Politics
Devastating chart shows the iceberg effect of Brexit
Brexit will have a devastating "iceberg" effect on Britain, with the benefits at the top being far outweighed by the negative impacts below the line. A new graph has been revealed which details the cost of Brexit. The benefits of de-regulation can be seen above the line, but they are far outweighed by the negative impact of immediate loss of access, regulatory divergence, customs and tariffs. The graph has been leaked online a day after Donald Tusk warned that Brexit will...
Online translator launched to decipher the real meanings behind what politicians say
In a nod to George Orwell's doublespeak an online platform has been launched that deciphers the real meanings behind what politicians say. The platform has released a list of common political sayings and the truth behind them after new research revealed that nine out of ten young people believe all politicians lie. The survey, commissioned by youth political platform, Shout Out UK, asked the 2,000 respondents what common phrases politicians use that confuse them, so it could translate them. More than three quarters...
Tories vote to cover up secret source of massive Brexit campaign donation funnelled to DUP
A Tory three-line whip instructed Conservative MPs to ensure we will not be finding out who funnelled £435,000 to the leave campaign in the last few weeks of the Brexit campaign. Whoever it was chose to do it through the DUP party in Northern Ireland to keep their identity secret as party donors at the time were anonymous in Northern Ireland. The Electoral Commission demanded the government allowed the same transparency over donations to Northern Irish parties during the EU...
FTA only possible route for UK – here’s a timely reminder of how that will impact the regions
Donald Tusk has today confirmed that a free trade agreement (FTA) on goods with no tariffs is the only possible route for the UK's exit from the European Union. The President of the European Council said the EU does not want to build a wall with Britain, but Brexit means "we will be drifting apart". He said the EU wanted an "ambitious and advanced" free trade agreement, but the UK's red lines limit what it can get from the final Brexit deal. Tusk...
Trump: Guns don’t kill people – gamers do
Donald Trump is set to meet with members of the video game industry just days after he backed off the National Rifle Association. The President believes increased violence in video games could be behind the recent shootings in the country. In response to the shooting in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine’s Day, Trump held a White House roundtable where he said: “We have to do something about maybe what they’re seeing and how they’re seeing it, and also, video games.” “I’m hearing...
Airbus set to take flight out of UK amidst Brexit uncertainty
Airbus has warned it could take flight away from the UK without imminent clarity over customs rules after Brexit. The European aerospace manufacturer said it would soon have to decide whether to start stockpiling parts to avoid border delays, adding costs that could make its British operations uncompetitive. Airbus employs about 15,000 people in the UK and moves parts between other EU countries and wing-making operations at Broughton in north Wales and Filton, near Bristol. In 2015, Airbus contributed over £1...
Petition calling for an end to cash payments for non-referrals gets 140k signatures
A petition calling for an end to the practice of rewarding GPs with cash incentives to cut the number of patients they refer to hospital has reached 140,000 signatures. With the NHS cash-strapped and struggling to provide beds this winter, bosses are looking for any opportunity to save money. That means that in some cases GPs have been offered cash rewards to cut the number of patients they refer to hospital - including people who might have cancer. Campaigners say this practice...
Alright for some! MPs to get 1.8% pay rise – to £77,379…almost double what public sector staff received
It might be freezing outside but the most bitter you are likely to feel, is knowing your MP has just got a pay rise. From 2018/19 they will take home a 1.8 pay rise, taking their pay to a chunky £77,379 a year, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority said. Last year MPs only got a 1.4% pay rise, so they will be lining their pockets even more in the next round of pay hikes. Our MPs salaries will have risen...
Sir John Major claims UK citizens have “every right” to reverse Brexit
The ex-PM John Major has re-entered the Brexit debate. A prominent Remainer he spoke out over the way the Brexit negotiations are going, in his opinion. Major, talking at an event in central London, said that British people have “every right” to vote in a second referendum, to decide if they agreed with the final deal to leave the EU. Major wants the Government to offer a free vote, on the final deal, to the Commons and then have the...