“Jacob Rees-Mogg accused Theresa May yesterday of making a huge number of compromises to Brussels in return for nothing as he called on the prime minister to take a much tougher line in withdrawal negotiations. Describing her as the “most impressive and dutiful leader” that Britain has ever had, the prominent Brexiteer said that she had nonetheless made errors in her negotiating strategy. The chairman of the influential European Research Group of Conservative backbenchers said that the prime minister needed to threaten non-payment of the Brexit divorce bill and be stronger in facing down Brussels.” – The Times
Comment:
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Rees-Mogg – “Customs Union…does not solve the seamless border issue”
>Today: ToryDiary: Our monthly survey. Do you have confidence in the Government’s handling of the Brexit negotiations?
“…Today, that vast continent – full of countries and peoples whose values are so close to our own – makes up a pitiful share of our trade. In exports we are thrashed by other Europeans – France, Germany and Spain. Chile is full of Anglophiles; I was amazed how often I was asked to sign dog-eared books. But the UK makes up only 0.8 per cent of Chilean imports. Now is our moment not to be less European – we can do a great free trade deal with the EU that will benefit both sides – but to be truly global again. Now is the time to create deals with these dynamic countries (Chile alone has 24 such deals with 64 nations comprising 85 per cent of global GDP). But our Latin American partners are emphatic: if this is to work, we must come fully out of the EU customs union.” – Daily Telegraph
“Italy’s populist parties reacted with fury on Sunday night when attempts to form a government dramatically broke down after the country’s president vetoed their choice of economy minister, a harsh critic of the euro. Nearly three months after a general election on March 4, hopes that the country would have a government formed by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and the hard-Right, euro-sceptic League were dashed. The two parties, which were about to form Western Europe’s first populist government, wanted Paolo Savona, an economist and banker who has been highly critical of the euro, as their economy minister. The parties won 50 per cent of the vote at the election and insisted that their choice of cabinet ministers was an essential part of their democratic mandate.” – Daily Telegraph
More Brexit
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Newman – “Bring back the Bill. See off the rebels. Get on with this.”
“Theresa May was facing growing demands to allow a referendum on relaxing the abortion laws in Northern Ireland on Sunday after signalling that she will not risk alienating her DUP allies by letting MPs settle the matter with a parliamentary vote. Conservative MPs and the Royal College of Midwives were among those calling for a referendum, which would give voters in Northern Ireland the chance to follow the example set by the Republic of Ireland after it backed abortion liberalisation by a surprise landslide of two to one. Around 160 MPs have backed a letter, championed by the Labour MP Stella Creasy, saying the government should legislate to relax the abortion rules in Northern Ireland, which will now be the only place in Britain and Ireland where abortion is in most circumstances illegal. Creasy wants to force a vote by tabling an amendment to the forthcoming domestic violence bill.” – Guardian
“The Republic’s population voted emphatically to lift the country’s strict abortion laws, sparking scenes of celebration in Dublin on Saturday. With claims that Tory MPs are pressing the prime minister to introduce reform on Northern Ireland’s abortion laws through legislation Westminster, Mrs Foster stressed that abortion is a devolved issue that should be dealt with by the Assembly. She said: “Friday’s referendum has no impact upon the law in Northern Ireland, but we obviously take note of issues impacting upon our nearest neighbour.” – Belfast News Letter
Editorial:
Comment:
“Earlier this year, the government followed through on a landmark commitment to get businesses and other organisations reporting on the gender pay gap. Transparency is always a powerful antiseptic, and being open about the figures will draw attention to the issue and drive real change within our organisations. Today, we are turning a particular focus on our biggest employer, the NHS, as we launch a new review to explore the factors that contribute to the health service’s own gender pay gap in the medical profession. The reason is because, across a number of specialties and professional groups, we see the average female in the NHS earning considerably less than males.” – The Times
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Wollaston on NHS spending – “The Government should find the money through extra taxation”
>Today:
“Theresa May will this week urge Donald Trump to avoid central London protesters and meet her in Chequers instead. Britain’s ambassador to Washington DC, Sir Kim Darroch, will present the PM’s plan to the White House for the US President’s first visit to Britain in July. As well as keeping him away from Downing Street, No10 will also propose he takes tea with the Queen in Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace. It is hoped the American leader will not be able to resist being snapped at the site where Prince Harry married Meghan Markle 10 days ago.” – The Sun
“A poll of 121 Tory council leaders showed more than 70 per cent thought the £2billion pledge to build 25,000 new homes was nowhere near enough. Local Government Association chair and South Holland District Council leader Lord Porter said: “The last time the country built more than 250,000 homes a year councils built 40 per cent of them. “If local government is to play our role in meeting these ambitious targets we need to be given greater freedom to build new homes.” The poll was commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It also found a majority of 96 per cent of all Conservative council bosses want the Government to act to significantly boost the number of low-cost rented homes in the upcoming Social Housing Green Paper.” – Daily Express
More Conservatives
Comment:
>Yesterday:
>Today:
“Labour’s biggest union backer Unite is giving away thousands of free tickets to Jeremy Corbyn’s very own Glastonbury after his own MPs slammed the project as a “failure”. Unite announced to members it was giving away the tickets and even offered free transport to the event, which is set to take place at White Hart Lane in north London. One Labour MP said “we are not marketing fodder for their failed project” after they were sent reminders to try to drum up publicity for next month’s festival. It has been reported only 2,500 of the 15,000 seats have been sold for the Labour Live Festival. The festival will take place on Saturday, June 16.” – Daily Express
More Labour
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: “You no longer decide Labour Party policy”, Watson tells Campbell