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We will updating various update on Brexit September 2019
The UK Parliament will be suspended Monday evening following a vote on a snap election. The queen has given "royal assent" to a law which aims to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Follow along for the latest from Parliament. Following a difficult week in parliament for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Monday is a key day for Brexit developments.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the party opposes a new election unless a no-deal Brexit on October 31 has been taken off the table. British lawmakers voted against Johnson's call to hold an early election.
Lord Fowler confirmed a bill aimed at blocking a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on 31 October has become law after the Queen gave final approval to the legislation.
Angela Merkel has highlighted the economic danger posed by Britain if it is allowed to become a Singapore-on-Thames as Boris Johnson’s Brexit envoy outlined a plan to ditch the UK’s commitments to stay aligned to the EU’s social and environmental standards.
In talks with European commission officials, the prime minister’s negotiator, David Frost, insisted that the UK is seeking a “clean break” from an array of the bloc’s regulations, a policy choice from the new British government that has caused alarm in other EU capitals.
Downing Street has announced Mr Johnson will travel to Luxembourg on Monday to hold talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and the country's prime minister Xavier Bettel.
Brexit Deal Means ‘£70bn Hit To UK By 2029'
Boris Johnson's Brexit deal will leave the UK £70bn worse off than if it had remained in the EU, a study by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) has found. It concluded that GDP would be 3.5% lower in 10 years' time under the deal.
Mr Johnson, who today marks this 100th day in office, previously claimed he would rather “be dead in a ditch” than extend Brexit beyond October 31, before requesting a fresh delay from the EU.
Despite the agreement between the EU and the UK removing uncertainty, customs and regulatory barriers would "hinder goods and services trade with the continent leaving all regions of the United Kingdom worse off than they would be if the UK stayed in the EU," NIESR said.
Earlier this month, Bank of England governor Mark Carney welcomed the new Brexit deal, saying it was a "net economic positive" as it "takes away the tail risk of a disorderly Brexit". However, the governor said that the "different" future relationship negotiated with the EU meant it "remains to be seen" if overall the deal would be as positive for the UK economy as the deal put forward by Mr Johnson's predecessor Mrs May.
BRUSSELS demanded the English language is banned in the EU after Brexit - before backtracking and claiming the statement was nothing more than a joke.
Johnson’s Brexit would devastate business – the CBI must be hoping that he’s lying
Simon Jenkins
Telling employers that a vote for him would ‘end uncertainty over Brexit’ and he would ‘set business free’ are pure fantasies
The biggest whopper is that a vote for him would “end uncertainty over Brexit”. It will not, it will prolong it. As long as Johnson pledges to withdraw Britain from Europe’s customs union and single market, the current commercial uncertainty will continue. Serious trade talks do not begin until next year, when according to Johnson either the UK will default to WTO tariffs or a new deal must be sought with the EU. The latter will be on EU terms, of long duration and infinite complexity. Uncertainty will be total.
UK Conservatives: No more preferential treatment for EU migrants after Brexit. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives said on Sunday (Nov 17) they would end preferential treatment for European Union migrants from January 2021 if they win an election next month.
The level of immigration and concerns over the pressure this puts on public services was a major driver behind the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU.
Brexit November 2019
Election Debate
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have clashed over Brexit in the first TV election debate of the campaign. Mr Johnson promised to "end this national misery" and said Labour offered "only division and deadlock".
Mr Corbyn said Labour would "get Brexit sorted by giving you, the people, the final say".
How Fast Could UK Get A Brexit Trade Deal With The EU
This is how an influential European diplomat responded when I put to him Boris Johnson's assertion that a trade deal with the EU could/would/should be completed by December next year.
In these times of distrust in the media, charged emotions over Brexit and in the lead-up to a general election, I appreciate that many readers dislike journalists referring to unnamed sources, such as this "influential diplomat".
But people speak to me on condition of anonymity. That's how I get good background information and - in the case of the Conservative Party's speedy trade deal pledge - I can assure you that this diplomat's response was one of the politer ones I've comes across, off the record, in EU circles.
Blair Claims That Brexit 'nightmare' May Not End
Former prime minister Tony Blair claims the Brexit "nightmare" will not be over if the Tories win the election and take the UK out of the EU on 31 January.
