Political news

• UK 'does not have capacity to strike new trade deals after Brexit'

  04-09-2017 23:30 via theguardian.com
  Opponents say government’s desire to draw up copycat deals to replace existing EU agreements amounts to ‘cut-and-paste Brexit’Senior government figures have said that the UK does not have the capacity to renegotiate dozens of trade deals that already exist between the EU and third countries. Instead, they are planning to draw up copycat deals to those that already exist, in an attempt to replicate an agreement struck by Theresa May in Japan last week. May and the Japanese prime
  
  Read more

• Shadow Defence, Transport, Housing Secretaries All Set To Be Squeezed Out Of Labour Conference Speeches

  04-09-2017 23:29
  
  Labour’s Shadow Defence, Housing and Transport Secretaries are set to miss out on annual conference speeches as the party devotes more time to rank and file members and debates, HuffPost UK has learned.
  A string of Shadow Cabinet ministers – including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland spokespeople – are not scheduled to make keynote addresses from the platform at the gathering in Brighton this month.
  Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith (pictured above), Shadow Housing Sec
  
  Read more

• NI power-sharing window 'closing rapidly' - Brokenshire

  04-09-2017 23:07 via bbc.co.uk
  James Brokenshire holds talks with the main parties in bid to end an eight-month political stalemate.
  
  Read more

• Will North Korea Or Donald Trump Start A Nuclear War? We Asked Four Experts

  04-09-2017 21:46
  
  Once again the threat of nuclear war has people asking some very serious questions.Are we doing nuclear armageddon or not?Need to plan out my week accordingly.— Concannon (@concannon) September 4, 2017
  We’ve been here before just a few weeks ago when President Trump threatened North Korea with “fire and fury, like the world has never seen” and was met with a promise to create “enveloping fire” around the US Pacific island territory of Guam.
  Since then things h
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Barnier: EU's Brexit negotiator seeks to clarify remarks

  04-09-2017 21:33 via bbc.co.uk
  EU official says it is not time to "teach lessons" but to "explain" benefits of EU to all its members.
  
  Read more

• V&A acquires Jeremy Corbyn bootleg T-shirt

  04-09-2017 21:05 via theguardian.com
  Bristol Street Wear shirt featuring Nike swoosh joins museum’s collection charting political influence on design trendsJeremy Corbyn has made it into fashion history after a T-shirt bearing his name and an altered Nike swoosh was acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum for one of its galleries.The museum, now run by Tristram Hunt, a former Labour MP and critic of Corbyn, will display the garment in its collection charting how moments of political and social change have a bearing on de
  
  Read more

• May to make 'important intervention' on Brexit, says Verhofstadt

  04-09-2017 20:52 via theguardian.com
  European parliament’s Brexit coordinator claims British PM will make speech later this month that could delay next round of talksThe European parliament’s Brexit coordinator has predicted that Theresa May will make an “important intervention” later this month and that the next round of divorce negotiations could be delayed as a result.Guy Verhofstadt’s comments come as expectation grows that the prime minister will make a speech on Brexit before the Tory party confe
  
  Read more

• The Guardian view on EU withdrawal bill: a cynical power-grab | Editorial

  04-09-2017 20:38 via theguardian.com
  MPs must thwart government plans to rewrite law behind parliament’s backThere was a time, before the UK voted to leave the European Union, before a referendum posing that question was even planned, when Tory Eurosceptics fixated on parliamentary sovereignty.They argued that the 1972 Communities Act subordinated UK statute to European law in ways that violated national autonomy. From that initial grievance flowed the long lament about “Brussels” as a hostile power, imposing alie
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Nurses could take industrial action if government refuses to lift pay cap, says RCN - Politics live

  04-09-2017 20:38 via theguardian.com
  Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenNo 10 lobby briefing - SummaryLunchtime summaryAfternoon summary 5.30pm BSTThe UK government has no interest at all in any kind of power grab. We want and expect more powers to be devolved to Wales after Brexit ... A lot of the [repeal] bill is about the practicality of life where we know that we will leave the European Union at the end of March 2019. There is a huge mass of legislation that needs to be passed to enable bus
  
