The European Union seem to be on the verge of collapsing after Brexit, as two anti-EU candidates seem to be leading forthcoming French election

The European Union seem to be on the verge of collapsing after Brexit, as two anti-EU candidates seem to be leading forthcoming French election

Politics Unknown   06:38

More troubles ahead in the European Union due to the rate in which anti-EU parties are emerging and gaining more public acceptance across the continent, and in particular.

There appears to be a surprise rise in the polls in favour of Jean-Luc Melenchon paving way for him to join Front National leader Marine Le Pen as a possible anti-EU choice in the contest.

This is coming after several weeks of opinion polls envisaging a head-to-head between Mrs Le Pen and Europhile socialist Emmanual Macron, Mr Melenchon has had an unexpected swell in the polls after performing well in the television debates in the run up to the unpredictable election.

Melenchon says he is looking forward to take France out of the EU and the NATO military coalition as well.

So far he has been declared by one of France newspaper as the “most convincing” French presidential candidate in an opinion poll.

Journalist Andrew Neil tweeted: “Imagine a second round Melenchon v Le Pen! An existential crisis for France-and the EU!”

As for Mrs Le Pen, she has said it on several occasions that if she wins the election, she is going to lead a Frexit out of the EU. According to recent polls, she is on the verge of securing the next round of election.

Thus, France being a core EU member nation, planning to leave the union could spell doom for Brussels.

Emmanuel Macron, leader of the En Marche! movement, said: “Jean-Luc Melenchon - he’s a very nice guy but his promises are impossible to deliver and his program would be a disaster for France.

“He’s for the destruction of the European Union, the Europe that protects us. He is for massive taxation.”

Mr Melenchon, sees himself as the French Hugo Chavez, saying he is the candidate of peace and has criticised German Chancellor Angela Merkel for backing US airstrikes in Syria.

The EU could have reason to be very worried if Melenchon’s momentum continues and the two anti-EU candidates are left to battle victory alone.

The first round of the French presidential election is just days away on April 23, and will be closely followed by a second-round runoff on May 7.

Due to the heavy debt incurred by the Scottish Government, it would not qualify to join the EU – David Coburn

Due to the heavy debt incurred by the Scottish Government, it would not qualify to join the EU – David Coburn

Politics Unknown   06:27

Nicola Sturgeon’s second independence referendum has been given a big blow by a Scottish MEP, as he reveals how Scotland cannot be a member of the EU due to too much debt being incurred by the region.

According to David Coburn the Scottish capital Edinburgh would “suffer with austerity” for years if Ms Sturgeon was granted her independence dream. Citing Greece as an example to Scotland as he explained the suffering Greece went through when the country joined the EU.

He said: “I cannot see why you would want to be part of the European Union as a small nation of Scotland.

“If we were - it won’t happen, it’s not possible - but if we tried to go into the European Union we would have to accept the Euro, which is a collapsing currency.

“And how would we qualify for it? We don’t even have a central bank. We have a £15billion debt created by the SNP. How do we go into a currency with that?

“We would be forced to have austerity max, in the European Union, and look what happened to Greece when they had austerity.

“The Greeks suffered horribly, and at the end of the day their economy was in very bad shape, it destroyed civil society in many ways, do we want that in Scotland?

“Sturgeon is forever bleating on about all this nonsense about, ‘I’m against austerity, I’m against austerity’, well if she is against austerity she can’t want to be in the European Union, because then we would have austerity max. Not a good idea.”

Mr Coburn also vetoed the notion that Scots should be given another vote on independence.

He added: “It’s very simple, we had a referendum on whether Scotland remains as part of Britain.

“They voted overwhelmingly to remain as part of the United Kingdom, knowing that in the future we were having a referendum on Europe.

“When the Euro referendum came through, it was 60 to 40, and that’s with the Scottish Government spending a fortune of tax payers’ money trying to brainwash the Scots into fear about the European Union.

“I think if it hadn’t have been for that it would have been a lot closer.

“I don’t think Scots are particularly keen on the European Union, any more than anybody else. I think it was all operation fear operated by the First Minister.

“If you look at it, more Scots voted to Remain in the United Kingdom, than voted to Remain in the European Union, when you look at the two referenda, so you have to ask yourself, what do the Scots really want?

“I think they wanted out of the European Union and Remain in the UK.”

The Ukip MEP finished by claiming that the Scottish people do not like the EU and predicted another independence rejection if there was another vote.

He said: “People in Scotland do not like the European Union, they might be frightened of going it alone. That’s Sturgeon’s operation fear which was created. In reality they don’t like it, but they might be fearful to leave. 

“I think she would lose, and she would lose bigger than last time. People are fed up to their back teeth of being offered another vote. People have businesses, people have jobs, people want to keep their jobs, and this is not helping those people.”

British Government states clearly that there is no going back on leaving the EU, after Germany called for a second referendum

British Government states clearly that there is no going back on leaving the EU, after Germany called for a second referendum

Politics Unknown   08:15

Again Britain disappoints the EU after the government set aside call by a senior German government official advising the government to conduct another Brexit referendum.

The call for a second referendum was made by the General Secretary of German’s SPD party, who is of the believe that doing so would be necessary after Brexit terms have been concluded. Arguing that British voters were not properly informed concerning the referendum.

Ms Barley said: “When the referendum was held, nobody really knew what it would be about - not the British people, not even the political class.

