Ruling out a no-deal Brexit was a top priority of a majority of MPs during long-running debates. The Benn Act appeared to prevent such an outcome, but those voices who warned that the Withdrawal Agreement mounts to a no-deal by the backdoor may prove to be right. One year is a short time when it […]
What the Prime Minister’s cabinet reshuffle means is beginning to become clear. Apart from merging the staff team at number 10 and number 11 which is in itself a seismic move, the people of Northern Ireland have been less than pleased with the sacking of Julian Smith. After all, he played a pivotal role in […]
The prime minister will set out the United Kingdom’s hardline negotiating position with the European Union in a speech tomorrow (Monday), ruling out any alignment with, or concessions to Brussels as he seeks a deal “as least as ambitious” as that struck by Canada with the EU – a deal achieved after seven years of […]
The government has lost five votes on amendments to the withdrawal agreement bill. Among them, an amendment to the rights enjoyed by child refugees in the UK, post-Brexit. Labour peer, Alf Dubs, who arrived as a child refugee in the UK during the second world war, proposed the amendment which would restore the rights to […]
Sajid Javid has warned manufacturers there will be no alignment with EU regulations after Brexit, signalling the “death knell for frictionless trade”, according to an industry expert. The chancellor insisted UK manufacturers must adjust to new regulations and said the Treasury will not lend support to those that favour EU rules because companies “have known […]
Sinn Fein’s decision to back the deal returning power to Stormont has capped a strong week for Boris Johnson who can also celebrate the passing of his Brexit Bill. Just seven days ago reporters, politicians and pundits were pillorying the prime minister for remaining silent at a luxury resort on a Caribbean island while the […]
Brexiteers have been dealt a big New Year blow after their campaign to get Big Ben to bong for Brexit on January 31 has been dashed. An amendment to the withdrawal agreement bill to get the famous bell to ring to “celebrate” the UK’s departure from the European Union, was not selected by the Speaker’s […]
Boris Johnson wants the European Union to pay for a bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland post-Brexit, according to Ireland’s taosieach Leo Varadkar. The Irish leader said he and the UK prime minister had recently discussed the plan which Johnson described last week as a “very interesting idea”. Varadkar said he told Johnson the UK […]
The newly elected speaker of the House of Commons has given Brexiteers the Christmas gift they’ve campaigned for by announcing he will allow Big Ben to bong on January 31. Sir Lyndsay Hoyle said he was “not going to stand in the way” of MPs who want the iconic bell to chime at 11pm on […]
Boris Johnson has been warned his new Brexit bill may have “tragic consequences” for child refugees after the government scrapped a legal commitment to help them. The measure is one of several changes to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill being debated in the House of Commons today and has been slammed by charities and campaigners working […]