“Ministers are preparing for an early general election after three High Court judges ruled that Brexit cannot be triggered without a vote in Parliament, according to reports. Thursday’s ruling prompted hardcore Remainers such as former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg to vow to use Parliamentary votes demanded by the High Court to try to derail Britain’s exit from the EU. Some pro-Brexit ministers have responded to this threat by suggesting that Mrs May call a general election in order to increase her Parliamentary majority to reduce the voting power of the so-called ‘Remoaners’.” – Daily Mail
“The Tory MP whose resignation triggered a Brexit by-election was “incandescent” after being overlooked for a senior post in government, sources revealed as they cast doubt over his motives for quitting. Stephen Phillips’s sudden departure put pressure on Theresa May to call an early general election, just a day after the High Court ruling that said MPs and peers must be given a parliamentary vote on when the formal Brexit process should begin. Mr Phillips, a leading barrister, said he was quitting politics because of his “growing and very significant policy differences with the current government”. But colleagues said Mr Phillips’s motives were fuelled by frustration that he was overlooked for the position of Attorney General in the Cabinet.” – Daily Telegraph
More Brexit:
>Today:
>Yesterday:
“The alternative is trying to engineer an early general election. But far from rescuing Mrs May from the Tory hardliners this could deliver her into their hands, turning into a nighmarish re-run of the European referendum of which the resignation yesterday of the Tory backbencher Stephen Phillips is only a foretaste. All Tory MPs would have to be readopted by constituency associations. This could turn into a purge. Forget what an election could do to Labour and ask what it could do to the Tories.” – The Times (£)
Editorial:
“Theresa May has been told to constrain “chilling and offensive” attacks on the judiciary from members of her own government. Senior Conservatives, including two former ministers, warned the prime minister that political criticism of the Brexit ruling by the High Court on Thursday was “threatening the independence” of the judiciary. One serving minister said that judicial independence was “absolutely fundamental to democracy”. But No 10 said that Mrs May was standing by her previous claims. She said those arguing that Article 50 could be triggered only with the agreement of MPs were “trying to kill Brexit” and “insulting the intelligence of the British people”.” – The Times (£)
Comment:
Editorial:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: May is right to defend the royal prerogative
“Theresa May’s first bilateral trip outside the EU as prime minister will be a testing one as she arrives in India days after outlining a new crackdown on the country’s businesses. The Home Office has announced that Indian companies wanting to move employees to the UK will face a higher salary threshold. There is concern that they were undercutting the wages of British workers. Indian workers are among the biggest users of an immigration route set up to allow UK-based companies to bring in staff from overseas branches.” – The Times (£)
More international:
Editorial:
“Sir Michael Fallon claimed shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde have been safeguarded for two decades when he announced work on the Royal Navy’s new frigate fleet will begin in the summer. The Defence Secretary attempted to end the uncertainty surrounding the future of the shipyards when he said “hundreds” of jobs would be secured with the construction of eight Type 26 ships. Steel will be cut for the first of the eight Type 26 global combat ships next summer, with the project expected to last until 2035.” – The Scotsman
“The government has blocked an attempt to have unpaid internships banned, but is to investigate the practice as part of the current review of modern working practices. Draft legislation put forward by Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke was designed to ensure that anyone working as an intern would be paid the minimum wage, which depends on the age of the worker. Speaking in parliament he described internships as “the acceptable face of unpaid labour in modern Britain today”. He added, they “should have no place in a meritocratic country that aims to work for the many and not the privileged few”.” – The Guardian
“Baroness Scotland yesterday insisted the taxpayer-funded makeover of her Mayfair mansion was not extravagant – but had no idea how much it cost. In an astonishing defence of her lavish demands – detailed in documents leaked to the Daily Mail – she said it was ‘absolute nonsense’ that she had misused public money. The Labour peer is at the centre of a diplomatic row after questions were raised about her spending since she took over as secretary-general of the Commonwealth in April.” – Daily Mail