Raab says “no deal” planning is “underway” to ensure Britain “thrives” whatever the negotiations’ outcome
“Britain will “thrive” even if there is no Brexit deal, Dominic Raab has said, as his predecessor David Davis called on the Prime Minister to “reset” her Brexit plan and prepare a “reserve parachute” in case no agreement is reached. Mr Raab said there was “tremendous pressure” on the EU to secure a deal as he branded his counterparts “irresponsible” for failing to reassure British citizens living abroad about their rights after Brexit. His remarks come ahead of a second meeting between the two men this Thursday, amid growing concern that the UK could be heading for a no deal Brexit. The fears have prompted some politicians including Dominic Grieve and Sir John Major to call for a second referendum vote to settle the issue, adding weight to a bid by former Cabinet minister Justine Greening last week. Speaking to the BBC’s Andrew Marr the Brexit Secretary said: “All of that planning [for no deal] is under way, from every aspect of the infrastructure to the legal position to make sure we’re ready for no deal and Britain thrives whatever the outcome of these negotiations.” – Daily Telegraph
- But he claims deal could be stuck at October summit, if EU matches May’s “energy, ambition, and pragmatism” – The Sun
Editorial:
- What does Raab mean by “pragmatism”? – The Times
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Raab – preparing for “no deal” is the “responsible thing to do”
Increasing “pressure” is on May to consider “World Trade Deal option” as Brexiters speak out
“Pressure is mounting on Theresa May to consider a new World Trade Deal after the EU rejected her Chequers plan for Brexit last week. The proposal for a bold new World Trade Deal would, according to leading economic experts, end austerity with a boost of £80 billion a year and guarantee that Britain is free of Brussels rule. The proposals have been exclusively unveiled in the Daily Express as new Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab has said he is “relaxed” about not having a trade deal with the EU. He has also made it clear that if Brussels bureaucrats continue to to refuse to see reason he will withhold the £39 billion divorce settlement promised in December. The Brexit Secretary said there had to be “conditionality” under the Article 50 withdrawal mechanism between settling Britain’s exit payment and creating a new relationship with the EU.” – Daily Express
But Grieve claims “no deal” would put Britain in a “state of emergency”
“Failure to secure a Brexit deal would plunge Britain into a “state of emergency,” with the the risk of basic public services being thrown into chaos, a senior Conservative has warned. Dominic Grieve, the former Attorney General and a leading Remainer, insisted crashing out of the European Union with no deal would be “absolutely catastrophic” for the UK. He said: “We will be in a state of emergency – basic services we take for granted might not be available.” It comes as Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab appeared to confirm reports the Government is planning to stockpile food in anticipation of talks breaking down. He accused the EU of “irresponsibly” ramping up pressure in withdrawal negotiations, and confirmed preparations are underway for a no deal outcome. Official analysis previously warned Scotland’s economy would suffer a £12.7 billion a year blow if no deal was struck.” – Herald
- Amazon claims it could lead to “civil unrest” – The Times
- Elphicke tweets that the company is concerned about having to pay more tax – Daily Mail
Comment:
- EU states need to engage urgently – Henry Newman, The Times
- We’re reaching a denouement. Chaos seems inevitable – Christopher Booker, Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Grieve – “no deal” would leave us in a “state of emergency”
Minford: “No deal” is not the same as no arrangements at all
Theresa May’s hopes of a “deep and close” relationship with the EU after a Brexit in which we leave the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union have been dealt a fatal blow by the EU’s intransigence. … So it has finally dawned on this government that since the only “deal” available from the EU will be one in which effectively we do not leave but remain subject to EU rules without a voice in their creation, we had better think about leaving without an EU trade deal at all. Having no trade deal is not the same as having no agreements on a wide range of non-trade areas where there have to be arrangements. These include visas, citizen rights, security, airline permissions and much else that is needed for citizens of the UK and the EU to carry on their ordinary lives. Failure to agree on these basic things would be a dereliction of government duty that will have citizens up in arms; no government can risk that. Trade is not in this category however because it can carry on perfectly well without an EU trade agreement” – Daily Express
- Brexit committees calls for “settled status” residency cards – The Sun
>Today: Chloe Westley in Comment: There must be no compromise on ending free movement
May kicks off summer manoeuvres with cabinet trip to the North East
“Theresa May will chair a cabinet meeting in the north-east of England as she starts a summer campaign intended to gain public support for her much-criticised Chequers Brexit plan. The visit on Monday is intended primarily to show the government’s ongoing support for the “northern powerhouse” concept, and May will confirm that up to £780m is being set aside for a pre-planned east coast mainline upgrade and that the “North of Tyne” devolution deal is to go ahead. But the prime minister is also intending to use the visit to defend the Brexit proposals that polls suggest are deeply unpopular with Conservative supporters and the public at large. On Sunday, as some high-profile Conservatives suggested a second referendum might be the only way to resolve national divisions about how to handle Brexit, the former Brexit secretary David Davis used an interview to say that there would have to be a “reset” in the autumn when the government would have to abandon Chequers and start again.” – Guardian
- She will confirm investment in East Coast Main Line – The Sun
- And the North of Tyne devolution deal – Daily Express
- Ministers will then take their various European trips to attempt to “sell” her Brexit plan – FT
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Morgan – May is a “realist” who no longer “thinks in terms of Leave and Remain”
>Today: Lord Ashcroft in Comment: Voters’ test for any Brexit deal. Britain mustn’t be out of Europe…but still run by Europe
