Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Raw Politics In Full: Brexit Disconnect
Bettel's Anger Highlights a Bleak Truth: The EU27 Just Wants Britain to Go
It was, by any standards, an unusual spectacle: the leader of the European Union’s second-smallest country deciding to empty-chair the British prime minister at what was supposed to have been a joint press conference after their meeting.
Ostensibly, logistics were the problem: No 10 was concerned by the small but very noisy protest awaiting Boris Johnson outside; Luxembourg government officials said there was no room big enough to move the event inside.
Whatever the reason, the press conference that Xavier Bettel ended up giving alone – gesturing to the lectern where his counterpart should have stood – served as a striking symbol of EU leaders’ mounting frustration with the Brexit process.
The Luxembourg prime minister did not hold back. The leave campaign had been built on lies, he said. Johnson’s oft-repeated claims of progress in the talks were baseless. London had come up with nothing to replace the backstop.
Above all, the UK – not the EU – was to blame for the impasse. “I just want to repeat and remind that Theresa May accepted the withdrawal agreement,” he said. Britain’s “homemade” problems were causing “general problems” for the whole of the EU. » | Jon Henley | Monday, September 16, 2019
Xavier Bettel on Brexit, mocks Boris Johnson »
Monday, September 16, 2019
Incredible Sulk Morphs from Green to Yellow as He Is Bested by Bettel
Exit the Incredible Sulk. It was bad enough getting owned on Twitter by the actor who played the Incredible Hulk – comparing yourself to a comic book hero with anger management issues was always asking for trouble when you’ve got form with the Camberwell police. Classic Dom.
But Boris Johnson’s day just got a whole lot worse when he was completely owned by about 50 unthreatening protesters – this was Luxembourg, where crime waves are measured in the number of people not paying parking fines – and Xavier Bettel, the country’s prime minister.
Faced with a handful of people shouting: “We don’t like you very much,” Johnson imploded under the weight of his own narcissism. The Incredible Bulk morphed from green to yellow and fled sobbing indoors. He’d been in some tricky situations before where the future of the world had been at risk from super-soldiers powered by gamma radiation. But nothing as dangerous as this.
He begged Bettel to move their joint press conference somewhere less noisy. Preferably somewhere no one would ask him any difficult questions. Bettel demurred. The lecterns were set up, the journalists were in place and he’d go ahead without him. Johnson was about to be humiliated by the second smallest country in the EU. Taking back control by losing control. Classic Dom. » | Johnn Crace | Monday, September 16, 2019
Will the Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities Cripple Global Supplies? | Inside Story
Saudi Arabia is trying to reassure the world that it will quickly recover from Saturday's attacks on its oil plants. However, the reassurance failed to stop oil prices soaring 19 percent - their highest-ever increase in a day.
Prices have since eased, but concerns remain about the 50 percent cut for the world's biggest crude exporter.
Houthi fighters in Yemen are vowing more attacks to cripple the Saudi economy. President Donald Trump warned that the US is 'locked and loaded' to respond, and ready to release emergency oil reserves if needed.
Will the attack force us to rethink our reliance on oil?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Jawad Anani - Former Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan; Cornelia Meyer - Oil and gas specialist, Meyer Resources financial advisory firm; Bill Law - Journalist and Gulf affairs analyst
Johnson Humiliated by Luxembourg PM at 'Empty Chair' Press Conference
Boris Johnson has been left humiliated after being forced by anti-Brexit protesters to cancel an appearance at a press conference, leaving Luxembourg’s prime minister to lecture and gesticulate at an empty podium about the dangers of the UK prime minister playing politics with people’s lives.
Johnson was booed and jeered as he left a working lunch in Luxembourgwith the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, before being forced to abandon plans to speak alongside the country’s prime minister, Xavier Bettel.
The cancellation left Johnson scuttling past the waiting lecterns in a courtyard outside the prime minister’s office to chants by British protesters a few metres away.
