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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jul/08/theresa-may-next-prime-minister-andrea-leadsom-politics-live
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| David Cameron names Sir Julian King as Britain's new EU commissioner – politics live | David Cameron names Sir Julian King as Britain's new EU commissioner – politics live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.52pm BST | |
| 15:52 | |
| IMF slashes growth forecast for Eurozone | |
| Britain’s decision to leave the European Union has led the IMF to slash its growth forecasts because of the risk of continuing market turmoil and Britain’s fall in exports. | |
| Prior to the EU referendum vote, the eurozone was forecast to grow 1.7% this year and next, now cut to 1.6% in 2016 and 1.4% next year. | |
| Mahmood Pradhan, the deputy director of the IMF’s European department, told the Press Association it was “very early thinking and assessment... it’s very, very early days to have any strong sense of confidence.” | |
| This is the full statement: | |
| The markdowns for the euro area reflect likely weaker investor confidence on account of heightened uncertainty, greater financial market volatility, and lower import demand from the UK. | |
| Given the euro area’s substantial weight in world trade, this slowdown would have spillovers to many other economies, including emerging markets, but the impact is expected to be limited. | |
| Looking ahead, the risks to the outlook remain firmly on the downside and are mainly political. Uncertainty will persist as long as the UK’s new status vis-a-vis the EU is not clear. | |
| 3.43pm BST | |
| 15:43 | |
| Libby Brooks | |
| Tory leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom has provoked the ire of the SNP after the BBC unearthed a 2007 blog, in which she described Scotland as “heavily subsidised by the English”. | |
| "Unbelievable perks" for "our northern friends"&"another nail in the coffin of the Union". Leadsom blogs on Scotland pic.twitter.com/ilJTr2Rprz | |
| Leadsom’s comments come a week after her now former leadership rival Michael Gove likewise queried Scotland’s funding formula at his campaign launch, saying that there was a need to explore a “fairly-funded” Union “for our new circumstances” – although Scotland’s fiscal framework was agreed by the UK Government after months of tortuous negotiations earlier this year.The SNP’s Michael Russell MSP, convener of Holyrood’s Finance Committee, insisted: “It’s imperative that both leadership candidates now make it absolutely clear that they respect the fiscal framework signed up to by both the Scottish and UK Governments just a few months ago – and if they fail to do so, people in Scotland will be under no illusions as to what they have in store for our budget.” | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.43pm BST | |
| 2.53pm BST | 2.53pm BST |
| 14:53 | 14:53 |
| NATO summit opens in Warsaw | NATO summit opens in Warsaw |
| The NATO summit is underway now, you can watch the livestream here. | The NATO summit is underway now, you can watch the livestream here. |
| NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is introducing the summit. He says the summit will agree to strengthen its presence on its eastern fringes and to step up its cyber and ballistic missile defence systems. | NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is introducing the summit. He says the summit will agree to strengthen its presence on its eastern fringes and to step up its cyber and ballistic missile defence systems. |
| He says they will all take resources and states had made commitments to increase spending on defence. | He says they will all take resources and states had made commitments to increase spending on defence. |
| Our security is at stake in a more dangerous world. | Our security is at stake in a more dangerous world. |
| Polish president Andrzej Duda says he is proud Warsaw is hosting the summit, saying the bloc has come a long way in securing peace and stability. | Polish president Andrzej Duda says he is proud Warsaw is hosting the summit, saying the bloc has come a long way in securing peace and stability. |
| The challenges we face affect the citizens of every single member state. The summit needs to bring stability in times of uncertainty, unity in times of division and ensure security in times of threat. | The challenges we face affect the citizens of every single member state. The summit needs to bring stability in times of uncertainty, unity in times of division and ensure security in times of threat. |
| That’s the end of the public part of the meeting but Stolentberg will give a press conference at 18.40 local time (17.40 in the UK). | That’s the end of the public part of the meeting but Stolentberg will give a press conference at 18.40 local time (17.40 in the UK). |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.45pm BST | |
