clamour. So many separate clamours. The Tory leadership field is now the size of the Grand National though unfortunately many of the runners would find themselves intellectually outclassed by a steeplechaser. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/10/tory-leadership-leadsom-raab-baker 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The Scottish National party faces being fined for a breach of data protection laws after sending out tens of thousands of European election mailings to the wrong addresses. The Information Commissioners Office confirmed on Friday morning that the SNP had referred itself for investigation after voters across Scotland received letters addressed to strangers or neighbours. The ICO said it was investigating under stricter EU data protection regulations which carry significant fines for privacy breaches. The election letters were signed by the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon and urged voters to back the party on 23 May. The wrong recipients included Monica Lennon a Labour MSP who did not recognise the person Sturgeon was addressing. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/10/snp-faces-fines-for-data-protection-breach-after-election-mailing-error 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Remainers from the Lib Dems Greens Change UK and Renew wanted to unite behind a single proEU candidate to take on the buoyant Brexit Party as well as Labour and the Tories. They just couldnt agree on who that one candidate should be. It was understood to be Femi Oluwole a law graduate and member of the Our Future Our Choice group. Gavin Shuker a former Labour MP who is Change UKs convener not to be confused with its leader or chief spokesman blamed senior Labour figures including senior figures campaigning for a Peoples Vote who had made it clear that they would strenuously disrupt the campaign and obstruct an independent candidate. It is almost as if Labour would rather win the seat than not win the seat. Given that Labour won it by only 607 in 2017 any dalliance with smaller parties risks handing victory to the Tories. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/candidate-row-shows-there-is-trouble-in-remainia-n5g2lqqw2 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian By undermining the verdict of the EU referendum they are undermining the decision of 2014 and they are doing the work of the SNP and they are threatening the union. And let us be in no doubt the damage the nationalists would do. They would not only destroy the oldest and most successful political union in the world they would destroy the very concept of Britain. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/10/second-brexit-referendum-would-be-doing-snps-work-boris-johnson-claims 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home The Home Secretary said he feared antiBrexit MPs would bring forward legislation in an attempt to revoke the Article 50 process in a bid to prevent the UK crashing out without a deal. The UK was due to leave the EU on 29 March but that deadline has now been pushed back to 31 October because of the Prime Ministers failure to win MPs backing for her deal at three Commons votes. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103797/sajid-javid-warns-brexit-could-be-cancelled-if-mps-fail 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@Channel4News Arent you just winding everyone up by being here The European Parliaments Brexit Coordinator Guy Verhofstadt who also heads the European Liberal group is challenged while campaigning for the Lib Dems ahead of the European elections. https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1126860351172116482 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk Theresa May is to be hauled in front of an emergency meeting of the National Conservative Convention NCC in June after grassroots Conservatives demanded her resignation over her failure to deliver Brexit. Irish deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney however warned the party changes in the leadership will not have the European Union change their stance on the controversial backstop included in the divorce deal to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme Mr Coveney said These realities dont change. This is not a personalitybased issue its an evidencebased issue. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125276/Brexit-news-Simon-Coveney-UK-EU-withdrawal-deal-backstop-Ireland-Theresa-May-resignation 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Guy Verhofstadt has said he does not know if Brexit will go ahead. Questioned on this during a visit to London the leader of the liberal group in the European Parliament told reporters Ask Theresa May. Meanwhile European Council President Donald Tusk said there was a 20 to 30 chance Brexit would not happen. But Home Secretary Sajid Javid told the BBC it was still possible to get Theresa Mays withdrawal agreement with the EU through Parliament. The House of Commons has rejected it three times with the deadline for Brexit being delayed from 29 March to 31 October. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48232168 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The European parliaments Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt has warned that the UKs decision to leave the EU has already done far more damage than has ever been predicted. Appearing alongside the Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable at a European election campaign event in Camden north London on Friday morning the leader of the Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe said he wanted to send a message to people on the continent to never repeat Brexit again. Verhofstadt a former prime minister of Belgium has been criticised for comments he made in a BBC documentary in which he joked that Olly Robbins the UKs chief negotiator had asked him for Belgian citizenship. His aide was also recorded describing Theresa Mays actions as insane and pathetic. Asked about the comments Verhofstadt said the description of the prime minister had been taken out of context and the Robbins anecdote was a funny joke. Where is your British sense of humour I hope that in Brexit you dont lose that. Your famous sense of humour. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/guy-verhofstadt-never-repeat-brexit-again-mep-warns 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News The European Parliaments Brexit coordinator has declared himself a Liberal Democrat as he joined the party on the campaign trail in London. Guy Verhofstadt said the Lib Dems offered an alternative to nationalism and predicted a surge for Remain support in the upcoming European elections. He joined Vince Cables party in Camden north London after they launched their European election manifesto B to Brexit. https://news.sky.com/story/im-a-lib-dem-declares-eus-brexit-co-ordinator-guy-verhofstadt-11716091 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Farage quit as head of the party after the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016 only returning to frontline politics with his new party in January of this year. Asked if May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn should be worried about his newlyformed party he responded As leader of the Brexit Party I want Theresa May to stay in office as long as possible as shes doing a fantastic job of recruiting for us. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/9042292/nigel-farage-theresa-may-prime-minister/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

