12 September 2019 Lens on the Week UK THE IRISH QUESTION: Ever since the days of Strongbow, English politics have been complicated by Ireland and here we are again. Boris Johnson has been shuttling between Dublin and Belfast seeking a successful backstop arrangement in the light of the new reality. That is that the government… Continue reading Issue 214: 2019 09 12: Lens on the Week
Article Category: Lens on the Week
Issue 213: 2019 09 05: Lens on the Week
5 September 2019 Lens on the Week UK BREXIT: At 6.51 pm on Tuesday, Sir Oliver Letwin, MP for West Dorset moved a procedural motion to open the way for legislation preventing the UK from leaving the EU without an agreement on 31 October. It was carried by majority of 27, rebels including (in addition… Continue reading Issue 213: 2019 09 05: Lens on the Week
Issue 212: 2019 07 25: Lens on the Week
25 July 2019 Lens on the Week UK MEDIA WRECK: The election of Jo Swinson as head of the Liberal Democrat party and of Boris Johnson as top Tory and Prime Minister, have changed the faces at the top of British politics. Mr Johnson’s victory has had the additional effect of paralysing the media. That… Continue reading Issue 212: 2019 07 25: Lens on the Week
Issue 211: 2019 07 18: Lens on the Week
18 July 2019 Lens on the Week UK EXTINCTION REBELLION: The first of the 1000 plus extinction rebellion supporters have come up for trial with a number of conditional discharges being handed out. Obviously that is the right way to begin. The protests are very well mannered and the law uses a light touch. It… Continue reading Issue 211: 2019 07 18: Lens on the Week
Issue 210: 2019 07 11: Lens on the Week
11 July 2019 Lens on the Week UK HEAD TO HEAD: This week’s prize for political theatre has to go to ITV with its head-to-head debate between the two Conservative leadership contenders. Skilfully chaired by Julie Etchingham, the discussion laid bare differences between the candidates only to reveal that they were more tactical than substantial. … Continue reading Issue 210: 2019 07 11: Lens on the Week
Issue 209: 2019 07 04: Lens on the Week
4 July 2019 Lens on the Week UK BORDER TALK: The two Conservative leadership candidates seem to be taking similar positions on Brexit. The backstop arrangements under which the UK could be trapped in the Customs Union indefinitely pending agreement on how to deal with the Irish border has to go and be replaced by… Continue reading Issue 209: 2019 07 04: Lens on the Week
Issue 207: 2019 06 20: Lens on the Week
20 June 2019 Lens on the Week UK REMAINING GREEN BOTTLES: At publication, the remaining bottles were as follows: Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt and Sajid Javid. The two names for submission to the party membership will be available by the end of the week. LABOUR REFERENDUM: On the other side of the political… Continue reading Issue 207: 2019 06 20: Lens on the Week
Issue 206: 2019 06 13: Lens on the Week
13 June 2019 Lens on the Week UK RUNNERS AND RIDERS: At the starting gate for the Conservative leadership stakes yesterday morning were: Michael Gove, Secretary of State for the Environment, who would be prepared to postpone Brexit in an effort to improve the terms of the backstop. He is a supporter of a free… Continue reading Issue 206: 2019 06 13: Lens on the Week
Issue 205: 2019 06 06: Lens on the Week
06 June 2019 Lens on the Week UK TRUMP VISIT: Mr Trump arrived for a state visit to the UK on Monday with his family. A state banquet was held in his honour. Neither Jeremy Corbyn nor Sir Vince Cable attended, although Mr Corbyn subsequently sought and was refused a meeting. Mr Trump has met… Continue reading Issue 205: 2019 06 06: Lens on the Week
Issue 204: 2019 05 30: Lens on the Week
30 May 2019 Lens on the Week UK TORY LEADERSHIP RACE: Hats have gone into the ring from Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Michael Gove, Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt, Andrea Leadsom, Rory Stewart, Matt Hancock, Esther McVey and Kit Malthouse. There may be more to come but probably, unless Mad Mogg decides to meddle, nobody of… Continue reading Issue 204: 2019 05 30: Lens on the Week
Issue 203: 2019 05 23: Lens on the Week
23 May 2019 Lens on the Week UK NUTS: “Here we come gathering nuts in May,” sing the children, and, if reports of the reaction of MPs to Mrs May’s new proposals are to be credited, that is a much more profitable activity than revamping the Withdrawal Agreement. Yet revamping it is what the Government… Continue reading Issue 203: 2019 05 23: Lens on the Week
Issue 202: 2019 05 16: Lens on the Week
16 May 2019 Lens on the Week UK BREXIT: The Chairman of the 1922 committee, Sir Graham Brady, together with other leading Conservatives has written to Mrs May urging her not to buy a compromise with Labour by reneging on her promise to leave the customs union. Unless she decides to ignore them, and all… Continue reading Issue 202: 2019 05 16: Lens on the Week
Issue 201: 2019 05 09: Lens on the Week
09 May 2019 Lens on the Week UK EURO ELECTIONS: The European elections will go ahead on 23 May after all. With no prospect of anything constructive emerging from the cross party talks it seems likely that the electorate will be given the opportunity to express themselves by voting. The pundits seem to think that… Continue reading Issue 201: 2019 05 09: Lens on the Week