| 2.45pm BST | 2.45pm BST |
| 14:45 | 14:45 |
| Labour’s Chuka Umunna, who launched his Vote Leave Watch initiative earlier today, has been speaking on BBC Radio 2 about his party’s current impasse. | Labour’s Chuka Umunna, who launched his Vote Leave Watch initiative earlier today, has been speaking on BBC Radio 2 about his party’s current impasse. |
| He hinted Labour MPs and the party might seek to implement a similar system to the Conservatives, where candidates are narrowed down to a shortlist by MPs before members choose the final candidate. You can understand why, given how his party is so at odds with the membership over who should lead the party. | He hinted Labour MPs and the party might seek to implement a similar system to the Conservatives, where candidates are narrowed down to a shortlist by MPs before members choose the final candidate. You can understand why, given how his party is so at odds with the membership over who should lead the party. |
| I’ll tell you one thing that a lot of people, Labour MPs, have been quite taken with is the system of narrowing down their candidates to two, so you end up with two candidates that the parliamentary party accept and they think are the best people to lead the party and become a future prime minister and that goes to the membership. I think that’s very interesting. | I’ll tell you one thing that a lot of people, Labour MPs, have been quite taken with is the system of narrowing down their candidates to two, so you end up with two candidates that the parliamentary party accept and they think are the best people to lead the party and become a future prime minister and that goes to the membership. I think that’s very interesting. |
| Umunna, who dropped out of the Labour leadership race last year after just a few days, citing concerns over the intrusion into his private life, said he would “never say never to taking up the opportunity to lead the party.” | Umunna, who dropped out of the Labour leadership race last year after just a few days, citing concerns over the intrusion into his private life, said he would “never say never to taking up the opportunity to lead the party.” |
| There isn’t at the moment a vacancy and we’ve got to resolve a situation where you have a sitting leader who doesn’t command the confidence of the party and will not leave of his own volition. | There isn’t at the moment a vacancy and we’ve got to resolve a situation where you have a sitting leader who doesn’t command the confidence of the party and will not leave of his own volition. |
| He also said he was sceptical of the view that the thousands who have joined the party in recent weeks were signing up to vote for Corbyn, and said he believed it was more evenly split. | He also said he was sceptical of the view that the thousands who have joined the party in recent weeks were signing up to vote for Corbyn, and said he believed it was more evenly split. |
| It seems from my own local experience that it’s pretty 50/50 and actually there’s a lot more people joining because they want Labour to become a governing force again than because they want to carry on with the status quo. | It seems from my own local experience that it’s pretty 50/50 and actually there’s a lot more people joining because they want Labour to become a governing force again than because they want to carry on with the status quo. |
| I’ve taken the quotes from PoliticsHome. | I’ve taken the quotes from PoliticsHome. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.10pm BST | at 3.10pm BST |
| 2.36pm BST | 2.36pm BST |
| 14:36 | 14:36 |
| Front-line ban for women soldiers to be lifted, says Cameron | Front-line ban for women soldiers to be lifted, says Cameron |
| Number 10 has announced that it has accepted a recommendation General Sir Nick Carter, head of the army, that women should serve in close-combat ground roles. | Number 10 has announced that it has accepted a recommendation General Sir Nick Carter, head of the army, that women should serve in close-combat ground roles. |
| “I agree with his advice and have accepted his recommendation,’ Cameron said in a statement, saying it would implemented as soon as possible. | “I agree with his advice and have accepted his recommendation,’ Cameron said in a statement, saying it would implemented as soon as possible. |
| It is vital that our armed forces are world-class and reflect the society we live in. Lifting this ban is a major step. | It is vital that our armed forces are world-class and reflect the society we live in. Lifting this ban is a major step. |