Visiting north east Wales, Mr Blair said people would be "shocked and angry" at how tough negotiations on the future trading relationship would be.
"I wish it were as simple as 'just do it', but it isn't," he said of Boris Johnson's vow to "get Brexit done".
"Anybody who's telling you that it is that simple is conning you."Speaking to BBC Wales, Mr Blair said: "I think the British people are being told… that if you vote Conservative on the 12th of December then the Brexit nightmare ends, and it obviously doesn't.
General election 2019: Labour calls Conservatives' 50,000 nurses pledge 'frankly deceitful'
Johnson says Tories will introduce 50,000 more nurses but shadow health secretary says sums don’t add up.Labour launches its £1bn 'arts for all' charter alongside actors, artists and musicians in east London
Boris Johnson promised a new vote on his Brexit deal by Christmas and a raft of funding pledges if the Conservatives win Britain's general election, as he launched the party's manifesto launch on Sunday.
EU risks splits over Brexit trade talks, says new council chief
The EU is ready for the next phase of Brexit but risks greater internal divisions over trade talks with the UK, one of its incoming leaders has said.In one of his first interviews since being nominated president of the European council, Charles Michel said Brexit may have played an important role in bringing the EU together.
General Election 2019
PM Pledges Help For Struggling Firms After Brexit
Boris Johnson has pledged to make it easier to help struggling UK companies after Brexit, if the Tories win the general election.
The PM said being free of EU rules on state aid would make it quicker to intervene, and bring in "buy British" guidelines for public bodies.
He added that an Australian-style immigration system would be in place in place by 1 January, 2021. But Labour criticised the Tories' past record of supporting industry. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the prime minister's promise on state aid rules "sticks in his throat".
Freedom of movement from the EU will be impossible to end after Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn claims
OPEN border immigration from the EU will be impossible to end after Brexit, Jeremy Corbyn claimed today.
The Labour leader also revealed he WILL vote in a second referendum despite his pledge to stay neutral, but suggested he won't tell the public which way he will cast his ballot.
Nicola Sturgeon ruthlessly savaged for pretending 'Scottish Brexiteers don't exist'
NICOLA STURGEON was attacked by an enraged Brexiteer who complained that the SNP party was “airbrushing” Scottish Brexiteers out of history.
An enraged Scottish voter took aim at the Scottish Party for pretending that Scottish Brexiteer’s don’t exist in the upcoming election. The voter spoke during a panel discussion on Brexit in North Berwick. With the upcoming election less than two weeks away, the SNP party has consistently insisted that Scotland did not vote for Brexit.
Ireland to LOSE ‘privileged access’ to Brexit deal talks
THE IRISH Government will lose “privileged access” to Brexit negotiations on talks on a future trade deal between the UK and EU get under way in what is a fresh blow to Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.
Ireland has been central in the three years of intense Brexit talks and meetings as it is the only European Union country which shares a significant land border with the UK. EU leaders have since been insistent a withdrawal agreement is not possible without the approval of the Irish Government, which has battled to avoid a hard border on the island. But this privileged access to top negotiators in Brussels, including Michel Barnier, will now be heavily impacted, according to the Irish Independent.
Brexit: ‘Limited’ time for Johnson to avoid no deal if he wins election, EU warns
EU leaders are set to issue an election result-day warning to Boris Johnson that he has only “limited” time to avoid a no-deal Brexit, leaked documents have revealed.The prime minister has refused to rule out the possibility of crashing out without a free trade agreement (FTA) in December 2020, abruptly halting a press conference on Wednesday when he was challenged on the issue
Nigel Farage faces grilling from Andrew Neil after four Brexit Party MEPs defect to Tories
Boris Johnson has promised to cut taxes in a “post-Brexit budget” within weeks of the UK leaving the EU. But the plan – based on an existing pledge to raise the threshold for national insurance contributions – was branded as “pure fantasy” and the PM accused of lying.
It comes as Conservative officials are said to be concerned about evidence of a narrowing poll lead over Labour. Appearing on This Morning, Mr Johnson likened Labour's leaked, NHS-related government trade documents to “UFO photos”.
Brussels DISTANCES itself from Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal
BRUSSELS has repeatedly distanced itself from Boris Johnson’s Brexit trade talks timetable in fresh signs Britain could opt for a no deal.
