Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has raised concerns, also reported in The Times, about the powers outlined in the Counterterrorism and Border Security Bill, warning that criminalising the publication of images that created suspicion that a person was a supporter or member of such an organisation risked violating the right to freedom of expression.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
Tory Brexiters are reportedly weighing up a leadership challenge to Theresa May over her controversial Chequers deal; however Michael Gove has stated that criticism of the plan amounted to “fake outrage”.
David Davis has resigned as Brexit Secretary in a move that PoliticsHome reports has dealt an enormous blow to Theresa May’s authority. Prominent Leave campaigner Dominic Raab has replaced him.
Boris Johnson has also resigned over Theresa May’s Brexit plan. The BBC has published his letter of resignation and the Prime Minister’s response in full. He has been replaced by Jeremy Hunt. There is intense focus on Michael Gove following the resignations of his like-minded colleagues whilst two Tory vice-chairs have also quit over Theresa May’s plan. Despite this Theresa May has promised an ‘orderly’ Brexit.
The Cabinet resignations have prompted fears amongst Brexiters that the UK is to undergo the ‘biggest loss of sovereignty’ since 1973 under Brexit. Meanwhile, William Hague has warned that if the resignations lead to civil war amongst the Tories, the UK may not leave the EU at all and Ruth Davidson has argued that Theresa May remains the best person to lead the UK as the Brexit deal is hard to negotiate, but those who have resigned have no alternative plan. European leaders have reacted with dismay to the chaos in the British Government, warning that time for a deal is running out.
There has been much analysis of the Chequers plan: InFacts have called it a ‘castration Brexit, not a soft one’ and the UKTPO has considered whether the agreement paves the way to ‘Brexit heaven’. Dominic Raab, has urged critics of the Chequers plan to stop “carping” and come up with a credible alternative.
The Foreign Affairs Committee has found that the UK Government must set out its ambitions in the Western Balkans over the next ten years, in order to demonstrate a ‘credible and independent post-Brexit strategy’.
Labour has stated that it will vote against the final Brexit deal unless it meets shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer’s six tests on protection of jobs and rights.
Eurosceptic Tories have threatened to rebel against Theresa May’s soft Brexit plan, and Liam Fox has conceded that it is uncertain whether the WTO will give legal approval to the UK proposal.
The Government has published its long awaited Brexit White Paper setting out the future relationship between the UK and EU. However, hardline Tory Brexiters plan to try to force Theresa May to publish a rival draft of the white paper drawn up by David Davis in the run-up to last week’s Chequers summit.
The Financial Times has analysed the white paper, whilst Tory Brexiters have criticised the plan as a ‘bad deal for Britain’. Donald Trump has criticised Theresa May’s handling of EU negotiations and has stated that the Brexit blueprint is likely to ‘kill’ and UK-US trade deal.
Dominic Raab has stated that the UK could refuse to pay the Brexit divorce bill if EU negotiators delay the negotiations on the future trade deal.
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