Nicola Sturgeon begs to have a say in Brexit negotiations

Nicola Sturgeon begs to have a say in Brexit negotiations

Politics Unknown   14:13

As the June snap general election draws closer, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon perfects plans to appeal to all Scottish voters to cast their votes in support of the Scottish National Party. This she claimed would indicate would put her in vantage position to place a strong demand to the PM to actively involve Scotland during Brexit talks.

The SNP leader is expected to say: “Now, more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

“Only then can we stop the Tories at Westminster bartering away Scotland's jobs and industries in Brexit negotiations.

"This election is not about giving Theresa May a free hand, it's about strengthening Scotland's hand, strengthening Scotland's hand against an unchecked Tory Government at Westminster, strengthening Scotland's hand in Brexit negotiations and strengthening our right to take our own decisions."

After the June 2016 Brexit referendum, the SNP leader renewed call for another Scottish indyref, as she is poised to ensure Scotland remained part of the EU single market even after Brexit.

Though during her appearance on the Andrew Marr show last Sunday, the First Minister said that Scotland may likely not join the EU even if it gains independence, but would prefer to be a member of the European free trade area.

This latest plea to the Scottish voting public comes after a recent survey reveals that Sturgeon’s nationalist cause could be under threat from the Conservatives, as they are fully ready to win a quarter of the Scotland’s 59 seats on June 8.

According to a Panel base survey 33 per cent of voters support Ruth Davidson’s party, with another poll by Survation found 28 per cent of Scots support the Tories.

In the past five General Elections after 1992, the Conservatives have failed to win more than one seat in Scotland.

British PM to make workers' rights her priority if elected

British PM to make workers' rights her priority if elected

Politics Unknown   10:30

British Prime Minister Theresa May set to work out a "new deal for workers" as she is determined to propose safeguards for "gig economy" workers and new rights to be off work to care for relatives who may be in need.

The PM is making every effort to sell herself to the voting public that she is a leader who support all working people in the UK, as she also intend to raise the National Living Wage - currently £7.50 an hour - in line with average earnings until 2022.

The PM has once again reaffirmed that she is fully committed to protect the rights of all workers as enshrined in EU law, even after Brexit, as was outlined in her Article 50 triggering document.

According to the Conservatives the party’s manifesto promises - to be unveiled in full this week - would represent the "greatest expansion of workers' rights by any Conservative government".

Also included in the PM’s package is a commitment to protect workers' pensions in the wake of the BHS scandal; a new right to request leave for training purposes; a right to leave for workers who suffer the tragedy of losing a child; and the introduction of returnships for people coming back into work after a period of time off.

However, the PM’s effort to tone herself as the supporter of "ordinary working people" appears to have negated what is current on ground, as analysis suggests that low income working families face significant reductions in income as a result of planned cuts to benefits, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

The analysis found one million households with children and no one in work would be £3,000 worse off, while three million working households with children currently entitled to tax credits would be on average £2,500 worse off. A further four million households with children not entitled to tax credits would be £100 a year worse off.

Nevertheless, Andrew Gwynne, Labour's campaigns and elections chair, states that Mrs May was "taking working people for fools".

"Theresa May and her Tory government have failed to stand up for workers, with hundreds of thousands not being paid the money owed to them, thousands unable to get their case against their employer heard and hundreds of complaints of employment agency malpractice going un-investigated.

"The Tories have spent the last seven years prioritising the few, opposing Labour's proposals to give workers more rights and overseeing wage stagnation which has left people worse off."

Also speaking on the issue, Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor, was equally contemptuous.

"The Conservatives tried to ban workers from striking and were blocked by the Liberal Democrats in government," said the former business secretary, who clashed with No.10 over workers' rights in the coalition years.

"It's clear they aren't the party of workers' rights and that you can't trust them to care about you and your family."

Furthermore, Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, was equally sceptical, saying "the greatest extensions of workers' rights by a Tory government frankly wouldn't be that hard to achieve given recent history".

He said the Tories should "end the public sector pay pinch" if they really want to prove the lot of working Britain, as he urged the Conservatives to "commit to a real living wage that people can live on without claiming benefits - all of which Labour has pledged to do".

Mr Roace also said: "And let's not forget, a lot of the problems working people face day in day out were caused by Tory austerity policies in the first place".

Pay rises in the public sector are capped at 1% a year until 2020, which could see 5.4 million public sector workers see a real-terms cut in their wages as a decade of pay restraint and high inflation eats into their living standards.

