cityam--2020-11-07--The City A.M. weekend: How to have fun during lockdown

This is not the weekend we wanted , but it ’ s the weekend we have to make do with .
As we enter another period of lockdown , there are no galleries , cinemas , restaurants or places to have fun of any kind .
So here ’ s the weekly City A.M. culture and entertainment round-up , lockdown edition .
Over the next few weeks we ’ ll give you the lowdown on how to stay sane in the age of covid .
So if you ’ re looking for ways to survive lockdown 2.0 , here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best board games out there .
But beware : once you tumble down the rabbit hole , you may never escape .
For decades board games lived largely unloved lives , their battered boxes pulled off dusty shelves on rainy days and holidays .
But times have changed .
Geek culture has become pop culture , and lockdown has only accelerated our desire for physical , social experiences .
Now board games of dizzying complexity are multi-billion pound enterprises , played by City bankers as well as nerdy teens .
So if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown 2.0 , here ’ s our guide to some of the best board games out there .
Thankfully you can kill two birds with one stone – supporting your favourite chefs and taking a little restaurant methadone – by ordering in some of these amazing home delivery kits , which we will be rounding up every week through lockdown .
The prospect of another month without restaurants is frankly too much to bear , especially with the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping .
Thankfully you can support your favourite chefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without breaking quarrantine .
Find out how in our comprehensive guide , which we ’ ll update every week .
Our wines of the week We could all do with a drink right now – and our new wine columnist Dom Jacobs has some recommendations that are perfect for whiling away a chilly lockdown evening .
Check it out here .
Prepare to spend another month in front of the TV .
Thankfully there are some excellent new films out this week , and remember that renting new movies isn ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – it ’ s also helping to keep the industry alive , so you can feel good about yourselfg while you ’ re at it .
Our critic James Luxford says Tsai Chin ’ s performance in new film Lucky Grandma is one of the best of the year .
She plays Grandma Wong , an elderly Chinese woman living in New York ’ s Chinatown .
Resentful of her declining health and at risk of losing her independence , she hops on a bus to the local casino where , she hits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her luck runs cold and she leaves penniless .
On the bus home , she happens to sit next to a mob accountant , who drops dead , leaving her with a bag full of money .
Making off with the cash , she finds herself with a bunch of criminals on her tail .
While it sounds a little cliche it ’ s really a character piece – and a brilliant one at that .
As foreign travel is pretty much a no-no for the forseeable , why not take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indie gem Luxor .
Andrea Riseborough plays Hana , a British surgeon who arrives in the glamour of Luxor for a break , having suffered an unspoken trauma .
While its thoughtful tone and leisurely pace won ’ t be for everyone , London-born filmmaker Durra has crafted a character study that rewards those who pay attention .
If you ’ re looking for something a little more… mainstream , perhaps it ’ s time to jump back into The Mandalorian , which has just started its second season .
We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , starting with this one , which is an absolute banger .
Maybe lockdown won ’ t be so bad after all .
Or just write a novel instead If none of that appeals then why not make a start that novel that you said you were going to write during the first lockdown ?
If you ’ re looking for inspiration , we interviewed someone who actually did write a novel over the summer – and plans to start a sequel during lockdown 2 .
Read our interview here .

