10th May 2019 https://nfind.uk/brexit_cliff_edge/index.php/newsletter=63 brexit_cliff_edge

Economic Impact

Daily Mirror https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-customs-union-deal-would-15017013 9th May 2019

Economic Impact

The New European There would be an 80 billion hit to national income and a 13 billion cut to money for public services even if we leave the EU with a customs union deal a report has claimed. The report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research NIESR says that a customs union deal with the EU would only halve the impact of a nodeal Brexit. All regions of the UK would end up poorer than if we had simply remained in the EU said the report. A customs union deal would still leave people worse off by an average of 800 a year and could reduce the treasurys tax revenue by 26 billion. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/report-from-peoples-vote-campaign-into-brexit-customs-union-impact-1-6040365 9th May 2019

Economic Impact

Metro.co.uk Labours plans for a customs union with the EU after Brexit would leave each person 800 a year worse off according to respected economists. Keeping the UK tied to the trading bloc would deliver an 80 billion hit to the UKs national income the National Institute of Economic and Social Research Niesr has warned. Taxes would have to rise or public services be cut to make up the shortfall a new report has warned. The issue is at the heart of the flailing Brexit talks between Theresa Mays government and the opposition. Jeremy Corbyn is pushing to keep the UK in the customs union while leaving was always something Mrs May would not reconsider. Staying in the customs union has been referred to as a compromise deal as the UK would be able to do frictionless trade with the rest of the EU. https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/09/brexit-cost-us-800-every-year-stay-customs-union-9463571/ 9th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

The Guardian Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors has been forced to deny that it is on the verge of selling the British luxury car brand to the French owner of Peugeot. Britains biggest carmaker has been mooted as a potential target for PSA Group the owner of brands including Peugeot Citron and Vauxhall for months amid reports that Indias Tata was growing frustrated with JLRs struggles. A postsale integration document has been passed around senior executives at the companies detailing the potential benefits of a tieup the Press Association reported on Thursday. However both carmakers denied a sale is in the offing. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/09/tata-denies-it-is-trying-to-sell-jaguar-land-rover-to-frances-psa 9th May 2019