But Mrs May's proposals were given a cautious welcome by the Trade Union Congress, which described the measures as a "promising set of commitments", but said workers needed to see the details before they cast their votes.

Mrs May, on tour in southern England, will say on Monday: "There is only one leader that will put rights and opportunities for working families first.

"The choice is clear: economic stability and a better deal for workers under my Conservative team, or chaos under Jeremy Corbyn."

Recent survey reveals Mrs May and her party may get major votes from Leave voters

Recent survey reveals Mrs May and her party may get major votes from Leave voters

Politics Unknown   08:41

Political analysts have said that the upcoming snap general election my just be drawn along party line, but according to the voting pattern of the Brexit referendum where votes were made across party lines. Accordingly, it has been predicted that the Conservative Party could be having an overwhelming victory in the election.

A recently conducted opinion poll by YouGov reveals that 64% of the voting public see Brexit as one of the major challenges being faced by the UK, as it is fast becoming a unifying factor.

Data from the Financial Times have as a result separated the country’s voting population into three major groups as follows: the Hard Leavers, who want out the EU represent 45 per cent; the Hard Remainers, who want to stop Brexit represent 22 per cent, and the newest group the Re-Leavers — those who voted to Remain last summer but think the Government now has a duty to leave – represent up to 23 per cent voters.

Therefore, following the release of the above data, the Tories and Ukip, who have vowed to ensure Brexit is fully implemented, are now looking for voters from a pool of about 68 percent of voters, while Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Green are fighting for just 22 per cent of the electorate.

Accordingly, 7 0ut 10 Leavers determined to give their support to the PM and her party, while 45% of Re-Leavers have also decided to give their vote to the Tories.

This is because some voters have claimed that the position of the Labour Party regarding Brexit is not sceptical.

On the other hand, the Liberal Democrats anti-Brexit positon has also angered so many voters to turn their backs against the party, as they believe the country should carry out the implementation of its divorce arrangement from the EU, as its second referendum idea has been unpopular.

The report comes as Theresa May has urged voters to trust her as she vowed she will “try to say it as it is”.

Mrs May said: "Certainly that's my political philosophy”

"What it says on the tin is what they get."

While Nigel Farage has called for the Hard-Leaver voters to stay with Ukip as he warned that the Prime Minister may soften her positions.

He said: "The cat is out of the bag. She wants a big majority so she can soften the position in Brussels and we basically finish up being half in, half out.”*

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson places a demand on Brussels to pay the ‘ridiculous’ Brexit divorce bill

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson places a demand on Brussels to pay the ‘ridiculous’ Brexit divorce bill

Politics Unknown   07:51

Britain spits fire, as Boris talks about the possibility of Brussels being forced to pay the controversial Brexit divorce bill, accusing the EU of making every move to “bleed this country white”. An opinion which is at variance with the claim of EU leaders against the UK.

According to his analysis, which may after be correct, as every assets is matched against liabilities, even in everyday business practice. Saying that it is possible for Britain to “definitely” walk away without paying any penny, because the country’s share of the bloc’s assets may be very well enough that Brussels may even pay into the UK’s treasury.

Asked whether he agreed with former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith that Britain might end up receiving a payment, Mr Johnson told the Daily Telegraph: "I do, I think there are very good arguments.

"There are assets, I don't want to get too much into the detail of the negotiation but there are assets that we share, that we have paid for over the years and there will need to be a proper computation of the value of those assets.

"I certainly think the bill that's been presented at the moment is absurd."

Mr Johnson speaking further condemned the "shameful" leaking of details of a Downing Street meeting between Prime Minister Theresa May, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier showed "Brussels is ruthless in its negotiating techniques".

Accusing the EU of "trying it on", he said: "They are going to try to bleed this country white with their bill.

"The logic behind this bill is absolutely preposterous. We could definitely walk away."

The Foreign Secretary also warned about the likelihood of Russian interfering in the upcoming general election, saying it is a "realistic possibility", and claimed Russian president Vladimir Putin would "rejoice" if Jeremy Corbyn got into Number 10.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "I think it is a realistic possibility. Clearly we think that is what he (Mr Putin) did in America, it's blatantly obvious that's what he did in France. In the western Balkans he is up to all sorts of sordid enterprises, so we have to be vigilant."

Mr Johnson suggested Mr Putin's motive was "to undermine faith in democracy altogether and to discredit the whole democratic process".