| It will ensure the armed forces can make the most of all their talent and increase opportunities for women to serve in the full range of roles. | It will ensure the armed forces can make the most of all their talent and increase opportunities for women to serve in the full range of roles. |
| 2.25pm BST | 2.25pm BST |
| 14:25 | 14:25 |
| A great find here from Buzzfeed’s Jim Waterson - from the first time Theresa May stood against the Lib Dem’s Tim Farron. | A great find here from Buzzfeed’s Jim Waterson - from the first time Theresa May stood against the Lib Dem’s Tim Farron. |
| Neither of them won, it was Hilary Armstrong who held the seat for Labour in North West Durham in the 1992 general election, increasing her majority. Farron picked up just over 6,000 votes. | Neither of them won, it was Hilary Armstrong who held the seat for Labour in North West Durham in the 1992 general election, increasing her majority. Farron picked up just over 6,000 votes. |
| All we need is a Hilary Armstrong coup and the 2020 general election can be a re-run of North West Durham in 1992. pic.twitter.com/pKNESaF6hf | All we need is a Hilary Armstrong coup and the 2020 general election can be a re-run of North West Durham in 1992. pic.twitter.com/pKNESaF6hf |
| Armstrong served as chief whip under Tony Blair and later minister for social exclusion. She stood down at the 2010 general election and is now a Labour life peer. | Armstrong served as chief whip under Tony Blair and later minister for social exclusion. She stood down at the 2010 general election and is now a Labour life peer. |
| For what it’s worth, her Lords’ contributions show Baroness Armstrong is consistently pro-Trident renewal, a Europhile and a member of the European Union committee in the Lords. | For what it’s worth, her Lords’ contributions show Baroness Armstrong is consistently pro-Trident renewal, a Europhile and a member of the European Union committee in the Lords. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.31pm BST | at 2.31pm BST |
| 1.55pm BST | 1.55pm BST |
| 13:55 | 13:55 |
| Graham Jones: Corbyn will go 'whether it takes five years, ten years' | Graham Jones: Corbyn will go 'whether it takes five years, ten years' |
| After Corbyn hailed the 100,000-strong surge of new Labour members since the EU referendum, he left the parliamentary party in no doubt he had no intention of stepping down. | |
| Outside her house where she is regularly doorstepped by reporters, Angela Eagle repeated her call this morning that Corbyn was “losing support in the country, he needs to do the right thing and if he doesn’t I will stand against him.” | Outside her house where she is regularly doorstepped by reporters, Angela Eagle repeated her call this morning that Corbyn was “losing support in the country, he needs to do the right thing and if he doesn’t I will stand against him.” |
| But rebel MPs are holding off challenging Corbyn for the party’s leadership to allow talks with union leaders to continue. | But rebel MPs are holding off challenging Corbyn for the party’s leadership to allow talks with union leaders to continue. |
| One Labour source said last night that the moves against Corbyn were fast becoming known as “the mañana coup” (a phrase first coined by Duncan Weldon). | One Labour source said last night that the moves against Corbyn were fast becoming known as “the mañana coup” (a phrase first coined by Duncan Weldon). |
| Graham Jones, the former Labour whip who resigned after Corbyn’s election, has been speaking on the BBC’s World at One. He said the unions would destroy the party if they backed Corbyn. | Graham Jones, the former Labour whip who resigned after Corbyn’s election, has been speaking on the BBC’s World at One. He said the unions would destroy the party if they backed Corbyn. |
| [Corbyn] is not a unity candidate, he doesn’t want to be a unity candidate. He just wants to agitate and cause problems and strife. | [Corbyn] is not a unity candidate, he doesn’t want to be a unity candidate. He just wants to agitate and cause problems and strife. |
| If the trade unions want to destroy the Labour party by supporting Jeremy Corbyn, then back him by all means but understand what comes next. A contest would be very destructive, it would start off a chain of events. | If the trade unions want to destroy the Labour party by supporting Jeremy Corbyn, then back him by all means but understand what comes next. A contest would be very destructive, it would start off a chain of events. |
| It will be a long battle, a series of battles that could go on for years. We desperately need a unity leader and I think the trade unions have to wake up and realise that. | It will be a long battle, a series of battles that could go on for years. We desperately need a unity leader and I think the trade unions have to wake up and realise that. |
| MPs believe in the Labour party, they are here for the duration, they are not going to give it up. | MPs believe in the Labour party, they are here for the duration, they are not going to give it up. |
