Bad news for Nicola Sturgeon as MPs from her party signed to prevent Scotland from rejoining the EU

Bad news for Nicola Sturgeon as MPs from her party signed to prevent Scotland from rejoining the EU

World Unknown   08:30

Nicola Sturgeon seem to have been betrayed by some of her party members. According to sources, top Scotland National Party MPs have given their support to an election pledge that would help to put behind any plan for Scotland to re-join the EU should the region gets the much clamoured independence.

Accordingly, a collection of MPs headed by the SNP’s welfare spokesman Eilidh Whiteford and chief whip Mike Weir have all given their support to the “Brexit Sea of Opportunity” pledge drawn up by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).

They were also committed by the statement to “avoid any policy, practice, regulation or treaty which could return [the UK] to the [EU’s] Common Fisheries (CFP) Policy and the enforced giveaway of almost two thirds of Scottish fish stocks".

The CFP being a no go area in the EU negotiation which was signed by MPs irrespective of their Sturgeon’s demand for another indyref.

The actions taken at the House of Commons has increased the chaos being faced by the SNP as they call for another independence referendum just three years after they lost the last one.

This blow on Sturgeon comes at a time when the SNP seem to be losing popularity in Scotland, with the Tories gaining more grounds.

Surprisingly, the pledge was also signed by Scottish Secretary David Mundell committing the Conservatives and current UK Government to protecting Britain’s fishing stocks from being negotiated away in the Brexit talks after the election.

He said: “I was delighted to sign this pledge the UK is leaving the cfp we will regain control of our fishing and I look forward to working with the industry to turn the Sea of Opportunity into a reality.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: “This is more confusion from the SNP on its position in relation to Europe.

“It likes to pretend that it wants Scotland and the UK to still be part of the EU.

“Yet on one of the key planks of EU policy, its MPs have said they categorically want out.

“The nationalists can’t have it both ways – if you’re in the EU, you have to be in the CFP too.

“It underlines the hypocrisy at the heart of the SNP when it comes to Brexit matters.”

Ukip fisheries spokesman Mike Hookem said: “The rank sordid hypocrisy of the SNP in signing a declaration in support of Scottish fishermen ranks as possibly the most preposterous piece of look what I say not what I do I have ever seen.

“Anybody might think there was an election on and they assume the Scottish voters are stupid, they are not.”

Ms Whiteford insisted that the SNP “have always opposed the common fisheries policy in its current form.”

She was unable to say how Scotland could rejoin the EU and remain outside the fisheries policy, but she appeared to suggest that the party now prefers to only join the single market.

She said: “If you look at Norway and Iceland they are part of the single market but outside the EU and the common fisheries policy.”

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the SFF said that the EU’s fishing policy had been a travesty and meant that 60 per cent of Scottish and British fishing stocks had been taken by foreign trawlers.

He said: “Can you imagine if we asked France, Italy or Spain for 60 per cent of their grapes so we can make wine? It would be ridiculous and so is giving up our natural resources.”

Sky News presenter reacts to Labour MP's statement on rights of EU nationals living in the UK

Sky News presenter reacts to Labour MP's statement on rights of EU nationals living in the UK

World Unknown   09:55

Labour MPs rebuked by Adam boulton for insulting the British Prime Minister for her refusal to automatically guarantee the rights of EU nationals living in the Britain.

While rebuking the Labour MP, he also made clear that it was the EU that have refused to see reasons with Theresa May, in trying to ensure the rights of EU nationals and their British counterparts are secured before the triggering of Article 50.

During his chat with Sky News, the representing Feltham and Heston welcomed shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer’s proclamation to secure the rights of EU citizens in the UK.

She said: “These are people who are in our public services, running businesses, whose kids go to our schools.”

Boulton, firing back, said: “You’d give the European Union citizens the right to remain here, why should the European Union reciprocate?”

But then Ms Malhotra said it was all about “the tone we set” for negotiating Brexit.

