Tag: theresa may

  • Brexit: Olly Robins faces calls to position Chequers plan ‘out of its misery’

    The PM's Brexit adviser Olly Robbins

    Theresa May’s chief Brexit adviser has insisted her underneath-fire Chequers plan is deliverable and “respects” both the uk’s sovereignty and the european’s autonomy.

    Appearing before MPs, Oliver Robbins used to be suggested to put the high minister’s blueprint for long term family members with the ecu after Brexit “out of its misery”.

    Veteran Eurosceptic Sir Invoice Cash said it was once “utterly inconceivable” to marry the united kingdom and EU’s underlying demands.

    But Mr Robbins insisted the package deal remained “credible and smart”.

    The UNITED KINGDOM is set to leave the eu on 29 March 2019. Each Side are these days looking to finalise the phrases of withdrawal and agree a statement on long term economic and security members of the family.

    They wish to get settlement ahead of a summit of ECU leaders subsequent month however have acknowledged that this may now not be imaginable until November.

    Pound rises on Brexit ‘progress’ file Top Minister’s Questions: The Decision Brexit approach incompetent – Lord King

    However, the eu’s leader negotiator Michel Barnier has said he is “strongly opposed” to key portions of the PM’s plan, agreed at her country residence in July, arguing it breaches the center concepts in the back of the european’s single market.

    and many Tory MPs, together with each Leavers and Remainers, have warned that it’ll depart the united kingdom worse off than if it remained in the european as it could see the uk enroll to a typical rulebook for industry in items and agriculture with no need any say in making those laws.

    ‘Effectively lifeless’

    Sir Bill advised Mr Robbins, who’s giving proof to the eu Scrutiny Committee along Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, that ministers were “bounced” into assisting the plan however, because of household and European competition, it was once “now effectively dead”.

    He recommended Mr Robbins, who he defined as the “architect of Chequers”, to “advise the prime minister to put Chequers out of its distress as it satisfies just about no-one”.

    However Mr Robbins, who was the top respectable in the Brexit department prior to changing into Mrs May’s ECU adviser a year ago, stated the Chequers agreement remained the government’s “collective position” and the foundation for current negotiations among the 2 sides.

    “Respectfully we disagree with Mr Barnier,” he said. “The government’s view is that the proposals are a credible, good, steadiness of seeking to succeed in one thing which respects the autonomy of the european and the sovereignty of the united kingdom and provides for a realistic dating with the ecu.”

    Mr Raab disregarded calls by means of Brexiteers to as an alternative pursue an improved Canada-taste unfastened industry deal, saying Mrs May’s plan was once the only one to keep the uk intact.

    Asked whether he might agree that a deal modelled on Canada’s arrangements with the eu took Britain additional ahead and closer to a deal than Chequers, he said: “i do not be aware why any person of the Brexit flavouring… may cite that as a credible alternative.”

    The hearing were given off to a heated get started after Sir Invoice accused No 10 of looking to prevent Mr Robbins from appearing earlier than them.

    He stated it was “unacceptable” that seven months had handed on account that they first asked Mr Robbins to seem, suggesting that No 10 had simplest sponsored down after the committee had issued a summons.

    Last week, Mr Raab urged Mr Robbins would not be showing before parliamentary committees in long run for the reason that as Brexit Secretary he should be held in charge of the government’s place.

  • Have electorate modified their minds approximately Brexit? Question Me

    A Pro-European Union protester holds Union and European flags in Trafalgar Square Symbol copyright Getty Images

    With little greater than a yr to head earlier than the united kingdom is because of depart the ecu Union, the issue of Brexit continues to be a divisive one. Where does public opinion recently stand?

    Brexit keeps apace, with controversy never far away.

    The high minister recently proposed the uk must go away each the single market and customs union. Labour countered that the rustic will have to stay in a customs union.

    Former prime ministers Sir John Top and Tony Blair, have each prompt that Parliament should be ready to vote down any “laborious” deal and look at preserving a 2nd referendum – a chance dismissed by means of Brexit campaigners.

