British Politics

Boris Johnson has been roundly mocked following a tweet he made celebrating the newly-announced Brexit deal. Johnson became the centre of ridicule after posting a picture of himself, thumbs-up, declaring that a “deal is done”. The tweet comes after a trade deal was agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom – six days before the […]

Union leaders have warned the post-Brexit trade deal agreed between the UK and European Union would put workers’ rights on the line and will not protect jobs. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the deal was better than nothing, “but not by much”. She said: “As we come out of the pandemic, we’re facing a […]

Former prime minister David Cameron, who called the referendum on leaving the European Union, has welcomed news of a Brexit deal. He tweeted: “It’s good to end a difficult year with some positive news. Trade deal is very welcome – and a vital step in building a new relationship with the EU as friends, neighbours […]

A trade deal has been agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom – six days before the end of the transition period. The EU’s Ursula von der Leyen told a press conference: “At the end of a successful negotiation’s journey I normally feel joy. But today I only feel quiet satisfaction and, frankly speaking, […]

Police have shut down a protest from long-time anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray, who was camped outside Downing Street ahead of an announcement on a deal. As the media descended outside Number 10 waiting for a statement from the prime minister, cries of “Boris Johnson – a national disgrace” from beyond the gates of Downing Street. […]

A former senior Tory MP has perfectly explained why Britain faces decades of Brexit infighting despite Boris Johnson’s deal promising an end to them. Dominic Grieve, who lost his seat in the 2019 election after campaigning as an independent, said the prospect of Britain joining the EU in the future was still possible. Asked if the Tory […]

With a vote expected next week on a Brexit deal, we want to know what you think Labour should do. Labour is being encouraged to vote against such a deal, despite its insistence, it wants to see Brexit resolved with an agreement with the European Union, and ministers claiming it would not frustrate the process. […]

A former leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party has warned Keir Starmer’s party not to put itself “on the wrong side of public opinion” with the vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. Richard Corbett, former Labour MEP, has urged his party not to vote in support of the agreement, which would put it on […]

For years, Eurosceptics were derided as a band of fringe eccentrics on the margins of the Conservative Party and mainstream British politics. When John Redwood challenged prime minister John Major for the Tory leadership in 1995, his supporters were mocked as the “barmy army” and “ward 8 of Broadmoor”. But a quarter of a century […]

A Labour peer has warned Boris Johnson against dodging democratic scrutiny of his Brexit deal as MPs complain there is not enough time to scrutinise it. Former Tony Blair aide Lord Andrew Adonis said Johnson was “spinning” negotiations “out to the last minute” in order to avoid democratic scrutiny of his new deal. Reports have emerged that Johnson […]

Leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage has claimed that the “wars are over” – and that they are the winners as the UK agrees to a deal with the European Union. Despite calling for a no-deal Brexit, he told talkRADIO: “I do think a complete separation for the long-term economic health of the country would […]

A TV crew has been seen entering Downing Street ahead of an expected statement from prime minister Boris Johnson. The prime minister is to deliver an update on the conclusion of Brexit talks, with the expectation a deal will agreed between the UK and the EU. It is yet to be confirmed if the announcement […]

A Brexiteer has said “the nation would never forgive us” if he and fellow Eurosceptic MPs voted in favour of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. Tory backbencher and member of the hardline anti-EU group, the ERG, said he was not ready to sign a deal ‘just because’ of an impending deadline. Appearing on talkRADIO, Bridgen said: “If we […]

Brexit has generated heated rhetoric on all sides. Here are some of the key quotes made during negotiations as the UK strove to make the break from the EU. “There is no plan for no deal, because we’re going to get a great deal” – Boris Johnson, speaking in his role as foreign secretary, July […]

The Green Party has welcomed news of a Brexit deal to prevent a no-deal Brexit – but criticised the opposition for leaving the government’s position on leaving the EU “untested”. Any deal Johnson secures is likely to pass through parliament with Labour expected not to oppose it – Sir Keir Starmer has stressed that an agreement […]

Social media users have been quick to criticise The Sun over its front cover of Boris Johnson dressed as Santa Claus delivering Brexit following news he clinched a trade deal with the EU. The Sun‘s front for Christmas Eve shows Johnson in a Santa suit stuffing presents down a chimney, with the headline “The Night Before Brexmas”. This […]

Although the Queen remains politically neutral on all matters, she managed to get caught up in the fiasco surrounding Brexit. Secret plans to evacuate the monarch and other senior royals from London were reportedly previously drawn up in case a no-deal Brexit triggered rioting on the streets. In February 2019, the Sunday Times said Whitehall […]

The chair of the Commons Brexit Committee Hilary Benn has said he has “no doubt” parliament will approve a “thin” Brexit deal if one is brokered before January 31 – but says Boris Johnson deserves no praise for it.  He told BBC Breakfast: “The alternative is no-deal and that really doesn’t bear contemplation at all because […]

At least 20 members of the hardline European Research Group are expected to vote down a Brexit deal when it comes to the House of Commons next vote. Allies of Boris Johnson have calculated that a significant proportion of the backbenchers would vote against any deal, regardless of the content in the agreement. Among the […]

At least two ministers are on resignation watch over Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal which follows an agreement with the European Union on the UK’s future outside of the bloc. It follows the prime minister’s briefing to cabinet late on Wednesday on the progress made following negotiations with Ursula von der Leyen. Sources on the call […]

MPs have been warned they will have “virtually no time” to to properly examine the details of a Brexit deal before voting on the legislation if the government secures an agreement in the coming days. Jill Rutter, a senior research fellow at The UK In A Changing Europe, an initiative for research on UK-EU relations,  said: “Frankly, […]

A Brexiteer has claimed that Boris Johnson will be “toast” if he fails the “five tests” of a Brexit deal. Former Brexit Party MEP Jake Pugh told the Express the prime minister’s agreement will be challenged in the following areas:  “1. To what extent is the freedom to diverge allowed by LPF (level playing field). “2. […]

The Tory European Research Group (ERG) of pro-Brexit Conservative MPs has insisted it will examine any trade agreement in detail if a deal is reached on Wednesday night between London and Brussels. The body said it would reconvene its so-called “star chamber” to examine any deal. A statement issued by the group on Wednesday said: […]

Health secretary Matt Hancock is “confident” that life will bring normality “by 2022”. As he announced millions more people in England will be placed into lockdown from Boxing Day, Hancock warned that the virus was spreading again at a “dangerous rate”. Commenting on the new Tier 4 restrictions, he warned: “This Christmas and the start […]

A Brexit deal is reportedly “done”, with negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier now agreeing on the final text. According to the Daily Mail‘s Jason Grove, UK government sources believe it will be “highly unlikely” talks will collapse now. RTE’s Tony Connelly claims that there was a last-minute “instrumental” development on fish. “The British have […]

It is “possible but far from certain” that a post-Brexit trade deal could be agreed with Brussels on Wednesday, a Downing Street source has said. A cabinet minister has also indicated that hopes are rising for securing an agreement although major differences still remain between the UK and the EU. This comes as the BBC’s […]

Britons visiting Gibraltar after Britain leaves the Brexit transition period will need to present their passports while Spaniards will not, reports claim. The British Overseas Territory could be entering Europe’s Schengen Zone from next year meaning visitors not from the area will be forced to furnish their passport upon arrival. Negotiations between London and Madrid […]

An EU diplomat has said a Brexit deal is “pretty much there” and could be announced as early as Thursday. Three diplomatic sources told Reuters that preparations for a deal have been stepped up. Reuters reported that national diplomats have been told to prepare for a meeting as early as Thursday should a deal be struck […]