Why the Tories are terrified of releasing the Brexit impact papers
The Conservatives know the scale of the disaster Brexit poses – and they want to keep voters in the dark, I argue in my most recent argue for Left Foot Forward.
Richard
Author Archives
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No Brexit problem at Irish border, IF you have…
It is possible to have an “invisible border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic but it isn’t straightforward.
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As Labour’s MEPs leader in Europe, I hope to help my party in the Brexit debate
In my first article as Leader of Labour MEP’s, I have written for Labour List about how we can help the party and the public understand the issues facing the country as the Brexit debate intensifies.
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Is 29th March 2019 the date we leave the EU?
The date of 29 March 2019 is never far from the lips of government ministers. As the two-year period for negotiating our departure from the European Union runs down, that day is heralded by leading Brexiters as one of the few certainties left in this chaotic Brexit process. But, as is often the case, reality is far less straightforward
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I have been elected leader of Labour MEPs
I am greatly honoured to have been elected Leader of the Labour Members of the European Parliament today by a vote of my peers.
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Speaking on European Council’s ‘insufficient progress’ decision
I spoke to parliament about the European Council’s decision that insufficient progress has been made on Brexit negotiations, as expected, and of the divisions within the Tory party causing this.
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Bespoke deals? Get out of your silo!
Besides collectively asking for a Brexit transition period, industries are also looking at what comes after it. But each industry is looking at its own interests and they are not yet acting together, despite their interests being rather similar. Essentially, they all want the status quo for their sector.
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Latest Article in The New Statesman
The New Statesman has published my latest article ‘Brexiteers are not being honest about negotiations because they are panicking’
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Why May can’t settle on the money
The so-called Brexit bill – in fact a calculation to be made of the UK’s share of projects that we have already agreed to – is something that Theresa May cannot settle because of a deliberate strategy of the hard line Brexiteers on the right wing of her party.
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Brexit and Pharmaceuticals: Access to Medicine
A sector that doesn’t raise its voice in public (for fear of annoying ministers) but which is very worried about the consequences of Brexit, is the pharmaceutical industry. This is yet another industry which, behind the scenes, is asking for a “bespoke” agreement for its sector with a “deep and comprehensive” trade agreement and even a pharmaceutical protocol.
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No Deal? Nonsense
The idea that, in order to strengthen its position in the Brexit negotiations, Britain must show that it is prepared to walk away without a deal, is a load of nonsense.
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Tory MEPs sacked for stating the obvious
The Conservatives have removed the whip from two of their MEPs, Richard Ashworth and Julie Girling, for voting in favour of a non-binding European Parliament resolution which noted that “sufficient progress has not yet been made” in the Brexit talks.
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MEPs vote that ‘sufficient progress’ has not been made on Brexit talks
MEPs today voted, rightly in my view, that there has not yet been ‘sufficient progress’ in the Brexit negotiations. As Acting Leader of the EPLP, I have issued this statement and here is my speech in the parliament’s debate:
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Brexit and Transport: Going nowhere fast
Officials in the transport sector – the people who keep the British economy moving by road, rail, sea and air – are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of attention paid to some vital practical implications of Brexit, as negotiations between the UK and the EU stall.
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A Brexit that works for Britain?
The reason why there is so much confusion and chaos about what Britain should aim for in the Brexit negotiations is simple. Neither of the two possible types of Brexit is an easy option. And in its attempts to force one or the other through, the government risks sidelining both parliament and the people.
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May’s Fudge in Florence
Flying all the way to Florence, with a large entourage, pursued by an army of journalists, to give a speech that she could have given in London, Theresa May’s speech today was more about the show than the content.
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Diversity is the Heart of Britishness
One of the least pleasant aspects of Boris Johnson’s recent rant was his comment that young people in Britain today have “split loyalties” because they wear or fly the European flag. Identity is pluralistic, not uniform.
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Brexit and the European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the world’s largest international public lending institution, providing loans and long-term project funding at very low interest rates. But the “Brexit means Brexit from every aspect of the EU” position of the Tory right wing is dictating that we must leave even this beneficial body.
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Sky News Interview : Adam Boulton
Talking with Adam Boulton about the many complex challenges with Brexit negotiations, the importance of protected food names for the British Economy and why we should remember that Brexit is ‘if’ not ‘when’, until we know what kind of deal is on offer.
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Japan’s concerns about UK’s Brexit deal
A letter from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published last year has resurfaced this week, and is a stark reminder of how little progress has been made on Brexit negotiations, and of the uncertainty it causes for industry and trade.
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Yorkshire Flooding 2015
Has the Commission transferred to the UK Government any monies, from the Solidarity Fund or from other lines in the EU budget, related to the catastrophic floods that affected parts of Yorkshire in December 2015?
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Fish Producer Organisations
Has the Commission verified whether the UK has fulfilled its responsibilities under Article 18(1) of Regulation (EU) 1379/2013 of 11 December 2013?
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Sea Bass Fishing
In March 2015, a 3-bass bag limit was imposed on recreational fishermen. Further restrictions introduced this year stipulated no retention of bass during the first half of the year, and only one bass per day in the second half of the year.
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Brexit and Chemicals: A Chain Reaction
The chemicals industry is a vital sector of the UK economy, making up 10% of all UK manufacturing. No wonder then that industry representatives and experts are extremely worried about the consequences of Brexit and the government’s chaotic approach to the negotiations.