    None of this would subject if Theresa Might had a safe total majority in the House of Commons and a parliamentary birthday party that was once united in its strengthen for Brexit.

    Symbol copyright Getty Pictures

    In A Similar Way, 4 recent polls – carried out by way of ICM and ComRes among December and March – that checked out how people would possibly vote in a second referendum, albeit without posing the exact query that used to be at the poll paper, have also on average put Remain rather ahead – by means of FIFTY ONE% to FORTY NINE%.

    Extra common readings of ways electorate now view Brexit had been provided by means of an issue that YouGov have placed to their respondents on the grounds that shortly after the referendum.

    This reads, “In hindsight, do you think that Britain was once proper or unsuitable to vote to depart the eu?”

    there is a transparent, if hardly ever dramatic pattern.

    Up till ultimate year’s basic election individuals who replied “right” narrowly outnumbered individuals who said “mistaken”.

    Because The election the location has been reversed, with those announcing that the decision is “flawed” moderately more a lot of than people who spoke back “right”.

    So, all of the polling proof issues in the same route – there seems to have been a slight drop in backing for Brexit such that the balance of opinion might now be the reverse of what it was in June 2016.

    Brexit: All you need to grasp Immigration: Who should we let in after Brexit? What Is Going To Brexit mean for out of the country territories?

    However at this point really extensive caution is so as.

    Opinion polls are not all the time absolutely correct. Polling is simply too hazardous an enterprise for the position to be differently.

    While the polls are as shut as they are on Brexit, the one sensible judgement we will be able to make is that the end result of any 2d referendum is just too just about call.

    All that can assuredly be stated is that the uk is split down the center at the matter, simply as it used to be in June 2016.

    The uncertainty approximately the outcome of any future referendum is underlined when we look under the bonnet of the polls.

    the rationale why such a lot polls now have Remain narrowly in advance isn’t because extra voters have switched from Leave to stay than have made the adventure in the opposite direction.

    Fairly, such a lot of the motion is accounted for via the 28% who didn’t vote in 2016 now being much more likely to say they would vote Stay than Go Away.

    that means the outcome of any 2d ballot could well depend on who does and who doesn’t vote – at all times one thing that may be very tough to forecast.

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    But do voters need any other referendum?

    on this the message from the polls is much more uncertain.

    There are, after all, various imaginable sorts of second referendum.

    it might be an easy rerun of the poll held in June 2016.

    Or a vote on the deal that may be in the end agreed among the united kingdom and the eu – the place the opposite might, at the one hand, be staying in the EU and, on the different, leaving without any kind of deal.

    Polling undertaken by way of Lord Ashcroft found that at the same time as rerunning the original ballot was once decidedly unpopular (51% had been towards, 38% in favour), there was less opposition to a vote the place the choice was once the deal as opposed to leaving with out one (39% have been in favour, 31% adverse, though 30% were unsure).

    At the same time, it isn’t handiest the kind of 2nd referendum that issues. So also does how the idea is presented to voters.

    When, on numerous occasions, YouGov has asked whether “there will have to or shouldn’t be a referendum to just accept or reject” the terms of the deal that may be eventually negotiated with the ecu, they have on average discovered handiest 33% in favour, and FORTY SIX% in opposition to.

    against this, when Survation has asked whether other people fortify “conserving a 2nd ECU referendum to permit the general public to vote on a Brexit deal whilst the main points are known” they have on reasonable found 46% in favour and handiest FORTY TWO% adverse.

    Presenting a referendum as a way of putting electorate responsible reputedly makes the speculation rather more attractive.

    But whether or not they will ultimately accept that position continues to be to be noticed.

    Approximately this piece

    This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from an expert working for an out of doors organisation.

    John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, and Research Fellow, NatCen Social Analysis and The United Kingdom in a Changing Europe.

    Edited via Duncan Walker. Charts by means of Tom Calver and David Brown.

  • Theresa Might plot: Guy jailed for all times for Downing Boulevard murder plan

    Naa'imur Rahman Image copyright Met Police

    A Person who plotted to kill the high minister in a suicide attack has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum time period of 30 years.

