“Project Fear”? Pull the other one!
I’m tired of the Brexiter attempts to justify their lies in the referendum campaign by claiming that “both sides did it”, as if that somehow made it OK.
Tag Archives: brexit
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Brexit harms, not helps, our trade with the rest of the world
The last refuge of the Brexiters – all their other claims having been debunked and discredited – is that we can forge our own, better trade deals with the rest of the world once we leave the EU including its customs union.
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When Brexit Becomes a Matter of Life and Death
Cooperation over health and medical provision in the EU has never hit the headlines – but it has undoubtedly saved many lives. The detachment of the UK from this system now threatens lives. Yet the government appears oblivious to this.
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Long List of Little Things
The debate about Brexit has focussed on big decisions, such as trade and whether Britain should remain in the customs union. But Brexit, if it goes ahead, will also throw up a very long list of little things…
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Brexit and the Music Industry: Concerted Objections
2% of people in the music world thought that Brexit would be good for the industry. Recent reports show why we should listen to the 98% who know the score.
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The Dangers of a Skeleton Brexit
The government could well be aiming for a Withdrawal Agreement that leaves all contentious issues to be solved only after Brexit, during the transition phase which in the meantime keeps the status quo.
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The Brexit threat to workers’ rights is real
No-one should be fooled by the government’s claim that they will leave intact the workplace rights that we have agreed at European level and which are currently enshrined in EU legislation. The first clue about their true intentions is to be found in the fact that their promise to put all EU legislation into national […]
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Brexit and Charities: Giving away the benefits of EU membership?
Being located in a member state of the EU has provided major advantages to the charity sector which will be jeopardised, and could put the beneficiaries of their charitable projects at risk, at home and abroad.
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The latest Brexit blind alley: “mutual recognition” and “equivalence”
It is becoming increasingly clear that while Theresa May’s Mansion House speech may have applied some sticking plaster on the gaping wounds within the Conservative government, it fails to address vital issues on which it simply offers more unrealistic fudge.
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Theresa May’s ‘Road to Brexit’ will lead us off a cliff edge when it comes to security
With no (WTO equivalent) fallback positions on security, defence, policing and aviation, May’s Road to Brexit risks taking us on a journey that would diminish our safety and security at home and influence abroad. My latest piece for Left Foot Forward.
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Alarming Conversation with a British diplomat – is this the line the government’s peddling?
At a diplomatic reception in the capital of a large developing Commonwealth country, a conversation between a senior UK diplomat and 3 UK parliamentarians from different parties took place along the following lines:
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LOSING control of our money, borders, laws and trade
Brexit supporters are organised and disciplined in their constantly repeated sound-bites. Almost every day you can hear the mantra “Take back control of our money, borders, laws and trade”. Constant repetition of this line is aimed at it becoming a commonplace, something that is accepted without discussion. Yet the assertion is false.
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Either. Or. (An express guide to syntax)
“A MEMBER of Labour’s leadership has revealed new plans to keep Britain in the EU for an extra two years” shrieked the hysterical sub heading of David Maddox’s deliberately disingenuous piece in the Daily Express yesterday. Apparently, I have let slip a secret plan to keep “UK in EU even longer”. Really? Well, Mr. Maddox […]
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Tricks of the trade
Confuse your customs unions with your comprehensive trade agreements? Not that bothered by NTBs?
There are a lot of trade terms swirling around the media at the moment, so here’s a handy guide to what they mean.
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Transition or extension?
The realisation that any post-Brexit transition period will leave the UK still subject to EU legislation, including modifications to such legislation and new legislation, has given rise to the idea that Britain should extend its membership so as to serve any transition period as a voting member rather than as a “vassal state”.
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We do not have to leave the Single Market to address migration concerns
The New Statesman has published my piece which challenges the myth that the UK has no control over EU migration. Membership of the Single Market gives national governments considerable powers, but Theresa May – both has Home Secretary and Prime Minister – has failed to implement them.
