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Brexit will be 'catastrophic', first minister tells Boris Johnson ahead of his visit to Wales - live news Brexit will be 'catastrophic', first minister tells Boris Johnson ahead of his visit to Wales – as it happened
(over 1 year later)
Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have clashed over the Irish backstop in their first phone call, with the taoiseach saying the EU is united in the view that it cannot be scrapped and the withdrawal agreement will not be reopened.
Boris Johnson has been urged to “stop playing Russian roulette” with the sheep and lamb industry by threatening a no-deal Brexit.
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh first minister, has told Boris Johnson that a no deal Brexit would be “catastrophic for Wales”. (See 12.41pm.)
The pound has faced renewed selling pressure amid rising fears that Boris Johnson could walk Britain out of the EU without a deal, raising the prospect of rising prices for consumers and hitting holidaymakers in the pocket. Jim O’Neill, the former Treasury minister and former Goldman Sachs banker, has said government policy amounts to a “free lunch” for currency traders. (See 4.09pm.)
Jeremy Corbyn has urged Boris Johnson to ban fracking for gas as research by Labour shows it will stop the UK meeting a net zero target for carbon emissions this century.
Cambridge Analytica did work for Leave.EU on the EU referendum, according to emails published by a House of Commons committee, even though the company never received payment for it.
That’s all from me for today.
Thanks for the comments.
Jeremy Corbyn has snubbed the boss of fracking firm Cuadrilla, meeting protesters instead at the gates of a shale gas exploration site and promising them his party would ban the practice. As the Press Association reports, Corbyn spoke to a hundred or so people demonstrating at the Preston New Road site near Blackpool as police officers stood guard. The site is the UK’s only operational shale exploration operation and is controversial in Lancashire after small earth tremors were blamed on the process.
Corbyn said fracking, a method of shale gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing underground, would have a damaging effect on the environment. But the boss of Cuadrilla, Francis Egan, said Labour’s policies would leave the UK dependent on imported gas and issued an open invitation for him to visit. Asked if he had any plans to meet the firm’s representatives, Corbyn said:
As of this moment no. I’m here to announce our support for ending fracking, but I’m happy to talk to them because I do believe what they are doing is dangerous to our environment.
As the Press Association reports, after speaking to demonstrators in a hut where they organise round the clock monitoring of the fracking activities, Corbyn stepped onto a bench to give a speech to protesters. He said:
I want to see a green industrial revolution in Britain.
I want to see sustainability. We cannot go on with this level of CO2 emissions and global warming, otherwise we are all damaged if not doomed.
A green industrial revolution will create around 400,000 jobs, high-skilled, good quality, well paid jobs, all around the country.
That is a future for our children.
We have a short window, as a people, to reduce CO2 emissions, to prevent global warming beyond 1.5C, in order to protect the planet.
I want to say well done everyone in Lancashire that opposed fracking here, as in Derbyshire and other places, in Sussex, and the way in which you have made sure the issue is kept alive.
This is from Sky’s Sam Coates on what Boris Johnson said to Leo Varadkar in their call. (See 1.03pm.)
👁Note commitment made in the Varadkar-Johnson call is we“will never put physical checks or physical infrastructure on the border”This is less specific than the commitment made in the 2017 Joint Report to “any physical infrastructure or related checks”Joint report dead? https://t.co/bf9YLoK7zQ pic.twitter.com/bMNRGpNOCY
Actually, Johnson has already repudiated the December 2017 joint report. He did so here, in his Commons statement last Thursday.
Adrian Masters, ITV Wales’s political editor, has written a Twitter thread explaining why he thought Number 10 were being unduly restrictive in their dealings with the media when Boris Johnson visited the Welsh chicken farm today. It starts here.Adrian Masters, ITV Wales’s political editor, has written a Twitter thread explaining why he thought Number 10 were being unduly restrictive in their dealings with the media when Boris Johnson visited the Welsh chicken farm today. It starts here.
1/12 I really don’t go in for media moaning: I’m of the view that we have to agree to follow most rules for security and timetable reasons - but I should make the following clear about the Boris Johnson visit to a farm here in Wales:1/12 I really don’t go in for media moaning: I’m of the view that we have to agree to follow most rules for security and timetable reasons - but I should make the following clear about the Boris Johnson visit to a farm here in Wales:
Boris Johnson has recorded an interview for broadcasters at the chicken farm in Wales. Here are the key points.Boris Johnson has recorded an interview for broadcasters at the chicken farm in Wales. Here are the key points.
