Wanderlust

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  • Arlene Foster to meet prime minister in London

    Arlene Foster Image copyright PA Image caption DUP leader Arlene Foster had given a cautious welcome to plans to cut MLA pay and give civil servants more power

    DUP leader Arlene Foster is expected to meet the prime minister and secretary of state in London on Wednesday to discuss the government’s latest proposals over the Stormont deadlock.

    Karen Bradley has proposed a cut to MLA pay and plans to provide greater powers to local civil servants.

    The DUP gave the development a cautious welcome.

    It described it as a small step, but argued that there remains a need for ministerial decision making.

    NI secretary announces MLA pay cut Who’s calling the shots on NI policy? Stormont still dormant after 541 days

    The Northern Ireland Assembly has not sat for 20 months.

    Separately, pro-Brexit Conservaties are expected to publish a paper later on Wednesday focusing on the border and the backstop policy, which is central to the UK’s current negotiations with the EU.

    Tory Brexiteers have been strongly critical of Theresa May’s decision to sign up to a backstop.

    The launch of their paper is expected to be attended by former Brexit Secretary David Davis, former Northern Ireland Secretaries Owen Paterson and Theresa Villiers, former Northern Ireland First Minister Lord Trimble and Jacob Rees-Mogg, the chairman of the eurosceptic European Research Group.

  • Catalonia crisis in 300 words

    Image shows supporters of Catalan independence gathering in Barcelona on 2 OctoberImage copyright Getty Images Image caption Supporters of Catalan independence in Barcelona

    The ongoing stand-off between Catalonia and the Spanish government in Madrid is complicated. Let’s break it down.

    What is Catalonia?

    Catalonia is a region in north-east Spain. It has its own language, parliament, flag and anthem. It even has its own police force and controls some of its own public services, such as schools and healthcare.

    It is one of Spain’s wealthiest and most productive regions and has a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years.

    Why the controversy?

    The Catalan parliament approved an independence referendum which went ahead on 1 October despite being suspended by Spain’s Constitutional Court.

    The Spanish government tried to stop voting and hundreds of people were hurt in scuffles with police at polling stations.

    While Catalan authorities say just under 90% of voters backed independence, turnout was only 43%.

    Click to see content: Catalonia_vote

    What have both sides said?

    Catalan leaders declared an independent republic but immediately suspended its implementation.

    Catalan President Carles Puigdemont said he wanted negotiations on the region’s exit from Spain.

    Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has responded by asking the Catalan government to clarify whether or not it has declared actual independence.

    What happens next?

    Depending on the Catalan government’s answer, the government in Madrid could impose direct rule on the region.

    That would mean suspending Catalonia’s powers to make its own decisions on public services such as education and healthcare.

    Why does the crisis matter?

    There is no suggestion that the crisis could degenerate into an armed conflict but it could damage the region and Spain as a whole economically, bringing new instability to the eurozone.

    It could also set an example for other countries with secessionist movements in Europe.

    Want to know more?

    Catalan crisis: Six things you need to know What are the options for Spain now? Does Catalonia want to leave Spain? Could Catalonia make a success of independence? Spain’s distinctive north-eastern region

  • Brexit: Economists say UK has ‘nothing to fear’ from no-deal go out

    Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson Image copyright Reuters Image caption Boris Johnson used to be among a gaggle of Tory Brexiteers to suggest the file at an adventure in London

    The Uk has “nothing to concern” if it exits the eu in March without a industry agreement, a document sponsored by means of Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg has stated.

    Economists Without Cost Trade mentioned part the uk’s global industry was under International Industry Enterprise laws and this would practice to the european until a bespoke deal is done.

    A “clean holiday”, it stated, would narrow the cost of meals and clothes imports through 8% and boost tax sales by way of up to £80bn.

    The claims have been branded “Undertaking Fable” via Labour MP Chuka Umunna.

    Mr Umunna, who supports a referendum on the end result of the Brexit negotiations, stated Mr Rees-Mogg and other Brexiteers had been “completely out-of-touch with the lives of normal other folks”.

    Image copyright EPA Image caption The Treasury has warned that a no-deal Brexit may just result in £80bn additional borrowing by 2030

    On The related time, it mentioned British exports to the rest of the arena had grown greater than 3 times faster than to the eu.