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Democracy Rules OK in the EU
I responded to John Redwood‘s bogus claims in The Yorkshire Post that Brexit is justified because it is somehow undemocratic for 28 democracies to work together in the EU. (Redwood will try anything to avoid discussing economic damage of Brexit!)
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On whether the UK has the option to change its mind
My reply to Sean Kelly MEP’s ‘blue card’ question.
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Response to Donald Tusk & Jean-Claude Juncker statements
Speaking in the European Parliament on the conclusions of the European Council meeting in December.
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Should Labour fear single market rules?
Are there specific aspects of single market rules that would be problematic for a Labour government? Several are cited from time to time. Writing for Labour List, I point out that none in fact would cause insurmountable problems to delivering our manifesto,
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The crunch point on Brexit is fast approaching
Writing for the Fabian Review, I have outlined the where the UK stood in at the end of the phase one of the Brexit negotiations, and look at the immense challenges and risks facing us in 2018 if the government does not face up to reality rather than relying on rhetoric.
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Brexit and Young People
It is self-evidently young people who are going to have to live longest with the consequences of Brexit, if it happens. These consequences are numerous and wide-ranging.
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Brexit: now the difficult bit starts….
Theresa May appeared at the dispatch box on Monday afternoon, trying hard to be joyful and triumphant, claiming that she was able to offer a Brexit that would please everyone.
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EPLP statement on citizens’ rights
European Parliamentary statement on Brexit negotiations and rights of UK citizens residing in the EU and EU citizens residing in the UK.
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Having your fudge and eating it
On Friday the EU27 and the UK published a joint report on phase one of the Brexit negotiations. Yet this deal fudges many key issues, and raises new ones. It has given rise to conflicting interpretations within hours of it being published.
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Confusion and Delusion
After Theresa May’s diplomatic and political debacle on Monday, we have to ask: ‘Is there any kind of Brexit the PM can deliver?’
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There is no Brexit fee, but there are liabilities
Writing for Left Foot Forward, I explain what the financial settlement with the EU actually is and why we shouldn’t let hard line Brexiters hijack this issue.
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Interview in Tribune
I was interviewed by Tribune Magazine on becoming Labour’s new Leader in the European Parliament.
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UK not eligible to host European Capital of Culture 2023
My response to the announcement today that Leeds, and four other UK contenders, will not be able to host the European Capital of Culture 2023 because of Brexit.
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Labour must ensure that Brexit is not used to degrade our environmental protections
I was invited to write an article for SERA – Labour’s environment campaign – on why it is important to maintain transnational cooperation on environmental legislation, and the threats to this presented by Brexit.
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Brexit and Agriculture: Growing Concerns
At a conference for the agriculture sector in York, four areas of concern about Brexit emerged from those working in the industry: EU Labour, threats to income, future trade agreements and food standards. The government should be listening to their concerns.
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Tory Brexit talks show why Britain is teetering on the cliff edge
Once again, the Brexit talks have stalled as the Tory government stumbles on. Here is my latest piece for Labour List, outlining just how calamitous the situation is.
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Why the Tories are terrified of releasing the Brexit impact papers
The Conservatives know the scale of the disaster Brexit poses – and they want to keep voters in the dark, I argue in my most recent argue for Left Foot Forward.
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No Brexit problem at Irish border, IF you have…
It is possible to have an “invisible border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic but it isn’t straightforward.
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As Labour’s MEPs leader in Europe, I hope to help my party in the Brexit debate
In my first article as Leader of Labour MEP’s, I have written for Labour List about how we can help the party and the public understand the issues facing the country as the Brexit debate intensifies.
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Is 29th March 2019 the date we leave the EU?
