Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
Despite what many Leave campaigners promised during the referendum campaign, Theresa May wants to take Britain out of not just the EU, but also the single European market, the customs union and the various European technical agencies. This approach is particularly dangerous for Yorkshire.
Looking at the brochure on Brexit produced by the British Beer and Pub Association, I am struck by some of their key demands.
Visiting several businesses in Grimsby last week to talk with senior managers and employees in the ports, fisheries and seafood processing industries, I was struck by one thing. Business does not like uncertainty. And Brexit makes for very uncertain times.
We go into this general election with the government claiming we have passed the point of no return, in that a notification under Article 50 of Britain’s intention to leave the EU cannot be reversed. They’re wrong. Britain still has the right to change its mind. For a start, there is a clue in the […]
Theresa May has sprung an early election, breaking her earlier pledges not to, for three reasons: She knows the Brexit negotiations will very quickly cause her problems, as the unpalatable choices she has to make will alienate many voters and elements in her party – better to have the election before that begins to bite! […]
Today the 73% of the European Parliament agreed a resolution in response to article 50 being triggered. It is Labour’s responsibility to hold Theresa May’s government to account for their promise secure “exactly the same benefits”.
Writing for Left Foot Forward, I argue for Labour must continue to fight the Tory’s hard Brexit over the coming weeks and months.
My article pointing out the ‘Fox paradox’ has been published in Parliament Magazine.
Theresa May talks of strengthening the Union and not returning to the borders of the past in Ireland. But in reality her actions only serve to undermine the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Writing for Labour List on the eve of the triggering of article 50, I argue for the red lines that Labour should insist on.
On 25th March I spoke to thousands of protesters in Parliament Square about why should keep fighting this government on Brexit.
Higher education is one of the sectors of the British economy that will be most clearly and negatively affected by Theresa May’s blind pursuit of a hard Brexit.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Associated British Ports (ABP) and Siemens in the Port of Hull. These two companies provide thousands of jobs for the city of Hull and the wider Yorkshire & Humber region, as well as being key sponsors of the Hull City of Culture 2017.
Labour List published my response to the passing of the unamended Brexit bill through parliament on Monday evening. What should Labour do now?
Politicians have to understand the public’s concerns about immigration and take action on this. But leaving the European single market primarily because of its provisions on freedom of movement would have a major economic cost, while at the same time changing very little, if anything, in terms of the UK’s ability to control migration. But there is a way to square the circle…
As we celebrate women’s history month it is important not just to look at the past achievements, but to look ahead and see how we can ensure we continue the fight for equality.
The EU’s role has been important.
On Saturday I spoke to a crowd of over 1,000 people who were protesting agains the tory hard Brexit which they did not vote for. This is a summary of my speech.
Find out about Labour’s achievements in Europe
That Theresa May should come down on the side of the hard Brexiteers should not be a surprise. As a long serving Home Secretary, she must take much of the blame for setting – and failing to keep – a target of reducing net immigration to Britain to tens of thousands a year.
Fabian Review has launched a regular series of pieces looking at the view from Brussels on Brexit from the UK and EU politicians playing key roles in the negotiations, to which I will be regularly contributing.
To start the series, I explain what the EU is planning while it waits for Britain to fire the Brexit starting pistol.
Theresa May’s statement that we won’t be trying to stay in bits of the EU means that, in principle, we shall also be leaving more than 40 EU agencies (including some located in Britain) which perform tasks on behalf of all member states, including us, over a wide range of policy areas.
I had the great pleasure to attend a superb performance of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band on Saturday – and of being reminded of the significance of the deep-rooted Brass Band tradition. I had the honour of meeting conductor Ian Shires and star cornetist Roger Webster. Brass bands are about music – but more than music. Many are […]
Read more about why European Parliament voted for the agreement.
The government’s determination to push the European Union (Notice of Withdrawal) Bill through the Commons with such limited time for debate to consider the many implications of such a momentous decision, is a serious affront to the parliamentary sovereignty that they claimed to hold dear.
