Year: 2020

France is looking at ways to lure clearing in euro derivatives away from London to the European Union to lessen the risk of any forced “relocation” backfiring by driving business instead to the U.S., financial industry officials said. Britain left the EU last month and no longer has a seat at the table when it comes to discussions over financial regulation, giving France an opportunity to ratchet up the pressure […]

Putting the lead back in paint, the sewage back on beaches and enhancing the lethality of children’s toys. These are just some of the “opportunities” for deregulation offered in Sajid Javid’s call for the public to propose ways to diverge from the EU rulebook. Slashing European regulation has long been an article of faith for the Tory party, fulfilling both its Thatcherite and Europhobic instincts. No matter that recent history – from […]

Emmanuel Macron is leading demands for the UK to be forced to commit to mirroring EU rules on employment and the environment forever if it wants a post-Brexit free trade deal with the bloc. The French president has reportedly instructed the European Commission to tell Britain that the price of a deal will be a cast iron guarantee from Downing Street that when the EU upgrades its rules the UK […]

Dominic Raab has said the UK will be "energetic champions of free and open trade" now it has left the EU. Writing in the Australian Financial Review while on tour in the country, he said the UK was "ready to reinvigorate our ties with old friends". He met his Australian counterpart Marise Payne on Thursday, calling Australia "a natural partner". The UK is hoping for early trade deals with Australia, […]

A north-east council is no longer under Brexit Party control after several members returned to their previous political groups. Ten independent councillors on Hartlepool Council had joined the party in September. However, council leader Shane Moore has rejoined the Independent Union along with a number of his colleagues. Councillor Moore said it was "job done" after Prime Minister Boris Johnson "delivered Brexit". The Independent Union and Conservative Group leads the […]

Boris Johnson has nominated two men he kicked out of the Tories in the Commons for opposing him on Brexit for seats in the Lords, the BBC has learned. Former Chancellors Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond had the Conservative whip withdrawn last year for attempting to block a no-deal Brexit. They have now stood down as MPs but have continued to be critical of the prime minister's policies. The nomination […]