20th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=69 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Business Insider The UK government built a 146 billion war chest in the fourth quarter to defend against an anticipated run on the pound if Britain left the EU with no deal according to a foreign exchange reserve analysis by Bank of America. BofA analysts Kamal Sharma and Sebastien Cross called the buildup unprecedented among the larger global economies in a note to clients seen by Business Insider. In the fourth quarter UK FX reserves rose 23 billion to 146 billion gross reserves they wrote. In nominal terms this is a 19 quarteronquarter increase in reserves and the largest quarterly increase since our series began in 2000. The scale of this pace of reserve accumulation compared to other G10 economies is unprecedented. https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-feared-run-on-the-pound-brexit-built-warchest-bank-of-america-2019-5 17th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Proposals for the first register of foreignowned property aimed at preventing McMafiastyle money laundering should be put in practice urgently and reinforced to plug potential loopholes the government has been told. Draft legislation contains insufficient verification checks to deter criminals from submitting false information and could allow those exploiting trusts to circumvent controls MPs and peers have said. More than 90bn is estimated to be laundered illegally through the UK each year according to the allparty parliamentary committee scrutinising the registration of overseas entities bill. Illicit funds help sustain Britains inflated property market through the purchase of homes that are frequently left unoccupied emptying the wealthier parts of London of residents. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/20/uk-foreign-property-register-needed-urgently-money-laundering 20th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC Shares in Thomas Cook have plunged 30 after analysts at a bank said the travel firms shares were worthless. Thomas Cooks tour operations and airline are worth 738m but its debt is around the same and implies zero equity value according to Citigroup. Citigroups damning conclusion comes a day after Thomas Cook issued its third profit warning in less than a year and reported a 1.5bn halfyear loss. Its outlook was significantly weaker than expected Citigroup said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48308001 17th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian A Polish chef who has worked with Mary Berry and Jamie Oliver is leading a revolt by UKbased Poles against the Home Offices requirement that EU citizens apply for settled status as part of Brexit. More than 7000 people have signed a petition launched this week by Damian Wawrzyniak on the UK government and parliament website to change the wording of the settlement status process from application to registration. At 10000 signatures the government must respond. Wawrzyniak a former chef at Noma in Copenhagen who has worked in Britain for 15 years and established his own UK restaurants originally backed Brexit on the basis that it would make it easier for restaurants to select British produce. But he has changed his mind and says he will ultimately refuse to apply to live in the country he now calls home. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/18/uk-based-poles-call-for-revolt-against-having-to-apply-for-settled-status 18th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The New European It is the first time the UK has come last in the Eurovision Song contest since 2010. Many took to social media to blame Brexit for the hostile reception from the rest of Europe. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/united-kingdom-comes-last-at-eurovision-with-just-three-points-in-public-vote-1-6058564 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Pressure is building within Labour for the party to take an unambiguous stand on the other side of the barricades and become an antiBrexit party. That pressure will be increased when the Euros see large numbers of previous Labour voters desert the party for the Lib Dems Greens and Change UK. If a general election hasnt happened by September Labours party conference is highly likely to force its reluctant leadership to make a noqualifications commitment to a fresh referendum. The middle ground such as it was has become scorched earth. The chances of this concluding with no Brexit or a nodeal Brexit are both rising sharply. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/19/the-middle-ground-no-longer-exists-over-brexit-its-all-or-nothing-now 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Express Nigel Farage was quizzed on whether the next leader needs to drop support for Theresa Mays Brexit deal. He told The Daily Telegraph Of course. Absolutely. If a new Conservative leader said we are leaving on WTO terms on Halloween Day then that would be a great step in the right direction but would they actually stick to it How could we trust them That is the problem. Everyone keeps shouting Boriss name at me Boris voted for the Withdrawal Agreement despite everything he had written in your newspaper. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1129347/brexit-news-latest-nigel-farage-brexit-party-boris-johnson-theresa-may-no-deal-leave-eu 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent MPs from across the House of Commons have expressed their anger at the lack of action in parliament after weeks in which the Brexit deadlock has left the Commons with almost nothing to do. There has not been a significant vote in the Commons since 10 April and on several occasions MPs have been sent home hours earlier than scheduled because there was nothing for them to debate. Attempts to secure agreement for a Brexit deal have monopolised ministers attention meaning other legislation has all but dried up. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-deal-latest-labour-tory-compromise-commons-vote-mps-eu-a8913836.html 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK The UK must now revoke Article 50 to fight the threat of a nodeal Brexit Chuka Umunna has said. We are now at a point where we are going to need to revoke Article 50 the Change UK spokesman told the BBCs Andrew Marr on Sunday. At the beginning of these European election campaigns we had time to provide for a Peoples Vote on what happens on Brexit he continued saying a second referendum would take at least five to six months. We now no longer have the time to do that by the 31st of October when we are due to crash out so we need to stop the clock now to allow that to happen. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/uk-revoke-article-50-brexit-chuka-umunna_uk_5ce134a4e4b00735a9189b2a 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard The WAB which is needed to ratify the deal with Brussels is expected to include new measures on protecting workers rights an issue where agreement with Labour was said to have been close. However Government sources made clear the package would not just be aimed at Labour MPs but would seek to secure the widest possible support across the Commons. It is expected to include provisions on future customs arrangements with the EU and on Northern Ireland including the use of technology to avoid the need for border controls with the Republic. It will not however seek to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement which included the controversial Northern Ireland backstop after the EU repeatedly made clear it could not be renegotiated. