Cross border negotiated deals why culture matters

This autumn a group of neuroscientists, medical students, doctors and psychiatrists got together at the University of Warwick to work out what we now know about the way the brain works. But they were not hunched over a pile of Cat scans, academic theses and medical notes. Instead they were looking at the theatrical work of Samuel Beckett. The great Irish playwright, some argued, understood and demonstrated patterns of human thought and emotion at a level of sophistication scientists have yet to reach. With the success this month of The Effect, Lucy Prebble's play about the effect of chemicals on the brain, and the announcement of a new season of performance and debate about art and neuroscience at the Barbican in 2013, it looks as if the long struggle to break down barriers between science and creativity has entered a new phase. Not only is it conceded that scientific discoveries are fertile artistic territory, but scientists are being increasingly open about the value of the arts when … [Read more...] about A new discovery for science and art: the cultural divide is all in the mind

Boris Johnson will not ask for an extension to the EU transition period beyond December 2020 if he gets a Brexit deal, which would leave just 14 months for arrangements to be put in place to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland. As Johnson sat down for lunch with Jean-Claude Juncker, the European commission president, a No 10 spokesman poured cold water on the idea that the UK might be prepared to accept a longer transition period to help reduce the need for a backstop. “In the event we were able to secure a deal, there is no intention to extend the implementation period beyond December 2020,” Johnson’s spokesman said. The idea of a longer transition period had been raised by Stephen Barclay, the Brexit secretary, who said on Sunday that Britain could stay in the transition arrangement until the end of 2022 and potentially allow ministers to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland. Barclay had said: “It is the case that operationally these issues do … [Read more...] about Johnson: no transition period extension if Brexit deal is struck

Dominic Raab has said Tory rebels kicked out of the party for backing a Brexit delay carried out an “act of vandalism” against democracy as he admitted there was likely to be a court challenge to legislation that holds up the UK leaving the EU. The foreign secretary praised his party’s whips for restoring discipline and said the 21 MPs had known the consequences when they voted against the government to “hand control” of parliament to the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Amber Rudd has become the latest high-profile party figure to desert Boris Johnson, resigning both from her cabinet role as work and pensions secretary and as a Conservative MP with stinging criticism of her party’s drift towards no deal and the axing of colleagues. Asked to comment on her remark that the Tory leadership had carried out an act of “political vandalism” on Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday show, Raab said: “They were told in advance it would be a … [Read more...] about Dominic Raab says law blocking no-deal Brexit may be tested in court

Boris Johnson has been warned that his large majority will not help him solve the contradictions at the heart of his Brexit plans, amid attempts by the European Union to head off another crisis at the end of next year. The prime minister has made clear that he will immediately push on with plans to implement his Brexit deal, ensuring that Britain will leave the EU by the end of January. However, he is already being warned that his 80-strong majority will not hand him any extra power in his negotiations with Brussels. There are concerns in Europe and Westminster that his commitment not to extend the Brexit transition period beyond 2020 also risks exposing critical parts of Britain’s economy. Sir Ivan Rogers, Britain’s former envoy to the EU, told the Observer that the time pressures created by Johnson’s commitments could force Britain into accepting major concessions. He also doubted that the size of the parliamentary majority would change the debate with Brussels. … [Read more...] about Johnson is warned his big win will not speed up Brexit deal

A MINISTER was brutally slapped down by No10 last night after saying a No Deal Brexit would be an “absolute disaster” for Britain.the Tories out of power for decades. But he was rebuked by Chancellor Sajid Javid who said Britain would come out of a No Deal “stronger and more resilient”.Boris Johnson allies calling for the country to trade on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms. “I don’t at all, I think it would be an absolute disaster and politically for my party would see us out of office for two decades I think. “More importantly, I think it would be very damaging to the stability of this country.” His comments sparked absolute fury and Mr Freeman was hauled into Downing Street for a savage dressing down. U-TURN The humiliated frontbencher frantically issued a statement U-turning on his remarks.He said: “The PM has repeatedly set out his desire for a deal and our willingness to negotiate with all energy, but if the Commission is … [Read more...] about Minister condemned by No10 for claiming a No Deal Brexit would be a ‘disaster’