https://www.theguardian.com/world/eu Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018 Fri, 21 Dec 2018 10:43:58 GMT 2018-12-21T10:43:58Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2018 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/21/brexit-david-gauke-may-quit-cabinet-if-uk-heads-for-no-deal <p>Justice secretary says pursuing this course of action would be irresponsible by government</p><p>The justice secretary, David Gauke, has said he would find it “very difficult” to remain in Theresa May’s government if the UK appeared to be on course to crash out of the EU without a deal.</p><p>The prime minister is battling to maintain cabinet discipline as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-cabinet-collectively-focused-on-passing-brexit-deal">senior ministers set out rival plans</a> for dealing with the potential rejection of her Brexit proposal next month.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/21/brexit-david-gauke-may-quit-cabinet-if-uk-heads-for-no-deal">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Conservatives Theresa May House of Commons European Union Foreign policy Politics UK news Fri, 21 Dec 2018 08:27:58 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/21/brexit-david-gauke-may-quit-cabinet-if-uk-heads-for-no-deal Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA Press Association 2018-12-21T08:27:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-cabinet-collectively-focused-on-passing-brexit-deal <p>MPs table amendment to finance bill that would prevent cliff-edge Brexit</p><p>Senior Labour and Conservative MPs are to ramp up efforts to block any possibility of a no-deal Brexit ahead of the vote on Theresa May’s deal, with a plan to mandate the prime minister to extend or cancel article 50 if the prospect of crashing out looms.</p><p>Efforts were kickstarted on Thursday by a cross-party group of prominent MPs led by Yvette Cooper, who tabled a new amendment to the finance bill that would only allow a no-deal exit if MPs voted to proceed with one.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-cabinet-collectively-focused-on-passing-brexit-deal">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Theresa May Conservatives Foreign policy Yvette Cooper Labour Politics UK news Article 50 European Union Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:09:07 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-cabinet-collectively-focused-on-passing-brexit-deal Photograph: LUKE MACGREGOR/POOL/EPA Photograph: LUKE MACGREGOR/POOL/EPA Jessica Elgot 2018-12-20T19:09:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/the-guardian-view-on-a-brexit-citizens-assembly-the-peoples-voice-is-needed <p>A polarised politics has prevented a civil and respectful debate about Brexit. Ireland shows deliberative democracy may help to break the deadlock</p><p>The failure of Theresa May’s government to anticipate and then adequately address the political crisis caused by the result of the vote to leave the European Union in June 2016 is <a href="https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/5c5i19boq1/SundayTimes_Results_191207.pdf" title="">vaporising</a> trust in politics. Once voters looked to parliament for reassurance that MPs knew what they were doing and had faith in their ability to weigh risks and move forward by accepting rational counter-arguments. They now see parties that are ideologically polarised, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/brexit-andrea-leadsom-amber-rudd-second-referendum" title="">internally incoherent</a> and unreasonably oppositional. This has led to gridlock, rooted in the tension between the referendum’s outcome and the ability of parliament to deliver it. Yet if this situation has been caused by the import of direct democracy, in the form of 2016’s poll, into a representative democracy, could one way to resolve the impasse be to focus on political and institutional reform? That is the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/brexit-citizens-assembly-forum-ireland-abortion" title="">claim</a> of those promoting a citizens’ assembly as a solution to the current Brexit conundrum. It is an idea worth interrogating.</p><p>Proponents say that proper democracy means more than the right to vote in general elections. It must include deliberation, mature institutions, and checks and balances. It is undeniable that calm appraisal of evidence without the blinkers of party loyalty and ideology has been missing from Brexit debates. Campaigners <a href="https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/12/17/let-the-people-take-back-control-of-brexit/" title="">point</a> to Ireland, which set up first a constitutional convention and then a citizens’ assembly, to ponder Ireland’s biggest post-crash issues. The assembly was composed of a chairperson and 99 citizens, randomly selected to be electorally representative, and met on weekends 12 times over 18 months. It considered five subjects: abortion, climate change, an ageing population, how referendums are conducted, and fixed-term parliaments. Citizens listened to experts, and made recommendations to the Irish parliament.