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-news-latest-theresa-may-set-to-make-bold-offer-in-final-bid-to-get-mps-to-finally-back-her-a4145671.html 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun The Beeb was forced to apologise yesterday after Lib Dem chief Vince Cable said bs live on air. BBC political presenter Andrew Marr stepped in when the veteran uttered the Remain partys Bs to Brexit campaign slogan. Sir Vince insisted he wasnt embarrassed about it. And he said the word had a long and distinguished history going back to the 18th century of meaning nonsense. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9110147/bbc-apologise-lib-dem-vince-cable/ 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Irelands deputy prime minister has ruled out any renegotiation of the Brexit withdrawal deal if Theresa May is replaced as UK prime minister ... Mr Coveney described political events at Westminster as extraordinary as he questioned the logic of ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48330965 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A petition calling for soldiers who served in Northern Ireland to be immune from prosecution will be debated by MPs amid reports No 10 has vetoed calls for legislation to protect veterans. Several Tory MPs are expected to urge an end to what they say are abhorrent proceedings against elderly veterans. The petition says criminal probes into historical incidents should be outlawed after a certain period of time. Ministers are consulting on how to deal with legacy cases fairly. Some victims groups and politicians in Northern Ireland believe that noone should be above the law. Six former soldiers are currently facing prosecution over Troublesera killings although not all the charges are murder https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48329348 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The former Labour prime minister will use a speech in Glasgow on Monday to say an investigation into the Brexit partys finances is urgent and essential. Nigel Farage says this election is about democracy. Democracy is fatally undermined if unexplained unreported and thus undeclared and perhaps under the counter and underhand campaign finance from whom and from where we do not know is being used to influence the very elections that are at the heart of our democratic system he will say according to prereleased extracts. Now Mr Farage heads a new Brexit party which is making questionable claims about the true source of its funding at a time when the Electoral Commission has warned of the dangers of multiple small anonymous donations being a cover for dirty money. While other parties require personal information from donors the Brexit party allows donations of less than 500 via just a PayPal account which critics said leaves the way open to abuse by foreign donors wishing to influence British elections. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/20/brexit-partys-funding-must-be-investigated-says-gordon-brown?CMP=share_btn_tw 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The Liberal Democrats could shake the foundations of British politics by finishing ahead of not only the Conservatives but also Labour in this months European elections leader Sir Vince Cable has said. Speaking to The Independent Sir Vince said the confusion and disorientation of the two major parties over Brexit had created conditions where the Lib Dems could outpace both their rivals in a national election for the first time in a century. After generations of being told a Liberal Democrat vote is wasted because of the domination of the big two parties it is now abundantly clear that voters who back European Union membership should consider voting tactically for them on 23 May he said. I think there is a recognition that we are clearly the strongest of the three parties on the Remain side and people who think tactically will get behind us said the former business secretary. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-lib-dems-eu-vince-cable-brexit-poll-labour-roties-a8915686.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home The Government is still in the territory of a Brexit deal with sensible moderate Labour MPs despite the collapse of crossparty talks Cabinet minister Rory Stewart has insisted. There is speculation that the move could include fresh protections for workers rights or further movement on a customs union Labours central demand in the talks. Mr Stewart told the BBCs Andrew Marr show that ministers should keep reaching out to Labour MPs who might be willing to back the Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it comes to a Commons vote in June. The Labour and Conservative positions are about half an inch apart he said. And the frontbencher said he did not believe theres anything that Jeremy Corbyn or we want thats that far apart. He added Were in the territory of a deal and in the territory of a deal where we need to focus is parliament. And particularly getting Labour votes across. Now maybe not Jeremy Corbyns vote but there are many other moderate sensible Labour MPs that we should get across. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103981/cabinet-minister-insists-theresa-may-could-still-get 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May has said a new and improved Brexit deal will be put to MPs when they vote on the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill in early June. Writing in the Sunday Times Mrs May said the bill will be a bold offer. Cabinet minister Rory Stewart told the BBC he hoped extra guarantees on workers rights would enable sensible Labour MPs to support the government. But Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would oppose the bill and it was very difficult to see it making progress. While he would consider new proposals very carefully he said what was being talked about did not appear fundamentally different from what was already on the table. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48323522 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Preparations for a nodeal Brexit should be brought forward at pace if MPs do not back the prime ministers deal the Brexit secretary has warned. The comments are likely to reignite the debate about whether the government should be prepared to take the UK out of the European Union with nodeal if as expected MPs fail to back the withdrawal agreement when it returns to the House of Commons in June. Stephen Barclay told Sophy Ridge on Sunday Members of Parliament do need to face facts and if the deal were not to go through then there are only two alternatives you either leave with a nodeal or you revoke. https://news.sky.com/story/brexit-secretary-warns-no-deal-preparations-must-be-sped-up-11723620 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Jeremy Corbyn sounded a warning at a Labour rally in Merseyside about the rise of the far right. The Labour leader gave a speech from a bandstand at the event in Derby Park Bootle on Saturday. He described the danger of the far right and their simplistic answers which can only breed hatred and division. Candidates for the European elections in the northwest include English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. Mr Corbyn compared the propaganda being put out by the far right during the European election campaign to the rise of the Nazis in Europe in the 1930s. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/corbyn-far-right-european-parliament-elections-2019-tommy-robinson-a8919976.