Reports continue to suggest that Theresa May is likely to win over Eurosceptic Tory MPs to her deal in next week's Commons vote - if she gives an indication that she will step down in the next few months. James Forsyth writes in the Sun that one reason why this is so important is that there's an assumption she will try to stay if the deal passes. He quotes a source as saying: "A situation where she gets the vote and stays is to some people the worst possible outcome." Katy Balls in the "i" says the theory goes that if a Brexiteer was at the helm for the subsequent trade talks, the government would fare better in achieving a clean Brexit. There's a lot of resentment from Tory backbenchers at Mrs May for letting it reach this point, she adds.
And the Financial Times reports that several of the UK's biggest carmakers are being forced to press ahead with plans to close their factories next month, in spite of a possible delay to Brexit. It says a delay would leave them with shut plants when they should be producing cars while Britain still enjoys unfettered access to the EU - but many are unable to move the dates because of workforce holidays and contractors doing repair and maintenance work
Are the DUP about to back May's Brexit plan? Deputy leader Nigel Dodds says party 'wants a deal' after 'constructive talks' over new legal advice - but laughs off claims they'll only back PM at next week's vote in return for ANOTHER £1bn Prime Minister must convince the DUP, Brexiteers and Labour rebels to back her deal at third vote next week DUP MP Nigel Dodds denied they are being offered cash and said their concerns over Irish backstop remains Chancellor in 'serious' talks with Northern Irish MPs, who agreed £1bn deal to prop up Government in 2017 But her cabinet is in meltdown as she exploded over their 'disloyalty' and went 'bats**t', sources said Theresa May won rare victories in the Commons last night but Brexit set to be postponed beyond March 29 But EU leaders hint they want 2nd referendum or custom union deal to agree delay - likely to be in 2021 MPs have voted to reject a second referendum after Labour refused to back it and campaigners disowned it Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said to have until Sunday to find legal solution to sate the DUP and Brexiteers
Jeremy Corbyn expected to hold SNP summit over second EU referendum to break Brexit impasse
Jeremy Corbyn is to expected hold a summit with the SNP and other opposition parties to discuss backing a second EU referendum after Labour's divisions were exposed in a Commons vote. Mr Corbyn wrote to Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader, offer talks "at the earliest opportunity" with the aim of trying to break the Brexit impasse. He said the starting point would be examining Labour's proposals for a softer Brexit, including a permanent customs union, or another EU referendum. But he said he wanted to hear "about the plans you are advocating, and we are keen to see if there is scope to find common ground between our respective proposals and to work together." Nicola Sturgeon and Mr Blackford…
Don't wreck Brexit, Boris! David Davis breaks ranks with allies to rally around the Prime Minister as Tories approach 'all-out civil war' The former Brexit Secretary has broken ranks with Boris Johnson He is one of 15 signatories to a letter warning rebels of losing Brexit entirely More than 50 local Tory associations consider deslecting their MPs over Brexit
David Davis is spearheading a last-ditch effort to persuade hardline opponents of Mrs May's deal to swing behind the Prime Minister. The former Brexit Secretary has broken ranks with Boris Johnson – who joined Mr Davis in resigning from the Cabinet over Mrs May's negotiations – by signing a public letter warning the rebels that they risk losing Brexit entirely. Mr Davis, who dropped his opposition to the deal last week, is one of 15 signatories to the letter, which has been organised by Mansfield MP Ben Bradley. Their move came as the divisions in the Tory party threatened to explode into full civil war, with more than 50 local Tory associations considering deselecting their MPs over their anti-Brexit voting in the Commons, The Mail on Sunday understands.
