TheNewsGuru

Tag: Theresa May

  • Trump may visit U.K. May 2019 after country’s departure in March

    U.S. President Donald Trump may visit Britain in May 2019 after the country’s departure in March from the European Union, the U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Woody Johnson, said on Monday.

    Asked whether a state visit, promised by Prime Minister Theresa May last year, could be rescheduled to coincide with a commemoration of the end of World War II in May, Johnson told BBC radio: “Between you and me, I think that would be a good time.’’

    Trump visited Britain in July and although it was not a formal state visit after wide public protests, he met Queen Elizabeth.

    Brexit marks a watershed in Britain’s diplomatic relations with the world as it tries to reshape ties to Europe and bolster its long-standing “special relationship” with the U.S. under Trump’s presidency.

    Asked if Trump would like to come again for a state visit, Johnson said: “I would think the President would be in favour of it and looking forward to it because that was mentioned when he was over here.

    “So if we can do that, it would be, I think, a big positive.’’

    He said a deadlock in Britain’s parliament, which means that it is unclear what shape Brexit will take, meant a solution was necessary.

    “The country is in need of leadership.’’

    Johnson reiterated Trump’s view that the U.S. was looking forward to a “quick, very massive bilateral trade deal’’ after Brexit.

    However, he said that did not “look possible” under the current terms on which Prime Minister Theresa May has agreed to a draft deal to leave the EU.

    Trump said in November that May’s deal sounded like it would be good for the EU and cast doubt on how that would affect US-UK trading arrangements.

     

  • Theresa May wins confidence vote

    British Prime Minister Theresa May will retain her job at least till next year, after she won a confidence vote triggered by 48 Conservative rebel MPs, who hate the Brexit deal she worked out with EU in November.

    She won 200-117.

    After two hours of voting in Committee Room 14 in the House of Commons, Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, said 200 Conservative lawmakers had voted in support of May as leader, and 117 against.

    Before the vote, May told her MPs she expects to step down before the next scheduled election in 2022.

    “It is not her intention to lead the party in the 2022 general election,” Solicitor General Robert Buckland told the BBC after the meeting.

    “Quite rightly she is focusing on the here and now and the need for Brexit to be delivered.”

    MPs and ministers had rallied round May since the confidence vote was announced on Wednesday morning, sending the pound rising amid expectations she would win.

    In a defiant statement earlier outside her Downing Street office, the prime minister said she was “ready to finish the job” by taking Britain out of the European Union next March.

    She warned that ousting her now, sparking a weeks-long leadership contest, would “create uncertainty when we can least afford it”.

    May also warned that finding a successor — who would automatically become prime minister — “would mean either delaying or stopping Brexit”.

    Victory would make the prime minister immune from a further Conservative challenge for a year under parliamentary rules, but would not resolve her central problem — how to get divided MPs to agree to her Brexit deal.

    She was forced to postpone this week’s vote in the House of Commons on the text after admitting she faced a huge defeat, as her own MPs joined with opposition parties to reject it.

  • I will be Prime Minister to take Britain out of EU – May

    I will be Prime Minister to take Britain out of EU – May

    Theresa May said on Saturday she would be the Prime Minister to take Britain out of the European Union and that parliament should back her Brexit deal to ensure certainty for the future.

    May sealed a deal with EU leaders last Sunday that would see Britain leave the bloc on March 29 with continued close ties, but the odds look stacked against her getting it approved by a deeply divided British parliament in a vote on Dec. 11.

    Reuters reports that the deal has been criticised by many of May’s Conservative MPs, both supporters of a cleaner break with the EU and those who want to keep closer ties. Opposition parties and a small Northern Irish party which props up May’s minority government have also said they plan to reject the deal.

    Several of her ministers have resigned in protest at the deal, and some of her MPs have called for a confidence vote in her leadership, something some believe could happen if she loses the vote in parliament.

    “There is a lot more for me still to do, not least delivering on Brexit and being the prime minister that does take the United Kingdom out of the European Union,” May told a news conference at the G20 Summit in Argentina, when asked what her legacy would be if she is forced to quit.

    “I will be talking with Members of Parliament … and explaining why passing this deal in the vote that will take place in the House of Commons will take us to certainty for the future, and that failure to do that would only lead to uncertainty.”

    May said that during a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders at the summit she had updated them on the Brexit deal and told them it would be a good deal for the global economy as well as international firms which have invested in Britain or that use European bases to supply the UK market.

