Politics

As Theresa May prepares to address parliament on Monday after Downing Street denied there were plans for a second referendum, here are some of the options being floated as a solution to the current impasse. Take the pulse of parliament Even some of those who believe May’s deal is a reasonable compromise, such as education secretary Damian Hinds, think it would be helpful to test how much support alternative options have among MPs, through a series of “indicative” votes, preferably this side of Christmas. He, along with the Brexit-backing international trade secretary Liam Fox, believe this would underline that alternatives, including a Norway-style closer relationship with the EU, cannot command a majority. MPs would then have to face the real choice: May’s deal, another referendum, or leaving with no deal. Other proponents of this approach, including Amber Rudd, believe it would reveal that May’s strategy, of aiming to placate the right wing of her party … [Read more...] about Brexit: what are the mooted options to break stalemate?

A robot-dancing Theresa May has been given the Saturday Night Live treatment after her political week to forget. The US late-night show, which often lampoons Donald Trump, turned its comedic lens on British politics for the sketch titled Happy Christmas, Britain. It opens with the prime minister, played by Kate McKinnon, busting her infamous dance moves alongside four gyrating police officers, before addressing the nation with a pained grin. “What a dreadful week it’s been. My Brexit deal is falling apart, I almost got voted out and no one in the world likes me at all. But it’s still Christmas, so let’s try to have some cheer tonight, shall we?” she says. She introduces a high-foreheaded and relaxed-looking David Cameron, played by Matt Damon, as “the man who called for the Brexit vote – then, when it passed, he bounced and left me to clean up his mess.” “You look well rested,” says May, and Cameron tells her he has just … [Read more...] about Saturday Night Live skit sends up Theresa May’s Brexit woes

Former Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias says lawmakers should be allowed to vote freely, in a secret ballot, on the agreement with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) which he helped broker last July. In an interview to the Sunday edition of daily newspaper “Ethnos,” Kotzias appears confident the deal, which would allow Greece’s northern neighbor to use the name “North Macedonia” would pass easily. Asked about the danger that FYROM would violate certain terms of the agreement, Kotzias said that “some should stop projecting a Greece lacking in confidence and always behaving as the victim of small countries’ ‘grand plans’ when, in fact, these countries now want to be our friends.” Kotzias says the ruling Syriza party could win the next national election “if the government becomes more careful, some of its members less frivolous and some people work really hard and not just appear to be working”. He also … [Read more...] about Kotzias: Let lawmakers vote freely on FYROM name deal