Johnson insisted that technological solutions were available to provide an alternative to the Irish backstop. The Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, told Johnson when they spoke today that no “satisfactory” alternatives to the backstop had yet been identified. (See 2.20pm.) But Johnson claimed that he had had a “very good” conversation with Varadkar. He went on:Johnson insisted that technological solutions were available to provide an alternative to the Irish backstop. The Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, told Johnson when they spoke today that no “satisfactory” alternatives to the backstop had yet been identified. (See 2.20pm.) But Johnson claimed that he had had a “very good” conversation with Varadkar. He went on:
The UK, under no circumstances, will have checks at the border in Northern Ireland. We will throw all our energies into sorting out the problems of frictionless trade at the border. We can do it. We have all the sorts of technological solutions that are necessary to do it. But let’s solve those issues in the context of the free trade agreement that we’re going to do after we come out on October 31.The UK, under no circumstances, will have checks at the border in Northern Ireland. We will throw all our energies into sorting out the problems of frictionless trade at the border. We can do it. We have all the sorts of technological solutions that are necessary to do it. But let’s solve those issues in the context of the free trade agreement that we’re going to do after we come out on October 31.
He claimed he had had a “very good” conversation with Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, today.He claimed he had had a “very good” conversation with Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, today.
He stressed that he was not aiming for a no deal Brexit. But the EU had to accept that the backstop needed to go, he said:He stressed that he was not aiming for a no deal Brexit. But the EU had to accept that the backstop needed to go, he said:
If they understand that then I think we’re going to be at the races. If they can’t compromise, if they really can’t do it, then clearly we have to get ready for a no deal exit, and I think we’ll do it. I think the people of this country are full of resolve and purpose, and we will look after the farming sector.If they understand that then I think we’re going to be at the races. If they can’t compromise, if they really can’t do it, then clearly we have to get ready for a no deal exit, and I think we’ll do it. I think the people of this country are full of resolve and purpose, and we will look after the farming sector.
He said the UK had to prepare for a no deal Brexit because it was “absolutely vital” that it had the ability to talk away from the negotiations.He said the UK had to prepare for a no deal Brexit because it was “absolutely vital” that it had the ability to talk away from the negotiations.
He said farmers could get the support they needed in the event of a no deal Brexit. Asked how the government would help them, he replied:He said farmers could get the support they needed in the event of a no deal Brexit. Asked how the government would help them, he replied:
We will make sure that they have the support they need, that if there are markets that are going to be tricky, that we help them to find new markets, that we have interventions that are aimed to support them and their incomes. As you know, Defra, the ministry, has done a huge amount already to prepare in advance to 29 March, and will do even more to prepare in the run-up to 31 October, when we come out.We will make sure that they have the support they need, that if there are markets that are going to be tricky, that we help them to find new markets, that we have interventions that are aimed to support them and their incomes. As you know, Defra, the ministry, has done a huge amount already to prepare in advance to 29 March, and will do even more to prepare in the run-up to 31 October, when we come out.
He said a lot of adjustments that would be needed for a no deal Brexit would be necessary even if the UK were to leave the EU with a deal.He said a lot of adjustments that would be needed for a no deal Brexit would be necessary even if the UK were to leave the EU with a deal.
He insisted that he was not engaged in what was effectively the early stage of a general election campaign.He insisted that he was not engaged in what was effectively the early stage of a general election campaign.
