Theresa May unable to guarantee no hard Irish border in case of ‘no deal’ Brexit September 30, 2018 Theresa May today was unable to promise there would be no hard border with Ireland if the Brexit talks break down, instead repeating the UK would do “everything it can” to avoid customs checks. Speaking just hours before the Conservative Party conference is due to start in Birmingham, the Prime Minister launched a defence of [...]
Toyota warns production could grind to a halt in the case of a no-deal Brexit September 29, 2018 Car manufacturer Toyota has warned that a "no-deal" Brexit could force it to stop production at one of its key UK plants. The firm is one of the biggest car makers in the UK, and relies on components from the EU to make its vehicles. But today it has raised concerns that a "no-deal" Brexit [...]
Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier puts himself out of contention for EU presidency September 28, 2018 The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has put himself out of the running to become the centre-right's candidate to replace departing Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. Barnier's announcement ends a protracted period of speculation suggesting that he would throw his hat into the ring for the role of Spitzenkandidat in the [...]
Numis hiring spree to hit full-year profits September 28, 2018 Numis shares plunged this morning after the financial services firm said profits would be hit by a recent hiring spree at the company. Its share price dropped six per cent on Friday morning after it said full-year profits would be lower due to "investment in talented individuals across the business". The stockbroker said headcount [...]
Tips for Theresa May: Speak up, don’t cough, and try to keep the writing on the wall September 28, 2018 It says something about how low the bar has dropped for your speech if your primary aim is to ensure that the letters on the sign behind the stage don’t start falling to the floor as you talk about building a strong economy. Factor in a robust set, some industrial-strength cough sweets, and make sure [...]
Expectations have been set too low – let’s go for the free trade deal Britain deserves September 28, 2018 The Brexit debate has soured on both sides of the aisle. Remainers are hunkering down in their calls for a second referendum, while Leavers – who were not so long ago standing side-by-side to push the vote over the line in their favour – are now subject to infighting over the specific deal that [...]
Watch out, Tories – Labour has got its anti-capitalist mojo back September 28, 2018 I started my week in Liverpool. It’s a great city. It’s got soul. It’s got a clear identity. And it’s clearly on the up. In the past week, all those words could apply to the main opposition party that just might be capturing the zeitgeist of middle Britain. Rubbing alongside those delegates partying by [...]
Editor’s Notes: The Tories face a huge challenge, but they must take the fight to Corbyn September 28, 2018 Having observed the Labour party conference from a safe distance I’ll be travelling to Birmingham on Sunday to soak up the atmosphere at the annual Tory gathering. My first port of call will be speaking at a dinner hosted by City comms firm Cicero, where I shall sing for my supper and offer a [...]
British Airways and Easyjet among airlines ‘most exposed to a no-deal Brexit’ September 27, 2018 British Airways and Easyjet are among the airlines that are particularly vulnerable to a "no-deal" Brexit, financial services firm Moody's has warned. The possibility of a no-deal Brexit, in which the UK would crash out of the EU on terms set by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has been ramping up in recent months, as [...]
Book review: Gina Miller fails to Rise to the occasion in her debut memoir September 27, 2018 The case of Gina Miller is a peculiar one. Few political outsiders burst onto the scene so quickly and with such force as this former City investment manager, who has whipped up anger and hope alike since entering the boxing ring of Brexit. As its title suggests, Rise is a book in which Miller [...]