The date of 29 March 2019 is never far from the lips of government ministers. As the two-year period for negotiating our departure from the European Union runs down, that day is heralded by leading Brexiters as one of the few certainties left in this chaotic Brexit process. But, as is often the case, reality is far less straightforward
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Speaking on European Council’s ‘insufficient progress’ decision
I spoke to parliament about the European Council’s decision that insufficient progress has been made on Brexit negotiations, as expected, and of the divisions within the Tory party causing this.
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Why May can’t settle on the money
The so-called Brexit bill – in fact a calculation to be made of the UK’s share of projects that we have already agreed to – is something that Theresa May cannot settle because of a deliberate strategy of the hard line Brexiteers on the right wing of her party.
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Brexit and Pharmaceuticals: Access to Medicine
A sector that doesn’t raise its voice in public (for fear of annoying ministers) but which is very worried about the consequences of Brexit, is the pharmaceutical industry. This is yet another industry which, behind the scenes, is asking for a “bespoke” agreement for its sector with a “deep and comprehensive” trade agreement and even a pharmaceutical protocol.
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No Deal? Nonsense
The idea that, in order to strengthen its position in the Brexit negotiations, Britain must show that it is prepared to walk away without a deal, is a load of nonsense.
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Tory MEPs sacked for stating the obvious
The Conservatives have removed the whip from two of their MEPs, Richard Ashworth and Julie Girling, for voting in favour of a non-binding European Parliament resolution which noted that “sufficient progress has not yet been made” in the Brexit talks.
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MEPs vote that ‘sufficient progress’ has not been made on Brexit talks
MEPs today voted, rightly in my view, that there has not yet been ‘sufficient progress’ in the Brexit negotiations. As Acting Leader of the EPLP, I have issued this statement and here is my speech in the parliament’s debate:
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Brexit and Transport: Going nowhere fast
Officials in the transport sector – the people who keep the British economy moving by road, rail, sea and air – are becoming increasingly concerned about the lack of attention paid to some vital practical implications of Brexit, as negotiations between the UK and the EU stall.
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A Brexit that works for Britain?
The reason why there is so much confusion and chaos about what Britain should aim for in the Brexit negotiations is simple. Neither of the two possible types of Brexit is an easy option. And in its attempts to force one or the other through, the government risks sidelining both parliament and the people.
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May’s Fudge in Florence
Flying all the way to Florence, with a large entourage, pursued by an army of journalists, to give a speech that she could have given in London, Theresa May’s speech today was more about the show than the content.
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Diversity is the Heart of Britishness
One of the least pleasant aspects of Boris Johnson’s recent rant was his comment that young people in Britain today have “split loyalties” because they wear or fly the European flag. Identity is pluralistic, not uniform.
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Brexit and the European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the world’s largest international public lending institution, providing loans and long-term project funding at very low interest rates. But the “Brexit means Brexit from every aspect of the EU” position of the Tory right wing is dictating that we must leave even this beneficial body.
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Sky News Interview : Adam Boulton
Talking with Adam Boulton about the many complex challenges with Brexit negotiations, the importance of protected food names for the British Economy and why we should remember that Brexit is ‘if’ not ‘when’, until we know what kind of deal is on offer.
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Japan’s concerns about UK’s Brexit deal
A letter from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published last year has resurfaced this week, and is a stark reminder of how little progress has been made on Brexit negotiations, and of the uncertainty it causes for industry and trade.
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Brexit and Chemicals: A Chain Reaction
The chemicals industry is a vital sector of the UK economy, making up 10% of all UK manufacturing. No wonder then that industry representatives and experts are extremely worried about the consequences of Brexit and the government’s chaotic approach to the negotiations.
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Dispelling Roger Bootle’s Euromyths
Last week, economist Roger Bootle wrote a piece for The Telegraph entitled ‘We cannot be fooled by the myth of EU economic success’. I have taken the liberty of reproducing it here and correcting and commenting upon many of the inaccuracies that the piece contained.
