23rd May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=70 brexit_cliff_edge

Jobs at Risk

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48347371 22nd May 2019

Jobs at Risk

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/03/30/britain-sacrifices-steel-industry-to-curry-favour-with-china/ 22nd May 2019

Jobs at Risk

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/21/british-steels-workers-at-scunthorpe-feel-sick-and-petrified-really 22nd May 2019

Jobs at Risk

Evening Standard https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/british-steel-to-enter-insolvency-with-5000-jobs-directly-at-risk-a4147111.html 22nd May 2019

Jobs at Risk

Huffington Post UK British Steel is to go into official receivership after failing to secure funds for its future putting up to 25000 jobs at risk. It follows lastminute talks held on Tuesday between Unite union and Business Secretary Greg Clark to urge owner Greybull to find a solution. On Wednesday Clark said he had been advised it was unlawful to provide financial support on the terms of any proposals that the company or any other party has made in comments echoed by the prime minister. Clark said in a statement The government has worked tirelessly with British Steel its owner Greybull Capital and lenders to explore all potential options to secure a solution for British Steel. We have shown our willingness to act having already provided the company with a 120 million bridging facility to enable it to meet its emissions trading compliance costs https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/british-steel-insolvency_uk_5ce511b0e4b0d513447cc03f 22nd May 2019

Jobs at Risk

Sky News Sir Philip Green is on course for a fresh clash with regulators after his Arcadia retail empire launched a rescue plan which would see 23 stores shut and its pension scheme contributions slashed. Restructuring proposals by the group whose brands include Topshop Burton and Dorothy Perkins would result in 520 jobs being put at risk. It is also seeking to slash rents at 194 further sites in the UK and Ireland as it faces up to a highly competitive retail environment. Proposals announced by the company would in addition see Arcadia halve its annual payments to the companys pension scheme to 25m with Sir Philip making up the shortfall by injecting a total of 100m over the next three years. https://news.sky.com/story/520-jobs-at-risk-as-sir-philip-green-plans-23-store-closures-11726409 22nd May 2019

