Prince William visits UAE as Britain seeks to deepen ties
Prince William, second in line to the British throne, on Thursday, visited the United Arab Emirates at a time when the former British protectorate has faced an unprecedented, though mostly foiled, string of missile and drone attacks, Reuters reports. Kensington Palace said it is the Duke of Cambridge's first official visit to the UAE. Six of its emirates ceased being2022-02-11 05:02 | Europe & Russia, Middle East, News
How to Solve the Cost of Living Crisis? Pay Rises, Now!
Averages conceal the scale of the problem. No, Brexit isn’t to blame. There are other theories for this inflation spike. Free market economists claim that increased government spending, or the £550bn of new money created by Quantitative Easing (QE) since coronavirus erupted, are responsible for price rises. But neither of these explanations really work. Climate change is the real cause. The alternative is redistribution. Pay2021-11-19 12:11 | Articles, Opinion, climate change
EU eyes technology sovereignty with its European Chips Act
For the EU, gaining greater autonomy in chipmaking is now a key component of its digital strategy, to fight the semiconductor shortage blooming in 2021 The EU worries how its market share across the entire chip value chain has shrunk The law would basically help to link research, design and testing capacities; coordinate EU and national investments; and create a favorable climate2021-10-15 07:10 | Latest, Europe, European Union
UK overhauls privacy rules and moves away from Europe’s GDPR
Coming regulations will differ from Europe’s GDPR The government will pursue data partnerships with countries including Australia, South Korea andUS as part of a post-Brexit data regime That may lead to substantial changes to the UK’s data protection law Why the change of heart? Amazon slapped with biggest GDPR data privacy fine, ever So what happens when the UK stops mirroring Europe’s GDPR?2021-08-30 07:08 | Latest, Big Data, Compliance
Here are the Tory MPs who are paying taxpayer cash to the European Research Group
Adam HollowayAndrea JenkynsAndrew BridgenAndrew LewerAnne MorrisBernard JenkinBill CashBrendan Clarke-SmithChris GreenCraig MackinlayCrispin BluntDanny KrugerDavid JonesDehenna DavisonDesmond SwayneGreg SmithIain Duncan SmithJacob Rees-MoggJohn WhittingdaleJonathan GullisLaurence RobertsonLee AndersonMarco LonghiMark FrancoisMichael FabricantOwen PatersonPaul BristowPauline LathamRichard DraxRobert CourtsRobin MillarSarah DinesSheryll MurraySteve BakerTom Hunt Bim AfolamiMike B WoodSuella BravermanJonathan DjanoglyNadine DorriesJames DuddridgeCharlie ElphickeDavid GaukeMichael GoveJames GrayChris GraylingChris Heaton-HarrisGerald HowarthStewart JacksonSajid JavidAndrea LeadsomEdward LeighPeter LilleyTim LoughtonKit MalthouseStephen McPartlandNigel MillsPenny2021-08-24 10:08 | Brexit & Foreign Policy, Left Foot Forward, Brexit
Do British voters really live in “political bubbles”?