She also said: “Why would you even want to put into play people’s rights who are here working, paying taxes, working in our public services, there’s many other areas in which you can negotiate.”

The host then cut off the politician and blasted: “Because the EU said they wouldn’t agree a deal in advance!” Ms Malhotra in a swift response insisted migrants’ rights should not be up for negotiation.

She said: “I think there are many other areas you can see us having effective negotiations on.

“I think the reality is that a hard Brexit may well lead to hard times. David Davis couldn’t even say what was worse than no deal, nor had he done any economic assessment of the Government’s plans.”

Also Conservative MP John Whittingdale who was on the programme, said Mrs May had been “very clear” on the issue.

He said: “Of course we want people that are already residents and working in this country to go on having the same rights as they’ve had up until now.

“But I’m also very conscious that there’s a great deal of concern and uncertainty amongst the British citizens who are currently living in places like France and Italy and Spain.

“And therefore I think it’s right that we make sure that they’re interests are looked after as well as those European nationals in Britain.”

World Unknown   09:17

Europea Union leaders seem to be unhappy with the frantic efforts being put in place by the British Prime Minister in trying to secure a good deal for the British people who voted to leave the EU.

The latest of such anger is coming from Guy Verhofstadt as he tagged the PM’s electoral process "nonsensical" saying she fixing early election would not in any way guarantee her having advantage during Brexit talks.

Guy Verhofstadt accused Theresa May for making a U-turn on the issue of general election in Britain, saying such a move was engineered by "political opportunism".

According to the one time Belgian prime minister, even if the Conservatives win more seats in parliament, that would not automatically give her the anticipated advantage in the Brexit negotiations.

The EU leader’s statements are likely to infuriate Mrs May, who has maintained that an increased Commons majority would strengthen her hand in the Brexit talks, because it will make it more difficult for the opposition parties at home to obstruct her plans.

Writing in The Observer, Mr Verhofstadt said: "The theory espoused by some, that Theresa May is calling a General Election on Brexit in order to secure a better deal with the EU, is nonsensical.

"Will the election of more Tory MPs give Theresa May a greater chance of securing a better Brexit deal? For those sitting around the table in Brussels, this is an irrelevance."

He added: "Many in Brussels remain concerned that the chances of a deal are being eroded by the British Prime Minister's tough negotiating red lines and her lack of political room for manoeuvre domestically, yet there is no guarantee that a sprinkling of additional Conservative MPs on the backbenches of the House of Commons will provide this.

"Indeed, it appears this election is being driven by the political opportunism of the party in government, rather than by the people they represent."

Survey reveals how Sat Nav/Smartphones could lead UK drivers into trouble

Survey reveals how Sat Nav/Smartphones could lead UK drivers into trouble

World Unknown   05:46

Drivers in the United Kingdom have been warned not to depend too much on their Sat Navs as doing so could cost them some grave consequences.

A new research conducted by uSwitch.com has revealed that using Sat Navs and smartphones for directions while driving is making a lot of drivers to drive dangerously.

The study also found out that about 78 percent of drivers depend so much on their devices, and issued some helpful advice on the speed limit of any road they found themselves in.

In a similar vein, more than half of drivers in the UK agreed that they indeed depend on their devices to tell them of the lawful speed limit.

While some confessed that their devices have made them to engage in dangerous driving, and sometimes going the wrong way down on a one way street, thus posing risks to other road users.

Also, the study shows that 16 percent of drivers position their devices behind the steering wheel, on the passenger seat or close to the gear stick.

Accordingly, any driver caught touching their phone while driving could be penalised with a £200 fine, while those who drive carelessly could be fined £100.

The study also revealed that the most drivers are of the believe that putting in place more road signs assist them to keep to the lawful speed limits. Even though some regulatory changes released in 2016 only have few speed limit signs on the road.

Rod Jones, insurance expert at uSwitch.com, said: “We are officially a nation of Sat Nav junkies, but our addiction to technology is causing us to drive dangerously and risk large fines.

