British Politics

Despite Boris Johnson’s claims that the EU is inflexible, they have moved considerably to give him a deal. If this recent movement towards a deal turns out to have just one benefit, it will surely be to demolish once and for all the myth of the European Union’s wilful inflexibility. It seems obvious to me […]

James Cleverly’s much-mocked graph gives a revealing insight into the mindset of panicky Brexiteers says MITCH BENN. James Cleverly’s explanation for why Brexit must be done by October 31st. Photograph: Twitter. – Credit: Archant The phrase “There are lies, damned lies and statistics” is selectively trotted out by whoever wants to dismiss whichever set of […]

Nicky Morgan tipped for an honour after switching sides in Brexit debate, Liam Fox’s nice little earner and Paul Dacre is consoled by John Humphrys. John Humphrys on Radio 4’s Today programme. Photograph: BBC. – Credit: Archant On Newsnight last week, Emily Maitlis was more than justified in asking Nicky Morgan the question “what has […]

Talks about a government of national unity have taken up too much time, argue readers. They claim MPs need to focus their efforts elsewhere. The fantasy of a government of national unity (GNU) is taking up far too much time on the Remain side. Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters will only accept him as leader; Amber Rudd […]

Readers give their views on the latest developments in Brexit talks. There are six clear reasons why no-deal Brexit will happen regardless of fuss, fight or furore; 1. There is no effective UK opposition. 2. The EU is not going to abandon Ireland. 3. Johnson has not/will not play by any rules so cannot be […]

Mark Mardell slapped down by bosses for apologising for talking about ‘People v Parliament’ election; new book reveals what’s more extreme than Priti Patel; and Boris Johnson meets The New European’s boss. BBC Radio 4 presenter Mark Mardell apologised for talking about the “people versus parliament election” without attribution or qualification. Picture: BBC – Credit: […]

Readers demand politicians stop listening to just the 17.4 million and start listening to the millions that didn’t vote for Brexit. It is quite impossible to keep count of the number of times pro-Brexit MPs have referred to the 17.4 million who voted to leave the EU. Do any of them give a toss for […]

Readers argue that, ahead of a general election, parliament must defend its actions to avoid Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson controlling the narrative. The dog-whistle slogans which the Cummings-Gove-Johnson triumvirate used to distort the case for Brexit are being lined up ready for the next election. By defining all parliamentary opposition as Remainers intent on […]

The toxic twins are being met with increasingly defiant opposition – and it’s working, says MITCH BENN. Last week, I took to Twitter to express what is, these days, an unusual statement to be heard coming from the likes of me; I said I was proud of Britain. My specific point was this: just now, […]

Labour’s message on Brexit is fooling no-one says MITCH BENN. And so, we pass the autumn equinox and soldier on into the last bit of the year. There are two things which happen around this time of year with a maddening predictability: firstly, Christmas stuff will start to turn up in the shops despite it […]

TIM WALKER hears the prime minister’s routine is ‘leisurely’ to say the least, while the Tories are struggling to find the cash for a general election. Boris Johnson may have claimed to be working non-stop – “I burn the candles at both ends” – but within Downing Street I hear his routine is considered to […]

Readers give their verdict on the Lib Dems using conference to pledge to revoke Article 50 – while Labour used theirs to carry on sitting on the fence. MP Jess Phillips talks about traditional Labour voters who back Remain being “parked on the Lib Dems’ drive” because of Brexit, “and they will go into the […]

Boris Johnson is running out of options to find a way out of the Brexit mess – but he still has the option of a second referendum. An honourable man would resign his position, but Boris Johnson is not an honourable man. His next-best option is to rescue himself and help bring an end to […]

Readers consider the possibility of an election pact between Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and the Conservatives. Having dealt with the moderates, it is Dominic Cummings’ feuds with fellow Brexiteers which will alienate the prime minister’s remaining parliamentary supporters and reduce the chances of a deal with the Brexit Party. Cummings has called the European Research […]