Bettel did not mince his words as he took the lectern next to the one left empty by the British prime minister’s no-show, with the union flag still in position. » | Daniel Boffey in Luxembourg | Monday, September 16, 2019
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Lib Dems Pledge to Cancel Brexit If They Win General Election
Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority.
Previously, the party has backed another referendum or "People's Vote", saying they would campaign to Remain.
After the vote, their leader Jo Swinson, said: "We will do all we can to fight for our place in Europe, and to stop Brexit altogether."
The commitment only comes into force if the party wins the election as a majority government. » | Sunday, September 15, 2019
How Will Saudi Arabia Respond to Attacks on Oil Facilities? | Inside Story
Oil prices are expected to rise after Saudi Arabia was forced to cut production in half. Houthi rebels in Yemen say their latest drone attacks knocked out the world's largest crude processing plant.
Iran is dismissing US accusations that it was responsible. Is the possibility of a war between Iran and the Saudis increasing?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Hussain Al Bukhaiti - Yemeni affairs specialist; Simon Mabon - Director, Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, Lancaster University; Josh Young - Portfolio Manager, Bison Interests energy investment firm
Trump Is Seriously, Frighteningly Unstable – The World Is In Danger
In retrospect, what’s most disturbing about “Sharpiegate” isn’t Trump’s clumsy effort to doctor a National Weather Service map or even his brazen move to get the same agency to lie on his behalf.
It’s how utterly petty his motive was. We’ve had presidents trying to cover up a sexual liaison with an intern and a botched burglary, but never have we had one who went to such lengths to cover up an inaccurate weather forecast. Alabama being hit by a hurricane? Friends, this is not rational behavior.
Trump also cancelled a meeting with the Taliban at Camp David. The meeting was to have been secret. It was scheduled for the week of the anniversary of 9/11. He cancelled it by tweet.
Does any of this strike you as even remotely rational? » | Robert Reich | Sunday, September 15, 2019
‘Johnson Is a Liar Who Only Backed Leave to Help His Career’ – David Cameron
Boris Johnson is a liar who only backed the Leave campaign to help his career and Michael Gove was a “foam-flecked Faragist” whose “one quality” was disloyalty, David Cameron writes in his memoirs.
The former prime minister poured vituperation on both his former colleagues Priti Patel, the current home secretary, and Dominic Cummings, the No 10 adviser, in extracts from the book published on Sunday.
In what may be Cameron’s most explosive allegation yet, he effectively accused Boris Johnson of mounting a racist election campaign by focusing on Turkey and its possible accession to the EU.
“It didn’t take long to figure out Leave’s obsession,” he writes. “Why focus on a country that wasn’t an EU member?
“The answer was that it was a Muslim country, which piqued fears about Islamism, mass migration and the transformation of communities. It was blatant.” » | Michael Savage and Emma Graham-Harrison | Sunday, September 15, 2019
Fareed Zakaria: Trump's Foreign Policy Is In Shambles
EU Officials Reject Boris Johnson Claim of 'Huge Progress' in Brexit Talks
EU officials have rejected Boris Johnson’s claim that “a huge amount of progress” is being made in Brexit talks, as Jean-Claude Juncker warned that time is running out.
Juncker, who will stand down as European commission president on 31 October, is expected to ask Johnson to spell out his ideas for replacing the Irish backstop when the pair meet over lunch in Luxembourg on Monday.
Johnson told the Mail on Sunday there were “real signs of movement” in Berlin, Paris and Dublin on getting rid of the backstop, the persistent stumbling block to a Brexit agreement. “A huge amount of progress is being made,” he said.
But EU officials involved in talks with Johnson’s envoy, David Frost, have dismissed his upbeat account. » | Jennifer Rankin and Daniel Boffey | Sunday, September 15, 2019
Saturday, September 14, 2019
UK, EU Relationship Will 'Never Be the Same Again' | Conflict Zone
Conflict Zone is Deutsche Welle's top political interview. Every week, our host Tim Sebastian is face to face with global decision-makers, seeking straight answers to straight questions, putting the spotlight on controversial issues and calling the powerful to account.
