0 Have your say No doubt Theresa May and her fellow chefs de confiserie had lovingly prepared their own-brand Irish Border Badlands Fudge in the Whitehall kitchens, pouring all their knowledge and expertise into its preparation and then serving it up to our neighbours in Europe in anticipation of a rapturous reception. However, it appears the European Union’s chefs took one bite and promptly spat it out.Britain’s attempt to square the circle of how the UK could leave the EU’s single market and customs union without creating a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic or between the North and the British mainland was always going to be a fudge of some kind.A report that the UK Government’s plan was subjected to a “detailed and forensic rebuttal” by Brussels officials suggests the EU will not be swallowing that sort of thing, which is ominous for the Prime Minister. For, propped up by hard-line Brexiteers and the DUP, May could … [Read more...] about Leader comment: Theresa May’s Brexit fudge turns sour
Brexit
Lord Newby interview: ‘Broad coalition’ of Lords fighting May’s Brexit plan
0 Have your say MPs are gearing up for a Brexit-defining fight over the EU customs union, amid reports that Brussels has ‘annihilated’ Britain’s plans for the Irish border, but Lib Dem Lord Newby is among the peers to fire the first shot . Arj Singh reports. A year ago Theresa May called a snap general election expecting to win a huge Commons majority to back her Brexit strategy, in a move one newspaper infamously described as her chance to “crush the saboteurs”.It did not go as planned.This week the House of Lords inflicted two defeats on the Government over its flagship Brexit legislation, with 10 more predicted to follow, emboldening Conservative rebel MPs seeking to exploit the Prime Minister’s lack of a Commons majority to reshape the terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union.It was the opening salvo in what is expected to be a major battle over whether the UK should remain part of the customs union, which Mrs May has … [Read more...] about Lord Newby interview: ‘Broad coalition’ of Lords fighting May’s Brexit plan
Delingpole: Progressives’ Heads Explode as Morrissey Praises Brexit, Attacks Halal Meat
For maybe the first time in their deluded, cosseted, snowflake bubble lives, progressive music fans are finally getting a taste of something that conservative music fans have to put up with all the time: the misery of discovering that your pop icon hero just doesn’t share your politics. Enter Morrissey – singer-songwriter, formerly of arguably the Eighties’ greatest indie rock band The Smiths – who has just killed the dreams and hopes of an entire progressive generation by saying lots of politically incorrect things in interviews and on his website.An outraged Guardian has helpfully produced a list of his worst offences. They include: Denouncing halal meat as “evil”: “halal slaughter requires certification that can only be given by supporters of Isis” Refusing to agree with UK Prime Minister Theresa May that the Muslim festival of Eid is a joyous celebration: “as millions of animals had their throats slit to mark the … [Read more...] about Delingpole: Progressives’ Heads Explode as Morrissey Praises Brexit, Attacks Halal Meat
Brexit negotiators on both sides reject reports that Irish border talks have stalled again, insist they’re moving toward a solution
BOTH British and Brussels Brexit negotiators last night scotched reports that trade talks had already stalled over the testy Irish border issue. Michel Barnier said Britain and the EU were three quarters of the way to a deal but warned the hardest negotiations are still to come. And both sides said it was wrong to suggest talks had already reached a new deadlock. Concern mounted after the EU were said to have again rejected British solutions to avoid a hard border in the province. But a EU diplomat told The Sun the rumours were “bulls***”. And the EU Commission said four face to face negotiating sessions have already been confirmed before June. MOST READ IN POLITICSDON OVERDUE Dates 'pencilled in' for Donald Trump's long-awaited visited to the UK HAMM'S BIG HOPE Economy will pick up when Brexit deal is finally completed, says Chancellor James Forsyth EU wants to force UK to stay in customs union, a hideously one-sided deal ROYAL APPROVAL Prince Charles 'touched and … [Read more...] about Brexit negotiators on both sides reject reports that Irish border talks have stalled again, insist they’re moving toward a solution
Economy will pick up when Brexit deal is finally completed, says Chancellor
CONFIDENCE in the UK economy will pick up later this year as the outcome of Brexit becomes clearer, the Chancellor said yesterday. Philip Hammond said the continuing uncertainty caused by the negotiations was “dampening” investment. But speaking at the IMF Spring Meeting in Washington DC, he insisted he “hoped and expected” this would change later this year. Official figures next week are expected to show that economic output or GDP rose by just 0.2 per cent in the first three months of the year despite the buoyant jobs market. Experts believe the Brexit uncertainty and the effects of the ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorms have slowed activity. The Chancellor said he believed firms would pick up investment later this year – and Brits would become more confident about making so-called ‘big ticket’ purchases. He said: “The decision to leave the European Union and then the process of negotiating how our future relationship will … [Read more...] about Economy will pick up when Brexit deal is finally completed, says Chancellor