    The workforce of economists stated it was once fallacious to characterise leaving the eu and not using a business agreement in place as “crashing out” and not using a deal, since the UNITED KINGDOM and the eu Commission would have a duty to achieve a chain of person agreements in areas similar to aviation and effort.

    “Switching to an international trade deal below WTO laws is no step within the dark because the united kingdom already conducts about half its industry underneath WTO laws,” the report said.

    November Brexit deal is potential – Barnier Might plans to ‘keep calm and carry on’

    Outside the european, the document argues, the uk could be unfastened to set its personal tariffs on EUROPEAN imports and if these had been eliminated, it might cut back costs for customers by way of as a lot as 8%. with those on low earning reaping benefits the most from less expensive food and clothing.

    On the other hand, it mentioned if the ecu selected to impose import tariffs on standard pieces, its huge industry surplus with the uk may just lead to an annual boost to the uk Exchequer of as a lot as £13bn.

    ‘Project Fable’

    Overall, it mentioned trading with the ecu on WTO regulations may just boost the united kingdom’s public finances by £80bn over the next 15 years, allowing long run governments to lift spending and cut taxes.

    The campaign crew, led via Professor Patrick Minford, is urging the uk to depart the ecu prior to starting talks over a trade deal modelled on the european’s accord with Canada – arguing this will likely provide the uk extra leverage.

    “There can be no time constraints, the ecu may have new, non-politically impressed, negotiating guidelines, and the advantages of a clean Brexit can be coming obvious,” it said.

    Tuesday’s launch of the file used to be attended by prominent Brexiteers, including Mr Johnson and David Davis who give up the cabinet in protest on the PM’s Chequers plan.

    Responding to the record, Labour’s Chuka Umunna, a leading member of the People’s Vote campaign for a referendum on the ultimate deal, said a no-deal Brexit can be a crisis for the uk.

    “the newest Challenge Fable record from advocates of an extremely-arduous Brexit guarantees to take us to a land of milk-and-honey,” he stated.

    “the reality is that, ahead of we’ve got even left, Brexit is forcing up costs within the shops, destabilising our economy and stripping our well being carrier of the medical doctors and nurses that it so badly needs.”

  • Brexit: TUC issues new EU referendum warning to May

    Media playback is unsupported for your software

    Media captionTUC boss Frances O’Grady: Union will back “well-liked vote” on Brexit deal if it fails operating other folks

    The Trades Union Congress has warned Theresa May it is poised to throw its “full weight” in the back of requires a referendum at the ultimate Brexit deal.

    TUC leader Frances O’Grady mentioned that except the government struck “the deal that working other people need” with the european, she would demand a “fashionable vote”.

    “It Is Only proper that people must get a say,” she informed the BBC.

    The government has ruled out another EU referendum, pronouncing it’s running to make a hit of Brexit.

    GMB union backs referendum on Brexit deal

    Labour says it’s now not calling for one more public vote, but that a referendum at the terms of Brexit must be “at the desk”.

    A referendum like this is the call for of the People’s Vote campaign, which has backing of a few MPs from the 2 biggest parties.

    Speaking at the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show as the TUC conference gets under way in Manchester, Ms O’Grady urged the federal government to increase the UK’s ECU club to permit longer for negotiations.

    “Time is operating out and a crash out of the ecu would be an absolute crisis for the people we represent,” she stated.

    She stated other people’s livelihoods at firms like BMW, Airbus and Jaguar had been at stake, calling for jobs and workers’ rights to be the government’s priority.

    “i need to serve notice to the prime minister lately that if we do not get the deal that running other folks want, then the TUC might be throwing our complete weight in the back of a campaign for a popular vote so that individuals get a say on whether or not that deal is sweet enough or not,” she said, adding that union leaders all the time consult their members when they negotiate a deal.

    Last week the GMB Union introduced its beef up for the People’s Vote campaign.

    To coincide with the beginning of the TUC convention, People’s Vote has published polling suggesting so much individuals of Unison, Unite and GMB supported the marketing campaign’s demands.

    It stated the YouGov poll of more than 2,700 industry unionists was evidence of the “rising momentum” for its campaign.