This is what Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist and former Treasury minister, told the World at One about how government policies are driving down the value of sterling. (See 2.29pm.) O’Neill started by stressing that it was hard to predict what currencies would do, and that the value of currencies could go up as well as down. But he went on:This is what Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist and former Treasury minister, told the World at One about how government policies are driving down the value of sterling. (See 2.29pm.) O’Neill started by stressing that it was hard to predict what currencies would do, and that the value of currencies could go up as well as down. But he went on:
We have got the ingredients of quite a challenge here with the pound. In my many former years [as a Goldman Sachs economist] I would have a little quadrant of different policy combinations and what they would mean for a currency ... In addition to the obviously increased no deal Brexit risk, I think the markets are also now looking at a government that might be leaning on an independent central bank, possibly including the choice of its new governor, as well as ... having a free lunch on an expansionary fiscal policy. An expansionary fiscal policy and an expansionary monetary policy combination used to be what one would associate with the Italian lira and Latin American currencies. So those, on top of a no Brexit risk, are essentially all pointing one way for the pound.We have got the ingredients of quite a challenge here with the pound. In my many former years [as a Goldman Sachs economist] I would have a little quadrant of different policy combinations and what they would mean for a currency ... In addition to the obviously increased no deal Brexit risk, I think the markets are also now looking at a government that might be leaning on an independent central bank, possibly including the choice of its new governor, as well as ... having a free lunch on an expansionary fiscal policy. An expansionary fiscal policy and an expansionary monetary policy combination used to be what one would associate with the Italian lira and Latin American currencies. So those, on top of a no Brexit risk, are essentially all pointing one way for the pound.
O’Neill said he was not involved in currency trading any more. But he then went on:O’Neill said he was not involved in currency trading any more. But he then went on:
I’m pretty sure that a lot of big foreign exchange and hedge fund-type people have had a pretty tricky life for the past few years for a whole host of reasons and they are probably looking at what’s being said coming out of the UK as almost close to a free lunch; that you’ve got a government that is deliberately promoting the no deal risk, and one that is talking so adventurously, let’s call it, about monetary and fiscal policy too. The world I was in, a lot of them are saying, ‘Thank goodness for Boris, he’s giving us a chance to make some money.’I’m pretty sure that a lot of big foreign exchange and hedge fund-type people have had a pretty tricky life for the past few years for a whole host of reasons and they are probably looking at what’s being said coming out of the UK as almost close to a free lunch; that you’ve got a government that is deliberately promoting the no deal risk, and one that is talking so adventurously, let’s call it, about monetary and fiscal policy too. The world I was in, a lot of them are saying, ‘Thank goodness for Boris, he’s giving us a chance to make some money.’
Boris Johnson has been visiting a chicken farm in Wales.Boris Johnson has been visiting a chicken farm in Wales.
Coincidentally Johnson visit coincides with the Daily Mirror splashing on the news that Lee Cain, his director of communications, used to pursue Tory politicians dressed as a chicken as a tabloid stunt when he was working for the paper during the 2010 general election.Coincidentally Johnson visit coincides with the Daily Mirror splashing on the news that Lee Cain, his director of communications, used to pursue Tory politicians dressed as a chicken as a tabloid stunt when he was working for the paper during the 2010 general election.
MIRROR: Boris hires Mirror chicken as adviser #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/CUfYIfgwbMMIRROR: Boris hires Mirror chicken as adviser #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/CUfYIfgwbM
According to Downing Street, apart from a few Lords appointments, the government reshuffle has now been completed. In due course a full list of ministers should appear on the government’s website here.According to Downing Street, apart from a few Lords appointments, the government reshuffle has now been completed. In due course a full list of ministers should appear on the government’s website here.
Number 10 has also sent out a list of all the ministers who have, as they put it, “left the government”. That means it’s mostly a list of ministers who have been sacked, although some may have refused to accept demotions, like Jeremy Hunt, and others may have indicated they wanted to go, like Chris Grayling.Number 10 has also sent out a list of all the ministers who have, as they put it, “left the government”. That means it’s mostly a list of ministers who have been sacked, although some may have refused to accept demotions, like Jeremy Hunt, and others may have indicated they wanted to go, like Chris Grayling.
This list understates the full scale of change because it does not include five ministers who resigned before Boris Johnson had the chance to sack them: Philip Hammond, the chancellor; David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister; David Gauke, the justice secretary; Rory Stewart, the international development secretary. This list understates the full scale of change because it does not include four ministers who resigned before Boris Johnson had the chance to sack them: Philip Hammond, the chancellor; David Lidington, the Cabinet Office minister; David Gauke, the justice secretary; Rory Stewart, the international development secretary.
Here is the Number 10 list of ministers who have left the government.Here is the Number 10 list of ministers who have left the government.
