News and Opinion

A Brexiteer caller made his excuses and hurriedly rang off after LBC presenter James O’Brien patiently corrected his claims one by one. After describing Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage as the most “formidable” politicians of the time, caller Jim from Heathrow told O’Brien that he was glad his children would never be in an EU […]

Government ministers have been warned that dogging could increase as traffic comes to a standstill near major ports in the UK following a no-deal Brexit. The fears come as the government’s Yellowhammer report detailed how local roads will become “stacks” for lorries due to the delays arriving and leaving Britain. The average wait for hauliers […]

The French president has once again suggested he would not back an extension to Article 50, adding pressure following talks between Boris Johnson and Irish premier Leo Varadkar. Macron said the UK would be left with the choice of a no-deal Brexit or revoking Article 50 altogether if Johnson cannot make an acceptable compromise on […]

TIM WALKER says ‘Master Harold’… and the boys is a long burn production in a time of inpatient theatregoers. For most of the 100 minutes that Roy Alexander Weise’s production of ‘Master Harold’… and the Boys runs, there is a ‘least said, soonest mended’ approach to the issue of apartheid in South Africa in the […]

A Labour MP has taken down Julia Hartley-Brewer for ‘not caring about the future’ in her remarks about Extinction Rebellion. Appearing alongside the Brexiteer broadcaster on BBC’s Question Time, Labour MP Lisa Nandy told her that it “was not bullying to point out to people this is an international crisis that has to be taken […]

Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis has called for a second Brexit referendum, claiming no-one knew what they were voting for, including himself. Paphitis, who voted Leave in the 2016 referendum, told the BBC Question Time audience that a general election usually was “the perfect opportunity” to remove the politicians from power we disagree with. But […]

Readers give their views on the latest developments in Brexit talks. There are six clear reasons why no-deal Brexit will happen regardless of fuss, fight or furore; 1. There is no effective UK opposition. 2. The EU is not going to abandon Ireland. 3. Johnson has not/will not play by any rules so cannot be […]

As the Rugby World Cup continues in Japan DANIELLE DEMETRIOUS explains what the country’s love affair with the sport says about the nation. Yu Tamura of Japan celebrates with Lomano Lava Lemeki of Japan following victory in the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group A game between Japan and Ireland, Photo by Clive Rose – World […]

European journalists and experts have criticised the UK media’s recent coverage of Brexit, saying that they are being ‘played like an instrument’. Journalists are being “co-opted into being useful idiots for No.10”, was one scathing comment among many made by foreign journalists at a conference on Brexit and the Media held in London by think […]

Number 10 has created 11 adverts explaining how businesses will be affected after Brexit in what critics are calling ‘the best pro-Remain videos’. My department has created 11 explainer videos covering topics from travelling to the EU for business after Brexit, to using the new UKCA mark. Watch and share the videos to make sure […]

As MPs prepare for a fresh Brexit showdown, People’s Vote campaigners are preparing for history to be mad. ERICA RAMOS, vice-president of the National Union of Students, explains why we should all march on October 19th. We already know that next Saturday, October 19th, is the day of what could be one of the biggest […]

Andrea Leadsom has hinted at how the government intends to get round the Benn Act and take Britain out of the EU on October 31. .@andrealeadsom tells @peston it's 'absolutely' reasonable for Boris Johnson to send a second letter to the EU saying he doesn't want an extension. Watch the full interview at 10.45pm on […]

The Extinction Rebellion campaign is silent on Brexit but, says ANDREW ADONIS, it should make common cause with the pro-EU movement. The Extinction Rebellion Hackney group created an artistic installation, Burning Earth, in Trafalgar Square. Picture: Emma Bartholomew – Credit: Emma Bartholomew It is a total disgrace that London is being brought to a halt. […]

A no-deal Brexit could put Nissan’s business selling UK-manufactured cars to the EU ‘in jeopardy’, its chairman has warned, after cutting night shifts at the company’s Sunderland plant. Gianluca de Ficchy said the company is prepared for Brexit scenarios and that the shift reduction is unrelated, but added that the company is unable to plan […]

Brexit Party MEPs have voted against a European parliament resolution that called for the EU to fight against Russian interference. The motion called for the EU taskforce aimed at tackling disinformation permanently since 2015 to continue with its mission to “address the threats of external intervention in our European elections”. MEPs claimed that the foreign […]

There has been a backlash to the announcement that Julia Hartley-Brewer will be appearing on the latest edition of Question Time – with some calling for a boycott of the show. The furore follows accusations from legal expert and anti-Brexit campaigner Jolyon Maugham, who accused the Brexiteer of publishing the address of his family home […]