The City A.M. weekend: How to have fun during lockdown
The Mandalorian Season 2 episode 6: S2E6 sets a course for series
This is not the weekend we wanted, but it’s the weekend we have to make do with. As we enter another period of lockdown, there are no galleries, cinemas, restaurants or places to have fun of any kind.
So here’s the weekly City A.M. culture and entertainment round-up, lockdown edition. Over the next few weeks we’ll give you the lowdown on how to stay sane in the age of covid.
Board games
Terraforming Mars
Ticket to Ride
Kemet
Warhammer 40,000
Gloomhaven
Horrified Our top board games for lockdown
For decades board games lived largely unloved lives, their battered boxes pulled off dusty shelves on rainy days and holidays.
But times have changed. Geek culture has become pop culture, and lockdown has only accelerated our desire for physical, social experiences. Now board games of dizzying complexity are multi-billion pound enterprises, played by City bankers as well as nerdy teens.
So if you’re looking for ways to survive lockdown 2.0, here’s our guide to some of the best board games out there.
Thankfully you can kill two birds with one stone – supporting your favourite chefs and taking a little restaurant methadone – by ordering in some of these amazing home delivery kits, which we will be rounding up every week through lockdown.
Restaurants-in-a-box
Craft Whisky Club
Simon Rogan at Home
Smokestak at Home
Willie’s Cacao Launch Chocolate Tasting Box
HAME by Adam Handling
Made In Oldstead
Dishpatch
Boisdale
Philip Warren Butchers
Homeslice The first instalment in our new lockdown delivery services
The prospect of another month without restaurants is frankly too much to bear, especially with the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping. Thankfully you can support your favourite chefs and have a slap-up meal, all without breaking quarrantine. Find out how in our comprehensive guide, which we’ll update every week.
Our wines of the week
Villa Antinori Toscana
Gavi di Gavi, La Minaia
Bergaglio
Ferrari Perlé 2014 Some of the best Italian wines to enjoy during lockdown
We could all do with a drink right now – and our new wine columnist Dom Jacobs has some recommendations that are perfect for whiling away a chilly lockdown evening. Check it out here.
Streaming
Prepare to spend another month in front of the TV. Thankfully there are some excellent new films out this week, and remember that renting new movies isn’t just a great way to pass the afternoon – it’s also helping to keep the industry alive, so you can feel good about yourselfg while you’re at it.
Chinese legend Tsai Chin in Lucky Grandma
Our critic James Luxford says Tsai Chin’s performance in new film Lucky Grandma is one of the best of the year. She plays Grandma Wong, an elderly Chinese woman living in New York’s Chinatown. Resentful of her declining health and at risk of losing her independence, she hops on a bus to the local casino where, she hits a winning streak.
Chasing the buzz, her luck runs cold and she leaves penniless. On the bus home, she happens to sit next to a mob accountant, who drops dead, leaving her with a bag full of money. Making off with the cash, she finds herself with a bunch of criminals on her tail.
While it sounds a little cliche it’s really a character piece – and a brilliant one at that.
Andrea Riseborough in Luxor
As foreign travel is pretty much a no-no for the forseeable, why not take a trip through the magic of cinema in indie gem Luxor. Andrea Riseborough plays Hana, a British surgeon who arrives in the glamour of Luxor for a break, having suffered an unspoken trauma.
While its thoughtful tone and leisurely pace won’t be for everyone, London-born filmmaker Durra has crafted a character study that rewards those who pay attention.
The Mandalorian Season 2
If you’re looking for something a little more… mainstream, perhaps it’s time to jump back into The Mandalorian, which has just started its second season.
We’ll be reviewing each episode as it airs, starting with this one, which is an absolute banger. Maybe lockdown won’t be so bad after all.
Or just write a novel instead
Thierry Macquet on writing his lockdown novel
If none of that appeals then why not make a start that novel that you said you were going to write during the first lockdown? If you’re looking for inspiration, we interviewed someone who actually did write a novel over the summer – and plans to start a sequel during lockdown 2. Read our interview here.


cityam--2020-11-07--In tearing up America’s democratic norms, Donald Trump leaves behind a poisonous legacy