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/the-guardian-view-on-a-brexit-citizens-assembly-the-peoples-voice-is-needed">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Ireland Article 50 European Union UK news Foreign policy Politics Europe World news Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:38:36 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/the-guardian-view-on-a-brexit-citizens-assembly-the-peoples-voice-is-needed Photograph: Tim Ireland/AP Photograph: Tim Ireland/AP Editorial 2018-12-20T18:38:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/troubling-questions-on-brexit-troop-plans <strong>Symon Hill </strong>asks if with Brexit we have reached the point where the deployment of troops on to the streets of the UK is treated as a minor policy detail; <strong>Hugh and Amber Wellesley-Smith</strong> suggest a way inspired by the Middle Ages for our politicians to resolve Brexit<p>One of the most alarming aspects of the government’s plans for a no-deal Brexit is the casual way in which ministers have declared that 3,500 troops are on standby to deal with “contingencies” (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/business-watching-in-horror-as-pm-plans-for-no-deal-brexit" title="">Business ‘watching in horror’ as PM plans for no-deal Brexit</a>, 19 December). This was revealed by the defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, in a two-sentence statement lacking in detail or any attempt at a justification. Have we now reached the point where the deployment of troops on to the streets of the UK is treated as a minor policy detail? It is vital that the government gives more detail about the plans for troops. In particular, it must rule out the use of troops for social control in the event of civil unrest.</p><p>Leavers and remainers have been busy talking about democracy. Democracy is not about controlling people through the barrel of a gun. Sending troops on to the streets is no alternative to listening to people’s grievances. A democracy cannot allow armed forces to have power over civilians. Some assume that Gavin Williamson is thinking in terms of using troops to distribute food and medicines in the event of a breakdown of supplies. If this is what he means, he needs to say so. Even then, these tasks could be better handled by civilian emergency services if they received the extra funding that Williamson is constantly demanding for the armed forces. The chaos over Brexit must not be misused to present the armed forces as the only people who can save us in a crisis.<br><strong>Symon Hill</strong><br><em>Peace Pledge Union</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/troubling-questions-on-brexit-troop-plans">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Article 50 UK news European Union Foreign policy Politics Military Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:29:06 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/troubling-questions-on-brexit-troop-plans Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images Letters 2018-12-20T18:29:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/pantomime-politics-and-the-real-world Readers respond to the allegations that Jeremy Corbyn called Theresa May a ‘stupid woman’<p>The “did he or didn’t he” over what Jeremy Corbyn actually mouthed at the PM in PMQs (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/jeremy-corbyn-accused-of-calling-theresa-may-a-stupid-woman" title="">‘Oh no he didn’t…’ Corbyn denies calling PM a ‘stupid woman’</a>, 20 December) reminds me of the “fuddle duddle” that Pierre Trudeau claimed he mouthed at his opponents in the Canadian House of Commons on 16 February 1971 instead of what many observed to be far more Anglo-Saxon language. Two pop songs emerged from that incident, including Do the Fuddle Duddle, from a band opportunistically named the House of Commons.<br><strong>John Marriott</strong><br><em>North Hykeham, Lincolnshire</em></p><p>• On Wednesday, I watched as a long queue of people waited outside a church in Hartlepool for a hot meal. Earlier there had been stories of families without the means to provide even the simplest Christmas because of the disastrous problems in implementing universal credit. And then in question time, our prime minister was playing the pantomime dame, urged on by hysterical supporters! This was dismissed by the leader of the house as “<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46631584" title="">parliamentary banter</a>”! What have we come to?<br><strong>Merle Davies</strong><br><em>Amersham, Buckinghamshire</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/pantomime-politics-and-the-real-world">Continue reading...</a> Theresa May Jeremy Corbyn Politics Brexit Article 50 UK news European Union Foreign policy Austerity Economics Business Thu, 20 Dec 2018 18:28:53 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/pantomime-politics-and-the-real-world Photograph: HO/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: HO/AFP/Getty Images Letters 2018-12-20T18:28:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-wishes-2018-end-remembers-2019-worse-brexit <p>MPs were subdued on the last day of school before Christmas, as May wooed Polish PM</p><p>After <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/commons-panto-descends-into-chaos-in-row-over-who-said-what-when">the panto</a>, the hangover. The Commons was in a subdued mood for the last day of school before Christmas. Both the pupils and the supply teacher, Mr Bercow, understood that everyone might have had a few too many bevvies the day before and that things had been said or not said – everyone had been so out of it no one could be 100% certain of anything – so an uneasy truce had been called.