British Conservative Party Member of Parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg arrives to a pro-Brexit event by the Bruges Group in London, Britain, January 23, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal could be reformed to make it acceptable to pro-Brexit MPs in her party who object to proposals on the Irish border, prominent “Leave” lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg said on Wednesday. Rees-Mogg, who chairs the eurosceptic European Research Group, was among the Conservative MPs to vote against May’s deal when it was overwhelmingly defeated last week, but he said he was more optimistic that changes might be made to the deal. “I think at last, things are going our way ... I think there is good news for us to hope that a reformation of this deal could be achieved that could make it acceptable,” he added at a think-tank event. “But ... it is not there yet and until it is, people like me will vote against … [Read more...] about Eurosceptic Rees-Mogg hopeful of changes to May’s Brexit deal
Brexit deal
Proposed Brexit deal would create ‘significant gaps’ in human rights, claims Irish Human Rights groups
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said the draft Brexit deal would create "significant gaps" in protection for people.It is due to tell an Oireachtas committee this morning that the Withdrawal Agreement would create risks for people on both sides of the border.It has also warned the deal leaves gaps in areas like citizens' rights.Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “Today is an important opportunity to recall the commitments made back in 1998 to respect and protect human rights and equality of opportunity. Since 1998, there has been substantial progress towards a lasting resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland, grounded in its human rights and equality provisions. “Although the UK Government has stated its commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement ‘in all its parts’, Brexit negotiations currently depart from that common framework, creating risks for people on both sides of the … [Read more...] about Proposed Brexit deal would create ‘significant gaps’ in human rights, claims Irish Human Rights groups
Eurosceptic Tories may have to ‘swallow our pride’ and back PM’s Brexit deal to defeat ‘kamikaze’ Remain MPs
Eurosceptic Tories may have to “swallow our pride” and support Theresa May’s Brexit deal to defeat “Europhile kamikaze MPs” who want to stop the UK leaving the EU, a leading Brexiteer has said. Nadine Dorries, a member of the European Research Group of Tory Eurosceptics, said every day in Parliament “is a dangerous day at the moment” and the threat of Brexit being delayed was focusing minds. Ms Dorries suggested support would be conditional on the Prime Minister making major changes to the Irish border backstop. That could mean either by time-limiting it or introducing a unilateral exit mechanism for the UK. Sammy Wilson, the DUP’s Brexit spokesman, echoed Ms Dorries’ position as he suggested... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one … [Read more...] about Eurosceptic Tories may have to ‘swallow our pride’ and back PM’s Brexit deal to defeat ‘kamikaze’ Remain MPs
EU parliament to start ratifying Brexit deal next week
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament expects to start next week its procedure to endorse the Brexit deal negotiated between the bloc and London, lawmakers said on Tuesday, despite the fact that Britain is still struggling to finalise the divorce agreement. FILE PHOTO: An anti-Brexit protester walks outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain January 17, 2019. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo Britain’s Labour opposition party on Tuesday edged towards a new Brexit referendum as the deadlocked UK parliament looks for ways forward, keeping the EU waiting for what sort of majority could emerge. They EU has told Britain it awaits its proposals but that the already negotiated - and voted down in the House of Commons - legal withdrawal agreement was the best Britain could get. It has stressed, however, that it could work further on an accompanying text laying out future ties for Britain and the EU should London opt for a closer relationship. … [Read more...] about EU parliament to start ratifying Brexit deal next week
May pushes defeated Brexit deal, offers no Plan B
It was British prime minister Theresa May's opportunity to lay down an alternative plan for breaking the Brexit impasse, but there was no 'Plan B' as she decided to continue to push for concessions from the EU. On Monday evening (21 January) May told the UK parliament that she will seek tweaks from Brussels to the backstop in the Brexit deal that are supposed to prevent checks on the Irish border. With only 66 days to go until the UK is forced to leave the EU by law on 29 March, the chance of a dramatic 'no-deal' scenario has thus increased, as May refused to rule out that the UK could leave the bloc without any agreement setting out the terms of divorce. The withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU for almost two years was dramatically voted down by MPs in a historic defeat last Tuesday. On Monday she also ruled out pulling the emergency brake on the Brexit process. "No-deal will only be taken off the table by either revoking Article 50, which turns back the result of the … [Read more...] about May pushes defeated Brexit deal, offers no Plan B