“Boris Johnson has backed away from the controversial claim that a vote to leave the European Union would force Brussels to give Britain a better deal, saying: “Out is out.” In his first newspaper interview since joining the Brexit campaign, the London mayor has, in effect, killed off the argument that a “leave” vote could bring another round of talks and a second referendum on Britain’s EU membership. Mr Johnson wrote on Monday that “EU history shows that they only really listen to a population when it says ‘no’ ”. Speaking to The Times, however, the mayor of London has now said that Britain should agree “a better series of arrangements” rather than seek a new deal to stay.” – The Times(£)
Comment
>Today:
>Yesterday
“Boris Johnson has issued an appeal to Cabinet ministers backing the campaign to stay in the European Union to “think again” and reconsider their positions. In an interview with The Telegraph, Mr Johnson warned that David Cameron’s “emergency brake” on migrant benefits will do nothing to reduce the numbers of foreigners coming to the UK. In his first detailed comments since announcing that he was backing a “Brexit”, the Mayor of London hailed the “extraordinary” response of eurosceptic MPs and said he will try to encourage ministers to change their mind and back the out campaign.” – Daily Telegraph
“Sajid Javid, a former senior investment banker, argued that it would be too risky to leave the EU given the “storm clouds” gathering over the global economy with a world downturn likely. Some colleagues are sceptical of that claim, suggesting the global economy is never free of any risk. “I find the reasoning odd, but it doesn’t follow that it is insincere,” says Paul Goodman, editor of the ConservativeHome website. “Sajid Javid is no fool, and will have known that the decision is more likely to harm than help his leadership prospects.” – FT
“Chancellor George Osborne has warned he may have to make fresh cuts to public spending in next month’s Budget. Mr Osborne told the BBC global economic turmoil and slower growth meant “we may need to undertake further reductions”. He slowed the pace of cuts in the last spending review, but suggested savings could be announced in his 16 March Budget statement as figures showed the UK economy was smaller than expected.” – BBC
“Media attention upsets Mr Corbyn even more than the scheming of his enemies. Although an MP since 1983, he has never experienced the kind of personal scrutiny that comes with being leader of the opposition. “Paranoia levels are very high,” one official said. “He doesn’t really understand the interest in his private life and has been hurt by what he sees as attacks on his family.”- The Times(£)
>Yesterday: Philip Dunne on Comment: Why Corbyn would be wrong to abandon Trident
“UKIP’s deputy leader has endorsed suggestions it could win nine seats in May’s Welsh assembly election. Paul Nuttall told the BBC the party could also secure three seats in the London Assembly. Mr Nuttall was speaking to the Daily Politics programme, as UKIP members gathered for the party’s spring conference in Llandudno, Conwy county.” – BBC
“The Coalition parties have fallen far short of an overall majority in the next Dáil, according to an exit poll conducted for The Irish Times by Ipsos, MRBI. Fine Gael support has slumped from 36.1 per cent in the last general election to only 26.1 per cent – a far worse result than the party anticipated at any stage of the campaign. The poll indicates the Labour Party received just under 8 per cent support, far behind the 19.5 per cent it achieved at the 2011 general election.” – Irish Times
“The reason that things are as bad as they are, and may get worse before they get better, is because, unlike the Corn Laws and tariff
reform, this country’s membership of the EU does not — at least in the eyes of Eurosceptics — represent a choice between the free economy and the strong state. Indeed, in their view, the very opposite applies: staying in Europe threatens both of the Conservative party’s core principles. Rather than boosting Britain’s potential as a free-trader, any pooling of sovereignty is seen by sceptics as undermining it, removing our right to cut regulation and the trade deals we need to survive in a globalised world.” – Tim Bale FT
“If the dominating psychology within the Conservative party becomes — as after a Leave vote on June 23 it would — the mindset of paranoia abroad and an anti-progressive irritability at home, then it’s game over for the likes of me. The Peter Bones, the Liam Foxes, the Chris Graylings, the Priti Patels, and the Jacob Rees-Moggs, who would quite reasonably feel their various world views triumphantly vindicated, would have earned the right to take the Conservative brand as their own, and do what they will with it. My kind of Conservative would have lost the battle for the party’s soul and we would do best to step back gracefully and admit it.” – Matthew Parris The Times(£)
“Lord Feldman, Conservative Party Chairman and Cameron crony, continues to face questions about unacceptable and possibly illegal behaviour in his party. (Feldman himself has recently been accused of abusing his role by soliciting financial support for the Remain campaign.) He cannot hide behind bland and evasive answers. The stench of sleaze at the heart of the Conservative machine is growing. It’s time for them to come clean.” – Peter Oborne Daily Mail