“While Sat Nav and smartphones are an incredibly useful tool for motorists, it is important to remember they are never a complete substitute for knowing the rules of the road.

 “Tougher penalties have already been introduced around handheld device usage that could mean newer drivers losing their licence after a first offence and for all drivers the penalties have increased.

“And drivers will be hit even harder for speeding when the new, heavier, fines come into effect next week.

“It is important to remember not to handle your mobile phone or Sat Nav while driving, no matter how tempting.

“If you need to change your route, having taken a wrong turn, find somewhere safe to park first.”

Theresa May to consider tax increase after June 8 election

Theresa May to consider tax increase after June 8 election

UK Unknown   06:44

Due to the controversies surrounding the Tories attempted efforts to break the promise made in their manifesto not to increase tax, the PM Theresa May has to make the issue of taxation part of her election campaign.

She made this known, during and answer in while in Dudley for her electioneering campaign, and challenged the UK voting public to take a deep look at the Tories’ history as it affects taxation within the past seven years.

While addressing some newsmen, the PM made it clear that the Conservatives "always has been, is, and will continue to be" a party that believes in lower taxes for working people.

According to official record, about four million people have been stopped from paying taxes as a result of government’s policies and regulations, while 31 million people have had their tax bill reduced.

The PM was also asked if her part’s manifesto would include guaranteeing to keep intact the "triple lock" on state pensions that ensures an increase of at least 2.5% every year.

Despite all the pressures pressed on her to comment on the issue, Mrs May again refused to make such a guarantee, but claimed pensioners had become £1,250 better off under the Conservatives, a record which is far higher than what Labour governments of the past had offered annually with a rise of just 75p one year.

In a similar vein, Jeremy Corbyn has sworn to keep the triple lock if a Labour government is elected.

When asked by Sky's Gerard Tubb whether he would promise not to raise VAT or income tax, the Labour leader said: "The Tories are handing £70bn back in tax to big business and corporations.

"We won't do that. We will instead reverse those tax cuts for the corporations and big business in order to fund the social changes we want to bring in this country.

"Our tax burdens will not fall on those with low incomes. They will fall on those with the broadest shoulders who can bear the greatest burden."

The issue of taxation became a serious issue due to Chancellor Hammond’s recent statement while in the US where he said, the UK government could no longer manage the country’s economy effectively, because of the constraints the government is faced with that is caused by the Tories manifesto.

British Prime Minister insists on reducing net migration to the tens of thousands

British Prime Minister insists on reducing net migration to the tens of thousands

World Unknown   06:32

Despite being slammed by the public as a result of her inability to bring net migration below 100,000 as promised by the Tory led government, Theresa May has again insisted that she is committed to that promise.

So far it is not clear, if the controversial net migration issue will still be part of the Conservatives manifesto for the June 8 snap election.

The PM while speaking on the campaign trail in Enfield, in north London, said: "We want to see sustainable net migration in this country.

"I believe that sustainable net migration is in the tens of thousands.

"Leaving the European Union enables us to control our borders in relation to people coming from the EU, as well as those who are coming from outside."

Though while working as the Home Secretary for about six years, the PM over and over failed to bring that to a reality.

Also, the Culture Secretary earlier on, had refused to be drawn on whether the target to get numbers down to "tens of thousands" would be in the manifesto.

She said: "What we need is to have the right people, to attract the brightest and best.

"It's not about putting numbers on it, it's about making sure we can deliver where industries need skills, where the brightest and best want to come to Britain."

Mrs May also seized on apparent confusion within Labour after Jeremy Corbyn was forced to rule out backing a second referendum on the terms of the final Brexit deal having earlier refusing to do so when pressed by.

Seemingly unaware Mr Corbyn had already ruled out a second Brexit vote, she said: "People voted in the referendum last year to leave the European Union.

"That's what the Government needs to put into place and his failure to rule that second referendum out shows the coalition of chaos that we would have under Jeremy Corbyn."