    “That this deal sets a path for the UK to a brighter future has been affirmed by the discussions I have had on trade over the past two days,” she said.

    “Friends and partners have made clear that they are keen to sign and implement ambitious free trade agreements with us as soon as possible,” she added.

  • Brexit deal: May expresses optimism following EU leaders’ approval [Video]

    Brexit deal: May expresses optimism following EU leaders’ approval [Video]

    British Prime Minister Theresa May has expressed optimism following the approval of her Brexit deal by twenty-seven leaders of the European Union (EU).

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the Brexit deal seeks to end free movement once and fall, with a new skills-based immigration system.

    The deal also seeks a free trade area with the EU for goods, with no tariffs, which protects United Kingdom (UK) jobs; no more sending vast sums of money to the EU, meaning the UK can spend it on NHS.

    It will signal end of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the UK, meaning Britain will be able to control its own laws; protecting the rights of citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU.

    The UK will then have the ability to strike trade deals with other countries; have a close relationship on defence, tackling crime and terrorism to keep people safe; and also leaving the Common Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy.

    “The British do not want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit. They want a good deal done, that fulfills the vote and allows us to come together again as a country.

    “So, I will take this deal back to the House of Commons confident we have achieved the best deal available and full of optimism about the future of our country.

    “In parliament and beyond it, I will make the case for this deal with all my heart and I look forward to that campaign,” said May.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqmvg3wn748/

    The European Council (EC) endorsed the agreement on the withdrawal of the UK and Northern Ireland from the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community, following the special meeting that finalized and formalized the outcome of the Brexit negotiations in Brussels on Sunday.

    The twenty-seven EU leaders approved the two key Brexit documents: the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration.

    The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of citizens are fully protected, and the peace process in Northern Ireland is not affected, and that the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.

    TNG reports the EC approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    On this basis, the EC invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.

    The Council restates the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future in line with the Political Declaration.

    “The Union’s approach will continue to be defined by the overall positions and principles set out in the previously agreed European Council’s guidelines. The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter,” the EC said in a statement.

    The Council thanked Michel Barnier for his tireless efforts as the Union’s chief negotiator and for his contribution to maintaining the unity among EU27 Member States throughout the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    President of the EC, Donald Tusk, in his remarks after the special meeting of the EC on Sunday, said the EU and the (UK) will continue to maintain cordial relationships, prior and after 30 March 2019.

    The EC President, however, noted that the process of ratification as well as further negotiations for the Brexit deal might be difficult.

    “Ahead of us is the difficult process of ratification as well as further negotiations,” he said, adding: “But regardless of how it will all end, one thing is certain: we will remain friends until the end of days, and one day longer”.

    Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while speaking on Marr on Sunday morning, had called the Brexit deal dodo.

    “The problem is, the deal’s a dodo,” Blair stated, while stressing that he has respect for Prime Minister Theresa May.

    “The central question here is if it’s not a deal which satisfies the people who voted Brexit, why on earth are we doing it?

    “The only way you’re going to unite the country is to take it back to the people. The Prime Minister’s deal has only succeeded in uniting people in opposition to it,” he further stated.

    In an article, Blair had earlier said the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) will diminish the weight of Europe.

    “Since the referendum, we have had 2 and a half years of negotiation and discovered there are many varieties of Brexit.

    “The choice is between a painful Brexit and a pointless Brexit – that’s the issue we’ve had the whole way through. This isn’t what the people who voted to Leave voted for,” he said.

     

  • Brexit: European Council President says EU, UK will remain friends

    President of the European Council (EC), Donald Tusk, has said the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) will remain friends, following endorsement of the Brexit deal by EC.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Tusk stated this in his remarks after the special meeting of the EC that endorsed the deal on Sunday.

    The EC President, however, noted that the process of ratification as well as further negotiations for the Brexit deal might be difficult.

    “Ahead of us is the difficult process of ratification as well as further negotiations,” he said, adding: “But regardless of how it will all end, one thing is certain: we will remain friends until the end of days, and one day longer”.

    Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, while speaking on Marr on Sunday morning, had called the Brexit deal dodo.

    “The problem is, the deal’s a dodo,” Blair stated, while stressing that he has respect for Prime Minister Theresa May.

    “The central question here is if it’s not a deal which satisfies the people who voted Brexit, why on earth are we doing it?

    “The only way you’re going to unite the country is to take it back to the people. The Prime Minister’s deal has only succeeded in uniting people in opposition to it,” he further stated.

