Video UK still paying EU divorce bill?
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Brexit: Theresa May will reconsider £39bn bill if there’s no deal
Image copyright Reuters
Theresa May has said she will reconsider paying the £39bn Brexit divorce bill if the UK is unable to reach a deal with the EU.
Speaking in Parliament, she said the UK was a law-abiding nation which would honour its international commitments.
But asked by Tory MP Chris Philp what would happen in the event of a no deal, she said the “position changes”.
“The specific offer was made in the spirit of our desire to reach an agreement with the EU,” she added.
The proposed financial settlement is part of the withdrawal negotiations that both sides hope to complete by November at the latest ahead of the UK’s exit next March.
The UK and EU agreed in principle in December that the UK would pay about £39bn to cover outstanding financial obligations and future liabilities arising from its EU membership.
Mrs May was asked by Chris Philp whether the payment was dependent on reaching an agreement on the UK’s future relations with the EU that was “satisfactory” to MPs.
He also urged the prime minister not to be “locked into” any financial agreement unless there were guarantees the UK would be free to work on new trade agreements during the proposed transition period ending in December 2020 and to sign them the moment it leaves.
In response, Mrs May said the negotiations were being conducted on the basis that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”.
“We are very clear we need to have a link between the future relationship and the withdrawal agreement.”
Tory MPs have expressed concerns that the UK could find itself paying the money with no guarantees over its future trade relationship, Boris Johnson suggesting the UK has agreed to “hand over £40bn of taxpayers’ money for two-thirds of diddly squat”.
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UKIP AM Caroline Jones quits party over ‘far-right move’
Image caption Caroline Jones lost a leadership election to Gareth Bennett in the summer
The former leader of the UKIP group in the Welsh Assembly has resigned from the party.
Caroline Jones claimed UKIP leader Gerard Batten was alienating his members by moving the party to the far-right.
The AM for South Wales West, who will now sit as an independent, said UKIP was taking “a direction that I’m not comfortable with”.
But Mr Batten said her statement was “politically correct twaddle”.
The resignation means the UKIP group has four AMs left from the seven which entered the Senedd in 2016.
Image caption Gerard Batten has taken the party in “a direction I’m not comfortable with”, Caroline Jones said She told BBC Wales: “The party has taken a direction that I’m not comfortable with.”
Mrs Jones said Mr Batten was changing the party “to a more far-right position, which a lot of the long-standing members are finding quite unfavourable, including myself”.
“I never joined the party to be part of a far-right organisation. I joined the party because I wanted to come out of the European Union. I still do.”
“Gerard Batten should listen to all sides and try to mediate and bring people together, as opposed to alienating them”, she added.
‘Politically ineffective’
Mr Batten was appointed leader earlier this year, after former UKIP leader Henry Bolton was sacked.
He is the fourth person to lead UKIP following the EU referendum.
Caroline Jones took over the UKIP group in May after she was backed by David Rowlands and Michelle Brown in a vote.
However, Welsh UKIP members voted over the summer for Gareth Bennett to succeed her and lead the assembly group.
Mr Batten said: “I have brought the party back from financial meltdown, raised funds, raised membership numbers, and raised UKIP in the polls. Ms Jones has contributed nothing that I am aware of.”
He added: “Her statement is politically correct twaddle to disguise the fact that Mrs Jones is politically ineffective. I wish her well languishing in the outer realms of irrelevance.”
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Libya’s Tripoli airport diverts flights after rocket attack
Image copyright AFP Image caption Mitiga was closed until recently amid militia clashes in Tripoli
The only working airport in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, has diverted flights after it came under rocket fire.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties at Mitiga International Airport after the attack on Tuesday night.
The airport had only reopened on Friday following clashes between rival militias.
A UN-backed government is nominally in power in Tripoli but militias occupy much of the rest of the country.
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The rocket attack forced a Libyan Airlines flight from Alexandria in Egypt to divert to Misrata, some 200km (120 miles) east of the capital.
Other flights would also be diverted and a source told Agence France-Presse that plans were under way to move other planes at Tripoli to Misrata.
Libyan Airlines is the only operator, running internal flights and international ones to a limited number of countries. It is barred from EU airports on security grounds.
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Catalonia crisis in 300 words
Image 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_voteWhat 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
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Brexit: Economists say UK has ‘nothing to fear’ from no-deal go out
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.
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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.”
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Labour, unions and the Brexit vote factor
Media playback is unsupported on your softwareMedia captionTUC boss Frances O’Grady: Union will back “popular vote” on Brexit deal if it fails operating people
in the glare of publicity, the TUC’s Frances O’Grady announced that the unions could – below sure cases – again a referendum on a last Brexit deal.
That’s the extensively agreed view amongst the 49 member unions – however not the unanimous view. The leadership of the rail union, the RMT, oppose a new vote.
on the other side, there may be a forefront pushing for a referendum on the final Brussels deal regardless of what.
This contains the GMB and the smaller Group and TSSA unions.
So clear of public view the shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer spent his Sunday in what are, nowadays, smoke-unfastened rooms sounding out what the big unions will do in two weeks’ time at Labour’s conference.
His challenge is to take a look at to seek out consensus and steer clear of war prior to all eyes turn to the Conservative conference per week later.
So he wanted to seek out out if the biggest union backing a ‘other people’s vote’ – the GMB – may press for Labour to adopt the similar policy.
I consider he was informed they will.
Currently the Labour management insist they might wish to demand an election if Parliament both rejects Theresa May’s ultimate deal, or if she returns from Brussels empty-passed.
TUC problems EUROPEAN referendum caution to May GMB union backs referendum on Brexit deal New EU vote might ‘undermine democracy’
A referendum, even though, wouldn’t be off the table as an option.
Not just a few unions, however many rank-and-record Labour individuals need their leadership to go further.
So I’m told Sir Keir is making an attempt to find “a form of words” to paper over any underlying differences sooner than the celebration gathers in Liverpool.
And Frances O’Grady’s language at the TUC convention could provide the blueprint.
In phrases and phrases that could best in point of fact be written via a committee, the TUC – together with the large Labour supporting unions Unison and Unite – will officially agree a motion at the conference floor today backing “the likelihood of a campaign for people to have a final say on the ultimate Brexit deal via a popular vote”.
But extra robustly, the TUC’s normal secretary adds that if this have been to happen, then unions’ “full weight” would be behind that marketing campaign.
And it’s felt that if the Labour leadership may just sound extra enthusiastic about the possibility – rather than showing to be being dragged reluctantly in opposition to it – that may just be enough to keep the Remainers in Labour’s ranks from publicly revolting.
Unite’s Len McCluskey – whose place is close to Jeremy Corbyn’s – is stressing a new vote have to be left “at the table”.
For Kremlinologists, that’s more positive than the former formula of “not taking it off the desk”.
But something is apparent – the Labour leadership would possibly not agree to again a brand new vote in all instances.
If their language does turn out to be extra positive, caveats will remain – and any beef up for a new referendum may handiest be triggered if Parliament can’t agree a handle Brussels.
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Brexit: TUC issues new EU referendum warning to May
Media playback is unsupported for your softwareMedia 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’
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”.
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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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Labour MP Chuka Umunna tells Corbyn to ‘call off the dogs’
Video Umunna: ‘Call off the dogs’