Theresa May – Page 8 – Slugger O'Toole

Theresa May’s week of shuttle diplomacy produced only gloom in Dublin

Brian Walker on February 4, 2017, 9:20 am

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At the end of a week the when Theresa May touched down in Dublin again, the Irish Times is deep gloom. Noel Whelan’s pessimism is not placated by May including Dublin in a transcontinental shuttle that began in Washington, touched down in Ankara and Cardiff and ended up in Valetta. She can’t have meant business if she only had James Brokenshire with her, he snorted. It seems a bit ungracious to dismiss her visit, the second, in which she accorded …

Theresa May holds the initiative as she makes promises on an open border

Brian Walker on January 31, 2017, 11:37 am

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While the world is transfixed by Trump, we made a little quiet progress on the interlinked politics of Brexit and the future of the Assembly. What did we get from Theresa May’s immersion in the generally anti-Brexit atmosphere of the joint ministerial committee and a summit with Enda Kenny? A warm gesture of commitment, that’s what, riding above the divisions which leave her unfazed for now and rather more than we might have expected, in the form of an article …

Theresa May is unmoved by Celtic frustrations over her Brexit stance

Brian Walker on January 30, 2017, 11:22 am

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After Trump and Turkey week for Theresa May but with the aftershocks still shaking the bones, Brexit week with the Celts must seem like an anti- climax. Despite all the warms words there is no sign that Mrs May is taking the pro-EU positions of two and half of the three devolved administrations even slightly seriously. The briefings before today’s Cardiff meeting could hardly be more underwhelming. We will not agree on everything, but that doesn’t mean we will shy …

Ireland must seek EU permission to make a draft bilateral deal with Britain

Brian Walker on January 18, 2017, 11:15 am

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Dublin reaction to Theresa May’s big Brexit speech is understandably cautious verging on the sceptical. Is more substantial content to be expected when Theresa meets Enda in Dublin next week, no doubt to discuss her hopes that an open-ish border can be achieved through “frictionless “ trading monitored digitally and immigration rules enforced mainly through national insurance and taxation rather than entry points? Probably not, even though the promptness of the visit after the speech is welcome and she has …

Theresa May’s speech: Is the UK planning to use Ireland as a hostage in negotiations with the 27?

Mick Fealty on January 17, 2017, 6:33 pm

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUIl0ZVw9zU To be honest I haven’t wanted to add to the wall to wall commentary on a Brexit deal, the outline of which is even now barely visible. Today, it became a little more clear. Mrs May wants access to the Single Market via a bespoke deal yet to be negotiated. Looks like a very big reset within the unifying frame of the UK state. She made references to a report she’s already had from the Scottish Government, and is …

Theresa May’s aim of free trade with the EU outside the single market is the way to avoid a hard border. The Irish should start lobbying their EU partners now.

Brian Walker on January 17, 2017, 5:30 pm

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We will put our precious Union at the heart of what we do.. We will strengthen our relationship between the four nations of the UK.. I hope for the same spirit of unity, especially in Northern Ireland and that the parties will establish a new relationship as soon as possible.. The devolved administrations will be fully engaged (in the Brexit process). That is why we have set up a joint ministerial committee.. We have received papers from Scotland and …

While the Supreme Court continues the agenda moves on. A hard Brexit looks more and more likely and the future of the Irish border is in the balance.

Brian Walker on December 8, 2016, 11:31 am

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The Financial Times (£) says it all in the editorial quoted at some length below – or most of it. If Theresa May had introduced a simple bill granting MPs a vote on Article 50, the November High Court case and the appeal to the Supreme Court would not have happened. What it doesn’t say is that the UK government look like triggering Article 50 before the end of March to leave the single market and the customs union. They …

At home the ” running commentary” defence is under pressure. But at the EU summit, Theresa is limited to pitching ” over coffee” tonight.