Voters in Britain are less likely to live in a political bubble than voters in America Pew Research (US, 2020) and Opinium Research (UK, Jul 2021) surveys on having friends of opposing political views Almost half of Labour voters would feel negatively about a family member or friend voting Conservative "How would you feel towards a friend or family member if2021-07-26 11:07 | News
How Brexit is already changing what we eat
What are the new Brexit trade rules? “Even cheese and onion crisps are affected because they contain cheese powder” How is Brexit affecting British businesses? How is Brexit impacting fishermen and farmers? “The Northern Ireland issue has got to be resolved, it’s just madness” “We’ve been selling a lot more caviar” Is Brexit making food prices more expensive? “The country has suddenly fallen in love with kale again” Will Brexit make2021-07-06 15:07 | News
Anne McLaughlin MP: The Tories are bringing their culture war into law
The Iraq War (over which Scotland had no choice)The obscenity of nuclear weapons conveniently stationed in Scotland (over which Scotland has no choice)The Scottish Fishing Industry, in danger of collapse because of Brexit, and the lack of preparation for the end of the transition deal (over which Scotland had no say – or no say that was listened to)The wonderful2021-05-20 10:05 | Left Foot Forward, Boris Johnson, Conservatives
Opposition MPs unite in anger after minister removes awkward Brexit questions from order paper
First and foremost, if it remains a key part of the stated mission of the Department for International Trade (DIT) to promote UK exports and investment overseas, it makes no sense for its Ministers to argue that their responsibility for that objective ceases to exist when applied to the 27 Member States of the European Union, with whom the UK2021-02-17 14:02 | Left Foot Forward
Democratising food after Brexit
The ending of the common agricultural policy and the increased awareness of the need to transform the UK's agricultural system to combat climate breakdown represents a window of opportunity. It could be the moment when this and future governments begin to take seriously questions of land and labour, and the way food is produced and consumed. - Outside in / Comment2021-02-12 10:02 | News
America: The Unreliable Superpower
Shutterstock The nightmare is over. The vanquished beast has crawled back to Mar-a-Lago to lick his wounds. The heroes are hard at work repairing the damage. As America returns to the international stage, the world heaves a collective sigh of relief. That, at least, is the story the incoming Biden administration is telling. “America is back, multilateralism is back, diplomacy is back,”2021-02-08 17:02 | Democracy & Governance, Redev, War & Peace
Is the UK heading toward a Brexit data disaster?
A Brexit deal was finally agreed, but how data will be transferred across the channel has yet to be agreed The UK is no longer within the realm of GDPR, the clock is now ticking on the UK becoming a ‘third country’ under EU rules This could be a disaster for UK tech companies and businesses dealing with EU citizen’s2021-01-06 11:01 | Latest, Big Data, Compliance
British lawmakers approve post-Brexit trade deal with EU
On the eve of the new year, British lawmakers finally agreed on a Brexit deal. Britain’s House of Commons voted resoundingly on Wednesday to approve a trade deal with the European Union , paving the way for an orderly break with the bloc that will finally complete the U.K.’s years-long Brexit journey.2020-12-30 15:12 | News
UK, Turkey to sign free trade deal this week
The new UK-Turkey trade deal, which will extend existing trading arrangements, is set to be signed on Tuesday. The UK said it will sign a free trade deal with Ankara this week after Brexit, just days after Turkey 's foreign ministry announced it was in the final stage of trade negotiations. The deal replicates existing trading arrangements, but2020-12-28 15:12 | News
EU and Britain seal post-Brexit trade deal
The 11th hour accord will go into effect on January 1. Britain and the European Union struck a post- Brexit trade deal on Thursday that they hope will cushion the economic blow of the UK's imminent departure from the bloc after months of tortuous negotiations.2020-12-24 16:12 | News
City AM – Where is sovereignty now, in post-Covid, post-Brexit Britain?
A year ago this would have been unthinkable. Now it has become par for the course. Today, around 34m people in England are living under Tier 3 restrictions. It is quite something that, despite securing prior votes on the onslaught of coronavirus legislation, MPs have no say at all on a host of related decisions, including the immersion of most of2020-12-17 15:12 | Blog, Opinion Pieces, 9/11
8 MPs who won awards for tackling discrimination, health inequality and poverty
Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion – Lifetime achievement award Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central – Award Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd and Group Leader of Plaid Cymru – Award Abena Oppong-Asare – Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead – Award Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Bosworth – Award Rt Hon Rishi Sunak2020-12-03 10:12 | Left Foot Forward, Brexit, coronavirus
Trump invites anti-immigrant campaigner Nigel Farage on campaign trail
The US president invited the Brexit Party founder on to the stage at a campaign rally in Arizona despite Covid-19 restrictions against the entry of British nationals. President Donald Trump enlisted the aid of a right-wing populist British politician on the campaign trail as he seeks support for his re- election bid. Introducing him as "one of the2020-10-29 12:10 | News
Ann Black: I’d promote unity, accountability and openess on Labour’s ruling body
Improve communication with members. Too often we are only told what we cannot do. We hear too little from the frontbench, not just about the complexities of Covid-19 and Brexit, but about the reasons for abstaining on the overseas operations bill and the covert human intelligence sources bill. Shadow ministers could easily engage with local meetings via Zoom. Develop positive2020-10-29 10:10 | Left Foot Forward, Labour
Will the government ever give back its emergency powers?
