Johnson refuses to apologise for Saudi remarks or change his ways ‘Boris Johnson has made it clear that he will not change his approach to the role of foreign secretary following a meeting with Theresa May to discuss his condemnation of Saudi Arabia for fighting “proxy wars”. The prime minister summoned Mr Johnson to Downing Street […]
Conservatives retain Sleaford and North Hykeham. Ukip distant second. Labour now fourth ‘The Conservatives have comfortably held the Sleaford and North Hykeham seat with Ukip the runner-up in the parliamentary by-election. Tory candidate Caroline Johnson will be the new MP after winning 17,570 votes, beating Ukip’s Victoria Ayling, who had 4,426. It was a bad result for […]
Government wins Article 50 vote ‘Theresa May has won the overwhelming backing of MPs for her timetable to start Brexit talks in March 2017 — but only after agreeing to publish a plan setting out her objectives and promising MPs a vote on the final “divorce deal”. Labour agreed to back the prime minister’s timetable […]
May’s dramatic counter-stroke. She seeks to head off a backbench rebellion and outfox Labour by asking MPs to back her on Article 50… “MPs will be asked to back the Government’s plan to formally serve Article 50 by the end of March 2017. Mrs May also committed to revealing the official plan for Brexit before the […]
Casey: ‘Saris, samosas and steel drums’ integration attempts fail to address ‘misogyny and patriarchy’ ‘The “misogyny and patriarchy” in some ethnic minorities is contributing to widening social division in the UK, the government’s cohesion adviser warned yesterday. Dame Louise Casey took aim at critics for ignoring problems that had often resulted in difficulties being allowed […]
Renzi resigns after big defeat in the Italian referendum “Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution. In a late-night news conference, he said he took responsibility for the outcome, and said the No camp must now make clear proposals. With […]
Brexit 1) As court case looms, ‘short as possible’ legislation being drafted to allow triggering of Article 50 ‘Ministers are considering 16 key words to formally begin Britain’s journey to leaving the European Union as they prepare for defeat in the Supreme Court. They are so determined to start Brexit talks by the end of […]
Grayling to end Network Rail’s monopoly “Network Rail will be stripped of its control over Britain’s train tracks and power will be handed to operators in the biggest shake-up of the railways for decades, the Government is to announce. In an attempt to end delays and to lower fares for consumers, Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, […]
Zac Goldsmith loses Richmond Park by-election to the Lib Dems “The Liberal Democrats have caused a major upset in the Richmond Park by-election, overturning a 23,015 majority to oust ex-Tory MP Zac Goldsmith. Mr Goldsmith stood as an Independent after leaving the Conservative Party in protest at the government’s decision to back a third Heathrow runway. But […]
Brexit 1) Johnson ‘personally in favour of free movement’ ‘Boris Johnson has been “openly telling” European Union ambassadors that he is in favour of free movement, despite the government’s insistence that it must end after Britain cuts ties with Brussels. The foreign secretary told ambassadors at an official lunch last month that he “was personally […]
Brexit 1) Merkel and Tusk snub the idea of a swift reciprocal deal on expat rights ‘Theresa May’s hopes of quickly settling one of Brexit’s most emotive issues appeared doomed last night after she was rebuffed by Angela Merkel and Donald Tusk. Mrs May is offering an early deal guaranteeing reciprocal residency rights for British […]
Brexit 1) ‘Have cake and eat it’ – aide accidentally displays EU notes in Downing Street ‘The Government’s ideal ‘model’ for Brexit appears to be a ‘have cake and eat it’ approach, according to a scribbled page of A4 notes being carried by a Tory aide leaving Downing Street today. The notes suggest the Government has […]
EU 1) Kerr warns that odds of an orderly Brexit are diminishing “Britain has a less than 50/50 chance of completing an orderly exit from the EU within two years, a controversial ex-negotiator claimed last night. The cross-bench peer Lord Kerr said Parliament, including himself, would ‘not have the guts’ to vote down any government […]
May: You have to be true to yourself ‘Even members of Theresa May’s cabinet say they don’t really know her. Only our second female prime minister, she is intensely private — neither matey over a single malt in one of the House of Commons bars, nor a stalwart of its tearooms. She’s never been spotted […]
May plans fast-track bill to authorise Brexit… “Theresa May will push a law triggering Brexit through the House of Commons in only five days if judges rule against the Government in next month’s court case. The Prime Minister and David Davis have drawn up plans which ensure that the process for leaving the EU in March 2019 is […]