The Franco-German push for EU integration may backfire January 24, 2019 Amid the turmoil of the Brexit process, it is perhaps understandable that British eyes have not been focused much on recent developments within the European Union. After all, nobody is particularly interested in changes in a club when their membership is about to lapse. But just as we are preparing to set the seal on our [...]
Angela Merkel calls for greater military cooperation in EU ahead of European elections in May January 19, 2019 Angela Merkel has said the European Union should cooperate more in developing weapons systems in a bid to push back against a growing wave of euroscepticism before the European parliamentary elections in May. The German Chancellor said her country may need to make compromises on strict export controls. Read more: German politicians including Chancellor Angela Merkel [...]
Boris Johnson says delaying Article 50 would erode trust in politicians January 18, 2019 Boris Johnson warned today that politicians risk losing the electorate's trust if they were to delay Brexit by extending Article 50 beyond 29 March. In a speech at building machinery giant JCB’s headquarters in Staffordshire this morning, he said: “It's overwhelmingly likely we will get a deal, a good deal – we just won't get [...]
Theresa May hopeful of more EU reassurances over backstop as MPs vote looms January 7, 2019 Theresa May is hoping to get further reassurances from the EU over her Brexit deal as time ticks down to a crunch vote in Parliament. The Prime Minister confirmed on Monday she is continuing to work with Brussels to secure a guarantee the so-called ‘backstop’ – which effectively keeps the UK in the EU’s customs [...]
‘No way’ DUP will back May’s Brexit deal, says senior party member January 4, 2019 A senior DUP member has said there is “no way” his party will back Theresa May’s Brexit deal due to concerns over the backstop agreement. Sammy Wilson, who is Brexit spokesperson for the DUP, said he was “more alarmed” than ever about the impact the deal would have on Northern Ireland. “It’s not just because of [...]
German politicians including Chancellor Angela Merkel have personal data hacked and published online January 4, 2019 The personal data of hundreds of German politicians has been published online following a targeted hacking attack, according to reports. Local media said hackers have released data from politicians across all major parties including credit card details and mobile phone numbers, with Chancellor Angela Merkel among those affected. The extent of the attack is not [...]
Here are all the predictions I got wrong in 2018 December 21, 2018 I should have given up making predictions in June 2017. Three months earlier, I had spoken at a conference on Brexit and suggested that the best way forward for Theresa May would be to call a snap election and strengthen her negotiating hand. I don’t know how the Prime Minister got word of my advice, [...]
Fire May, or her zombie deal will come back to haunt us all December 12, 2018 The withdrawal agreement is dead. Like that famous Norwegian Blue parrot of Monty Python legend, it has simply ceased to be. Its death was not achieved by a humiliating massive vote against it, but, in that cack-handed way only Theresa May manages to finesse, by it never facing a vote at all. It died through lack [...]
Emergency Brexit debate: Corbyn tells MPs he will table no confidence vote ‘at appropriate time’ December 11, 2018 Jeremy Corbyn has told MPs he will table a vote of no confidence “at the appropriate time”, as Prime Minister Theresa May meets European leaders today to discuss amendments to the Brexit transition deal. Speaking this afternoon in an emergency debate on the PM's decision yesterday to postpone the so-called meaningful vote on the deal, the [...]
‘No room for renegotiation’: EU slaps down UK hopes for a new Brexit deal as May attempts to woo European leaders December 11, 2018 The EU will not renegotiate Theresa May’s Brexit deal after the Prime Minister was forced into a humiliating parliamentary climbdown yesterday, Jean-Claude Juncker said this morning. The European Commission president said: “I remain convinced that the Brexit deal we have is the best – and only – deal possible. There is no room for renegotiation, but further [...]