  Read more

• Nurses could take industrial action if government refuses to lift pay cap, says RCN

  04-09-2017 20:38 via theguardian.com
  Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happenedNo 10 lobby briefing - SummaryLunchtime summaryAfternoon summary 5.30pm BSTThe UK government has no interest at all in any kind of power grab. We want and expect more powers to be devolved to Wales after Brexit ... A lot of the [repeal] bill is about the practicality of life where we know that we will leave the European Union at the end of March 2019. There is a huge mass of legislation that needs to be passed to enable b
  
  Read more

• Martin Rowson on a royal baby and North Korea – cartoon

  04-09-2017 20:32 via theguardian.com
  Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Hammond hints at new money for Northern Powerhouse

  04-09-2017 20:31
  Chancellor says initiative ‘top of agenda’ in autumn budget
  
  Read more

• Parliament – change the system, not just the building | Letters

  04-09-2017 20:17 via theguardian.com
  It’s not just the building that needs renovating, writes Les Bright, but our anachronistic second chamber. Plus letters from Allan Dare, Meghnad Desai, and David BurtonOK, the building is in a bit of a mess, but how could you produce a piece entitled “Ailing parliament needs a breath of fresh air” (Editorial, 4 September) without making reference to the electoral system and the anachronism of an unelected second chamber? Consideration of where parliament sits must include who s
  
  Read more

• Public sector pay cap: May 'recognises sacrifices of workers'

  04-09-2017 20:08 via theguardian.com
  PM’s spokeswoman fuels speculation cap could be lifted but Cabinet Office and Treasury disagree over details of proposalsWhitehall departments are at odds over plans to raise the public sector pay cap after No 10 offered a clear hint that it would be lifted.The Cabinet Office and the Treasury disagree over the details of proposals to relax restrictions covering the salaries of nurses, doctors, teachers, armed personnel and others, sources have said. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Westminster warns Ulster time is running out for power sharing

  04-09-2017 20:00
  Sinn Féin maintains that a deal on the executive could be struck within days
  
  Read more

• Northern Ireland warned time is running out for power sharing

  04-09-2017 20:00
  Westminster ready to impose budget as Sinn Féin claims deal is possible within days
  
  Read more

• London mayor seeks stamp duty revenues to boost housebuilding

  04-09-2017 19:48 via theguardian.com
  Sadiq Khan likens trying to tackle housing crisis without control over revenue to fighting with one hand tied behind his backThe mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged the chancellor, Philip Hammond, to hand over control of the capital’s booming stamp duty receipts to fund an urgent acceleration in the building of affordable homes.The Labour mayor described trying to tackle the housing crisis without access to the £3.4bn annual revenue from London home sales as like fighting with one
  
  Read more

• The generation gap is deep: here’s how we bridge it | Alex Smith

  04-09-2017 19:47 via theguardian.com
  Social divisions between young and old mirror financial ones. Ending age segregation is essential, and would remind us how much we share‘Generations at war”, “young ‘screwed’ by older generations”, the prospect of a “permanent” chasm that “could split Britain for good”. If you believe the headlines, Britain’s generational divide has never been wider.On housing, pensions, job security, education, how we vote, on the culture we cons
  
  Read more

• Britain’s divorce bill puts Brexit progress at risk

  04-09-2017 19:44
  The onus is on UK ministers to pave the way for financial compromise
  
  Read more

• Sarwar and Leonard confirm bids for Scottish Labour leadership

  04-09-2017 19:36 via theguardian.com
  Former deputy leader of party and ex-trade union organiser announce they will stand in election to replace Kezia Dugdale
  A former deputy leader of Labour in Scotland will go head to head with a former trade union organiser standing for the party’s pro-Jeremy Corbyn wing in the battle to take over the party following the resignation of Kezia Dugdale.Anas Sarwar confirmed he would stand against Richard Leonard in a contest that will be seen as a tussle between Labour’s moderates and le
  
