Brexit 1) May lobbies the EU for a deal with time running out… “Theresa May faces a frantic 48 hours to try to save her Brexit negotiating strategy after she admitted talks had ground to a halt because of the EU’s insistence upon a Northern Ireland-only backstop. The prime minister is expected to plead with […]
Raab’s unscheduled meeting with Barnier yesterday ended in lack of consensus… “…Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, travelled to Brussels yesterday for an unscheduled meeting with his EU counterpart, Michel Barnier, amid speculation that officials on both sides had reached agreement over the so-called Irish backstop. But Theresa May’s hopes of sealing a deal at the […]
Downing Street denies claim that Brexit deal is already done… “Theresa May will seek the support of the Cabinet for her latest Brexit proposals on Tuesday before talks with EU negotiators in Brussels. Tonight Downing Street insisted: “Negotiations are ongoing. It is not correct to say a deal has been done.” The document, which emerged […]
Hammond warned he won’t get Budget tax rises through the Commons… “Philip Hammond is being warned that he does not have support in the Commons for a tax-raising budget in what is a sign of the government’s paralysis over Brexit. The chancellor made clear yesterday that he wanted to raise taxes in this month’s budget […]
Inner Cabinet “puts pressure” on May to back off over Customs Union “Theresa May was challenged by at least six cabinet ministers last night who told her to put a time limit on a plan that keeps Britain tied to EU customs rules. The prime minister was warned that the issue could lead to cabinet […]
Brexit 1) May “to propose keeping the UK in a customs unions with the EU” “Theresa May will on Thursday ask her Brexit “war Cabinet” to agree a backstop plan that would keep Britain in a customs union with Brussels until a permanent trade deal can be agreed. British and EU negotiators are understood to […]
May plans to force new compromise on the Cabinet – keeping the UK in an ‘effective customs union’ ‘Theresa May is preparing to bind her cabinet into further compromises to her Brexit blueprint before European leaders meet next week. The prime minister will hold an extended discussion on Brexit at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, […]
Next stage of Brexit talks delayed, as Brussels anticipates May will give more ground ‘The EU’s lead negotiator is expected to delay publishing the union’s blueprint for a post-Brexit relationship with Britain after signals of new concessions from Downing Street. Michel Barnier had intended to publish an “annotated” draft political declaration tomorrow setting out red […]
May has “nine days to save her plan” as cabinet ministers give her final chance to “sell” Chequers to Brussels “Theresa May has been given nine days to save her Chequers plan. The Cabinet will give the Prime Minister one last chance to sell her proposals to EU leaders at a summit next week. But […]
EU signals new “cautious optimism” and the chance of a deal “breakthrough”… “EU diplomats are primed for accelerated Brexit talks this week and expect some British proposals on the Irish border that could help to unlock the UK’s exit deal, even as agreement on the future EU relationship remains elusive. Senior diplomats said there was […]
EU ‘set to reject’ May’s plans for frictionless trade… “Brussels will formally reject Theresa May’s plea for frictionless trade between Britain and Europe next week in a move that will pile further pressure on the prime minister. European negotiators will publish their official response to Chequers on Wednesday and are expected to offer a trade […]
EU sources say deal is ‘close’ as Ireland backs May’s customs union plan… “A Brexit deal is “very close” according to EU sources, it has been reported today. The bloc’s Brexit negotiators told national diplomats in Brussels late last night that a divorce deal was almost there. Reuters UK Bureau chief Guy Faulconbridge this morning tweeted the […]
May’s Speech 1) The Prime Minister pledges an ‘end to austerity’ ‘Theresa May has declared that Britain’s decade of austerity is over with a pledge to increase public spending after Brexit. The prime minister used her conference speech to make a series of costly commitments that will limit the options of Philip Hammond, the chancellor, […]
May to seek Party unity with an upbeat vision of Britain’s future…. “Theresa May will insist that Britain’s “best days lie ahead” as she seeks to rally her divided party and country today before the final weeks of Brexit talks. The prime minister will offer a “future full of promise” as she outlines an upbeat […]
Johnson 1) His speech will call for a return to basic Conservative values – including tax cuts “Boris will fire a return salvo, saying the party should ‘follow our conservative instincts’ and focus on core Tory issues such as law and order and tax cuts to beat Labour at the next election. ‘In what allies […]