As I write this , with the states of Nevada , Pennsylvania , Georgia , Arizona , and North Carolina circling around him , the first term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States is about to come to a shattering end .
Notice that I said first term .
For there is little doubt that the Republican Party remains Trump ’ s to lead .
Read more : America fought the drugs — and this week , the drugs won The President remains wildly popular in the GOP , as a February Gallup poll attests to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 per cent approval rating by his Republican supporters .
This is the highest intra-party favorability for any Republican since Gallup began modern polling in the 1920s .
Put simply , Trump is more popular with the party faithful than was Eisenhower , Nixon , or Reagan .
There is no constitutional impediment to him running again in four years ’ time , and ( his health willing ) he is the overwhelming favorite to be the party ’ s nominee for 2024 .
What explains this fanatical devotion ?
Simply put , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working-class party , and he has laboured assiduously ( unlike many Presidents before him ) to keep the promises he made to his base .
He has fought a trade war with China on the premise that a generation ’ s worth of free trade deals has offshored manufacturing jobs to America ’ s rising enemy .
He has kept his word to evangelical Christians by appointing three young conservative Supreme Court Justices who will influence American life for a generation to come , along with hundreds of other federal jurists .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sterling record on the economy .
His dogged efforts at deregulation jump-started the US economy , making it the envy of the advanced industrial world .
Trump ’ s foreign policy accomplishments are also seminal , far outshining his glamourous , overrated , predecessor Barack Obama .
Crucially , he radically changed America ’ s perception of a rising China , correctly noting that this superpower rivalry , and not Islamic fundamentalism , was the country ’ s greatest strategic threat moving ahead .
China ’ s failure to stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its understanding with the UK over Hong Kong as it cracked down on free speech , horrendous treatment of Uighurs in western Xinxiang province , bloody seizure of 300 kilometers of Indian land in the high Himalayas , and bullying of its maritime neighbours in the South China and East China Seas have all confirmed his basic strategic analysis .
When I left Washington 14 years ago , everyone was a naive China dove .
Now , both parties have woken up , becoming various varieties of hawk .
This is largely due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone amounts to a not inconsiderable legacy .
The outgoing President is also right in that his many political enemies did not fight fairly with him .
I have watched in horror close-hand as otherwise sane Democratic friends of mine have come down with what I have called Trump Derangement Syndrome , as the crude personal ugliness of the man as much as anything else drove them to behave despicably towards him .
The US mainstream media has given up any pretense of objectivity , to the disgust of most of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expertise ) , playing an endless , childish game of “ Gotcha ” with a man they despised .
This in turn fuelled the President ’ s persecution mania , bringing out the worst in both .
No , Trump is right , he was not treated fairly .
And yet for all this , I can not wait to see the back of him .
For character matters — matters immensely — in the making of history .
As Trump himself has said : “ One of the big problems is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good people don ’ t go into government.
” About this , above all , he is surely right .
Here , Trump is a major part of the problem .
All of us knew , given his unbearable narcissism , concern only for himself and not the people of the country or the country itself , that if there was a close result Trump would not think of the greater good , but would instead pull the temple down around all of us .
And that is what he has done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary — that the election was rigged , commanding the battleground states to stop counting the postal votes , stating that he has won states he has not , and threatening frivolous lawsuits to enhance the appearance of fraud , with absolutely no evidence .
In short , as always , Trump has put his own needs ahead of those of America .
In this , out of all the modern Presidents , he is unique .
His character must be disqualifying of Trump , as a President and as a man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made American democracy the envy of the world , at gnawing away at the culture and customs that have sustained the Republic for 240 years , Donald Trump has done America great harm .
For all that he has done , it is past time for him to go .
Get City A.M. columnists ’ views delivered straight to your inbox in our daily Midday Update newsletter .

