Tricks of the trade
Confuse your customs unions with your comprehensive trade agreements? Not that bothered by NTBs?
There are a lot of trade terms swirling around the media at the moment, so here’s a handy guide to what they mean.
Blog posts
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Transition or extension?
The realisation that any post-Brexit transition period will leave the UK still subject to EU legislation, including modifications to such legislation and new legislation, has given rise to the idea that Britain should extend its membership so as to serve any transition period as a voting member rather than as a “vassal state”.
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Why Labour is taking a stand against pulse fishing
This week, the European Parliament will be voting on a proposal which could lift the current strict limits on electric pulse fishing, and allow many more vessels to adopt the practice. Labour MEPs will oppose this proposal and support a ban on this practice.
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The crunch point on Brexit is fast approaching
Writing for the Fabian Review, I have outlined the where the UK stood in at the end of the phase one of the Brexit negotiations, and look at the immense challenges and risks facing us in 2018 if the government does not face up to reality rather than relying on rhetoric.
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Brexit and Young People
It is self-evidently young people who are going to have to live longest with the consequences of Brexit, if it happens. These consequences are numerous and wide-ranging.
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Brexit: now the difficult bit starts….
Theresa May appeared at the dispatch box on Monday afternoon, trying hard to be joyful and triumphant, claiming that she was able to offer a Brexit that would please everyone.
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Having your fudge and eating it
On Friday the EU27 and the UK published a joint report on phase one of the Brexit negotiations. Yet this deal fudges many key issues, and raises new ones. It has given rise to conflicting interpretations within hours of it being published.
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Confusion and Delusion
After Theresa May’s diplomatic and political debacle on Monday, we have to ask: ‘Is there any kind of Brexit the PM can deliver?’
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UK not eligible to host European Capital of Culture 2023
My response to the announcement today that Leeds, and four other UK contenders, will not be able to host the European Capital of Culture 2023 because of Brexit.
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Brexit and Agriculture: Growing Concerns
At a conference for the agriculture sector in York, four areas of concern about Brexit emerged from those working in the industry: EU Labour, threats to income, future trade agreements and food standards. The government should be listening to their concerns.
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Brexit Impact Studies by the European Parliament are publicly available
A list of all the European Parliament’s Brexit studies
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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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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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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.