Despite the Prime Minister’s current deal passing its second reading in the House of Commons before the general election was triggered, the EU has hinted at a refusal to fast-track the Tory leader’s post-Brexit trade deal. A leaked document shows they plan to move “swiftly” to the next phase of the negotiating process after the major December 12 ballot. But that same document, obtained by The Guardian, makes reference to “making the best possible use of the limited time available” and was dropped from another version of the text.
Boris Johnson admits truth about ‘new’ NHS nurses and Brexit border checks, as Labour narrows Tory poll lead
Boris Johnson has admitted that under his revised Brexit withdrawal agreement there would be checks on goods passing between Northern Ireland and Britain, and conceded that the Conservatives’ pledge to employ 50,000 “new” nurses includes the retention of 19,000 existing nurses.
The prime minister appeared on Sky News on the final Sunday ahead of the general election, and refused to say if he would stand down if he fails to win a majority, potentially becoming one of the shortest-serving PMs in history.
The bill to hold a general election on 12 December has now received Royal Assent which means it is law.
It follows the confirmation of a Brexit delay until 31 January 2020 after the EU agreed to the UK's extension request.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously said the UK would leave by 31 October "do or die". He has agreed a deal with the EU but the bill implementing it has been put on hold. It will now not progress before the general election.
UK’s Johnson pushes his Brexit message as election nears
British PM finds his campaign overshadowed by controversy two days before national vote, but still edging ahead of Corbyn-led Labour
AP — With two days until Britain’s election, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s final push to drive home his key message about Brexit was overshadowed Tuesday by criticism of his ham-fisted response to the image of a sick child sleeping on a hospital floor and allegations that he exploited a terrorist knife attack for political gain.
The United Kingdom goes to the polls Thursday to decide the fate of vexatious, divisive, gridlocked Brexit. The vote — between the two major parties offering the starkest of choices — is set to shape Britain's sense of itself, its union, economy and relations not only with Europe but also the United States, for years to come.
There’s no escaping it. This snap election was called because Britain is broken over Brexit.
If Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Conservatives achieve a solid majority in Parliament, they will assuredly plow forward with Brexit. Dreams of a second referendum — of remaining in the E.U. — will be dashed. And by January, one of the dominant partners in the long, lucrative, peaceful, postwar order, manifested by Europe’s political and trade bloc, will go off on its own.
What will Boris Johnson's majority mean for Brexit
We will leave the EU in a few weeks. But it’s far from clear what kind of relationship with the bloc an emboldened PM will seek
Well it is truly remarkable. Not so much the result of the election, which is surprising enough. But, rather, the fact that following the “Brexit election”, one in which traditional party loyalties seem to have been stretched to breaking point by the leave-remain divide, we emerge not knowing what kind of Brexit the prime minister intends to deliver.
Conservative Party launches campaign
Boris Johnson has launched the Conservative Party's election campaign, saying his Brexit deal "delivers everything I campaigned for".
Surrounded by supporters holding signs with messages including "Get Brexit Done", he told activists he had "no choice" but to hold an election.
Parliament is "paralysed" and "blocked", he said in Birmingham.
He said once Brexit was done, a Tory government could get on with "better education" and "better infrastructure".
Earlier, the prime minister met the Queen at Buckingham Palace, marking the official start of the election period in the run-up to the 12 December poll.
Britain's Boris Johnson Sets Off On Post-Election Brexit Mission
Boris Johnson's simple promise to "get Brexit done" resonated in a snap election Thursday that became a re-run of Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum.
London, United Kingdom: Prime Minister Boris Johnson will unveil a new government Monday that wields a sweeping mandate to take Britain out of the European Union after years of acrimonious debate.
Boris Johnson's simple promise to "get Brexit done" resonated in a snap election Thursday that became a re-run of Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum.
A narrow majority had then opted to quit the European project. UK leaders have been arguing about how -- or even whether -- to cut ties with the other 27 nations in the bloc ever since.
Brexit bill to block further delay to transition
The government is to add a new clause to the Brexit bill to make it illegal for Parliament to extend the process beyond the end of next year.
The post-Brexit transition period - due to conclude in December 2020 - can currently be extended by mutual agreement for up to two years.
