Tag: Westminster

A tale of two leaders

Johnson’s ‘people’s government’ and Corbyn says sorry

Election fallout continued today as Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn issued a public apology to supporters. Corbyn, certainly the most criticised opposition leader (since the last one!) by both hostile media and elements within his own party, announced on Friday morning that he will not fight the next general election as leader but will stay on to oversee an inquiry into what went wrong for the ‘People’s Party’.

The general election delivered a resounding victory for the Conservative Party, who fought a single-issue campaign of ‘Getting Brexit Done’. The voters – at least in England – bought it, and the Tories celebrated their greatest victory since the days of Margaret Thatcher with 365 seats, an overall majority of 35 – a result beyond their most bullish predictions.

On Friday, Boris Johnson – who throughout the general election campaign was criticised for hiding from scrunity (one one occasion, quite literally, in a fridge) told the nation: 

This morning I went to Buckingham Palace and I am forming a new government and on Monday MPs will arrive at Westminster to form a new parliament and I am proud to say that members of our new one nation government – a people’s government – will set out from constituencies that have never returned a Conservative MP for 100 years and yes they will have an overwhelming mandate, from this election, to get Brexit done and we will honour that mandate by Jan 31

And so in this moment of national resolution I want to speak directly to those who made it possible, and to all those who voted for us, for the first time, all those whose pencils may have wavered over the ballot and who heard the voices of their parents and their grandparents whispering anxiously in their ears – I say thank you for the trust you have placed in us and in me and we will work round the clock to repay your trust and to deliver on your priorities with a parliament that works for you.

And then I want to speak also to those who did not vote for us or for me and who wanted and perhaps still want to remain in the EU and I want you to know that we in this one nation conservative government will never ignore your good and positive feelings – of warmth and sympathy towards the other nations of Europe because now is the moment – precisely as we leave the EU – to let those natural feelings find renewed expression in building a new partnership, which is one of the great projects for next year.

And as we work together with the EU as friends and sovereign equals in tackling climate change and terrorism in building academic and scientific cooperation, redoubling our trading relationshipI frankly urge everyone on either side of what after three and a half years after all an increasingly arid argument I urge everyone to find closure and to let the healing begin because I believe – in fact I know, because I have heard it loud and clear from every corner of the country –  that the overwhelming priority of the British people now is that we should focus above all on the NHS, that simple and beautiful idea that represents the best of our country with the biggest ever cash boost: 50,000 more nurses, 40 new hospitals as well as providing better schools, safer streets and in the next few weeks and months we will be bringing forward proposals to transform this country with better infrastructure, better education, better technology.

And if you ask yourselves what is this new government going to do, what is he going to do with his extraordinary majority? I will tell you that is what we are going to do we are going to unite and level up – unite and level up – bringing together the whole of this incredible United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland together, taking us forward unleashing the potential of the whole country delivering opportunity across the entire nation.

And since I know that after five weeks frankly of electioneering this country deserves a break from wrangling, a break from politics, and a permanent break from talking about Brexit.

I want everyone to go about their Christmas preparations happy and secure in the knowledge that here in this people’s government the work is now being stepped up to make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth and hope and to deliver a Parliament that works for the people.

Thank you all very much and happy Christmas.

LABOUR PARTY leader Jeremy Corbyn has issued a public apology to Labour supporters over his party’s heavy defeat in the general election. Writing an open letter in the Sunday Mirror and the Observer today, he acknowledged the party’s failings in the poll and said he accepted his responsibility for it.

‘I will make no bones about it. The election result on Thursday was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country.

To every single person who voted for the Labour Party – everyone who shared the hope that Britain could be a fairer country that works for the many, not the few – I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And to the Sunday Mirror and its readers, your support has been such a source of strength. I wanted to unite the country that I love but I’m sorry that we came up short and I take my responsibility for it.

I remain proud of the campaign we fought. I’m proud that no matter how low our opponents went, we refused to join them in the gutter. And I’m proud that our message was one of hope, rather than fear.