Administrative Fall Out

BBC A Polish mother says abuse she has suffered since the Brexit referendum has forced her to leave the UK after 10 years. Magdelena Howlett whose daughters were both born in the UK has sold her home in Nottingham and returned to Eastern Europe because of concern for their safety. She said the abuse started two days before the referendum in June 2016 when a stranger swore at her in the street. But through concerns it would escalate she has not reported it to police. A 2018 study by charity Nottingham Citizens found about a third of 4000 respondents had experienced a hate crime in the city with Brexit identified as one of the major drivers. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-48203199/polish-mother-says-brexit-abuse-forced-her-from-uk 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The New European Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has defended adopting the Bollocks to Brexit message for the European elections as the partys proRemain agenda becomes a talking point in the news. The message which has been used by antiBrexit campaigners including The New European has been used to tap into the anger of those that want to Remain in the EU. Now Sir Vince Cable is hoping that the message will have more cutthrough with the voters than rival Remain parties like Greens and Change UK. Explaining the rationale behind the messaging Sir Vince said We are unambiguous we argue we should stop Brexit weve argued for a peoples vote were not apologetic about it. Some people may not like that but I think others admire the honesty and clarity of our position. https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/lib-dems-defend-bollocks-to-brexit-message-on-good-morning-britain-1-6040670 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Vince Cable has staked the Liberal Democrats claim to be the leading remain party in the European elections as he unveiled a forthright new slogan for the campaign Bollocks to Brexit. The phrase previously plastered on stickers and Tshirts by ardent remain supporters is now emblazoned across the Lib Dem manifesto for the 23 May poll though more squeamish candidates will have the option of one that just says Stop Brexit. Buoyed by strong results in last weeks local council elections and unencumbered by the nuance of Labours position Cable insisted the Lib Dems were the bestequipped party to challenge the message of Nigel Farage at the poll later this month. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/vince-cable-stakes-lib-dems-claim-as-torch-carriers-for-remain 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Reuters Britains proEU Liberal Democrats are showcasing their European election campaign with a downtoearth slogan they hope will attract frustrated voters who want to remain in the bloc Bollocks to Brexit. Fresh from a strong showing in local council elections the opposition party posted a photograph on Twitter of its leader Vince Cable with a special edition of its manifesto for the May 23 European parliament vote. The document will be launched on Thursday evening. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-liberaldemocrats/swearing-by-the-eu-uks-anti-brexit-lib-dems-opt-for-earthy-election-slogan-idUSKCN1SF1LR 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian The colourful language has at least marked out the Lib Dems as a party with a bit of fight in them. On the back of encouraging results in the local elections Vince Cables team has recovered some energy and momentum. The contrast with the less distinct and at times rather confusedsounding interventions of Change UK who also want to stop Brexit but without swearing is stark. In addition the slogan has the virtue of sincerity. The Lib Dems are unequivocal remainers who want to stop Brexit from happening. They think its all bollocks and are prepared to say so. Direct language can be effective. Matt Kelly editor of the New European newspaper tells me that since offering new subscribers a free Bollocks to Brexit mug if they sign up to receive the paper subscription rates have trebled. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/09/liberal-democrats-bollocks-to-brexit-party-slogan?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Jeremy Corbyn wants to ditch the labels of Leave and Remain to stop worrying about the 48 and the 52 and to concentrate on the country as a whole. He says only Labour can bring the two warring sides together. In other words time to move on. The idea of turning the page will be tantalising to millions but peeling those labels off our politics is for now at least probably wishful thinking. In his own party the most fevered question is over whether to allow even help Brexit on its way or to have another referendum to try to stop it thats an issue of Leave or Remain. Just after he gave his speech in Kent launching Labours European election campaign two party activists expressed the difference precisely. One of them told us they were disappointed with the partys halfandhalf approach to Brexit and keen for another referendum to stay in. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48217654 10th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Daily Mirror Some people seem to look at the issue the wrong way around. They tend to think the first question is Leave or Remain as if either is an end in itself. I think theyre wrong. The first question is what kind of society do we want to be As a result Labours manifesto is a wideranging document which reads more like a general election manifesto that you might expect. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/whats-labours-eu-election-manifesto-15020979 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Politics Home Jeremy Corbyn has said that a second EU referendum could be seen as a healing process for the country that brings the Brexit impasse to a conclusion. Speaking at the partys EU election launch in Kent the Labour leader said there should be an option of a public vote on the outcome of talks and negotiations and that it could bring people together. Mr Corbyn said The view we put forward the party conference put this forward the national executive agreed this was that we should include the option of having a ballot on a public vote on the outcome of the talks and negotiations on what were putting forward. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/jeremy-corbyn/news/103766/jeremy-corbyn-says-second-eu 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Business Insider Jeremy Corbyn has rejected growing calls for Labour to become an explicitly antiBrexit party at the launch of his partys European elections campaign on Thursday. Corbyn has been under intense pressure from Labour Party members and Members of Parliament to make a firmer commitment to a backing a new referendum and campaign for Remain in any new public vote. However speaking in Medway in Kent Corbyn said he would only back the option of a new referendum if either forcing a general election or changing Theresa Mays bad Brexit deal were not possible outcomes. https://www.businessinsider.com/jeremy-corbyn-rejects-calls-for-labour-to-become-an-anti-brexit-party-2019-5?r=US&ampIR=T 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Labour can unite our country and heal the divisions caused by Brexit Jeremy Corbyn said as he launched his European elections campaign. Mr Corbyn said the party backed the option of a public vote if a sensible Brexit deal cannot be agreed and there is not a general election. He said crossparty talks on Brexit were difficult as the governments red lines remain in place. The European elections take place in the UK on 23 May. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48208846 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC Labour can unite our country and heal the divisions caused by Brexit Jeremy Corbyn said as he launched his European elections campaign. Mr Corbyn said the party backed the option of a public vote if a sensible Brexit deal cannot be agreed and there is not a general election. He said crossparty talks on Brexit were difficult as the governments red lines remain in place. The European elections take place in the UK on 23 May. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48208846 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Jeremy Corbyn has again rebuffed the demands of many of his own activists for Labour to become the party of remain at the European elections later this month insisting he will stand on the common ground. Launching his partys manifesto for the European elections in Chatham Kent the Labour leader said voters should resist being defined simply as leavers or remainers. We could allow ourselves to be defined only as remainers or leavers labels that meant nothing to us only a few years ago. But where would that take us Who wants to live in a country stuck in this endless loop he asked. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/brexit-leave-remain-labour-jeremy-corbyn-campaign-launch-european-elections?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCNormanSmith Jeremy Corbyn confirms Labour will seek to deliver on Brexit. Cannot ignore 17m who backed leave he says https://twitter.com/BBCNormanS/status/1126430832951009280 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Evening Standard Tory leadership contender Amber Rudd will today set out her vision of a modernday Conservative Party saying it must support workers of all backgrounds. Ms Rudd seen by many as a prime candidate in the race to succeed Theresa May is expected to use a major speech in London to set out her ambition for the Tories to be the party for 21st century workers. She will become the latest Cabinet member to set out her credentials following in the recent footsteps of the likes of Sajid Javid Jeremy Hunt and Andrea Leadsom. The work and pensions secretary will say As Conservatives we want every person no matter their background to progress in the workplace and outperform what society says they should be able to do. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/amber-rudd-to-set-out-tory-leadership-credentials-with-vision-of-21st-century-conservative-party-a4137751.html 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