On Monday evening, MPs approved the Coronavirus Bill. The legislation will give sweeping powers to the UK government in a bid to restrict further spread of the virus and reduce deaths. The bill was passed despite concern about civil liberties and the legislation’s potential impact on society’s most vulnerable. Notably , the Bill would bring about2020-03-24 11:03 | Left Foot Forward, Bill, coronavirus
Post-Brexit Britain to be the “Largest and Most Destructive Tax Haven in the World”
After three and a half years of acrimony, Brexit has become a reality. One very small but extremely powerful grouping within British society is likely to be delighted that the independence they have long desired has finally been achieved; alongside … The post Post-Brexit Britain to be the “Largest and Most Destructive Tax Haven in the World”2020-02-17 23:02 | English, tax haven, United Kingdom
Expert: Independent Scotland would get ‘fast tracked’ EU membership
A leading academic has claimed that an independent Scotland would be moved into the “fast-track line” to join the European Union. James Ker-Lindsay, professor at the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science, told the Herald that Scotland would “almost certainly be moved to the fast track line.” He2020-02-17 15:02 | Brexit & Foreign Policy, Brexit, EU
Britain’s OFCOM Regulating Social Media: The Beginning of the End of Free Speech
Boris Johnson , like Trump, is a phony populist. His political stepping stone to the position of PM was Brexit. He is a British blue blood raised au pair in the bucolic English countryside. Johnson identifies as a “conservative” but … The post Britain’s OFCOM Regulating Social Media: The Beginning of the End of Free Speech2020-02-17 02:02 | English, free speech, social media
Turkey-UK defense cooperation 'to grow' after Brexit completed
The defense industry cooperation between Turkey and the United Kingdom will continue unaffected from Brexit, says businessman Osman Okyay, the head of Turkey-UK Business Council, adding that cooperation in the field can grow as the U.K. stand very interested to work with Turkey.2020-02-16 23:02 | Turkey
Even with Corbyn Gone, Antisemitism Threats Will Keep Destroying the UK Labour Party
If there is one issue that denotes the terminal decline of Labour as a force for change – desperately needed social, economic and environmental change – it is not Brexit. It is the constant furor over an “antisemitism crisis” supposedly plaguing the party for the past five years. The imminent departure of Jeremy Corbyn as leader will2020-02-14 18:02 | Articles, Commentary, antisemitism
Founding Fathers’ Worst Nightmare: How Israel Normalized Foreign Meddling in US Elections
In his 1787 farewell speech, George Washington warned, “… foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Washington’s compatriots were more specific. Later in the same year, John Adams wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson sharing his apprehension “of foreign Interference, Intrigue and Influence.” Adams posited that foreign meddling correlates with election cycles. “As often as2020-02-14 17:02 | Articles, Commentary, Bernie Sanders
These Tory ‘free port’ plans are just another handout to corporations and tax dodgers
The UK economy is stagnant. Wages are depressed, and the number of workers living in poverty has risen for third consecutive year. Some 14 million Brits are in poverty – more than one in five of the population, including four million children and two million pensioners. The government’s response is not to end wage freezes, control2020-02-14 15:02 | Left Foot Forward, Public Services, corporations
Prime Minister Johnson Upholds the Government’s ‘Revenge’ on Britain’s Judicial System
Since Boris Johnson ’s election in December with an 80-seat majority, the government is in full swing to radically change Britain. Leaving aside Brexit, which will do just that, the government is now attacking the very institutions that uphold civil … The post Prime Minister Johnson Upholds the Government’s ‘Revenge’ on Britain’s Judicial System appeared2020-02-14 15:02 | English, Boris Johnson, United Kingdom
The Labour Party and the NHS are in crisis. But they can save each other