| Jones said the only future for the party was Corbyn’s resignation “whether it takes five years, ten years... whether that is at the end of a bloodbath or common sense prevails, eventually that will happen.” | Jones said the only future for the party was Corbyn’s resignation “whether it takes five years, ten years... whether that is at the end of a bloodbath or common sense prevails, eventually that will happen.” |
| He hinted more candidates may come forward next week to present themselves as party unifiers. | He hinted more candidates may come forward next week to present themselves as party unifiers. |
| There will be a constant procession... whatever it takes until we have a unified candidate. | There will be a constant procession... whatever it takes until we have a unified candidate. |
| People are losing patience in Len McCluskey [Unite’s general secretary] to take the Labour movement forward. | People are losing patience in Len McCluskey [Unite’s general secretary] to take the Labour movement forward. |
| We don’t want the 1980s again, we are desperate for a unity candidate, Jeremy has to walk. | We don’t want the 1980s again, we are desperate for a unity candidate, Jeremy has to walk. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.45pm BST | |
| 1.05pm BST | 1.05pm BST |
| 13:05 | 13:05 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| “Nato is the cornerstone of our defence... we’ll be doing more in Nato to compensate for our withdrawal from the EU.” | “Nato is the cornerstone of our defence... we’ll be doing more in Nato to compensate for our withdrawal from the EU.” |
| Good role for a character actor as Julian King in "Last Train from Strasbourg", a gentle masterpiece (in posh cinemas 2030). | Good role for a character actor as Julian King in "Last Train from Strasbourg", a gentle masterpiece (in posh cinemas 2030). |
| To all our opponents, on the inside and out, who are hoping for a sequel to Brexit, I want to say loud and clear: you won’t see on the screen the words: ‘To be continued. | To all our opponents, on the inside and out, who are hoping for a sequel to Brexit, I want to say loud and clear: you won’t see on the screen the words: ‘To be continued. |
| If freedom of movement means the freedom to exploit cheap labour in a race to the bottom, it will never be accepted in any future relationship with Europe. But the reality is that we have allies in that cause across Europe, as on many other issues that will be at the heart of the negotiations ahead. Those negotiations cannot be left to a Tory government that does not speak for the country. | If freedom of movement means the freedom to exploit cheap labour in a race to the bottom, it will never be accepted in any future relationship with Europe. But the reality is that we have allies in that cause across Europe, as on many other issues that will be at the heart of the negotiations ahead. Those negotiations cannot be left to a Tory government that does not speak for the country. |
| There will be no split, there will be no retreat. Damn them, this is our party, I have been here for 60 years, I’m not leaving it to anybody. | There will be no split, there will be no retreat. Damn them, this is our party, I have been here for 60 years, I’m not leaving it to anybody. |
| If anger was in part driving some people to vote for us to leave the European Union, if they now find that all the things they were promised would happen in the event that we leave don’t happen, and they find themselves in a worse situation, they’re going to have an expectation that somebody’s held to account for that. | If anger was in part driving some people to vote for us to leave the European Union, if they now find that all the things they were promised would happen in the event that we leave don’t happen, and they find themselves in a worse situation, they’re going to have an expectation that somebody’s held to account for that. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.38pm BST | at 1.38pm BST |
| 12.38pm BST | 12.38pm BST |
| 12:38 | 12:38 |
| Cameron lands in Warsaw after maiden flight on Dave Force One | Cameron lands in Warsaw after maiden flight on Dave Force One |
| Rowena Mason | Rowena Mason |
| It has already been nicknamed Dave Force One. But David Cameron may only get to use his very own private plane a handful of times as he winds down his time as prime minister with a few last foreign trips. | It has already been nicknamed Dave Force One. But David Cameron may only get to use his very own private plane a handful of times as he winds down his time as prime minister with a few last foreign trips. |