Millions of people saw in our manifesto a better future for themselves and their communities. Our policies to protect the NHS, end austerity, invest in every part of our country and tackle inequality, were popular with voters who saw through a ferocious smear and fear campaign against us.

But despite our best efforts, this election was ultimately about Brexit. The Tory campaign, amplified by most of the media, managed to persuade many that only Boris Johnson could “get Brexit done.”

That will soon be exposed for the falsehood it is, but in this election it overpowered our attempt to reach across the divide and bring our country together

We will learn the lessons of this defeat, above all by listening to those lifelong Labour voters who we’ve lost in working class communities. This party exists to represent them. We will earn their trust back.

Make no mistake: Labour is the greatest force for progressive change this country has ever known, and although this wasn’t our moment, our time will come again under new leadership. We will never give up on the commitment and determination to build a fairer and more decent society.

Elections always result in winners and losers. Only time will tell if the biggest losers after this bruising battle could be those who still believe in a United Kingdom.

General Election 2019: Your candidates confirmed

UK General Election – 12 December 2019

Candidates in Edinburgh have been confirmed as:

Edinburgh East

GILMORE, Sheila – Scottish Labour Party
MILLER, Claire Helen Innes – Scottish Green Party
PRICE, Eleanor Margaret Louise – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
REILLY, Jill Mary – Scottish Liberal Democrats
SHEPPARD, Tommy – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh North and Leith

ASTBURY, Heather Jane – Renew
BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
BURGESS, Steve – Scottish Green Party
MCGILL, Iain – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MUNRO, Gordon John – Labour and Co-operative Party
SPEIRS, Robert – Brexit Party
WILSON, Bruce Roy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh South

BEAL, Alan Christopher – Scottish Liberal Democrats
COOK, Nick – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MACDONALD, Catriona Mary Elizabeth – Scottish National Party
MURRAY, Ian – Scottish Labour Party
NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh South West

BALLANTINE, David Craig – Brexit Party
BROWN, Mev – Social Democratic Party Scotland
CHERRY, Joanna Catherine – Scottish National Party (SNP)
COOKE, Sophie – Scottish Labour Party
INGLIS, Tom – Scottish Liberal Democrats
LAIDLAW, Callum Arron – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
PARKER, Ben – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh West

BOLTON, Craig William – Scottish Labour Party
GUNN, Elaine – Scottish Green Party
HUTCHISON, Graham James – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
JARDINE, Christine Anne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
MASSON, Sarah Louise – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh in the UK Parliamentary Elections, said: “The forthcoming election has dominated the news for all sorts of reasons and I’m certain it’s a big talking point for residents in Edinburgh and beyond.

“It’s essential that anyone that wants to take part in the vote makes sure they are registered – it’s easy to do.

“Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote to check if you’re registered by 26 November – it only takes a few minutes. Those who have already registered will soon begin receiving poll cards – read your poll card carefully to make sure you get to the right place to cast your vote on polling day.”

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November. Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register.

However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Visit the voter registration website to register.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 26 November.

Applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Postal ballot packs will soon be sent out to residents who have registered. Postal voters are encouraged to return their completed ballots as soon as possible.

Voters should mark an X beside one candidate.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Westminster committee calls for drugs decriminalisation in Scotland

The possession of illicit drugs for personal use should be decriminalised, a report by MPs has said. Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee also recommends the UK government should allow so-called fix rooms in Scotland in a bid to tackle drug misuse.

Drug-related deaths in Scotland reached an all-time high of 1,187 last year. Continue reading Westminster committee calls for drugs decriminalisation in Scotland

Brexit Bill: Opposition, Scotland and Wales all want more time to have their say

Another day, another drama at Westminster yesterday. The Government attempted to bring forward a “yes” or “no” vote on its Brexit deal but was rebuffed by Speaker John Bercow (above), who said it would be “repetitive and disorderly” to debate it again. Continue reading Brexit Bill: Opposition, Scotland and Wales all want more time to have their say

PM Boris Johnson: “A great deal for our country”

So we have a deal. Maybe.

