Embed from Getty Images Both Theresa and Boris wanted to lose the referendum If Leave had gone down to a narrow defeat, Boris Johnson would have had all the power with none of the responsibility. He would also have had a senior Cabinet role for a year or two, and a chance to prove himself at that level. There’d be no immediate crisis to manage, and any trouble from Europe – and there would surely have been some –…
Richard Nabavi on the post-BREXIT world You know the drill. It’s a scenario which has played out many times in countries around the world, sometimes peaceably, sometimes with much violence: the old elite is overthrown, an iconoclastic movement tears down the old structures and grabs power. Regimes and institutions which looked as though they would last for ever are suddenly overthrown, with breath-taking speed. What seemed permanent vanishes in front of you. Old certainties no longer apply: suddenly, a new…
Tomorrow is simply about the method and the timing Though our relationship with the EU may seem to be bookended by referendums, it’s politicians who’ve made the big calls. Edward Heath took us in to the EEC in 1973, and the nation endorsed that decision three summers later. And Gordon Brown and Ed Balls set us on the path to eventual Brexit via the five economic tests they set for joining the Euro [supposedly in the back of a New York taxi!] It’s…
Basildon, Laindon Park and Fryerns (Lab defence) on Essex Result of council at last election (2013): Conservatives 42, Labour 9, Liberal Democrats 9, United Kingdom Independence Party 9, Greens 2, Canvey Island Independent 1, Independent 1, Ratepayers 1, Tendring First 1 (Conservative majority of 9) Result of ward at last election (2013) : Emboldened denotes elected Labour 2,277, 1,980 (37%) United Kingdom Independence Party 2,175, 1,684 (36%) Conservative 958, 784 (16%) Liberal Democrats 215, 187(4%) National Front 171 (3%) Green…
Oban North and Lorn (Ind defence, elected as SNP) on Argyll and Bute Result of council at last election (2012) : Independents 15, Scottish Nationalists 13, Liberal Democrats 4, Conservatives 4 (No Overall Control, Independents short by 4) Result of ward at last election (2012) : Emboldened denotes elected Independents 421, 807, 125, 361, 222, 58 (55%) Scottish National Party 410, 707 (31%) Conservatives 332 (9%) Liberal Democrats 188 (5%) Candidates duly nominated: Kieron Green (Ind), David Pollard (Lib Dem),…
Northallerton South (Con defence) on Hambleton Result of council at last election (2015): Conservatives 27, United Kingdom Independence Party 1 (Conservative majority of 26) Result of ward at last election (2015): Emboldened denotes elected Conservatives 1,414, 758 (49%) United Kingdom Independence Party 762 (26%) Labour 739, 654 (25%) Candidates duly nominated: Caroline Dickinson (Con), Chris Pearson (Yorkshire First), Dave Robertson (UKIP), David Tickle (Lab) Northallerton (Con defence) on North Yorkshire Result of council at last election (2013): Conservatives 45, Independents…
Don Brind with some comradely advice One Twitter user was apparently disappointed when she followed tag #LabEcon2016. She was looking for Labradors but what she got was Labour’s State of the economy conference. The organisers were delighted that the event, hosted by shadow treasurer John McDonnell and closed by party leader Jeremy Corbyn was trending second on Twitter after the Cup Final. The large and enthusiastic gathering heard Corbyn’s signature line “austerity is a political choice not a necessity” endorsed…
Alastair Meeks goes through them one by one Authority figure Intervention Leave response OECD Leaving the EU was “equivalent to missing out on one month’s income within four years”. On a central scenario it estimated that the uncertainty caused by Britain seeking to leave the EU by late 2018 would knock 3 per cent off gross domestic product by 2020. Robert Oxley, Vote Leave spokesman:”The OECD is in the pay of the EU. JoséÁngelGurríais part of a global bureaucracy that…