A writer and musician’s satirical concept album has become a surprise hit, turning the most turgid catchphrases from the last three years of Brexit hell into a shimmering disco experience. Under the performing name of Article 54, former Independent music columnist Rhodri Marsen has released ‘The Hustle: A Brexit disco symphony’ whose songs have titles […]

After a high-profile row between Alastair Campbell and the Labour Party – which led to him being suspended and then resigning – the anti-Brexit campaigner has admitted he would still give the party his vote at the next election. But Campbell used his appearance on BBC Breakfast to urge people to consider voting tactically in […]

Dominic Cummings’ schemes seem less convincing than those of Blackadder’s Baldrick. So what exactly is the Number 10 masterplan? Asks JAMES BALL Dominic Cummings’ plots are are as sophisticated as a Baldrick stratagem. Picture: Archant – Credit: Archant Just as the flaws of any cunning plan hatched by Baldrick on behalf of his master Blackadder […]

Boris Johnson is spinning a line about Brexit which has no basis is truth, says ALASTAIR CAMPBELL. Michael Gove hailed Boris Johnson as the “Pep Guardiola of British polotics”. Picture: Jack Taylor/Getty Images – Credit: Getty Images How long ago it seems that “they” were going to need “us” “more than we need them”? How […]

Ministers have confirmed that EU citizens without settled status are liable for deportation after the deadline, after government figures showed that more than 7,000 applications have failed. Those who are not granted settled status by the government deadline of December 31 2020 “the applicable immigration rules will apply”, under-secretary of state for immigration Brandon Lewis […]

In the week Boris Johnson is likened to a piglet, MICHAEL WHITE describes how ham-fisted leadership has lead to a history of schisms and war. Boris Johnson seems to be happy as a pig in….Picture: Martin Ronson – Credit: Archant On top of everything else about Boris Johnson, his lies, half-truths and shameless evasions, we […]

PETER BRADLEY’s exchange with a Brexit voter during a pro-democracy rally has left him believing a second referendum is the only way to preserve our democratic institutions. MPs are as polarised about Brexit as the people who elected them. So, far from failing the public over the last three years, it could be fairly argued […]

DAMJAN KUKOVEC says there is currently no mandate for any form of Brexit – including staying in the EU. Only a second referendum on very specific terms can ensure the politicians have one. The Brexit stalemate is unlikely to wither. In a smart spin, distracting from the unlawfulness of the parliament shutdown, the blame for […]

Brexiteer MEPs have branded it ‘disgraceful’ that John Bercow has met with his EU counterpart to discuss Brexit and a possible second referendum. Bercow met with David Sassoli, the president of the European parliament, while the Italian politician was in London following his meeting with Boris Johnson. Sassoli – who carries out a similar function […]

A no-deal Brexit will make the UK a ‘paradise’ for speculators, spivs and smugglers to make money out of medicine shortages, Gordon Brown is warning. The former prime minister is arguing that, if the country crashes out of the EU without a deal, speculators will “cash in” by stockpiling food and medicines amid the predicted […]

A government minister has been mocked for her attempts to shoehorn a reference about Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy into a speech. https://twitter.com/owenjbennett/status/1182010455675539473 Appearing in front of representatives from the Commonwealth the international trade secretary Liz Truss tried to make light of a story about two footballers’ wives in her speech, while also trying to […]

Who is on Question Time tonight and where do they stand on Brexit? Here’s your guide… The BBC’s flagship current affairs programme tonight comes from Beckenham, the south-east London town which gave the world Bob Monkhouse. The funnyman once said: “People always say, ‘You’re a comedian, tell us a joke.’ They don’t say, ‘You’re an […]

England’s former chief medical adviser, Dame Sally Davies, said that lives ‘are at risk’ in a no-deal Brexit because the government cannot guarantee there will not be medical shortages. Dame Sally said that “we can’t guarantee at the moment” that nobody will die as a result of the NHS not having a steady supply of […]

A British caller to James O’Brien’s show said that he voted for Brexit because there is too much freedom of movement – speaking from the comfort of his home in Portugal. Mike, who lives in Alcoutim, called the LBC show to talk about why he had voted Brexit and gave a few reasons that he […]

The London Assembly has said that it cannot see the need for confidentiality in Boris Johnson’s submitted papers for the probe into his relationship with Jennifer Arcuri. In fact, said Assembly members, the submission was “insufficient” in detail. Number 10 had requested secrecy around the documents Johnson submitted towards an investigation into whether he had […]

Guy Verhofstadt has hit back at those claiming those working with the EU to avoid a no-deal Brexit were ‘traitors’ – claiming it was those advocating that should have the title. European Parliament Brexit co-ordinator Verhofstadt said Boris Johnson’s proposals are “not serious” and said anyone risking “disaster” by pushing Britain out of the EU […]