Sam Gyimah Slams ‘Populist Johnson’ as He Joins Lib Dems
Boris Johnson has suffered a fresh blow as the former Tory universities minister Sam Gyimah dramatically defected to the Liberal Democrats, accusing the prime minister of “veering towards populism and English nationalism”.
In a major coup for the Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson at the start of her party’s annual conference, Gyimah said he had left the Conservatives to fight against the government’s “scorched earth approach” to delivering Brexit regardless of the cost to the country.
Announcing his defection exclusively to the Observer as his new party gathered in Bournemouth, Gyimah said centrists were being “cast out of both main parties”. The East Surrey MP called on them to unite and fight back against the drift to the extremes. » | Michael Savage | Saturday, September 14, 2019
THE OBSERVER: Sam Gyimah: ‘I am an outcast in the Tory party’ »
Friday, September 13, 2019
The Road to No-deal Brexit? Boris Johnson's "People vs Parliament" Strategy
Moscow: Edward Snowden In Exile: ‘You Have to Be Ready to Stand for Something’
THE GUARDIAN: The man whose state surveillance revelations rocked the world speaks exclusively to the Guardian about his new life and concerns for the future »
Trump Explains His Distinctive Orange Hue: It's the Lightbulbs
It’s been the subject of intense debate among late-night comedians and Donald Trump’s many online critics: why, in certain circumstances, does the president of the United States sometimes appear … orange?
Now Trump himself has come up with an answer – and it’s not one anyone was expecting. The problem, apparently, is energy-efficient lightbulbs.
Talking before an audience of Republican legislators in Baltimore on Thursday night, Trump gave a rambling speech in which he tackled criticism of his recent plans to weaken regulations on environmentally friendly bulbs. » | Edward Helmore | Friday, September 13, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Boris Johnson Has No Right to Call Himself a One-nation Conservative
I have been around long enough to know that I should not always be surprised or shocked about what is written in the Sun newspaper. But it was reported yesterday that Boris Johnson was telling cabinet colleagues he was “basically a Brexity Hezza” – with the newspaper helpfully explaining this was a “reference to Tory wet Michael Heseltine who battled rightwing PM Margaret Thatcher”.
The quotes have not been denied and I assume they were well sourced. Part of me is even a little flattered, not least because there is a side to the prime minister that I like. He succeeded me as MP for Henley and I got to know him. More importantly, as mayor of London, he once showed a capacity to govern in the tradition of one-nation conservatism.
There is, however, a “but” – a very big “but”. Because a “Brexity Hezza” is a simple contradiction in terms. My commitment to Britain being part of Europe and maintaining our influence in the world goes to the heart of my politics. And I fear that any traces of liberal conservatism that still exist within the prime minister have long since been captured by the rightwing, foreigner-bashing, inward-looking view of the world that has come to characterise his fellow Brexiters inside the Downing Street bunker. It is simply not possible to be a “one nation” Conservative and also pursue a “Little Englander” strategy obviously crafted to appeal to the likes of Nigel Farage and his followers. » | Michael Heseltine | Thursday, September 12, 2019
THE GUARDIAN: Heseltine: imposing no-deal Brexit 'intolerable' attack on democracy »
Shaykh Hasib Noor - Jesus: Son of Mary - Islamic Version
I am placing this lecture up because I believe it is one of the clearest explanations I have heard of the Muslim Jesus. It is a very interesting lecture, and very well delivered too.
As people, we need to understand each other. Without understanding, there can be no harmony. It doesn’t matter whether we are of the Christian faith, of the Islamic faith, or of no faith at all, it is always good to see things from another’s perspective.