The NHS was one of the defining issues of the general election. As a doctor, I see the impact political decisions have on our health service on a daily basis – so I was glad to see all parties scrutinised on their proposals. On the whole, Labour did well at holding the Conservative Party to account on2020-02-14 11:02 | Left Foot Forward, Public Services, general election
Ireland’s Election — and Brexit — Put Reunification Back on the Table
Shutterstock The victory by Ireland’s left-wing Sinn Fein Party in the Republic’s recent election has not only overturned some 90 years of domination by the island’s two center-right parties — it suddenly puts the issue of Irish reunification on the agenda. While the campaign was fought over bread and butter issues like housing, the collapsing health care2020-02-13 17:02 | Democracy & Governance, Labor, Trade, & Finance, War & Peace
Even with Corbyn Gone, Antisemitism Threats Will Keep Destroying the UK Labour Party
If there is one issue that denotes the terminal decline of Labour as a force for change – desperately needed social, economic and environmental change – it is not Brexit. It is the constant furore over an “antisemitism crisis” supposedly … The post Even with Corbyn Gone, Antisemitism Threats Will Keep Destroying the UK Labour Party2020-02-13 14:02 | English, antisemitism, Jeremy Corbyn
Even with Corbyn gone, antisemitism threats will keep destroying the UK Labour party
If there is one issue that denotes the terminal decline of Labour as a force for change – desperately needed social, economic and environmental change – it is not Brexit. It is the constant furore over an “antisemitism crisis” supposedly plaguing the party for the past five years. The imminent departure of Jeremy Corbyn as leader will not end the2020-02-13 14:02 | Opinion, antisemitism, IHRA antisemitism definition
Johnson’s Administration Has Just Dumped an Unexploded Time Bomb in Our Midst
The lies keep coming in a propaganda war to keep the Brexit delusion going but reality brings us the truth – and this is exemplified no better than the delivery by the Johnson government of an unexploded economic time bomb. … The post Johnson’s Administration Has Just Dumped an Unexploded Time Bomb in Our Midst appeared first2020-02-13 14:02 | English, Boris Johnson, Northern Ireland
Ben Bradshaw: What the Labour Party should learn from Exeter’s successful ground campaigns
A leaking and briefing war has broken out in Labour circles about ground campaigning. This is quite transparently part of a wider proxy battle between defenders of “community organising” and those who favour the more traditional canvassing and voter identification models of local campaigning. One of the most frustrating things about this circular debate is2020-02-13 10:02 | Left Foot Forward
Turkey, UK eye post-Brexit trade boom with agreements
Turkey will be one of post-Brexit Britain’s top destinations for a trade deal after the European Union and the U.S., but despite the strong bilateral desire to strike a trade pact, experts are cool on the prospects of it happening anytime soon.2020-02-12 14:02 | Economy
Diversify or die: Extinction Rebellion UK announce major shift in strategy
Extinction Rebellion UK has launched a new strategy, with a focus on becoming more diverse – while moving away from full-scale city shutdowns to more targeted actions. The newly launched strategy aims to ‘broaden our diversity’ and ‘stand alongside younger people and those from minority and marginalised communities’. XR has been criticised as being ‘too white’2020-02-12 13:02 | Green Politics, climate, green
Unions and environmentalits at odds on green case for HS2
After many false starts, the HS2 got what seems a final ‘green light’ today from Boris Johnson. The idea to build a high-speed railway line between London and Manchester and Leeds via Birmingham was originally thought up by Labour in 2009 but has been delayed because of mismanagement and cost overruns. As today’s reactions showed,2020-02-11 14:02 | Left Foot Forward
Post-Brexit inspections at Welsh ports will increase prices, cost taxpayers and cause traffic jams
The Welsh government has confirmed that, when the Brexit transition period finishes, new customs inspection posts will be needed at the Welsh ports of Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke. In a press briefing, the Welsh minister for international relations and the Welsh language Eluned Morgan said that Michael Gove had suggested today that goods imported from Ireland (and2020-02-11 12:02 | Left Foot Forward
