“Are you seriously saying we should not have a system that checks whether people are legitimately in this country?” our Executive Editor asks the Guardian columnist.
Also: DUP maintain a tough line on Brexit as Sinn Fein try to woo unionists with Senate appointment; and SNP have to delay devolution again.
A decision has been put off. But the debate isn’t taking place in a vacuum. Brexit is less than a year away. And delay is damaging Britain’s negotiating position.
“Were we to have come to Parliament to say ‘this is what our intentions are’, then not only Syria but Russia itself would have responded as well.”
Our assistant editor talks to the New Statesman’s Jonn Elledge about why the new legislatures have not defeated nationalism, improved governance, or stabilised the constitution.
Also: Government to challenge devolved Brexit legislation in court; Dodds accuses Tusk of ‘bully-boy’ tactics over the border; and more.
Also: Border Force recruitment sparks fear of hard border for Wales; SDLP denies rumours that it will step aside for Fianna Fail; and more.
Evidence is mounting that the Assembly simply doesn’t – and perhaps can’t – deliver good government consistently. But the deal which founded it is treated as holy writ.
Also: Plaid leader refuses to support the Government over Salisbury; Foster suggests ‘shadow assembly’ for Northern Ireland; and more.
Also: Commons gives Bradley the power to cut MLA’s pay – but the Government insists that it isn’t introducing direct rule.
Also: Bradley talks up pay cut for MLAs; Williamson to protect troops from SNP tax hike; Foster attacks Varadkar for overstepping in talks; and more.
Claims that there is no case for them beyond the interests of the Conservative Party ring hollow in the face of the Electoral Commission’s support.
The Belfast Agreement does not mandate the British Government to prioritise a ‘soft’ border over Ulster’s ties to the United Kingdom.
Parliament’s job should be to hold the Prime Minister and Executive to account for what they have to do, rather than becoming a party to it.