“Ministers were accused of presiding over a ‘total shambles’ last night as Britain’s steel industry teetered on the brink of collapse – with the loss of 40,000 jobs. David Cameron jetted back from holiday to hold an emergency summit at No 10 while Business Secretary Sajid Javid aborted a controversial trip to Australia.” – Daily Mail
Editorials:
“The EU trade directorate has been rendered toothless by a British veto. So much for the canard that the UK has no influence in Brussels. “The British are sacrificing an entire European industry to say thank you to China for signing up to the nuclear power project at Hinkley Point, and pretending it is about free trade,” said one official in Brussels bitterly.” – Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Steel yourself until June
“Warring Brexit groups have held a secret peace meeting chaired by a cabinet minister after months of bitter infighting, The Sun can reveal. A very public civil war between the various Eurosceptic factions has blighted the “Out” campaign so far, but insiders say Monday’s talks headed up by Chris Grayling were “incredibly productive”.” – The Sun
Security:
“Being a member of the European Union does little to keep Britain secure that we could not achieve if we left. But the EU does one thing which definitely makes us less safe — stripping the UK of proper control over our borders. Its rules dictate that we can’t deny entry to any EU national, unless they represent a “genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the most fundamental interests of society”.” – The Sun
>Today: David Shiels in Comment: How Northern Ireland’s Unionist parties are gearing up for the EU Referendum
“Ruth Davidson has insisted the Tories remain the only party on the side of Scottish workers as she fought back against claims her pledge to reintroduce university tuition fees and prescription charges is a “hidden tax plan”. The Scottish Conservative leader attempted to get her Holyrood election campaign back on track after a difficult TV debate on Tuesday night by emphasising that her party remains the only one not proposing an increase in income tax for the middle classes.” – Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: Henry Hill’s Red, White, and Blue column: Grayling attacks SNP as Tory MPs call for ‘Unity Day’
“The shadow defence secretary provoked fury from veterans last night after refusing to commit Labour to respecting the Falkland islanders’ wish to remain British. Emily Thornberry repeatedly declined to confirm that her party’s policy review would contain a commitment to defend the islands from Argentina’s claims of sovereignty.” – The Times (£)
“Bereaved families are facing soaring costs from funeral homes who are using monopolies to increase prices above inflation, MPs fear as they warned of “the spectre of miserable pauper’s funerals” returning in modern Britain. The Commons Work and Pensions Committee has become so concerned by the way prices are set for burials that they have demanded the Competition and Markets Authority intervene.” – Daily Telegraph
“Donald Trump yesterday advocated “some form of punishment” for women who have abortions if he gets his way and the practise is outlawed. The Republican front-runner says he has “evolved” on the issue of abortion. He was pro-choice for years before changing his position and backing a ban on abortion. If that ban is implemented, he said it would include repercussions for women who defy it.” – Daily Telegraph