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Stories of the week 5 May

Local Elections took place this week and in no uncertain terms it was a Remain backlash against pro-Brexit parties particularly the Conservatives and the Labour Party. Pro-Remain parties the Liberal Democrats and The Green Party surged ahead at the polls. The Conservatives lost hundreds of seats and control of numerous local Councils in what was seen as voter rejection from both Remainers and Leavers who have been dissatisfied with how Brexit has been dealt with by the Government. In no uncertain terms, voters across every region have shown their opinion and their voice by this overwhelming landslide victory for Pro-Remain parties in the clearest signal yet that the mood and the opinion of the country has changed in the almost three long years since the referendum.

In more bad news for the Government and for Leavers, Gavin Williamson was instantly dismissed by Prime Minister Theresa May for potentially breaking the Official Secrets Act and certainly for failing to adhere to the Ministerial Code. Williamson was found guilty of leaking vital security information over the possible inclusion of Huawei technology in the UK’s infrastructure. The highly embarrassed Prime Minister wants the matter close but not so Gavin Williamson who continues to plead his innocence despite having admitted he talked to the Press soon after the high level security meeting but didn’t mention this. MPs want a Police probe. The Government are saying that’s up to the Police. The Police are saying actually it’s the Government’s decision. Williamson could face up to two years in prison if found guilty.

In bizarre news for the UK’s now verging on comedy government, Boris Johnson was forced to delete a tweet claiming that he had voted in the local elections wher there wasn’t any voting taking place at all in his constituency. Also, Scottish Tory Leader, Ruth Davidson, has prevented Boris from appearing at the Scottish Tory Party Conference. Boris is anything but potential leadership material for a great many Conservatives.

Environment

At last some great political news for the UK. Jeremy Corbyn, after the Labour Party expressed report for Extinction Rebellion, begged MPs to declare a Climate Emergency which they dutifully did. The Climate emergency is the first official recognition of the huge and devastating impact climate change is having on our planet. It’s hoped that more governments will do the same and a number of environmental decisions can now be taken in the UK with this as its official position. A report was also released stating that the UK should target zero carbon emissions by 2050.

World

Venezuela’s President Maduro survived an attempted coup this week led by his political rival Juan Guaido. Donald Trump supported the coup whilst Putin supported the President, both leaders taking the world back to the 1960s with violent clashes with the military all over the country.

Stories of the week 24 February

Politics

Brexit pressure blew Westminster wide open this week with both parties suffering major splits and defections. The new Independent Group formed this week as the clock counts down to leaving. A group of Labour MPs left to seek a new referendum and a group of Conservative MPs left because of the ‘Ukipisation’ of the Party and the continuing Tory threat of No Deal. The Press, unlike the MPs, didn’t know which way to turn. Brexiter Press were running scared of the new group whilst more liberal, remain Press hoped for some kind of breakthrough. There were recriminations, denials and accusations flying around as the various newspapers tried to come to terms with the fast-forming new political landscape. You can see how all sides of the Press lined up on the issue right here.

Brexit

In other news, it was still a pretty bad week for Brexit. Aviva moved assets worth £9bn out of the UK to Ireland. The US will support Ireland and not the UK over the issue of a hard border. Tariffs on food will send prices soaring in the event of No Deal and the former World Trade Organisation boss warned that Brexiter No Deal trade plans are nonsense.

In more devastating news, Honda announced it was closing its Swindon plant. Brexiters immediately took their usual position of denial and denied it had got anything to do with Brexit. Remainers pointed to the recently signed free trade agreement, the largest ever made, between Japan and the EU as the final nail in the coffin for the UK car industry. Within seven years Japan will be able to import cars directly into the EU with zero tariffs making their investment in Brexit Britain redundant.

Middle East