Letters: Theresa May’s attempt to force her failed deal through Parliament is an attack on democracy
SIR – What is the difference between Theresa May, who is bringing her Brexit deal back to Parliament to be voted on for a third time, and the people who have been calling for a second EU referendum? The latter event would, according to many, be going against the will of the people and letting them down. How does the repeated voting on Mrs May’s deal not do the same? Patricia MacManus Skerries, Co Dublin, Ireland
SIR – The Conservative MPs who voted for or abstained on the no-deal vote on Wednesday all stood at the last general election on a Conservative manifesto that could not have been clearer. It confirmed that the Conservative policy was that Britain would leave the EU on March 29 2019,...
DUP demands seat at the table in future EU trade talks as price for backing May's deal
Theresa May has appealed to MPs' "patriotism" and urged them to cast aside their differences by voting for her Brexit deal to save her premiership. In a bid to stave off a third heavy defeat, the Prime Minister writes in the Sunday Telegraph that MPs must "stand together as democrats and patriots" and support her Withdrawal deal. MPs are likely to vote on the deal for the third time on Tuesday or Wednesday. However, remainers are also plotting to scupper her Brexit plan with Labour planning to back a backbench amendment calling for a referendum on Mrs May's deal. Mrs May's authority was dealt another blow on Saturday when Nick Boles, the Remain-supporting Tory MP, quit his local Tory association...
Theresa May told by 50 Tory associations she will be 'personally' held responsible for any Brexit betrayal
Theresa May has been told by the leaders of dozens of local Conservative grassroots associations that she will be "personally" held responsible for any "betrayal" of Brexit. Nearly 40 local party chairmen and longtime activists have told the Prime Minister that they are in an "absolute state of despair as to what is happening to democracy in this once great country of ours". They add in an open letter, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, that if Mrs May cannot ensure that Britain leaves the EU as planned at the end of next week she should resign. Conservative activists are increasingly angry about how MPs are trying to frustrate Brexit. Several Remain-supporting Tory MPs are facing no confidence votes...
Labour to back amendment for referendum on Theresa May’s Brexit deal this week
Labour will this week back a cross-party amendment which would set Britain on course for a referendum on Theresa May’s deal. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the final text of the amendment by backbenchers Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson, which has been revised following input from Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary. Labour plans to whip its MPs to vote for the amendment, which the two backbenchers will table on this week’s Meaningful Vote. Sir Keir told The Sunday Telegraph the amendment “is clearly in line with the approach the Labour party has taken to a public vote”. The amendment has also drawn support from Conservative MPs, with former minister Phillip Lee a lead signatory. The plan...
Revealed: EU war-gaming for fall of May’s government Leak shows Brussels planning for PM’s defeat and making efforts to prevent her deal being unpicked
The EU is war-gaming for the fall of Theresa May amid a complete collapse in confidence in the prime minister after a week of chaos over Brexit, a leaked document seen by the Observer reveals. In the run-up to a crucial summit of EU leaders where May will ask for a delay to Brexit, Brussels fears there is little hope that she will succeed in passing her deal this week and is preparing itself for a change of the guard in Downing Street. A diplomatic note of a meeting of EU ambassadors and senior officials reveals an attempt to ensure that any new prime minister cannot immediately unpick the withdrawal agreement should May be replaced in the months ahead. Some hardline Brexiters want to replace her with a leader who will back a harder split with Brussels. ‘The damage is done’: Disbelief in Europe at another lost Brexit week Read more
According to the minutes, the European commission’s secretary general, Martin Selmayr, who is known as a master of strategy, asked: “Imagine that they have a new Brexit secretary or prime minister – what then? Article 50 has been agreed and the process has ended. It must be clear that the starting point is not a renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement.” The moves in Brussels come before another critical and highly unpredictable week in the Brexit process in which May is expected to launch her third attempt to secure support for her beleaguered deal. The Observer understands that Labour will use the opportunity to offer its most strident support yet for a second referendum, by voting for a plan drawn up by two Labour backbenchers to put May’s deal to a public vote.