  Read more

• Science paper sets out UK plan to remain in EU projects

  04-09-2017 19:24
  ‘Broad statement of enthusiasm’ for co-operation on research
  
  Read more

• Brexit sets Britain on a stable path of relative decline

  04-09-2017 19:22
  A proper crisis gives you a chance to notice the problem and attempt a fix
  
  Read more

• Brexit: Labour prepares first attempt to vote down EU withdrawal bill

  04-09-2017 19:14 via theguardian.com
  Guardian understands shadow cabinet will decide to whip MPs to vote against ‘great repeal bill’ at second readingLabour is preparing its first attempt to vote down Theresa May’s EU withdrawal bill in the next week over concerns that controversial Brexit legislation hands too much power to the executive.The party’s shadow cabinet will take a formal decision on Tuesday, but the Guardian understands the party is expected to whip its MPs to vote against the bill at second rea
  
  Read more

• Oxford head attacks 'tawdry politicians' on university pay

  04-09-2017 18:58 via bbc.co.uk
  University bosses' pay reflects a global marketplace and not higher fees, says Oxford head.
  
  Read more

• Philip Hammond pressed on rail plans during northern visit

  04-09-2017 18:49 via theguardian.com
  Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram urge chancellor to prioritise Crossrail for the North over Crossrail 2Philip Hammond has met regional leaders in the north of England as part of an attempt to prove that the government is committed to the so-called “northern powerhouse” project to close the north-south divide.But the chancellor was accused by some of those he met on his tour of failing to make any concrete promises. “In truth we didn’t see the colour of his money tod
  
  Read more

• Kenya’s supreme court has stood tall instead of ducking. It gives us hope | Daniel Wesangula

  04-09-2017 18:33 via theguardian.com
  The decision to call new elections is a win for democracy in a country dominated by flawed processes – and shows politics can be conducted in a better wayThree weeks ago Kenya’s polls body the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission declared Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the country’s fiercely contested nationwide elections. Kenyatta’s re-election as president was however contested by opposition leader Raila Odinga, with the results challenged in the country’
  
  Read more

• Student with Oxford University place wins battle to remain in UK

  04-09-2017 18:31 via theguardian.com
  Home Office had previously rejected Brian White’s application, leaving him unable to take up offer to study chemistryA student who faced losing his place at Oxford University because of uncertainty over his immigration status has won his battle to remain in Britain indefinitely.Brian White, 21, was abandoned as a baby and lived in an orphanage in Zimbabwe until he was six. He was fostered and later adopted by a British man, Peter White, and his family, who moved to Botswana and later retur
  
  Read more

• Northern Ireland secretary says window is closing on power-sharing

  04-09-2017 18:18 via theguardian.com
  James Brokenshire warns he could be forced to intervene if Stormont parties fail to reach deal to restore devolved governmentThe Northern Ireland secretary, James Brokenshire, has warned that the window is closing on a deal to restore power-sharing government in the region.The secretary of state said he could be forced to legislate and introduce a budget for the region if the political parties represented in the Stormont assembly failed to reach a compromise aimed at bringing back devolution to
  
  Read more

• Pro-Brexit MPs revive case for no deal with EU

  04-09-2017 18:07
  Eurosceptics seize on impasse in talks, arguing UK can thrive without exit deal
  
  Read more

• JK Rowling Delivers Lesson To Daily Mail’s Andrew Pierce On Kids Who Speak English As Foreign Language

  04-09-2017 18:01
  
  World famous author (and former English teacher) JK Rowling has delivered her own lesson to a Daily Mail columnist, who claimed schools are under a “strain” because of children who speak English as a foreign language.
  Pro-Brexit Andrew Pierce tweeted that 1.3 million children “do not speak English as a first language, underlining strain immigration puts on schools”.1.3 million children do not speak English as a first language underlining strain immigration puts on sc
  
  Read more

• HuffPost UK Joins Quest To Honour Hate Crime Heroes

  04-09-2017 17:53
  
  Those on the frontline in the fight against hate crime are to be honoured at an awards ceremony supported by HuffPost UK. 
  Nominations for the #No2H8 Crime awards, which aim to recognise those working to stamp out anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and other forms of hate, will close on Sunday, September 10. 
  Founded in 2016 with Faith Matters, the awards will see accolades handed to organisations and individuals, including Parliamentarians, journalists and local councils, who ha
  
