News and Opinion

Accordance VAT chief Lucy Franklin explains why her firm is marking Brexit Day with a symbol of pro-EU unity After three years of uncertainty, appalling rhetoric and delays, today is the day millions of us hoped would not come to pass. Despite the best efforts of UK politicians, MEPs, business people, academics and individuals up […]

Anti-Brexit campaigners Led By Donkeys have projected a pro-European video on to the White Cliffs of Dover to mark the UK’s departure from the EU. Led By Donkeys project a message to Europe on the side of the White Cliffs of Dover. Photograph: By Donkeys/Twitter. – Credit: Archant In a message, intended for our European […]

Around three million Brexit 50p coins have entered into circulation as they arrived at banks, post offices and shops. Another seven million of the coins will mark the UK’s departure from the EU later this year. They are dated January 31 – and the chancellor has said the coins mark the beginning of a “new […]

JAMES BALL on how the media coverage of Brexit – caught up in the twists and turns – meant the public consistently missed the story. Anyone who’s lived near the sea – and no-one in the UK lives further than 70 miles from it – knows that it’s the tide that matters. It’s the rising […]

Ann Widdecombe has claimed that the Brexit Party cannot be held responsible if Brexit goes wrong. The Brexit Party MEP said it was “all benefit” for young people as a result of Brexit. She told the PA news agency: “The Brexit Party has freed Britain, what Britain does from now on is down to the […]

The presidents of the EU’s three major institutions have expressed hope for continued strong ties with the UK – but warned there will be consequences for the split. In a joint letter published in several newspapers across the continent, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, European Council leader Charles Michel and European parliament president […]

With Britain’s EU membership set to end, STEVE ANGLESEY proves January 31 is a day cursed by unfortunate events. January 31, 2011, saw Liverpool unveil Andy Carroll as a replacement for Fernando Torres. Picture: PA Wire/PA Images – Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images So here we are on the brink of horrible history. January 31 […]

Download the free podcast from the team at The New European to hear our review of the week in politics. Every Friday Richard Porritt and Steve Anglesey review another wild week in post-common sense Britain. The award-nominated podcast is packed full of big news, comment, and irreverent views. We talk about the issues that matter […]

As a New European reader, you probably reckon you keep a close eye on the continent’s news. Test yourself with our quiz… Think you’re on top of what’s been going on across Europe in the past seven days? Take The New European’s tricky quiz and find out just how much of a Europhile you are…

Anti-Brexit campaigners have unveiled a new billboard declaring that the ‘fight goes on’ over Brexit. The campaign group Border Communities Against Brexit is staging a series of protests along the border throughout Brexit day, and will take their message to Stormont later. They were joined by senior Sinn Fein figures on the Armagh/Lough border, among […]

Brussels marked the UK’s penultimate night in the EU with an evening of music and celebrations hosted by Remain-supporting MEPs. The Mayor of Brussels arranged for the city’s Grand-Place to be lit up in the Union Flag’s red, white and blue – while a band played English rock and folk songs in the square. Philippe […]

Defiant anti-Brexit campaigners have held a pro-European party outside the Houses of Parliament hours before the UK is due to leave the EU. The SODEM group have travelled from across the UK to join Steve Bray outside the Houses of Parliament with some campaigners travelling from as far as Sunderland to join in the activities. […]

European Union nationals should be given the right to vote in UK elections, Labour leadership contender Sir Keir Starmer has claimed. Sir Keir said the treatment of around three million EU nationals since the EU referendum had been “shameful”. EU citizens can only vote in local elections rather than Westminster contests, something Sir Keir said […]

As the UK departs from the EU, FRANCIS BECKETT issues a mea culpa for his generation for allowing it to come to pass. What grudge did the baby boomer generation have against our children, that we chose vindictively to impose Brexit on them? Why does my generation so dislike our children that we should want, […]

Scotland will be back in the European Union soon – and members should ‘leave a light on’ for the country, Holyrood’s Brexit secretary has said. In a statement to the Scottish parliament Russell urged the UK government to give Scotland a role in the upcoming negotiations to decide Britain’s future relationship with the EU. He […]

MICHAEL WHITE examines the competing forces that have shaped our place in Europe. Understandably enough, we’ve had a lot of EU nostalgia this week as we’ve headed for the exit door, much of it sorrowful, some righteously “told you so”. What were you doing and thinking on the day Britain (plus Ireland and Denmark in […]

Katie Hopkins has been suspended from Twitter after it was accused of ‘not doing enough’ to tackle abuse on the social media network. The anti-hate group Centre for Countering Digital Hate met with Twitter this week to discuss the far-right activist’s account. Twitter’s policy states that users must “not promote violence against or directly attack […]

British MEPs are packing up their offices in Brussels after Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was ratified by the European parliament. There were emotional scenes in the European parliament as MEPs voted by 621 to 49 in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement and linked hands to sing a final chorus of Auld Lang Syne. Addressing the […]

Nigel Farage has proven he couldn’t ‘organise a p*ss-up in a brewery’ after none of the promises for his Brexit celebration have materialised. In his announcement the Brexit Party leader promised comedians, bands and fireworks to mark January 31st. But his most recent publicity revealed that the line-up contained none of the above, with the […]

A Brexiteer is planning to introduce a bill to mark the closest Friday to the EU referendum with a bank holiday. Tory Peter Bone told MPs he plans to introduce a Bill calling for a “United Kingdom Day” on the Friday closest to June 23 every year. Raising the idea during business questions, Bone said: […]

Acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has offered to work with ‘progressive’ parties to push for a softer Brexit now that the fight to Remain is over. He told supporters he wanted opportunities for British citizens to study and receive free healthcare in Europe to continue after the transition period ends in 2021. Making […]

With just one day until the official charts are counted, pro-EU anthem Ode To Joy continues to dominate the downloads chart. The Andre Rieu live version of the song remains at the top of both the iTunes chart and the Amazon digital downloads chart, having reached the top position on Tuesday. While the track is […]

As Remainers face calls to end divisions of the past and unite with their former adversaries, LIZ GERARD is having none of it. The Union Flags are fluttering along the Mall. Government buildings are awash with red, white and blue. The Downing Street counter ticks off the seconds to the grand light display. The Faragists […]

The two sides of the Brexit debate – both Brexiteers and Remainers – have more in common than what they disagree on, a new study has found. Researchers from the Universities of Bath and Essex found that 90% of the time the two groups agree on important topics including poverty, climate change, housing, life satisfaction […]

Sarah Sands is standing down as editor of Radio 4’s Today programme after three years. Sands, the former editor of the Evening Standard, was appointed by the corporation in January 2017 and became the first woman to edit the programme. The editor had denied speculation about her departure before Christmas but on Thursday morning she […]

The acting Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has been asked what he will do with his Brexit 50p coin when they are released into circulation from January 31st. Appearing on Good Morning Britain Sir Ed Davey was asked if he would join Remainers in boycotting the coin. But instead of agreeing with those who […]

This battle may be lost, but MATT KELLY says harnessing the Remain movement’s positive energy could transform our country. As tricky questions go, it’s up there with what’s the sound of one hand clapping and have you stopped beating your wife: Now that it’s actually happening, do you want Brexit to be a success or […]

Leavers are calling for the flying of European flags to be made illegal after the UK departs from the European Union. The pro-Brexit newspaper the Daily Express has ran an article asking readers whether or not the activity of flying a European flag after Brexit should be against the law. At present 87% of readers […]