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Change UKs interim leader has denied speculation that she is defecting to the Liberal Democrats after a bruising week in which the party lost one candidate and sank to the lowest poll numbers since its launch. Heidi Allen the South Cambridgeshire MP who resigned from the Conservatives in February said It wouldnt look good if I defected from one party and defected to another a few weeks later. She added Its not something that I am considering. The proEurope MP hinted however that Change UK might have to enter an alliance with the Lib Dems after Thursdays European elections. Allen 44 said I hope well be able to work more effectively in the future. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/change-uk-leader-heidi-allen-hints-at-lib-dem-alliance-27lf3tbmb?fbclid=IwAR0iGqHXFRnYz3CZVHAypQVYPMzu-85FCNUvRmSQowG6X6JqZ0v1jVpl6wc 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Yahoo Finance The leader of Britains opposition said he would not support Prime Minister Theresa Mays new attempt to push through her Brexit bill if it was fundamentally the same as the bill that had been defeated three times before. We havent seen whatever the new bill is going to be yet but nothing Ive heard leads me to believe it is fundamentally any different from the previous bill that has been put forward so as of now we are not supporting it Jeremy Corbyn told the BBCs Andrew Marr show on Sunday. May said in the Sunday Times she would present a new bold offer to lawmakers with an improved package of measures in a final attempt to get the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill through parliament before she leaves office. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/uks-opposition-not-back-fundamentally-101224459.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Jeremy Corbyns row with Dame Margaret Hodge escalated last night after the MP said party members should vote for proEU candidates in the European elections even if it means not voting for Labour. Hodge has clashed often with the Labour leader on his handling of antisemitism and his approach to Brexit. At an event last week hosted by Progress the Blairite think tank Hodge was asked if she agreed with a panellist who dismissed tactical voting and said all members should vote Labour in the upcoming contest. A leaked tape reveals the 74yearold Barking MP responded No I dont. She said I think taking whatever action you need within your locality that gives you the best likelihood of electing somebody who will be a proEuropean MEP I think is the way you should go I really do. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/46c51f4e-79a9-11e9-a441-7c210cc4271f 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Tory grandee Michael Heseltine has said he will not be supporting the Conservatives in the European election and will instead vote Liberal Democrat. The former deputy prime minister and lifelong proEuropean said the party has become infected by the virus of extremism and he cannot endorse its support for leaving the EU. In an article for The Sunday Times he said The reason for my experiment with the Lib Dems is of course the governments position on Brexit. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/european-elections-michael-heseltine-brexit-lib-dems-conservatives-a8920376.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard An early general election could mean killing Brexit altogether according to health secretary Matt Hancock. The cabinet minister speaking amid uncertainty surrounding Theresa Mays future in Number 10 said such a vote should not be called until Britain has left the EU. Mr Hancock a Remainer during the 2016 campaign said the Tories need to take responsibility for delivering on the referendum result. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/early-election-could-kill-brexit-says-health-secretary-matt-hancock-a4145431.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa Mays final attempt to get a Brexit deal through Parliament appears doomed after a leaked document suggested it was nothing more than a retread of old ideas. The Prime Minister claims she has a bold offer to put to MPs next month but The Telegraph has learnt that it contains nothing new on customs arrangements and retains the controversial Northern Irish backstop. To stand any chance of winning the vote Mrs May must persuade Brexiteer Tory MPs who opposed her deal in the previous three votes to change their minds but leading Eurosceptics said there was nothing new to tempt them. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/19/theresa-mays-bold-brexit-offer-just-retread-old-ideas-leaked/ 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bloomberg Pessimism is growing over whether May will be able to win over enough MPs. A leaked document seen by the Telegraph suggests her new plan is just a retread of old ideas. Any concessions aimed at Labour members of parliament are likely to erode support among those on her own side. In a sign that the differences between the government and opposition Labour Party over Brexit are getting even harder to bridge Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Sunday went the furthest yet in his support for a second referendum. May has repeatedly rejected going back to the public again. So Mays colleagues are focusing on who will replace her. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-19/tories-turn-to-leadership-race-as-may-puts-up-one-more-fight 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Britains EU exit should be stopped to allow time to hold a second referendum according to Change UK. Party spokesman Chuka Umunna said the country was facing a national emergency the prospect of leaving the EU with no deal at the end of October. I have come to the view that we are now at the point where we are going to need to revoke Article 50 he told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show. https://news.sky.com/story/change-uk-revoke-article-50-to-hold-second-brexit-referendum-11724131 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman Nicola Sturgeon has signalled that her timetable for a second independence referendum before 2021 will remain if the UK chooses to stay in the EU. The First Minister said she would not necessarily abandon her independence plans even if there is a second EU referendum that reverses Brexit citing the risk of Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-independence-vote-by-2021-even-if-uk-stays-in-eu-1-4930116 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Our democracy is under threat from the Brexit result. The legitimacy of the result is undermined by the unlawful means used to reach it. Maybe voters will want Brexit in greater numbers but they should be asked in a second referendum. But it must be clear that its point is not to give the public a second chance to fix its mistake but to give the winning campaign side another opportunity to win by the rules rather than by breaking them. The sooner both sides in the Brexit debate see that a second vote is in their interests whether proLeave or proRemain we have our best hope for breaking the current gridlock in parliament and we stand up for the democracy we hold so dear. Failing to back a second vote is to say democracy only matters when you like the result and that would betray our British values altogether. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/nigel-farage-the-brexit-party-leave-electoral-commission-darren-grimes-a8920086.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian I asked him the obvious question of how he thought Brexit would go in the coming months whether he felt he would ever escape from it. Like you all we can do is watch he says. The withdrawal agreement is there. We are ready to sign it. My view is that in any other country after such an existential decision as the referendum there would have immediately been a crossparty commission. But you seem to prefer always the usual twoparty fight. Like many of you we are just asking when if ever are they going to put country before party He believes this weeks elections are a good place to start. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/19/guy-verhofstadt-brexit-interview-nationalists-london-european-elections 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Among Bame Labour voters there are some who think they ought to sit this election out because they believe that unleashing another abhorrent political party in Europe will never really affect them. But its imperative that we dont sit this out. Use your vote to ensure the socialists and democrats can form the largest party in the European parliament to ensure we deliver hardworking Labour MEPs that will actually make us proud for however long it is we have left in Europe. Make sure you vote just try not to embolden the farright in Europe by accident. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-bame-labour-nigel-farage-party-european-parliament-a8919981.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Police asked a McDonalds in Edinburgh not to sell ice cream or milkshakes during a rally run by Nigel Farage. As hundreds of Brexit Party supporters joined a rally led by Mr Farage at Edinburghs Corn Exchange the nearby branch of the fast food chain avoided selling the products to prevent a repeat of recent dairybased attacks. The branch on Chesser Avenue also had to increase its door security between 6pm and 10pm. https://news.sky.com/story/nigel-farage-mcdonalds-asked-not-to-sell-milkshakes-during-rally-11723088 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Channel 4 News 19 May 2019 Green coleader Sian Berry There has to be confirmatory vote on new Brexit deal Matt Frei Europe Editor and Presenter Share Tweet Send Email We spoke to Sian Berry the coleader of the Green Party and began by asking her if the Greens would support Theresa Mays withdrawal agreement if there was a second referendum. https://www.channel4.com/news/green-co-leader-sian-berry-there-has-to-be-confirmatory-vote-on-new-brexit-deal 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home The Prime Minister said she would not be simply asking MPs to think again about the same deal they have rejected three times when the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes up for a vote next month. The pledge comes in spite of Labour pulling the plug on longrunning talks with the Government aimed at thrashing out changes to the Brexit deal. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103971/theresa-may-promises-bold-offer-last-ditch-bid-win 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Channel 4 News The Prime Minister has promised a bold offer to MPs in a final bid to get her Brexit deal through parliament but were yet to hear the detail of what that could possibly entail. Lib Dem leader Vince Cable says if it means shes now going to offer the country a confirmatory referendum on her deal his MPs would back it. One cabinet minister said today hed like to shut all 650 MPs in a room until a deal was hammered out. https://www.channel4.com/news/theresa-may-plans-to-put-bold-new-brexit-offer-before-commons 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Theresa May is facing growing clamour from within her own party to quit immediately as prime minister after the collapse of Brexit talks with Labour sounded the death knell for her EU withdrawal plans. With Tories trailing in fifth place on a humiliating 9 per cent in one poll for next weeks European parliament elections furious backbenchers predicted certain defeat when the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before the Commons in June. Brexiteers said there was no prospect of Ms May averting a significant rebellion by tacking towards them on totemic issues like the Irish backstop and free trade. Theres nothing she can say said one former minister. No one trusts her any more. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-latest-may-quit-corbyn-labour-talks-collapse-european-elections-withdrawal-agreement-a8919261.html 19th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Channel 4 News Here in the UK Brexit dominates the campaign that was never supposed to happen for Thursdays European elections. Six weeks of talks between Labour and the government to find a deal on the Withdrawal Agreement have ended without consummation. With both sides blaming the other. The latest polling has the Tories in fourth even fifth place and both big parties have been campaigning as if in a witness protection programme for an election about as welcome to them as root canal surgery. https://www.channel4.com/news/could-the-european-elections-redefine-british-politics 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Sir Vince Cable may have little time left as Lib Dem leader but he is determined to make the most of it. So just a week before crucial European Parliament elections the energetic 76yearold jetted to Gibraltar to deliver a stark message to Theresa May dont betray the Rock. Sir Vince who visited the Gibraltar on Friday for the first time said Brits living there are totally committed to being in the UK family we have a duty to them. Locals told the Mirror they felt forgotten amid the squabbling of politicians in Westminster. Gibraltar which voted 96 to remain in the EU fears Spain seizing on our chaos to resurrect claims on the peninsula. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-dont-betray-gibraltar-urges-16164145 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The government should add a public vote to the Brexit legislation which MPs will vote on next month the shadow Brexit secretary has told the BBC. Sir Keir Starmer said including another referendum in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would break the impasse. Talks between Labour and the government to find a compromise Brexit deal broke down on Friday without agreement. Theresa May has said she would consider putting different Brexit options to MPs to see which ones command a majority. Labours preferred plan is for changes to the governments Brexit deal or an election but if neither of those are possible it will support the option of a public vote. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48319757 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Economist He has never held a seat in the House of Commons let alone a seat around the cabinet table. Yet Nigel Farage is one of the most important British politicians of the past few decades. History will have little to say about many members of Theresa Mays underachieving government. But it will have a great deal to say whether good or bad about this former commodities trader turned champion of the populist revolution. Mr Farage has changed the course of British history once and may be about to change it again. He persuaded David Cameron to call a referendum on membership of the eu by turning the obscure uk Independence Party into a powerful electoral machine that hoovered up discontented Tory voters. Now he is trying to force Mrs May to deliver on that referendum by demanding that Britain leave with no deal. His brandnew Brexit Party is likely to win more votes than any other in next weeks European election and send an electric shock through the political establishment. https://www.economist.com/britain/2019/05/18/the-return-of-mr-brexit-nigel-farage 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Labour isnt working. The famous Tory poster which helped Margaret Thatcher win power 40 years ago this