Tag

Brexit

All articles tagged with #brexit

Plaid Cymru urges Burnham to commit to EU rejoin now, not at next election
politics6 days ago

Plaid Cymru urges Burnham to commit to EU rejoin now, not at next election

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts, has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to explicitly back rejoining the European Union immediately, rather than delaying the decision until the next general election. Roberts argues that Wales has suffered economically and politically since the 2016 vote to leave, and that Burnham’s current approach of 'considering options' lacks the necessary leadership. This call follows Burnham’s recent statements that a referendum on EU membership could appear in a future Labour manifesto, a move that has sparked debate within his own cabinet and across the UK political spectrum.

Burnham Opens Door to EU Rejoin Referendum, Sparking Political Backlash
politics7 days ago

Burnham Opens Door to EU Rejoin Referendum, Sparking Political Backlash

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled that reversing Brexit could be a policy option, stating that rejoining the European Union is 'possible' and that the current relationship is 'not good enough.' While he ruled out an immediate referendum, he suggested it could appear in a future election manifesto. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who claims it will boost his party's support, while economists debate the economic costs and benefits of closer EU ties.

Farage Hails Burnham’s EU Rejoin Gambit as Career Boost
politics7 days ago

Farage Hails Burnham’s EU Rejoin Gambit as Career Boost

Nigel Farage has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to reopen the debate on rejoining the European Union, describing it as the 'biggest boost' to his political career. Farage used a rally in Doncaster to launch a nationwide campaign tour, arguing that Burnham’s move will deepen divisions in Leave-voting areas and benefit Reform UK. While Burnham has not committed to a referendum, he acknowledged that rejoining is a possible option for a future election manifesto, marking a significant shift from previous Labour positions.

Burnham signals potential full EU rejoin as UK weighs post-Brexit options
politics8 days ago

Burnham signals potential full EU rejoin as UK weighs post-Brexit options

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that rejoining the European Union is a viable option his government will consider, marking a significant shift from previous Labour pledges. While he outlined a range of possibilities, including customs union membership and single market access, he explicitly acknowledged the possibility of full EU membership. This move follows the cancellation of a planned UK-EU summit due to the resignation of former PM Keir Starmer and coincides with rising public support for rejoining the bloc.

Burnham opens door to full EU rejoin, defying prior Labour pledges
politics9 days ago

Burnham opens door to full EU rejoin, defying prior Labour pledges

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that rejoining the European Union is a viable option his government will consider, marking a significant shift from previous Labour commitments. Speaking at the Labour Conference and in a BBC interview, Burnham criticized the post-Brexit settlement as harmful and outlined a range of possibilities, from maintaining the status quo to full EU membership. He plans to detail these options at a UK-EU summit later this year, a move that has triggered sharp criticism from the Conservatives and Reform UK, while European leaders expressed welcome. This development sets the stage for a major political debate ahead of the next general election.

Blair Institute urges UK to pursue EU re-entry within decade, contingent on Brussels reforms
politics15 days ago

Blair Institute urges UK to pursue EU re-entry within decade, contingent on Brussels reforms

The Tony Blair Institute has published a report urging the UK government to pursue rejoining a reformed European Union within the next decade. The proposal suggests using potential re-entry as leverage to accelerate EU market and regulatory reforms, particularly in energy and technology. While Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed personal support for eventual re-entry, he has declined to commit to the issue in the upcoming election manifesto, citing electoral risks in areas where Reform UK has gained support.

Burnham pins decades of stagnation on Brexit and Thatcher in first Commons address
politics1 month ago

Burnham pins decades of stagnation on Brexit and Thatcher in first Commons address

In his first Commons speech as prime minister, Andy Burnham blames Brexit and Margaret Thatcher for a long spell of slow growth and pledges a blunt, honesty-based reset. He outlines three priorities—cutting the cost of living, regenerating communities, and expanding public control of essential services—with deputy-led task forces to drive them. He signals potential renationalisation of utilities, maintains a defence spending target of around 3% of GDP, keeps doors open to electoral reform, and hints at re-engagement with the EU, including a possible summit later this year and continued pursuit of green energy alongside pragmatic gas exploration. Starmer’s resignation as an MP also sets up a byelection test for Burnham, while the government weighs reforms to high streets and devolved powers to local authorities.