“A lot of people wrongfully thought that Britain could get a deal like Switzerland or Norway without the inconveniences… without free movement of labour. Now they know that this isn’t the case.”

She said there is a craving in Britain for a second referendum due to the fact that people are beginning to understand that Theresa May has no plan.

A spokesman for Theresa May said: “The British people delivered a clear position. I would point you to the Prime Minister’s words when she triggered Article 50 and said ‘there is no going back’. That is our position.”

The French and German elections are expected to delay Brexit as neither nation will be able to focus on any deals with Westminster.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, has pledged to keep fighting for a second Brexit referendum.

The Lib Dem leader is arguing that the British people did not vote to leave the EU single market, and so should be given a vote on the final Brexit deal.

At last Theresa May to allow British nationals who want to retain their EU nationality do so

At last Theresa May to allow British nationals who want to retain their EU nationality do so

Politics Unknown   06:14

After several months of arguments from various quarters concerning the future of British nationals living in other EU countries and vice versa, the Prime Minister, report now has it  that Mrs May and the EU’s Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt are strategizing on how UK citizens could retain their EU citizenship.

For long, the Brussels negotiator has been clamouring for the bloc and Britain to consider letting Britons opt back into the union through “associate citizenship”.

Verhofstadt, who has previously vowed to stand up for the “rights of the 48 per cent” despite Britain’s decision to leave, also gave his support to suggestions that could see individuals in the UK pay for EU rights.

This move was viewed last year by a Leave campaigner and Tory MP Andrew Bridgen who asserted that the move was a bid by Brussels to create “two classes of UK citizen” and “subvert the referendum vote”.

Nevertheless, in a recent development, the Government has claimed it will discuss the idea if it is brought forward by the EU negotiators.

Writing for the Independent, Verhofstadt said: “After much debate within the European Parliament, the parliament’s resolution also notes that many citizens of the UK have expressed strong opposition to losing the rights they currently enjoy as European Union citizens and “proposes that the EU 27 examine how to mitigate this within the limits of Union primary law”.

“I fought hard in the parliament for this provision to be maintained and hope in the coming months to continue to push for such an offer from the EU to British Europeans.”

The former Belgian Prime Minister claims “thousands” of Remoaners have sent him letters expressing their anger over their European identity “being taken from them against their will”.

He also said: “It was with great sadness this week that MEPs debated Brexit in Strasbourg.

“Discussions in the coming months will be tough and at times, intense.

“The scale of the talks ahead are unprecedented, but there is unanimity among MEPs that our priority will be to prioritise the rights of citizens.

“This means moving quickly to agree a reciprocal deal on the rights of UK citizens in the EU and EU citizens in the UK.”

Accordingly, spokesperson for Theresa May’s Government claimed they are willing to discuss offering ‘opt in’ EU citizenship for Britons who want to remain under the yoke of Brussels.

The spokesperson said:”Securing the status of UK nationals in the EU and EU nationals in the UK, on a reciprocal basis, is a top priority for us as we enter into negotiations. We welcome the fact that our European partners are also prioritising this and will be seeking the earliest possible agreement on this issue.

"As for future arrangements, these will be subject to discussion. Naturally we will discuss any ideas that are put forward."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blasts the SNP in a desperate move to win Scottish voters

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn blasts the SNP in a desperate move to win Scottish voters

Politics Unknown   06:09

As the next election in Scotland draws nearer, hostile leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn has asserted that if more powers are given to the SNP “would be bad for Scotland and the Scottish people” this was supposedly said as he desperately move to boost his party’s hopes in next month’s polls.

The Labour leader asserts that the Conservatives and the SNP have embraced the same “narrow nationalist” agenda amid fears his party could lose more backing in the former Labour heartland when the country goes to the polls.

While condemning the First Minister, he opined that local services in the region would experience further budget cuts if the Scottish people casts their votes in favour of the SNP.

Speaking to Scotland on Sunday, he claimed the party was “only interested in a second independence referendum” and slammed the SNP’s “abysmal” record after a decade in government at Holyrood.

Corbyn said: “Labour will be focused on delivering quality local services, such as schools and social care, and standing up for our NHS.

“If you vote Labour you will elect a local champion; if you vote SNP you will elect a councillor who is only interested in a second independence referendum.”

Opinion polls suggests that Labour could be taken by the Tories and drop to third place in Scotland, which, according to Professor John Curtice, could leave the party’s major strongholds at risk.

Glasgow is one area where Labour remain popular among voters, and the party’s leader was quick to remind the city of the risks of voting for the SNP.

He also said: “The SNP will not protect services in Glasgow, nor will it tackle the deep underlying problems of poverty that are scandalously prevalent in the city.

“In fact, evidence tells us that the SNP will exacerbate them.

“The educational attainment gap is increasing, working poverty in Scotland is at its highest level since devolution, and only this week figures revealed that Scottish economic output has contracted.

“I would urge voters to reject the competing nationalisms of the Tories and SNP and vote Labour for a fairer and more just Scotland.

“That’s the choice facing Glaswegians and voters across Scotland and I hope they think about that choice before casting their vote.”

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, the SNP claimed the Labour party was failing as an effective opposition to the Tories.

 party spokesman said: “When Labour talk euphemistically about ‘using the powers of the Scottish Parliament’ what they really mean is hiking the basic rate of income tax, which would take hundreds of pounds away from families on modest incomes just as the consequences of Brexit are starting to be felt.