Superb Wales demolish Ireland to clinch historic Grand Slam in front of ecstatic Cardiff crowd Warren Gatland takes team to record-breaking third clean sweep before leaving job
Hammond: 'Physically impossible' for UK to leave EU on 29 March
UK chancellor Philip Hammond said it is now “physically impossible” for the UK to leave the European Union on the original 29 March, 2019 Brexit date. Hammond said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that even if Members of Parliament (MPs) passed a prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal over the next week, there would still need to be a extension to Article 50 in order to pass the necessary legislation and prevent a no-deal Brexit
'Do you want to leave the EU or NOT?' Corbyn skewered Brexit in brutal EU exit interview JEREMY Corbyn failed to deny he would vote in favour of Brexit during a new referendum on membership of the European Union as he took a dig at the bloc's approach to criticism.
Jeremy Corbyn confirmed the Labour Party would back a new Brexit referendum if the choice offered to voters was "credible". However, the leader of the opposition failed to deny he would support leaving the European Union if given the change. Mr Corbyn admitted to having conflicting views of the bloc as he refused to provide Sky News host Sophy Ridge with a clear answer on how he would vote during a fresh referendum.
Despite having been asked whether his preference would be to call it quits with Brussels, Mr Corbyn insisted he wanted to maintain a "serious relationship" with the bloc – causing Ms Ridge to interrupt him to ask again: "That’s not what I asked. "Do you want to leave the EU or not? Would you vote to remain?" Mr Corbyn finally admitted his choice would depend on the question posed: "I know it’s not what you asked but I’m trying to say we want to have a relationship with the EU of the type I’ve set out and people would have a choice on that. "I’ve had many criticisms of the EU, I recognise many of the values of the EU. I want it to see more accountable and democratic. That’s what I campaigned for in the referendum but at the end of the day, it’s about the trading relationship and the jobs that are so important.
"It depends on what the choice is in front of us. If we’ve got a good deal in which we can have a dynamic relationship with Europe, which is all the trading relationship and so on, that might be a good way forward that unites the country." Mr Corbyn is a well-known Eurosceptic who has criticised the European Union numerous times during his political career. As a backbench MP for Islington North, Mr Corbyn frequently voted against pro-EU bills and referendums since 1983. Prior to becoming MP, he voted ‘No’ to Europe in a 1975 European referendum when he was still a local councillor in Haringey. The Labour leader also backed Britain to leave the European Economic Community (EEC). The Labour leader continued: "Our manifesto said “respect the result of the referendum.’ Our conference motion said to respect the result of the referendum. Our conference motion also said we want the kind of relationship with the EU I have outlined. "Our preference would be, if the Government can’t get its deal through Parliament, there ought to be a general election.
"Indeed, in any normal scenario, a Government that has been so comprehensively defeated would now be resigning and have a general election." Labour announced on Sunday they will back a cross-party amendment seeking another public vote Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson put forward. Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the amendment “is clearly in line with the approach the Labour Party has taken to a public vote”. The paper reports Sir Keir has been assisting Mr Kyle and Mr Wilson with the wording of their amendment. They also have the backing of a number of Tory MPs, including former Justice Minister Phillip Lee.
Dutch PM likens Theresa May to Monty Python's limbless knight: 'She goes on and on
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte used a Monty Python movie reference to describe Theresa May’s tenacity on Brexit despite repeated defeats. “I have a lot of respect for Theresa May - she reminds me occasionally of that Monty Python character where all his arms and legs are cut off and then says to his opponent: let’s call it a draw,” Mr Rutte said in an interview on the “WNL op Zondag” television talk show on Sunday. The premier referred to a scene from the 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” in which a knight - played by John Cleese - refuses to yield in a battle with King Arthur, even after losing all of his limbs. "She’s incredible. She goes on and on. At the same time, I do not blame...
Billboards target absent Farage with ‘where's Nigel’ signs on second day of Brexit betrayal march 'An opportunist politician conceived a scheme that was undeliverable,' anti-Brexit group says in a tweet
Marchers on a two-week Brexit protest were confronted with signs asking "where's Nigel?" as they marched through the north of England without figurehead Nigel Farage. The former Ukip leader spearheaded the launch of the March to Leave from Sunderland in heavy wind and rain, but was not present as it continued south through Middlesbrough on its second day.
