30 June 2016
Week in Brief : UK
EU Referendum
RESULTS: The votes recorded on Thursday’s referendum were as follows:
Turnout Leave Remain
England 73% 53.4% 46.6%
Northern Ireland 62.9% 44.2% 55.8%
Scotland 67.2% 38.0% 62.0%
Wales 71.7% 52.5% 47.5%
Overall 72.2% 51.9% 48.1%
The results showed discrepancies between ages and classes. 60% of over 65s voted for Brexit while 73% aged 18 to 24 voted Remain. Although 57% of social grades A and B voted Remain, 64% of social grades D and E voted Brexit.
PROCESS: The Referendum has no constitutional significance either locally or in terms of our relationship with the EU. Withdrawal negotiations will not begin until the government serves notice in accordance with section 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon. That notice starts a two year timetable to Brexit and all negotiations have to be completed within that period. It is understood that notice will not be served until a new Prime Minister is in place.
FALLOUT: Immediately following the poll:
- Nicola Sturgeon said that the referendum result made a second independence referendum for Scotland highly likely. The Scottish Parliament has been seeking separate negotiations with the EU;
- European leaders were divided on the approach to take to Britain’s prospective departure with Jean-Claude Juncker pushing for Britain to be given a swift and painful exit and Angela Merkel taking a much more relaxed view. She indicated that Britain should take time for reflection before serving notice;
- the Spanish foreign minister has said that Brexit has reinforced Spain’s claims to Gibraltar which should, in his view, after a transitional power sharing phase, become Spanish;
- Oliver Letwin, a minister from the Cabinet Office, has been put in charge of the team of civil servants which will make recommendations to the new Prime Minister on negotiating options. The team will also advise on transitional arrangements and bilateral trade arrangements with other countries. It will not, however, make any decisions itself;
- both the pound and the stock market fell dramatically. Although both seem to have stabilised, at least briefly, the sterling:dollar rate is at a thirty year low (see News in Brief Financial);
- George Osborne has indicated that, although there will be no immediate budget, he expects rises in taxes and further cuts to public services.
Party Political
CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP: David Cameron has said that he will step down as prime minister, leaving it to his successor to make the decisions on when to serve notice under section 50 of the Lisbon treaty and how to approach the negotiations with the EU. It is understood that the process of choosing a new leader should be completed by 9thSeptember. There are two steps. The first is that the parliamentary party selects two candidates to recommend to the membership. There is then a ballot in which the 150,000 or so party members each have a vote.
There are a number of leadership contenders, the most prominent of whom are Teresa May, who voted Remain but was not heavily involved in the campaign, and Boris Johnson who led the Leave campaign with Michael Gove. George Osborne has said that he will not stand. Although a poll in April showed Mr Johnson to be preferred as a future leader by party members, with 36% of votes against 14% for Mrs May, a recent You Gov poll indicated that this had reversed with Mrs May at 31% and Mr Johnson at 24%. A poll by Conservative Home gives Mrs May a much smaller lead with 29% of the vote against 28%. Mrs May is also believed to be very slightly preferred by the general public.
LABOUR LEADERSHIP: Most of the Shadow Cabinet have resigned following furious rows within the Parliamentary Labour Party, largely about the lukewarm support Mr Corbyn gave to the Remain campaign. Among those who have left the shadow cabinet are Angela Eagle, Hilary Benn, Heidi Alexander and Lord Falconer.
In a secret ballot Labour MPs carried a motion of no confidence in Mr Corbyn by 172 votes to 40 votes. It may trigger a leadership contest. Angela Eagle and Tom Watson have each been identified as possible candidates to stand against Mr Corbyn. Any party leadership election would be determined by the votes of the members, where Mr Corbyn has traditionally been strong. Whether or not he manages to repel any challenge will depend upon the extent to which he has retained their confidence.
Health
NURSES: The Nursing and Midwifery Council is making the tests which foreign nurses have to pass in reading, writing, speaking and listening slightly easier. Instead of having a single exam in which they have to pass each module, they will be allowed to take the exam twice and each module must be passed once. The reason for the change is a shortage of nurses.
E CIGARETTES: The British Medical Association has called for a ban on the use of e-cigarettes in places where children might see them. The recommendation conflicts with the advice given by Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians, both of whom say that the greater use of e-cigarette saves lives.
TOXIC SHELLFISH: The European Food Safety Authority says that shellfish such as mussels and oysters contain large numbers of plastic particles which could damage those who eat them. The agency said that further research is needed.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A new therapy called metabolic enhancement for neurodegeneration appears to have had success in the treatment and reversing of Alzheimer’s disease. The therapy centres on changes in lifestyle supported by drugs and supplements. Tests so far have focused on individuals in their 50s. They need to be repeated with larger numbers in different age groups.
STATINS: Professor Weissberg of the British Heart Foundation has criticised the British Medical Journal for publishing papers questioning the widespread use of statins and exaggerating their side effects. It is suggested that this has dented confidence in the drug which is generally regarded as beneficial, to the detriment of public health.
TEACHERS’ STRIKE: The National Union of Teachers has called a strike for July 5 in protest at government plans to force more schools to become academies. Less than 25% of eligible members took part in the ballot which was called before the commencement date of the Trade Union Act.
Miscellaneous
ROLLERCOASTER: Ten people were injured in an accident on the Tsunami ride at M&D’s theme park near Glasgow when five carriages left the rail and fell 20 feet to the ground. The Health and Safety Inspectorate has begun enquiries.
POPULATION: Figures produced by the Office of National Statistics indicate that the population of Britain exceeded 65 million for the first time last year, a rise of more than 500,000. About two thirds of this is down to the net migration. The median age is now forty, having risen by 2 years in the last 5.
GLASTONBURY: The Glastonbury Festival was adversely affected by severe weather conditions which turned the site to mud and paralysed transport locally. Severe rain also caused flooding across the south-east of England.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: British band Led Zeppelin has been cleared by a California jury of stealing the introduction of the song “Stairway to Heaven”. The suit was brought by the estate of Randy Wolfe, an American guitarist.
FOOTBALL: England have been eliminated from the Euro 2016 competition, being defeated 2-1 by Iceland. The manager, Roy Hodgson, has resigned.
OLYMPICS: The golfer Rory McIlroy has decided not to represent the Republic of Ireland at the Brazil Olympics because of the risk of infection by the Zita virus. He is hoping to start a family shortly.
If you enjoyed this article please share it using the buttons above.
Please click here if you would like a weekly email on publication of the Shaw Sheet
