Hammond: No-deal Brexit would be betrayal
Philip Hammond has argued that a no-deal Brexit is a betrayal of the referendum result, as Theresa May’s Brexit deal nears its end in the Commons.
In a speech to the annual dinner of the CBI on Tuesday evening, Hammond will say that those “on the populist right” have supported no-deal, but that the 2016 referendum leave campaign was fought on the basis that Britain would leave with a deal.
He will say: “Let me remind them: the 2016 leave campaign was clear that we would leave with a deal. So to advocate for no deal is to hijack the result of the referendum and, in doing so, knowingly to inflict damage on our economy and our living standards.
“All the preparation in the world [could not avoid the consequences of no deal] so I will continue to fight, in the face of this polarisation, for a negotiated Brexit; an outcome that respects the British people’s decision to leave, while recognising that there is no mandate for a no-deal exit; and that we have an absolute obligation to protect Britain’s jobs, businesses and future prosperity.”
Tories suspend Lord Heseltine over Lib Dems support
The Conservative party has suspended Michael Heseltine from the whip after he said he would vote for the Liberal Democrats in the upcoming European elections.
Heseltine, who has historically supported the EU, had said he would “experiment” with voting for the Liberal Democrats because of the government’s current Brexit policy.
After a meeting between Heseltine and the Tory chief whip on Monday, a spokesperson said: “Lord Heseltine has given more than half a century of service to the Conservative party, and his longstanding and sincerely held views on Europe are well understood,”
“But, with his long experience, he will know that publicly endorsing the candidates of another party is not compatible with taking the Conservative whip in parliament.
“As a result, the chief whip in the House of Lords has informed Lord Heseltine that he will have the Conservative whip suspended. This will be reviewed if he is willing to support Conservative candidates at future elections.”
Farage hit with milkshake on campaign tour
Nigel Farage has said he will be pressing charges against a man who doused him with milkshake whilst he was touring in Newcastle on Monday.
The incident is the latest in a series against far-right candidates who have taken to the streets to promote their parties for the upcoming European elections.
In a video of the incident, the Brexit party leader can be heard muttering: “it’s a complete failure, you could have spotted that a mile off” as his security team led him away.
Paul Crowther, the 32-year-old man arrested at the scene, said: “It’s a right of protest against people like him.” Standing in handcuffs in Newcastle city centre, Crowther said he did not regret throwing the milkshake.
What the Papers Say
The Telegraph
The front page of tomorrow’s Daily Telegraph: Raab: Cut income tax for ‘fairer’ Britain #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/520SBefFJv
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 20, 2019
The Guardian
The Guardian front page, Tuesday 21 May 2019 | Revealed: big rise in public racism since Brexit vote pic.twitter.com/X5oi5lkdLh
— The Guardian (@guardian) May 20, 2019
Daily Express
Today’s @Daily_Express Express front page
– Attack on @Nigel_Farage is an affront to democracy
– Queen of green’s verdict on Kate’s garden #ChelseaFlowerShow
– Doctors: We want more time with our patients pic.twitter.com/vgMWHFr8V7— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) May 21, 2019
The Times
The Times 21/5/2019
Nigel Farage had milkshake thrown over him while campaigning in Newcastle as part of a whistle-stop tour of the UK ahead of the European elections on the 23rd May. 20/5/2019. Photo : Andrew McCaren/LNP #thetimes #tomorrowspaperstoday @thetimes pic.twitter.com/0pTTYdMLRd— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) May 20, 2019