BBC The candidate who wins the Conservative leadership contest could fail to become prime minister if they back a nodeal Brexit Amber Rudd has said. The work and pensions secretary told BBC Newsnight a no deal prime minister would not be able to command a majority in the House. Convention dictates that a departing prime minister has to advise the Queen on a successor based on one criterion an ability to command a majority in parliament. The convention is designed to protect the monarch from political turmoil. If the next Tory leader is a Brexiteer committed to no deal Theresa May may struggle to offer clear advice to the Queen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48218741 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/esther-mcvey-former-minister-will-stand-to-succeed-theresa-may-11715474 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Herald Scotland Former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has announced that she will stand for the Conservative leadership when Theresa May steps down. Ms McVey who quit the Cabinet in November in protest at Mrs Mays Brexit deal became the third Tory openly to declare her ambition to be Prime Minister after Andrea Leadsom and Rory Stewart. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17628805.esther-mcvey-throws-hat-into-the-ring-for-conservative-leadership-contest/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@SkyNewsPolitics At the moment momentum is behind @NigelFarage we want to stop that momentum. Lib Dem leader @vincecable tells Sunrise voters should get behind his party if they want to remain in the European Union. For all the latest political updates visit httpsnews.sky.compolitics https://twitter.com/SkyNewsPolitics/status/1126398985625907200 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