Cabinet ministers who have gone (10)Cabinet ministers who have gone (10)
Jeremy Hunt, foreign secretaryJeremy Hunt, foreign secretary
Penny Mordaunt, defence secretaryPenny Mordaunt, defence secretary
Liam Fox, international trade secretaryLiam Fox, international trade secretary
Greg Clark, business secretaryGreg Clark, business secretary
Chris Grayling, transport secretaryChris Grayling, transport secretary
Damian Hinds, education secretaryDamian Hinds, education secretary
James Brokenshire, housing secretaryJames Brokenshire, housing secretary
Jeremy Wright, culture secretaryJeremy Wright, culture secretary
Karen Bradley, Northern Ireland secretaryKaren Bradley, Northern Ireland secretary
David Mundell, Scottish secretaryDavid Mundell, Scottish secretary
Ministers attending cabinet who have gone (2) Ministers attending cabinet who have gone (3)
Mel Stride, leader of the CommonsMel Stride, leader of the Commons
Claire Perry, energy ministerClaire Perry, energy minister
Other ministers (11)
Caroline Nokes, immigration ministerCaroline Nokes, immigration minister
Other ministers (10)
Stephen Hammond, health ministerStephen Hammond, health minister
George Hollingberry, international trade ministerGeorge Hollingberry, international trade minister
John Penrose, Northern Ireland ministerJohn Penrose, Northern Ireland minister
Mark Field, Foreign Office ministerMark Field, Foreign Office minister
Robert Goodwill, environment ministerRobert Goodwill, environment minister
Harriet Baldwin, Foreign Office ministerHarriet Baldwin, Foreign Office minister
Tobias Ellwood, defence ministerTobias Ellwood, defence minister
Jackie Doyle-Price, health ministerJackie Doyle-Price, health minister
Andrew Jones, transport ministerAndrew Jones, transport minister
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, a housing ministerLord Bourne of Aberystwyth, a housing minister
According to Dan Bloom at the Mirror, Boris Johnson’s chief adviser on Brexit, David Frost, argued earlier this year that it would be a mistake for the UK to agree to continue matching EU rules on workers’ rights after Brexit.According to Dan Bloom at the Mirror, Boris Johnson’s chief adviser on Brexit, David Frost, argued earlier this year that it would be a mistake for the UK to agree to continue matching EU rules on workers’ rights after Brexit.
In his first speech as prime minister, a week ago tomorrow, Boris Johnson declared:In his first speech as prime minister, a week ago tomorrow, Boris Johnson declared:
The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts.The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts.
But it turns out, because of the way Johnson’s government has talked up the prospect of a no deal Brexit, currency traders are doing quite well betting against Britain. At least, that’s what Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist and former Treasury minister, told the World at One.But it turns out, because of the way Johnson’s government has talked up the prospect of a no deal Brexit, currency traders are doing quite well betting against Britain. At least, that’s what Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs economist and former Treasury minister, told the World at One.
Jim O’Neil, ex Goldman on @BBCWorldatOne: “A lot of big foreign exchange and hedge fund type people [are] probably looking at what’s coming out the UK as almost close to a free lunch... [A lot] are saying thank goodness for Boris, he’s giving us a chance to make some money.”Jim O’Neil, ex Goldman on @BBCWorldatOne: “A lot of big foreign exchange and hedge fund type people [are] probably looking at what’s coming out the UK as almost close to a free lunch... [A lot] are saying thank goodness for Boris, he’s giving us a chance to make some money.”
Here is the Irish government’s readout of Boris Johnson’s conversation with Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach. It says Varadkar told Johnson that the EU was “united in its view that the withdrawal agreement could not be reopened” and that no “satisfactory” alternatives to the backstop had yet been identified.Here is the Irish government’s readout of Boris Johnson’s conversation with Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach. It says Varadkar told Johnson that the EU was “united in its view that the withdrawal agreement could not be reopened” and that no “satisfactory” alternatives to the backstop had yet been identified.
Here’s the statement issued by @merrionstreet following my call with @Borisjohnson pic.twitter.com/2WyjtTNmVgHere’s the statement issued by @merrionstreet following my call with @Borisjohnson pic.twitter.com/2WyjtTNmVg
When Boris Johnson is in Wales this afternoon, he is likely to be asked what will happen to Welsh farmers if a no deal Brexit leads to the EU imposing tariffs on meat imports.When Boris Johnson is in Wales this afternoon, he is likely to be asked what will happen to Welsh farmers if a no deal Brexit leads to the EU imposing tariffs on meat imports.