  Read more

• My inner city pupils have high standards. These cuts will undo all their hard work | Rachel Seiffert

  04-09-2017 17:52 via theguardian.com
  Schools have proved in recent years that low income is no barrier to attainment. Parents and teachers must persuade the government not to reduce fundingAs writer in residence at an inner London primary school, I usually find the start of a new academic year puts a spring in my step. However, I recently became a governor of the federation my school works with – and the insight this has afforded me into education finances is deeply sobering. Related: Thousands of schools stand to lose out un
  
  Read more

• Jacob Rees-Mogg Takes On Anna Soubry For Spot On Key Brexit Committee

  04-09-2017 17:20
  
  Leading Remainer Anna Soubry and arch-Leaver Jacob Rees-Mogg are competing for places on a parliament committee set up to scrutinise Brexit.
  The two MPs are among 14 Tories vying for seats on the Exiting the EU Committee, chaired by Labour’s Hilary Benn.
  There are only 10 spaces available, meaning high profile MPs such as former Cabinet Minister John Whittingdale or Brexit campaigner Peter Bone could miss out.
  Tory MPs will vote on which of their colleagues are granted the slots, and enth
  
  Read more

• Carwyn Jones on Brexit: Some way to go before we can back repeal bill

  04-09-2017 16:58 via bbc.co.uk
  First minister met Theresa May's deputy Damian Green amid hopes of healing divisions over Europe.
  
  Read more

• Sayeeda Warsi Condemns Aung Sang Suu Kyi As Myanmar 'Campaign Of Genocide' Kills Hundreds

  04-09-2017 16:42
  
  A “campaign of genocide” is happening “on the watch” of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, Sayeed Warsi has warned. 
  Former Tory Party chairwoman Warsi also savaged the muted response of Boris Johnson to the unfolding crisis in Myanmar, telling him: “how we respond to such brutality defines our values”.  
  The persecution of the Rohinga Muslim minority has seen 400 killed and at least 87,000 refugees flee to neighbouring Bangladesh. 
  Acco
  
  Read more

• May and Hammond plan to end public sector pay cap

  04-09-2017 15:58
  Move would affect some state employees, such as nurses and new teachers
  
  Read more

• The Internet Has Been Enjoying Re-Watching The Portillo Moment

  04-09-2017 15:54
  
  The BBC’s much-anticipated re-run of the 1997 general election made the first day back at work after the summer holidays slightly more bearable for politics fans. 
  Footage of Labour’s landslide victory was replayed in real-time on BBC Parliament and followers got the chance to relive one of the key moments from the night on Monday afternoon.
  Stephen Twigg’s shock victory in Enfield South on a 17.5% swing seemed to be as gripping 20 years on as it was then, when the Labour
  
  Read more

• Theresa May’s moment to reshuffle her cabinet has come

  04-09-2017 15:38
  The British prime minister must show leadership and refresh a tired team
  
  Read more

• Brexit: Theresa May wants to intensify pace of talks

  04-09-2017 15:25 via bbc.co.uk
  Britain wants to speed up negotiations with the EU, Theresa May's spokeswoman says.
  
  Read more

• Brexit: Barnier says substantial work needed over Irish border

  04-09-2017 15:22 via bbc.co.uk
  Michel Barnier says "more substantial work" is required to preserve Irish cross-border co-operation after Brexit.
  