    In an article, Blair had earlier said the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) will diminish the weight of Europe.

    “Since the referendum, we have had 2 and a half years of negotiation and discovered there are many varieties of Brexit.

    “The choice is between a painful Brexit and a pointless Brexit – that’s the issue we’ve had the whole way through. This isn’t what the people who voted to Leave voted for,” he said.

    The EC endorsed the agreement on the withdrawal of the UK and Northern Ireland from the EU and the European Atomic Energy Community, following the special meeting that finalized and formalized the outcome of the Brexit negotiations in Brussels on Sunday.

    Twenty-seven EU leaders approved the two key Brexit documents: the EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration.

    The Withdrawal Agreement ensures that the rights of citizens are fully protected, and the peace process in Northern Ireland is not affected, and that the UK will continue its payments to the EU budget during the transition period and legal certainty will be secured.

    The Political Declaration sets the direction as regards future relations.

    On this basis, the EC has invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to take the necessary steps to ensure that the agreement can enter into force on 30 March 2019, so as to provide for an orderly withdrawal.

    TNG reports the EC approved the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    The Council restates the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future in line with the Political Declaration.

    “The Union’s approach will continue to be defined by the overall positions and principles set out in the previously agreed European Council’s guidelines. The European Council will remain permanently seized of the matter,” the EC said in a statement.

    The Council thanks Michel Barnier for his tireless efforts as the Union’s chief negotiator and for his contribution to maintaining the unity among EU27 Member States throughout the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

     

  • Former Prime Minister says Theresa May’s Brexit deal is dodo

    Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said the Brexit deal, approved by the European Council on Sunday, is a dodo.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the former Prime Minister stated this while speaking on Marr on Sunday morning.

    “The problem is, the deal’s a dodo,” Blair stated, while stressing that he has respect for Prime Minister Theresa May.

    “The central question here is if it’s not a deal which satisfies the people who voted Brexit, why on earth are we doing it?

    “The only way you’re going to unite the country is to take it back to the people. The Prime Minister’s deal has only succeeded in uniting people in opposition to it,” he further stated.

    In an article, Blair had earlier said the departure of Britain from the European Union (EU) will diminish the weight of Europe.

    “Since the referendum, we have had 2 and a half years of negotiation and discovered there are many varieties of Brexit.

    “The choice is between a painful Brexit and a pointless Brexit – that’s the issue we’ve had the whole way through. This isn’t what the people who voted to Leave voted for,” he said.

     

  • Brexit: I am going to see this through -Theresa May

    Theresa May has dismissed speculation she could be ousted as prime minister over her Brexit agreement, saying: “I am going to see this through.”

    Despite a series of ministers resigning and talk of a no-confidence vote, she vowed to get the deal signed off in Brussels and to put it to MPs.

    “The course I have set out is the right one for our country,” she said.

    The BBC understands Michael Gove has rejected Mrs May’s offer to become the new Brexit secretary.

    BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Environment Secretary Mr Gove had said he might accept – if he could try to make changes to the negotiated deal.

    Sources said Mrs May made it clear that was not possible. He is now considering his position and contemplating resignation.

    Other sources have told the BBC a wider group of ministers were discussing whether to try to force the PM to seek changes to the deal.

    Earlier, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey both quit in protest at the withdrawal agreement, along with two junior ministers.

    And leading backbench Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg submitted a letter of no confidence in Mrs May to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tories’ backbench 1922 Committee.

    A vote will be triggered if 48 Tory MPs write letters to Sir Graham – it is understood 48 letters have not yet been received.

    Mrs May spent nearly three hours fielding largely critical questions from MPs before holding a press conference in Downing Street to further answer her critics.

    She acknowledged the agreement negotiated with the EU had entailed “difficult and sometimes uncomfortable decisions”.

    “I understand fully that there are some who are unhappy with those compromises but this deal delivers what people voted for and it is in the national interest,” she said.

    “We can only secure it, if we unite behind the agreement reached in cabinet yesterday.

    “If we do not move forward with that agreement, nobody can know for sure the consequences that will follow.

    “It will be to take a path of deep and grave uncertainty when the British people just want us to get on with it. They are looking to the Conservative Party to deliver.”

  • Good Brexit is possible – Theresa May

    British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday said a good Brexit that would be of national interests is possible.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports May stated this while addressing the House of Commons following the publication of a draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

    “A good Brexit, in the national interests, is possible. We have persevered and made a major breakthrough. Voting against a deal would take us back to square one. If we get behind a deal we can bring our country back together. We can choose to leave with no deal, and there is no Brexit at all. We can choose to unite and support the best deal we can negotiate,” the Prime Minister said.

