With growing problems at home, many member states are at odds with the Commission’s punitive line on Brexit.
Fudge, delay or in-fighting won’t make it go away. It must be dealt with swiftly.
Whatever the outcome, MPs and peers must be able to have their say in the lobbies.
It is intended to create a means by which peers and MPs can seek to hold up leaving the EU.
This current tripartite agreement between the UK, Ireland and France needs to be maintained as it works so effectively for us all.
To date, May has been able to junk, water down or delay Cameron’s agenda with little blowback. The Budget NICs furore may change all that.
They will be considered in the Commons this week – and would have the effect of undermining the Prime Minister’s negotiation.
We may be rowing back to defend one promise. But another more fundamental promise to the future is actually at stake.
Near the heart of a decision that both approved was a distrust of the style of politics pursued by the Chancellor’s predecessor.
I am determined to see our health service offer the safest, highest quality care anywhere in the world.
Plus: Hammond’s blunder. Peers’ folly. Stephen Hawking is not, repeat not, controlled by MI5. And: my inner Mary Whitehouse meets Katie Hopkins’ slack vagina.
And May’s reputation for straightforwardness risks damage from the Budget’s proposals for NICs.
Self-employed people earning less than £15,900 a year will still see a reduction in their NICs bill, and also benefit from the increased income tax personal allowance.
Mass analysis of Twitter reaction shows its reputation was sealed by mid-afternoon. The proportion of angry tweets reached half the total.
We now have a tried and tested case study to prove that competition in rail delivers better services, better value and higher satisfaction.