| Cameron looked relaxed as he boarded the refitted Voyager for its first outing to Poland on Friday, despite losing the EU referendum and announcing his resignation just a fortnight ago. | Cameron looked relaxed as he boarded the refitted Voyager for its first outing to Poland on Friday, despite losing the EU referendum and announcing his resignation just a fortnight ago. |
| Breakfast on the new Dave Force One en route to Warsaw... Not overly swanky pic.twitter.com/t35rRzo3Wu | Breakfast on the new Dave Force One en route to Warsaw... Not overly swanky pic.twitter.com/t35rRzo3Wu |
| The aircraft spent months being converted from a military plane to VIP passenger carrier at a cost of 12m but still bears Royal Air Force branding on the outside. | The aircraft spent months being converted from a military plane to VIP passenger carrier at a cost of 12m but still bears Royal Air Force branding on the outside. |
| On the inside, it looked very much like any old plane run by a major airline. There were budget seats for political advisers, military personnel and the press pack at the back and bigger business class seats for the prime minister, cabinet ministers and their closest aides at the front. | On the inside, it looked very much like any old plane run by a major airline. There were budget seats for political advisers, military personnel and the press pack at the back and bigger business class seats for the prime minister, cabinet ministers and their closest aides at the front. |
| As the flight took off, a beige curtain was drawn to separate the two sections. | As the flight took off, a beige curtain was drawn to separate the two sections. |
| Less luxurious than some of the private planes Cameron has chartered in the past, there was no champagne or other alcohol in sight for the early morning flight from Heathrow. Neither did any of the seats have television screens. | Less luxurious than some of the private planes Cameron has chartered in the past, there was no champagne or other alcohol in sight for the early morning flight from Heathrow. Neither did any of the seats have television screens. |
| Passengers were served with orange juice and hot drinks only, along with a standard cooked breakfast, croissant and jam, plus a fruit salad. | Passengers were served with orange juice and hot drinks only, along with a standard cooked breakfast, croissant and jam, plus a fruit salad. |
| Downing Street insists the new travel arrangements will be cheaper in the long run than hiring aircraft each time the prime minister goes on tour or attends foreign summits. It will also be available to members of the royal family and senior cabinet ministers for official trips. | Downing Street insists the new travel arrangements will be cheaper in the long run than hiring aircraft each time the prime minister goes on tour or attends foreign summits. It will also be available to members of the royal family and senior cabinet ministers for official trips. |
| But by that time, it may have been renamed Air Force Theresa or Andrea. | But by that time, it may have been renamed Air Force Theresa or Andrea. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.38pm BST | at 12.38pm BST |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Cameron’s plane has landed in Warsaw and the reviews are in from the press pack for the £10m converted RAF Voyager A330. It serves a full English, but it has no inflight TVs. | Cameron’s plane has landed in Warsaw and the reviews are in from the press pack for the £10m converted RAF Voyager A330. It serves a full English, but it has no inflight TVs. |
| PM's new private plane has touched down in Warsaw... First and could be last time he will get to enjoy it pic.twitter.com/XVY4igLohv | PM's new private plane has touched down in Warsaw... First and could be last time he will get to enjoy it pic.twitter.com/XVY4igLohv |
| The Sun’s Tom Newton-Dunn was also on the maiden voyage, as was the Mirror’s Ben Glaze, who has reviewed the taxpayer-funded leg-room onboard in this extensive piece. | The Sun’s Tom Newton-Dunn was also on the maiden voyage, as was the Mirror’s Ben Glaze, who has reviewed the taxpayer-funded leg-room onboard in this extensive piece. |
| Cam Force One's virgin flight to Warsaw. PM, Foreign and Defence Secs disembark. The big surprise, no in-flight TVs. pic.twitter.com/jRotHF2EOW | Cam Force One's virgin flight to Warsaw. PM, Foreign and Defence Secs disembark. The big surprise, no in-flight TVs. pic.twitter.com/jRotHF2EOW |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.37pm BST | at 12.37pm BST |
| 12.28pm BST | 12.28pm BST |
| 12:28 | 12:28 |
| Tusk: We will see no more departures from the EU | Tusk: We will see no more departures from the EU |