The protest will culminate in London on 29 March, the day Britain is due to leave the European Union, where Mr Farage is expected to rejoin the group for a mass rally in Parliament Square.
The demonstrators have been met along the way by anti-Brexit campaigners Led By Donkeys, who have placed billboards on the route taking aim at Mr Farage.
In a tweet, the group said: "An opportunist politician conceived a scheme that was undeliverable. He persuaded members of the public to make sacrifices to further it and recruited millionaires to bankroll it. And when it failed he simply walked away. The £MarchToLeave is just a 14 day metaphor for Brexit."
Led By Donkeys also posted drone footage which appeared to show a crowd of dozens of demonstrators, claiming Mr Farage should "apologise to those marchers for this farce".
But Richard Tice, co-chair of Leave Means Leave, which is organising the rally, tweeted: "Huge support in Middlesbrough on March to Leave day 2. Ordinary voters furious at Parliament betraying Brexit."
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson sets out what he sees as the "many defects" in the prime minister's Brexit deal in the Daily Telegraph. He believes that if Parliament backs the deal this week the UK will enter the second phase of the talks in "a position of almost unbearable weakness" with "every single important issue" up for negotiation. He is hoping Britain will win concessions at the EU summit on Thursday
The Sun fears "Brexit is in peril" after Labour said it would back an amendment that would ensure there was a referendum if Theresa May's deal was passed by MPs. It calls such an amendment "an establishment stitch-up" with serious consequences for democracy. The Guardian's Matthew d'Ancona is hoping for a long delay to Brexit to give more time to consider all the options before putting the "least worst" to the people in a referendum. In the Daily Mail, the former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lamont announces his conversion to the deal. He says it's far from ideal but has one overwhelming advantage - we will definitely leave. "This opportunity will never happen again," he writes.
Comments
James Forsyth writes in the Sun that one reason why this is so important is that there's an assumption she will try to stay if the deal passes.
He quotes a source as saying: "A situation where she gets the vote and stays is to some people the worst possible outcome."
Katy Balls in the "i" says the theory goes that if a Brexiteer was at the helm for the subsequent trade talks, the government would fare better in achieving a clean Brexit. There's a lot of resentment from Tory backbenchers at Mrs May for letting it reach this point, she adds.
And the Financial Times reports that several of the UK's biggest carmakers are being forced to press ahead with plans to close their factories next month, in spite of a possible delay to Brexit.
It says a delay would leave them with shut plants when they should be producing cars while Britain still enjoys unfettered access to the EU - but many are unable to move the dates because of workforce holidays and contractors doing repair and maintenance work
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-47592281
Prime Minister must convince the DUP, Brexiteers and Labour rebels to back her deal at third vote next week
DUP MP Nigel Dodds denied they are being offered cash and said their concerns over Irish backstop remains
Chancellor in 'serious' talks with Northern Irish MPs, who agreed £1bn deal to prop up Government in 2017
But her cabinet is in meltdown as she exploded over their 'disloyalty' and went 'bats**t', sources said
Theresa May won rare victories in the Commons last night but Brexit set to be postponed beyond March 29
But EU leaders hint they want 2nd referendum or custom union deal to agree delay - likely to be in 2021
MPs have voted to reject a second referendum after Labour refused to back it and campaigners disowned it
Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said to have until Sunday to find legal solution to sate the DUP and Brexiteers
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6812583/The-EU-demand-two-year-delay-Brexit-second-referendum-softer-deal.html
Jeremy Corbyn is to expected hold a summit with the SNP and other opposition parties to discuss backing a second EU referendum after Labour's divisions were exposed in a Commons vote.
Mr Corbyn wrote to Ian Blackford, the SNP's Westminster leader, offer talks "at the earliest opportunity" with the aim of trying to break the Brexit impasse.
