Political news

• RBS seeks German banking licence as Brexit deadline nears

  23-12-2018 23:00 via ft.com
  Bank wants to maintain access to European markets with regional payments hub in Frankfurt
  
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• JK Rowling mocks 'Saint Jeremy' Corbyn's Brexit stance

  23-12-2018 20:38
  Harry Potter author uses 16-post ‘festive thread’ on Twitter to criticise Labour leaderJK Rowling, a longtime critic of Jeremy Corbyn, has mocked the Labour leader’s position on Brexit in sixteen biblical-style tweets.In a series of tweets entitled “The visitation of the Corbynites: a festive thread”, the Harry Potter author claimed the possibility of “Saint Jeremy” bringing a jobs-first Brexit was “bollocks” and described Corbyn as “in
  
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• Political figures celebrate Paddy Ashdown's energy, bravery and humour

  23-12-2018 20:02
  Praise for politician who transformed Liberal Democrats and oversaw peace in the BalkansTributes have poured in from across the political world and beyond for the former Liberal Democrat leader and ex-marine, Paddy Ashdown, who died on Friday night, aged 77, only two months after he revealed he was being treated for bladder cancer.Ashdown will be best remembered for transforming the Liberal Democrats into an effective third party – gaining their best ever result at the 1997 election &ndash
  
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• Brian Adcock on Theresa May’s Brexit non-delivery – cartoon

  23-12-2018 19:57
  Continue reading...
  
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• The Guardian view on Labour’s Brexit: damage limitation not an opportunity | Editorial

  23-12-2018 19:23
  The opposition’s Brexit strategy has been smart politically. But it would not survive an impact with realityFormer Tory chancellor George Osborne and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn agree on few things – but both believe the odds of a general election in 2019 are shortening. This is because the prime minister’s Brexit deal looks unlikely to get through the Commons, despite being talked up by ministers. That leaves three options for MPs: to leave the European Union without a withdra
  
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• ‘He put Bosnia back together’: Ashdown’s efforts in country hailed

  23-12-2018 17:53 via ft.com
  The former international high representative is remembered for his achievements and his humility
  
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• May cuts cabinet break short to rally Brexit deal support

  23-12-2018 17:39 via ft.com
  Tory officials confident of winning war of attrition for approval of terms
  
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• He was 'simply Paddy' to us

  23-12-2018 17:24 via bbc.co.uk
  Villagers in Somerset pay tribute to Lord Paddy Ashdown who died on Saturday after a short illness.
  
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• Drug firms preparing for no-deal Brexit told to sign 'gagging orders'

  23-12-2018 15:38
  More than 60 non-disclosure agreements in force across Whitehall as part of planningPharmaceutical organisations working with Whitehall to maintain medicine supplies in the event of a no-deal Brexit have signed 26 “gagging orders” that bar them from revealing information to the public.Figures show that 16 drug companies and 10 trade associations have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which prevent them from revealing any information related to contingency plans draw
  
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• Labour owes it to its supporters to become the party of remain | Zoe Williams

  23-12-2018 15:20
  Jeremy Corbyn is facing a furious backlash over his latest comments on Brexit. But there is another wayTo come out for remain now would be a natural move for Labour. It is the manifest will of its members; it is the overwhelming preference of young people (80%), who also by wild coincidence – or is it? – favour Jeremy Corbyn. It is the ardent desire of environmentalists, feminists and most trade unionists. Brexit is a Tory shambles; it has capsized all other government business. The
  
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• Crisis of modern liberalism is down to market forces

  23-12-2018 15:13 via ft.com
  Liberals are often led astray by their addiction to macroeconomic variables such as GDP
  
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• Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77

  23-12-2018 13:23 via bbc.co.uk
  Leading political figures pay tribute to Lord Ashdown, who has died following a short illness.
  
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• Pay nurseries directly for childcare, MPs urge ministers

  23-12-2018 11:21 via ft.com
  System under universal credit a barrier to parents working, report finds
  
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• For the UK homeless this Christmas will be cruel

  23-12-2018 11:00 via ft.com
  Shocking numbers of people are finding themselves without a roof over their heads
  
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• Gatwick drone: Labour calls for independent inquiry

  23-12-2018 10:25 via bbc.co.uk
  The opposition wants to find out "how this was allowed to happen" after days of disruption at the airport.
  
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• Police probe far-right ‘yellow vest’ group that intimidated Anna Soubry

  23-12-2018 09:00
  Met officers believe men who accosted MP outside parliament committed public order offencePolice are investigating a group of far-right members of the UK’s embryonic “yellow-vest” movement who accosted the Conservative MP Anna Soubry outside parliament and called her a traitor, the Observer can reveal.Senior Met officers have studied the group’s own video, which shows them harassing the pro-Remain MP, and believe a public order offence may have been committed. Continue re
  
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• The baubles of Christmas present - cartoon

  23-12-2018 07:00
  Chris Riddell on a year not to be proud of Continue reading...
  
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• Visa outsourcer leaves applicants risking deportation

  23-12-2018 06:01 via ft.com
  Home Office pilot scheme may face legal challenge from immigration lawyers
  
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• London bucks trend of declining church congregations

  23-12-2018 06:01 via ft.com
  Diocese constructs some churches for the first time in 40 years as flocks increase
  
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• UK space industry aims to chart post-Brexit course

  23-12-2018 06:00 via ft.com
  Airbus is one company that has lost out on tenders as concerns rise over leaving EU
  
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• ‘She was unrecognisable’ – families warn of antipsychotic drug effects

  23-12-2018 02:16
  Coroners urge health secretary to ensure that clozapine, linked to two deaths, does not claim more livesThe health secretary is under pressure to respond to growing concerns about the use of a controversial antipsychotic drug linked to deaths of psychiatric patients. Following claims by family members that two people died after being prescribed clozapine, coroners have written to Matt Hancock asking how he intends to ensure the drug does not claim more lives.Julia MacPherson, 54, died while unde
  
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• Does the EU need us more than we need them?

  23-12-2018 01:09 via bbc.co.uk
  Examining the truth in the line the EU needs our customer more than we need theirs.
  
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• Get in debt or turn down job? Universal Credit's 'stark choice'

  23-12-2018 01:01 via bbc.co.uk
  The way childcare is funded under Universal Credit prevents parents working and leads to debt, MPs warn.
  
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• Paddy Ashdown: a tribute

  23-12-2018 00:55 via ft.com
  The former leader of the Liberal Democrats will be sorely missed for his enthusiasm and experience
  
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• Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77

  23-12-2018 00:42 via bbc.co.uk
  Leading political figures pay tribute to Lord Ashdown, who has died following a short illness.
  
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