| Barack Obama has been giving a press conference at the Nato summit in Warsaw alongside Jean-Claude Juncker and European council president Donald Tusk, though the US president’s mind is clearly elsewhere after the tragedy unfolding in Dallas Texas, where five police officers have been shot dead after an anti-police violence protest. | Barack Obama has been giving a press conference at the Nato summit in Warsaw alongside Jean-Claude Juncker and European council president Donald Tusk, though the US president’s mind is clearly elsewhere after the tragedy unfolding in Dallas Texas, where five police officers have been shot dead after an anti-police violence protest. |
| Obama, who wrote an op-ed this morning for the FT on Brexit, said there was a lesson that”governments, including the EU cannot be remote institutions.” | Obama, who wrote an op-ed this morning for the FT on Brexit, said there was a lesson that”governments, including the EU cannot be remote institutions.” |
| They have to be responsive and move more quickly with minimal bureaucracy to deliver real economic progress in the lives of ordinary people. | They have to be responsive and move more quickly with minimal bureaucracy to deliver real economic progress in the lives of ordinary people. |
| Tusk says that the “geopolitical consequences” of Brexit could be serious ones, and said it was Europe and the US who are “taking care of the unity of the Western political community, and that is key.” | Tusk says that the “geopolitical consequences” of Brexit could be serious ones, and said it was Europe and the US who are “taking care of the unity of the Western political community, and that is key.” |
| As sad and meaningful as [Brexit] is, is just an incident, and not the beginning of a process. | As sad and meaningful as [Brexit] is, is just an incident, and not the beginning of a process. |
| To all our opponents, on the inside and out, who are hoping for a sequel to Brexit, I want to say loud and clear: you won’t see on the screen the words: ‘To be continued.’ | To all our opponents, on the inside and out, who are hoping for a sequel to Brexit, I want to say loud and clear: you won’t see on the screen the words: ‘To be continued.’ |
| 12.01pm BST | 12.01pm BST |
| 12:01 | 12:01 |
| King is to be interviewed for the EU commissioner post on Monday in Brussels at 11am, Juncker’s office has said. | King is to be interviewed for the EU commissioner post on Monday in Brussels at 11am, Juncker’s office has said. |
| “The purpose of the interview will be to determine the candidate’s ability to serve as a European Commissioner, particularly in light of Article 17 (3) of the Treaty of the European Union which states that: “The members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond all doubt,” the release said. | “The purpose of the interview will be to determine the candidate’s ability to serve as a European Commissioner, particularly in light of Article 17 (3) of the Treaty of the European Union which states that: “The members of the Commission shall be chosen on the ground of their general competence and European commitment from persons whose independence is beyond all doubt,” the release said. |
| The European Parliament will also “audition” the candidate, the officer said, but they do not have a veto. Juncker is only obliged to “seriously consider” the results of the consultation with Parliament before giving his accord to the Council over the suitability of Hill’s appointment. | The European Parliament will also “audition” the candidate, the officer said, but they do not have a veto. Juncker is only obliged to “seriously consider” the results of the consultation with Parliament before giving his accord to the Council over the suitability of Hill’s appointment. |
| Lord Hill’s finance brief has now been assigned to the commission’s vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia, in effect from July 16. | Lord Hill’s finance brief has now been assigned to the commission’s vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis of Latvia, in effect from July 16. |
| CORRECTION: I originally said Dombrovskis was from Malta, but he is Latvian. | CORRECTION: I originally said Dombrovskis was from Malta, but he is Latvian. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.29pm BST | at 12.29pm BST |
| 11.33am BST | 11.33am BST |
| 11:33 | 11:33 |
| Sir Julian King nominated as the UK's new European Commissioner | Sir Julian King nominated as the UK's new European Commissioner |
| David Cameron has nominated Sir Julian King - currently Britain’s ambassador to France - as the UK’s new European Commissioner, Downing Street has announced. | David Cameron has nominated Sir Julian King - currently Britain’s ambassador to France - as the UK’s new European Commissioner, Downing Street has announced. |