</p><p>The Tory gang wouldn’t mention that the head of the Labour gang might have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/jeremy-corbyn-accused-of-calling-theresa-may-a-stupid-woman">muttered </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/jeremy-corbyn-accused-of-calling-theresa-may-a-stupid-woman"> “stupid woman</a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/jeremy-corbyn-accused-of-calling-theresa-may-a-stupid-woman">” under his breath</a>. Just so long as Labour didn’t bring up the fact that the head girl had restored the party whip to two of her backbenchers allegedly involved in sex scandals in order to nudge her vote up to the vague respectability of the 200 mark in the no confidence vote. While Andrea Leadsom and Bercow restored their own personal relationship to their normal acceptable levels of passive aggression.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/commons-panto-descends-into-chaos-in-row-over-who-said-what-when">Commons panto practice descends into chaos in row over who said what when | John Crace</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-wishes-2018-end-remembers-2019-worse-brexit">Continue reading...</a> Theresa May Brexit UK news Politics Andrea Leadsom Poland Conservatives European Union Europe Foreign policy Thu, 20 Dec 2018 17:57:19 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/theresa-may-wishes-2018-end-remembers-2019-worse-brexit Photograph: Alastair Grant/PA Photograph: Alastair Grant/PA John Crace 2018-12-20T17:57:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/national-emergency-brexit-vote-westminster <p>As another vote looms amid the pantomime of Westminster, the core issues behind leave’s win have been ignored</p><p>Let me warn you right away that this column is trivial. Or rather, it’s about what is deemed trivial, which is a topic now under discussion at the highest levels of government. Even before gathering her cabinet ministers on Tuesday, Theresa May let it be known she would order them to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46600850" title="">focus on planning</a> for Britain to leave Europe without a deal. Any business deemed “non-essential” would be junked.</p><p>This raises a fundamental question. Who decides what matters? One prime minister’s “non-urgent” issue could be a matter of life or death for a homeless person. Amber Rudd’s priorities won’t match those of someone whose benefits have just been cut off.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/a-year-of-dispatches-from-the-frayed-edges-of-britains-safety-net">A year of dispatches from the frayed edges of Britain’s safety net | Frances Ryan</a> </p><p>The political class’s abject failure has opened the door to all manner of mad ideas</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/polls-stay-eu-yougov-brexit-peoples-vote">The polls are clear: support for staying in the EU has rocketed | Peter Kellner</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/national-emergency-brexit-vote-westminster">Continue reading...</a> Economic policy Brexit Industrial policy Article 50 UK news European Union Foreign policy Politics Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:40:50 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/national-emergency-brexit-vote-westminster Photograph: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Photograph: Guy Corbishley/Alamy Aditya Chakrabortty 2018-12-20T16:40:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2018/dec/20/project-fear-plus-plus-plus-politics-weekly-podcast-brexit <p>Jessica Elgot is joined by Rafael Behr, Susanna Rustin and Katy Balls to discuss Theresa May’s doomsday preparations. Plus: should Brexit be decided by a citizens assembly instead of parliament?</p><p>Faced with the prospect of her Brexit deal being defeated in the Commons, Theresa May’s cabinet has decided to dramatically step up preparations for the UK leaving the EU without a deal. </p><p>Project Fear of the 2016 referendum looks like a walk in the park compared with the measures that have been announced: a further £2bn in “Brexit preparedness” funding, becoming the world’s leading buyer of fridges to stockpile medicines, and having 3,500 members of the armed forces on standby.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2018/dec/20/project-fear-plus-plus-plus-politics-weekly-podcast-brexit">Continue reading...