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  • John McDonnell brands ‘call off the dogs’ comments ‘grossly offensive’

    John McDonnell Symbol copyright PA

    Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has rejected ideas that MPs vital of Jeremy Corbyn are being driven out of the party.

    It follows claims via Labour MP Chuka Umunna that centre-left MPs are being run out the birthday party, as he advised Mr Corbyn to “call off the canines”.

    Mr McDonnell branded the feedback “grossly offensive”, saying “our party contributors don’t seem to be canines”.

    A Few Labour MPs misplaced no-confidence votes through native birthday celebration members this week.

    Why Corbyn allies need MP selection amendment Blair doubts Labour can be ‘taken back’

    but the shadow chancellor instructed the BBC: “there may be no marketing campaign directed by means of the leadership, or anybody as a ways as i can see, to force MPs out.”

    Image copyright UNITED KINGDOM Parliament Symbol caption Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North, misplaced a no-trust vote in her constituency earlier this week

    It comes as Mr McDonnell starts a speaking excursion of the united kingdom to highlight Conservative spending cuts.

    He launched the “highway to rebuilding the financial system tour” in Broxtowe, the Nottinghamshire constituency of Conservative MP Anna Soubry, on Saturday.

    Earlier this week, former Top Minister Tony Blair mentioned he used to be “undecided it is possible” for Labour “moderates” to take the party again from Mr Corbyn and the left – and hinted at the advent of a brand new “centre floor” celebration.

    Other Labour MPs who have lost local trust votes include Frank Field, who surrender the parliamentary celebration closing week – citing the managing of the anti-Semitism row and bullying in local constituency parties – and Kate Hoey.

    Graham Stringer gained a trust vote in his constituency.

    These ballots had been organised via activists offended at Mr Box, Ms Hoey and Mr Stringer’s determination to again the federal government in Brexit votes, which they are saying robbed Labour of the chance of forcing a normal election it could have gained.

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  • Chuka Umunna tells Jeremy Corbyn to ‘call off the dogs’

    Chuka Umunna Image copyright PA

    Labour MP Chuka Umunna has accused leader Jeremy Corbyn of driving centre-left MPs like himself out of the party.

    The MP – a number one member of the pass-celebration People’s Vote for a 2d ECU referendum – urged Mr Corbyn to “call off the dogs”.

    In a speech, the MP will say so-called moderates face a “transparent and present risk” of being run out of the birthday celebration by hardline factions.

    A Labour Party supply known as the speech “incoherent and erroneous”.

    Why Corbyn allies need MP variety amendment Blair doubts Labour will also be ‘taken back’

    some of Mr Corbyn’s critics have confronted battles with their local events.

    Image copyright UNITED KINGDOM Parliament Symbol caption Joan Ryan, MP for Enfield North, misplaced a no-trust vote in her constituency earlier this week

    Others Labour MPs have misplaced local trust votes include Frank Field, who surrender the parliamentary celebration last week – mentioning the dealing with of the anti-Semitism row and bullying in native constituency events – and Kate Hoey.

    Graham Stringer won a confidence vote in his constituency.

    These ballots were organised through activists indignant at Mr Field, Ms Hoey and Mr Stringer’s decision to back the government in Brexit votes, which they are saying robbed Labour of the chance of forcing a basic election it could have gained.

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  • Brexit: ECU sees ‘positive elements’ in UK’s Chequers plan

    Michel Barnier and Dominic Raab Symbol copyright AFP/Getty Image caption Michel Barnier and Dominic Raab are retaining more negotiations in Brussels

    The European has solid doubt on claims its chief negotiator defined the executive’s Brexit plan as “lifeless in the water”.

    Labour MP Stephen Kinnock attributed the remarks – which he mentioned had been in French – to Michel Barnier after a meeting in Brussels.

    ECU Fee spokesman Margaritis Schinas advised newshounds to wait for a transcript to be revealed.

    The Chequers plan incorporates some “sure components”, he delivered.

    The UNITED KINGDOM is leaving the european on 29 March 2019, and negotiations are taking place between the two aspects.

    Image copyright @politicalpics

    Meanwhile, a paper with details of planning for a no-deal Brexit has been caught on camera in Whitehall.

    It finds government departments are anticipated to make cuts in different spending to arrange for the chance of no deal being reached.

    Codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, it seems that to be run through the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, that’s responsible for emergency making plans.