South Yorkshire Times An excouncillor has claimed the calls for a second referendum to be held on leaving the European Union are growing louder and louder. Former East Ecclesfield ward member Steve Wilson quit the Labour Party earlier this year and joined his wife Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith in joining the newly formed Change UK The Independent Group. The party is in favour of the Peoples Vote campaign for a second referendum on the UKs membership of the EU. The group has six candidates standing in the forthcoming European elections later this month and they were due to stage a public meeting at The Mowbray in Kelham Island this evening to make their case. https://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/news/politics/ex-sheffield-councillor-claims-calls-are-growing-louder-and-louder-for-second-eu-referendum-1-9759847 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian Nicola Sturgeon has stepped up her appeals to proEuropean voters in Scotland to abandon Labour describing Jeremy Corbyns party as proBrexit and dishonest. Launching her European election campaign the Scottish National party leader said voters needed to treat both Labour and the Conservatives as proBrexit parties despite Corbyns attempt to face both ways on Europe. Describing the vote on 23 May as the most important European election in Scotlands history Sturgeon also reiterated her call for a fresh referendum on Scottish independence before 2021 regardless of whether Brexit happens. It is striking I would say depressingly so just how close together Labour and the Tories are on Brexit. On this defining issue of our time Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have so much more in common than they like to pretend. They both want to take Scotland and the UK out of the European Union she said. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/sturgeon-steps-up-call-for-pro-eu-voters-to-shun-scottish-labour 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian From Change UK to the Lib Dems theres more than one party looking to overturn Brexit guidance and advice for the tactical European Elections voter https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/european-elections-im-pro-remain-how-should-i-vote 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Guardian An attempt to form an alliance of proremain parties to support a single candidate in a byelection in Peterborough has collapsed raising concerns the failure will hinder cooperation in the future. Representatives of the Liberal Democrats the Green party Renew and Change UK spent several hours unsuccessfully trying to reach an agreement on a single independent candidate before a 4pm deadline for nominations for the Cambridgeshire seat. It leaves the Lib Dems and the Greens supporting their own candidates. Change UK would support Renews candidate sources said. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/may/09/remain-parties-peterborough-byelection-single-candidate-lib-dems-greens-change-uk 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@AdamBienkov Comres finds the Lib Dems are the leading Remain party in every region apart from Scotland and Wales. Brexit Party doing worst in Scotland 13 and London 18. Best in Eastern region 32. https://twitter.com/AdamBienkov/status/1126510458460971008 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The National Ruth Davidsons obsession with independence was laid bare yesterday when social media images emerged of a Tory leaflet which mentions either independence Nicola Sturgeon indyref2 or the SNP an astonishing 28 times in one page. The leaflet put out by the party mentions Brexit once. Sturgeon said this proved they were a onetrick pony which is now really limping. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17627240.tories-reveal-obsession-as-leaflet-mentions-indyref2-more-than-brexit/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

New Statesman The withdrawal of second referendum campaigner Femi Oluwole means Liberal Democrats and Greens will run their own candidates but Change wont stand at all. A spokesperson said senior Labour figures including senior figures campaigning for a Peoples Vote made it clear that they would strenuously disrupt the campaign and obstruct an independent Candidate driven by fears that it would harm their party in Peterborough. https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2019/05/what-failure-agree-remain-candidate-peterborough-means-change-uk 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@BBCNewsnight Were not going to walk away from these talks lightly because we didnt enter into these talks lightly Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon on the crossparty Brexit talks @Emmabarnett @RichardBurgon newsnight https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1126604335117291520 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Telegraph The Spectator Editor Fraser Nelson calls on the Conservative Party to rebrand under a new leader and actively push an identity as the No Deal Brexit party. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/09/tories-can-survive-now-become-party-no-deal/ 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

@TNewtonDunn Mays mid ranks reshuffle is finally done 4 loyalists promoted Robert Buckland to Prisons Minister next one into the Cabinet Lucy Frazer to Solicitor General talked of as a future PM one day Andrew Murrison to Middle East Minister Paul Maynard to MoJ as a Parl Under Sec https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1126537180212604928 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bloomberg The government and the opposition Labour Party put out statements indicating progress in their talks to forge a consensus on Brexit. Mays office said both parties are acting with seriousness and plan to exchange documents while Labour said in a statement the negotiating teams are working to establish scope for agreement. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-08/may-wins-reprieve-from-tories-amid-difficult-talks-with-labour 8th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-stephen-barclay-eu-summit-speech-theresa-may-farage-a8906041.html 9th May 2019

