Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment has raised serious concerns over the lack of safety for inmates and staff in prisons in England due to prison violence, poor regimes, and chronic overcrowding.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
Danuta Hubner, chair of the European Parliament constitutional affairs committee, has warned that the snap general election will reduce the time available to negotiate a Brexit deal. Meanwhile the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, has stated that the result of the election will be irrelevant in Brussels and it is merely a Tory power grab.
Controversially, former prime minister, Tony Blair has urged voters to vote supporting anti-Brexit candidates, even if they’re Tories in the 8 June election, whilst pro-EU Tories have quit Open Britain, saying that to stay would be untenable due to plans to oust Brexit-backing MPs. Gina Miller has raised £300,000 for candidates to oppose a hard Brexit.
Sir Keir Starmer has set out Labour’s plans for Brexit should they be elected in June, prioritising jobs and work rights, though the Labour leadership has reached a truce on immigration policy in agreeing that free movement of labour will have to end upon Brexit. However, Peter Mandelson has criticised the party’s approach as ‘equivocal and fence sitting’.
As reported by the Financial Times, Theresa May is meeting meet Michael Barnier and other senior Brexit negotiators, as she begins to show her intention to steer Brexit negotiations.
With many eyes firmly on the French presidential elections, the favourite, Macron, reportedly intends to drive a hard bargain in Brexit talks, with the Financial Times also reporting on how his election could make Brexit talks tougher.
Following Brexit, with the UK ‘taking back control’ of its law-making, The Conversation has argued that there will be a boom of corporate lobbying in London.
The Government has responded to concerns about the legality of the EU sanctions listing process, asserting that, post Brexit, the UK will continue to work with EU Member States to ensure sanctions are used effectively and responsibly. It has also set up a public consultation on the issue.
PoliticsHome has examined the impact of Brexit on the UK’s future role and participation in European security and law enforcement cooperation.
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