</a> Brexit European Union Politics Europe UK news Foreign policy World news Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:30:14 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/audio/2018/dec/20/project-fear-plus-plus-plus-politics-weekly-podcast-brexit Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images Presented by Jessica Elgot with Rafael Behr, Susanna Rustin and Katy Balls. Produced by Simon Barnard 2018-12-20T16:30:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/20/the-banks-decision-to-hold-interest-rates-was-inevitable <p>Rate rises are off the agenda due to Brexit uncertainty and mothballed investment </p><p>By now, had things turned out differently, Theresa May would have secured the passage of her Brexit withdrawal bill through parliament and the UK would unquestionably be on course to leave the EU at the end of March.</p><p>In those circumstances, the Bank of England would be taking a very different view of the prospects for the economy and a much more hawkish view about interest rates. There would have been a good chance that at the December meeting of the Bank’s monetary policy committee, at least one member would have voted for an immediate tightening of policy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/20/the-banks-decision-to-hold-interest-rates-was-inevitable">Continue reading...</a> Interest rates Bank of England Brexit Theresa May UK news European Union Business World news Politics Economics Europe Foreign policy Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:01:09 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/20/the-banks-decision-to-hold-interest-rates-was-inevitable Photograph: LUKE MACGREGOR/POOL/EPA Photograph: LUKE MACGREGOR/POOL/EPA Larry Elliott 2018-12-20T16:01:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/vladimir-putin-theresa-may-brexit-fulfil-will-of-the-people <p>Russian president also touches on rap crackdown and nuclear weapons during annual presser</p><p>Vladimir Putin has said the UK should not hold a second referendum on Brexit, insisting Theresa May must “fulfil the will of the people”.</p><p>Offering public support that the embattled British prime minister could probably do without, Putin said he understood May’s position in “fighting for this Brexit”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/12/were-not-scared-bands-defy-russian-crackdown-on-political-music">‘Even a half-finished show is a victory’: Russian bands fight new crackdown</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/vladimir-putin-theresa-may-brexit-fulfil-will-of-the-people">Continue reading...</a> Vladimir Putin Brexit Theresa May UK news Russia Europe World news European Union Politics Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:53:21 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/20/vladimir-putin-theresa-may-brexit-fulfil-will-of-the-people Photograph: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA Photograph: Yuri Kochetkov/EPA Andrew Roth in Moscow 2018-12-20T14:53:21Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/polls-stay-eu-yougov-brexit-peoples-vote The latest YouGov survey shows that, across the board, faith in Brexit is falling by the day. A people’s vote is now imperative<br /><br /><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/government-stupid-labour-brexit-referendum-jeremy-corbyn" title="">• Polly Toynbee on why Labour needs to seize the initiative – and back a people’s vote</a><p>With <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/16/damon-albarn-joins-call-for-citizens-assembly-to-break-brexit-deadlock" title="">deadlock in Westminster</a> over how to move forward with Brexit, what are the polls saying about people’s changing attitudes towards leaving the EU? <a href="https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/5v5qj2t7c8/PVResults_181214_Brexit_w.pdf" title="">The latest YouGov survey</a> for the People’s Vote campaign contains three important messages.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/polls-stay-eu-yougov-brexit-peoples-vote">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Article 50 UK news European Union Foreign policy Politics Labour Conservatives Thu, 20 Dec 2018 13:12:22 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/polls-stay-eu-yougov-brexit-peoples-vote Photograph: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock Peter Kellner 2018-12-20T13:12:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/government-stupid-labour-brexit-referendum-jeremy-corbyn <p>‘Respecting’ the referendum result has become a liability for Jeremy Corbyn and co as public opinion swings behind remain <br><br><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/polls-stay-eu-yougov-brexit-peoples-vote">• The polls show a people’s vote is now imperative, says former YouGov president Peter Kellner</a></p><p>This is Britain’s stupidest hour – the age of crass, world-beating idiocy. History might, rather politely, record it as “the parliament of stupids”. As it departs today, many will think: good riddance to them, and to our stupid, obstinate, pig-headed prime minister.</p><p>The shock is that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2018/dec/19/brexit-latest-pmqs-migration-white-paper-sajid-javid-tories-have-effectively-abandoned-target-to-get-net-migration-below-100000-javid-concedes-politics-live" title="">Wednesday’s uproar</a> in the Commons was government-initiated pandemonium. The seasoned observer <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/the-waugh-zone-thursday-december-20-2018_uk_5c1b64cae4b0407e90775f57" title="">Paul Waugh, of HuffPost, called it</a>, “more anarchy than I’ve ever seen in 20 years of sitting in the press gallery … in part orchestrated by the Tory whips”. The speaker rapidly lost control – and the attacks from the Tory frontbench turned on John Bercow, the one the Brexiters yearn to chase away. Stupid is the wrong word for deadly-dangerous behaviour from an out-of-control government.