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David Shiels: What to look for in Ulster’s fiercely competitive European election

Ultimately, they may reveal less about Brexit and more about the longer-term trends in Northern Ireland’s political landscape.

The Australian Liberals know who their target voters are. The Conservatives don’t seem to have a clue.

Amidst the gathering leadership election debate, there is a lack of focus on who such voters are and where they live.

Nicky Morgan: Our country needs One Nation Toryism more than ever. And we will measure leadership candidates against its ideals.

I am clear that if the Party decides to focus its appeal mainly towards Brexit Party supporters, our demise will be swift.

Anthony Browne: Policy Gains from Brexit 1) We need more debate about what to do when we take back control

Most of the sound and furore about making it happen is all about means, but there has been virtually no debate about the ends.

Jamie Bartch: Labour mismanagement in Darlington gave us the chance to make Conservative gains

A much-hated traffic management experiment, called the Haughton Throughabout, imposes misery on many residents caught up in daily delays.

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Board of the Charity Commission – and more

Further details enclosed.

Liam Andrews: Don’t blame the Champions League Final ticket squeeze on the free market

The inevitable criticism of resale platforms is both frustrating and just wrong. Critical attention needs to be directed far more to the dealings of the primary market.

WATCH: Stewart says the Government must focus on “getting Labour votes” for the Brexit deal

He says that a no-deal exit “isn’t a destination”, but rather “a failure to reach a destination”.

WATCH: Soubry explains why Change UK has been branded a ‘sinking ship’ by its own candidate

“She is a Johnson, they have a bit of a history of saying stuff”.

WATCH: Cable sets out why he no longer thinks re-running the referendum is “seriously disrespectful” to the voters

The Liberal Democrat leader is part of Marr’s all-Remain line-up this morning.

WATCH: Barclay refuses to rule out a leadership bid

“I would say to my colleagues: focus on the day job. Concentrate on what is before us, on what we promised to the public. Ensure that we leave.”

WATCH: Corbyn wriggles when pressed on Labour’s referendum position

“The word I jumped on there is ‘option'”, says Marr, “because ‘option’ can mean anything at all.”

WATCH: Ellwood urges leadership candidates to reach out beyond Tory grassroots

He suggests that “some colleagues are changing their views in order to woo our membership”.

The Johnson hype is here. Don’t fall for it.

In a field this crowded and with an electorate so, er, sophisticated, make no assumptions about which names will be forwarded to Party members.

Terry Barnes: Rejoice in this poll-defying win by the centre-right in Australia – and ponder the lessons for the Conservatives and Corbyn

In less affluent suburban and regional seats, concerns about jobs and power bills trumped moralistic environmental activism.

WATCH: “I have always believed in miracles.” Morrison hails the Liberal Party’s astonishing victory Down Under.

Australia’s centre-right coalition defies the polls and the pundits to see off Labor against all expectation.

Once again, our survey is in line with an opinion poll

YouGov has Johnson top as Next Tory Leader. So do we. It has him winning run-offs. So do we. It finds 79 per of activists want May out. Our figure was 82 per cent…

The Tory leadership contest should seek to connect with the public, not just Party members

A hectic schedule of hustings should be held. The public should be welcomed in – and proceedings broadcast on social media.

Rees-Mogg draws resounding moral lessons from the Victorians

In his new book he sets out to rescue those virtues from the mockery inflicted on them in the 20th century.

Rosalind Beck: It’s not just EU policy that’s driving conservative voters towards the Brexit Party

The anti-business, anti-private property trajectory is doing it just as much damage – as exemplified in the field of housing and rent.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan: Brexit must mean a resurgence in our shipbuilding industry

Britannia ruled the waves because of our sailors and the ships they served in, built in Britain by a skilled workforce. This is how we build the Royal Navy.

WATCH: May comes out to front for the Party in the European elections

“Next Thursday, I want people to vote Conservative, for it’s only the Conservatives who can deliver Brexit.”

Newslinks

Monday 20th May 2019

Cabinet divisions deepen over preparations for no-deal Brexit…

“Cabinet divisions re-emerged yesterday when the Brexit secretary called for planning for no-deal to be stepped up minutes before a colleague said that it should be ruled out in law. Stephen Barclay said MPs should “face facts” and accept that preparations must resume “at pace” if Theresa May’s European Union withdrawal agreement does not pass the Commons in a fortnight. Attitudes to a no-deal Brexit, which two thirds of Conservative members support, according to a poll for The Times, will form a key part of the coming leadership contest. Mr Barclay, who is rarely spoken of as a contender, refused to rule himself out, instead sniping at likely candidates.” – The Times

Barclay leads calls for more preparation – Daily Express
May makes final push despite growing sense of doom… – FT
…as ministers urge her to scrap plans for vote – The Sun
New offer has ‘nothing new in it’ – Daily Mail

