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| Labour MPs and party staff urge Corbyn to suspend Chris Williamson - live news | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Earlier today, before the Tom Watson letter about Chris Williamson was released (see 2.34pm), Jeremy Corbyn was asked about the Williamson row by the BBC. He said: | |
| We deal with antisemitism very, very seriously. There is no place of antisemitism in our society and obviously not in our party as well. And anyone that makes antisemitic remarks can expect to be at the very least reprimanded and, if they are very serious, and if they are engaged in antisemitic activity, then they are expelled from the party. | |
| This is from the New Statesman’s Patrick Maguire. | |
| NEW: 68 Labour staff have put their names to this letter to Jennie Formby. They say that Chris Williamson’s presence in the party makes them feel “unwelcome” at work pic.twitter.com/854kwa5Dww | |
| Jennie Formby is Labour’s general secretary. | |
| The top government official in charge of no-deal Brexit planning has quit just as the chances of crashing out of the EU appear to have increased. As my colleague Lisa O’Carroll reports, Tom Shinner, 33, director of policy and delivery coordination at the Department for Exiting the EU, was in charge of coordinating the domestic policy implications of Brexit across government departments to ensure a smooth exit from the EU. | |
| Brexit civil servant in charge of no-deal planning quits | |
| This is from ITV’s Paul Brand, who was covering the Boris Johnson visit to Portsmouth. | This is from ITV’s Paul Brand, who was covering the Boris Johnson visit to Portsmouth. |
| Asked a few Conservative members in Portsmouth what they made of Boris Johnson after his visit. 3/4 I spoke to will be voting for him. Asked one “what about his personal life?”“I don’t give a damn!” pic.twitter.com/jM9iJvMHYt | Asked a few Conservative members in Portsmouth what they made of Boris Johnson after his visit. 3/4 I spoke to will be voting for him. Asked one “what about his personal life?”“I don’t give a damn!” pic.twitter.com/jM9iJvMHYt |
| Peugeot said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal. | Peugeot said it will build its new Vauxhall Astra car at its Ellesmere Port plant but only on the condition the government secures a good Brexit deal. |
| The decision is a major boost for the embattled British car industry and the 1,100 employees at the plant, whose future had been thought to be dependent on winning the Astra contract. | The decision is a major boost for the embattled British car industry and the 1,100 employees at the plant, whose future had been thought to be dependent on winning the Astra contract. |
| The Astra is the bestselling model under the Vauxhall and Opel brandsand will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany, as well as at Ellesmere Port, near Liverpool. | The Astra is the bestselling model under the Vauxhall and Opel brandsand will be built in Rüsselsheim, Germany, as well as at Ellesmere Port, near Liverpool. |
| However, PSA Group, the parent company of the Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall brands, gave a clear warning against a bad Brexit deal. In its announcement, PSA Group said: | However, PSA Group, the parent company of the Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall brands, gave a clear warning against a bad Brexit deal. In its announcement, PSA Group said: |
| The decision on the allocation to the Ellesmere Port plant will be conditional on the final terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the acceptance of the New Vehicle Agreement, which has been negotiated with the Unite trade union. | The decision on the allocation to the Ellesmere Port plant will be conditional on the final terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union and the acceptance of the New Vehicle Agreement, which has been negotiated with the Unite trade union. |
| Theresa May is expected to have meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in the margins of the G20 summit, the Press Association reports. The meetings will follow Friday’s face-to-face talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Other meetings have been lined up on Saturday with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. | Theresa May is expected to have meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in the margins of the G20 summit, the Press Association reports. The meetings will follow Friday’s face-to-face talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Other meetings have been lined up on Saturday with Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. |
| Jeremy Hunt has been visiting the Isle of Wight too. | Jeremy Hunt has been visiting the Isle of Wight too. |
| Great to be back in the place where my parents got married, the Isle of Wight. I met with a fantastic group of Conservative members and talked about how important it is to back businesses. They are the life blood of places like the Isle of Wight. #HastobeHunt pic.twitter.com/skJixu8PXK | Great to be back in the place where my parents got married, the Isle of Wight. I met with a fantastic group of Conservative members and talked about how important it is to back businesses. They are the life blood of places like the Isle of Wight. #HastobeHunt pic.twitter.com/skJixu8PXK |