Economic Impact

BBC The pound has fallen to its lowest level for five months just as many UK holidaymakers get ready to head off for the lateMay halfterm break. Against the US dollar the pound fell below 1.27 for the first time since January on Tuesday. It also fell early in the day against the euro. But it picked up again later in the day in a sign of its current volatility. Cabinet backing for Prime Minister Theresa Mays latest Brexit plan led to the rebound. Currency experts say Brexit uncertainty and the USChina trade war have both contributed to the pounds recent fall. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48348607 22nd May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The New European If many of the BBCs top presenters seem to be revelling in the neverending Brexit saga it may well be because they know what side their bread is buttered. Its proving a bonanza for topping up freelance earnings and an astonishing number of people here are at it whispers my man at the corporation. The BBC editorial guidelines state quite clearly that presenters and reporters should not expose themselves to potential conflicts of interests when it comes to stories theyre involved in reporting but theyre in a situation where its in their interests now to keep the Brexit story going. My attention is drawn to an outfit called The Speaker Bureau which touts such corporation luminaries as Andrew Marr Laura Kuenssberg Michael Buerk Andrew Neil John Pienaar and Newsnights Kirsty Wark and Nick Watt as specialist Brexit speakers for conferences and events alongside overtly partisan figures such as David Davis Liam Fox and Nick Timothy. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/bbc-stars-revelling-in-brexit-1-6053841 19th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC The UKs social safety net has been deliberately removed and replaced with a harsh and uncaring ethos a report commissioned by the UN has said. Special rapporteur on extreme poverty Philip Alston said ideological cuts to public services since 2010 have led to tragic consequences. The report comes after Prof Alston visited UK towns and cities and made preliminary findings last November. The government said his final report was barely believable. The 95bn spent on welfare and the maintenance of the state pension showed the government took tackling poverty extremely seriously a spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions DWP said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48354692 22nd May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian In his final report on the impact of austerity on human rights in the UK Philip Alston the UN rapporteur on extreme poverty accused ministers of being in a state of denial about the impact of policies including the rollout of universal credit since 2010. He accused them of the systematic immiseration of a significant part of the British population and warned that worse could be yet to come for the most vulnerable who face a major adverse impact if Brexit proceeds. He said leaving the EU was a tragic distraction from the social and economic policies shaping a Britain that its hard to believe any political parties really want. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/un-report-compares-tory-welfare-reforms-to-creation-of-workhouses 22nd May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian The work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd plans to lodge a formal complaint with the UN about the damning report on austerity in Britain by its special rapporteur on extreme poverty Philip Alston. Rudd will argue that Alston is politically biased and did not do enough research. The minister is seeking guidance from the Foreign Office on the best way to respond after Alston compared her departments welfare policies to the creation of Victorian workhouses. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/amber-rudd-to-lodge-complaint-over-un-austerity-report 22nd May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian One qualitative study found that academics are often isolated and anxious in a system they feel is driven by financial targets and what one called a treadmill of justification. A second survey by the polling company YouGov for the charity found that 55 of higher education professionals describe themselves as stressed and nearly four in 10 had considered leaving the sector in the past two years as a result of health pressures. One academic said I remember a time of camaraderie and collegiality. Now the external pressures isolate and spotlight individuals. Another said One of the key skills in current times is working against isolation. If you cant then it can be a very lonely job. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/21/cut-throat-half-academics-stressed-thinking-leaving 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/haphazard-coup-theresa-mays-final-hours_uk_5ce5be5ce4b0547bd131edbb 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/22/brexit-latest-news-theresa-may-faces-fresh-bid-force-resignation/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/andrea-leadsom-quits-over-theresa-mays-brexit-bill 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48374098 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Theresa May was desperately clinging on to power tonight after Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom dramatically quit in protest at her Brexit plan. In one of the darkest days for the isolated PM she faced a mass revolt from her own Cabinet and Tory backbenchers but she insisted she will not give into their demands for her to quit now. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9126910/brexit-latest-andrea-leadsom-quits-cabinet-theresa-may-clinging-on/ 23rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa May faced calls from her own party to resign immediately on Tuesday night after putting a second referendum on the table in a sellout attempt to save her Brexit deal. The Prime Minister provoked fury after she caved in to Labour demands for a vote on holding a socalled confirmatory vote on a final Brexit deal https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/21/brexit-latest-news-cabinet-row-no-deal-philip-hammond-claims/ 23rd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Business Insider Boris Johnson is the breakaway favourite to replace Theresa May as prime minister given his popularity among Conservative party members. While the former foreign secretary is vocally opposed to holding a second Brexit referendum some of his colleagues believe a Brexiteer prime minister could nonetheless be forced to hold one. The choice could be between that and a general election with the Tories trailing Labour by a significant distance in the polls. https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-could-back-a-second-brexit-referendum-as-pm-2019-5 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Michael Gove has suggested the government may ditch plans to ask MPs to vote on its EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the first week of June following a backlash from all sides of the Commons. Theresa Mays new deal unveiled yesterday has been savaged by Tory and Labour MPs and looks extremely unlikely to be able to survive a vote in the Commons. Asked on BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Thursday morning whether the Bill would definitely be voted on in the week beginning June 3 Gove said the government will reflect over the course next few days. But speaking to MPs May contradicted the environment secretary and said the Bill would be introduced. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michael-gove-suggests-eu-withdrawal-bill-vote-could-be-pulled_uk_5ce4fa35e4b0547bd12f1be4 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph In the latest part of our new series on the leadership contest awaiting the Conservatives Rob Wilson explains why Jeremy Hunt has the integrity principles and strength to deliver Brexit and much more The job of Prime Minister is now so demanding few truly know whether they have the right personality to suit the burdens of the role until they actually do the job. Nearly 200 Conservative MPs thought Theresa May was the right choice in 2016 only to find they couldnt have got it more wrong as she has proved unsuited to its requirements of leadership and first class communication skills the result of which currently is the Conservative Party wandering aimlessly over an electoral cliff. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/22/jeremy-hunt-has-just-needed-truly-great-prime-minister/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Voting Labour delays the organisation of a referendum and so decreasing the possibility of an informed vote and gives the Tories the possibility to convert lack of support for Lib DemsGreensChange UK as a green light for them to fashion their Brexit deal without taking other views into consideration. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-european-elections_uk_5ce30b55e4b07c06b3c9240a 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Theresa May faces the stark choice of quitting or being turfed out of Downing Street by her own party after Andrea Leadsom resigned from the cabinet amid a furious backlash against the prime ministers new Brexit deal. Leadsom quit on Wednesday evening using her resignation letter to attack the illdiscipline of her cabinet colleagues and warn that she no longer believed its approach would deliver on the referendum result. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/may-faces-crunch-meeting-as-support-for-brexit-deal-slips-away 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Theresa May triggered a fresh Cabinet revolt on Wednesday after explicitly laying out the path to a legallybinding second referendum in her Brexit deal. Ministers on Wednesday accused the Prime Minister of attempting to bounce her Cabinet after they read the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in full for the first time. Several ministers including Jeremy Hunt Sajid Javid Michael Gove and Liz Truss all potential leadership contenders felt it went further than Cabinet had agreed on Tuesday with Andrea Leadsom resigning from the Cabinet and suggesting Theresa May should quit over the new Brexit deal. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/22/surprise-new-clause-theresa-mays-withdrawal-agreement-proved/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Already this is a twohorse race. Across the UK Nigel Farages Brexit Party is in front. But closing hard leading Labour and Tory rivals by a nose is a gold outsider the Liberal Democrats. After Michael Heseltine endorsed the Vince Cabletrained flyer the question arises will other prominent figures endorse the Lib Dems to form a popular front against Brexit As the strongest remain party a Lib Dem triumph would be a dramatic and unequivocal rejection of Brexit. https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/only-lib-dems-can-win-it-for-remainers-in-twohorse-race-a4147351.html 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Since the speech yesterday a series of previously loyal Conservative MPs have declared against her Brexit plan. Support for her deal is going backwards. The withdrawal agreement bill Wabhas not even been published yet but barring a big change of position from a major group of MPs it would be irresponsible to bring it forward. At this stage there seems zero prospect of a majority at second reading. A Conservative leadership contest is now imminent with Brexit a running sore. With well over a dozen possible candidates events could move extremely rapidly. At the core will be the question of how to find a Brexit policy that can succeed in this parliament where this prime minister has so spectacularly failed. Expect unicornchasing a potential race to the bottom and simple answers to complex problems. It is often repeated that all political careers end in failure unless politicians leave on their own terms. With the Conservatives expected to be knocked into fifth position in the European elections sadly Theresa May seems about to prove just that point. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/22/forget-brexit-withdrawal-bill-things-move-very-quickly-theresa-may 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@Channel4News I can tell you that Arron Banks is not involved in the Brexit Party whatsoever.Thats what Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice told Channel 4 News when we asked him if Mr Banks was still funding Nigel Farages lifestyle. https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1131275747358912514 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCPolitics Conservative Dominic Grieve says some Tories are living in a world of fantasy about the kind of Brexit that can happen adding the only solution is to have another referendum https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1131294017096802304 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Ann Bone who lives in Maury in the Pyrenees Orientales said her postal vote did not arrive until Friday and when she went to return it to Calderdale Council she was informed by the French postal service that it had no chance of arriving in the UK in time. Her husbands ballot has still not arrived in France. She said Weve been denied a vote basically. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48351281 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Channel 4 News We spoke to shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and began by asking if he would vote for a second referendum. https://www.channel4.com/news/labours-john-mcdonnell-on-theresa-mays-brexit-deal-i-cant-see-this-deal-going-through-parliament 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent In the hundreds of hours spent in Parliament debating Brexit I constantly think of how we could have spent our time better. In Britain we are not having these debates about policy that we so desperately need. These European elections have become a proxy vote on Brexit instead. While we obsess over our Brexit psychodrama the world moves on. Multinational companies exploit national differences to abuse their workers to dodge their taxes and to regulation shop as a means to avoid meeting their responsibilities. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/brexit-eu-elections-labour-remain-lord-adonis-mep-european-parliament-a8923116.html 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Theresa May is setting out the details of a series of compromises designed to try and win the support of Labour MPs for her Brexit plan. The cabinet earlier agreed the idea of a temporary customs relationship until the next general election and measures on the environment and workers rights. These will be included in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to be put to a vote in the Commons in early June. The SNP and some Tory Brexiteers have already said they will vote against. The PM briefed MPs and ministers on the contents of the speech entitled A new Brexit deal seeking common ground in Parliament beforehand. Exminister Mark Francois a vocal critic of the prime minister said if the vote was held today the bill would be defeated by a huge margin. He told the BBC that MPs who had backed the PM in the past would be more reluctant to do so if the party got a drubbing in the European elections and she would have to rely on Labour votes to get her way. Unless she is rescued by a Marxist the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is dead on arrival he told Radio 4s World at One. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48339923 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mail Conservative Eurosceptics have reacted with fury to the Brexit plans offer of a vote on whether to hold another referendum. Senior Tory MPs will again seek to change party rules to allow a confidence vote in her leadership if she refuses to leave Number 10. Mrs May said the WAB would be published on Friday and backing it would help get the UK out of the EU by the end of July. We can bring an end to the months years of increasingly bitter argument and division that have both polarised and paralysed our politics she said. We can move on move forwards and get on with the jobs we were sent here to do what we got into politics to do. That is what we can achieve if we support this new deal. Reject it and all we have before us is division and deadlock. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-7058255/May-pleads-Brexit-support-leadership-comes-intense-pressure.html 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The Evening Standard edited by the former Conservative chancellor George Osborne has urged readers to consider voting Liberal Democrat in the European elections in the latest sign of David Cameronera Tories breaking with the party over Brexit. The London newspaper said the Lib Dems had the courage from the start to say the referendum result was a mistake and as a result voters have started to think again about them. However the Standard stopped short of a full endorsement for Vince Cables party simply saying we wish them well. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/george-osbornes-evening-standard-backs-lib-dems-in-eu-polls-european-elections 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The prime minister is resisting calls to resign despite a growing backlash against her Brexit plan from Conservative MPs. Several cabinet ministers told the BBC that she cannot stay with one saying it is the end of the line. Tory backbenchers met on Wednesday evening but decided not to change rules which would have allowed an immediate vote of no confidence in her. The BBCs political editor says the PM seems to have bought herself 36 hours. Mrs May will meet the chairman of the influential backbench 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady on Friday. In the meantime the UK will vote on Thursday in European Parliament elections with the Conservatives widely predicted to do very badly. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48366977 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph What can the Prime Minister be thinking Its over. She can no longer pass critical legislation the latest draft of her Withdrawal Agreement is dead in the water her backbenchers are up in arms Cabinet members would like to meet to discuss her future. Andrea Leadsom has resigned as Leader of the House saying Britain will not be truly sovereign under the agreement and that government processes have broken down. And yet Theresa May clings on. Why What does she think she has left to achieve What political face is there left to save https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2019/05/22/theresa-may-must-go-now-national-emergency/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Theresa Mays one last chance Brexit offer appeared to be dead on arrival as Remainers Leavers the DUP and past Tory supporters of her exit deal lined up to dismiss it. The prime minister put a vote on a second referendum at the heart of a tenpoint plan designed to win over opponents from all political sides and pass her Brexit deal through the Commons. But several Tories who backed her withdrawal agreement in the last vote immediately said they would reject it this time declaring it worse than before. Jacob ReesMogg chairman of the arch Brexiteer European Research Group ERG revealed he would be switching back to opposition stating The prime ministers latest proposals are worse than before and would leave us bound deeply in to the EU. It is time to leave on WTO no deal terms. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/theresa-may-brexit-offer-rejected_uk_5ce42c29e4b087700995ccb0 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph Andrea Leadsom is a tough lady. Make no mistake about that but she is also quite feminine. Shades of Margaret Thatcher come to mind and thats no bad thing. I first came across Andrea shortly after she had been selected following the imposition of new boundaries which meant I would lose 40 per cent of my rural electorate and I was not best pleased. I would still be the local MP in the bit that went to Northamptonshire South but Andrea would be the candidate. In other words we had to work quite closely together https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/21/theresa-may-tories-could-benefit-andrea-leadsoms-maggie-esque/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC After May finished presenting her plan public rejections from almost all quarters started to pour in. Of course the vote itself on this bundle of measures wont be for at least a week a lifetime in this hyperspeed world. A lot could change. But the diplomatic way of describing the situation tonight Compromising when no one else is interested in consensus is impossible. The more brutal political interpretation Theresa Mays mishandling of this whole situation has over many many months pulled her deeper and deeper down into a quagmire of her own creation. An attempt at this stage to ask others for understanding to help her escape is just too late far far too late. Now some Conservative minds are turning to whether she can stay on to have this vote at all. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48359132 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics.co.uk A cutoutandkeep voting guide for Remainers trying to work out how to vote this week in the 2019 European elections. http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/05/22/the-remain-strategy-region-by-region-voting-guide 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home A Tory MEP has said the party will be annihilated in Thursdays European elections as he hit out at the party for abandoning its candidates on the campaign. Sajjad Karim a Conservative North West MEP and top candidate for the region laid bare the reality of the campaign warning the party will live to regret its decision to go ahead with the democratic exercise. Speaking to PoliticsHome Mr Karim said he was fighting for every vote in the North West virtually singlehandedly. He said I think Brexit party are going to lead the polls Labour is going to get smashed were going to get annihilated. The parties that are providing clarity to people are the ones who are going to do well However we and the Labour party are going to be absolutely smashed because people do not know what on earth it is that we are doing. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/news/104087/excl-tory-mep-warns-party-will-be 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Theresa May faces a new coup today after a gamble to force through her Brexit deal by offering Remainers a second referendum backfired spectacularly. The offer was blasted by MPs on all sides and left Brexiteers seething at her betrayal. Senior Tory backbenchers will now try to force a confidence vote in the PM when the partys grandees meet at 4pm on Wednesday. Brexiteer Nigel Evans said She has Uturned on absolutely everything. We cannot put up with this any longer. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/brexit/9125276/theresa-may-coup-second-referendum-backfired/ 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times Theresa May is into the final days of her premiership. As she struggles to overcome her latest and probably last Brexit reversal this is the assumption many MPs and journalists at Westminster are now making. This afternoon Mrs May has been urging MPs in the House of Commons to back the new and improved Withdrawal Agreement Bill or WAB that she unveiled in a speech on Tuesday. But after the drubbing it received from Conservative and Labour MPs in the hours after that speech there is not the slightest chance of her bill making progress. https://www.ft.com/content/e0fa3e4a-7c89-11e9-81d2-f785092ab560 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent The Brexit Party has refused to rule out joining a new alliance farright parties in the European Parliament fuelling concerns that Nigel Farage could link up with extremist parties once safely reelected. Matteo Salvini leader of Italys extremeright League party invited Mr Farages new outfit to join his group at the weekend saying he was waiting for the archeurosceptic. Brexit Party did not respond to repeated requests by The Independent to clarify whether it would be joining the alliance which would see it sit alongside Mr Salvini Marine Le Pen and other extremeright parties from across the continent. Mr Farage previously claimed that he had founded The Brexit Party to escape Ukips increasingly extremist direction. The new outfit is leading in the polls ahead of this weeks European Parliament election despite so far having left voters in the dark about what its policies are on issues beyond EU membership. Im waiting for Nigel Farage. We can work together I hope Mr Salvini told the BBC on Saturday responding yes when asked if he wanted the Brexit Party to join his group. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-party-farage-european-elections-far-right-salvini-le-pen-a8923601.html 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Business Insider Theresa May offers Members of Parliament a binding vote on holding a second referendum. The prime minister made the offer ahead of the vote on her Withdrawal Agreement Bill. MPs would need to back her bill before holding any vote on a second referendum. https://www.businessinsider.com/theresa-may-offers-parliament-vote-on-second-brexit-referendum-2019-5 22nd May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Times Im in no doubt what I must do. Ill vote Lib Dem and urge any Tory Remainer to do the same not because were suddenly Lib Dems but because theyre the only nonBrexit party in England with a chance of getting MEPs elected. Theresa May claims Tory votes are votes to leave so in European elections Im not going to send that signal. Nor should any Tory Remainer. But this will hurt. I belong in my Conservative tribe. On any ballot paper with a Tory on it Ive never in 50 years ticked any other box. Many fellowTories like me will be feeling the same sense of a wrench. But we know what we have to do. There are loyalties beyond party. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-i-ll-vote-lib-dem-for-the-first-time-in-my-life-9x6mj82t0 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Andrea Leadsom the Commons leader has warned Theresa May that she will not accept a new Brexit plan that leaves open the possibility of a customs union before a key cabinet meeting to finalise the proposals. In a sign of the difficulties the prime minister faces in getting her withdrawal agreement bill Wab past her own ministers let alone the Commons Leadsom stressed that her backing was conditional. I continue to support the prime minister to get her withdrawal agreement bill through she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. It is leaving the European Union and so long as it continues to be leaving the European Union I continue to support it. Asked what she meant Leadsom said that while she could support the customs arrangements already in the plan any move to tempt Labour voters by holding open the possibility of a formal customs union which could affect the UKs ability to sign its own trade deals would make it impossible for her to support it https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/leadsom-gives-may-ultimatum-over-brexit-bill-support 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News Philip Hammond is to warn that all the preparation in the world will not avoid the consequences of a nodeal Brexit. The Chancellor will say in a major speech on Tuesday that MPs calling for Britain to fall out of the EU without an agreement want to hijack the result of the referendum. In one of his strongest attacks yet on a nodeal Brexit an option the government is leaving open Mr Hammond will declare that the scenario would knowingly... inflict damage on our economy and our living standards. https://news.sky.com/story/chancellor-philip-hammond-no-deal-brexit-effects-cannot-be-avoided-11725070 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The former Ukip leader forged an alliance with the Five Star Movement just as they bulldozed Italian politics using a tightly controlled digital operation. And now hes putting their techniques to work in Britain. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/brexit-party-nigel-farage-italy-digital-populists-five-star-movement 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph It was the moment that pushed Theresa Mays already beleaguered Eurosceptic ministers to the brink. At the start of a three hour 20minute marathon Cabinet that Prime Minister presented her ministers with a paper outlining her bold new Brexit offer. To those present it appeared to give anything and everything to Labour. There in black and white was an explicit offer of free votes on a permanent customs union with the EU and a second referendum. Chris Grayling the Transport Secretary and Andrea Leadsom the Leader of the Commons both made clear that the Prime Ministers deal was unacceptable. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/21/inside-cabinet-theresa-may-pushed-eurosceptic-ministers-brink/ 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph For someone not renowned for their witty repartee sparkling Commons chamber oratory or indeed having any discernible political personality Philip Hammond can always surprise us with his shameless chutzpah and brass neck. His speech to the CBI tonight is but one more conspicuous example. However like the Prime Minister hes nearing the very end of the road and will probably be fired by whoever succeeds Theresa May. He doesnt care what most Tories think of him now and is not holding back his opinions. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/21/pms-shock-gamble-peoples-vote-will-blow-tory-party/ 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Some of the UKs most garlanded novelists including Robert Harris John le Carr and Philip Pullman have lambasted the promises made by Brexiters as being too unbelievable for fiction writing We are the people who spend our lives making things that are not true seem believable and we dont think Brexit is even a good effort. Dozens of writers have put their names to a letter to the Guardian that urges UK voters taking part in Thursdays European parliament elections to use their franchise to support the European Union unless they know what they are choosing to lose for themselves and everyone they know and are happy with that. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/21/john-le-carre-and-neil-gaiman-join-writers-warning-brexit-is-choosing-to-lose 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Clive Lewis the Norwich South MP who is one of the groups founders says I think the frustration of so many members especially those who have supported the political project for the last three years is that they look at the biggest ringleaders for leaving the EU they look at the dark money they look at all those farright organisations across Europe who are cheering Brexit on and they think Why isnt the Labour party standing up to these fascists and authoritarians If they think Brexit is good why arent we against it https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/jeremy-corbyn-campaign-trail-labour-brexit-divide 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Sajid Javid is ripping up Theresa Mays postBrexit plans for a 30000 minimum salary threshold for EU migrants The Sun can reveal. The Tory leadership hopeful wants a powerful committee to look into lowering prospective wage bands in a move that will enrage Tory Eurosceptics. In an explosive letter he instructs the Migration Advisory Committee MAC to consider allowing firms to pay the going rate for foreign recruits after Brexit and to look at regional wage limits. He also wants them to study exemptions for a range of professions and whether new entrants or inexperienced workers can be paid less. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9125478/sajid-javid-scrap-eu-migration-plans/ 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian In another fauxconcession the prime minister has offered a vote on customs between a facilitated customs arrangement and a temporary customs union lasting until the next general election. But the former has already been rejected by the EU as unworkable it has never been attempted anywhere in the world and the latter is essentially what is already in the standstill transition in the withdrawal agreement. So in fact this is no concession at all and one of the main reasons that talks with the Labour party broke up without agreement. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/theresa-may-brexit-withdrawal-bill-parliament-vote 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BuzzFeed News Theresa May is expected to hold a vote on her Withdrawal Agreement Bill in the first week of June. Following her new bold offer to MPs on Tuesday the number of rebels are unfortunately for Downing Street going up rather than down. BuzzFeed News is keeping a rolling list of Tory MPs who are indicating they are going to vote against the WAB. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/tory-mps-vote-against-withdrawal-bill 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Theresa May played her final hand tonight. Again. The Prime Minister offered MPs a bombshell vote on holding a second referendum if they pass her Brexit deal. Its a massive gamble both for her sacrificing what she believed in and Remain MPs who might back her only to find they dont get what they want. The new pledges which also offer a temporary customs union with the EU and close alignment with EU rules will be a huge leap to a softer Brexit if Mrs Mays package passes. But MPs are already blasting the PMs one last chance offer and warning theyll annihilate it. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-second-referendum-vote-explained-16179118 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Financial Times For Theresa Mays gamble of a repackaged Brexit deal to pay off four factions of sceptical MPs had to be convinced. Eurosceptic Conservatives Labour MPs in favour of a second referendum Labour pragmatists who want Brexit over the line and Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist party all were all needed to come on board. Unfortunately for the UK prime minister all four groups have condemned her latest Brexit proposals. Within an hour of Mrs May speaking it appeared that her fourth and final attempt to pass a Brexit agreement may be dead on arrival. Mrs May is hoping to win a House of Commons vote in the first week of June on the legislation to implement her exit deal with the EU. But one prominent Eurosceptic MP condemned her approach as a total lack of leadership and desperation adding It is fundamentally the same deal but worse with lots of other crap thrown in. Im not impressed and wont be voting for it. https://www.ft.com/content/4498bfa0-7be3-11e9-81d2-f785092ab560 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post UK Watching Jeremy Corbyn squirm on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday one thing became clear he Nigel Farage and Theresa May are united. Not just in wanting to deliver Brexit but also in wanting to end free movement with the European Union when they do. Ending free movement has been a Brexiteer slogan for so long that its easy to forget what Corbyn Farage and May are really saying when they deploy it. What theyre really saying is that they want to take away your right to live work and study anywhere in the EU. That if you love someone from elsewhere in Europe they want to make it much harder for you to live together. Theyre saying that the NHS should be cut off from the supply of thousands of nurses doctors and support staff who come from the continent every year to staff our hospitals. And that British businesses should be tied up in reels of new red tape when they try to hire the European workers they need. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/freedom-of-movement_uk_5ce3cea6e4b0e69c18f15a73 21st May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Sun Allies say legal advice drawn up for the exForeign Secretary says action to thwart him would be in breach of the Tories leadership contest rules. An Anyone But Boris group of largely Remainer Conservative MPs have vowed to stop him from seizing the keys to No10 by voting tactically for rival candidates. But allies say secret legal advice has been drawn up for the former Foreign Secretary that finds the action would be in breach of the Conservatives leadership contest rules. Under the lawyers interpretation of the partys constitution Tory MPs cannot stop a candidate from getting down to the last two if members express significant support for them as the new leader must be the members decision. A close ally of Boriss said last night We have legal advice that was drawn up for Boris that proves if members want a chance to vote on him in big numbers MPs and CCHQ cannot stop that. Nobody wants this to go to the courts but wed win a judicial review if it did. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9117741/legal-battle-anyone-but-boris-johnson/ 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home MPs from the One Nation Conservatives group said they would fight against any candidate who might usher in a nodeal departure from the EU. The move opens up a new front in the battle to secure the Tory crown after Theresa May announced she would soon set out a timetable for her departure. Dozens of MPs including Cabinet ministers Amber Rudd and Rory Stewart as well as ministers Caroline Nokes Margot James and Tobias Ellwood met in a Parliamentary committee room to lay out their demands. They vowed to test leadership hopefuls against a statement of values penned by former Downing Street policy guru George Freeman which included the rejection of narrow nationalism. Cochair of the group Sir Nicholas Soames declared Debate in our party has been drowned out by the very aggressive and intolerant tone of the hardcore proBrexit European Research Group. What we are relaunching here today is that long Tory tradition of tolerance pragmatism and not being ideological with an absolute determination to get these values back front and centre of the Tory party for the future. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/conservative-party/theresa-may/news/104040/tory-mps-declare-war-intolerant 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent Labour and Conservative governments have consistently shown that they are both unwilling and unable to stand up to giant multinational companies when they exploit consumers. Only with the combined strength of 28 countries acting together through the EU can we protect consumers from rising prices and limited choice by breaking up international cartels and monopolies. Only together can we fight tax avoidance and the abuse of personal data. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-uk-consumers-liberal-democrats-exploitation-european-commission-a8921781.html 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The Brexit Party has been officially recognised as a group in the Senedd by the presiding officer. In a letter to the new partys leader in the assembly Elin Jones said the requirements of the assemblys rules had been met. Mark Reckless said he was pleased the decision had been made but added he was surprised it took five days. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage unveiled the new group made up of four former UKIP AMs last week. The move means Mark Reckless Mandy Jones Caroline Jones and David Rowlands will have access to more staff and will be given a greater status in the assembly. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-48340560 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Huffington Post Former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine has had the Tory whip suspended after saying he would vote Liberal Democrat at the European elections a Conservative spokesman said. Noted europhile Heseltine who has long opposed Brexit had prompted outrage from some Tory members after he endorsed a Liberal Democrat candidate ahead of Thursdays poll in contravention of party rules. A spokesman for the Tories said Lord Heseltine has given more than half a century of service to the Conservative Party and his longstanding and sincerely held views on Europe are well understood. But with his long experience he will know that publicly endorsing the candidates of another party is not compatible with taking the Conservative whip in parliament. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/michael-heseltine-conservative-whip-removed_uk_5ce2f15ee4b075a35a2ba1a5 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Three in five British voters say politics in Westminster and Brussels is broken according to a poll that finds pro and antiBrexit parties are running neck and neck ahead of the European elections on Thursday. The survey shared with the Guardian by the European Council on Foreign Relations ECFR found Britons nurture some of the highest levels of political disaffection in Europe with 60 of those polled saying the system in the UK and the EU is broken. Only in France and Greece are levels of disenchantment higher. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/20/pro-anti-brexit-parties-neck-and-neck-eu-election-poll 20th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Our nation is at a crossroads and so is our party. The next prime minister must redefine Brexit as a One Nation project. If they do not the door will be wide open for Britains firstever Marxist government and a likely decade of decline. The consequences of that will echo down the generations and serve as our partys greatest failure. We still have a chance to avoid it. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/18/one-nation-conservatives-launch-declaration-values 18th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9132151/nigel-farage-brexit-bus-people-milkshakes/ 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Star https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/780694/nigel-farage-brexit-party-kent-stuck-on-bus-people-milkshakes 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Kent Live In Rochester three young men dressed in black with their hoods up and covering their faces with balaclavas were spotted at the back of the crowd. One supporter said they were carrying milkshakes and Farage was quickly alterted. As a preventative measure Nigel was told not to get off the bus. Driver Michael Botton explained There are a couple of guys standing over there with milkshakes they were going to throw them over him. But the police are there weve spotted them and now Nigel isnt getting off the bus. https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/nigel-farage-stuck-brexit-bus-2897876 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent Nigel Farage reportedly got stuck on his Brexit Party campaign bus after people armed with milkshakes surrounded him. The politician is said to have refused to leave the vehicle just days after he was covered in banana and salted caramel milkshake in Newcastle. Three young men dressed in black with their hoods up were reportedly spotted in the crowd when the bus arrived in Rochester Kent on Wednesday Kent Live reports. Someone suggested they were carrying milkshakes and Mr Farage was told not to get off the bus according to the newspaper. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-milkshake-brexit-party-bus-european-elections-protest-milkshaking-a8926011.html 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7056289/Chief-Brexit-negotiator-Guy-Verhofstadt-says-Boris-Johnson-Nigel-Farage-Putin-destroy-EU.html 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times The toxic combination of Boris Johnson Nigel Farage populism the rise of the far right and Russia will destroy the European Union the chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels said. Mr Verhofstadt 66 who leads a panEuropean bloc of liberal MEPs now allied to President Macron of France said that EU elections this week were being manipulated by Russia in the same way as the Brexit referendum. It is always Russia. Talk about Farage its Russia. On top of that you have a hardBrexiteer who wants to become leader of the Conservative Party. Am I too suspicious I see a real organised attempt to destroy the European project as a whole he said. My sense of Brexit is it is an element of a more global picture. I think that everybody agrees that the Brexit discussion was manipulated. Are we not now living and seeing the same thing but on a European level It is not a referendum it is a European election but it is the same dynamic. It is the same attack that was against Britain in the EU and now is about the EU itself. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/farage-and-russia-will-destroy-the-eu-says-brexit-negotiator-jwvhpk2p3 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times During the early stages of the Bosnian conflict Mr Kennedy helped organise trips to Belgrade for British politicians and a public meeting in Westminster. Karadzic personally endorsed Mr Kennedy in a letter to The Times in July 1992 which refers to an ongoing dialogue with a former British parliamentary candidate Mr John Kennedy an expert on Yugoslavia. That same year the two shared a platform at a conference in Westminster where they sat side by side a summary of the meeting in the House of Commons shows. Lord Ashdown the former Liberal Democrat leader recorded in his published diaries meeting Mr Kennedy at Budapest airport before a tour of Yugoslavia in August 1992. He described Mr Kennedy as the exTory candidate and proSerb contact in London. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nigel-farages-running-mate-linked-to-regime-of-warlord-karadzic-w656c9v8b 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times During the early stages of the Bosnian conflict Mr Kennedy helped organise trips to Belgrade for British politicians and a public meeting in Westminster. Karadzic personally endorsed Mr Kennedy in a letter to The Times in July 1992 which refers to an ongoing dialogue with a former British parliamentary candidate Mr John Kennedy an expert on Yugoslavia. That same year the two shared a platform at a conference in Westminster where they sat side by side a summary of the meeting in the House of Commons shows. Lord Ashdown the former Liberal Democrat leader recorded in his published diaries meeting Mr Kennedy at Budapest airport before a tour of Yugoslavia in August 1992. He described Mr Kennedy as the exTory candidate and proSerb contact in London. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nigel-farages-running-mate-linked-to-regime-of-warlord-karadzic-w656c9v8b 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Open Democracy John Kennedy distributed bogus claims of Bosnian war crimes and was suspected by intelligence services of funneling Serbian dark money to the Conservatives https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/revealed-nigel-farages-brexit-party-candidate-lobbied-for-balkan-warlord-and-was-bugged-by-mi6/ 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