According to this report from the Shropshire Star, when Johnson was asked about this during the Tory leadership campaign last month, he claimed that in practice there would be no tariffs. The report says:According to this report from the Shropshire Star, when Johnson was asked about this during the Tory leadership campaign last month, he claimed that in practice there would be no tariffs. The report says:
Mr Johnson said he did not believe it remotely likely that the EU would want to impose import tariffs on British goods if a deal could not be reached.Mr Johnson said he did not believe it remotely likely that the EU would want to impose import tariffs on British goods if a deal could not be reached.
“Obviously we have got to prepare for every scenario possible, but I don’t think there is any chance that the EU would want to start putting tariffs on trade with Britain again, something we have not done since the Napoleonic days of continental Europe,” he said.“Obviously we have got to prepare for every scenario possible, but I don’t think there is any chance that the EU would want to start putting tariffs on trade with Britain again, something we have not done since the Napoleonic days of continental Europe,” he said.
“People need to be confident and courageous, I believe there is plenty of time to come to a trading arrangement that benefits both Britain and the EU.“People need to be confident and courageous, I believe there is plenty of time to come to a trading arrangement that benefits both Britain and the EU.
“I think we have got to be a bit less timid and a lot less defeatist in our dealings with the EU.”“I think we have got to be a bit less timid and a lot less defeatist in our dealings with the EU.”
Johnson is unlikely to try using the same argument again - because it is not true. Under WTO trade rules, without a trade deal, the EU could not drop tariffs for meat imports from the UK without dropping them for everyone else.Johnson is unlikely to try using the same argument again - because it is not true. Under WTO trade rules, without a trade deal, the EU could not drop tariffs for meat imports from the UK without dropping them for everyone else.
Thanks to tangerineblue in the comments for flagging this up.Thanks to tangerineblue in the comments for flagging this up.
Here is a question from below the line that is worth addressing.Here is a question from below the line that is worth addressing.
Andrew (@Andrew?) I don't quite understand why British farmers aren't just planning to sell their meat to British people when tariffs both ways across the channel go up. Surely as the cost of meat from the EU goes up we will import less?Andrew (@Andrew?) I don't quite understand why British farmers aren't just planning to sell their meat to British people when tariffs both ways across the channel go up. Surely as the cost of meat from the EU goes up we will import less?
The best explanation I’ve read is this one, from the Beef and Lamb Matters blog. Here is an extract.The best explanation I’ve read is this one, from the Beef and Lamb Matters blog. Here is an extract.
A question we’re often asked though is, ‘if we’re self sufficient, why does the UK import so much sheep meat?’ The reasons are numerous and complex but can broadly split into four areas – historic, market, seasonal and economic.A question we’re often asked though is, ‘if we’re self sufficient, why does the UK import so much sheep meat?’ The reasons are numerous and complex but can broadly split into four areas – historic, market, seasonal and economic.
The UK has been importing New Zealand sheep meat for 130 years, with unrestricted imports until 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC). At the time, the UK was only circa 40 per cent self sufficient. To give it some context, prior to joining the EEC, the UK took the vast majority of New Zealand’s lamb exports – 86 per cent in 1970. Today the UK takes around 20 per cent and in 2012 China overtook the UK as the primary destination for New Zealand lamb.The UK has been importing New Zealand sheep meat for 130 years, with unrestricted imports until 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC). At the time, the UK was only circa 40 per cent self sufficient. To give it some context, prior to joining the EEC, the UK took the vast majority of New Zealand’s lamb exports – 86 per cent in 1970. Today the UK takes around 20 per cent and in 2012 China overtook the UK as the primary destination for New Zealand lamb.
From 1972 to 1999, the UK sheep flock grew from 27.9 million head to 44.7 million head, with the UK’s self sufficiency rate increasing to 95 per cent to coincide with increasing production. Increasing production drove rising UK export volumes and, despite a fall in the 2000s, today the UK exports around 100,000 tonnes.From 1972 to 1999, the UK sheep flock grew from 27.9 million head to 44.7 million head, with the UK’s self sufficiency rate increasing to 95 per cent to coincide with increasing production. Increasing production drove rising UK export volumes and, despite a fall in the 2000s, today the UK exports around 100,000 tonnes.