He said the starting point would be examining Labour's proposals for a softer Brexit, including a permanent customs union, or another EU referendum.
But he said he wanted to hear "about the plans you are advocating, and we are keen to see if there is scope to find common ground between our respective proposals and to work together."
Nicola Sturgeon and Mr Blackford…
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/15/jeremy-corbyn-offers-snp-talks-second-eu-referendum-break-brexit/
The former Brexit Secretary has broken ranks with Boris Johnson
He is one of 15 signatories to a letter warning rebels of losing Brexit entirely
More than 50 local Tory associations consider deslecting their MPs over Brexit
David Davis is spearheading a last-ditch effort to persuade hardline opponents of Mrs May's deal to swing behind the Prime Minister.
The former Brexit Secretary has broken ranks with Boris Johnson – who joined Mr Davis in resigning from the Cabinet over Mrs May's negotiations – by signing a public letter warning the rebels that they risk losing Brexit entirely.
Mr Davis, who dropped his opposition to the deal last week, is one of 15 signatories to the letter, which has been organised by Mansfield MP Ben Bradley.
Their move came as the divisions in the Tory party threatened to explode into full civil war, with more than 50 local Tory associations considering deselecting their MPs over their anti-Brexit voting in the Commons, The Mail on Sunday understands.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6818073/David-Davis-breaks-ranks-rally-Prime-Minister-Tories-approach-civil-war.html
SIR – What is the difference between Theresa May, who is bringing her Brexit deal back to Parliament to be voted on for a third time, and the people who have been calling for a second EU referendum?
The latter event would, according to many, be going against the will of the people and letting them down. How does the repeated voting on Mrs May’s deal not do the same?
Patricia MacManus
Skerries, Co Dublin, Ireland
SIR – The Conservative MPs who voted for or abstained on the no-deal vote on Wednesday all stood at the last general election on a Conservative manifesto that could not have been clearer.
It confirmed that the Conservative policy was that Britain would leave the EU on March 29 2019,...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2019/03/17/letterstheresa-mays-attempt-force-failed-deal-parliament-attack/
Theresa May has appealed to MPs' "patriotism" and urged them to cast aside their differences by voting for her Brexit deal to save her premiership.
In a bid to stave off a third heavy defeat, the Prime Minister writes in the Sunday Telegraph that MPs must "stand together as democrats and patriots" and support her Withdrawal deal.
MPs are likely to vote on the deal for the third time on Tuesday or Wednesday.
However, remainers are also plotting to scupper her Brexit plan with Labour planning to back a backbench amendment calling for a referendum on Mrs May's deal.
Mrs May's authority was dealt another blow on Saturday when Nick Boles, the Remain-supporting Tory MP, quit his local Tory association...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/dup-demands-seat-table-future-eu-trade-talks-price-backing-mays/
Theresa May has been told by the leaders of dozens of local Conservative grassroots associations that she will be "personally" held responsible for any "betrayal" of Brexit.
Nearly 40 local party chairmen and longtime activists have told the Prime Minister that they are in an "absolute state of despair as to what is happening to democracy in this once great country of ours".
They add in an open letter, seen by The Sunday Telegraph, that if Mrs May cannot ensure that Britain leaves the EU as planned at the end of next week she should resign.
Conservative activists are increasingly angry about how MPs are trying to frustrate Brexit. Several Remain-supporting Tory MPs are facing no confidence votes...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/theresa-may-told-50-tory-associations-will-personally-held-responsible/
Labour will this week back a cross-party amendment which would set Britain on course for a referendum on Theresa May’s deal.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the final text of the amendment by backbenchers Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson, which has been revised following input from Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary.
Labour plans to whip its MPs to vote for the amendment, which the two backbenchers will table on this week’s Meaningful Vote.
Sir Keir told The Sunday Telegraph the amendment “is clearly in line with the approach the Labour party has taken to a public vote”.