But an amended Withdrawal Agreement Bill the Commons is set to vote on this week would rule out any extension.
Critics say this raises the chance of leaving the EU without a trade deal.
Is a no-deal Brexit back on the table
The government intends to bring down a Brexit process guillotine at the end of December 2020. If we haven't agreed a trade deal by then, we are out anyway. The ghost of no-deal, it seems, will be haunting business in Christmas future.
The financial markets took fright and we saw the pound immediately give up all the gains it enjoyed since the Conservatives won a thumping majority last Friday.
European stocks stay cautious as Brexit fears return
European stocks were cautious on Wednesday as investors remained concerned over a hard Brexit.
The Stoxx 600 SXXP, +0.06% edged 0.1% higher, sitting below the record highs of Monday, while the German DAX DAX, -0.29% nudged 0.2% lower. The FTSE 100 UKX, +0.10% and French CAC PX1, +0.00% also climbed 0.1% but the domestically-focused FTSE MCX, -0.51% fell 0.6% as the returning prospect of a no-deal Brexit spooked investors.
The pound GBPUSD, -0.3122% slipped further to $1.3104, having reached $1.35 after last week’s election.
What’s moving the markets?
After Boris Johnson’s convincing election victory last week, the Prime Minister moved on Tuesday to block any further delays to Brexit by introducing a law banning an extension beyond December 31, 2020. With just over a year to negotiate a U.K.-EU trade deal, concerns over a hard Brexit returned.
Wall Street climbed to record highs late on Tuesday on relief over the interim U.S.-China trade deal announced last week, but European gains were held back on Wednesday by renewed Brexit fears.
CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson said: “As we head toward the middle of the last full trading week of 2019, investors appear to be adopting a much more safety-first approach, as the euphoria of a U.S.-China detente and a new Conservative majority government quickly fade.”
The closely-followed German Ifo survey showed the country’s business climate improved in December as German exporters were more positive amid easing U.S.-China trade tensions.
Which stocks are active?
Car manufacturers Fiat Chrysler FCA, +0.16% and Peugeot UG, +1.18% have reached an agreement over a $50 billion merger, the companies said on Wednesday. Each company’s shareholders will own 50% of the new entity. Peugeot’s stock rose 1.4% in early trading, while Fiat Chrysler remained flat.
Pearson PSON, +2.92% shares climbed 2.7% as the educational publisher said it would sell its remaining 25% stake in publisher Penguin Random House for $675 million. Chief Executive John Fallon will also retire in 2020, the company said.
U.K.-facing stocks tumbled on Wednesday, losing some of their gains after Johnson’s election win. The Conservative Party victory appeared to have ruled out a hard Brexit before the Prime Minister ramped up fears just days later. Royal Mail RMG, -2.68% fell 2.8%, house builder Persimmon PSN, -3.49% dropped 3.4% and challenger bank Virgin Money VMUK, -2.14% slipped 1.7%.
FCA urges advisers to prepare for Brexit plans
The regulator has called on advisers to “ensure they are prepared” for the UK’s departure from the EU in light of last week’s election result.The Conservative party gained a parliamentary majority of 80 in last Thursday’s general election.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had continuously promised to “get Brexit done” and, speaking outside Downing Street after the election, pledged to honour that promise by January 31.
The Financial Conduct Authority has been clear that it “takes no view on the substance” of Brexit, but in light of last week’s results, called on advisers to continue in their preparations for the UK’s departure from the EU.
An FCA spokesperson told FTAdviser: “Following the result of the general election, and pending further developments, financial advisers should continue to ensure they are prepared.”
The FCA has already struck a deal with EU regulators to ensure cross-border co-operation in the event of a no-deal Brexit, but earlier this year chief executive Andrew Bailey admitted the drawn-out process was beginning to drain the regulator’s resources.
Don Scott, technical director at compliance business TCC, urged advisers to revisit their plans for Brexit in light of the election result.
Mr Scott said: “While January 31, 2020 is a big deadline in the minds of many, the real crunch will come when the transition period ends a year from now, at the end of December 2020 – a date that the prime minister has repeatedly insisted will not be pushed back.