Michael Barnier's Brexit speech slammed by Irish politicians in parliament

Michael Barnier's Brexit speech slammed by Irish politicians in parliament

Politics Unknown   13:01

Despite his landmark speech delivered on the floor of the Irish parliament, Michael Barnier has given several condemnations from different politicians in Ireland after a careful look into details of his speech.

Moments after ending his speech, which cautioned that Brexit will come “at a cost” for all member states of the EU, a small number of nonplussed members of the Irish parliament gave a slam.

Socialist TD Richard Boyd Barrett took annoyance at the measures forced on Ireland after the bailout during the country’s economic crash, explaining it had inflicted “cruel and absolutely vicious austerity” on the country.

The politician also went further to lambast the EU chief negotiator and his colleagues in Brussels of working to achieve a “Fortress Europe” at the detriment of individual member states.

The TD said: "This week 350 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean because of the EU’s ‘Fortress Europe’ policies."

Thus, he refused to accept the EU’s right to negotiate outright with the UK, instead calling for an Irish referendum on whether or not to accept the final exit deal.

He said: "I don’t trust the European Union, Mr Barnier, to do a deal which will vindicate the need and aspirations of this country."

In a similar vein, Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein’s leader in the Republic and TD for Louth, also gave his criticism against Mr Barnier’s assertion which states that a good deal will be reached between Ireland and England.

He warned Mr Barnier: “Brexit will affect our entire island if we let it. It is already having a major negative effect.”

He said in light of challenges posed by Brexit, including the potential reintroduction of a hard border, Northern Ireland should be granted special status and be allowed to remain in the EU.

Mr Adams also called for a referendum on whether Ireland should accept the terms of the final Brexit deal agreed between Mr Barnier and the UK - further chipping away at Mr Barnier's right to negotiate on behalf of an entire union of states.

EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier begs for a friendly and ambitious Brexit negotiations with Britain

EU chief negotiator Michael Barnier begs for a friendly and ambitious Brexit negotiations with Britain

Politics Unknown   08:40

With the look of things it is becoming apparent that that after all the heated threats and counter threats from both parties, the European Union and the United Kingdom may sheath their swords in order to have an itch free negotiation for a better future relationships.

It was on Thursday afternoon when Michael Barnier while addressing the Irish parliament released statements for his ambitious hopes for closest possible future relationships between the UK and the EU, which analysts term a landmark speech.

Making his open conciliatory speech, the EU chief Brexit negotiator rejected “aggressive” eurocrats as he begged both Brussels and Westminster to take away any poison from the Brexit negotiations. Saying he received with deep regret the decision of the British people to exit the bloc, however, such a decision should not be allowed to destroy the long standing friendliness between the EU and the UK.

Mr Barnier told Irish MPs: “I am convinced that Ireland will play a major role in these changes…as a bridge across the Atlantic, as a supporter of the future relationship that we need to build with the UK.

“We want these negotiations to succeed, I want us to reach a deal. The UK has been a member of the EU for 44 years it should remain a close partner.

“We’ll need to negotiate a bold and ambitious but also fair free trade agreement. We will also need the same ambition for our research and innovation networks and for the fights against climate change.

“We need the same ambition in the field of our internal and external security, whether it’s the fight against terrorism, the exchange of information, or cyber security.

“We need the same ambition on foreign policy, on international cooperation and development. Tomorrow our international partners should be able to turn to the EU and to the UK and find in them strong and united advocates of our shared European values.”

Also in a sideswipe at both Downing Street and Brussels, he added: “If we negotiate with mutual respect without any kind of aggression, nicely, if we’re open to finding solutions there’s no reason why our strong Europe cannot maintain a close relationship with the strong UK.”

His stance was resonated by Irish Taioseach Enda Kenny, who called for a “scoping out” of future relations between Britain and the rest of the EU “as soon as possible”.

Thus, Mr Kenny, seen as one of the UK’s key allies in the talks, said: “This is a political challenge and we will have to be both flexible and imaginative to deal with it.

“Our objective is for a close and positive future relationship with the UK and we’re pleased therefore the guidelines say the EU wants an ambitious agreement not just in economic terms but also in areas such as security.”

Mr Barnier talking up the prospects of a good Brexit deal, also warned: “But let’s also be clear, Brexit will come at a cost also to us the 27.

“The UK’s departure from the EU will have consequences. We have the duty to speak the truth. We have together the duty to speak the truth.”