Brexit deal done: Rishi Sunak signs breakthrough agreement with EU over Northern Ireland protocol February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak has signed a breakthrough deal with the European Union over post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland and will now seek to win the backing of unionists and Tory Eurosceptics. The Prime Minister and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen finalised the long-awaited agreement to ease the trading issues created by the Northern Ireland [...]
‘Constitutionally unwise’: King Charles warned about tea with EU’s von der Leyen over Brexit deal February 27, 2023 The King’s “constitutionally unwise” meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has angered unionists as Rishi Sunak seeks their support over the new post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland. Leading Conservative Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said it was wrong to involve Charles in the “immediate political controversy” on the day the Prime Minister will sign a [...]
Brexit breakthrough? Sunak meets EU’s von der Leyen for ‘final talks’ as Rees-Mogg threatens revolt February 27, 2023 Rishi Sunak and Ursula von der Leyen are set to sign off on a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland as Conservative Eurosceptics warn the “devil is in the detail”. The Prime Minister and the European Commission President will hold “final talks” in Windsor, Berkshire, on Monday in what is expected to produce a breakthrough. [...]
Sunak faces criticism over plans for European Union chief to ‘meet the King’ February 25, 2023 The Prime Minister’s political judgement has been criticised after a meeting between the King and the leader of the European Union was cancelled. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had been expected to travel to Britain on Saturday amid speculation a deal to fix issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol is near. The German [...]
Sunak to press on with Brexit deal talks as EU leader’s visit cancelled February 25, 2023 The Prime Minister will keep working towards securing a post-Brexit deal after plans for an in-person meeting with the European Commission president was called off.
UK defence budget needs £3bn boost for ‘broken’ armed forces, top general warns February 19, 2023 A top general has warned Britain’s armed forces are “at their most broken since the Cold War” and need a £3bn boost to ramp up the UK’s military capabilities. General Sir Richard Barrons has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to fund the replacement of weapons and tanks given to Ukraine in the budget next month. Barrons, [...]
Explainer: A solution – finally – in sight for the Northern Ireland protocol February 17, 2023 After countless back and forth and failed negotiations attempts on the Northern Ireland protocol, Rishi Sunak is in Belfast today to present the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) with a deal. If they accept it, we might have a solution by early next week. In the meantime, foreign secretary James Cleverly is in Brussels for meetings [...]
Analysis: A wind brewing over energy subsidies January 26, 2023 Windfall taxes, state aid rules, subsidies in the US. Comment and Features editor Sascha O’Sullivan looks at the brewing storm over incentives for climate firms in the UK – and holding onto the ones we have. Of all the arguments during Brexit, state aid was hardly the one to get the most airtime. But it’s [...]
Almost no one is happy with Brexit, but stronger EU ties will be in inches not miles January 24, 2023 A Swiss-style relationship with the EU post-Brexit is not on the table. The government must find a smart way forward focusing on the key areas where strong cooperation is most needed, writes Joel Reland
Why exactly is Keir Starmer in Davos today? January 19, 2023 As part of the new business-friendly dawn of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer and shadow Chancellor Racheel Reeves are in Davos today. It’s the last in a string of strategic moves to charm businesses and convince them that Labour is serious about what it wants to achieve with the help of the private sector. And [...]