“Kezia Dugdale herself said that Labour would be carping from the sidelines with Jeremy Corbyn as leader, and with ill-informed, out of touch comments such as these, it’s clear that Labour will be in that position for some time to come.”

Confusion in Labour Party over Donald Trump’s Air strike in Syria

Confusion in Labour Party over Donald Trump’s Air strike in Syria

Politics Unknown   06:08

Donald Trump’s airstrike in Syria is now causing serious feud between Jeremy Corbyn and his deputy Tom Watson both parties are inconsistent whether Donald Trump was on the right track to hit Syria after a chemical assault.

It took the Labor Party a few hours to concoct Jeremy Corbyn's reaction to the US air strike on Syria. Also, no big surprise.

Military intercession in the Middle East is a convoluted issue for the British Left, with the shadow of Iraq still posing a potential threat over it.

Mr Corbyn is not clashed. His reaction was the just a single we could have anticipated from the veteran antagonistic to war campaigner - critical.

He said the strike "risks escalating the conflict in Syria still further" and called for new peace talks - which his pundits say have been attempted and fizzled for as long as six years.

His announcement was maybe not as strident as it may have been the point at which he was on the backbenches, frequently rampaging with the Stop the War Coalition, however likeminded Labor individuals wouldn't be disillusioned.

That implies at the exceptionally top of the party there is intense difference - once more.

He is inconsistent with his own deputy Tom Watson, who left the traps early at the beginning of to tell his neighborhood paper he upheld the air strike, saying unpredictable chemical weapons attacks "must have consequences".

Corbyn  and his deputy did not talk at the beginning of yesterday, it is comprehended, and sources near Mr Corbyn say he doesn't concur that the diplomatic path has been depleted, proposing he doubts the strike's legitimateness. As one exasperated shadow bureau source put it: A story about Syria has become a story about Labor."

Concerns remain that a solitary strike can without much of a stretch heighten if President Assad doesn't go along, yet numerous MPs can't share their leader’s conviction that there is a simple answer of non-mediation.

Hilary Benn, who opposed Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 to back British air strikes against Isis, essentially tweeted that he trusted it would work: "let’s hope Syria will now think twice before deciding to gas its own people again”. "Priority must be humanitarian assistance for civilians". 

You must accept EU court if you want to be part of the single market – Polish MEP

You must accept EU court if you want to be part of the single market – Polish MEP

Politics Unknown   05:54

Britain have been told that for it to retain access to the EU single market post Brexit, then the acceptance of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice is a pre-requisite.

This comes after the Danuta Hubner, the head of the EU Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs, reaffirms that the EU will not give any room for “cherrypicking” the moment the UK finally exits the bloc.

The caution resounds the one given earlier by Angela Merkel and other leaders from the remaining 27 member states who have declared their readiness to take a hard stand with the British PM during the negotiation.

Speaking to EURACTIV.com, Ms Hübner said: “In Europe, everything is linked.

“If you are part of the single market, you have to be subject also to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, you have to contribute financially, and you have to respect our values.”

The Polish MEP also submitted that all of the “lies” and “false information” touted during the EU referendum campaign had no place during the Brexit talks.

She also advised the government to put into consideration the opinions and arguments made by the Remain camp as negotiations begins.

She said: “I hope nobody is looking at this process, even as difficult as Brexit is, through the eyes of Mr [Nigel] Farage.

“I hope that people can see that negotiating will be a learning process for everybody.

“Europe will be seen by the British citizens and European citizens in the right context at a process which is damaging… but to which we have to find an agreement.

“That is the will of the people so let’s do it so nobody suffers.”

Commenting about the UK’s future relationship with Ireland, an EU member, Ms Hübner stated  that hard-border was “a risk that we have to take into account”.

She added: “Those people who have been in peace for many years they don’t deserve [strict borders].”

The Polish MEP argued that border issues would “require a special approach”, she said: “it would be a shame for Europe” if an agreement could not be reached.”

She continued: “You have the Good Friday agreement, but you also have very personal links… It’s not only political stability, or lack of it, but it’s also regional cooperation which Europe has invested a lot.

“Of course there is a possibility of finding a technical solution, which would allow the people there to live, to work and to continue what they have built and achieved so far.

“We have heard already from some prominent politicians that there is also a political solution, it is not just up to European Union to support those options.

“We will do everything to avoid that a really hard-border is created.”

At last Britain’s secret enemies exposed

At last Britain’s secret enemies exposed

Politics Unknown   07:56

Britain’s many secret enemies revealed at last after a shock index displayed the majority EU nations that are fully ready to punish the UK for voting to leave the EU. The index also revealed Britain’s real friends in the EU

Top in the list of countries that want to see the UK suffer is France, which is assigned 32.5% in the index.

The index also affirms the rigid position of France against Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, following President Francois Hollande’s demand asking the UK to pay a divorce bill of £50 billion before any negotiation on trade can take place.

The shock index was prepared by Economist Intelligence Unit analysts, which revealed the position of the remaining 27 EU nations. And further divided each country into the following three groups which includes “hard-core”, “hard” and “soft”.

Bulgaria and Romania were placed in the “hard-core” section, over concerns about free movement and the budget.

While Angela Merkel’s Germany was also seen as a “hard-core” country over its fears for the future of the EU.

While Sweden and Denmark are placed under the “soft” category, as these countries share the same view with the UK concerning the EU’s trade and regulations. Among them are Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland

According to sources, the reason for the ‘”soft” stance is due to the presence of British troops on the Polish border in an attempt stop President Vladimir Putin from grabbing more land from Baltic region.

