US-UK trade deal: PM eyes three-course meal, but may end up with packet of crisps. It was supposed to be one of the biggest Brexit dividends.
According to Liz Truss, an “ambitious and comprehensive” trade agreement with Donald Trump would reflect Britain’s unique relationship with the US, cutting red tape and tariffs to help British businesses and the economy grow. The value to the nation: at most, an economy 0.16% bigger after 15 years. In the cold language of economic benefits, such a small number is almost a rounding error. The gains in cash terms are roughly £3.4bn under the best-case scenario, an amount worth less than the current annual contribution of Brentwood or Bury. EU trade talks: UK prepared to walk away in June if not enough progress made. The British government has said it is prepared to walk away from EU trade talks in June if not enough progress has been made.
Setting out its red lines ahead of talks with the EU starting next week, the government said it will not negotiate any arrangement in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life. In a document published on Thursday morning, it said: "That means we will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU's, or the EU's institutions, including the European Courts of Justice (ECJ) to have any jurisdiction in the UK.
" Immigration: No visas for low-skilled workers, government says. Media playback is unsupported on your device Low-skilled workers would not get visas under post-Brexit immigration plans unveiled by the government.
It is urging employers to "move away" from relying on "cheap labour" from Europe and invest in retaining staff and developing automation technology. British travellers face being turned away at EU airports over new passport expiry rules after Brexit. British travellers to the European Union will face onerous red tape because of Brexit, the government has confirmed.
During the transition period for the remainder of the year, UK passports are valid for travel anywhere in the EU up to and including the date of expiry. But tough new rules will come into effect on 1 January 2021, which mean that a traveller whose British passport has almost 15 months to run could be turned away from the airport. Download the new Independent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines HM Passport Office has issued a notice confirming: “You’ll need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe.” Hillary Clinton warns the UK it is on ‘path to fascism’ Hillary Clinton has warned that the number of British MPs intimidated out of running for office risks putting the country on a “path to fascism”.
Speaking to a London audience, the former US secretary of state and 2016 presidential candidate said she took “very seriously” the fact that several female MPs had decided not to run again in the coming election, complaining of threats and abuse online. “It comes after a series of female MPs from both the main parties chose to stand down at the general election,” reports The Times. Nicky Morgan, the culture secretary, was among the “exodus” of moderate Tory MPs who said that they were quitting after suffering abuse, says the newspaper.
Clinton said: “When I heard about all these people, particularly the women, who weren’t going to run again, and they attributed it to the threats they are going to face, that is not only a threat to individuals, that is a threat to democracies. Christmas markets hit by Brexit costs. Image copyright Getty Images City centres across the UK will be transformed in the coming weeks as wooden stalls are erected and visitors from Europe arrive to bring a continental flavour to our streets.
Christmas markets have quickly become a familiar sight in many cities, but the uncertainty around Brexit means they have faced extra challenges this year. Organisers brought goods over to the UK early and paid for expensive storage ahead of the previous 31 October Brexit deadline, which fell at a crunch moment in their preparations. Labour to back early general election. Image copyright JESSICA TAYLOR Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says his party will support an early general election as the government makes its pitch for a poll on 12 December.
Mr Corbyn said his condition of taking a no-deal Brexit off the table had "now been met" after the EU agreed to extend the deadline to 31 January 2020. But he did not explicitly say if he would back the government's bill in Parliament later. Why does Boris Johnson want a General Election and when will it happen. Boris Johnson has vowed to push for an election if the EU grants a three month extension to his Brexit bill.
He is waiting to hear from EU leaders after his plans to fast-track his Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) through the Commons were scuppered. Although MPs voted in favour of his Brexit deal on Tuesday, they rejected his three day timetable to get it through Parliament before the October 31st deadline. Brexit: UK sends three letters to the EU - what they say, and what they mean. The government has sent three letters to the EU following Boris Johnson's embarrassing defeat in the Commons over his Brexit plans.
Here, we go through the letters one by one - and explain what they say. The first letter This was unsigned by the prime minister, and it asks European Council President Donald Tusk for the Brexit deadline to be extended until 11pm on 31 January 2020. Boris Johnson asks EU for Brexit delay - but second letter urges them not to grant it. Boris Johnson has written to the EU requesting a three-month delay to Brexit - despite telling them he doesn't want one and vowing to press on with taking the UK out of the bloc on 31 October.
The prime minister did not sign the letter to European Council President Donald Tusk requesting a further extension to the Article 50 negotiating period to 31 January 2020. And Sky News understands he sent a separate letter explaining why EU leaders should not grant an extension. He was forced to request a delay after MPs voted earlier on Saturday to withhold their approval for his Brexit deal unless and until he has passed all necessary legislation to implement the agreement. MPs voted for the delay so that the so-called Benn Act comes into play - the legislation passed by opposition MPs in September which aims to prevent a no-deal Brexit this month. He also warned the EU could possibly "reject parliament's request for further delay, or not take a decision quickly". Brexit: Johnson vows to press on despite defeat over deal delay. Media playback is unsupported on your device Boris Johnson has said he will press on "undaunted" with Brexit on 31 October, despite losing a crunch Commons vote.
