Commission to fix uk eu relationship makes mockery of independence

We must refrain from unilateral actions that would undermine our unity and our Western partnership against Russian aggression,” said Roberta Metsola, the new President of the European Parliament. And she was spot on – though not in the way she intended. The Maltese Christian Democrat was in Brussels opening the first meeting of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly which, depending on your point of view, is either a body to discuss the ongoing UK-EU relationship, or a forum for institutionalised Brit-bashing. Most delegates nodded vigorously at her implied criticism of Boris Johnson. MEPs hmmed and gurgled in support. British Europhiles grinned at one another approvingly. But the real danger to the unity of the West is not the careful removal of some pointless checks on goods moving within the United Kingdom. It is the EU’s determination to treat Britain as a wayward province rather than an ally. There is a categorical difference between what the UK is proposing to do and what … [Read more...] about If the EU is stupid enough to retaliate over the NI Protocol, it will mainly be hurting itself

Russia: EU 'completely wrong' to rely on gas says Timmermans Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The bloc has set aside a staggering €300billion (£254billion) so it can wean itself off Russian energy imports. Not only would this deal a huge blow to Vladimir Putin , who gets handed billions due to Europe’s huge dependence on his fossil fuels, but it could also help to slash bills further down the line. The REPowerEU plan has four main components - saving energy, switching Russian gas with other fossil fuels, and ramping up clean sources of energy. Related articles Germany finally vows to 'pull out all the stops' to crush Russia … [Read more...] about Putin’s war funds severed as EU finally tables £254bn plan to slash ALL Russian energy

Brexit: Thewliss clashes with host on 'disingenuous' comment Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Alison Thewliss of the SNP claimed Brexit had massively contributed to the cost of living crisis currently smothering the UK. The MP claimed the decision to leave the EU had worsened the economic situation across the nation in comparison to other European countries. Ms Thewliss also slammed the policy approach of Chancellor Rishi Sunak as the Treasury attempts to ease the financial burden on the nation’s households. Related articles BBC's Katya Adler in brutal Brexit trade war warning Rishi Sunak blasted by angry Tory MPs for having … [Read more...] about ‘Europe’s struggling as well’ Burley slams ‘disingenuous’ SNP MP backing return into EU

NI protocol could spark Brexit ‘trade war’ as EU retaliate Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Brussels has increased the prospect of a damaging trade war with the UK as tensions rise, while Foreign Secretary Liz Truss attempts to resolve issues surrounding the Northern Ireland protocol. The European Commission claims it will respond with “all measures at its disposal” if Ms Truss introduces new legislation to override parts of the protocol. Related articles Rishi Sunak blasted by angry Tory MPs for having 'no policies' Labour Welsh Government accused of insulting Queen in Jubilee book row Ms Truss is keen to resolve issues … [Read more...] about Brexit POLL: Should Britain be scared of a trade war with EU?

Brussels has told Liz Truss it won’t shift from its hardline negotiating stance on Northern Ireland border checks despite her threats to rip up the Protocol unless it changes tack. EU negotiator Maros Sefcovic insisted there was “no room to expand” his negotiating mandate during a strained call between the pair at 8am on Thursday, which lasted for just under half an hour. "It continues to be of serious concern that the UK government intends to embark on the path of unilateral action," he said. "This is despite a series of wide-ranging and impactful solutions proposed by the EU, based on our intensive engagement with all representatives in Northern Ireland. These proposals would substantially improve the way the Protocol is implemented." "I am convinced that only joint solutions will work. Unilateral action, effectively disapplying an international agreement such as the Protocol, is simply not acceptable. This would undermine trust between the EU and UK." The Commission … [Read more...] about We’re not budging on Northern Ireland Protocol, EU tells Liz Truss

Europe ‘too dependent’ on Russian gas says von der Leyen Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info REPowerEU is the European Commission’s plan to completely cut oil and gas imports from Russia by 2027. The plan involved a pledge to increase its binding energy efficiency target from nine percent to 13 percent by 2030. To do this, the bloc is encouraging people to “switch off the lights”, to “drive more economically” and to “use less air-conditioning”. Related articles Germany finally vows to 'pull out all the stops' to crush Russia The NATO weapon that Putin ‘really fears’ Critics have torn apart the plan for being “tone deaf” … [Read more...] about VDL’s ‘tone deaf’ plan to tackle Putin by ‘turning off lights’ threatens EU energy POVERTY

Michael Gove grilled by Hartley-Brewer on car ban cost This article contains affiliate links, we may receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Sign up for FREE for car tips every driver needs to know SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info This comes as part of the Government’s sweeping plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions , with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern calling it a “landmark day”. The Government said it plans to spend 569 million New Zealand dollars (£291million) on the electric car trial program as part of a larger plan that includes subsidies for businesses to reduce emissions. Related articles 'Potentially fatal' hypermiling techniques are 'not worth it' Diesel … [Read more...] about UK ‘should’ follow suit as New Zealand announces crackdown on petrol and diesel cars

On a dark Sunday afternoon in December 2017, I received a call from Theresa May, the then prime minister. She told me that she had agreed a new form of words in negotiations over the Brexit deal with the EU that “might cause me some concern”. She was right. The words amounted to an agreement to allow “full regulatory alignment” between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Put to one side the fact that she had undertaken these discussions without notifying me – her Brexit Secretary – at all. The actual consequences of the agreement were predictably disastrous. The words started a process that led to my resignation, but much more importantly led to the situation that we face today, with the Good Friday Agreement and the integrity of the Brexit deal both at risk. Frankly, these risks were immediately obvious. Indeed, it was clear from the nervous behaviour of No 10 the next day that they thought that I might well resign on the spot. I considered it, but decided to make a … [Read more...] about How Boris should take on the EU and fix the Northern Ireland Protocol

Liz Truss outlines 'necessity to act' on Northern Ireland protocol Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Requests for a new mandate to try and end the frictions surrounding negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol have been roundly rejected by EU leaders, João Vale de Almeida warned. He said the British Government's desire to change the terms of the international treaty, agreed as part of the 2019 EU withdrawal agreement, would not be accepted by political leaders on the continent. Related articles Labour in NEW pact with Brexit-bashing Lib Dems to defeat Boris First Brexit trade deal with US on the brink of completion It leaves … [Read more...] about Macron and Scholz say no! EU passes blame for Brexit row as deal now set to be ripped up

In advance of his visit to the province yesterday, Boris Johnson wrote an article for a Northern Ireland newspaper setting out his vision for reforming the Protocol . His aim was not to scrap the deal, he said, but it had to be admitted that the delicate balance created by the Good Friday Agreement had been upset. East-West trade was not functioning as it should, much has changed since the protocol was agreed, and there was a need for pragmatic reforms that would tackle its shortcomings. This was hardly the belligerent sabre-rattling that the EU has been desperate to portray the Prime Minister as indulging in. From the start of this process, the EU has been engaged in a sophisticated form of gaslighting. It presents itself as the saviour of the Good Friday Agreement, while ignoring the concerns of Unionists that their position within the UK is being changed without their consent. Brussels has accused the UK of “bad faith”, while itself briefly invoking the Article 16 safeguard … [Read more...] about The Northern Ireland Protocol needs urgent fixing