Watching this is well worth your time. Even if you don’t agree with all of it, you will certainly enjoy it. – Mark
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Scots Judges Rule Parliament Suspension Unlawful
Opinion: Tom Watson Says PM Is 'Disgraceful' and Calls for Referendum before Election
John Bolton Ousted | Inside Story
Bolton was known for his hardline stance against countries like Iran and North Korea. And he'd disagreed with the president over foreign policy - most recently on Afghanistan. He opposed Trump's plan to bring members of the Taliban to Camp David to sign a peace accord.
Those views led to the president firing him, although Bolton says he resigned; so what does his departure mean for US foreign policy? And is there anyone who can hold onto one of the most powerful positions in the White House?
Presenter: Imran Khan Guests John Jones, Former Senate National Security Director under former National Security Advisor Chuck Schumer Scott Lucas, Founder and Editor of EA World View and Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham. Jenna Ben-Yehuda, President and CEO of the Truman National Security Project.
Boris Johnson "Nothing Like” Churchill – Nicholas Soames | Times News
Sir Nicholas is more horrified by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Commons leader. His behaviour this week, lolling on the front bench, was “repulsive”, he says. “He is in serious danger of believing his own shtick. He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit and a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his arse. You do not behave like that as leader of the House.” Both men went to Eton but Sir Nicholas says Rees-Mogg’s behaviour has nothing to do with his school. “I thought it was bloody bad manners and he of all people should know better. He has had all the advantages and frankly nanny made a serious bish. I wanted to kick him firmly in the arse and say, ‘What the hell do you think you are playing at? Sit up!’ ” His speech in the Brexit debate was “the lowest form of student union hackery, insolence and bad manners”. Read the full article here » | September 6, 2019
Why Scaramucci Now Calls Trump 'Horrific' and 'Despicable'
Intel Chair Schiff: Bolton Should Have Never Been National Security Advisor | The Last Word | MSNBC
Controversial Trump Aide John Bolton Exits White House Knocking Trump | The Beat with Ari Melber | MSNBC
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
The Guardian View on John Bolton: Good Riddance, But the Problem Is His Boss
No sensible observer of international affairs could lament Donald Trump’s announcement that he has fired John Bolton as his national security adviser – though in typically combative style, Mr Bolton insists that he quit. Whatever the precise manner of his departure, plenty of people in Washington, including lifelong Republicans, are cheering. Many others around the world will celebrate. This is a rare presidential outcome that can be welcomed even by those who despise Mr Trump and all he stands for.
The political demise of the reckless uberhawk who bears so much responsibility for so much appalling American foreign policy in the past, and who had attempted to steer the president towards so much more, is welcome. When he entered the administration last spring – as the president’s third permanent national security adviser in 14 months – he had been arguing forcefully for “preemptive” attacks on North Korea. There was an obvious clash of wills with Mr Trump: unlike the president, he believes in aggressive foreign intervention and an international military presence to match. One fear was that his indisputable tactical skills within the government machine and sheer relentlessness might allow him to prevail. » | Editorial | Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Boris Johnson's Brexit Stalemate | Inside Story
His attempt to call an early election has been thrown out, and Parliament has been suspended for the next five weeks. He needed more than 430 votes to get a snap election - he only got 293.
That's left him cornered if he wants the UK to leave the bloc on October 31st. So, what are his options now? And where does this leave Brexit?
Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom | Guests Bobby Friedman, political commentator on UK politics and the author of 'Bercow, Mr Speaker: Rowdy Living in the Tory Party'; Alex De Ruyter, director of the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University; Sonia Purnell, journalist and author of 'Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition'
Sunday, September 08, 2019
Could MPs Take the PM to Court to Force Brexit Delay?
The Guardian View on the World and Brexit: Rue Britannia
The case for Brexit rested largely upon two misapprehensions – or, to put it less kindly, lies. The first was the belief that engaging in a deep and broad partnership, with the necessary compromises and disadvantages that brings alongside all its benefits, was an act of treacherous self-sabotage. The second was a wholly unrealistic assessment of Britain’s international status and heft, rooted in a vague, nostalgic vision of its imperial past. A third myth sprang from these two: that a post-Brexit Britannia would emerge triumphant, a beacon of democracy, parliamentary sovereignty and prosperity, shining across the waves.