The amendment has also drawn support from Conservative MPs, with former minister Phillip Lee a lead signatory.
The plan...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/16/labour-back-amendment-referendum-theresa-mays-brexit-deal-week/
Leak shows Brussels planning for PM’s defeat and making efforts to prevent her deal being unpicked
The EU is war-gaming for the fall of Theresa May amid a complete collapse in confidence in the prime minister after a week of chaos over Brexit, a leaked document seen by the Observer reveals.
In the run-up to a crucial summit of EU leaders where May will ask for a delay to Brexit, Brussels fears there is little hope that she will succeed in passing her deal this week and is preparing itself for a change of the guard in Downing Street.
A diplomatic note of a meeting of EU ambassadors and senior officials reveals an attempt to ensure that any new prime minister cannot immediately unpick the withdrawal agreement should May be replaced in the months ahead. Some hardline Brexiters want to replace her with a leader who will back a harder split with Brussels.
‘The damage is done’: Disbelief in Europe at another lost Brexit week
Read more
According to the minutes, the European commission’s secretary general, Martin Selmayr, who is known as a master of strategy, asked: “Imagine that they have a new Brexit secretary or prime minister – what then? Article 50 has been agreed and the process has ended. It must be clear that the starting point is not a renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement.”
The moves in Brussels come before another critical and highly unpredictable week in the Brexit process in which May is expected to launch her third attempt to secure support for her beleaguered deal. The Observer understands that Labour will use the opportunity to offer its most strident support yet for a second referendum, by voting for a plan drawn up by two Labour backbenchers to put May’s deal to a public vote.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/16/eu-war-gaming-for-fall-of-theresa-may-government
Superb Wales demolish Ireland to clinch historic Grand Slam in front of ecstatic Cardiff crowd
Warren Gatland takes team to record-breaking third clean sweep before leaving job
UK chancellor Philip Hammond said it is now “physically impossible” for the UK to leave the European Union on the original 29 March, 2019 Brexit date.
Hammond said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that even if Members of Parliament (MPs) passed a prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal over the next week, there would still need to be a extension to Article 50 in order to pass the necessary legislation and prevent a no-deal Brexit
https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/hammond-physically-impossible-uk-leave-eu-29-march-123711535.html
JEREMY Corbyn failed to deny he would vote in favour of Brexit during a new referendum on membership of the European Union as he took a dig at the bloc's approach to criticism.
Jeremy Corbyn confirmed the Labour Party would back a new Brexit referendum if the choice offered to voters was "credible". However, the leader of the opposition failed to deny he would support leaving the European Union if given the change. Mr Corbyn admitted to having conflicting views of the bloc as he refused to provide Sky News host Sophy Ridge with a clear answer on how he would vote during a fresh referendum.
Despite having been asked whether his preference would be to call it quits with Brussels, Mr Corbyn insisted he wanted to maintain a "serious relationship" with the bloc – causing Ms Ridge to interrupt him to ask again: "That’s not what I asked.
"Do you want to leave the EU or not? Would you vote to remain?"
Mr Corbyn finally admitted his choice would depend on the question posed: "I know it’s not what you asked but I’m trying to say we want to have a relationship with the EU of the type I’ve set out and people would have a choice on that.
"I’ve had many criticisms of the EU, I recognise many of the values of the EU. I want it to see more accountable and democratic. That’s what I campaigned for in the referendum but at the end of the day, it’s about the trading relationship and the jobs that are so important.
"It depends on what the choice is in front of us. If we’ve got a good deal in which we can have a dynamic relationship with Europe, which is all the trading relationship and so on, that might be a good way forward that unites the country."
Mr Corbyn is a well-known Eurosceptic who has criticised the European Union numerous times during his political career. As a backbench MP for Islington North, Mr Corbyn frequently voted against pro-EU bills and referendums since 1983.