iNews Funding for the Conservatives has dried up so badly that the party is struggling to pay the rent on its headquarters i has been told. Concern among activists and MPs deepened yesterday as James Hosking a City financier and one of the partys most prominent donors defected to Nigel Farages new Brexit Party. The failure to secure Brexit is one of the main reasons for the crash in donations with backers unwilling to provide more cash until the issue is resolved. Senior Tory sources told i the situation has become so dire that party headquarters was struggling to pay the rent at its 51m Westminster home. They are currently paying for things at a month by month basis the source said. It is like the dark days of opposition when donors were waiting to see who would take over and reserves were drying up. https://inews.co.uk/news/dire-funding-situation-leaves-tories-struggling-for-party-hq-rent/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

New Statesman The Liberal Democrats unveiled their manifesto for the European elections last night in Shoreditch. It was what weve come to expect from the party a slick well put together event that said both explicitly though a speech given by leader Vince Cable and implicitly through its smooth execution that they are the largest most wellorganised proRemain party and that anyone who wants to stop Brexit should back them at this European elections. They also chucked in plenty of Green lovebombing managing to talk up their own environmental credentials without mentioning or more importantly criticising their competitors in that field. But all anyone can talk about is the partys election slogan Bollocks to Brexit. The broadcasters and most of the papers are talking about whether or not they have gone too far with their manifestos new message. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2019/05/why-liberal-democrats-bollocks-brexit-slogan-stroke-genius 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has sent an unequivocal message to Theresa May that Scotland does not want Brexit as she launched the SNPs campaign for the European elections. The First Minister joined the partys six election candidates in Edinburgh for the launch and demanded any Brexit deal must be put back to the people in a second referendum. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17631298.scotland-does-not-want-brexit-says-nicola-sturgeon-at-launch-of-snp-campaign/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Labour List If Labour had won the 2017 election we would have left Europe on March 31st 2019 with a customs union meeting our six tests the least worst option. But we didnt and they couldnt pull off any agreement and now their extreme right Brexiteers are trying to trash our economy environment and workers rights so they can make a killing offering them to their friends as a firesale for Trumps America. I cant allow that to happen. Not without a confirmatory vote at the very least to ensure that Brexit is really what people want. I am not saying it brings Leave voters round to my way of thinking but I am pretty sure they know where I stand. And generally they respect that. https://labourlist.org/2019/05/im-campaigning-for-a-confirmatory-vote-this-is-what-i-say-to-leavers/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun The Tories most powerful backbencher Sir Graham Brady last night opened the door to his own run for the partys leadership. The 1922 Committee chairman has been tipped to stand in as an interim PM if the Brexit crisis deepens. Quizzed on whether he would be prepared to be the next permanent Tory leader Mr Brady would only say he is busy at the moment running the troubled 1922 Committee. He added cryptically It would take an awful lot of people to persuade me. Im not sure many people are straining at the leash at the moment to take on what is an extraordinarily difficult situation. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9049994/sir-graham-brady-considering-running-replace-theresa-may/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jeremy Corbyn launched Labours European elections manifesto with a renewed promise to back a second Brexit referendum in certain circumstances but to also respect the result of the first. Yet for ardently proCorbyn Europhiles such as Momentums Laura Parker it has been a tough balancing act to support. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2019/may/10/love-corbyn-hate-brexit-labour-eu-elections-dilemma-today-in-focus-podcast 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Tory leadership favourite Dominic Raab has netted 73000 in donations from financiers linked to tax havens. The donations include 29000 for a staff member in Raabs office from the IPGL hedge fund which is owned by exTory treasurer Michael Spencer. Spencers hedge fund was named in the Paradise Papers in connection with a subsidiary based in Bermuda. Private banking group Arbuthnot donated 44000 to Raabs office. The banks owner Henry Angest is also named in the Paradise Papers in connection with a subsidiary of his bank based in Barbados. Overall Angest has donated nearly 7m to the Conservative Party. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dominic-raab-tax-havens_uk_5cd45169e4b0796a95d82002 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun She fears pinning down the date before her deal approved by the Commons would see ... But despite the PMs refusal so far Sir Graham Brady is still insisting Mrs May fulfils his demand for a timetable to leave No10 no matter what at her showdown meeting https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9049926/theresa-may-refuse-resignation-date/ 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Tory MPs are openly praising the Brexit Party and discussing why their voters are abandoning them ahead of the EU elections. Several high profile Brexiteer MPs have been lavishing praise on Nigel Farage and his army as they grow more frustrated at Theresa Mays inability to deliver Brexit. Today Crawley MP Henry Smith said the Brexit Party boss was doing better than the PM. He told his local paper The Argus I wont be surprised at all if more voters turn to the Brexit Party. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9039055/tory-mps-backing-nigel-farage-brexit-party-theresa-may-prime-minister/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Martin Daubney was left squirming as Esler tried to hold him to account for what he called a lie over who the former Newsnight presenter had called a village idiot. In a lively discussion on the BBCs Politics Live programme Esler said that the Brexit Party was using a hugely simplistic message and that it was worse than that because it contains lies. It led to Esler confronting Daubney for the way his party had used the Change UK candidates comments to suggest he called every Leave voter the village idiots. A suggestion that had been amplified by Piers Morgan on social media. Esler however pointed out this was in relation to Michael Goves comments on experts and was not made about all Brexiteers something Daubney would not acknowledge. Esler joked it was up to Daubney if he wants to selfidentify as one but he had not accused him of being in this category. He explained What I said was we need more experts in British politics we fewer Chris Graylings we need people who know what theyre talking about. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/gavin-esler-and-martin-daubney-on-bbc-news-politics-live-1-6041402 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Bollocks to Brexit. Thats the slogan on the front of the Lib Dems manifesto which is officially launched this evening in east London. It isnt the usual sort of language used in a formal document by a political party but these are not usual times. These are desperate times. The most pressing issue facing any of us in this country is that Bword no not bollocks but Brexit. If it goes ahead it will be the most damaging thing for us our economy and our children in generations. The issue is far graver than a petty linguistic debate. People are getting their knickers in the twist over the use of a word that is officially categorised by Ofcom as medium level of offensiveness. What that means is that it cant be used on TV or radio before the watershed. Well bollocks to the watershed. Anyone too young to stay up beyond the watershed isnt old enough to vote anyway. The message is not about creating good PR. Its about stopping Brexit the most pressing issue in politics right now. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/lib-dems-brexit_uk_5cd444a2e4b09f321bdd1d2b 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

New Statesman Labours position is to secure a general election and a softer Brexit deal than the Conservatives with this parliament or in the event that it cannot get either of those to support a public vote to resolve the deadlock. It is by any definition a proBrexit policy because its first preference is for Brexit to happen. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/elections/2019/05/it-s-not-true-say-labours-brexit-position-ambiguous 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/nigel-farages-brexit-party-polling-higher-than-labour-and-tories-combined-before-eu-elections-11717553 12th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard The Brexit Party will earn more votes than Labour and the Conservatives combined in the European Parliament elections according to a new poll. The latest Opinium poll on voting intentions shows Nigel Farages party has galloped into first place ahead of Labour with 34 support doubling the existing gap to 13 points in the last fortnight. It also showed the Tories continue to stagger behind in fourth place with 11 support. Labour coming second with 21 has fallen seven points in the last fortnight and the Lib Dems are in third position with 12 having risen five points. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-party-doubles-lead-over-labour-in-eu-elections-poll-a4140021.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-news-live-theresa-may-eu-elections-vote-tory-leadership-latest-a8907446.html 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The chances of the UK staying in the EU are as high as 30 as the country would be likely to reject Brexit in a second referendum the president of the European council Donald Tusk has said. The blocs most senior official claimed the British public had only truly debated Brexit after the 2016 referendum and there was significant reason to believe the leave vote could be reversed. Describing the decision by the former British prime minister David Cameron to call the vote as a political miscalculation Tusk said he would expect a different result in a vote today given what had been learned about the consequences of leaving. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/10/donald-tusk-chance-of-brexit-being-cancelled-could-be-30 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/10/former-conservative-donor-jeremy-hosking-revealed-200000-donor/ 11th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail The businessman who handed a sixfigure sum to the Brexit Party is a former Tory party donor worth 375million it emerged yesterday. Financier Jeremy Hosking 60 who owns a major share of Crystal Palace Football Club said he has given 200000 over the past two to three weeks. Nigel Farage had repeatedly refused to reveal the identity of the businessman who made the vast donation to his new party originally thought to be 100000. But Mr Hosking broke cover yesterday telling The Telegraph On a Sunday chat show last weekend it was claimed that I have given 100000 to the recently formed Brexit Party. This is not the case. I have given 200000 and urge all who wish to see a proper Conservative Party in Britain to support the BP as much as they can. If the Conservatives insist on diluting Brexit what hope is there on other issues where a robust Conservative position needs to be advocated https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7016573/Multi-millionaire-donated-200-000-Brexit-Party-former-Tory-party-donor.html 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-angrily-lashes-out-at-andrew-marr-and-bbc-during-an-interview-as-he-is-grilled-on-a4140211.html 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Nigel Farage has launched a furious rant at Andrew Marr during a heated appearance on live television accusing the BBC presenter of conducting the most ridiculous interview ever. The Brexit Party leader reacted with fury after being asked whether he still agreed with a series of controversial statements he had made in the past. Pushed on his previous comments about Vladimir Putin gun control and immigrants with HIV Mr Farage initially tried to defend the claims but quickly lost his temper at the line of questioning and demanded he instead be asked about this months European parliament elections. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-andrew-marr-show-brexit-party-polls-interview-bbc-a8910206.html 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48235812 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/10/bbc-cancel-have-got-news-due-featurechange-uk-leader-heidi-allen/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48235812 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews https://inews.co.uk/news/entertainment/the-bbc-pull-latest-episode-of-have-i-got-news-for-you-over-european-election-impartiality/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-hits-back-bias-claims-15216775 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7018713/Change-UK-writes-BBC-pulling-Having-Got-News-You.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/have-i-got-news-for-you-bbc-heidi-allen-change-uk-european-election-2019-rules-hignfy-a8909161.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/have-i-got-news-for-you-pulled-backlash-as-bbc-pulls-show-over-heidi-allen-european-election-a4139796.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/change-uk-asks-bbc-to-explain-pulling-heidi-allen-have-i-got-news-for-you 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/have-i-got-news-for-you-pulled-after-change-uk-leader-heidi-allen-booked-as-guest-11716778 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Change UK has written to the BBC to call for a full explanation of the decision not to air an episode of Have I Got News For You featuring its interim leader Heidi Allen claiming the broadcaster was providing Nigel Farage with unduly favourable coverage. The newly formed party also raised concerns over the fairness of the BBCs coverage of Change UK and demanded an urgent review of the decision to exclude them from a BBC Wales election debate on Sunday before the European elections. Change UKs campaign coordinator Chris Leslie raised concerns and referred to Nigel Farages appearance on Have I Got News For You in 2014 in the runup to the EU parliament elections although it was unclear if this fell within the preelection period. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/change-uk-asks-bbc-to-explain-pulling-heidi-allen-have-i-got-news-for-you?utm_source=dlvr.it&amputm_medium=twitter 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Metro.co.uk https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/11/nigel-farage-fled-after-chauffeur-driven-4x4-crashed-into-car-carrying-toddler-9497845/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9049369/nigel-farage-fled-driver-crashed-13-month-old-toddler/ 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nigel-farage-walked-away-car-15073819 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Mr Tranter told The Sun He lives two miles away and loves a pint but he wont get one from me. Man of the people my arse. As far as Im concerned hes barred. Farage 55 last night denied the allegations and claiming he checked nobody was hurt before adding If Im banned then its not too terrible is it Mr Tranter who has been visited by Farage at the George and Dragon pub in Westerham Kent in the past had just been to drop his wife at the station and was driving home when the two cars collided in nearby Titsey. Mr Tranter whose 1986 Jaguar Series 3 Sovereign was written off added We crashed with an enormous bang. Farage could not possibly have failed to hear George screaming. I ran out to see if my little boy was OK. Farage stepped out of the Range Rover collected his bag from the boot and walked off. He didnt have the common decency to see if we were OK and never even looked back. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7017155/Pub-landlord-accuses-Nigel-Farage-walking-away-car-crash-hours-Question-Time-appearance.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Economic Voice https://www.economicvoice.com/verhofstadt-and-tusk-on-brexit/ 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times The star of the show is Guy Verhofstadt the European parliaments floppyhaired Brexit coordinator who was followed by TV cameras during the period in which British negotiators tried and failed to get Britain out of the EU. Any dispirited Brexiteer who needs reminding why they voted three years ago to leave the EU should watch it. I suggest that my Remainer friends should watch it too and then try telling me with a straight face that our future lies in an organisation as ghastly as this. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-antics-of-eurocrats-makes-brexit-more-vital-than-ever-5wq3lrlp5 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph I wish you could have been with me the other day when they showed me round the mental health facilities in my constituency in Uxbridge. You would have found it impossible not to have been moved. There was a toddler a little girl who had been born with a complex neurological condition not unlike cerebral palsy which was so severe that at first the doctors had held out little hope of improvement. She was sitting on the floor of a warm bright room decorated with colourful prints. She wore special spectacles and a brace on her arm to help her coordination. On one side of her on the mat was her mother and on the other was a young man a therapist trained in dealing with exactly this kind of clinical issue https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/12/corbyn-style-socialism-cannot-provide-resources-magnificent/ 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sky News Tony Blair has launched his most critical attack yet on Jeremy Corbyns Brexit policy claiming it meant the party was doomed to fail in last weeks local elections. The former prime minister and leading campaigner for a second referendum says Labours destructive indecision of trying to face both ways pleased no one and let down the country. Writing in The Observer ahead of an interview on Sophy Ridge On Sunday on Sky News Mr Blair says that despite everything he will vote Labour in the European elections on 23 May. https://news.sky.com/story/tony-blair-launches-most-critical-attack-yet-on-jeremy-corbyn-over-brexit-11717590 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk Having failed to deliver Brexit the Conservatives now find themselves in a degree of electoral trouble. Essentially amongst those who would still vote Conservatives in a Westminster election thats not a diminished number around a quarter to 30 percent of people who would still vote for the Conservatives in a Westminster election say they are going to vote for the Brexit Party. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125763/Brexit-news-UK-EU-Theresa-May-Sir-John-Curtice-European-election-BBC-European-Union 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The Labour MP Jess Phillips has called for social media companies to stop hate preachers from profiting from their presence on online platforms and called for political candidates to be banned from discussing raping politicians. YouTube stripped the ability to earn money from Ukip candidate Carl Benjamins account on Friday after he joked about raping Phillips. West Midlands police said it is investigating Benjamins comments to establish if an offence has taken place. Benjamin stated in a tweet from 2016 that he wouldnt even rape Phillips who is the MP for Birmingham Yardley. In a YouTube video uploaded to his channel more recently Benjamin said that with enough pressure I might cave. Phillips said on Saturday that there must be a code of conduct that would sanction parties if candidates fall foul of the rules. I would back something that stopped somebody as part of normal political discourse talking about raping another politician yes she said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/jess-phillips-calls-on-social-media-sites-to-end-hate-speech-profits 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Nigel Farage lost his temper in a live TV spat today as the BBC asked him about something other than Brexit. The rattled Brexit Party leader blasted the most ridiculous interview in my life as he was grilled on his past remarks about the NHS foreigners and climate change. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-loses-temper-bbc-15418808 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph What is Jeremy Corbyns single most idiotic statement Its a crowded field but his claim on Thursday that a second referendum could be a healing process is surely a strong contender. Since the 2016 vote positions have tragically hardened on both sides. What began as a civil conversation has ended as something closer to a civil war. Reasonable arguments about trade sovereignty and budgets have descended into a ghastly kulturkampf. Leavers are dismissed as dimwitted oiks led astray by demagogues. Remainers are caricatured as selfsatisfied snobs who despise their own country. Language that used to be considered beyond the pale traitors Nazis saboteurs is now habitually employed https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/theresa-may-must-go-now-conservative-party-survive/ 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sunday Times The dossier compiled by the anti racist researcher MatesJacob demonstrates how large parts of the Tory and Ukip grassroots have migrated to the Brexit Party among them white nationalists and prominent altright figures. One Facebook page with more than 4000 members called Brexit party supporters is run by Simon Dearsley who as recently as last month claimed to be a Tory party member. The tattoo artist has posted an image of himself impersonating Hitler and shared articles about Islamic immigration and the genocide of white Europe writing Enoch Powell was right. The similarly named group the Brexit Party Supporters with almost 14000 members is run by Luke NashJones an altright activist of the proDonald Trump organisation Make Britain Great Again. He was involved in an incident last year when Trump supporters raided a socialist bookshop in central London and ripped up magazines while chanting rightwing slogans. Police were called and NashJones was later suspended from Ukip. Another group Nigel Farage Mr Brexit is jointly run by Andrew Spencer Machin who has boasted about burning Korans and said that Islam must be banned from Europe. The other administrator Abigail Winsor sought to downplay an attack on a mosque in Birmingham by writing Smashed windows isnt a violent crime. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/islamophobic-activists-trade-in-tories-for-nigel-farage-xn2mqmzzl 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Theresa May had made a predawn dash to Brussels to sign an agreement with the EU that already appeared to renege on some of her key pledges to Brexiteers. Mr Farage using characteristic language declared in a newspaper article that the great Brexit betrayal had begun. He was he recalls with just a hint of glee roundly mocked for doing so. Now 17 months on the former Ukip leader is leading a new party that is threatening to all but wipe out the Conservatives footprint in the European Parliament next week having existed for little over three months. He and his cohort are planning to cause maximum disruption https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/12/nigel-farage-interview-end-campaign-brexit-party-will-lot-bigger/ 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home Nigel Farage brands BBC the enemy after angry interview over past statements https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/uk-independence-party/nigel-farage/news/103815/excl-nigel-farage-brands 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Nigel Farages Brexit party has described criticism by Jewish groups and MPs as pathetic after it emerged he repeatedly used themes associated with antisemitism to criticise the financier George Soros. Following strong condemnation of Farages use of language echoing other conspiracy theories popular with antisemites during interviews with the farright US website Infowars a Guardian investigation has found he called Soros the biggest danger to the entire western world among other comments. The Community Security Trust which monitors and counters antisemitic sentiment said Soros was a favourite hate figure among farright antisemites. Instead of dismissing these concerns Nigel Farage should ensure that his language does not help these ideas to spread in British politics the charity said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/farage-criticised-for-using-antisemitic-themes-to-criticise-soros 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Extraordinarily most Tories see no contradiction or impropriety in this. So great is their faith in the power of leadership that they do believe that say Boris Johnson or Dominic Raab could do a better job in Brussels than May and by sheer force of charisma and personality whip the EU into line. This is the deep collective delusion of a tribe that depends unhealthily upon the magical powers of its chieftain. It is no way to run a party let alone a country. Just when we need both parties to be rigorously focused they have wandered off into the woods of distraction. For the voters there is no such handy exit hatch from the present crisis no panic room to hide in. The Conservatives and Labour have gone awol. Is it any wonder that Nigel Farage looks so happy https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/labour-tories-brexit-jeremy-corbyn-theresa-may 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian The hostile environment designed to make Britain a sufficiently cruel place that it drives out illegal immigrants has ensnared people who have legally lived and paid taxes in Britain for decades who have been denied NHS treatment and wrongfully deported. May has made it far harder for young people who have grown up in Britain to secure their permanent status they face extortionate fees of thousand of pounds. The irony is May is an outrider the public is far more pragmatic on immigration than the Conservative party the proportion of the public whose hostility to immigration is driven by opposition to ethnicities and religions other than their own has fallen dramatically in the last few years. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/the-observer-view-on-european-elections-nigel-farage 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC The Brexit Party wouldnt put up UKIPs controversial breaking point antiEU poster showing a long queue of migrants MEP Nigel Farage has said. A number of politicians attacked the 2016 poster featuring a photo taken in Slovenia with George Osborne saying it had echoes of 1930s literature. Speaking on the Andrew Marr programme Mr Farage said the Brexit party wouldnt use it as immigration isnt the burning issue of the time but he defended using it in 2016. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-48244663/nigel-farage-breaking-point-poster-transformed-politics 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Both the Lib Dems and Change UK like to commend the virtues of political traditions working with each other. They should act that way. They have their divergences of history emphasis and approach and that may matter for the future. But these are irrelevant to a Euro election that revolves around one single stark and enormous issue about which they are entirely agreed. Every minute wasted trying to cannibalise each others support is a minute not spent striving to maximise the overall antiBrexit vote. It is too late for the Remain parties to field a common slate of candidates for the Euro elections it is not too late to behave as friendly allies engaged in a common struggle. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/12/lib-dems-and-change-uk-must-stop-bickering-and-unite-for-the-euro-vote 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit talks with the Labour Party are a grave mistake according to former defence secretary Gavin Williamson. Mrs May is hoping to reach a crossparty consensus on her withdrawal agreement after failing to get it through Parliament three times. But Mr Williamson sacked over the Huawei leak told the Mail on Sunday the talks were destined to fail. He added Jeremy Corbyns only real interest was a general election. BBC political correspondent Jonathan Blake said a Downing Street source had indicated Mr Williamson had been supportive of the process while he was in the cabinet and that he had not been involved in the talks himself. The Conservative MP for South Staffordshire said doing a deal with Labour on Brexit sounds so simple and so reasonable but would not work. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48241606 12th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Former shadow cabinet member Mary Creagh told the Evening Standard Our members and voters are furious with these talks which have done nothing except keep the Prime Minister in office and depress Labours vote at the local and European elections. The Government are playing us for fools. If we stand in the middle of the road on Brexit well get run over from both directions. Former Europe minister Chris Bryant warned Labour could not negotiate with a phantom PM who will be gone in weeks and who could not bind her successor into any agreement she makes. We should stop faffing about pull out of the talks and put our distinctive position to the people with an option to Remain he added. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-jeremy-corbyn-faces-ultimatum-from-backbench-labour-mps-to-pull-plug-on-talks-with-may-a4139081.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent If they finally want to test the proposition that no one could be a worse prime minister than Theresa May Johnson stands ready to offer a live experiment. And that as Johnson broods over his plan for government is his dilemma. The one thing worse for him than having the cup of victory dashed from his lips again would be to win. He would then become prime minister with Brexit unresolved and the EU waiting to hear what his plan would be by 31 October. So far as can be deduced from his weekly column in The Daily Telegraph urging the nation to buck up and look on the bright side his plan is to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement and when the EU says no to leave anyway. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/boris-johnson-tory-leadership-campaign-theresa-may-graham-brady-a8909421.html 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph A documentary showing the EUs Brexit negotiator criticising Dominic Raab over demands that Theresa May never dared to make is being used to support the former Brexit Secretarys burgeoning leadership campaign. Supporters of Mr Raab said the fury in Brussels at his approach to the talks showed that he would stand up for the UK. A clip showing Michael Barnier the EUs chief Brexit negotiator and Guy Verhofstadt the European Parliaments Brexit coordinator criticising Mr Raabs combative approach has been shared on Twitter and Facebook after being uploaded by supporters. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/raab-infuriating-eu-demands-may-never-dared-make-shows-should/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph ArchRemainer Dominic Grieve is fighting for his political career after local Tory activists collected enough signatures to make him to face a deselection vote next month. The news comes after Beaconsfield Conservatives passed a vote of no confidence vote in Mr Grieve in March by 182 to 131 votes. Mr Grieve the chairman of Parliaments intelligence watchdog has been heavily criticised locally for his efforts in the House of Commons to frustrate attempts to take the UK out of the European Union. Now 66 local activists more than the 50 required under the partys rules have submitted a formal notice calling for a deselection vote at a special general meeting. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/10/former-cabinet-minister-dominic-grieve-faces-deselection-vote/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph The Brexit Party has overtaken the Conservatives in national polling for the first time with Nigel Farage predicted to win 49 seats in a general election a bombshell poll reveals. A ComRes survey found that if a general election campaign led by Theresa May took place now it would put the Tories on course for their worst result in history apparently confirming the fears of Conservative MPs and activists in uproar over the Prime Ministers handling of Brexit. Labour would become the largest party by a margin of 137 seats allowing Jeremy Corbyn to lead a minority government as the Tories fell to third place in terms of vote share. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/brexit-party-beats-tories-general-election-poll-would-win-49/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Leading figures on the far right including Ukip candidates in the upcoming European elections are encouraging their followers to join a new hatefilled social media platform. The network called Gab has no restrictions on antisemitic misogynist or racist content and has been used to promote terrorism. Gab launched in 2017 by tech entrepreneur Andrew Torba describes itself as a vehicle for free speech and is similar to Twitter in that it allows users to send messages of up to 3000 characters called gabs. However unlike Twitter its user base mainly consists of people on the far right many of whom joined after being banned from mainstream networks such as Facebook and Twitter. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/ukip-european-election-candidates-join-gab-social-media-far-right 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

OnLondon.co.uk An unsigned letter from the national Labour Partys governance and legal unit dated 10 May informed Blake that her membership had been automatically ended and included images of five tweets from March and one from April which Blake had retweeted as evidence provided to justify the decision. But Blake strongly disputes these grounds telling On London that At no time have I ever expressed support for Change UK or encouraged anyone to vote for them and saying it is the grip the hard Left has on the party both nationally and locally which has led to my expulsion. Most of the tweets in question reflected Blakes support for a further referendum on the UKs membership of the European Union and what she describes as her increasing frustration with Jeremys Corbyns prevarication over Europe. https://www.onlondon.co.uk/haringey-expelled-councillor-hits-back-at-hard-leftcorbynista-dominated-labour-party/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Plymouth Live A UKIP battle bus was hit with a parking ticket and had milkshake thrown over it during a party rally in Plymouth. It was left unattended on a yellow line next to Plymouths Messenger statue as controversial candidate Carl Benjamin staged a rally in the city centre. The purple vehicle was hit with a parking ticket before having a lightcoloured drink thrown over its side. Wouldbe MEP Mr Benjamin was speaking to about 150 supporters in Armada Way this afternoon. https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/ukip-battle-bus-slapped-parking-2857687 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Throughout the entire process it appears from here the Brits have been negotiating essentially with themselves rather than with the EU27. And when they have tried they have proved inconsistent incoherent entitled and wholly incapable of compromise either with themselves or their neighbours. Above all Britain has been unrealistic and startlingly ignorant of the workings of an organisation it has belonged to for nearly 50 years. So much of what has been proposed from the UK side has simply been impossible but because it continues to view Europe through that uniquely British prism it proposed it all the same. https://www.theguardian.com/membership/2019/may/11/reporting-brexit-europe-france 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph The Brexit Party has overtaken the Conservatives in national polling for the first time with Nigel Farage predicted to win 49 seats in a general election a bombshell poll reveals. A ComRes survey found that if a general election campaign led by Theresa May took place now it would put the Tories on course for their worst result in history apparently confirming the fears of Conservative MPs and activists in uproar over the Prime Ministers handling of Brexit. Labour would become the largest party by a margin of 137 seats allowing Jeremy Corbyn to lead a minority government as the Tories fell to third place in terms of vote share. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/brexit-party-beats-tories-general-election-poll-would-win-49/ 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Then theres the undeniable fact that privileged journalists like their political counterparts subconsciously know they dont have skin in the game and will not suffer the fate of farmers car workers and aviation engineers. Standing above all these however has been a refusal to reveal the menace behind the masks of the rights character actors. Nigel Farage plays the old English hearty full of cakes and ale. Boris Johnson is Billy Bunter with a smattering of Latin. Jacob ReesMogg poses as an Edwardian lawyer calmly laying out the facts. In short Brexit is being pushed towards its miserable conclusion by men who raided the fancydress box for traditional robes. What else should you call him Farage is not a patriotic conservative who opposes Britains enemies as his support for Vladimir Putin shows. Johnson in turn is not a traditional conservative who promotes enterprise as his cry of fuck business proves. Indeed Johnson and Michael Goves Vote Leave campaign began with a preemptive attack on the CBI to discredit its warnings about dangers of Brexit to the economy. They arent conservatives they are farrightists. Why is it so hard to admit that we are no different from any other country caught in nationalist backlash https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/11/farage-rees-mogg-claire-fox-britain-is-seduced-by-politicians-who-are-characters 11th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph Sajid Javid has said he is attacked daily on social media by Asians and the far Left because he is not brown enough as he gives a big hint he will stand to succeed Theresa May as party leader. The Home Secretary said in an interview that he is receiving racist abuse on social media on a daily basis and that they dont like me because of my colour. Mr Javid is one of the frontrunners to succeed Mrs May who is under pressure from her backbenchers to set a clear roadmap for her exit. So far she has only said she will stand down once the Brexit deal has been agreed. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/10/sajid-javid-says-attacked-daily-online-asians-far-left-not-brown/ 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk As Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn battle to break the Brexit deadlock in crossparty talks Mr Neil poked fun at the political situation in Britain and warned of an imminent extinction of the main political parties. Hosting BBC This Week Mr Neil said The Maybot is still Prime Minister. Tory MPs are still in search of a spine. Jezza the red is still Labour leader. The Labour Party still searching for a Brexit policy that could survive a minute of scrutiny. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125280/Brexit-news-BBC-Andrew-Neil-Theresa-May-today-live-Nigel-Farage-Brexit-Party-latest 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Nigel Farage failed to provide a straight answer when an audience member grilled him over Brexit on BBC Question Time in Northampton. Name me one country within the WTO rules that doesnt have a trade agreement with another country he asked. In response the former commodities trader said No I dont the answer to the question because actually there isnt one. The questioner then told the politician that this was the scheme he was proposing to the public resulting in applause from other members of the audience. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/question-time-nigel-farage-cant-15023826 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Tommy Robinsons pledge to donate his hypothetical European parliament salary to child victims of sexual grooming has been criticised as an insult to survivors of abuse by womens groups who said he was no ally for the children he claims to stand up for. The coalition of womens groups said Robinson exploited the pain suffered by victims in a selfserving attempt to fuel racial hatred. We as organisations and individuals fighting tirelessly against the abuse of women and girls as survivors of abuse and their families and as people who care about our communities do not want your money Tommy the letter read. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/10/tommy-robinsons-offer-of-mep-salary-rejected-by-charities 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Falmouth Anchor The unidentified protestor who was masked and dressed in black was tackled to the ground after attempting to pour a milkshake over the prospective MEP mimicking a similar assault on UKIP advisor Tommy Robinson earlier this month. In a statement concerning the incident the police said that the assault had been investigated but no formal complaint had been made as the alleged victim did not identify himself to officers at the scene. http://www.falmouth-anchor.co.uk/2019/05/10/super-callous-fragile-racist-sexist-ukip-ahole-carl-benjamin-visits-truro/ 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The London Economic Brexit Party candidate Ann Widdecombe suggested that any disruption brought on by a nodeal Brexit is justified as it will not compare with the suffering during the Second World War. The former Tory minister retired from politics in 2010 and has made a comeback as a candidate for Nigel Farages Brexit Party for the European elections on 23 May. Journalists from the BBCs Radio 4 Today Programme captured the moment she evoked the Second World War while on the campaign trail in something which is proving a common theme for Brexiteers. https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-party-candidate-ann-widdecombe-no-deal-sacrifice-world-war-two/ 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Since the words came out there has been much debate over whether Labours Brexit policy is ambiguous. It is in favour of Brexit. Theres nothing ambiguous about that. If there is any ambiguity it might just be because the truth cannot be heard above the clanging cymbals of cognitive dissonance going off in the heads of hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members and millions of Labour Party supporters as they try and accept their party is unequivocally proBrexit and thus anathema to everything it has ever stood for. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/labour-jeremy-corbyn-brexit-european-election-launch-latest-a8906976.html 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Pink News Challenging the Brexit Party leader on his past views on Sunday Andrew Marr asked Do you still feel that people with HIV shouldnt be allowed into this country Farage responded Do I think the National Health Service is there for British people Yes I absolutely do. The Brexit Party leader who has not released a manifesto ahead of the European Elections was also pressed over his past statements that the UK should move to an insurancebased healthcare system and allow people to own handguns. Brexit Party candidate Alka Sehgal Cuthbert is a critic of LGBT inclusive education programmes. In a 2017 column for rightwing website Spiked Cuthbert a parttime English teacher and educational consultant slammed education watchdog Ofsted for forcing a religious school to include homosexuality in the curriculum. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/12/nigel-farage-hiv-banned-uk/ 12th May 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

The Guardian The next stage of the Brexit negotiations are going to make the current mess look like a simple affair and will tie up the civil service for years the former national security adviser and head of Britains diplomatic service has warned. Peter Ricketts remarks will alarm those who believe the Brexit cloud hanging over the country will evaporate if only Theresa May can get the EU withdrawal agreement passed in parliament. A gathering of experts on Brexit and trade negotiations concluded that the bumpiest ride is yet to come with Britains negotiating hand already weakened and EU unity to be tested in trade talks as member states jostle for position. Ricketts predicted negotiations are likely to go on for years and encompass pretty much the entire of Whitehall with detailed negotiations expected in everything from trade and financial services to data transfer transport fisheries and nuclear and gas supply. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/12/brexit-talks-will-tie-up-whitehall-for-years-top-uk-diplomat-warns 12th May 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

Daily Express The International Trade Secretary claimed there are only casualties during trade wars as the two nations remain locked in crucial discussion. US President Donald Trump has ordered US officials to begin preparations to impose 300bn 230bn tariffs on Chinese imports. He vowed to impose the mammoth tariffs on all remaining imports from China after a major fallout between the two countries. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125684/BBC-Newsnight-latest-us-china-news-liam-fox-trade-tariffs-uk-economy-updates 11th May 2019

Trade Deals/Negotiations

@BBCR4 Irish deputy PM @simoncoveney A nodeal Brexit will mean checks somewhere on goods travelling across the Irish border and a change of UK leadership wont change things. Realities do not change. This is not a personality based issue r4Today httpsbbc.in2VxPtlu https://twitter.com/BBCr4today/status/1126748563248074752 10th May 2019