Heseltine faces calls for expulsion – The Times

>Today: Anthony Browne in Comment: Policy Gains from Brexit 1) We need more debate about what to do when we take back control

>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Barclay refuses to rule out a leadership bid

…as seven Cabinet ministers threaten to block Johnson…

“Seven Tory Cabinet ministers will today launch a bid to prevent Boris Johnson from leading Britain out of the EU without a deal if he becomes the next leader of the party. In a significant intervention, the 60-strong ‘One Nation Caucus’ of Conservative MPs will publish a ‘declaration of values’ rejecting ‘narrow nationalism’. The group last night said it aimed to ‘shift the Conservative Party towards the centre’. Sources confirmed it would hold hustings during the impending leadership contest and would ‘work to stop any leadership candidate who endorses a ‘Nigel Farage No-Deal Brexit’. The stance is a direct warning to Mr Johnson and other Tory leadership candidates flirting with a No Deal Brexit.” – Daily Mail

Leadership hopefuls told to prioritise ‘climate emergency’ – The Guardian

Comment:

A vote for Johnson is a vote to break up the UK – Clare Foges, The Times
If I were Corbyn, I’d be praying for Boris – Matthew d’Ancona, The Guardian

>Today: Nicky Morgan MP’s column: Our country needs One Nation Toryism more than ever. And we will measure leadership candidates against its ideals.

>Yesterday:

…and Farage issues ultimatum to leadership hopefuls

“Nigel Farage has said that he would find it difficult to work with a future Tory leader who has backed Theresa May’s Brexit deal, ruling out a tie-up with Boris Johnson or Dominic Raab. Tory MPs are openly speculating on whether a future Conservative leader would come to a deal over contesting seats if a general election is called to deal with the Brexit impasse in Parliament. On Saturday Conservative MP Crispin Blunt said it was an “unavoidable necessity” that the Tories would have to form “some kind of electoral pact and common platform” with the Brexit Party. However, on a campaign tour of Essex, asked if the next leader would have to drop support for the Withdrawal Agreement to win the Brexit Party’s backing Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph: “Of course. Absolutely.”” – Daily Telegraph

Brexit Party could win more votes than pro-Remain parties combined… – Daily Telegraph
…as it ‘surges to second place’ in Scotland – The Scotsman
Farage says licence fee has ‘risen up’ his agenda over BBC bias – Daily Express
Brown urges investigation into party’s funding – The Guardian
EU will not renegotiate deal with new Prime Minister, Ireland warns – News Letter

Comment:

Back the Brexit Party… before Johnson goes to Downing St – Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun
Hancock has the skill and appeal to heal a divided party – Harry de Quetteville, Daily Telegraph
Victory for Farage would complicate EU appointments – Wolfgang Münchau, FT

>Today: ToryDiary: The Australian Liberals know who their target voters are. The Conservatives don’t seem to have a clue.

Charles Moore: Tory grandees are wrong to brand support for Brexit as ‘extreme’

“So when Lord Heseltine and Sir John lay a unique claim to the middle ground, they inadvertently insult millions of people. Leave and Remain can be equally moderate positions. If the Tory Party were led by Brexiteers, it would be no more extreme than it is currently when led by someone who does not know what she thinks: it would simply win a lot more votes. If we are to use this word “extreme” so freely, we could ask Lord Heseltine and Sir John – politely, of course – whether it might not itself be rather extreme to write off the decision of more than half the participating electorate (and about  70 per cent of their own party) and tell them they cannot have what they voted for.” – Daily Telegraph

City doom-mongers will be proven wrong once again – Liam Fox MP, Times Red Box
Tories will pay for forgetting their pro-EU voters – John Harris, The Guardian
No-deal threat far from over – Caroline Spelman MP and Jack Dromey MP, Times Red Box

Editorial:

Europe completely clouds the Tories’ judgement – The Times
Nothing is more important than keeping Corbyn from power – The Sun

Labour chairman attacks Party’s deceptive language on second referendum

“Ian Lavery, chairman of the Labour party, has accused senior colleagues in the party of trying to mislead the public by using the phrase “confirmatory ballot” to describe a second referendum. His comments reflect the unease of some top Labour officials about a possible rerun of the 2016 vote. Mr Lavery is one of the party’s most strident opponents of such a move, which he describes as “self harm”. The Labour chairman told the FT that he was “not sure” about why other senior Labour figures had begun to refer to a “confirmatory ballot” — an idea floated by MPs such as Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman, and deputy leader Tom Watson.” – FT

Corbyn ducks question on EU policy seven times on Marr… – The Sun
…as he shifts on free movement and a second referendum… – The Times
…but defends party’s push for leavers and remainers – The Guardian

Umunna: cancel Brexit without a vote – The Sun
SNP will push for independence even if Brexit blocked – The Scotsman
BBC apologises after Cable curses on-air – The Sun