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What the single market actually is – and what will happen if we leave it
My latest piece is published in The Independent today: Some argue that staying in the single market does not respect the result of the referendum. Yet, it was Leave campaigners themselves who promised that we could leave the EU without economic damage because we’d stay in the single market.
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The British left should lead in resisting Brexit
Labour List have published my article on why the left should be resisting Brexit.
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Theresa May’s Annual RevEUw
The only certainty that the first year of Theresa May‘s premiership has given us is not that Brexit might be a disaster but that it will be.
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Barnier sinks argument that we can have frictionless trade after Brexit
The key points of the speech by the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier this week in Brussels are worth reading in full, rather than relying on press summaries. He explains clearly why the ‘frictionless’ trade promised by some Brexiteers cannot work.
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Brexit and Citizens’ rights: The devil is in the detail
What happens to EU citizens’ rights – of EU citizens here and Brits in other EU countries – after Brexit? This is the first key issue of the Article 50 “divorce” negotiations. It is a cause of great anxiety for the millions of citizens affected. In this briefing I look at several of the key areas for negotiation – and the serious implications for millions if they are not resolved.
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There’s something fishy about Michael Gove’s policy
Michael Gove claims that leaving the London convention will allow UK fisheries to be a more competitive, more profitable, and more sustainable industry, but is no stranger to fishy hyperbole when it comes to Brexit and this industry.
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EU citizens (and Brits in other EU countries) are right to be concerned about their rights
Of the many sad realities of Brexit, the most destabilising and direct issue for millions of people is the UK government’s refusal up to now to address the issue of EU citizenship rights for EU citizens who live and work in the UK and for UK citizens who live and work in other EU countries.
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As Labour politicians, we reject a hard-right Brexit, and defend the single market
I am one of the fifty signatories of a statement from Labour MPs, MEPs and Lords calling for our party to campaign to at the very least remain in the single market as part of the Brexit negotiations, because of the enormous damage leaving it would do to our economy.
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After a year, we are still no clearer
Negotiations formally start today. The EU envisages around 22 four-week cycles to the negotiations in which each cycle addresses specific issues, with a week of preparation, a week of exchange of papers and explanation, a week of negotiation to find a deal and a week of reporting back to secure agreement with what the negotiators […]
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Yorkshire, Brexit and the General Election – A film from FRANCE 24 (in English)
FRANCE 24 came over to Yorkshire to film a piece on how people and politicians in the region felt about Brexit and the General Election. It was a pleasure to take them to University of Leeds and Digital Exchange in Bradford to explore the views of students and the technology community. Pour nos amis français, il ya a une version en français aussi.
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What does the election result mean for Brexit?
The electorate rejected May’s approach to Brexit. But as a result of losing her majority, she has now made an alliance with the DUP. Uncertainty reigns. There is no majority in Parliament for a hard Brexit, but what is there a majority for?
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Theresa in Wonderland
The utter foolishness of Theresa May’s ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ mantra when it comes to negotiating a new relationship with the EU is back in every speech by her and senior cabinet ministers as well as appearing in the Conservative manifesto. It can’t be emphasised enough that ‘No deal’ is simply not an option.
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Brexit and Agriculture
Leaving the EU will presumably mean leaving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).Currently, some 55% of total UK farm income comes from CAP support. If we don’t want to see a massive decline in our farming sector and an end to some much loved landscapes, replacing that in some way has to be a top priority.
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UK Agriculture faces huge challenges from Brexit. Why aren’t the Leavers listening?
The House of Lords, leading agri-companies and individual farmers are very concerned about the impact of Brexit upon their their sector. Yet the government has given few assurances to this vital sector of our economy.
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My response to EU Brexit Guidelines
Addressing the European Parliament about the clear guidelines set out by the European Council for Brexit negotiations.
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Brexit and the Environment
One of the most important issues in the Brexit debate is the environment, but it is hardly a surprise that this Tory government does not appear to be concerned about how leaving the EU will threaten the UK’s environmental protections, given that one of Theresa May’s first acts as Prime Minister was to scrap the Department for the Energy and Climate Change.