    Naa’imur Zakariyah Rahman, 21, from north London, was convicted final month of preparing acts of terrorism.

    Rahman had planned to detonate a bomb on the gates of Downing Street and then kill Theresa May with a knife or gun.

    Sentencing him, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said Rahman “would have performed his assault” had he now not been arrested.

    Rahman used to be captured by an undercover operation concerning the Metropolitan Police, MI5 and FBI.

    Image copyright Met Police Symbol caption Undercover officers gave Rahman a fake bomb

    Rahman’s defence attorney argued he had been brainwashed via his uncle – who was later killed in a drone strike whilst preventing for the Islamic State group in Syria – and said his consumer had now not intended to head through with the plot.

    But a probation file learn to the court docket through the judge revealed that Rahman had admitted in prison he might have carried out the assault had he been able to.

    Mr Justice Haddon-Cave advised Rahman he might have “quite a few time” to check the Koran in jail, including that Islam was “a religion of peace”.

    He brought that Rahman used to be a “very bad person” and it was hard to foretell if he’s going to ever be de-radicalised.

    Symbol copyright Met Police Symbol caption The jacket was filled with pretend explosives

    All Through his trial, Rahman pleaded guilty to a separate rate of carrying out habits which assisted the preparation of terrorist acts, which associated with a “sponsorship” video he filmed for an affiliate who allegedly desired to join IS in Libya.

    In addition to the lifestyles sentence, Rahman was once handed six years in jail for the IS sponsorship video. The sentences will run at the same time as, in place of consecutively.

  • Theresa Might to go to Nigeria as Brexit trade mission keeps

    Theresa May speaks to business leaders at the offices of First National Bank in Cape Town, Image copyright EPA Image caption Theresa May spoke to business leaders in Cape Town on Tuesday, at the first day of her excursion

    Theresa May will seek advice from Nigeria later at the 2d day of her industry venture to spice up ties with Africa after Brexit.

    Mrs Might will discuss safety, business and people trafficking with President Muhammadu Buhari before meeting sufferers of contemporary slavery in Lagos.

    The top minister already announced £4bn of additional British enhance for African economies during the first leg of her shuttle on Tuesday.

    She additionally insisted her “good” Brexit plans will ship a “good” deal.

    May’s undertaking to woo Africa after Brexit PM seeks new jobs partnership with Africa Would Possibly sticking by means of ‘smart’ Brexit plans

    Mrs May will travel to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria – Britain’s 2d biggest trading spouse in Africa – for talks with President Buhari.

    And Mrs Might Also pledged a “fundamental shift” in support spending to do something about long-term economic and security demanding situations as opposed to brief-time period poverty reduction.

    On Thursday, she will end her excursion in Kenya, the place she is going to hang talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta and attend a state dinner, seek advice from a industry college and meet British troops.

    Brexit ‘still on timetable’

    While in South Africa, the top minster additionally faced questions from newshounds on Brexit.

    She instructed the BBC’s Ben Wright that the united kingdom is “nonetheless working to the timetable” because it is at the beginning set out in the Brexit negotiations.

    It comes after the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier indicated final week that a deal may be driven again to early November.

    She performed down warnings from Chancellor Philip Hammond – who mentioned remaining week that a no-deal Brexit could injury the economy.

    She said the comments had been in response to analysis first released in January that were, at the time, a “work in development”.

    Nigeria’s best export to the uk is crude oil and its biggest import is delicate oil, a structural inefficiency that ends up in common fuel shortages as the populous West African country lacks a properly functioning refinery.

    Learn extra

    (more…)

  • SS Mendi: Theresa May to go back WW1 shipwreck’s bell to South Africa

    The bell from the SS Mendi Symbol caption This bell from the SS Mendi which sank in the Channel in 1917 killing greater than SIX HUNDRED South Africans

    An International Warfare One relic associated with one in every of the worst maritime screw ups in English waters is to receive to South Africa by Theresa Would Possibly.

    The SS Mendi sank off the Isle of Wight in 1917 killing more than SIX HUNDRED black South Africans en path to the Western Entrance to fortify British troops.