| Here is some expert comment on the attempt by Margaret Beckett and Dominic Grieve to use amendments to the estimates next week to prevent a no-deal Brexit. (See 2.06pm.) | Here is some expert comment on the attempt by Margaret Beckett and Dominic Grieve to use amendments to the estimates next week to prevent a no-deal Brexit. (See 2.06pm.) |
| From the Hansard Society’s Brigid Fowler | From the Hansard Society’s Brigid Fowler |
| If people are just seeing news re: Beckett/Grieve ams tabled to so-called '#estimates', we flagged this summer's estimates process in a recent piece - see below. (Short thread) 1/ pic.twitter.com/l9zZ01dhiP | If people are just seeing news re: Beckett/Grieve ams tabled to so-called '#estimates', we flagged this summer's estimates process in a recent piece - see below. (Short thread) 1/ pic.twitter.com/l9zZ01dhiP |
| The Beckett/Grieve ams are tabled to the motions to authorise the 2019-20 spending of depts whose estimates have been chosen by the Backbench Business C'tee for separate debate & vote (this yr, 4 depts - DFID, DoE, DWP, HCLG). Motions & ams are here: 2/ https://t.co/uYTWTeaoxf | The Beckett/Grieve ams are tabled to the motions to authorise the 2019-20 spending of depts whose estimates have been chosen by the Backbench Business C'tee for separate debate & vote (this yr, 4 depts - DFID, DoE, DWP, HCLG). Motions & ams are here: 2/ https://t.co/uYTWTeaoxf |
| The Beckett/Grieve ams seek to make parliamentary authorisation for these 4 depts' 2019-20 spending conditional on either the UK leaving the EU only with a Withdrawal Agreement, or approval by the Commons of a motion giving explicit approval for a #nodeal Brexit. 3/ | The Beckett/Grieve ams seek to make parliamentary authorisation for these 4 depts' 2019-20 spending conditional on either the UK leaving the EU only with a Withdrawal Agreement, or approval by the Commons of a motion giving explicit approval for a #nodeal Brexit. 3/ |
| I'm not surprised someone's giving the estimates process a go as an anti-#nodeal move, since estimates are one of few things gov *has* to put before HoC before summer & where it can't get round needing HoC approval. We (& others) have been speculating about this possibility. 4/ | I'm not surprised someone's giving the estimates process a go as an anti-#nodeal move, since estimates are one of few things gov *has* to put before HoC before summer & where it can't get round needing HoC approval. We (& others) have been speculating about this possibility. 4/ |
| But trying to amend an estimates motion is rare (the last time such an amendment was moved was 2002). And, even if the move proves not to go very far, bringing 'the power of the purse' into play represents an escalation in the Commons-government tussle. /ends | But trying to amend an estimates motion is rare (the last time such an amendment was moved was 2002). And, even if the move proves not to go very far, bringing 'the power of the purse' into play represents an escalation in the Commons-government tussle. /ends |
| From the Institute for Government’s Hannah White | From the Institute for Government’s Hannah White |
| In my view this is the most promising procedural route available to MPs seeking to prevent a new Prime Minister pursuing a no deal exit...https://t.co/H5uClBMYPX | In my view this is the most promising procedural route available to MPs seeking to prevent a new Prime Minister pursuing a no deal exit...https://t.co/H5uClBMYPX |
| ... as @pseaward1 has been arguing for some time. But whether it will succeed will depend on whether enough MPs opposed to no deal realise this is may be the only effective opportunity to prevent it and are prepared to vote for the motion before no deal seems imminent. | ... as @pseaward1 has been arguing for some time. But whether it will succeed will depend on whether enough MPs opposed to no deal realise this is may be the only effective opportunity to prevent it and are prepared to vote for the motion before no deal seems imminent. |
| From Chris White, a Conservative former special adviser in the leader of the Commons’ office | From Chris White, a Conservative former special adviser in the leader of the Commons’ office |
| The latest move by MPs seeking to stop no deal: cut off the Government’s provision to spend money unless:1️⃣ The Commons passes a Withdrawal Agreement 2️⃣ The Commons agrees to leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. https://t.co/lXPyIiTNq6 | The latest move by MPs seeking to stop no deal: cut off the Government’s provision to spend money unless:1️⃣ The Commons passes a Withdrawal Agreement 2️⃣ The Commons agrees to leave the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement. https://t.co/lXPyIiTNq6 |
| Why is this important? Annual expenditure control remains a constitutional requirement, and the Commons must approve the Estimates each year. Estimates scrutiny has historically been very poor, and the @CommonsProcCom produced a report on this in 2017 https://t.co/wUbaUzTwak | Why is this important? Annual expenditure control remains a constitutional requirement, and the Commons must approve the Estimates each year. Estimates scrutiny has historically been very poor, and the @CommonsProcCom produced a report on this in 2017 https://t.co/wUbaUzTwak |
| Tabling amendments to the Estimates that places conditions on the Government’s expenditure is a new tactic - until now MPs opposed to no-deal have tried to capture days to legislate to compel the Government to seek an extension. However chances to do this before 31.10 are scarce. | Tabling amendments to the Estimates that places conditions on the Government’s expenditure is a new tactic - until now MPs opposed to no-deal have tried to capture days to legislate to compel the Government to seek an extension. However chances to do this before 31.10 are scarce. |