News of the Brexit breakthrough came through before lunchtime. ‘A great deal for our country’, proclaimed PM Boris Johnson. But will the deal – ‘this excellent deal’ get the green light from MPs at a special sitting of parliament on Saturday? It doesn’t look like it: Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems and – crucially – the government’s DUP partners have all said they will oppose the deal.

PM Boris Johnson held a press conference at the EU Council following the announcement of a new Brexit deal in Brussels:

“I particularly thank Michel Barnier and his team. I thank Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the Commission, for all the personal effort that he has put in to getting this deal done. And I want to stress that this is a great deal for our country, for the UK.

“I also believe it is a very good deal for our friends in the EU. And what it means is that we in the UK can come out of the EU as one United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, together, and it means we can decide our future together, we can take back control, as the phrase goes, of our money, our borders, our laws, together.

“And we will be able to do free trade agreements around the world. We can also build now, after three and a half years, we can build now on our relations with our friends and partners in the EU.

“And it’ll be a very exciting period now, as it were, to get to the positive side of that project – the extraction having been done, the building now begins.

“And I’m very confident that when my colleagues in Parliament study this agreement, that they will want to vote for it on Saturday, and then in succeeding days.

“This is our chance in the UK as democrats to get Brexit done, and come out on October the 31st. This is our chance to focus on our priorities, the people’s priorities, the NHS, putting 20,000 police on the streets, lifting up funding of education across the country, the biggest expansion of the living wage.

“Those are the things I think the people of our country want us to be focusing on in addition to Brexit. We have been at this now, as I say, for three and a half years.

“It hasn’t always been an easy experience for the UK. It has been long, it has been painful, it has been divisive, and now is the moment for us as a country to come together.

“Now this is the moment for our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done, and, as I say, to begin building a new and progressive partnership with our EU friends, with whom, of course, we share so many priorities.”

EC President Jean-Claude Juncker responded:  “Good to see you and good to see the Prime Minister, my friend Boris Johnson. We have a deal. And this deal means that there is no need for any kind of prolongation.

“This is a fair and balanced agreement. It is testament to our commitment to finding solutions.

“It provides certainty where Brexit creates uncertainty. It protects the rights of our citizens and it protects peace and stability on the island of Ireland. There will be no border on the island of Ireland. And the Single Market will be protected.

“This deal is not about us, the deal is about people and peace.

“And I look forward to continue my conversations with Boris, because we will start the negotiations on the future relations immediately after the deal will have been approved.

“We will start our debates on 1 November, without delay.

“Tonight, together with Michel Barnier, I will explain the deal to the 27 Heads of State or Government.

“And of course, it is for both our Parliaments to have the final say. It is not only Westminster having to approve the deal – the deal being in fact a Treaty – it is also up to the European Parliament to do the same.

“So thank you, Boris for – I have to say – the excellent relations we had throughout the last weeks.

“I have to say: I am happy about the deal, but I am sad about Brexit.”

Commenting on the new Brexit deal, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This deal would be a disaster for working people. It would hammer the economy, cost jobs and sell workers’ rights down the river.

“Boris Johnson has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May. All MPs should vote against it.”

And many of them assuredly will.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “From what we know, it seems the Prime Minister has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May’s, which was overwhelmingly rejected.

“These proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections: putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers’ rights, and opening up our NHS to a takeover by US private corporations.

“This sell out deal won’t bring the country together and should be rejected. The best way to get Brexit sorted is to give the people the final say in a public vote.”

The SNP was also scathing about the new deal: “Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal clearly ignores Scotland’s wishes and interests, and means that Scotland is being treated unfairly compared to other UK nations.

“That is unacceptable and SNP MPs will vote against it.”

The Liberal Democrats said: “It seems Boris Johnson has managed to cobble together yet another disastrous Brexit deal. 