    The vessel used to be rammed by way of a British merchant send in thick pre-daybreak fog.

    The prime minister will hand it to President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape The Town on Tuesday.

    The ship’s bell was given to BBC reporter Steve Humphrey in 2017 in a plastic bag at Swanage Pier, Dorset, after an nameless telephone call.

    Might to go to Africa for first time as PM ‘Lost’ WW1 Mendi bell passed to museum The sinking of the SS Mendi

    A note within the bag learn: “If I passed it in myself it would no longer visit the rightful position.

    “This must be looked after out sooner than I move away because it may just get lost.”

    Symbol caption A notice was left with the bell, entrusting it to a BBC reporter

    The SS Mendi sank on 21 February 1917 while it was once unintentionally rammed in thick fog via the Royal Mail packet-boat SS Darro.

    A government inquiry said the Darro didn’t decrease lifeboats, leaving 646 males to drown.

    Most of the dead were contributors of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC), heading to France to hold out manual labour on the Western Front.

    Symbol copyright Imperial Battle Museums Symbol caption More Than 800 contributors of the South African Local Labour Corps have been on board the Mendi on the time of the crisis

    The Darro’s captain, who was once blamed for the tragedy by the Board of Trade, used to be handed a one-12 months suspension of his master’s certificate.

    The story became an emblem of racial injustice in South Africa, where successive white-led governments discouraged annual Mendi Day commemorations.

    In 1995, the Queen and Nelson Mandela unveiled a memorial to the Mendi sufferers in Soweto.

    Image copyright Southampton City Council Symbol caption The BBC’s Steve Humphrey with the bell at Southampton’s SeaCity Museum

    It’s thought the bell was taken from the shipwreck in the early 1980s.

    Until just lately it had been on display on the Sea Town Museum in Southampton.

    On Tuesday the bell will be introduced to the President of South Africa at a rite in Cape Town.

    The Prime Minister’s deputy legit spokeswoman said: “This was the bell from the SS Mendi which sank in the Channel in 1917, killing more than 600 South Africans.

    “it’s a actually important relic for them and the sort of point of interest in their First World Battle remembrance.”

    Mrs Would Possibly may also visit Nigeria and Kenya as a part of her first shuttle to Africa due to the fact changing into prime minister.

  • May’s undertaking to woo Africa after Brexit

    Theresa May in front of a union flag Symbol copyright AFP Image caption On her shuttle to Africa, Theresa Might is hoping to promote what she describes as a “really World Britain”

    the uk’s historical courting with many African international locations nonetheless counts for something, but, as Prime Minister Theresa May will in finding on her trip to the continent, the uk vies for attention with better economies offering better riches.

    Mrs Might is traveling to South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya this week on her first African consult with as top minister as she seems to be to spice up Britain’s post-Brexit industry.

    Britain’s purpose after leaving the ecu Union in March subsequent yr is to “deepen and strengthen its world partnerships”, Mrs Would Possibly stated in a statement.

    “This week i’m looking forward to discussing how we will do that along Africa to assist deliver necessary investment and jobs as well as proceed to work together to take care of steadiness and security.”

    nevertheless it may well be a troublesome sell.

    Symbol copyright Michael Khateli Symbol caption Chinese Language loans financed Kenya’s new railway linking the capital, Nairobi, to the coast. what is going to Britain have the opportunity to offer?

    the united kingdom is introducing regulation that are supposed to mean that African businesses will get admission to the uk market at the comparable terms as they do now.

    Nevertheless, African countries, many of them former British colonies, will need to redefine their relationship with Britain in the wake of Brexit.

    Brexit: All you want to realize the story in the back of Africa’s loose trade dream

    The continent’s leaders wish to make a decision who to prioritise: an ambitious but pleasant China, the huge European Union bloc, the possible riches of the United States, or the historically-linked Uk.

    In 2015, total industry (imports and exports mixed) between Africa and the united kingdom amounted to $36bn (£28bn), but that figure for the european as an entire was once $305bn. In the same 12 months, industry between China and Africa totalled $188bn, and between the united states and Africa is amounted to $53bn.