| King had been tipped to replace Lord Hill, who resigned post-Brexit. He is likely to be the UK’s last ever European Commissioner but Jean-Claude Juncker and Cameron agreed last week that Hill’s replacement should serve until the UK formally leaves the EU. | King had been tipped to replace Lord Hill, who resigned post-Brexit. He is likely to be the UK’s last ever European Commissioner but Jean-Claude Juncker and Cameron agreed last week that Hill’s replacement should serve until the UK formally leaves the EU. |
| The career diplomat, who was chief of staff to Peter Mandelson when he was British trade commissioner, will have to be confirmed by the European Parliament, which could be a rocky ride. But he has plenty of experience in Brussels, including serving under Catherine Aston when she succeeded Mandelson. | The career diplomat, who was chief of staff to Peter Mandelson when he was British trade commissioner, will have to be confirmed by the European Parliament, which could be a rocky ride. But he has plenty of experience in Brussels, including serving under Catherine Aston when she succeeded Mandelson. |
| It will be up to Juncker to decide which portfolio to give King on the commission, but Politico reports Cameron is keen for King to be in charge of environment policy. His predecessor Lord Hill held the finance brief. | It will be up to Juncker to decide which portfolio to give King on the commission, but Politico reports Cameron is keen for King to be in charge of environment policy. His predecessor Lord Hill held the finance brief. |
| French MEP Alain Lamassoure, told the website King should not have a portfolio. | French MEP Alain Lamassoure, told the website King should not have a portfolio. |
| He will have to behave according to the fact that he is tied to a government of a country that is leaving. It is going to be a commissioner without a portfolio. | He will have to behave according to the fact that he is tied to a government of a country that is leaving. It is going to be a commissioner without a portfolio. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.51am BST | at 11.51am BST |
| 11.08am BST | 11.08am BST |
| 11:08 | 11:08 |
| Conservativehome, the influential conservative website has backed Theresa May for leadership of the party. | Conservativehome, the influential conservative website has backed Theresa May for leadership of the party. |
| Now a choice of two women – May or Leadsom. The latter’s time may come. But it is not now. For the sake of Britain and Brexit, for a manageable Commons and the country’s future – not to mention restoring orderly government as soon as possible – we hope that Party members vote for the former. | Now a choice of two women – May or Leadsom. The latter’s time may come. But it is not now. For the sake of Britain and Brexit, for a manageable Commons and the country’s future – not to mention restoring orderly government as soon as possible – we hope that Party members vote for the former. |
| Paul Goodman, the site’s editor says readers who backed Brexit should know May is the only candidate who could effectively deliver a workable solution to leaving the EU, with Leadsom likely to face a backlash in the Commons. | Paul Goodman, the site’s editor says readers who backed Brexit should know May is the only candidate who could effectively deliver a workable solution to leaving the EU, with Leadsom likely to face a backlash in the Commons. |
| May has said that “Brexit is Brexit”. In other words, there is no difference between the two candidates in terms of their aim. Some doubt that she means it.... It may just be that these critics are right; it’s far more likely that they are wrong. | May has said that “Brexit is Brexit”. In other words, there is no difference between the two candidates in terms of their aim. Some doubt that she means it.... It may just be that these critics are right; it’s far more likely that they are wrong. |
| This is not only because May, though as capable of being tricksy as any other politician, is straighter than many of them, but because she will know the consequences of backsliding. With a majority of only a dozen or so, her Government would fall. | This is not only because May, though as capable of being tricksy as any other politician, is straighter than many of them, but because she will know the consequences of backsliding. With a majority of only a dozen or so, her Government would fall. |
| Goodman calls a potential win for Leadsom “a Jeremy Corbyn victory... she would already have been rejected by MPs, twice as many of whom would have voted for her opponent.” | Goodman calls a potential win for Leadsom “a Jeremy Corbyn victory... she would already have been rejected by MPs, twice as many of whom would have voted for her opponent.” |
| Only May now has the capacity, with the backing of MPs and hopefully Party members behind her, to cajole, wheedle, plead, threaten and charm the Remain-backing majority of Tory MPs to back a coherent Brexit plan. | Only May now has the capacity, with the backing of MPs and hopefully Party members behind her, to cajole, wheedle, plead, threaten and charm the Remain-backing majority of Tory MPs to back a coherent Brexit plan. |