BBC An AM may be in breach of Welsh Assembly rules by failing to declare that he employs a family member BBC Wales has learned. David Rowlands who has just defected from UKIP to the Brexit Party employs two members of his family among his support staff. But while his wife Keryn is declared on his register of interests his daughter Rhiannon is not. An aide of Mr Rowlands took the blame for the notification not being made. Plaid Cymru called for Mr Rowlands to refer himself to the assemblys standards body. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-48364560 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

iNews Change UK has spent at least 1300 promoting Facebook adverts saying it is campaigning to remain in the UK. The fledgling antiBrexit party made up of former Labour and Conservative MPs published five separate ads on 19 and 20 May all containing the same error. It meant to say it is campaigning to remain in the European Union. Data from Facebooks ad library shows Change UK spent a minimum of 1300 promoting the video and photoled adverts but it may have been as much as 3495. https://inews.co.uk/news/brexit/change-uk-facebooks-ads-remain-uk-eu-spending-error/ 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

@Channel4News Change UK interim leader Heidi Allen tells @CathyNewman she threatened to resign over the issue of tactical voting in the European elections. https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1131250260003741696 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Thye Independent Nigel Farages use of PayPal to raise huge numbers of small donations for his Brexit Party allows foreign donors to evade the rules a watchdog has warned. The Electoral Commission said its investigation of the partys fundraising methods is ongoing after visiting its headquarters amid the growing controversy. After the visit the Brexit Party claimed the commission had found no evidence of any electoral offences. But in a statement the watchdog said seeking small sums via online donations opens up additional risk in relation to compliance with UK political finance law. This risk is that it increases the potential for individuals or organisations to evade the permissibility rules which primarily seek to prevent significant sums entering UK politics from overseas it explained. The commission stressed that it was the Brexit Partys responsibility to ensure it has the systems in place to maintain its compliance with the law. Our review of the systems in operation by the Brexit Party is ongoing it added. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-party-donations-farage-electoral-commission-paypal-eu-elections-a8925276.html 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror The Nazi symbol was etched into a lift door within the Parliamentary Estate. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/swastika-found-carved-door-inside-16184344 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent It increases the potential for individuals or organisations to evade the permissibility rules which primarily seek to prevent significant sums entering UK politics from overseas said the Electoral Commission which said although it found no immediate evidence it is going to continue monitoring the situation https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-party-donations-farage-electoral-commission-paypal-eu-elections-a8925276.html 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Sun The EU has launched an investigation into claims that wealthy Brexit donor Arron Banks splashed 450000 on a luxury lifestyle for Nigel Farage following the referendum. The European Parliaments advisory committee will probe the Brexit Party leader for failing to declare the lavish expenses. Mr Banks is reported to have rented a 4.4 million home in Chelsea a 30000 car and funded a 20000 chauffeur for Mr Farage. The insurance tycoon also spent hundreds of thousands of pounds promoting Brand Farage in the US according to Channel 4 News. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9126418/eu-investigate-nigel-farage-450000-donation-from-arron-banks/ 22nd May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Campaigners for nonBritish or Irish EU citizens have made a formal complaint to the Electoral Commission amid fears many of them will be unable to vote in the UK in this Thursdays elections for the European parliament. Nicolas Hatton the cofounder of the3million has accused the regulator of providing insufficient guidance leading to inconsistent advice from local authority electoral officers. The3million has multiple examples of local authorities mishandling the application process he said in a threepage letter. Catherine West the Labour MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has raised concerns about the issue in a separate letter to Sir John Holmes the chair of the Electoral Commission. West fears that as many as 75 of nonBritishIrish EU citizens living in the UK who registered to vote in the local elections three weeks ago could be turned away on Thursday because they have not filled in a second form necessary for them to vote in the European elections. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/european-elections-many-eu-citizens-will-be-unable-to-vote-in-uk-campaigners-warn 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

LBC This Lib Dem MEP candidate Catherine Bearder says a nodeal Brexit is the economic equivalent of trying to make yourself homeless. The caller says she wants a straightforward answer ifnoBrexit deal will be on the ballot paper if there is a second referendum. When Mrs Bearder points out the country is still divided because we dont know what leaving will mean. The MEP said she understands that people are furious that when it comes to a second referendum but nodeal is the economic equivalent of trying to make yourself homeless. https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/eddie-mair/no-deal-brexit-making-yourself-homeless/ 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror Almost all of the ten most active Brexit Party supporters on Twitter appear to be automated bots according to new research. Leader Nigel Farage has hailed the swell of support for the group as the most amazing grassroots support thats ever been seen in this period of time in British politics. But while bots were also found promoting other parties Nigel Farages group had the largest number of suspected automated accounts promoting them. A study by the Institute for Strategic Discourse identified the ten most active accounts discussing the Brexit Party using their official handle. The think tank found eight out of the top ten most active accounts showed signs of automation. Five of the top ten accounts mentioning the Brexit Party on Twitter were producing more than 144 tweets per day an average of one tweet every 3.3 minutes over an eight hour period. Bots also appear to be heavily promoting Ukip with six botlike accounts in their top ten Twitter accounts. Other parties are affected but not to the same exent. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/8-top-10-brexit-party-16179913 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Sarawak Report A group of Malaysians based in KL and also the UK have turned sleuths over the past 24 hours to flush out what they believe have been misleading comments made by Brexit Party leaders who have sought to imply they are not receiving anonymous foreign donations. It is impermissible for UK parties to receive donations from foreign entities certainly for sums over 500 which have to be reported to the UK Electoral Commission. The rules are less clear regarding lesser donations as these do not need to be reported unless large donations have been divided up. Yet it has been exposed in the past few hours that all anyone needs to do to donate up to the 501.00 around RM2500 nonreported limit to the Brexit Party is click a button on the party website that leads directly to a PayPal platform open to account holders all over the world via just their email and a password. It has also emerged that Farage recently privately courted wealthy donors known to be close to Putin and Donald Trump at an event at Londons Ritz Hotel. However on Londons LBC Radio today party leader Nigel Farage adamantly claimed he rejects all foreign money http://www.sarawakreport.org/2019/05/malaysians-flush-out-uks-brexit-party-over-cash-claims/ 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