month could be applied equally to Labours campaign for next Thursdays European parliament elections. The party is losing support to two rivals that Jeremy Corbyn thought he had seen off the Liberal Democrats and Greens. Their crystal clear antiBrexit pitch contrasts with Corbyns fuzzy approach which is alienating Remainers without keeping Labour Leavers on board. Figures I have seen show how Labours campaign is not reaching its natural supporters on social media a far cry from its huge success in this area when Corbyn deprived the Conservatives of their overall majority at the 2017 general election https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn-labour-party-european-elections-a8918406.html 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard A bombshell leaked document today reveals Theresa Mays plan to block a second referendum and stage preferential votes in the Commons designed to allow Britain to leave the EU on July 31. The leaked memo shown to the Evening Standard was sent to Labour on Wednesday a day after the Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn met for private talks. The revelation came as a surprise on the day Mr Corbyn pulled the plug on crossparty talks with the Government saying that they had gone as far as they can. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/bombshell-brexit-leak-reveals-theresa-may-and-jeremy-corbyn-discussed-plan-to-leave-eu-on-july-31-a4144686.html 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Theresa May is said to be mulling giving MPs a multiple choice vote on the kind of future relationship the UK should have with the EU in order to get her Brexit deal through Parliament next month. The proposal would use a preferential vote system under which MPs would rank different options in order of preference. The government is considering holding the series of indicative votes before MPs vote for the fourth and final time on her Brexit deal in the week beginning June 3. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7043091/Theresa-MPs-multiple-choice-option-Brexit-asking-rank-options-exit.html 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Ive put myself forward as a candidate for Labour in Yorkshire and the Humber because I want Europe and Britain to provide opportunity for all working people whatever their background. My introduction to political activism was in the struggle against climate change and I am proud that Labour under Jeremy Corbyn has become the party of radical economic change built on a Green New Deal. On Brexit I have spent the last two and a half years campaigning for a public vote and to stay in the EU. Its clear now that the Brexit the nation was sold is a fantasy. Labours talks with the government have been going round in circles so it is right that we have pulled the plug. We now need to make sure the people get to decide what happens next. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-european-elections-2019-parliament-labour-party-referendum-eu-a8918146.html 18th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Nigel Farage has called on genuine Scottish nationalists to vote for his Brexit party in next weeks EU elections as he described Nicola Sturgeons campaign for an independent Scotland within Europe as the most dishonest political discourse anywhere in the world. As antiracist protesters chanted outside the venue Farage told cheering supporters at a rally in Edinburgh If youre genuinely a nationalist lend your vote to the Brexit party lets get out of the EU and then have an honest debate about independence. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/17/nigel-farage-attacks-snps-claims-about-post-brexit-scotland 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Change UKs launch may have been hamfisted but the Lib Dems and Greens still offer viable alternatives https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/17/remain-voters-ignore-labour-change-uk-lib-dems-greens?CMP=share_btn_tw 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Labours leading Scottish candidate in the European elections and more than half of the partys MPs north of the border have said that staying in the EU is nonnegotiable in a direct challenge to their leadership. David Martin Britains longestserving MEP hit out at Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Leonards stance on Brexit as he called on the public to elect MEPs who believe in a better future leading and not leaving the EU. In an open letter to voters signed by four of the seven Scottish Labour MPs Mr Martin said it was in the countrys best interest to continue to play an integral role at the heart of the EU. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/remaining-in-eu-a-must-say-labour-mps-pf8zxkr7k 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC A leaked memo from the government side not agreed by Labour or the cabinet contained a wheeze that could have been attractive to both leaderships. Even before the Withdrawal Agreement Bill makes its appearance the memo suggested there could be a free vote in Parliament on another referendum. This is rather different from what the shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer was suggesting that there ought to be a confirmatory vote as part of a package on any agreed deal. The leaders of both the main parties arent keen on another public vote to say the least. So a standalone Commons vote on the issue divorced from the deal would be more likely to go down to defeat as it has on previous occasions. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48307713 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian I left Labour a couple of years ago feeling disappointed by its direction and yet hamstrung by loyalty to it which seemed problematic for a journalist. As I have watched Labour tear itself apart over Brexit failing to fully commit to a course of action as the clock has run down I have stayed mostly quiet in the naive hope that there was some sort of longterm strategy at play. I no longer trusted Corbyn but I believed in and trusted many of Labours other excellent politicians. Unfortunately they seem to have little say and the party appears torn between what it sees as its white workingclass voter base and its middle class ultraremainer supporters. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/17/labour-vote-green-first-time-european-elections-future-brexit 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Express.co.uk Boris Johnson has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister but there are fears that a failure to pass the Brexit deal could lead to a general election. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1128557/Brexit-news-boris-johnson-theresa-may-general-election 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Remainers should see that letting Brexit happen may be smarter in the long run than allowing a grievance to fester https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/better-to-leave-the-eu-than-make-a-hero-of-farage-z3bb2cxlz 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Scotsman There is now a real chance to keep Scotland in the EU with the future of the country at stake ahead of the European elections according to Nicola Sturgeon. The First Minister will speak in Glasgow on Friday to launch the SNPs European manifesto and will indicate that a vote for the party would send a message to Prime Minister Theresa May to stop Brexit and to stop ignoring Scotland. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-real-chance-for-scotland-to-remain-in-eu-1-4929060 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Nicola Sturgeon has urged voters across Scotland to support the SNP in next weeks EU elections whether youre for or against independence to send a convincing message about the countrys opposition to Brexit. While opponents have accused her of using the Brexit deadlock as an excuse to campaign for independence Sturgeon stepped up her appeals to proEuropean voters to discount Labour. Launching her partys EU manifesto on Friday she dismissed as pointless Jeremy Corbyns talks with Theresa May and accused him of wanting to overturn the referendum result in Scotland where a majority voted to remain. Speaking to an audience of candidates and activists hours before the Brexit party leader Nigel Farage was due to hold a rally in Edinburgh Sturgeon said We have senior Tories now openly calling for an electoral pact with Nigel Farage it is a deadly serious possibility and for Scotland it would be a nightmare. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/17/boris-johnson-pm-horrify-scots-nicola-sturgeon 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Brexit or no Brexit Britain will remain a European nation subject to the same regional pressures as before. Member of the EU or not Britain will have to respond to issues like climate crisis and security threats in cooperation with these neighbours and allies. And unless the ourselves alone Brexit extremists take over in Britain which they must not be permitted to do our businesses our industries our scientists our research and development teams and our individual citizens will remain intimately networked with theirs. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/17/the-guardian-view-on-the-eu-elections-a-chance-to-reshape-our-politics 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Boris Johnson is the clear favourite to be the next prime minister according to a poll of members of the Conservative Party. The former foreign secretary was the first choice to replace Theresa May for 39 per cent of those polled. The secondmost popular Dominic Raab attracted 13 per cent with support for all other contenders in single figures. In a headtohead vote Mr Johnson would beat Mr Raab by 59 points to 41 and every other contender by a bigger margin according to the YouGov poll for The Times in which 858 Tory party members were interviewed between May 10 and 16. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-crushes-leadership-rivals-in-poll-of-tory-members-6x5fcrcx3 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The government and Labour have sought to blame each other after crossparty talks to find a compromise Brexit plan collapsed leaving any remaining hopes of an imminent solution to the impasse in tatters. While both sides insisted the discussions had taken place in good faith Theresa May said a sticking point had been Labour splits over a second referendum. Labour in turn said the government had been unwilling to compromise and that Mays imminent departure from Downing Street meant there was no guarantee any promises would be kept by a successor such as Boris Johnson. Nick Boles the former Conservative MP who helped spearhead efforts to prevent a nodeal Brexit in March said he now feared such a departure was almost inevitable when the EU27s latest deadline of 31 October is reached. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/17/brexit-talks-tories-labour-likely-to-collapse-theresa-may-jeremy-corbyn 17th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

ITV News The document shows the government wants to hold these indicative votes next week before the EU parliamentary elections and the short recess. We would make an emergency business statement on Monday votes would take place on Wednesday the paper says. It adds Whilst neither the Government nor the Opposition can commit to be bound by all of these votes the purpose of holding them is to test the will of the House and as far as possible reflect that in the WAB to maximise the chances of it securing Royal Assent. To that end the Government and the Opposition will consider not just the result of each vote but the level of support for it. In other words the cabinet wants to bind Labours leadership into a rolling process of assessing what compromises are necessary to secure passage of its Brexit legislation. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-17/revealed-the-governments-planned-brexit-deal-with-labour/ 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK Farright UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin has had a fourth milkshake thrown at him during a campaign stop following three previous attempts to douse him in the liquid. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/carl-benjamin-has-fourth-milkshake-thrown-over-him-this-month_uk_5ce17ad8e4b09e0578060b8f 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The National The Conservatives and Labour are languishing in jointfourth place in Scotland according to a new European election poll. Just one in five Scottish voters said they will back Labour or the Tories in the upcoming election with Ruth Davidsons party set to lose their one Member of the European Parliament. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17650156.eu-poll-reveals-labour-and-tories-plummeting-to-fourth-place/?ref=twtrec 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Jeremy Corbyn will plunge his own position into jeopardy if he betrays Labour supporters by refusing to push for a further Brexit referendum a shadow minister has said in an outspoken interview. Clive Lewis warned Mr Corbyns leadership would be in peril if he failed to fully support a Final Say public vote because the activists who put you in that position could turn against him. You can only drive a wedge so far between yourself and the people who put you in that position before your opponents start looking at their options the shadow Treasury minister told The Independent. Mr Lewis warned Labour was haemorrhaging support from Remain voters and attacked senior party figures happy to finish second in next weeks European elections as long as we beat the Tories https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-referendum-jeremy-corbyn-labour-leader-second-referendum-latest-clive-lewis-a8919096.html 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Out of these 20 profiled candidates 18 are company directors 8 are bankers 5 work in derivatives and hedge funds ranking them among a metropolitan and business elite which the Brexit Party rhetoric repeatedly condemns. Many of these candidates are involved with hedge funds or derivatives sectors of the financial industry were the ones who profited from the Brexit turmoil by betting on Sterlings collapse and downturns in British firms. These organisations are known to oppose EU attempts to regulate the hedge fund industry. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/19/property-finance-hedge-funds-lobbying-media-a-guide-to-the-brexit-partys-elite-mep-candidates/ 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times A disgraced former aide to Nigel Farage who was jailed in America for offering to launder money for drug lords is a fundraiser for the Brexit Party it can be revealed. George Cottrell a 25yearold aristocrat known as Posh George served as Ukips head of fundraising until his arrest by federal agents on charges of extortion money laundering and fraud in 2016. Since his release from a federal prison in Arizona after agreeing a plea deal he has avoided appearing with Farage. However a senior source in the Brexit Party said he had reprised his role as one of his top fundraisers. According to one insider Cottrell who is dating the Im a Celebrity TV star Georgia Toffolo has been liaising with senior party officials and handling wealthy donors. The insider said He knows people. Were not going to not use him are we His presence is said to have raised eyebrows among staff. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-party-fundraiser-is-posh-george-once-jailed-in-us-after-money-laundering-sting-gzcdcj23l 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Marr Jeremy Corbyn he wants to Leave the EU Single Market and he would like to replace Free Movement with an arrangement that secures a great deal of movement. In short this will replace an established right of everyone in the UK with nothing more than a negotiated privilege. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p079nyk8 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