“It remains to be seen if he can get the deal passed by the House of Commons, but we already know two things for certain:

  1. We will use every option available to give you the right to stop Brexit
  2. Whatever deal Johnson proposes, it’s not as good as the one we have now as a member of the EU.

“We will not stop fighting to stop Brexit.”

And the Democratic Unionist Party, who have been propping up the Conservative government:

“Following confirmation from the Prime Minister that he believes he has secured a “great new deal” with the European Union the Democratic Unionist Party will be unable to support these proposals in Parliament.

“The Democratic Unionist Party has worked since the referendum result to secure a negotiated deal as we leave the European Union.  We have been consistent that we will only ever consider supporting arrangements that are in Northern Ireland’s long-term economic and constitutional interests and protect the integrity of the Union.

“These proposals are not, in our view, beneficial to the economic well-being of Northern Ireland and they undermine the integrity of the Union. Our main route of trade on an East –West basis will be subject to rules of the European Union Customs Union, notwithstanding that Northern Ireland will remain part of the UK Customs territory.

“All goods would be subject to a customs check regime regardless of their final destination.  The default position, even for goods travelling from one part of our country to another, is that they are considered under the EU Customs code unless otherwise agreed. We recognise that only those goods ultimately destined for the Republic of Ireland would be subject to tariffs but the reality remains that the EU would have a veto on which goods would be exempt and which would not under the Joint Committee arrangements.  This is not acceptable within the internal borders of the United Kingdom.

“Consumers in Northern Ireland would face the prospect of increased costs, and potentially less choice due to checks being implemented in order to facilitate the European Union.  Throughout all the discussions on these issues we have been clear that Northern Ireland should not be subjected to administrative burdens which will be entrenched for the future.

“On VAT Northern Ireland will again be bound into arrangements that the rest of the United Kingdom will not.  There is a real danger that over time Northern Ireland will start to diverge across VAT and Customs and without broad support from the democratic representatives of the people of Northern Ireland.

“While some progress has been made in recognising the issue of consent, the elected representatives of Northern Ireland will have no say on whether Northern Ireland should enter these arrangements.

“The Government has departed from the principle that these arrangements must be subject to the consent of both unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland.  These arrangements would be subject to a rolling review but again the principles of the Belfast Agreement on consent have been abandoned in favour of majority rule on this single issue alone.

“These arrangements will become the settled position in these areas for Northern Ireland. This drives a coach and horses through the professed sanctity of the Belfast Agreement.

“For all of these reasons it is our view that these arrangements would not be in Northern Ireland’s long term interests.  Saturday’s vote in Parliament on the proposals will only be the start of a long process to get any Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the House of Commons.”

With friends like these …

Mr Johnson does have some support, however ….

But parliament to ‘come together’? Dream on, Boris!

Remember the phrase: ‘I’d rather be dead in a ditch than delay EU exit’? Unless Mr Johnson can persuade all of the above to change their minds – and diplomacy isn’t his most obvious skill – the odds are our PM will be sending out that letter to seek an extension at the weekend.

Brexit. It’s far from over yet.

No Deal Brexit: medicine supplies advice issued to health professionals

A joint letter from Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has been issued to health and social care professionals providing them with further advice on ensuring medicine supplies in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new controls on the entry of goods from the EU into the UK will need to be introduced. This is likely to cause delays at ports of entry and a slow-down in the flow of medicines and medicine supplies into the UK.

The letter outlines what steps are being taken in Scotland to ensure continuity of supply of medicines and medical devices and to support prescribers if shortages arise.

Commenting on the letter, Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman said: “Brexit is a crisis created by the UK Government, made worse by their refusal to rule out a disastrous ‘no deal’ exit. The reality is the supply of medicines and medical devices to Scotland will be impacted if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, meaning there is a risk of shortages.

“As a responsible government we are doing all we can to prepare as much as possible for the consequences of ‘no deal’. The joint letter from our Chief Medical Officer and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer sets out clearly what preparations have been made to mitigate as best we can and provides our health and social care professionals with as much reassurance as possible.

