Week-in-Review: The Northern Ireland protocol is a Brexit legacy Sunak cannot ignore
The news that Ulster shipbuilding company Harland and Wolff will receive £1.6bn of ministry of defence funding is a significant and very symbolic development in Northern Ireland’s politics. Founded in 1861, Harland and Wolff’s shipyard, which built the Titanic and many other vessels, is a symbol of Ulster’s once formidable industrial prowess. Its giant cranes, […]
For Britain’s cost of living crisis, Brexit is the continental shaped elephant in the room
Britain’s exit from the European Union is still an issue that plays to our hearts and guts far more than to our brains or wallets. So many of us still wear the labels – be that of Leave or Remain – of a referendum that happened six and a half years ago. I know I […]
Brexit added £5.8bn to UK food bills in two years, research finds
Brexit added almost £6bn to UK food bills in the two years to the end of 2021, London School of Economics (LSE) researchers have discovered. An average of £210 was added to household food bills over the two years, the research found. As low-income families spend a greater share of their income on food, the […]
Sunak’s Brexit problems run far deeper than ‘Swiss deal’ rumours
Nearly three years after the UK left the EU, the battles around what Brexit means in practice are still very much rumbling on in the background. Be it the Northern Ireland protocol bill, the outstanding issues over EU retained law, or the rows over what to do with migration, Brexit, while relegated from its mainstay […]
Government position on Brexit is ‘settled’, says Jenrick
Amid reports suggesting that some inside government want to put the UK on a path to a Swiss-style relationship with the EU, immigration minister Robert Jenrick has said there is “no question whatsoever” of the UK reopening the “fundamental tenets” of its Brexit deal. Asked directly if the UK is going to do a Swiss-style […]
Sunak is ‘committed’ to EU retained law, says Cleverly
‘Hard Brexit has increased trade barriers’ says Patrick Grady
Ellis to EU: ‘Our door remains open’ on NI protocol
This afternoon, MPs are debating clauses 7, 8 and 9 of a revised Northern Ireland protocol following “practical problems” caused by the initial deal between the UK and the EU. Ellis emphasised that the government wants a negotiated deal with the European Union, telling the EU “our door remains open”. The paymaster general told the […]
Labour accuses government of ‘running away from scrutiny’ on Australia trade
In an urgent question, trade under-secretary Ranil Jayawardena came under fire for “ministers running away from scrutiny” on the UK-Australia trade deal. This criticism comes after no time being made available for a debate on the first new trade agreement” since leaving the EU. Jayawardena rejected the criticism, telling MPs that there will have been […]
Book Review – ‘Overruled’ – John Nicolson MP
I met Sam Fowles when he wrote to me to complain. How could it be, he asked, that so many MPs display such incredible ignorance about the constitution, and yet speak so confidently about it? I’m afraid he cited a political opponent of mine (but someone I much like) as an example. Keir Starmer, once […]