  Read more

• Oxford vice-chancellor attacks 'tawdry politicians' in university pay row

  04-09-2017 15:18 via theguardian.com
  Louise Richardson accuses MPs and media of undermining sector and says tuition fees not being used to bolster senior salariesSome members of a “mendacious media”, along with “tawdry politicians”, are resolved to undermine the higher education sector with claims that increased tuition fees have been used to inflate the pay packets of senior academics, the vice-chancellor of Oxford University has said.Related: University vice-chancellors are paid too much, says Lord AdonisC
  
  Read more

• Anti-Brexit Tory MEP Charles Tannock Says 'I'm Ashamed To Be British' As He Takes Irish Citizenship

  04-09-2017 15:09
  
  An anti-Brexit Tory politician has declared he is “ashamed to be British” after successfully applying for an Irish passport.
  Charles Tannock, Conservative MEP for London, said that he was a “pretty angry pro-European Tory” and a “passionate remainer”.
  With a Dublin-born grandmother, Tannock applied for the passport in the wake of the EU referendum result and has now revealed to the Irish Times that he has been granted one.
  Under Irish law anyone who has a gra
  
  Read more

• Three ways UK parliament can take back control

  04-09-2017 14:51
  MPs have an opportunity to shape Brexit when debate begins on EU withdrawal bill
  
  Read more

• Jacob Rees-Mogg laughs off leadership talk

  04-09-2017 14:49 via bbc.co.uk
  Jacob Rees-Mogg says he was "astonished" about talk linking him with the Conservative leadership.
  
  Read more

• Half Of Tory Members Want Theresa May Gone Before The Next Election, Survey Reveals

  04-09-2017 14:31
  
  More than half of Tory members want to see Theresa May stand down before the next election, a new survey has revealed.
  Research by the Conservative Home website shows 52% of party members want to see the Prime Minister gone by 2022.
  May vowed last week to lead the Tories into the next election – a comment which prompted a mixed response from colleagues given the disastrous outcome of the June vote.
  Conservative Home editor Paul Goodman – a Tory MP from 2001 to 2010 – said her
  
  Read more

• Public Sector 1% Pay Cap 'To Be Lifted' In The Budget, As No.10 Refuses To Deny Reports

  04-09-2017 14:22
  
  Millions of public sector workers may finally get a real terms pay rise after No.10 refused to deny reports that the seven-year wage freeze would end.
  The Prime Minister’s spokeswoman said that Theresa May and the Government “recognise the sacrifice” that nurses, teachers and others had made while the 1% cap had been imposed.
  A string of ministers this summer claimed they were “not deaf” to public concern over the issue displayed in the general election, with many
  
  Read more

• McDonald’s workers rally outside parliament amid first UK strike

  04-09-2017 14:20 via theguardian.com
  Staff from two branches of restaurant walk out over company’s use of zero-hour contracts and lack of union recognitionUp to 200 people rallied outside the Houses of Parliament in London to protest against poor pay and conditions at McDonald’s as workers at the restaurant staged their first UK strike.Employees, union workers and members of parliament, including the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, gathered on College Green as part of an international day of action on Monday.Continue
  
  Read more

• UK universities head hits back at claims the sector is in crisis

  04-09-2017 14:14
  Janet Beer shrugs off complaints over student loans and soaring vice-chancellor pay
  
  Read more

• Angry pro-EU Tory MEP obtains Irish passport in Brexit protest

  04-09-2017 13:59 via theguardian.com
  Charles Tannock says he is ‘ashamed to be British in many ways’ and criticises his party’s ‘arrogance, hubris, petty nationalism and triumphalism’A pro-EU Tory politician has secured an Irish passport over his disgust about Brexit, saying he is “ashamed to be British in many ways”.
  Conservative MEP Charles Tannock has confirmed he obtained the Irish passport because his grandmother was born in Dublin. Continue reading...
  
  Read more

• Jacob Rees-Mogg Claims He Has No Ambition To Become A Government Minister

  04-09-2017 13:44
  
  Does @Jacob_Rees_Mogg want a ministerial job?#bbcdp pic.twitter.com/slIB030LWM— Daily&SundayPolitics (@daily_politics) September 4, 2017
  Jacob Rees-Mogg has dodged questions over whether he would agree to serve as a minister in Theresa May’s government, following rumours he could be in line for a promotion.
  The North East Somerset MP, who emerged as surprise frontrunner to take over as Tory leader when May steps down, said his chances of becoming a minister were “remarkabl
  
  Read more

Follow @political_UKnws on Twitter!