    May’s cabinet had on Wednesday met to discuss the terms of the withdrawal agreement, and since then a number of senior members of the government, including Brexit’s secretary, Dominic Raab, have resigned over the Prime Ministers proposals.

    The draft withdrawal agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s smooth and orderly exit from the European Union, including a protocol on Northern Ireland. It reflects agreement in principle between the UK and EU negotiating teams on the full legal text.

    “We were told we had a binary choice between Norway or Canada that we could not have a bespoke deal. But the outline is better than both of these. We were told we would be treated as a third country on security but this is beyond anything the EU has agreed with any other country,” May said, defending the draft agreement.

    She said in her statement to the Commons that the draft agreement by Cabinet on Wednesday was not a final agreement, but that it brings the UK “close to a Brexit deal”.

    Outlining the deal, May said: “It takes back control of our borders, laws and money. It protects jobs, security and the integrity of the United Kingdom, and it delivers in ways that many said could simply not be done.

    “We were told we had a binary choice between the model of Norway and the model of Canada, that we could not have a bespoke deal.

    “But the outline political declaration sets out an arrangement that is better for our country than both of these – a more ambitious free trade agreement than the EU has with any other country.

    “We were told we would be treated like any other third country on security co-operation. But the outline political declaration sets out a breadth and depth of co-operation beyond anything the EU has agreed with any other country”.

     

  • Britain’s work and pensions minister McVey quits over Brexit deal

    Britain Work and Pensions Minister, Esther McVey, quit Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet, the second senior minister to resign on Thursday over a Brexit deal agreed between London and Brussels.

    “The deal you put before the Cabinet yesterday does not honour the result of the referendum”, McVey wrote in a letter to May, joining Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab in quitting over May’s draft Brexit deal.

    May gained collective but not unanimous approval for her Brexit plan from senior ministers on Wednesday, and McVey said that the withdrawal agreement was not what Britons voted for when they chose to leave the EU in 2016.

    “It will be no good trying to pretend to (Britons) that this deal honours the result of the referendum when it is obvious to
    everyone it doesn’t,” she wrote.

    “The proposals put before Cabinet, which will soon be judged by the entire country, means handing over around 39 billion
    pounds to the EU without anything in return…

    “We have gone from no deal is better than a bad deal, to any deal is better than no deal.”

    The resignations of the senior ministers thrust the United Kingdom into a political crisis just as May was attempting to
    garner support for a Brexit deal which her opponents have warned could sink her premiership.

     

  • Dominic Raab resignation: Brexit Secretary’s letter to Theresa May

    Britain’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has resigned in protest at Prime Minister Theresa May’s deal for leaving the European Union.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Dominic Raab wrote May on Thursday saying he “cannot in good conscience support the terms proposed for our deal with the EU”.

    The letter reads: “It has been an honour to serve in your government as Justice Minister, Housing Minister and Brexit Secretary.

    “I regret to say that, following the Cabinet meeting yesterday on the Brexit deal, I must resign.

    “I understand why you have chosen to pursue the deal with the EU on the terms proposed, and I respect the different views held in good faith by all of our colleagues. For my part, I cannot support the proposed deal for two reasons.

    “First. I believe that the regulatory regime proposed for Northern Ireland presents a very real threat to the integrity of the United Kingdom. Second, I cannot support an indefinite backstop arrangement, where the EU holds a veto over our ability to exit. The terms of the backstop amount to a hybrid of the EU Customs Union and Single Market obligations.

    “No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control over the laws to be applied, nor the ability to decide to exit the arrangement.

    “That arrangement is now also taken as the starting point for negotiating the Future Economic Partnership. If we accept that, it will severely prejudice the second phase of negotiations against the UK.

    “Above all, I cannot reconcile the terms of the proposed deal with the promises we made to the country in our manifesto at the last election. This is, at its heart, a matter of public trust.

    “I appreciate that you disagree with my judgment on these issues. I have weighed very carefully the alternative courses of action which the government could take, on which I have previously advised.

    “Ultimately, you deserve a Brexit Secretary who can make the case for the deal you are pursuing with conviction. I am only sorry, in good conscience, that I cannot.

    “My respect for you, and the fortitude you have shown in difficult times, remains undimmed”.