Political Shenanigans

Bloomberg Mays absence did not mean there was no British representation in the bucolic Transylvanian setting. A few hours before leaders talked about Iran nationalism and their own democratic failings Stephen Barclay the U.K. Brexit secretary spoke about Britains place in the world at a conference close to the summit. Barclay lamented the narrative within Europe on Brexit which ignores the view that its an opportunity of confidence of optimism a desire to be more global. Referring to one of the most vocal campaigners for the U.K.s departure from the EU he added that the U.K.s decision to leave the club certainly wasnt the Nigel Farage littleEnglander portrayal of Brexit. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-09/u-k-an-outsider-at-the-eu-summit-hinting-at-post-brexit-future 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Yahoo! https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ukip-eu-election-candidate-quits-midcampaign-over-carl-benjamins-rape-joke-173658698.html 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mirror A UKIP EU election candidate has quit the party in protest at rape joke furore candidate Carl Benjamin. Robert McNeilWilson a candidate on UKIPs Welsh list handed in his resignation just weeks before the May 23 poll. In an email seen by the Mirror he told party chiefs using Mr Benjamin and fellow YouTuber Mark Meechan as candidates showed UKIP was no longer a serious reasonable responsible and credible party. It is too late for him to be taken off UKIPs slate so he has vowed to quit the EU Parliament immediately if he is elected. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ukip-eu-election-candidate-quits-15020781 10th May 2019

Political Setbacks

@Peston Femi Oluwole of our Our Future Our Choice or @OFOCBrexit the influential young campaigner for a peoples vote came within a whisker of being the single proreferendum candidate in the Peterborough byelection. He was a candidate until just two hours before the official... https://twitter.com/Peston/status/1126537699203137537 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

@BBCThisWeek You have dragged your party into the gutter and created a new opening for Nigel Farage @afneil I dont agree with that I have not done that @GerardBattenMEP who says UKIP membership is going up under his leadership And he challenges claims from @leicesterliz bbctw https://twitter.com/bbcthisweek/status/1126627541249191936 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian After Jeremy Corbyns arrival had been greeted with a standing ovation from a sizeable crowd that had turned up for the occasion Jayne Maxwell one of Labours prospective MEPs in Scotland presumably all the candidates in the southeast had reckoned their chances might be improved by not being seen in public with the Labour leader set the tone. Labour was on a roll she said. And she knew this because the party had made massive gains in last weeks local elections. No one had bothered to tell her Labour had actually lost more than 60 seats. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/who-needs-policies-jeremy-the-bearded-messiah-was-back 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail MPs will desert Westminster on an 11day break at the end of the month despite the ongoing Brexit crisis it was revealed today. Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom confirmed that the Whitsun recess will begin on May 23 the day of the European Elections with MPs not due to return until June 4. The announcement came amid an ongoing crisis over the UKs departure from the EU and Theresa Mays premiership. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7011245/MPs-holiday-amid-Brexit-crisis.html 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

MSN.com Theresa May has bought herself another weeks grace as prime minister hinting she will bring the EU withdrawal bill to parliament before the European elections and promising to meet a powerful backbench committee who have demanded that she set out her timetable for stepping down. After a fortnight of furious demands by Tory MPs that she give a firm date for her departure Sir Graham Brady the chair of the 1922 Committee said May had agreed to meet him and the 13strong executive of Tory backbenchers next week. He gave no indication that May intended to provide a firm departure date at the meeting but the promise will buy the prime minister an extra week to continue crossparty Brexit talks with Labour before the Conservatives could consider changing leadership rules to force her exit. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/may-buys-time-with-hints-at-new-withdrawal-bill-vote-and-exit-date/ar-AAB5NHX 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-uk-negotiator-guy-verhofstadt-olly-robbins-eu-bbc-documentary-a8906841.html 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Express.co.uk https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1125047/Brexit-news-Theresa-May-Olly-Robbins-Guy-Verhofstadt-Behind-closed-doors-Belgium 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Times Britains chief Brexit negotiator told his counterparts in Brussels that he wanted to become an EU citizen after Brexit behindthescenes footage for a BBC documentary reveals. Olly Robbins Theresa Mays chief EU advisor said that he would like to take EU citizenship after Brexit Guy Verhofstadt Brexit coordinator of the European parliament told the BBC documentary Brexit Behind Closed Doors which continues tonight. Olly Robbins came to me and said Guy can I become a Belgium citizen after this whole thing because I dont think I will return Mr Verhofstadt is recorded telling the programme. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ef5bf056-71ed-11e9-a116-49ac88679a93 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics.co.uk No matter how long you research youll never find any content in the Brexit party. There is no manifesto. Its website is a politicsfree zone. This is a product made entirely of packaging. Its not even really clear what its Brexit policy is. Theres a reference to WTO Brexit in Leave Means Leave boss Richard Tices Twitter feed and clean Brexit whatever that is from party leader Nigel Farage. Do they mean no aviation treaties between Britain and Europe No equivalence arrangements for financial services No cooperation on border processes Presumably not. And if not they are talking about some kind of deal just a different one. But even to go into that kind of very basic detail is to exceed what they have to offer. There have no ideas at all. And theyre not supposed to. Their retail offer is emotional. http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2019/05/09/the-brexit-party-is-a-post-politics-entity 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