    Trade with Africa 2015

    Africa-UNITED KINGDOM – $36bn Africa-US – $53bn Africa-China – $188bn Africa-ECU – $305bn

    Resources: Ecu Commission, McKinsey, UNITED KINGDOM Department for Global Trade

    To sweeten her be offering, the top minister is bringing alongside a delegation of 29 trade leaders to promote “the breadth and depth of British experience in technology, infrastructure, and monetary and professional services and products,” Downing Side Road says.

    First stop: South Africa

    Mrs Would Possibly starts her travel to Africa in her united states of america’s largest buying and selling spouse at the continent, South Africa, the place she’s going to sit down with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    She Is Going To use a speech in Cape Town on Tuesday to lay out her plans to spouse with Africa using non-public sector trade and funding after the Uk leaves the eu.

    “the united kingdom has lengthy been a very powerful trading spouse for South Africa and definitely within the present economic climate, the place many South African companies are suffering, a lot of entrepreneurs are seeking to the uk to expand their reach,” Rachel Irvine, who runs a public relations and advertising company, informed the BBC.

    She has not too long ago elevated her trade, Irvine Companions, in London and sees important attainable in the top minister’s discuss with. However she says that it’s in the end about which u . s . provides the best deals.

    ‘We welcome both Mrs May and the Chinese Language, and prefer some other creating economic system we will do the business that suits us best.”

    The prime minister’s go back and forth comes every week ahead of the massive Discussion Board on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Dozens of African heads of state are expected there and China would possibly be offering new industry and finance deals.

    The summit comes after, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 2nd excursion of Africa whilst he visited Senegal, Rwanda, Mauritius and South Africa.

    Mrs May’s trip seems reasonably low key in comparison.

    Second prevent: Nigeria

    The British high minister may be set to meet Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, just four months when they held talks in London.

    Nigeria is Britain’s second largest buying and selling spouse in Africa, but must the country be so all for the uk?

    Tunji Andrews, an economist primarily based in Nigeria’s business hub Lagos, believes Nigeria must listen more on its relationship with the ecu Union.

    “the variety of demand of the european market makes it relatively extra horny.

    “i think it’s not possible not to have a look at the British market at this element, but I’m Going To additionally say that at the same time as Britain remains a viable trade spouse, it just does not dangle the similar worth to Africa as China and to a lesser volume, the u.s..”

    Nigeria’s top export to the uk is crude oil and its greatest import is refined oil, a structural inefficiency that ends up in regular fuel shortages because the populous West African nation lacks a correctly functioning refinery.

    Third stop: Kenya

    Mrs May concludes her maiden African shuttle in Kenya, becoming the first British top minister to go to the East African us of a in over 30 years.

    the rustic re-exports a few of its products to the eu thru the united kingdom and there are considerations that a hard Brexit might jeopardise that.

    Kenya’s industry cut up among the uk and the remaining of the eu “is almost 50-50 and the country may have to strike a fair take care of both the united kingdom and the european because it is dependent upon each markets to promote its tea, contemporary produce and different agricultural products,” says economist Tony Watima.

    Kenya provides more roses to the european Union than any other united states of america and is the world’s third greatest exporter of lower plant life.

    the country sends 17% of its flora sold within the EU to the uk. With 500,000 folks supported by means of the flower industry, in keeping with the Kenya Flower Council, each and every marketplace is critical.

    However with direct flights from Nairobi to Ny beginning in October, the rustic is also seeking to faucet into the bigger US market for its items.

    President Uhuru Kenyatta will meet Mrs Might in Nairobi on Thursday simply three days after discussing business with US President Donald Trump on the White House.

    Symbol copyright AFP Image caption Kenya will likely be prepared to keep its UK market for its roses, but other EUROPEAN nations also are necessary consumers

    Total, there may be a sense that Africa is being wooed from many sides.

    Mrs May’s commute to the continent is part of her challenge to create a “truly Global Britain”. She is going with the hope of offering a new partnership by which each the uk and Africa can receive advantages, however there are individuals who need the continent to power a difficult cut price.