From the result of the analysis, all the EU nations stood against Britain not paying the huge divorce bill. However, countries most again the Uk paying an amount lower than what it has been told to pay are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

Also, none of the nations were in support of the UK ‘cherry picking’ from the four principles of the EU, though Denmark was seen to be least worried about that.

Meanwhile, members resolutely against Britain adhering to just some of the EU principles were Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.

Despite all the warning issued by EU leaders that no Britain should not go into any individual deal with any member states, some of the EU countries are seeking to maintain trade and security relationships with the UK.

In all, none of the countries stood against low or no trade barriers between the EU and the UK. While nine countries were said to be seeking to maintain trade relationships with the UK. They are Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden wanted to sustain defence ties, according to the region.

Theresa May ready to go to war over Gibraltar’s sovereignty – Michael Howard

Theresa May ready to go to war over Gibraltar’s sovereignty – Michael Howard

Politics Unknown   08:26

Diplomatic row between the UK and Spain concerning Gibraltar takes a new twist as the Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis gets involved in the dispute, after Theresa May triggered Article 50 to formerly inform the EU of the UK’s exit in the bloc.

Mr Dastis’ assertion is that the UK’s action towards the issue is hasty, after the PM failed to include it in the six-page letter that was sent to the EU.

He said: “The Spanish government is a little surprised by the tone of comments coming out of Britain, a country known for its composure.”

His statement was a reaction to the one made by a former Tory leader Michael Howard who stressed that Mrs May would be willing to go to war to defend the British territory, as it did with the Falkland Islands 35 years ago.

The issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty reared its head once again after it was left out of the letter penned by Mrs May triggering Article 50.

The EU further made the situation worse by proposing to give Spain a right of veto over Gibraltar’s future trading relationship with the EU, which happens to what the Mediterranean country has been struggling for.

Complicating the situation further the European Union has proposed giving Spain a right of veto over the region’s future trading relations with the bloc, something the Mediterranean country has been pushing for.

As a result of the position being taken by the EU, a political fight has begun between the two countries. The PM said she is determined to include the enclave in all her Brexit talks with the EU.

In the EU’s draft position on exit talks, distributed by Council President Donald Tusk, Gibraltar was name-checked, as was Spain’s veto.

On the other hand Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said references to the country should be removed.

He said: “This is clear Spanish bullying.

"The way that the European Council has behaved in allowing Spain to single out Gibraltar in this negative way is really quite pernicious.”

Stressing that despite the fact that Gibraltarians voted massively to remain in the EU, in 2002, the people also unequivocally rejected joint British-Spanish sovereignty.

Some 98 per cent of voters chose to stay British in the referendum.

Boris Johnson also reiterated British support for Gibraltar alongside Mrs May, saying: "The sovereignty of Gibraltar is unchanged and is not going to change.”

The issue has become the first hurdle in the Brexit negotiations, a process set to formally last two years.

EU Parliament chief negotiator hopeful, Britain will re-join the EU

EU Parliament chief negotiator hopeful, Britain will re-join the EU

Politics Unknown   08:12

Despite the triggering of Article 50 by the British Prime Minister, some EU leaders are still hoping that the UK would someday make a U-turn to join the EU again.

The latest of such a prediction is came from Guy Verhofstadt the chief EU negotiator who claimed that Brexit was a “catfight” surrounded by the Tories and one day the UK would return to Europe.

Mr Verhofstadt said: “I am convinced and one hundred per cent sure about one thing, that there will be a young man or woman who will try again.

“Who will lead Britain into the European family once again. And a young generation that will see Brexit for what it really is, a catfight in the conservative party that got out of hand.

“A lot of time a waste of energy and I think stupidity.”

While delivering his speech at the foremost gathering of the Parliament since Article 50 was invoked by the Prime Minister to being the UK’s formal exit negotiation, the EU leader stated that the relationship "was never a love affair".

Mr Verhofstadt said: "It was a very sad moment, Wednesday last week when the British ambassador gave the letter to President Tusk.

"The relationship between Britain and the EU was never an easy relationship, let’s recognise that, it was never a love affair, certainly not a question of wild passion, it was a marriage of convenience.

"In the early years of the union, it was Macmillan who looked at the continent with nothing less than suspicion.

"'What were they cooking up in Brussels, were they really discussing coal and steel or were they also talking politics in Brussels? Plotting on foreign policy, or god forbid, defence matters even?"

Also present was Nigel Farage who blamed the EU of behaving like Mafia, as he went further to brand some of the EU leaders’ demand which also includes the controversial Brexit bill as "unreasonable".

Farage also said the warning given to the UK by the EU which restricts the UK from entering any form of trade treaty with any country has no basis in any treaty legislation.

He says: "You are behaving like the Mafia, but we are free to go...we are being given a ransom note. But what must be very difficult for all of you is there is a bigger world out there than the EU.

"If you wish to have no deal and force us to walk away from the table it is not us that will be hurt...a return to tariffs will risk the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people but you say you want to put the interests above that of your citizens and the EU.

“If you do that it will not just be the UK that triggers Article 50 but there will be many more to come."

The debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg focuses on key issues of the Brexit talks including reciprocal rights for EU citizens, the peace process in Northern Ireland and trade.