    The govt says a take care of the eu is essentially the most likely consequence.

    But it’s also making contingency plans for leaving with out one, and not too long ago published a sequence of papers detailing arrangements and offering advice.

    The report, captured via photographer Steve Back, was once being carried by means of Treasury Minister John Glen as he left the cabinet Office.

    Asked concerning the document throughout a trip to Glasgow School, Chancellor Philip Hammond – who has in the past warned concerning the economic affect of no deal being reached – said departments had the investment needed to plan for this sort of scenario.

    He added: “In no deal instances we’d have to refocus govt priorities so that executive used to be focused on the circumstances that we discovered ourselves in.

    “Let me reiterate again that is now not the outcome we are expecting and it is not the outcome we are in quest of.”

    ‘Political reality’

    Analysis by BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg

    As an highbrow workout, none of this brief excerpt is totally surprising.

    But it demonstrates the political truth that in govt there’s concern approximately what might occur to the financial system, what may occur to move, air and rail, however nonetheless a message to executive departments they need to attempt to in finding cash to spend on ‘no deal’ arrangements from present budgets, in place of the big money pot that is been allotted so far.

    Read Laura’s blog at the leaked paper

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  • Snatched pic gives insight into ‘no deal’ Brexit planning

    HMT briefing – Operation Yellowhammer – 04 September 2018

    Operation Yellowhammer: no deal contingency planning

    Abstract of issue

    •This assembly will believe development at the Government’s plans for mitigating the quick impacts of a No Deal Brexit.

    •The Civil Contingencies Secretariat held a -day workshop last week to review departments’ plans, assumptions, interdependencies and next steps.

    HMT objectives

    1.Emphasise the importance of creating XWH cross Whitehall communications structure that may help take care of trust within the experience of contingency plans being prompted – particularly necessary for financial services.

    2.Explain that departments have to be raising Yellowhammer costs throughout the standard channels – via their spending groups for in-yr pressures, and of their bids for 19/20 Brexit allocations for spending that 12 months. Their first name need to be inside prioritisation.

    3.Reaffirm the will for consistent planning assumptions throughout plans … aviation and rail get admission to to the EU.

    4.Remind departments of the will to consider the financial … commercial companies that play a role of their contingency plans.

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  • Labour anti-Semitism ‘caveats’ criticised

    Jeremy Corbyn leaving a meeting at Labour's headquarters on 4 September 2018 Image copyright EPA Image caption The Labour chief leaving the NEC assembly on Tuesday

    Jewish groups have criticised Labour’s ruling body for together with “caveats” when it adopted an anti-Semitism definition in full.

    The National Executive Committee on Tuesday regular the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition and accompanying examples.

    But a press release used to be also agreed by means of the NEC aimed toward protecting free speech.

    The Jewish Leadership Council said this addition would “pressure a tutor and horses” during the IHRA definition.

    It additionally criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as he’s understood to have instructed a extra extensive additional remark focussed on permitting grievance of Israel – but that didn’t win enough beef up from NEC participants.

    Image copyright Reuters Image caption Rival protesters collected outside Labour’s headquarters as its senior officers mentioned the problem

    In response, Labour Against Anti-Semitism mentioned adding the remark appeared “to be approximately protecting the freedom of racists to give vile perspectives”.

    A spokesman stated: “There can also be no caveats, no stipulations and no compromises with racism.

    “we’re disenchanted through the verdict of Labour’s governing frame, the NEC, to diminish the IHRA running definition of anti-Semitism by way of the attachment of a ‘clarification’ that risks giving racists within the birthday celebration a get-out-of-prison card.”

    Jennifer Gerber, director of Labour Friends of Israel, stated: “It Is appalling that the Labour Party has once again ignored the Jewish community … it is going to undertake the entire IHRA definition without additions, omissions or caveats.”

    She brought: “A freedom of expression on Israel clause is not sensible and utterly undermines the other examples the party has supposedly just followed.”

    Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge, who has been highly important of Mr Corbyn’s method to tackling anti-Semitism, stated the birthday party had taken ” steps forward and one step back”.

    Image copyright Reuters Image caption Protesters out of doors the NEC assembly

    Through the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg

    Perhaps this marks the start of the top of this sorry mess. However what makes an early solution tough is the caveat that Labour has incorporated alongside.