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/government-stupid-labour-brexit-referendum-jeremy-corbyn">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Article 50 UK news European Union Foreign policy Politics Labour Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:52:52 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/20/government-stupid-labour-brexit-referendum-jeremy-corbyn Photograph: Rob Stothard/Getty Images Photograph: Rob Stothard/Getty Images Polly Toynbee 2018-12-20T12:52:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/20/ireland-calls-no-deal-brexit-plan-a-damage-limitation-exercise <p>Irish government says security, travel and trade will suffer if UK crashes out of EU</p><p>Security in Ireland would be “seriously impacted” by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/no-deal-brexit-will-raise-food-prices-says-michael-gove">a no-deal Brexit </a>because of sudden <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/18/no-deal-brexit-looms-where-do-preparations-stand-explainer">changes to </a><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/18/no-deal-brexit-looms-where-do-preparations-stand-explainer"> arrangements with the UK</a> over crime, the Irish government has warned.</p><p>It also said Ireland would “suffer considerably” from the “adverse economic and social impact” a no-deal Brexit would have on the UK.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/daily-mail-journalist-joanna-bell-ejected-irish-embassy-brexit">Mail journalist ejected from Irish embassy over shouts of 'Brexit'</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/20/ireland-calls-no-deal-brexit-plan-a-damage-limitation-exercise">Continue reading...</a> Ireland Brexit European Union Politics UK news Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:24:35 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/20/ireland-calls-no-deal-brexit-plan-a-damage-limitation-exercise Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Lisa O'Carroll Brexit correspondent 2018-12-20T10:24:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/tory-mps-resign-whip-no-deal-brexit-policy-anna-soubry-sarah-wollaston-nick-boles <p>Minister says vote could only happen if Theresa May’s Brexit deal is rejected by MPs </p><p>Amber Rudd has broken ranks with her cabinet colleagues, saying there is a “plausible argument” for a second Brexit referendum if Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement with the EU is rejected by MPs.</p><p>The work and pensions secretary insisted she did not want a second referendum, but said the issue should be returned to the British public if MPs are unable to reach an agreement.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2018/dec/19/brexit-latest-pmqs-migration-white-paper-sajid-javid-tories-have-effectively-abandoned-target-to-get-net-migration-below-100000-javid-concedes-politics-live">May and Corbyn at PMQs after EU announces implementation of no-deal Brexit plan - Politics live</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/18/no-deal-brexit-looms-where-do-preparations-stand-explainer">As prospect of no-deal Brexit looms, where do preparations stand?</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/tory-mps-resign-whip-no-deal-brexit-policy-anna-soubry-sarah-wollaston-nick-boles">Continue reading...</a> Conservatives Politics UK news Sarah Wollaston Brexit European Union Theresa May Wed, 19 Dec 2018 22:54:13 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/tory-mps-resign-whip-no-deal-brexit-policy-anna-soubry-sarah-wollaston-nick-boles Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Jonathan Hordle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock Patrick Greenfield, Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker 2018-12-19T22:54:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/19/theresa-may-will-be-forced-to-back-down-over-migrant-curbs <p>Rebellious ministers believe salary threshold after Brexit will be £21,000, not £30,000</p><p>Rebellious ministers believe Theresa May will be forced to allow workers earning at least £21,000 to enter the UK after Brexit in the face of intense lobbying from businesses demanding the right to employ low-skilled workers from abroad.</p><p>The prime minister had wanted to limit the vast majority of immigration to people with jobs paid £30,000 and over, but had already had to concede there would be a further year of consultation on the threshold after a cabinet revolt.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-the-immigration-white-paper-still-a-hostile-environment">The Guardian view on the immigration white paper: still a hostile environment | Editorial</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/19/theresa-may-will-be-forced-to-back-down-over-migrant-curbs">Continue reading...