BuzzFeed News New footage reveals Nigel Farage privately sought money and help for his new Brexit Party from fringe rightwing figures including a millionaire Putin cheerleader and a selfproclaimed influencer who has posted a string of antiIslam remarks online. Videos posted on Facebook show the Brexit party leader addressing a closeddoor gathering at Londons fivestar Ritz hotel on April 9 organised by key backers of a proTrump political group Turning Point UK. Farage was among the guests at the event which was described by the organisers as a tea party and not a Brexit Party fundraiser. But in a fiveminute speech he asked the small group for any help any support whether its verbal whether its getting your friends involved whether its giving us money whatever it is we need all the help we can get. https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/farage-ritz-tea-party 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

The New European Nigel Farage has said he is concerned about the level of hatred in politics following the EU referendum. The Brexit Party leader had a banana and salted caramel drink from Five Guys thrown at him while on a walkabout in Newcastle city centre. He said he did not know what was being thrown at him and called for a message to be sent that people cant behave like this. Asked if he would change the way he campaigns Farage told Harriet Line at the Press Association I hope not but I am concerned about the sheer level of hatred coming from those who think theyre better than me. I just think weve reached a point where normal campaigning is becoming very difficult and that in a democratic society cannot be a good thing. He said what happened to him was part of something bigger thats going on. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/nigel-farage-on-milkshake-incident-1-6062675 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Farage advocates trading on World Trade Organization terms an apparatus no country in the world considers to be sufficient basis for modern commerce. The plan is to then sign new freetrade deals which in reality would require immediate and urgent negotiations with Brussels. The nodeal method incinerates a highly developed platform for borderless European transactions in order to build a flimsier one from scratch and from a weaker position. It imperils swathes of British industry and projects a global image of roguish disregard for international agreement. It will not get easier to complete future deals as a country that has trumpeted contempt for deals that have already been negotiated. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/brexit-theresa-may-no-deal 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian If Britain crashes out without a withdrawal deal there will be no negotiations and hence no agreement leading to a CU or an FTA. The EU has made it clear that in the event of a nodeal outcome it will expect to settle outstanding withdrawal issues with the UK money citizens rights and the Northern Ireland border before even thinking about talking future trade arrangements. Which in turn means GATT article 24 wont apply. So we would immediately find ourselves trading on WTO terms with the tariffs and checks that those imply and no 10year cushion. And no other major trading nation trades purely on WTO terms. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/21/clean-brexit-party-no-deal 21st May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Labour voters have little idea whether Jeremy Corbyn would push through ... parties on a compromise deal. According to Ipsos MORI research for the Evening Standard 53 per cent of the public believe a Corbyn government would try to keep Britain in ... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7050057/Labour-supporters-puzzles-Corbyns-Brexit-policy.html 20th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Evening Standard Jeremy Corbyns leadership on Brexit came under fresh fire today as research revealed voters are split over whether Labour is a party of Remain or Leave. Key findings of the national survey include Half the public think a Labour government under Mr Corbyn would keep Britain inside the EU while 30 per cent think he would quit the bloc. The positions are reversed among Labour supporters with nearly half 46 per cent saying Mr Corbyns party stands for leaving while 38 per cent think it stands for remaining. Half of Labour voters dislike their partys approach to Brexit and around four in 10 say they like the Liberal Democrat and Green approaches to the issue. Among the general public 76 per cent dislike Labours approach. Eight in 10 people think Mr Corbyn is doing a bad job on Brexit including 57 per cent of Labour voters. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/voters-labour-remain-or-leave-party-jeremy-corbyn-research-ipsos-mori-evening-standard-a4146536.html 20th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics.co.uk The Brexit party claims to want to change politics. It has turned the tables on the referendum result convincing Leavers that they lost and spreading a message of bitter betrayal on the part of the Brexitbacking government. In doing so it risks repeating the worst of the original vote battling blindly for an outcome it cannot define and whose consequences it chooses to ignore. At three different Brexit party rallies Ive attended a sense of genuine frustration and misplaced anger has pervaded conversations. Frustration at the delay to whichever version of Brexit they voted for. Anger at the establishment Remainers immigrants civil servants anyone they perceive as blocking the process. The Brexit party has attempted to seize upon this sense of dispossession by pushing for a decisive departure from the EU. But for a movement with only one aim theres a remarkable lack of consensus about how to achieve it. https://politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/05/20/up-close-and-personal-with-the-brexit-party-pyramid-scheme 20th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Yorkshire Evening Post Brexit party leader Nigel Farage brought part of Wakefield city centre to a standstill this afternoon during a short visit but refused to come off his campaign bus. Supporters and protesters gathered on Northgate when the bus made a quick stop outside the Calder Hops pub. Following an incident this morning when a milkshake was thrown over him at Newcastle he was not willing to step out of his transport. Instead he gave a short speech from the top deck of the opentop bus. The Wakefield Express was given access to the bus where he admitted the stop was one of convenience as he heads to Bolton in Lancashire. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-brings-wakefield-city-centre-to-a-standstill-but-would-not-leave-his-campaign-bus-1-9779277 20th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Medium.com The Brexit Party candidates From gay conversion therapy advocates to supporters of paedophilia legalisation from climate change deniers to rampant tax avoiders from NHS abolitionists to besties of neoNazis from fracking supporters to unabashed profiteers of chaos https://medium.com/@SJHolloway/this-is-everything-i-discovered-about-all-of-the-brexit-party-mep-candidates-2a59f8f850c5 20th May 2019