| This stops short of a vote of no confidence, but ups the stakes on the Government. The Estimates process needs to be completed before the House rises before the summer recess. It’s early to assess chances of success, but the Govt will be taking this very seriously. | This stops short of a vote of no confidence, but ups the stakes on the Government. The Estimates process needs to be completed before the House rises before the summer recess. It’s early to assess chances of success, but the Govt will be taking this very seriously. |
| For clarity, the Govt could delay to the Autumn sittings but not to 31.10, so they could pull the debate next week, but not indefinitely. | For clarity, the Govt could delay to the Autumn sittings but not to 31.10, so they could pull the debate next week, but not indefinitely. |
| Boris Johnson has been posing for photographs on the ferry to the Isle of Wight. | Boris Johnson has been posing for photographs on the ferry to the Isle of Wight. |
| Here is the statement on Chris Williamson organised by Tom Watson in full. | Here is the statement on Chris Williamson organised by Tom Watson in full. |
| Statement on Chris Williamson pic.twitter.com/WGYx9os2A0 | Statement on Chris Williamson pic.twitter.com/WGYx9os2A0 |
| Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson and 90 of the party’s MPs and peers have issued a statement demanding Jeremy Corbyn withdraw the whip from Chris Williamson. The statement said they cannot overstate the “depth and breadth of hurt and anger” at the readmission of the Derby North MP to the party following his suspension over allegations of antisemitism. The statement says: | Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson and 90 of the party’s MPs and peers have issued a statement demanding Jeremy Corbyn withdraw the whip from Chris Williamson. The statement said they cannot overstate the “depth and breadth of hurt and anger” at the readmission of the Derby North MP to the party following his suspension over allegations of antisemitism. The statement says: |
| We cannot overstate the depth and breadth of hurt and anger felt about the readmission of Chris Williamson into the Labour party and the questions that arise about the fairness of the process. | We cannot overstate the depth and breadth of hurt and anger felt about the readmission of Chris Williamson into the Labour party and the questions that arise about the fairness of the process. |
| The officer recommendation - that Chris Williamson should be referred to the national constitutional committee for action - was ignored by the members of the NEC panel. That the composition of that panel was changed at short notice seems highly irregular. | The officer recommendation - that Chris Williamson should be referred to the national constitutional committee for action - was ignored by the members of the NEC panel. That the composition of that panel was changed at short notice seems highly irregular. |
| Justice needs to be seen to be done and this process has not done that. | Justice needs to be seen to be done and this process has not done that. |
| Given that the Labour party is being investigated by the EHRC over allegations of institutional antisemitism this case is particularly important. | Given that the Labour party is being investigated by the EHRC over allegations of institutional antisemitism this case is particularly important. |
| It is clear to us that the Labour party’s disciplinary process remains mired by the appearance of political interference. This must stop. We need a truly independent process. | It is clear to us that the Labour party’s disciplinary process remains mired by the appearance of political interference. This must stop. We need a truly independent process. |
| We call on Jeremy Corbyn to show leadership by asking for this inappropriate, offensive and reputationally damaging decision to be overturned and reviewed. | We call on Jeremy Corbyn to show leadership by asking for this inappropriate, offensive and reputationally damaging decision to be overturned and reviewed. |
| Ultimately, it is for Jeremy Corbyn to decide whether Chris Williamson retains the Labour whip. He must remove it immediately if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour party is taking antisemitism seriously. | Ultimately, it is for Jeremy Corbyn to decide whether Chris Williamson retains the Labour whip. He must remove it immediately if we are to stand any hope of persuading anyone that the Labour party is taking antisemitism seriously. |
