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LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was to brief his Cabinet Sunday on the progress of last-minute Brexit talks with the European Union, amid signs of progress but also deep-seated skepticism about the chances of a deal. Britain is due to leave the 28-nation bloc on Oct. 31, and attempts to find a deal have foundered over plans for keeping an open border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.’s Northern Ireland. The challenge of maintaining an invisible border — something that underpinned both the local economy and the region’s peace deal — has dominated Brexit discussions for three years, ever since U.K. voters chose in 2016 to leave the EU. But negotiations intensified last week after Johnson and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said they could see a “pathway” to a divorce agreement that avoids a no-deal Brexit, something economists say would hurt both the U.K. and EU economies. Both sides say substantial gaps remain and it’s … [Read more...] about Brexit divorce talks between UK and EU go down to the wire
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Pound bounces as UK parliament suspension ruled illegal
LONDON: Sterling won a boost on Tuesday (Sep 24) from Britain's Supreme Court ruling "unlawful" the suspension of parliament, providing a spark of hope that Brexit will be more orderly than previously feared.The pound rallied against both the dollar and the euro as traders mulled the chance that Britain could now more easily avoid a no-deal departure from the European Union on Oct 31, analysts said."Sterling bounced higher following the judgement, as pound traders once again reassess the probability of a no-deal Brexit being avoided," City Index Fiona Cincotta told AFP, adding "there is time to prevent a damaging disorderly Brexit."House of Commons speaker John Bercow said parliament must "convene without delay", adding that he will consult party leaders as a matter of urgency.Prime Minister Boris Johnson had insisted that the extended parliamentary recess was designed to allow time to bring forward a new legislative programme - but critics accused him of trying to avoid … [Read more...] about Pound bounces as UK parliament suspension ruled illegal
EU, Britain clash over Johnson’s Brexit backstop demand
BRUSSELS: Britain and the EU clashed Tuesday over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s demand to scrap the Irish border backstop plan, as fears mount of a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit. London insisted there was “no prospect” of a Brexit deal unless the backstop was abandoned, after Brussels said Britain had still not come up with a workable alternative. Johnson wrote to EU Council President Donald Tusk on Monday to insist that Britain could not accept what he called the “anti-democratic” backstop, a mechanism to avoid border checks between EU-member Ireland and Northern Ireland, part of the UK. Since taking office last month, Johnson has been adamant Britain will leave the European Union on October 31 come what may and has stepped up preparations for a “no deal” departure that would cause major economic disruption. But the European Commission, the EU executive which has led Brexit negotiations with London, dismissed the proposal in … [Read more...] about EU, Britain clash over Johnson’s Brexit backstop demand
UK urges EU to reflect ‘political reality’ on Brexit
LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has urged EU leaders again to drop their opposition to renegotiating the terms of Brexit, claiming recent European elections required a change of approach.Johnson, who took office late last month, says he wants to leave the European Union with a deal but insists the current terms are unacceptable and if necessary Britain will exit on Oct 31 with no agreement at all.In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson's Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said European Parliament elections in May had changed the political dynamic and urged EU leaders to amend the mandate of their chief negotiator, Michel Barnier."The political realities have changed since Mr Barnier's instructions were set," Barclay wrote."Since the last mandate was agreed, 61 percent of all the EU states' MEPs have changed. Such a fundamental shift illustrates the need for a change of approach."Mr Barnier needs to urge EU leaders to consider this if they … [Read more...] about UK urges EU to reflect ‘political reality’ on Brexit
UK’s Labour backs staying in EU in call for second referendum
LONDON: Britain’s main opposition Labour party on Tuesday for the first time conditionally backed holding another Brexit referendum, in which it would support remaining in the European Union. Labour will now challenge whoever wins the Conservative Party leadership race and becomes the next prime minister to put any deal they strike with the EU to a referendum, “with remain on the ballot, in which Labour would campaign for remain,“ the party said in a statement. The issue has deeply divided the party. Many of its supporters in working-class areas voted to leave the EU in the Brexit referendum of 2016. But the majority of Labour MPs strongly support remaining in the European bloc. Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran eurosceptic, had long resisted strong pressure to back another vote. But he relented after Labour-affiliated trade unions agreed on Monday to support the move. Labour will now back remaining in the EU over leaving without a deal or supporting a … [Read more...] about UK’s Labour backs staying in EU in call for second referendum