However, while the UK market is technically self-sufficient, it is not functionally self sufficient. The UK demands a larger volume of higher end cuts such as legs and chops, while UK exports consist mainly of carcases and a large proportion of low value cuts to emerging markets.However, while the UK market is technically self-sufficient, it is not functionally self sufficient. The UK demands a larger volume of higher end cuts such as legs and chops, while UK exports consist mainly of carcases and a large proportion of low value cuts to emerging markets.
Downing Street has just sent out the readout of Boris Johnson’s call with Leo Varadkar, his Irish opposite number. Here it is in full.Downing Street has just sent out the readout of Boris Johnson’s call with Leo Varadkar, his Irish opposite number. Here it is in full.
The taoiseach congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and both leaders underscored their commitment to working closely together in the spirit of the warm and deep relationship between the UK and Ireland.The taoiseach congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and both leaders underscored their commitment to working closely together in the spirit of the warm and deep relationship between the UK and Ireland.
On the process of restoring the executive and assembly in Northern Ireland, both leaders expressed their determination to see this happen as quickly as possible.On the process of restoring the executive and assembly in Northern Ireland, both leaders expressed their determination to see this happen as quickly as possible.
The prime minister said the ongoing talks have his unequivocal support and that he wanted to continue to work closely with the Irish government to help drive the process towards a successful conclusion.The prime minister said the ongoing talks have his unequivocal support and that he wanted to continue to work closely with the Irish government to help drive the process towards a successful conclusion.
He said he looked forward to visiting Northern Ireland shortly and talking to the leaders of the five main parties about this.He said he looked forward to visiting Northern Ireland shortly and talking to the leaders of the five main parties about this.
On Brexit, the prime minister made clear that the UK will be leaving the EU on October 31, no matter what.On Brexit, the prime minister made clear that the UK will be leaving the EU on October 31, no matter what.
He said that in all scenarios, the government will be steadfast in its commitment to the Belfast agreement and will never put physical checks or physical infrastructure on the border.He said that in all scenarios, the government will be steadfast in its commitment to the Belfast agreement and will never put physical checks or physical infrastructure on the border.
The prime minister made clear that the government will approach any negotiations which take place with determination and energy and in a spirit of friendship, and that his clear preference is to leave the EU with a deal, but it must be one that abolishes the backstop.The prime minister made clear that the government will approach any negotiations which take place with determination and energy and in a spirit of friendship, and that his clear preference is to leave the EU with a deal, but it must be one that abolishes the backstop.
The two leaders agreed to stay in contact.The two leaders agreed to stay in contact.
“Boosterism” may turn out to be a more accurate description of Boris Johnson’s modus operandi than his team thought then they briefed the Daily Mail about it. See the update to my 11.39am post for more.“Boosterism” may turn out to be a more accurate description of Boris Johnson’s modus operandi than his team thought then they briefed the Daily Mail about it. See the update to my 11.39am post for more.
This is from Mark Drakeford, the Labour first minister of Wales, who is meeting Boris Johnson later.This is from Mark Drakeford, the Labour first minister of Wales, who is meeting Boris Johnson later.
I will give a very clear message to @10DowningStreet today - Brexit will be catastrophic for Wales – it will decimate our agricultural and manufacturing sectors & risks ripping the Union apart. The PM must stop playing fast and loose with our country.I will give a very clear message to @10DowningStreet today - Brexit will be catastrophic for Wales – it will decimate our agricultural and manufacturing sectors & risks ripping the Union apart. The PM must stop playing fast and loose with our country.
Six days after becoming prime minister, Boris Johnson has finally spoken to Leo Vardakdar, his Irish opposite number and one of the most important EU leaders in the Brexit negotiations, the Irish Times’s Denis Staunton reports. Yesterday Johnson was criticised for not already have spoken to the taoiseach.Six days after becoming prime minister, Boris Johnson has finally spoken to Leo Vardakdar, his Irish opposite number and one of the most important EU leaders in the Brexit negotiations, the Irish Times’s Denis Staunton reports. Yesterday Johnson was criticised for not already have spoken to the taoiseach.
Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have just spoken by phone in a call UK sources describe as warm.Boris Johnson and Leo Varadkar have just spoken by phone in a call UK sources describe as warm.