    “Markets are global, why should Africa must pick out only one?” asks South African businesswoman Rachel Irvine.

    “it is therefore decidedly within the pastime of each events to play great with one another.”

  • Theresa Would Possibly to go to Africa for first time as prime minister

    Theresa May Image copyright PA

    Theresa May is preparing to go to Africa for the first time given that becoming top minister in 2016.

    Mrs Might will fly to South Africa on Tuesday ahead of vacationing to Nigeria and Kenya as a part of a business challenge geared toward boosting submit-Brexit fortunes.

    The top minister mentioned the go back and forth can be a “unique opportunity at a novel time for the uk”.

    She brought the uk desired to “deepen and toughen its global partnerships” as it prepared to go away the eu in 2019.

    Mrs May will probably be followed to the 3 countries – all of them Commonwealth countries – by means of a 29-strong business delegation.

    The PM’s diary

    Tuesday – Mrs Might will fly into Cape The City where she is going to meet kids, sooner than handing over a keynote speech on industry and the way UK private sector funding can also be brought into Africa.

    After a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, she is predicted to go to Robben Island, the place Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.

    Wednesday – Mrs Would Possibly intends to satisfy Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in the capital Abuja earlier than meeting victims of recent slavery in Lagos.

    Thursday – In Kenya, Mrs Might will meet president Uhuru Kenyatta sooner than traveling British troops and a business school. A state dinner hosted by Mr Kenyatta will conclude the commute.

    Mrs Might’s visit to Nairobi will mark the first through a UNITED KINGDOM high minister to Kenya since Margaret Thatcher in 1988.

    It is also the first to Sub-Saharan Africa via a British chief because David Cameron in 2013 for Mr Mandela’s memorial service.

    Mrs Would Possibly mentioned a “prosperous, growing and trading Africa” was once “in all of our interests”, adding the continent’s “fantastic potential will most effective be realised through a concerted partnership among governments, world establishments and business”.

    A Downing Side Road spokeswoman brought: “The PM will use the talk over with to announce further fortify to take on instability across the region, as a result of countries can not prosper without it.”

  • ‘Irresponsible’ company bosses face executive crackdown

    An empty BHS store in London Symbol copyright Getty Photographs Image caption BHS collapsed in 2017 with the loss of 11,000 jobs

    “Irresponsible” corporate directors who profit from their company’s failure even as employees and suppliers lose out face a contemporary crackdown below govt plans.

    Proposals include clawing again cash for employees and suppliers by way of reversing asset gross sales by struggling companies.

    And bosses who promote a company “figuring out it could fail” would be held liable.

    Ministers stated the cave in of companies akin to Carillion and BHS had sparked fears directors may just defend themselves from the have an effect on of insolvency.

    Ex-BHS owner Dominic Chappell fined £87,000

    Symbol copyright AFP Image caption More Than 1,000 Carillion workers have misplaced their jobs since the firm went into liquidation in January

    the federal government’s proposals include:

    ●New sanctions together with fines and disqualification for directors selling companies recklessly

    ●Beside The Point asset stripping might be reversed with the money given again to employees and small providers

    ●Directors dissolving corporations to ward off debts and keep away from dealing with accusations of misconduct could face research for the first time

    Mr Clark mentioned the federal government’s proposals would additionally supply the Insolvency Carrier new powers to analyze directors of dissolved firms.

    the federal government’s Insolvency Service currently disqualifies round 1,2 HUNDRED administrators a year.

    The plans will now be opened for session.

    Frank Box, chairman of the Paintings and Pensions Committee, said: “I welcome any transfer that holds folks more answerable for their behavior, and strengthens the hand of the little guy as a result.”

    However shadow business secretary Rebecca Lengthy-Bailey, stated the government had taken too long to act.

    “The failure of BHS and Carillion confirmed how temporarily the longer term of an organization and its team of workers can also be sacrificed for the sake of a quick dollar.

    “the government should have taken action then, in place of opting for to disregard alarm bell after alarm bell,” she mentioned.