Theresa May by-passed by Nicola Sturgeon as she form new alliance with the Governor of California

Theresa May by-passed by Nicola Sturgeon as she form new alliance with the Governor of California

Politics Unknown   09:36

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon takes clamour for independence campaign beyond the shores of Britain and Europe in general, as she meets the people of California who are also clamouring for independence.

The by-pass to Theresa May was made to enable her push on with her campaign for an independent Scotland, as she enters into a fresh international treaty during a visit to the US.

Despite all the threats from the Theresa May led Tory government the aggressive leader of the SNP has made up her mind never to give up on her second referendum bid, and have sent an official letter to the Prime Minister calling for the referendum.

Just as Scotland is threatening to leave the rest of the UK, so is a group of voters also fighting hard to break away from the rest of the US, as they launch ‘Calexit’ as a result of the ascension of Donald Trump to the White House.

Consequently, Scotland and California have now formed an alliance against Theresa May and Donald Trump which sends a very strong message to the two leaders.

The treaty signed by the Governor of California Edmund Brown and the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon in Sacramento will enable them join forces, and also set a model which may be followed by other governments.

After the meeting, the First Minister said: “Scotland is making huge progress in delivering our climate change ambitions, but we are not complacent and there is still much to achieve."

She added: “Today’s meeting strengthened our relationship with the Government of California and I’m confident we can work together to achieve the targets set out by the Under2 MoU.

“We have also offered to help the Under2 Coalition, representing over 1 billion people, to prepare for a major summit in 2018 which will bring together the public and private sectors, alongside NGOs, to build support and action aimed at persuading national governments to increase their efforts to tackle climate change, in what will be an important year for taking stock against progress of the Paris Agreement.”

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Brown also deliberated on the significance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and reflected how the two governments could share knowledge and best practice in developing this technology.

Nonetheless the meeting is to be expected to be met with resentment by both the UK and US governments - as Sturgeon and California push forward with their respective ‘exits’.

Northern Ireland MEP warns that Britain may end up as ‘Roadkill’ if no deal is struck

Northern Ireland MEP warns that Britain may end up as ‘Roadkill’ if no deal is struck

Politics Unknown   08:20

Member of the European Parliament representing Ireland Brian Hayes has told the UK not to undermine the EU as when Brexit talks begins.

The MEP also noted that the UK will not be penalised in any form for its decision to respect the will of the British people as they leave the EU, but also warned if Brussels is taken for granted by the UK, it will get burnt for such an action.

While making his speech, Mr Hayes said: “If they try to play chicken with the European Union in these negotiations they will end up as roadkill. Greece tried to do this during their bailout talks and they learned their lesson the hard way.

“While the UK does have some cards to play, the EU clearly holds the upper hand in these talks. It is the EU that holds the keys to a transitional deal, single market access, customs union, equivalence and any sort of bespoke deal that the UK wants.

“If the UK wants to play brinkmanship, they will be facing a very stern opponent.”

He also warned the Republic of Ireland to resist the urge to attempt to exploit uncertainty in Britain for their own good. This is because, it appears Ireland has been executing charm attack in Britain as it tries to persuade leaders in the financial sector to make Dublin their next hub.

Mr Hayes said: “It is in the DNA of Irish nationalism to see Britain’s difficulties as Ireland’s opportunities. There are some who cannot avoid the temptation for a little Brit bashing.

“Amidst all this uncertainty, it’s the task of mainstream politicians and mainstream parties to calm things down.”

Mr Hayes added: “The UK must never be regarded as some third country in its new relationship with the EU. It’s not like Brazil or Mexico, its importance to the financing and the economy of Europe must be recognised.

“We have to find a solution that works for the EU and the UK.”

He went further to appeal to both the EU and the UK to exhibit some level of mutual respect and understanding, and also called for an end to nationalism, irrespective of the country involved.

Mr Hayes said: “The great success of the EU has been to keep a lid on the ever present nationalism that has caused such chaos in the first half of the last century.

“The drumbeat of nationalism is once again being heard across the continent.

“The dangers of an awoken nationalism on these islands – be it English, Scottish or Irish nationalism – make the task of business stability and business confidence more difficult. Trade does not grow when countries are putting up barriers.”

Scottish National Party deputy leader dodges question on referendum outome

Scottish National Party deputy leader dodges question on referendum outome

Politics Unknown   08:13

The deputy leader of the Scottish National Party Angus Robertson tactically dodged answering a question when asks the First Minister’ second independence referendum fails, whether the party would still go ahead to campaign for another referendum for Scotland.

Instead he answered saying he would never give up on what he believes in that “the undertaking of democratic change is not given up” even if the Scottish people vote to remain a part of the UK.

The ambiguous answer came after The Guardian’s Owen Jones asked: “If you get that referendum, and you lose it, is that it?”

Towards which Mr Robertson said: “Look, the undertaking of democratic change is not given up.

“I’m never going to turn my back on my beliefs and I wouldn’t encourage people in other parties to do it either.”

According to the pro-EU politician the SNP had called for a second vote because it was “right” for Scotland to have a vote on its future before Theresa May’s negotiations with the bloc are finished. Saying that “We’re holding a referendum because it’s right.

“But I actually think the proposition of a Scotland with a continuing relationship with Europe and a sovereign state able to determine our own future when measured against a part of a right-wing Brexit Britain that’s doing the exact opposite, there will be a very lively debate about it but I think we’d win that.”

The SNP deputy leader also blasted the Prime Minister for rejecting Ms Sturgeon's demand for a referendum sometime between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, as he argued “everyone and their dog” was going to be given a vote on the final Brexit deal.