Major warns of risk of “stumbling” into an “unpleasant” general election
“Britain could accidentally be thrust into another bitter general election if MPs remain divided on Brexit, Sir John Major warned today. The former Prime Minister said yet another “unpleasant” vote would “ultimately become unavoidable” if the Commons can’t agree on a way forward. Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show this morning, Sir John said: “I think we could stumble into [an election] by accident if the House of Commons remains deadlocked. “If the whips decide to take political advantage of the Government’s weakness and put party politics before the national interest, there is a possibility of the Commons being unable to reach an agreement and a general election will ultimately become unavoidable.”” – The Sun
- He also says a second referendum would be “morally justified” – Daily Express
Editorial:
- The Corbyn risk is real – Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday:
- Video: WATCH: Major – if party politics is put before the national interest, a general election is possible
- Video: WATCH: McDonnell – “I want an election as soon as possible”
- Video: WATCH: Paterson – It’s “complete nonsense, all this talk about leadership”
>Today: ToryDiary: What the London Mayoral selection short-list tells us. And what the successful candidate should do
Javid “did not seek” usual death penalty assurances for “Beatles” IS fighters facing US courts
“Britain has secretly abandoned its blanket opposition to the death penalty and Guantanamo Bay to allow two notorious members of the “Beatles” group of Isil terrorists to be sent to America, The Daily Telegraph can reveal. Documents seen by this newspaper reveal that the UK Government has agreed to hand over intelligence to help prosecute the captured jihadists Alexanda Kotey and Shafee El-Sheikh, who both held British citizenship, in the US courts. In a letter sent by Sajid Javid to Jeff Sessions, the US Attorney General, the Home Secretary says that Britain will demand no “assurances” that the pair will not be executed in America. Other documents say that British officials have also assessed the pair may be sent to Guantanamo without trial and that such an outcome will not be formally opposed.” – Daily Telegraph
- Apparently, they were “stripped of their British citizenship” after joining IS – The Times
Editorial:
- The big question is: why can’t they be tried here? – Daily Telegraph
Hunt praises evacuation of White Helmets from Syria. The UK will “provide protection to as many as possible”
“Hundreds of White Helmet rescue workers have been evacuated from Syria, with many to be given sanctuary in Britain. Since 2013, the 3,000 White Helmet volunteers – also known as the Syria Civil Defence – have worked in rebel-held areas where Syria’s official emergency services do not venture … Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt praised the operation yesterday. He tweeted: ‘Fantastic news that we – UK and friends – have secured evacuation of White Helmets and their families – thank you Israel and Jordan for acting so quickly on our request. ‘The WH are the bravest of the brave and in a desperate situation this is at least one ray of hope.’ The Government said the UK would provide protection to ‘as many of the volunteers and their families as possible’.” – Daily Mail
More government
- Almost 200 MPs call for government to drive NI abortion reform – The Times
- May told by TPA that tax burden has reached 37 per cent of GDP – The Times
- Mordaunt comments on positive manufacturing jobs figures – Daily Express
- Watch out for Supreme Court verdict on Holyrood devolution – FT
Jewish campaigners “intend to sue Labour” over party’s new rules
“Jewish campaigners are set to sue the Labour party – saying its new anti-Semitism rules break human rights laws. After The Sun revealed last week that a top Labour MP was in talks with lawyers about possible action, now campaigners are set to force a legal challenge amid fury about ditching an internationally accepted definition of what anti-Jew hate is. MPs and Jewish activists are up in arms after the party bosses forced through the new code last week. It prompted veteran Jewish MP Margaret Hodge to confront Jeremy Corbyn and label him a “f***ing anti-Semite and a racist”. The Jewish Labour Movement has submitted a complaint to the party – detailing abuse they say would be acceptable under new rules, The Sunday Times revealed. The Sunday Times has seen a dossier of sick comments from Corbyn-supporting Facebook groups, calling her a “zionist b***h” and threatening violence against her.” – The Sun
- Corbyn “pleads” with MPs to delay meeting until September – Daily Mail
Comment:
- Being Jewish, I no longer “feel welcome in my country” – Mandy Blumenthal, Daily Telegraph
- Why I haven’t left Labour – Emma Burnell, The Times
More MPs
- Cross-party group calls for powers to ensure people like Cummings give evidence before parliament – Guardian
- Special meeting to be held to consider Griffiths’ future – Guardian
- McDonnell calls for Smith and Lewis to resign – Daily Telegraph
- LibDems “plotting” to replace Cable with Moran – The Times
- He admits he missed key vote to plot against Brexit – The Sun
- We need a bold strategy to deal with homelessness – Will Quince, Neil Coyle, The Times
Trump claims FBI and DoJ “misled the courts”
“US President Donald Trump has asserted without evidence that newly-released documents relating to the wiretapping of his former campaign adviser Carter Page “confirm with little doubt” that intelligence agencies misled the court that approved the warrant. But politicians from both political parties said the documents do not show wrongdoing and that they even appear to undermine some previous claims by top Republicans on the basis for obtaining a warrant against Mr Page. Visible portions of the heavily redacted documents, released on Saturday under the Freedom of Information Act, show the FBI telling the court that Mr Page “has been collaborating and conspiring with the Russian government”. The agency also told the court “the FBI believes Page has been the subject of targeted recruitment by the Russian government”.” – Belfast Telegraph
- Meanwhile, he sends angry tweet to Rouhani – The Times
Comment:
- There are rational reasons to vote for strongmen – Claire Foges, The Times
News in Brief
- Why the press shouldn’t be restricted further – Jack Elsom, 1828
- The stockpilers will be fine – Mollie Goodfellow, Independent
- If… – Rod Liddle, Spectator
- On “reading your file” – Neal Ascherson, LRB
- More Trump-Putin – Andy Borowitz, New Yorker