Prior to becoming MP, he voted ‘No’ to Europe in a 1975 European referendum when he was still a local councillor in Haringey. The Labour leader also backed Britain to leave the European Economic Community (EEC).
The Labour leader continued: "Our manifesto said “respect the result of the referendum.’ Our conference motion said to respect the result of the referendum. Our conference motion also said we want the kind of relationship with the EU I have outlined.
"Our preference would be, if the Government can’t get its deal through Parliament, there ought to be a general election.
"Indeed, in any normal scenario, a Government that has been so comprehensively defeated would now be resigning and have a general election."
Labour announced on Sunday they will back a cross-party amendment seeking another public vote Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson put forward.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the amendment “is clearly in line with the approach the Labour Party has taken to a public vote”.
The paper reports Sir Keir has been assisting Mr Kyle and Mr Wilson with the wording of their amendment.
They also have the backing of a number of Tory MPs, including former Justice Minister Phillip Lee.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1101231/Brexit-news-Jeremy-Corbyn-UK-EU-withdrawal-second-referendum-divorce-deal-vote-latest
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte used a Monty Python movie reference to describe Theresa May’s tenacity on Brexit despite repeated defeats.
“I have a lot of respect for Theresa May - she reminds me occasionally of that Monty Python character where all his arms and legs are cut off and then says to his opponent: let’s call it a draw,” Mr Rutte said in an interview on the “WNL op Zondag” television talk show on Sunday.
The premier referred to a scene from the 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” in which a knight - played by John Cleese - refuses to yield in a battle with King Arthur, even after losing all of his limbs.
"She’s incredible. She goes on and on. At the same time, I do not blame...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/18/dutch-pm-likens-theresa-may-monty-pythons-limbless-knight-goes/
'An opportunist politician conceived a scheme that was undeliverable,' anti-Brexit group says in a tweet
Marchers on a two-week Brexit protest were confronted with signs asking "where's Nigel?" as they marched through the north of England without figurehead Nigel Farage.
The former Ukip leader spearheaded the launch of the March to Leave from Sunderland in heavy wind and rain, but was not present as it continued south through Middlesbrough on its second day.
The protest will culminate in London on 29 March, the day Britain is due to leave the European Union, where Mr Farage is expected to rejoin the group for a mass rally in Parliament Square.
The demonstrators have been met along the way by anti-Brexit campaigners Led By Donkeys, who have placed billboards on the route taking aim at Mr Farage.
In a tweet, the group said: "An opportunist politician conceived a scheme that was undeliverable. He persuaded members of the public to make sacrifices to further it and recruited millionaires to bankroll it. And when it failed he simply walked away. The £MarchToLeave is just a 14 day metaphor for Brexit."
Led By Donkeys also posted drone footage which appeared to show a crowd of dozens of demonstrators, claiming Mr Farage should "apologise to those marchers for this farce".
But Richard Tice, co-chair of Leave Means Leave, which is organising the rally, tweeted: "Huge support in Middlesbrough on March to Leave day 2. Ordinary voters furious at Parliament betraying Brexit."
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/nigel-farage-signs-wheres-nigel-brexit-betrayal-march-signs-sunderland-london-a8827641.html
He believes that if Parliament backs the deal this week the UK will enter the second phase of the talks in "a position of almost unbearable weakness" with "every single important issue" up for negotiation.
He is hoping Britain will win concessions at the EU summit on Thursday
The Sun fears "Brexit is in peril" after Labour said it would back an amendment that would ensure there was a referendum if Theresa May's deal was passed by MPs.
It calls such an amendment "an establishment stitch-up" with serious consequences for democracy.
The Guardian's Matthew d'Ancona is hoping for a long delay to Brexit to give more time to consider all the options before putting the "least worst" to the people in a referendum.
In the Daily Mail, the former Conservative Chancellor Lord Lamont announces his conversion to the deal.
He says it's far from ideal but has one overwhelming advantage - we will definitely leave. "This opportunity will never happen again," he writes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-the-papers-47606472