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Does Britain face a Brexit blackout?
Since the government confirmed that it wants Britain to leave Euratom as well as the EU, there has been alarm over what this means for the UK’s energy supply. Leaving Euratom adds to an already problematic situation regarding traditional and renewable energy sources that arises if we leave the EU.
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Brexit and the Railways
I was recently given a document entitled “seven key principles for Brexit” produced by the Rail Delivery Group, which works with Network Rail and the passenger and the freight operating companies. Here are some of their key concerns.
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Why a ‘hard’ Brexit is particularly bad for Yorkshire
Despite what many Leave campaigners promised during the referendum campaign, Theresa May wants to take Britain out of not just the EU, but also the single European market, the customs union and the various European technical agencies. This approach is particularly dangerous for Yorkshire.
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Seafood sector faces uncertainty on unprecedented scale
Visiting several businesses in Grimsby last week to talk with senior managers and employees in the ports, fisheries and seafood processing industries, I was struck by one thing. Business does not like uncertainty. And Brexit makes for very uncertain times.
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May is trying to pre-empt Brexit difficulties – it could backfire!
Theresa May has sprung an early election, breaking her earlier pledges not to, for three reasons: She knows the Brexit negotiations will very quickly cause her problems, as the unpalatable choices she has to make will alienate many voters and elements in her party – better to have the election before that begins to bite! […]
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Statement in European Parliament on the Brexit Resolution
Today the 73% of the European Parliament agreed a resolution in response to article 50 being triggered. It is Labour’s responsibility to hold Theresa May’s government to account for their promise secure “exactly the same benefits”.
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The ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ fallacy
My article pointing out the ‘Fox paradox’ has been published in Parliament Magazine.
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Brexit and Northern Ireland: There’s a Stormont brewing
Theresa May talks of strengthening the Union and not returning to the borders of the past in Ireland. But in reality her actions only serve to undermine the Union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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Speaking at Unite for Europe rally
On 25th March I spoke to thousands of protesters in Parliament Square about why should keep fighting this government on Brexit.
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Brexit and Higher Education
Higher education is one of the sectors of the British economy that will be most clearly and negatively affected by Theresa May’s blind pursuit of a hard Brexit.
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Now the Brexit bill has passed, what red lines for Labour?
Labour List published my response to the passing of the unamended Brexit bill through parliament on Monday evening. What should Labour do now?
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Brexit and Immigration: Squaring the circle
Politicians have to understand the public’s concerns about immigration and take action on this. But leaving the European single market primarily because of its provisions on freedom of movement would have a major economic cost, while at the same time changing very little, if anything, in terms of the UK’s ability to control migration. But there is a way to square the circle…
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March for Europe: Newcastle
On Saturday I spoke to a crowd of over 1,000 people who were protesting agains the tory hard Brexit which they did not vote for. This is a summary of my speech.
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May’s Mess on Migration
That Theresa May should come down on the side of the hard Brexiteers should not be a surprise. As a long serving Home Secretary, she must take much of the blame for setting – and failing to keep – a target of reducing net immigration to Britain to tens of thousands a year.
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Fabian Review | The Next Steps
Fabian Review has launched a regular series of pieces looking at the view from Brussels on Brexit from the UK and EU politicians playing key roles in the negotiations, to which I will be regularly contributing.
To start the series, I explain what the EU is planning while it waits for Britain to fire the Brexit starting pistol.
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Brexit and EU Agencies
Theresa May’s statement that we won’t be trying to stay in bits of the EU means that, in principle, we shall also be leaving more than 40 EU agencies (including some located in Britain) which perform tasks on behalf of all member states, including us, over a wide range of policy areas.