A general election would be a proxy vote on Brexit – but it still will not resolve Brexit. Readers call for a People’s Vote. Judging by the three little words flung at journalists recently by Dominic Cummings as he left the basement of his flat, “trust the people” looks likely to be a central theme […]

MITCH BENN asks why the PM would compare himself to the Hulk – a personification of uncontrolled anger, fury, and whose alter ego is desperate to escape. It doesn’t seem to take much these days to get me feeling old. Mind you, that’s been the case since I was about 24; sometimes I wish I […]

To understand politics right now, you need to understand the fan culture of Doctor Who and Star Wars, says PENNY ANDREWS Former Tory leadership candidate Rory Stewart takes a photo with supporters on the campiagn trail. Photo: Twitter. – Credit: Archant There aren’t many recreational events where members of the public turn out suited and […]

Mail boss is concerned about Paul Dacre’s Channel 4 show, Question Time undervalues Ken Clarke and David Cameron’s easy ride promoting his memoirs, says TIM WALKER. Paul Dacre’s relationship with his proprietor Lord Rothermere – already strained by his defenestration as editor of the Daily Mail – has taken a further turn for the worse. […]

The government has been accused of hiding the ‘full picture’ in its release of Yellowhammer documents after Department of Transport files were leaked to the press. The contradicting reports suggest that Yellowhammer documents have significantly played down the impact of a no-deal Brexit on potential disruption to ports. The documents, which were seen by the […]

MITCH BENN on Boris Johnson becoming the first prime minister since 1894 to lose his first commons vote and also reducing his from +1 to -43 in a week. So this time last week, you may or may not recall, I was bewailing the near-impossibility of submitting a regular current events-based (and specifically Brexit-related current […]

Readers have their say on the ‘stop the coup’ protests – and say that it is the perfect opportunity to win over Brexiteers. Last Saturday I protested at the ‘Stop The Coup’ march in Birmingham. However, unlike many I took the view that this wasn’t just about Brexit, it was about upholding the basic values […]

As a comedian, MITCH BENN knows how it feels to stand before a crowd that’s booing you. Here’s when it happened to Prime Minister. Of all the disparate elements in the jumble of intermittently remunerative hobbies which in my case passes for a ‘career’, writing this column is one of the most rewarding (and indeed […]

Lord Rothermere’s non-dom tax status will be preserved if the UK leaves EU, Liam Fox gains weight but no job and Adam Boulton defends press freedom. Daily Mail chairman Viscount Rothermere giving evidence to the Privacy and Injunctions Joint Committee at the House of Commons in London. – Credit: PA Archive/PA Images For a supposedly […]

The Edinburgh Fringe is over for another year and Mitch Benn says it’s been a good one. So the Edinburgh Fringe is over for another year; I’m not going to start bandying figures about but suffice to say I’ve had a really good one, both in terms of audience numbers and response. This is gratifying […]

Following our article on the Eurotunnel in which a regular passenger called for a ‘quality rail experience’ some readers have lept to the defence. I enjoyed reading Victor Lewis-Smith’s article about his experiences with Eurotunnel (TNE #156), but it made me think that there must be two such services. The tunnel I use is nothing […]

Journalism proves unrewarding for Michael Gove’s wife, David Cameron hopes Sophie Raworth will prove a soft touch at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and Boris Johnson banks his last £15,524.52 from the Barclay Brothers. No one, including Forbes magazine, has ever doubted Sarah Vine trousers a substantial six-figure salary writing her shouty Daily Mail column. New […]

Readers give their views on a the prospect of a trade deal with Donald Trump, and what it will bring to our food shelves. With no-deal getting closer and the necessity of a trade deal with America therefore growing, I detect a media push to persuade us that the infamous chlorinated chicken is not all […]

A reader suggests that the Remain movement is lacking someone who can control the news agenda in the same way Dominic Cummings does for the Brexit side. Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings (centre) in Brexit: The Uncivil War. Picture: Channel 4/House Productions – Credit: Archant The Remain camp needs its own version of Dominic Cummings […]