| Goodman says it is vital Leadsom remains in the campaign nonetheless. | Goodman says it is vital Leadsom remains in the campaign nonetheless. |
| Our recent survey and a YouGov poll suggested that she is picking up support. But even if she and her team believe that victory is impossible, we urge them to campaign on for the Party’s and, more importantly, the country’s sake. | Our recent survey and a YouGov poll suggested that she is picking up support. But even if she and her team believe that victory is impossible, we urge them to campaign on for the Party’s and, more importantly, the country’s sake. |
| If the Remain-backing May is to be the next Party leader, she needs the legitimacy that can only come from winning a full leadership contest fair and square – a point she grasps very well. | If the Remain-backing May is to be the next Party leader, she needs the legitimacy that can only come from winning a full leadership contest fair and square – a point she grasps very well. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.10am BST | at 11.10am BST |
| 10.54am BST | 10.54am BST |
| 10:54 | 10:54 |
| Exports fell in May as UK trade gap widens | Exports fell in May as UK trade gap widens |
| New figures from the Office for National Statistics released this morning show the UK’s trade deficit on goods expanded to £9.9 billion, a sharper fall in exports than imports. | New figures from the Office for National Statistics released this morning show the UK’s trade deficit on goods expanded to £9.9 billion, a sharper fall in exports than imports. |
| But it is the case that British exports are likely to rise in the short-term, because of the fall in sterling (a 31-year low) which makes UK goods cheaper for overseas buyers. | But it is the case that British exports are likely to rise in the short-term, because of the fall in sterling (a 31-year low) which makes UK goods cheaper for overseas buyers. |
| It’s not certain though, according to IHS’ chief European economist Howard Archer, who told the Press Association: | It’s not certain though, according to IHS’ chief European economist Howard Archer, who told the Press Association: |
| There is no guarantee that the markedly weakened pound will provide a major boost to UK exports. Furthermore, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will likely dampen European growth and could also very well have some global impact, which will hamper UK exports. | There is no guarantee that the markedly weakened pound will provide a major boost to UK exports. Furthermore, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will likely dampen European growth and could also very well have some global impact, which will hamper UK exports. |
| 10.15am BST | 10.15am BST |
| 10:15 | 10:15 |
| Just in time for him to leave office, David Cameron is taking his first trip on his new plane, the so-called ‘Dave Force One’ or ‘Camcord’, to the Nato summit in Warsaw. | Just in time for him to leave office, David Cameron is taking his first trip on his new plane, the so-called ‘Dave Force One’ or ‘Camcord’, to the Nato summit in Warsaw. |
| The converted RAF Voyager plane will take off with Cameron, as well as Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon to Poland, is based on the Airbus A330 airliner and refitted at a cost of £10 million to provide transport for ministers and members of the Royal Family. | The converted RAF Voyager plane will take off with Cameron, as well as Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon to Poland, is based on the Airbus A330 airliner and refitted at a cost of £10 million to provide transport for ministers and members of the Royal Family. |
| The Mirror has been told the interior is not lavish. While there are “plush seats down the back”, an RAF source told the paper it is “more along the lines of first class Virgin or BA than like Air Force One looks like on TV... It isn’t as one might imagine - all red carpet etc.” | The Mirror has been told the interior is not lavish. While there are “plush seats down the back”, an RAF source told the paper it is “more along the lines of first class Virgin or BA than like Air Force One looks like on TV... It isn’t as one might imagine - all red carpet etc.” |
| There will be plenty of hacks on board too, so we’ll hear more later about the in-flight food and entertainment. | There will be plenty of hacks on board too, so we’ll hear more later about the in-flight food and entertainment. |
| But once the PM is gone in September, it will need a new name. The Mayflyer? That’s all I’ve got.. | But once the PM is gone in September, it will need a new name. The Mayflyer? That’s all I’ve got.. |