</a> Immigration and asylum Brexit European Union UK news Europe Conservatives Theresa May Sajid Javid Greg Clark Philip Hammond Wed, 19 Dec 2018 21:18:05 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/19/theresa-may-will-be-forced-to-back-down-over-migrant-curbs Photograph: Xinhua/Barcroft Images Photograph: Xinhua/Barcroft Images Dan Sabbagh and Lisa O'Carroll 2018-12-19T21:18:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/fight-parliament-democracy-power-brexit <p>Over-mighty ministers and party whips are about to have their power challenged as never before over Brexit</p><p>Revolutions do not always take place violently in public squares, in the streets around the bourses or in front of the palaces. Sometimes they take place quietly, slowly, unobserved and indoors. Sometimes they even happen without the revolutionaries themselves quite understanding what they are doing that is so transformative.</p><p>It may seem hard to believe, and there is undoubtedly a seasonal element of hope exceeding expectation in saying this, but something of this kind may be happening in front of our Brexit-battered eyes. As the Brexit argument grinds on into Christmas and the new year, we may in fact be living through the start of a quiet constitutional revolution.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/19/theresa-may-plea-labour-back-brexit-deal-pmqs-jeremy-corbyn">Theresa May makes plea for Labour to back her Brexit deal</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/people-prevent-no-deal-brexit-general-strike-eu">The people can prevent a no-deal Brexit – with a general strike | Jolyon Maugham</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/fight-parliament-democracy-power-brexit">Continue reading...</a> Brexit House of Commons Article 50 European Union Foreign policy Politics UK news Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:50:51 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/fight-parliament-democracy-power-brexit Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock Martin Kettle 2018-12-19T18:50:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-the-immigration-white-paper-still-a-hostile-environment <p>With a divided cabinet, a dysfunctional government and a stalled Brexit plan, the attempt to map out a future migration regime looks like badly scripted political theatre</p><p>Britain’s economy and society benefit from immigration, and British politics routinely denies that fact. There will one day be a moment of reckoning, when a government renounces as unfair and unworkable the rhetoric associated with Theresa May’s tenure at the Home Office and in Downing Street.</p><p>It will one day be widely accepted that cross-border labour flows can be managed without tilts into xenophobia; without government vans inviting people to “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/26/theresa-may-go-home-vans-operation-vaken-ukip" title="">go home</a>”; without accusing European Union citizens of “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/19/theresa-may-eu-nationals-jumped-queue" title="">jumping the queue</a>” for jobs; without fostering a “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/apr/17/theresa-mays-hostile-environment-policy-at-heart-of-windrush-scandal" title="">hostile environment</a>” that vilifies and unlawfully deports British citizens. That day, sadly, does not look imminent.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-the-immigration-white-paper-still-a-hostile-environment">Continue reading...</a> Immigration and asylum Brexit Politics European Union European commission Theresa May Sajid Javid Windrush scandal UK news Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:40:16 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-the-immigration-white-paper-still-a-hostile-environment Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images Editorial 2018-12-19T18:40:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-drcs-presidential-poll-an-unconvincing-act A government which has been at war with its own people and siphoned off vast sums looks set to return to power in dubious circumstances. The world ought not let an election be stolen<p>The Democratic Republic of the Congo has never had a peaceful, democratic transition of power since independence from Belgium in 1960. It had been hoped that the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/15/dr-congo-hopes-for-fresh-start-as-election-looms" title="">long-delayed election</a> this weekend would, in that regard, make history and enable the vast central African country to move on from the bloody divisions of the past. The omens are not good that such a future beckons. This week <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/17/dr-congo-campaigning-violently-suppressed" title="">security forces killed</a> at least seven opposition supporters and wounded more than 50 people. Elections do offer outsiders a chance to draw back the veil on DRC and question how some of its vast natural wealth, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_industry_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo" title="">valued at $24tn</a>, has <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-12-15/with-his-family-fortune-at-stake-congo-president-kabila-digs-in" title="">seemed to trickle</a> into the <a href="https://qz.com/africa/1038143/two-investigations-into-corruption-in-resource-rich-dr-congo-show-why-it-stays-so-poor/" title="">bank accounts of those in power</a> while the rest of the nation’s 80 million people remain in crushing poverty.