“At the end of negotiations between the UK and the EU there are going to be a number of months for a decision to be taken on the outcome of the negotiations,” Mr Robertson said.

“That decision will be made in the European Parliament, it will be made by all 27 member states of the European Union, it will be made in the House of Lords by people that nobody’s elected, be made in the House of Commons which has a non-Scottish majority.

“Given everybody and their dog seems to be able to have a choice at that stage, why can the people of Scotland not have a choice?”

He further took a swipe at Mrs May, saying: “If the Prime Minister was confident that the outcome that she is negotiating is going to be so popular she shouldn’t run away from the public.”

During PMQs on Wednesday, Mrs May slapped down Mr Robertson after he accused her of "broken promises”, saying the PM promised she would secure a UK-wide agreement.

He asked: "Will Scotland have a choice? "

Mrs May snapped back saying: "Can I remind you Scotland is part of the UK", before adding: “I have been very clear throughout and since my first visit to Edinburgh last July, we were going to work with devolved administration.

“But it would be a UK approach it would be the UK government that took forward that. We are taking forward the view of the UK into negotiations with the EU on the UK exiting the EU.

"The Scottish Nationalist Party. They consistently talk about independence as the subject they want to talk about.

“Now is not the time to be talking about a second referendum. On today of all days we should be coming together as a United Kingdom to get the best deal for Britain.”

Britain and the European Union ready for a break-up talks as both parties declares their terms for negotiation

Britain and the European Union ready for a break-up talks as both parties declares their terms for negotiation

Politics Unknown   07:53

Both parties in the Brexit negotiation seem to be fully ready for any hard Brexit position from any of the parties concerned.

Eastern Europeans in their opening salvos have decided to build up united front strategically.

Consequently, French and German leaders have publicly and categorically maintained the exit deal must be negotiated separately and before the association agreement.

Which means before any future relationship with both parties are worked out, the terms of the eixt must be sorted out first.

In other words, the terms of the divorce must be settled before discussing how the UK and EU are going to get along as neighbours.

Such a position perfectly suits the EU, as most of the areas they want would be discussed and settled early enough, before Britain is given any opportunity to make argument concerning their areas of interests, which is mainly on trade agreement with the European Union after the final exit is done.

Though Mr Tusk has said that divorce issues do not ned to be conclude before the kick-start of trade talks, saying that all the EU needs is "sufficient progress" in them before moving to the next phase.

Such a strategy allows the EU to assert that it has to some extent compromise its position, by the British Prime Minister a carrot, as one EU source told Sky News earlier.

Furthermore, Mr Muscat stated that the size of the divorce bill Britain faces after Brexit does not have to be settled before talks about trade etc begin, just an agreement on the methodology on reaching the final tally.

This could allow Mrs May to argue talks are happening in parallel, while the EU will be able to maintain they are not.

As the parties manoeuvre they know they must maintain goodwill, so a sour start does not end up causing damage to both sides.

Like teenage lovers, the break-up is under way.

Both sides say they are sure they'll stay the best of friends, while others looking on wonder how long they'll be able to keep it up.

Britain vows never to allow Spain use Brexit as an excuse to take over Gibraltar

Britain vows never to allow Spain use Brexit as an excuse to take over Gibraltar

Politics Unknown   06:21

Political big-wings in the United Kingdom stood their ground last week to resist any attempt by Spain to take over Gibraltar using Brexit as an excuse.

Report has it that Madrid is making frantic efforts to force the inhabitants Gibraltar to submit themselves to Spain, using the EU single market as a bait to get their ways through.

It was Friday’s morning the news came that Spain has been able to get a special veto over Gibraltar, which could stop Britain from extending any post Brexit trade agreement there.

The bombshell clause, buried deep in the EU’s negotiating guidelines, took British bureaucrats totally by surprise and is already threatening to sour the start of the divorce negotiations.

The development which triggered an instant reaction from Westminster where MPs said that Gibraltar’s 30,000 strong population, who overwhelmingly backed Remain but also want to stay British, must not be used as bargaining chips.

Powerful Tory backbencher Andrew Rosindell, who is the vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gibraltar, also said if Spain tried to stop the Rock being part of any Brexit deal the UK would simply walk away from the table.

He fumed: “An agreement without including Gibraltar means there can be no agreement. British people must and will stand together, we cannot be bullied by Spain.

“Any agreement must apply equally to the whole British family and that includes Gibraltar. There can be no compromise on this."

One British official said the "totally unacceptable" clause had caught Whitehall by surprise, raging: "One really wonders why the EU has thought it sensible to put in something that's a bi-lateral issue between Spain and the UK."

However, EU sources told express.co.uk they were more “relaxed” about the situation, saying the document “simply states the situation as currently exists and changes nothing" because Spain would have a veto over any trade deal anyway.

They added that Madrid was politically posturing and “obviously wants it in there to make a point" but added that the wording did not carry much significance in legal terms.

The EU’s guidelines state: “After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom.”

Lib Dem MP Tom Brake said the inclusion of the clause in the EU’s official negotiating position showed how vital it was for Theresa May to seal a deal securing the future of the Rock as quickly as possible.

He said: “Confirmation that Gibraltar’s future must be agreed by the UK and Spain shows just how damaging the government’s hard Brexit will be on this strategically important British territory.