The PM must now ask the EU for an extension to that deadline after MPs backed an amendment aimed at ruling out a no-deal Brexit, by 322 votes to 306. But he told MPs: "I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so. " He vowed to bring in legislation on Monday to implement the deal he struck with Brussels this week. MPs could also be given another vote on the deal on Monday, if Commons Speaker John Bercow allows it. Brexit: What is in Boris Johnson's new deal with the EU? Image copyright Reuters A revised Brexit deal has been agreed by the UK and EU.
What is in it? All sides want to avoid the return of a "hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit - with checks and infrastructure which could be targeted by paramilitary groups. EU calls on Boris Johnson to publish Brexit plan in full. UK proposes customs posts on both sides of border. The UK has proposed the creation of a string of customs posts along both sides of the Irish border as part of its effort to replace the backstop, RTÉ News understands. The ideas, which would be highly controversial, are contained in proposals sent from London to the European Union - extracts of which have been seen by RTÉ News.
The proposals would effectively mean customs posts being erected on both sides of the border, but located perhaps five to ten miles 'back' from the actual land frontier. This is because under British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the UK is insisting that Northern Ireland remain completely outside the EU’s customs union for industrial goods and agri-food products. Even more controversial is a proposal that the goods moving from a so-called "customs clearance site" on the northern side of the border to a similar site on the southern side would be monitored in real time using GPS via mobile phone data, or tracking devices placed on trucks or vans.
Lib Dems agree to cancel Brexit without 2nd referendum if they win next election. By Greg Heffer, political reporter in Bournemouth The Liberal Democrats will campaign at the next election on a "cancel Brexit" platform, after party members approved a policy switch at their annual conference in Bournemouth. The membership gave their overwhelming support to new leader Jo Swinson, who had called for the party to offer a "straightforward" message to voters in a general election.
The Lib Dems had previously supported the revocation of Article 50 - to stop the UK's departure from the EU - following a second EU referendum. But now, when a general election is called, the party will promise a Lib Dem government will halt Brexit without a further public vote on EU membership. Brexit's most important week? Five things that happened on Monday. We've begun another high-stakes week for Brexit.
Things are changing constantly, but here are the five most newsworthy things that have happened so far on Monday. 1) Boris Johnson's podium moment Image copyright PA Media It's five weeks since Boris Johnson first appeared outside Downing Street as prime minister. Brexit: EU ‘would block trade deal if Britain reneged on bill’ Boris Johnson: Brexit opponents 'collaborating' with EU. Image copyright Reuters. Queen may cut short holiday if Brexit causes constitutional crisis. By Rhiannon Mills, royal correspondent The Queen may have to cut short her summer holiday if she is needed to carry out any of her constitutional duties amid speculation her new prime minister could draw her into a political crisis.
Her Majesty arrived at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday to start her annual summer break. Alister Jack says UK ministers want more control over Scottish spending. Brecon and Radnorshire by-election: Lib Dems beat Conservatives. Brexit shutdown slashes UK car production by 45% Image copyright Getty Images Factory shutdowns designed to cope with disruption from a 29 March Brexit, slashed UK car production in April by almost a half. Even though Brexit is delayed the factories still closed and production fell 44.5% according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In what it called "an extraordinary month", the SMMT said only 70,971 cars rolled off production lines. That was 56,999 fewer than in April a year ago. Production for both home and overseas markets fell by 43.7% and 44.7% respectively. European elections 2019: Where the parties stand on Brexit.
Brexit: Theresa May plans 'bold offer' to get support for deal. Theresa May called 'pathetic' and 'insane' by Brexit EU negotiators. Some of the EU’s top Brexit negotiators have been caught on camera ridiculing Theresa May as she attempts to take Britain out of Europe in a stark new BBC documentary. The Prime Minister is branded ‘pathetic’ and ‘insane’ by staff working in the office of EU chief Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt in Storyville: Brexit Behind Closed Doors. Brexit: What happens now? Ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe to join Nigel Farage's Brexit party. Former shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe is returning to politics – to join Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party. Amid calls for Theresa May to step down as Prime Minister ‘as soon as possible’, critics warn huge swathes of Tories will defect if the UK is forced to go ahead with voting in the European elections on May 23.
Brexit: MPs reject May's EU withdrawal agreement. Media playback is unsupported on your device. Brexit delayed: UK gets two new deadlines after midnight crisis talks. Brexit: EU leaders agree Brexit delay plan. Image copyright Getty Images EU leaders have agreed on a plan to delay the Article 50 process, postponing Brexit beyond 29 March. Brexit: Theresa May will not ask EU for long extension.
Husband returns from Tesco with £660 shopping after Panicking about Brexit. Your Brexit questions answered. Tories tell Theresa May to cancel tomorrow's meaningful vote. Government pays Eurotunnel £33m over Brexit ferry case. Three MPs quit Tory party to join breakaway group. Parliament calls for social media regulation in final 'fake news' report. Theweek.co. No-deal Brexit 'to leave shelves empty' warn retailers.
Fashion boss gives £1m boost to People’s Vote campaign. Christine Jardine: Government ‘promises’ mean EU citizens must apply to stay in the UK. Brexit: Jargon-busting guide to the key terms. Nato, and a thinking gap. The BBC scraps The Daily Politics from daytime schedule.