Exclusive: Tory MP criticised for Chinese comments
Chinese Labour figures have accused a Tory MP of “lazy preconceptions” and “reductive stereotypes” about the British-Chinese community. The new MP for Bolton North-East Mark Logan was speaking at a Resolution Foundation event about aspiration in communities outside of London when he said : “When I was growing up in the rural areas of2020-02-11 11:02 | Left Foot Forward
German politics upended as Merkel’s heir apparent quits
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s heir apparent shook up German politics on Feb. 10 by declaring she would step down as the governing party’s leader and not run for chancellor, fueling uncertainty in the country seen as Europe’s anchor of stability amid Brexit and pressure from the far right.2020-02-11 08:02 | World
The Historic Triumph of the Irish Left
What follows is a conversation between Jacobin contributor Michael Taft and Greg Wilpert of The Real News Network. Read a transcript of their conversation below or watch the video at the bottom of the post. Greg Wilpert: It’s the Real News Network and I’m Greg Wolpert in Baltimore. Ireland is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections this2020-02-10 20:02 | brexit, fianna fail, fine gael
The Irish Left Scores a Historic Triumph
What follows is a conversation between Jacobin contributor Michael Taft and Greg Wilpert of The Real News Network. Read a transcript of their conversation below or watch the video at the bottom of the post. Greg Wilpert: It’s the Real News Network and I’m Greg Wolpert in Baltimore. Ireland is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections this2020-02-10 20:02 | brexit, fianna fail, fine gael
Menace on the Menu in Post-EU Britain
Environmentalist Dr Rosemary Mason has just written the report ‘ Bayer Crop Science rules Britain after Brexit – the public and the press are being poisoned by pesticides ’. It has been sent to editors of major media outlets in … The post Menace on the Menu in Post-EU Britain appeared first on2020-02-10 06:02 | English, brexit, European Union
The Bad Blood of Brexit Coursing Through Our Veins
Brexit is not just tearing the union apart, it is further souring an already strained relationship with both the European Union and with America. The economy has flatlined, inward investment has collapsed and the government are now so desperate that … The post The Bad Blood of Brexit Coursing Through Our Veins appeared first2020-02-10 06:02 | English, brexit, European Union
Ireland’s Two-Party System Shaken by Sinn Fein Surge
DUBLIN — Ireland’s elections are usually two-horse races. But this time there’s a third contender, as a party with historic links to the Irish Republican Army soars in the polls. As Irish voters prepare to choose a new parliament on Saturday, a restive electorate is rattling the two parties that have dominated the country’s politics since it won independence from2020-02-07 16:02 | brexit, celtic tiger economy, eu
Turkey, UK to hold talks on post-Brexit trade, Ankara Agreement valid for 2020: British ambassador
The Ankara Agreement and Customs Union with Turkey will continue during the Brexit transition period of 2020, and the two countries will work to sign a bilateral free trade agreement to be put into effect as of Jan. 1, 2021, British Ambassador to Ankara Sir Dominick Chilcott said on Feb. 7.2020-02-07 15:02 | Turkey
France cut its nuclear arsenal to under 300 warheads
President Emmanuel Macron announced that France already has cut in the atomic arsenal to under 300 warheads. “France has cut nuclear arsenal to under 300 warheads,” said Emmanuel Macron in an address to military officers graduating in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that European nations “cannot remain spectators” faced with a potential nuclear arms race, urging2020-02-07 10:02 | Maritime Security, France
Natalie Bennett: The UK must take the COP climate talks more seriously
Years of Brexit chaos have done great damage to the UK’s international reputation. First, David Cameron for narrow tactical reasons called a hasty, ill-informed referendum with more confidence than sense, suffering a great, and for him politically fatal, blow. Then the political establishment, after years of indecisive, uncertain positioning managed to deliver an election finalising2020-02-06 14:02 | Left Foot Forward, climate talks, COP