Donald Tusk and other EU officials have rejected Boris Johnson's new plea to ditch the Irish backstop just hours after he wrote to the European Council president. The British Prime Minister last night told the EU that the backstop is 'simply unviable' and should be replaced with a new legal commitment to avoid the return of a hard border. But Mr Tusk said today anyone opposing the backstop without a 'realistic' plan was actually 'supporting the reestablishment of a border' because there was currently no alternative. He wrote on Twitter: 'The backstop is an insurance to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland unless and until an alternative is found. 'Those against the backstop and not proposing realistic alternatives in fact support reestablishing a border. Even if they do not admit it.' The dismissal of Mr Johnson's plea was expected after briefings by diplomats in European capitals suggested his ideas would receive an icy reception in Brussels. … [Read more...] about Donald Tusk REJECTS Boris Johnson’s backstop demands: European Council president slams PM’s ‘unrealistic’ Brexit plan in new EU slapdown
Baby boris johnson
EastEnders fans go wild as soap mocks Boris Johnson hiding in a fridge in scene filmed before his landslide election win
EASTENDERS fans couldn't contain their joy last night when the soap mocked Boris Johnson hiding in a fridge. In a scene filmed before BoJo's landslide election win, Karen Taylor made a joke about the Prime Minster and his GMB gaff. The Tory leader, 55 had an embarrassing encounter when he was caught hiding in a fridge to avoid a long-promised interview with Piers Morgan. In yesterday's episode, the soap poked fun at this in a conversation between Karen (Lorraine Stanley), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), and Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell) about the election. It all started when Karen exclaimed: "I would rather eat a box of washing powder than to listen to any more politics." Kathy replied: "Ian thinks it’s a sign."Which saw Karen respond with: "I’ll give him a sign and a mop to put on his head." Kathy then said: "I just think people voted for something three years ago and they want that to happen, everyone is sick of being stuck and going nowhere." "I hope the country … [Read more...] about EastEnders fans go wild as soap mocks Boris Johnson hiding in a fridge in scene filmed before his landslide election win
Britain will break off most contact with EU in NINE DAYS to ‘focus on leaving’ as Donald Tusk puts his feet up and refuses to budge after calling Boris Johnson’s plan to ditch backstop ‘unrealistic’
The government has toughened its negotiating stance with the EU for the second time in 24 hours today, telling Brussels that British officials will stop attending most meetings from September 1 to free up time to work on Brexit. It comes after Boris Johnson's open letter to Donald Tusk of yesterday - which labelled the Irish backstop 'unviable' and 'undemocratic' and demanded its removal from any deal to be struck before the UK's October 31 departure date - was snubbed by European leaders. The Department for Exiting the European Union said UK officials will now attend only the meetings that 'really matter' of more than 800 scheduled. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said British attendance would drop by more than half, freeing up 'hundreds of hours' to work on 'get on with preparing for our departure on October 31 and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead' Boris Johnson, pictured yesterday on a visit to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, has told the EU in a letter to European Council … [Read more...] about Britain will break off most contact with EU in NINE DAYS to ‘focus on leaving’ as Donald Tusk puts his feet up and refuses to budge after calling Boris Johnson’s plan to ditch backstop ‘unrealistic’
General election 2019: Labour facing long haul, warns McDonnell
Labour faces a "long haul" as it attempts to gain power following its fourth election defeat in a row, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has warned.He rejected claims that leader Jeremy Corbyn had been responsible for the result, instead blaming "the overwhelming issue" of Brexit.But some current and ex-MPs have said Mr Corbyn's unpopularity contributed to Labour losing dozens of seats.Boris Johnson's Conservatives won on Thursday with a Commons majority of 80.The outcome, far more positive for the Tories than most opinion polls had predicted, has prompted much soul-searching within Labour, which last won a general election under Tony Blair in 2005. Who will be Labour's next leader? Does Labour need a new direction after Corbyn? Corbyn: ‘I did everything I could' Live: Election reaction Mr Corbyn has announced he will stand down in the near future and Mr McDonnell, one of his closest allies, said he had been "the right leader" for the party.But Labour's Helen Goodman, who lost her … [Read more...] about General election 2019: Labour facing long haul, warns McDonnell
General election 2019: Did students seal Labour’s victory in Canterbury?
The Conservatives have beaten Labour in its traditional heartlands and strengthened elsewhere. But in the city of Canterbury Labour's Rosie Duffield bucked the trend and increased her majority in the once marginal seat. How?On a grey and grim polling day, long queues formed on a university campus in Canterbury and another in the city centre, close to a second campus. The council running the polling stations called in extra staff and organised a bigger room to help get the students out of the rain. A few hours later, it was announced that Labour's incumbent MP Rosie Duffield had turned a majority of just 187 into 1,836. The chart below shows the full vote share breakdown. And turnout rose from 72.77% in 2017 to 75.3% two years later - defying a national dip. Vote share Party % share LAB Labour 48.3% CON Conservative 45.2% LD Liberal Democrat 5.7% IND Independent 0.8% Vote share change since 2017 Lost Gained LAB Labour +3.3 Gained IND … [Read more...] about General election 2019: Did students seal Labour’s victory in Canterbury?