    It will probably be important to lots of Mr Corbyn’s supporters who need the suitable to criticise Israel.

    But for the ones campaigning in opposition to anti-Semitism, it nonetheless sends a message that Labour might want to make exceptions, that the party is pronouncing “yes, but”, in place of “sure, of course”, to loud calls for from the Jewish group that they take the most powerful motion conceivable towards those who may foment tension.

    Read complete Laura’s blog

    Corbyn addition

    While Mr Corbyn recommended the celebration to adopt the IHRA definition in full with all examples at the NEC meeting, he additionally set out considerations some Labour members had raised approximately boundaries on freedom of speech.

    The BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg mentioned she understood the Labour chief recommended a more intensive accompanying remark pointing out that “it should now not be thought to be anti-Semitic to describe Israel, its policies or the cases round its foundation as racist on account of their discriminatory impact, or to give a boost to some other payment of the Israel-Palestine battle”.

    Jewish Management Council’s leader government Simon Johnson mentioned: “It’s clearly more vital to the Labour chief to offer protection to the unfastened speech of folks that hate Israel than it is to offer protection to the Jewish neighborhood from the actual threats that it faces.”

    Joan Ryan, chair of Labour Buddies of Israel, additionally informed BBC Newsnight Mr Corbyn’s commentary used to be “deeply regarding”.

    ‘Direction of commute’

    The birthday celebration has struggled to contain an extended-running row over claims of anti-Semitism inside of its ranks.

    Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said the NEC’s choice on Tuesday was a “clear indication of our route of trip” and Labour might now hold a consultation on changing the wording of its code of conduct.

    But she maintained the birthday party was no longer trying to “water down” the IHRA definition and examples whilst it agreed to the freedom of expression commentary.

    Labour MP Chris Williamson, an ally of Mr Corbyn, stated Jewish opinion was once no longer “homogenous” when it got here to backing the definition and the party’s choice to adopt it was a “pragmatic” one.

    “He set out the position and said it was once important, in view of the power, the birthday party needed to undertake all of the examples although the criticisms by means of the original author of them,” he informed the BBC.

    In a separate procedure, Labour MPs will vote later on whether or not the parliamentary birthday celebration’s rules should be amended to include the entire IHRA definition and the accompanying examples.

  • Selmayr report: EU advertising of Juncker aide ‘damaged trust’

    Jean-Claude Juncker (L) is talking with his cabinet chief Martin Selmayr (R) in December 2017 Symbol copyright Getty Images Symbol caption Martin Selmayr (R) was Mr Juncker’s leader of team of workers in 2014

    The Eu ombudsman has given a damning verdict at the method Jean-Claude Juncker’s leader of team of workers was once given the top submit within the bloc’s civil service.

    The promotion of Martin Selmayr, nicknamed “the monster” by his boss, was once rapid-tracked in February, in a move condemned by one Euro MP as a “coup”.

    Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly identified 4 counts of maladministration via the ecu Fee.

    She said the affair had damaged public agree with in EUROPEAN institutions.

    Ms O’Reilly agreed with the ecu Parliament’s review that the advertising had “stretched and possibly even overstretched the boundaries of the legislation”.

    Symbol copyright Getty Images Symbol caption Mr Selmayr was once accused of leaking main points of a personal dinner meeting related to Mr Juncker and the uk prime minister

    The Eu Parliament condemned the handling of the advertising, and there have been reports that Mr Juncker had threatened to give up if the newly appointed secretary-general was once forced out.

    What does the ombudsman say?

    In her scathing file, Emily O’Reilly pointed to a number of “problems with fear”:

    Mr Selmayr had now not “recused himself” from resolution-making that led to the deputy emptiness that he in the end filled The appointment procedure for the deputy role used to be performed “to make Mr Selmayr eligible for his instant reassignment because the new secretary-normal” The Fee reacted to valid concerns in an “evasive, protecting and legalistic method”.

    She stated four cases of maladministration, together with failing to avoid risking a warfare of interests, and warned that the sequence of events had positioned the “wider legitimacy of the european… at unnecessary possibility”.

    The Ecu Commission stated it didn’t percentage all aspects of the record, however welcomed her resolution to not contest the legality of the appointment.

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