“Theresa May must urgently produce a plan that protects the citizens of Gibraltar, including their businesses and communities. It is our obligation to support our overseas territories, and any attempt to brush off the importance of this issue is a dereliction of duty by the government.”

A spokesman for the UK Government said: “These are draft guidelines and we look forward to beginning negotiations once they have been formally agreed by the 27 member states.

“It is clear both sides wish to approach these talks constructively, and as the Prime Minister said this week, wish to ensure a deep and special partnership between the UK and the European Union.”

Also a Tory MEP Ashley Fox, who represents Gibraltar, separately criticised Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt for failing to mention the fate of the Rock's citizens in his draft resolution on the EU parliament's Brexit red lines.

Mr Fox said: “There is much in the resolution that I find disappointing, but that does not surprise me.

"What I find both surprising and most unwelcome is the way Mr Verhofstadt has ignored Gibraltar's participation in the referendum. 

"I can only conclude that they are both frightened of offending Spain."

The resolution, unveiled by the former Belgian prime minister earlier this week, calls for reciprocal rights for EU and British citizens by stating that "a large number of United Kingdom citizens, including a majority in Northern Ireland and Scotland, voted to remain in the European Union".

Could Brexit bring about the end of a Union? As Jeremy Corbyn vows not to stop Northern Ireland from exit the UK

Could Brexit bring about the end of a Union? As Jeremy Corbyn vows not to stop Northern Ireland from exit the UK

Politics Unknown   06:10

More troubles seem to be looming in the United Kingdom following the outcome of Brexit and the recent triggering of Article 50 by the Prime Minister as she vowed to respect the will of the British people.

Following the hard stance of the PM in delivery on her Brexit plan for the British people, Scotland and Northern Ireland are threatening to break out of the United Kingdom because they feel side-lined by the Tories by not taking into consideration the majority of Scottish and Irish people who voted to remain in the EU.

Accordingly, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has come out to announce that he will not allow himself be a hindrance to Ireland if they also opt for a referendum to leave the UK like the Scottish people are demanding.

Corbyn advised that if Northern Ireland decides to exit the Uk, they “should be allowed” to make a decision on their future.

Mr Corbyn made his position known during a BBC programme while being quizzed about the future of Northern Ireland's borders by Andrew Neil.

He said: “I think we have to recognise that there is going to be an enormous complication about the Northern Ireland border with the Republic, after the exit from the European Union.

“Nobody wants a hard-border, everyone wants to support the Belfast Agreement.

“The Belfast Agreement is built in to the whole European Union arrangements so there is going to have to be an agreement on movement of people, on goods across the border, between the Republic and the six counties.”

When asked by Neil whether Corbyn would welcome a referendum on a United Ireland.

His reply was: “That’s up for the people of Northern Ireland to decide. Whether they want a referendum or not.

“If the Ireland assembly wants to have one then they should be allowed to but I do think the important thing is now is to reach an agreement to ensure that the good relationship between the six counties and the Republic continues and the border stays absolutely open, so people can freely move across it.” 

Similarly, Brexit Secretary David Davis has hitherto proposed that Northern Ireland would be able to join the Republic of Ireland if voting suggested a change in public support.

If that happens, Northern Ireland would be able to Remain as part of the European Union without applying for membership, following on from Eastern Germany when it united with Western Germany in 1990.

Conversely, while Northern Ireland voted to Remain in the EU with 56 per cent in the referendum vote last June, surveying before Brexit showed little support in the country for a reunified Ireland.

In a letter from Mr Davis to SDLP MP Mark Durkan, the Brexit secretary revealed the Government would stand by the reunification rules in the Good Friday agreement.

He wrote: “If a majority of the people of Northern Ireland were ever to vote to become part of a united Ireland the UK government will honour its commitment to enable that to happen.”

Nicola Sturgeon formally demands the Prime Minister to prepare grounds for Scottish indyref 2

Nicola Sturgeon formally demands the Prime Minister to prepare grounds for Scottish indyref 2

Politics Unknown   09:55

It was barely a day before the triggering of Article 50 that the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood voted in favour of holding another independence referendum. And now bare a day after the PM triggered Article 50, the First Minister of Scotland has written to the PM for them to also begin arrangement for a second indyref.

Based on that, it is being understood that the First Minister is going to be advising the PM to begin a start regarding the power to have another Scottish independence referendum.

She will say time is tight if the process for holding it is to be squeezed into her preferred timetable of 18 months.

It is a request that Theresa May will almost certainly reject judging from her comments concerning the issue.

Ms Sturgeon made the final version herself inside her private study on the upper floors of her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh. After Scottish Government officials drafted several versions of the letter, and then tweeted a picture of herself writing the letter while sat casually on a sofa.

A hard copy of the letter will be sent to Downing Street, which will also be backed up with a PDF file emailed as an attachment.

It is becoming fire for fire, as Top EU members reply to Theresa May’s trigger of Article 50

It is becoming fire for fire, as Top EU members reply to Theresa May’s trigger of Article 50

Politics Unknown   09:33

Barely 24 hours after Britain triggered the much awaited Article 50, have two powerful leaders in the European Union overruled one of the major demands being made by the PM.

The retaliatory trigger was pulled by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her French counterpart President Francois Hollande concerning the manner in which Brexit the negotiation is being conducted.

Mrs Merkel, in her speech yesterday stated that: "The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship."

Similarly this morning Mr Hollande told the PM during a phone conversation that he also thought the terms of withdrawal should come first.