The last three years have left such ideas in tatters; the last week has ripped the remaining shreds away. Its events have left Britain appearing not only backwards-looking, irrational and divided, but fanatical, bitter, frivolous, chaotic and heedless of any legal or customary impediment to the executive. Boris Johnson promised a stroll to sunlit meadows; now he offers a grim, hellish march towards no deal, and his troops have had enough. » | Editorial | Sunday, September 8, 2019
Saturday, September 07, 2019
Boris Johnson 'Will Be Forced from Power If He Defies No-deal Law'
Boris Johnson would trigger a legal and constitutional crisis that would force his resignation as prime minister if he failed to obey a law mandating him to seek another extension to Brexit, according to high-level legal advice obtained by Labour.
The conclusions of a team of leading QCs, which have been sent to the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, make clear that the prime minister would be declared in contempt of court if he tried to remain in No 10 while refusing to obey legislation to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on 31 October. The new law is expected to gain royal assent from the Queen early next week.
The legal advice, from lawyers at Matrix Chambers, says: “If the prime minister refused to comply with this order, then, while we would be in historically uncharted political territory, the legal position would remain clear – the prime minister would be in contempt of an order of the court and would be exposed to a full range of sanctions.” » | Toby Helm, Michael Savage, Andrew Rawnsleyand Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Saturday, September 7, 2019
Brexit: The End of the Road for Johnson? | DW Quadriga
Could Trump Be Crueler Than We Thought?
Sir Nicholas Soames Says Tories Started Resembling 'Brexit Sect'
Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames has launched a searing attack on Boris Johnson’s leadership and Jacob Rees-Mogg, whom he called a “fraud”, adding the Conservative party is lurching towards a divisive, potentially catastrophic form of “hard-right” conservatism.
In an interview with the Times, Soames – who is the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill – said the Conservatives were starting to resemble a “Brexit sect”, after he had the whip removed for rebelling against the Johnson government along with 20 other MPs.
“I am worried about the Tory party because give or take the odd spasm we have always been seen as pragmatic, sensible, good at our job, sane, reasonable and having the interests of the whole country,” he said. “Now it is beginning to look like a Brexit sect.” » | Lanre Bakare | Saturday, September 7, 2019
Friday, September 06, 2019
Opposition Parties Reject Johnson's Election Call as No-deal Brexit Bill Passes Parliament
Thursday, September 05, 2019
PM Says 'Rather Be Dead In A Ditch' Than Delay Brexit – As His Brother Resigns As Minister
Will Brexit Mean Early Exit for Boris Johnson? | Inside Story
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, failed to break the latest deadlock over Brexit. On Wednesday, MPs voted down his attempts to trigger a snap election. They also passed a bill blocking the possibility of a 'no-deal' exit from the EU.
Johnson had said he was willing to consider that if no new withdrawal deal was agreed. So, where does that leave the Brexit process? And Johnson's own future?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests Alex Deane, Managing Director and Head of Public Affairs UK at FTI Consulting and former Chief of Staff to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron; Larissa Brunner, Policy analyst at the European Policy Centre; Asa Bennett, Brexit Commissioning Editor at the Telegraph.
Wednesday, September 04, 2019
Ken Clarke Calls Boris Johnson 'Disingenuous'
Trump’s Attorney General and Vice-President Exposed for Routing Money into Trump Hotels | The Beat With Ari Melber | MSNBC
Corbyn and Johnson Clash over No-deal Brexit: 'Anti-democratic and Unconstitutional'
THE GUARDIAN: Britain is mired in democratic crisis – but it goes much deeper than Brexit » | Aditya Chakrabortty | Wednesday, September 4, 2019
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