Brian Walker on October 20, 2016, 11:06 am

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With the leak of Brexit cabinet committee documents and the Chancellor’s admission of tensions within the committee itself, the UK government’s refusal to give “a running commentary” is under heavy pressure already. This morning in Commons questions, the Brexit Secretary still stalled on the details but insisted in general : Davis says the government will publish “much information” about its Brexit plans The SDLP were given a little outing… Mark Durkan, the SDLP MP, says employment law is a devolved …

“Swallow your doubts and take a pew in the reformed national church of Brexit…”

Mick Fealty on October 6, 2016, 7:49 pm

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This needs to be blogged, just for the record. It’s Rafael Behr, who’s been on fire for some time at the Guardian. Not the burning of heretics type on fire, but his reading of that quarter of history is pleasingly precise. He goes back to the last of the Tudors for his exemplar: the unfanatical Virgin, the first Elizabeth… This is nothing less than a reformation in the Church of Conservatism, with the authority of Brussels cast as a modern-day …

If Brexit means Brexit, the UK Can’t Block an EU Army

Gerry Lynch on September 18, 2016, 8:08 am

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“This is not going to happen. We are full members of the EU and we will go on resisting any attempt to set up a rival to NATO.” Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon’s response to proposals for an EU army discussed at the Bratislava summit ‘informal gathering’ of EU Heads of Government (minus Theresa May), reported in The Times yesterday cannot be, if Brexit means Brexit, anything other than a denial of reality. If government statements are honest, then the …

Corbyn’s problem is that he’s much less well liked than his own party…

Mick Fealty on September 15, 2016, 12:57 pm

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The Evening Standard have a lot of detail in the latest Ipsos Mori poll. But the interesting bit lies in the fact that the Conservative party is still disliked by more people than like it (55%-38%), whilst the Labour has people evenly split between the two (45% – 46%). The real difference arises in the leaders’ ratings, with May’s positives (60%) towering over both her own negatives (33%) and that of her party’s (55%), whilst Corbyn’s are somewhat reversed with …

Fixed-Term Parliaments Act – on the chopping block ?

Brendan Heading on September 8, 2016, 7:30 am

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One or two eagle-eyed observers on social media noted a development in the House of Lords which has apparently escaped the notice of the media – a new bill which, if enacted, would abolish the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act. It’s worth a quick recap on the background. Until 2011, the power to dissolve Parliament was by the Queen’s prerogative, exercised on the advice of the Prime Minister. It has always been significant as it is, in effect, the power to choose a strategically optimal time to hold …

Reflections on Johnson and Davis

Andy Boal on July 14, 2016, 1:32 pm

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As we learn that we have a new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (but not, as I write, knowing who), I wanted to reflect on the two most controversial appointments to Theresa May’s cabinet. Either the appointment of Boris Johnson and David Davis as Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Brexit respectively is a stroke of brilliance or they will be an unmitigated disaster. Davis wrote an essay on Conservative Home with his thoughts on how the Brexit …

Kincora: The heart of darkness

The Firemen on April 8, 2015, 7:58 pm

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Last night’s powerful Channel 4 news report has led to fresh calls for Kincora to be included in the Westminster paedophile inquiry. Richard Kerr, a victim of abuse at Kincora told Channel 4 News that he was taken from the east Belfast home to London where he was molested by members of a VIP paedophile ring. Mr. Kerr alleges that he was abused by “very powerful people” at Elm Guest House and Dolphin Square – locations at the centre of the ongoing inquiry …

Theresa May’s political earthquake

Turgon on May 23, 2014, 10:15 pm

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This week has already seen a political earthquake nothing to do with UKIP or elections. On Wednesday Theresa May addressed the Police Federation annual conference in Bournemouth. Frequently Home Secretaries have received a tough time form the Police Federation: heckling, laughter, slow hand claps and other forms of open scorn have all been inflicted on Labour Home Secretaries. May a thin, yet matronly figure (though she has no children) with a fondness for conservatively fashionable clothes and designer shoes (a …

Quick. Look busy…

Pete Baker on August 8, 2011, 2:18 pm

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Whether you’re the UK Home Secretary keen to be seen to be responding to riots on the streets of London, or the Northern Ireland Finance Minister calling a local “emergency meeting” about a global financial crisis. Appearances are everything… [Until someone asks a “stupid” question – Ed] Indeed. Pete Baker