ITV News Former chancellor George Osborne has said there are two different versions of Boris Johnson and he isnt sure which one will turn up to a potential future Conservative leadership contest. Speaking to ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston Mr Osborne claimed one version is hard Brexit Boris and the other the mayor who won Tory victories in a city that previously always voted Labour. He said he doesnt see how she can continue as PM and claimed the sooner the Conservative Party can move on the better. She cant pass the Brexit deal shes tried shes been trying since December shes not relying on Jeremy Corbyn to save her despite at the same time saying hes unfit for office. Thats not a sustainable position for a prime minister. https://www.itv.com/news/2019-05-08/george-osborne-nigel-farage-robert-peston/ 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Byline Times Astroturfing is the process of masking the sponsors of an entity by making it appear that an organization has emerged from the grassroots. While there is little doubt that many of the Leavers of groups are run by genuine and dedicated Brexiters the fact that Leavers of Britain is registered to an address with links to both Vote Leave and John Mills should raise legitimate questions about the authenticity of this movement. The people of Yorkshire where Lucy Harris is standing as an MEP will no doubt want to know. And frankly so do I. https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/09/astroturfers-of-britain-the-brexit-partys-artificial-grass-roots-part-one/ 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

The Guardian Conservative officials fear the party could come sixth in the European elections with their support plummeting to single digits. Candidates running in the election said the party was almost in denial that the poll was happening and continued to insist they would not need to take up their seats in the European parliament despite fading prospects for a crossparty deal with Labour that would enable Brexit to happen before 2 July. The fears of a dismal performance have been stoked by the fact that the party plans to spend no money on candidate campaigning will not publish a manifesto and is refusing to hold a launch. One MEP said candidates were funding their campaigns out of their own pockets unlike previous years when there was a central pot of funding available. They have been told they are allowed to have their own regional manifestos but many are not bothering and there will be no central party manifesto. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/09/tories-fear-dismal-results-in-european-elections-meps-say 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Politics Home David Gauke has blamed the wishful thinking of his proBrexit colleagues during the EU referendum for fuelling voter anger across the country. In a major speech the Justice Secretary said their claims that leaving the bloc would be easy and not cause any problems has not survived the collision with reality. He also warned his fellow Tories that oversimplifying and failing to deliver will only encourage further disenchantment among the public. https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/103759/david-gauke-says-wishful-thinking-pro-brexit-colleagues 9th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Daily Mail Tory MP Nicky Morgan was threatened by a proBrexit troll who said he would send her to the burns unit and leave her scarred for life if she knocked on his door. Lee Hickling 44 using the alias Ray Brendon Smith said that the Remainbacking Loughborough MP had done nothing for the town and needs a good kicking in a series of threatening Facebook posts. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7006917/Pro-Brexit-troll-threatened-send-Tory-MP-Nicky-Morgan-burns-unit.html 8th May 2019

Political Setbacks

Des.Mog.co.uk While it might seem like a singleissue party theres something striking about the list of candidates weve been gradually dripfed since its formal launch on 12 April the sheer number who still cant accept the science on climate change or just dont think its worth the effort of doing anything about. https://www.desmog.co.uk/2019/05/01/brexit-party-climate-science-deniers?amp 2nd May 2019