@tnewtondunn Jeremy Corbyn unable to tell Marr despite being asked 6 times if he wants to leave the EU or if it doesnt want to or if he supports a second referendum or doesnt. https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1130045752464560130 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by European parliament authorities over claims that he failed to declare nearly half a million pounds in gifts from an insurance tycoon under investigation by the National Crime Agency. It was claimed this week that the Brexit Party leader has been given as much as 450000 in kind by Arron Banks including a chauffeurdriven car rent and bills on a 4.4m Chelsea home and lavish trips to the United States to meet with rightwing politicians. But none of the gifts detailed in invoices seen by Channel 4 News were declared on Mr Farages register of interests with the European parliament which is designed to prevent MEPs from keeping their conflicts of interests secret. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-arron-banks-eu-authorities-investigation-gifts-tycoon-a8918946.html 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Electing Boris Johnson leader on a nodeal Brexit ticket would risk a permanent split in the Conservative Party a former minister has warned. The former foreign secretary has established himself as firm favourite to succeed Theresa May as prime minister in a contest many in Westminster expect to be triggered within weeks. It comes as the prime minister prepares to deliver a speech on Brexit this week in what a government source billed as a bold offer to MPs in a lastditch attempt to build support for her beleaguered Brexit bill in the Commons. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-party-split-boris-johnson-leadership-brexit-no-deal-theresa-may-a8919366.html 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Engadget The nodeal EU withdrawal party is only a few months old but researchers talking to BuzzFeed News found that many of its Twitter accounts are networks of bots and other inauthentic users. The exact amount isnt clear but FSecures Andy Patel noted that over 8800 users roughly 7 percent of the partys Twitter base were both recently recreated and disproportionately responsible for retweeting party material. Some of these accounts have been producing massive volumes of tweets focused on Brexit and clearly in unrealistic amounts. One tweeted 823 times in the space of a day. Some are new while others are from outside the UK. Regardless of behavior the surge of new followers for the party suggested inorganic behavior. https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/19/brexit-party-twitter-bots/ 19th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian More voters now say they would back the Brexit party at the next general election than the Conservatives according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer. Nigel Farages party increased its support by three points to 24 of the vote leapfrogging the Tories and trailing Labour by just five points. The Conservatives claimed 22 of the vote the same figure they recorded in last weeks poll. The Brexit party also maintained its 14point lead when voters were asked who they would back in next weeks European elections maintaining 34 of the vote. Labour secured 20 with the Liberal Democrats up to 15 support. The Tories were on 12 up one point on a week ago. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/18/opinium-poll-conservatives-trounced-by-brexit-party-remainers-abandon-labour 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Channel 4 News Alastair Campbell Labour need clarity and leadership on Brexit instead of Jeremy Corbyn trying to face both ways theres a public head of steam in favour of a second referendum to sort out the current political mess and Corbyn is not capitalising on it https://www.channel4.com/news/alastair-campbell-labour-need-clarity-and-leadership-on-brexit-rather-than-jeremy-corbyn-trying-to-face-both-ways 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Scram Media If a donor is not permissible or if you dont know who the donor is you cant accept the donation. Permissible donors very broadly are individuals on the electoral register or others carrying on business in the United Kingdom. But theres a loophole. The law also says you can disregard a donation so long as it is not for more than 500. These points are important because of what we know about how the Brexit Party has set out to raise money. You can see here that the maximum amount the Brexit Partys website invites you to donate is 500. And although the website seems to contemplate you might donate more than 500 neither I nor a colleague could work out how to donate more than 500 by PayPal the main tool they use to collect donations using the link. https://scramnews.com/jolyon-maugham-brexit-party-donations-investigated-electoral-commission/ 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BuzzFeed News Nigel Farages Brexit Party is attracting big crowds thousands of small donors healthy support in opinion polls and a legion of Twitter followers sharing its campaign messages at a breathless rate. 100000 Twitter followers the party tweeted after its launch last month celebrating another indication of its surging grassroots support. Its following has since grown to 134000. Accounts with handles like AthenaLeave jeanett49751382 and SimoneblackBBC many using the Brexit Party logo as their profile pictures have been pumping out supportive messages amplifying Farages push for a nodeal Brexit and adding to the sense of momentum that quickly established it as a major force in British politics. But the behaviour of many of the partys Twitter followers doesnt appear consistent with that of real voters according to two separate researchers who analysed related activity on the platform at the request of BuzzFeed News. One account set up in March has sent more than 23000 tweets in its first three months on the platform nearly all of them about Brexit. Another account sent 823 tweets on the topic in a single day mostly retweets and many just seconds apart. Another blasted out a string of 69 hardBrexit tweets before dawn on a Monday morning. This isnt how wed expect normal people with diverse interests to behave says Professor Kalina Bontcheva at the University of Sheffield one of the researchers who examined the data. Another thing that stood out to the researchers was the disproportionately high number of new accounts following the Brexit Party. According to Andy Patel a researcher at FSecure a cybersecurity company based in Finland more than 8800 of its followers about 7 at the time of the analysis were created in the first and second quarter of 2019. These accounts are disproportionately represented among the most active retweeters of Brexit Party content Patel says. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexspence/nigel-farages-brexit-party-twitter-following 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times Change UK has a bad name a confused leadership structure and should have made a pact with other Remain parties one of its leading candidates in the European elections next week has said. Rachel Johnson 53 who is top of the new partys list in southwest England criticised the partys strategy in an interview with The Times. Change UK is a terrible name she said. They want to focusgroup everything and they have a leadership team of about 11 people. If I were running it we would have one leader and a different name and we would have done a deal with all the other Remain parties. Then we would be able to give the Brexit Party a fight. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/f75f69ac-78ed-11e9-a793-a173e7c642f8 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk In a damning indictment of the Tory party Chris Wilkins has insisted the Brexit Partys rise has struck fear in Tory MPs. Speaking on BBC Newsnight Mr Wilkins who served as an aide to Mrs May between 201617 referenced the Brexit Partys rise in the polls as major threat to the Tories. Such has been the fear among MPs in the party that Mr Wilkins also claimed Boris Johnson is seen as the only leader who can take on Farage. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1128770/Brexit-news-latest-brexit-party-nigel-farage-Theresa-may-conservative-party-BBC-Newsnight 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Theresa May today launched the Tory EU election campaign in a nearempty room by blasting Nigel Farage before she appeared to fluff her lines when promising to leave the EU. In an extraordinary moment Mrs May began to say the Conservatives will deliver Brexit but stumbled and stopped herself and then said can instead as her despairing MEP candidates watched on. It came Tory support ahead of the EU elections collapsed into single figures today as a YouGov poll predicted the party would get just nine per cent of the votes on Thursday 26 points behind the Brexit Party. Taking aim at Mr Farage she said Nigel Farage cant deliver Brexit every few years he pops up he shouts from the sidelines he doesnt work constructively in the national interest https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7041151/May-launches-Tory-EU-election-campaign-appears-fluff-lines-Brexit.html 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News TV News has been passed a dossier of more than 100 alleged cases of Islamophobic or racist content posted online by people claiming to be Conservative Party members. Nineteen of the 110 cases passed to ITV News are fresh allegations not yet in the public domain. The list is the first comprehensive dossier of allegations made so far. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-17/dossier-exposes-more-than-100-cases-of-islamophobia-and-racism-from-people-claiming-to-be-conservative-party-members/ 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Guerrilla antiBrexit outfit Led by Donkeys has restarted its viral poster campaign which shames politicians by sharing their past statements on giant billboards. This time Led by Donkeys has Nigel Farage and his Brexit Party firmly in the crosshairs over the partys failure to publish a manifesto. The group is plastering quotations from Farage and his fellow candidates across the land. This the group claims can stand in for a policy platform alongside a spoof website the group has also created. Until they publish a manifesto we have to assume the partys policies are the policies beliefs and statements made by the leaders of the party Led by Donkeys told The Londoner. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/the-londoner-donkeys-make-an-ass-out-of-farage-a4144856.html 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Telegraph As photographs go it told a thousand words about the beleaguered state of a premiership on the brink. If Theresa May had hoped her unannounced appearance in Bristol would be a pleasant surprise for Tory MEP candidates then they had a funny way of showing it. With the Brexit Party riding high in the polls and Mrs May under growing pressure to set a timetable for her departure the glum look on the candidates faces appeared to suggest that they would rather the Prime Minister was anywhere else but in their constituency on Friday. Six days out from the European Parliament elections and the scene was more akin to a wake than a political rally as Mrs May scarcely managed a smile herself https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/17/glum-faces-speech-empty-room-hurried-exit-theresa-mays-campaign/ 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Huffington Post UK Nigel Farage has insisted he does not want to be prime minister despite his Brexit Party storming ahead of the Conservatives in opinion polls. Farages new party looks on course to win next weeks European elections with a YouGovTimes poll on Friday putting it 26 points ahead of the Tories. Some pollsters have even suggested the Brexit Party could garner more votes than the Tories in a general election sparking speculation that Farage could one day be PM. But the exUkip leader told HuffPost UK he would rather be an agent for change and rebuffed calls from some Tories for an electoral pact to deliver Brexit. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/nigel-farage-i-do-not-want-to-be-prime-minister_uk_5cde9f17e4b09e0578020c67 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC Nigel Farage received 450000 from the founder of proBrexit group Leave.EU in the year after the Brexit referendum. Items paid for by Arron Banks included Mr Farages London home his car and trips to the US to meet Donald Trump. A spokesman for Mr Banks confirmed the amount and what it had been used for saying it was an honour to help. Asked about the funding following an investigation by Channel 4 News Mr Farage who now leads the Brexit party said it was a private matter. Speaking at the launch of the Brexit party campaign in Scotland Mr Farage said he did not declare the it to the European Parliament because he was about to leave politics and had been seeking a new life in the US. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48315552 17th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times On 12 April the day of the launch of his new Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage revealed the party had received over 750000 in donations under 500 before it had even launched. Nine days later he claimed nearly 16000 people had signed up to become 25 registered supporters on the day of the launch and another 60000 in the following period. Thats an additional 1.9 million in political funding and 2.7m in just two weeks. This week Turlough Conway reported on the major security lapses on all these PayPal functions leaving them open to multiple contributions from single individuals and the possible fragmentation of impermissible donations from overseas companies or individuals that would not be registered because they did not pass the 500 threshold. The PayPal account was moved to the US in March. The lack of verification also left the system vulnerable to automated payments and the danger of microlaundering. New research has revealed that a staggering 40 of the Brexit Party sites outgoing traffic in April was to the PayPal link. With 50 of all the Brexit Party sites incoming traffic coming from PayPal as well this is an unprecedented conversion rate. A good conversion rate on website traffic is normally 5. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/16/never-seen-anything-like-it-the-funding-of-the-brexit-party-needs-urgent-investigation/ 16th May 2019