Brexit December
Queen to outline PM's Brexit and NHS agenda
The Queen is to set out the Conservative government's agenda for the year ahead following last week's decisive election win. Legislation to take the UK out of the EU on 31 January will be among more than 20 bills announced during Thursday's State Opening of Parliament. Other measures include guarantees on extra health service funding and longer sentences for violent criminals.
The Brits who won't Brexit
(Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a thumping election victory last week on a campaign to “get Brexit done,” but not before some wealthy donors to his Conservative Party quietly took steps to stay inside the European Union.Cyprus government documents seen by Reuters show that Conservative Party donors have sought citizenship of the island, an EU member state, since Britain voted to leave the bloc in 2016.
They include billionaire Alan Howard, one of Britain’s best-known hedge fund managers, and Jeremy Isaacs, the former head of Lehman Brothers for Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Cyprus’ interior ministry recommended that both men’s applications be approved, the government documents show.
The Conservative Party won another term in office last week after an election campaign that was dominated by Brexit. Johnson called the election to try to gain a majority in Parliament to push through his plan to take Britain out of the EU early next year.
Boris Johnson Plans 'Radical' U.K. Remake After Big Election Win
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out his agenda for government in what he described as the “most radical” program of law-making in a generation after last week’s “seismic” election victory.
Leading on his commitment to leave the European Union on Jan. 31, the legislative program, delivered by tradition in a speech to Parliament by Queen Elizabeth II, also includes campaign promises on spending on the National Health Service, infrastructure development and a review of the relationship between government and the courts.
One potentially controversial plan is to scrap the law that sets the date for general elections, due in 2024, to put power over timing of the next vote in the hands of the prime minister.
“Millions of people, many of them who have never voted Conservative before, put their faith in this government and voted overwhelmingly for us to move this country on and deliver change. We have no time to waste,” Johnson wrote in his introduction to the speech. “Our first task is to get Brexit done and we will leave the EU by the end of January.”
Johnson, who also promised action on immigration and tougher sentences for offenders, is seeking to act fast to cement the support of people in areas of Britain that have traditionally voted for the opposition Labour Party. His law-making program is loaded with the pledges he made to win support in those districts.
For the latest UK News update you can follow https://www.megri.co.uk/news.
MPs Vote By 358 To 234 To Pass The Withdrawal Agreement Bill
MPs vote for EU withdrawal agreement bill, which paves way for UK to leave EU in January
How did each MP vote on the Brexit deal
Brexit withdrawal bill: what’s new and what’s different
What happens after the Brexit bill is passed
Full story: parliament passes withdrawal agreement bill by 124 majority
Boris Johnson clinched his Brexit deal by calling the bluff of EU chiefs
BORIS Johnson passed his Brexit deal by calling the bluff of EU chiefs, it was revealed yesterday. The PM convinced them he would call an election with a No Deal departure in his manifesto – and win.
The secret ploy which helped Mr Johnson defy the odds was revealed after his deal was finally voted through by MPs on Friday
He delivered a clear message to chief Brussels negotiator Michel Barnier to convince him he meant business.
Tory MPs were despatched to “leak” details of his plan via back channels.
One was sent to talk to officials at the Dutch Embassy, knowing word would get back to Eurocrats.
Brexit On Fast-Track: On Passage Of Deal In Uk Parliament
With the passage of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal in British Parliament, it is now almost certain that the country would exit the European Union (EU) on or before the current deadline — January 31. Mr. Johnson became Prime Minister after his predecessor Theresa May’s repeated attempts to get lawmakers’ support for her Brexit deal failed. Mr. Johnson first reached a new agreement with the EU and then called fresh elections. With his party’s resounding win in the parliamentary election and a surge in the number of Brexiteers among Conservative lawmakers, the passage of the Bill in the House of Commons was a mere formality. The deal got the support of 358 lawmakers against 234. The agreement deals with issues such as citizens’ rights, the settlement amount the U.K. has agreed to pay the EU and an arrangement to avoid physical barriers between the Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K., and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member. The accord will be put on vote in the House of Commons once more, and then the upper chamber, the House of Lords, will vote on it. The formalities in the U.K. are expected to be over by early January and the deal will then go to the EU Parliament. Once the EU lawmakers ratify it (which is expected on January 29), the U.K. will formally exit the union.