</p><p>The country is a mess and the current government is responsible for the disarray. Human <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/13/congolese-government-war-its-people" title="">rights groups accuse</a> the government of being at war with its own people, with security forces and armed groups having killed thousands of civilians in the past two years. At least the election ought to see the back of President Joseph Kabila, a strongman who has locked up critics and crushed protests. The constitution required Mr Kabila to step down in 2016 but he stayed on for two more years. He only conceded an election when regional powers pressed for him to go. It also helped that the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/565c3308-96eb-11e8-b747-fb1e803ee64e" title="">United States threatened</a> to sanction members of Mr Kabila’s family. However, his appointed successor, Emmanuel Shadary, remains under European Union sanctions for serious human rights violations. Sadly for DRC, Mr Shadary will <a href="http://congoresearchgroup.org/nouveau-sondage-gecberci-redistribution-des-rapports-de-force-politique/" title="">probably win the presidential race</a> because the opposition have split.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-drcs-presidential-poll-an-unconvincing-act">Continue reading...</a> Democratic Republic of the Congo Africa World news European Union Europe Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:36:49 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/19/the-guardian-view-on-drcs-presidential-poll-an-unconvincing-act Photograph: John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images Editorial 2018-12-19T18:36:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/eu-cables-hack-reveals-no-bombshells-but-many-insights <p>Leak offers picture of EU bureaucracy worried by China, Russia and Trump</p><p>WikiLeaks 2010 it is not, but the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/19/hacked-eu-cables-hailed-trump-meeting-as-success-for-putin">hack of the EU diplomatic service’s internal cables</a> stretching back three years reveals much about the issues that preoccupy the European commission’s foreign policy apparatus, notably the rise of China.</p><p>Throughout the cables – more than 1,000 have been <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/european-diplomats-cables-hacked.html">leaked to the New York Times</a> – the EU conducts itself as a formidable, functioning foreign policy state with a unified interest. At one point the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, tells the Chinese “the EU expected to be treated as undivided and undividable”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/eu-cables-hack-reveals-no-bombshells-but-many-insights">Continue reading...</a> European Union China Russia Ukraine Asia Pacific Europe Xi Jinping Donald Trump Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:27:13 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/eu-cables-hack-reveals-no-bombshells-but-many-insights Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor 2018-12-19T18:27:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/immigration-rules-uk-germany-economy-job-seekers-opposing-camps <p>While Britain seems to put politics above the economy, Germany’s new law welcomes foreign job-seekers</p><p>Two European countries announced radical overhauls of their immigration rules on Wednesday, but there the similarity ended.</p><p>Britain, where concerns about long-term impacts of immigration helped drive the 2016 vote to leave the European Union, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-announces-new-skills-based-immigration-system">billed its stricter </a><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-announces-new-skills-based-immigration-system">regime</a> as “a route to strengthened border security and an end to free movement”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/19/may-cabinet-split-over-30000-immigrant-salary-threshold">May's cabinet split over £30,000 immigrant salary threshold</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/germany-passes-immigration-law-to-lure-non-eu-skilled-workers">Germany passes immigration law to lure non-EU skilled workers</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/immigration-rules-uk-germany-economy-job-seekers-opposing-camps">Continue reading...</a> Migration Economic growth (GDP) Sajid Javid Foreign policy Immigration and asylum Brexit UK news Germany Angela Merkel Politics European Union Business Europe Work & careers Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:11:07 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/19/immigration-rules-uk-germany-economy-job-seekers-opposing-camps Photograph: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Photograph: Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Jon Henley European affairs correspondent 2018-12-19T18:11:07Z