It is an obvious fact that the Mrs May is not ready to pay up her exit fee, if she is not told the level of access that will be given to her.

According to David Davis, while speaking to Sky News this morning: "We've got to debate this" as he defended the Government's view that talks over the UK's departure should run in parallel with future trade negotiations."

He insists that Mrs Merkel doesn't have the final word, saying: "It's a negotiation and we want to do it in a certain way."

But he adds: "Article 50 says the departure should be negotiated taking into account the ongoing deal."

"It makes it pretty plain they've got to be done together.

"We think that's a smart way to do it, because everybody then can make a judgement as to what's a good outcome for everybody - what the balance of outcomes are."

Though the Brexit Secretary’s claim is correct as it is captured in Article 50

He is right that this is specified in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

It states that if a country chooses to leave, "the Union shall negotiate and conclude an agreement with that State, setting out the arrangements for its withdrawal, taking account of the framework for its future relationship with the Union". So therefore, it is left for the parties involved to interpret it to suit their prevailing circumstances.

Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the European Parliament's Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group, told Adam Boulton's All Out Politics on Sky News: "The treaty is very clear about this.

"In Article 50 it's stipulated that first of all you do the withdrawal agreement in the light of your future relationship between the UK and the EU."

From the look of things, Mrs Merkel's opinion appears to have increasing backing, while this morning, when asked by Sky News, the PM's spokesman was reluctant or unable to name any leaders who supported Mrs May on this.

In some ways, Mrs Merkel's position on dismissing the idea of parallel negotiations is strengthened by Mrs May's approach to Brexit.

Judging from her Lancaster House speech in January, the PM was clear that the UK wanted a clean break from the EU, saying she did "not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave".

Thus, it becomes quite simple for the EU to deliver that clean break being sorted for by the UK, settling assets and liabilities, paying off the divorce bill and then saying only afterwards we should look at the future trading relationship.

Had the UK stated its willingness to retain certain areas of EU membership, having a parallel negotiation would have more simple.

Nevertheless, the UK could still come up with the argument that they still have some kind of shared interests in areas, like ongoing investment in scientific research, and that these things need to be settled and agreed upon before the divorce bill can be known.

When Sky News asked Number 10 whether the divorce bill was a negotiating chip for a possible future trading deal with the EU, the PM's spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on negotiation strategy.

It seems the negotiation over the negotiation could drag on and certainly it is unlikely to be settled until after the Council of Europe meets on 29 April.

Here ministers will decide the guidelines for negotiations.

Mr Davis says "that's the point at which we should start saying 'OK, we agree here, we disagree there'".

But it's a worry that in the first battle of this negotiation, the EU's biggest players are so openly opposed to the UK's planned approach.

After nine months, the UK has finally delivered - Donald Tusk

After nine months, the UK has finally delivered - Donald Tusk

Politics Unknown   09:30

Several months after the British people voted to leave the European Union, the Prime Minister Theresa May has finally triggered the long waited Article 50 yesterday to begin the negotiation process which is expected to last for at least two years.

After receiving the formal notification from the UK, the Commission’s President Donald Tusk wrote on his twitter handle saying: "After nine months the UK has delivered. #Brexit."

Kicking off the two-year process of withdrawal from the European Union, Theresa May told MPs: "This is a historic moment from which there can be no turning back." Saying it was "a day of celebration for some and disappointment for others".

However she added: "Now is the time for us to come together, to be united across this House and across this country to ensure that we work for the best possible deal for the UK and the best possible future for us all."

She promised to convey "the democratic will of the British people" and to take the "unique opportunity" to "shape a brighter future" for the UK, adding: "I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead."

The PM in her speech struck a note of appeasement, maintaining: "We are leaving the European Union, but we are not leaving Europe - as we want to remain committed partners and allies to our friends across the continent."

Then she said a UK exit without a deal "is not the outcome that either side should seek".

Mr Tusk addressing at a news conference shortly after being handed the Article 50 notice: "There is no reason to pretend that this is a happy day, neither in Brussels nor in London.

"After all most Europeans, including almost half the British voters, wish that we would stay together, not drift apart.

"But, paradoxically, there is also something positive in Brexit.

"Brexit has made us, the community of 27, more determined and more united than before."

And in a personal message to Britain he added: "We already miss you. Thank you and goodbye."

On the other hand, despite the triggering of Article 50, the European Commission, Council and Parliament have signalled that "EU law must apply until Brexit day" - when Britain officially leaves.

In line with Theresa May’s desire to settle the issue of residency from both parties, the European Parliament, which can veto a UK-EU deal, is expected next week to make the guarantee of full EU citizen rights a red line.

Theresa May is seeking to simultaneously negotiate a fresh deal with the EU at the same time with divorce settlement, but such a plan is being rejected by the EU saying, for any fresh deal to be struck, the UK must first of all leave the union officially.

Angela Merkel in particular has refused Mrs May's request for negotiations on Britain's withdrawal to run alongside talks on a trade deal.

The German Chancellor said: "The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship... and only when this question is dealt with, can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship."

After the triggering of Article 50 Nigel Farage announced that "Today's the day the impossible dream came true. I'm delighted," while enjoying a pint in central London.

North of the English border, however, a day after MSPs backed a second Scottish independence vote, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted ahead of the declaration: "Today, the PM will take the UK over a cliff with no idea of the landing place. Scotland didn't vote for it and our voice has been ignored."