| Downing Street has condemned moves by MPs to shut down government spending in the event of a no-deal Brexit as “grossly irresponsible”. The Labour MP Margaret Beckett and the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve have tabled amendments to the government estimates, which are due to be voted on on Tuesday evening, seeking to block a no-deal Brexit. The estimates are motions that approve government spending, and if passed the Beckett/Grieve amendments would prevent the government spending more money on work and pensions, housing, education and international development if the UK left the EU either without a deal, unless MPs had specifically voted to leave without a deal. This is the latest attempt by pro-European MPs to use unusual parliamentary procedures to block a no-deal Brexit. It is not yet known whether the amendments will be put to a vote, or whether Labour - which would have to back the Beckett/Grieve amendments for them to pass - would vote in favour. But Number 10 has described the plan as “grossly irresponsible”. A Number 10 spokeswoman said: | Downing Street has condemned moves by MPs to shut down government spending in the event of a no-deal Brexit as “grossly irresponsible”. The Labour MP Margaret Beckett and the Conservative MP Dominic Grieve have tabled amendments to the government estimates, which are due to be voted on on Tuesday evening, seeking to block a no-deal Brexit. The estimates are motions that approve government spending, and if passed the Beckett/Grieve amendments would prevent the government spending more money on work and pensions, housing, education and international development if the UK left the EU either without a deal, unless MPs had specifically voted to leave without a deal. This is the latest attempt by pro-European MPs to use unusual parliamentary procedures to block a no-deal Brexit. It is not yet known whether the amendments will be put to a vote, or whether Labour - which would have to back the Beckett/Grieve amendments for them to pass - would vote in favour. But Number 10 has described the plan as “grossly irresponsible”. A Number 10 spokeswoman said: |
| We don’t know if that amendment is going to be selected at this point. Any attempt to deny vital funding to Whitehall departments would be grossly irresponsible. This is government spending for this financial year and funds crucial areas like schools, housing and welfare. | We don’t know if that amendment is going to be selected at this point. Any attempt to deny vital funding to Whitehall departments would be grossly irresponsible. This is government spending for this financial year and funds crucial areas like schools, housing and welfare. |
| The motions and amendments are on today’s order paper (pdf) starting on page 27. The Beckett/Grieve amendments are worded: | The motions and amendments are on today’s order paper (pdf) starting on page 27. The Beckett/Grieve amendments are worded: |
| At end, add “provided that the authorisation for the use of resources under this resolution does not apply to such use if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union unless (a) a withdrawal agreement has been ratified or (b) the House of Commons has, prior to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, agreed a resolution to the effect that it approves the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement.” | At end, add “provided that the authorisation for the use of resources under this resolution does not apply to such use if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union unless (a) a withdrawal agreement has been ratified or (b) the House of Commons has, prior to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, agreed a resolution to the effect that it approves the United Kingdom leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement.” |
| Grieve insisted he was not being irresponsible. He said: | Grieve insisted he was not being irresponsible. He said: |
| What is grossly irresponsible is leadership candidates who intend to be prime minister in four weeks time saying they are prepared to contemplate taking the UK out of the EU without the approval of the House of Commons. | What is grossly irresponsible is leadership candidates who intend to be prime minister in four weeks time saying they are prepared to contemplate taking the UK out of the EU without the approval of the House of Commons. |
| That is incredibly irresponsible constitutionally. The House of Commons has very limited ability to stand up to behaviour of this kind. | That is incredibly irresponsible constitutionally. The House of Commons has very limited ability to stand up to behaviour of this kind. |
| What the Commons has is the power to withhold supply and putting in this amendment is intended to prevent the government doing something it shouldn’t even be contemplating. | What the Commons has is the power to withhold supply and putting in this amendment is intended to prevent the government doing something it shouldn’t even be contemplating. |
| A promised independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party has been downgraded to a “general investigation” into all types of prejudice, Boris Johnson has said, going back on what was seemingly agreed in a recent BBC debate. | A promised independent inquiry into Islamophobia in the Conservative party has been downgraded to a “general investigation” into all types of prejudice, Boris Johnson has said, going back on what was seemingly agreed in a recent BBC debate. |
| Japan’s foreign minister has pleaded with Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt not to lead the UK out of the EU without a deal when one of them becomes prime minister. | Japan’s foreign minister has pleaded with Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt not to lead the UK out of the EU without a deal when one of them becomes prime minister. |
| Theresa May has warned the two men vying to replace her against trying to bypass parliament, insisting they must find a solution to the Brexit deadlock that can win the support of a majority of MPs. | Theresa May has warned the two men vying to replace her against trying to bypass parliament, insisting they must find a solution to the Brexit deadlock that can win the support of a majority of MPs. |
| Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, has said she is “beginning to worry” about Labour’s Brexit stance not being sufficiently pro-remain. (See 10.10am.) | Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, has said she is “beginning to worry” about Labour’s Brexit stance not being sufficiently pro-remain. (See 10.10am.) |
| A Labour constituency party is to protest to the party hierarchy about the decision to lift a suspension on the MP Chris Williamson, who had suggested that the party was “too apologetic” about antisemitism. | A Labour constituency party is to protest to the party hierarchy about the decision to lift a suspension on the MP Chris Williamson, who had suggested that the party was “too apologetic” about antisemitism. |
| Ian Paisley is facing renewed scrutiny over luxury holidays after it was reported that a Maldivian government minister funded a trip for the MP and his family. | Ian Paisley is facing renewed scrutiny over luxury holidays after it was reported that a Maldivian government minister funded a trip for the MP and his family. |
| David Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, who is backing Jeremy Hunt for next Tory leader, said the new prime minister should make the northern powerhouse his priority. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre at The University of Manchester where he took part in a roundtable with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, he said the north should be “a priority that is owned by every department”. He went on: | David Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, who is backing Jeremy Hunt for next Tory leader, said the new prime minister should make the northern powerhouse his priority. Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre at The University of Manchester where he took part in a roundtable with the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, he said the north should be “a priority that is owned by every department”. He went on: |
| The key thing is that every government department should feel that this is a priority for them. What won’t work is if other ministers and other departments think that Northern Powerhouse is all down to one man or woman. This has got to be a priority that is owned by every department. | The key thing is that every government department should feel that this is a priority for them. What won’t work is if other ministers and other departments think that Northern Powerhouse is all down to one man or woman. This has got to be a priority that is owned by every department. |
| What is key is that whether it is Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson is that the prime minister personally takes the lead and makes it very clear for them that northern powerhouse remains a cross government priority. | What is key is that whether it is Jeremy Hunt or Boris Johnson is that the prime minister personally takes the lead and makes it very clear for them that northern powerhouse remains a cross government priority. |
| Referring to the Power Up the North campaign, which has seen more than 30 newspapers and news websites in the north of England publishing front pages demanding “a revolution” in how the region is treated by government, he acknowledged that “there is still lots of work to be done” but largely focused on the successes of the powerhouse. He said: | Referring to the Power Up the North campaign, which has seen more than 30 newspapers and news websites in the north of England publishing front pages demanding “a revolution” in how the region is treated by government, he acknowledged that “there is still lots of work to be done” but largely focused on the successes of the powerhouse. He said: |
| There is a lot to be done still but we shouldn’t underrate the successes we have seen already and that has been in part down to consistent government support - £13bn investment in rail. And we have also transformed regional and local government in England. You now have most people living in the north living in an area which is managed by a metro mayor. That is something that has changed the opportunities for the region in a way that we haven’t seen for decades. | There is a lot to be done still but we shouldn’t underrate the successes we have seen already and that has been in part down to consistent government support - £13bn investment in rail. And we have also transformed regional and local government in England. You now have most people living in the north living in an area which is managed by a metro mayor. That is something that has changed the opportunities for the region in a way that we haven’t seen for decades. |
| Asked if he would be willing to vote against the government in a no confidence motion to prevent a no-deal Brexit, he replied: | Asked if he would be willing to vote against the government in a no confidence motion to prevent a no-deal Brexit, he replied: |
| I’m not in the business of wanting to put Jeremy Corbyn into government because I think that would be disastrous for the country on both economic and security grounds but I am very opposed to no-deal. I think it would cause significant harm to the manufacturing industry throughout the United Kingdom and agriculture throughout the United Kingdom and put further strain on the union of the United Kingdom. | I’m not in the business of wanting to put Jeremy Corbyn into government because I think that would be disastrous for the country on both economic and security grounds but I am very opposed to no-deal. I think it would cause significant harm to the manufacturing industry throughout the United Kingdom and agriculture throughout the United Kingdom and put further strain on the union of the United Kingdom. |