Burnham pins Brexit for decade of UK growth stagnation in Commons debut
uk-politics1 month ago

Burnham pins Brexit for decade of UK growth stagnation in Commons debut

Andy Burnham used his first Commons address as prime minister to blame Brexit for a decade of low UK growth, calling it one of a series of 'wrong turns' since the 1980s, while outlining a decentralisation drive, signaling possible public ownership, reaffirming support for Ukraine and net-zero policies, and hinting at electoral reform after Lib Dem pressure—while sticking to not rejoining the single market or customs union and dodging defence-spending questions.

Iceland votes against EU talks as Brussels stays quiet, echoing Brexit lessons
europe1 month ago

Iceland votes against EU talks as Brussels stays quiet, echoing Brexit lessons

Iceland narrowly voted 52.8% to 47.2% against resuming EU membership negotiations, with Brussels delivering a notably muted response. The campaign split between sovereignty-focused opposition and a pro-EU attempt to frame the vote as about negotiations rather than full membership. Analysts warn that the EU’s neutral stance risks alienating voters and echoing past missteps, raising questions about whether Brussels should have taken a more engaged stance during the campaign.

Brexit Rules Make Arsenal Move for Alvarez Unlikely, Barca Target Seemingly Stalled
barcelona-transfer-rumors-and-news1 month ago

Brexit Rules Make Arsenal Move for Alvarez Unlikely, Barca Target Seemingly Stalled

Arsenal’s pursuit of Julian Alvarez is complicated by Brexit-era residency issues: Alvarez’s family in Spain could not easily relocate to England after some relatives’ residence permits expired, making a move to Arsenal unlikely and leaving his Atletico Madrid future uncertain, with Barca’s bid reportedly blocked for now.

world2 months ago

Brexit milestone: Gibraltar-Spain border vanishes, reshaping movement and trade

Brexit-era milestone: Gibraltar’s 118-year land border with Spain will be dismantled, with passenger checks shifting to the airport and Gibraltar aligning with EU rules while staying out of Schengen; the deal was signed in Brussels after a decade of talks. The live digest also tracks England’s World Cup semifinal drama, talk of a potential bank holiday, Prince William’s attendance plans, and Argentina’s Milei fanning Falklands tensions as the Sea Lion oil field could funnel hundreds of millions to the Falklands, reshaping regional energy fortunes.

politics2 months ago

Starmer’s farewell PMQs shadowed by England-Argentina hype and Falklands tensions

Keir Starmer’s final PMQs are dominated by England’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina, with cross‑party chatter about a bank holiday and royal attendance debates, while Gibraltar dismantles border checks post‑Brexit; Argentina’s Milei era heightens Falklands tensions, and the Sea Lion oil field could direct hundreds of millions to the Falklands rather than the UK, underscoring broader regional energy shifts.

Gibraltar moves toward Schengen-like status with EU-UK border pact
world2 months ago

Gibraltar moves toward Schengen-like status with EU-UK border pact

A new EU-UK treaty signed in Brussels places Gibraltar in a Schengen-like regime: residents can cross into Spain using residence cards, Spaniards can enter Gibraltar with government IDs, and border checks at airports/ports will be shared by British and Spanish officials. The arrangement ends the daily hard border for around 15,000 cross-border workers, preserves British sovereignty, and aims to boost trade and mobility. It does not grant full EU membership to Gibraltar or extend these privileges to Britain's other overseas territories.

Gibraltar adopts EU-style border checks at the airport as Brexit bites
world2 months ago

Gibraltar adopts EU-style border checks at the airport as Brexit bites

Spain will run the EU’s new electronic border checks at Gibraltar’s airport for UK-origin and other non‑EU travelers under a UK–EU treaty, effectively bringing Gibraltar into the Schengen framework. Passport, fingerprint and facial scans will be used, with Gibraltar residents exempt; border policing will be handled at a joint facility a.k.a. the “Schengen shack.” The change aims to avoid a hard land border but could cause queues during school holidays and reflects the post‑Brexit settlement that Gibraltar secured to protect its economy.