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The Brexit Bill: My response
The government’s determination to push the European Union (Notice of Withdrawal) Bill through the Commons with such limited time for debate to consider the many implications of such a momentous decision, is a serious affront to the parliamentary sovereignty that they claimed to hold dear.
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What now on Brexit?
The response to the referendum result is still playing out in both of Britain’s main political parties. While the last few weeks have given the appearance – in stark contrast to before the referendum – of a united Conservative party and a divided Labour Party, this could change significantly in the coming period. On the […]
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Some comments on the Brexit White Paper
The following is a summary of the Government’s Brexit White Paper – together with my comments in red: Great repeal bill and control of UK laws “We will bring forward a White Paper on the Great Repeal Bill that provides more detail about our approach.” The first promise of this white paper is to promise […]
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Euratom: Brexit goes nuclear
The 60-year-old Euratom Treaty is a separate legal entity from the EU. The referendum last June did not concern Euratom. Little thought seems to have been given as to what we should do about our membership.
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My response to Supreme Court Judgment
I welcome the judgment of the Supreme Court on the proper process for the triggering of Article 50. We live in a parliamentary democracy. Only Parliament, not the government, can decide on a matter that can affect the rights of UK citizens. Parliament must now seize the opportunity to take control of this process, to determine the best way […]
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Global Britain? More like Broken Britain
There are no two ways about it: Theresa May’s intention to take us out — not just of the EU, but also out of the European Single Market, the Customs Union and indeed “all parts of the EU” — is deeply damaging, and not just in economic terms. Here are some of the key implications of her speech, which will […]
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May’s ‘clean’ Brexit can hide neither dangers nor dirty dealing
Theresa May’s journey towards a bleak, deluded UKIP view of the world continued today as she abandoned key areas of potential negotiation over the Single Market (favoured by most businesses, trade unions and economists) and instead moved the battleground to an ill defined (and unlikely to be agreed) partial membership of aspects of the Customs […]
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Brexit and Ireland
Much of the debate around Brexit thus far has rightly centred on the government’s shambolic handling of the process, and its cavalier attitude to the potentially disastrous impacts on the UK economy. However on the rather serious constitutional question of Ireland, the Leavers’ astounding recklessness has gone almost unnoticed.
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State aid within the EU
Writing for Verdict, a new geopolitical, finance and economics platform, I expose some of the myths about how state aid for industry works within the EU.
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Brexit and the CFP – There’s always a catch!
The difficulties that face the fisheries and related industries and communities in the upcoming Brexit negotiations have been at best underestimated, and at worst deliberately misrepresented by those insisting it is simply a matter of ‘taking back our waters’.
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The Tory civil war will re-ignite
The reason why Theresa May is so silent on her Brexit plans is because, as soon as she comes off the fence, the Tory party civil war on Europe will flare up again in public. The divisions between those who consider it vital that Britain continues to participate in the single market and those who […]
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Brexit supporting press in a panic
Interesting that, today, there are simultaneous attacks on me in the Telegraph, the Sun and the Express, all about amendments I tabled weeks ago to a draft report by Liberal MEP Verhofstadt in the Constitutional Affairs committee of the European Parliament. It’s clearly a concerted effort, especially as they all give the same distorted view […]
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What happens next: An outline of the likely Brexit negotiation process
I recently chaired a cross-party tripartite meeting for MPs, MEPs and Lords at which I was asked to outline the likely negotiation process for Brexit after Article 50 is triggered. Here is summary of my presentation.
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The Plan must spell out the choices Britain must make – and cost them
I discuss the choices the Government must make, and reveal, in its plan
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Tusk calls out Tory hypocrisy
In the New Statesman’s rolling blog I point out how the Tory hypocrisy and inconsistency is already damaging our chance of negotiating anything like a good Brexit deal for the UK.
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Brexit at any cost?
In Labour List, I argue that it may well be in the national interest, and Labour’s electoral interest, not to consider Brexit a done deal without a chance to reconsider when we eventually see what it actually entails.