“If the UK leaves the EU without a deal and some shortages occur, the NHS will manage the situation and, if necessary, provide advice on suitable alternatives or other treatment options while supply is restored to normal levels.”

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Information on the mygov.scot/eu-exit website is also available.

Back in August, the UK Government announced that the Department of Health and Social Care was to strengthen its Brexit preparations with a £25 million contract to set up an express freight service to deliver medicines and medical products into the country.

The department is leading a procurement exercise for an express freight service as part of the government’s plans to support continuity of supply when the UK leaves the EU on 31 October.

The service is intended to deliver small parcels of medicines or medical products on a 24-hour basis, with additional provision to move larger pallet quantities on a 2- to 4-day basis. The service will be available to the whole of the UK.

While the majority of goods will be standard medicines and medical products, the express freight service can also deliver temperature-controlled products if needed.

The contract will run for 12 months, with a possible further 12-month extension.

The service will provide an additional level of contingency as part of necessary preparations to leave the EU on 31 October whatever the circumstances, supported by an additional £2 billion from the Treasury across government.

This money includes £434 million to help ensure continuity of vital medicines and medical products through freight capacity, warehousing and stockpiling.

The new service will support existing plans already in place, including:

  • building buffer stocks of medicines and medical products
  • changing or clarifying regulatory requirements so that companies can continue to sell their products in the UK if we have no deal
  • strengthening the process and resources used to deal with shortages
    procuring additional warehouse capacity
  • supporting companies to improve the readiness of their logistics and supply chains to meet the new customs and border requirements for both import and export.

UK Health Minister Chris Skidmore MP said on 15 August: “I want to ensure that when we leave the EU at the end of October, all appropriate steps have been taken to ensure frontline services are fully prepared.

“That’s why we are stepping up preparations and strengthening our already extremely resilient contingency plans.

“This express freight service sends a clear message to the public that our plans should ensure supply of medical goods remains uninterrupted as we leave the EU.”

£52m requested for ‘no deal’ preparations

The Scottish Government has requested £52 million from the UK Government’s EU Exit Operational Contingency Fund ahead of 31 October to help prepare for a ‘no deal’ exit from the EU.

Restating the Scottish Government’s opposition to a Brexit of any kind, and in particular to a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay called on the UK Government to cover all additional costs associated with preparing to leave the EU, including those beyond 31 October.

The UK Government has indicated that funding is available where Scotland faces disproportionate costs.

Requests include funding to support:

  • the disproportionate effect of ‘no deal’ on rural communities including ensuring medical support reaches these areas
  • increased demand on Marine Scotland compliance activities around Scotland’s coastline
  • additional communications to EU citizens living in Scotland
  • increased demands on Police Scotland
  • poverty mitigation measures to support financially vulnerable households

Mr Mackay said: “The UK Government now seems to be actively pursuing a ‘no deal’ outcome which is utterly unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.

“We have requested £52 million from the UK Government’s fund to help us prepare for a ‘no deal’ outcome. This is the minimum requirement for operational activity but the real costs of a ‘no deal’ Brexit will massively outweigh these and further funding will be required.

“Exiting the EU was not Scotland’s choice and the Scottish Government has been clear that any related costs must be covered by the UK Government. The Scottish Government should not have to cut spending on public services to fund Brexit preparations.

“As a responsible government, we are already taking steps to protect jobs and our economy from a ‘no deal’ Brexit and we will set out those plans to Parliament shortly but we are facing additional and disproportionate costs to mitigate the impact of such an outcome.

“We will continue make the case for staying in the EU and will stand firm against efforts to take us out against our will.”

A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante

  • Tory MPs threatened with deselection if they oppose the government
  • October general election looking increasingly likely

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a showdown in Westminster today after officials warned he would call for a snap general election on 14 October if MPs succeed in seizing control of Commons business. Continue reading A huge day for democracy as Johnson ups the ante