| Jeremy Corbyn is visiting Hartlepool’s Heugh Battery Museum to meet military personnel during armed forces week, the Press Association reports. He is pledging a series of measures to boost military conditions, including giving “fair pay” to the military in the light of figures indicating that the salary of an army private has effectively dropped by nearly 1,200 between 2010 and 2018. | Jeremy Corbyn is visiting Hartlepool’s Heugh Battery Museum to meet military personnel during armed forces week, the Press Association reports. He is pledging a series of measures to boost military conditions, including giving “fair pay” to the military in the light of figures indicating that the salary of an army private has effectively dropped by nearly 1,200 between 2010 and 2018. |
| This is from the Press Association’s Ian Jones. | This is from the Press Association’s Ian Jones. |
| Theresa May today overtakes Neville Chamberlain - another PM who returned from negotiations in Europe confidently brandishing an agreement. pic.twitter.com/PAIBkkc4YZ | Theresa May today overtakes Neville Chamberlain - another PM who returned from negotiations in Europe confidently brandishing an agreement. pic.twitter.com/PAIBkkc4YZ |
| Although Boris Johnson is well ahead of Jeremy Hunt amongst Conservative party members, surveys suggest (see 12.24pm), amongst the public at large they are much more neck and neck. Ipsos MORI has published some detailed polling, and it says there is “little to choose” between them, although both men enjoy large leads over Jeremy Corbyn in terms of who is seen to be “the most capable PM”. In his story on the figures for the Evening Standard, Joe Murphy says Johnson is just ahead of Hunt on having what it takes to be a good PM, although he says the gap has narrowed in recent weeks. | Although Boris Johnson is well ahead of Jeremy Hunt amongst Conservative party members, surveys suggest (see 12.24pm), amongst the public at large they are much more neck and neck. Ipsos MORI has published some detailed polling, and it says there is “little to choose” between them, although both men enjoy large leads over Jeremy Corbyn in terms of who is seen to be “the most capable PM”. In his story on the figures for the Evening Standard, Joe Murphy says Johnson is just ahead of Hunt on having what it takes to be a good PM, although he says the gap has narrowed in recent weeks. |
| Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE liberal group in the European parliament who has been the parliament’s lead Brexit spokesman, has published an article for Project Syndicate saying Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have “learned nothing whatsoever from the past two years of negotiations with the EU”. Here is an extract: | Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE liberal group in the European parliament who has been the parliament’s lead Brexit spokesman, has published an article for Project Syndicate saying Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have “learned nothing whatsoever from the past two years of negotiations with the EU”. Here is an extract: |
| Though Johnson will most likely soon find himself in a position where he must make good on his promises, he continues to spread untruths. Chief among them is the myth that Britain can tear up the withdrawal agreement that May negotiated with the EU, withhold its financial commitments to the bloc, and simultaneously start negotiating free-trade deals. To Johnson’s followers, however, he is more prophet than politician: only he can deliver a mythical “true Brexit” that will deliver the prosperity promised during the referendum campaign. | Though Johnson will most likely soon find himself in a position where he must make good on his promises, he continues to spread untruths. Chief among them is the myth that Britain can tear up the withdrawal agreement that May negotiated with the EU, withhold its financial commitments to the bloc, and simultaneously start negotiating free-trade deals. To Johnson’s followers, however, he is more prophet than politician: only he can deliver a mythical “true Brexit” that will deliver the prosperity promised during the referendum campaign. |
| As is often the case with populists, reality does not square with Johnson’s ensorcelling combination of false promises, pseudo-patriotism, and foreigner bashing. He and his fellow Brexiteers speak of a “Global Britain” that will trade freely with the rest of the world, even as they drag their country down a path strewn with uprooted trade ties and substantial new barriers to commerce. | As is often the case with populists, reality does not square with Johnson’s ensorcelling combination of false promises, pseudo-patriotism, and foreigner bashing. He and his fellow Brexiteers speak of a “Global Britain” that will trade freely with the rest of the world, even as they drag their country down a path strewn with uprooted trade ties and substantial new barriers to commerce. |
| (Ensorcelling is a very Johnsonite word. I had to look it up too. It means bewitching.) | (Ensorcelling is a very Johnsonite word. I had to look it up too. It means bewitching.) |