In tearing up America’s democratic norms, Donald Trump leaves behind a poisonous legacy
Donald Trump has always put his own needs ahead of those of America
As I write this, with the states of Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina circling around him, the first term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States is about to come to a shattering end.
Notice that I said first term.
For there is little doubt that the Republican Party remains Trump’s to lead.
The President remains wildly popular in the GOP, as a February Gallup poll attests to, where he was given an overwhelming 94 per cent approval rating by his Republican supporters.
This is the highest intra-party favorability for any Republican since Gallup began modern polling in the 1920s. Put simply, Trump is more popular with the party faithful than was Eisenhower, Nixon, or Reagan.
There is no constitutional impediment to him running again in four years’ time, and (his health willing) he is the overwhelming favorite to be the party’s nominee for 2024.
What explains this fanatical devotion? Simply put, Trump has transformed the GOP into a working-class party, and he has laboured assiduously (unlike many Presidents before him) to keep the promises he made to his base.
He has fought a trade war with China on the premise that a generation’s worth of free trade deals has offshored manufacturing jobs to America’s rising enemy.
He has kept his word to evangelical Christians by appointing three young conservative Supreme Court Justices who will influence American life for a generation to come, along with hundreds of other federal jurists.
And until the virus struck, Trump had a sterling record on the economy. His dogged efforts at deregulation jump-started the US economy, making it the envy of the advanced industrial world.
Trump’s foreign policy accomplishments are also seminal, far outshining his glamourous, overrated, predecessor Barack Obama.
Crucially, he radically changed America’s perception of a rising China, correctly noting that this superpower rivalry, and not Islamic fundamentalism, was the country’s greatest strategic threat moving ahead.
China’s failure to stop the spread of the coronavirus, shameless abrogation of its understanding with the UK over Hong Kong as it cracked down on free speech, horrendous treatment of Uighurs in western Xinxiang province, bloody seizure of 300 kilometers of Indian land in the high Himalayas, and bullying of its maritime neighbours in the South China and East China Seas have all confirmed his basic strategic analysis.
When I left Washington 14 years ago, everyone was a naive China dove. Now, both parties have woken up, becoming various varieties of hawk. This is largely due to Donald Trump — and geostrategically it alone amounts to a not inconsiderable legacy.
The outgoing President is also right in that his many political enemies did not fight fairly with him. I have watched in horror close-hand as otherwise sane Democratic friends of mine have come down with what I have called Trump Derangement Syndrome, as the crude personal ugliness of the man as much as anything else drove them to behave despicably towards him.
The US mainstream media has given up any pretense of objectivity, to the disgust of most of the country, instead all becoming editorialists (without the expertise), playing an endless, childish game of “Gotcha” with a man they despised. This in turn fuelled the President’s persecution mania, bringing out the worst in both. No, Trump is right, he was not treated fairly.
And yet for all this, I cannot wait to see the back of him. For character matters — matters immensely — in the making of history. As Trump himself has said: “One of the big problems is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don’t go into government.” About this, above all, he is surely right.
Here, Trump is a major part of the problem. All of us knew, given his unbearable narcissism, concern only for himself and not the people of the country or the country itself, that if there was a close result Trump would not think of the greater good, but would instead pull the temple down around all of us.
And that is what he has done, crying out — all facts to the contrary — that the election was rigged, commanding the battleground states to stop counting the postal votes, stating that he has won states he has not, and threatening frivolous lawsuits to enhance the appearance of fraud, with absolutely no evidence.
In short, as always, Trump has put his own needs ahead of those of America.
In this, out of all the modern Presidents, he is unique. His character must be disqualifying of Trump, as a President and as a man.
In tearing at the norms that have made American democracy the envy of the world, at gnawing away at the culture and customs that have sustained the Republic for 240 years, Donald Trump has done America great harm.
For all that he has done, it is past time for him to go.
Get City A.M. columnists’ views delivered straight to your inbox in our daily Midday Update newsletter.
Main image credit: Getty


cityam--2020-11-07--Boris Johnson and other world leaders congratulate Joe Biden on US election win

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidential election this evening , saying he looked forward to working closely on their shared priorities .
“ Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement , ” Johnson said in a statement .
Read more : Just Biden His Time : Democrat finally confirmed as President “ The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities , from climate change to trade and security.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent his congratulations , adding that while some processes were still playing out , it was clear that Biden had won .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Biden and his running mate Harris after major networks declared them the winners of the White House race .
Read more : The moment Kamala Harris and Joe Biden first spoke about their US election win Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau : “ On behalf of the Government of Canada , I congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States of America .
Canada and the United States enjoy an extraordinary relationship – one that is unique on the world stage .
”

Boris Johnson and other world leaders congratulate Joe Biden on US election win
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is currently self-isolating at Number 10
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidential election this evening, saying he looked forward to working closely on their shared priorities.
“Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement,” Johnson said in a statement.
“The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security.”
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also sent his congratulations, adding that while some processes were still playing out, it was clear that Biden had won.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Biden and his running mate Harris after major networks declared them the winners of the White House race.
The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today’s challenges. Let's work together! — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 7, 2020
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election as the next President and Vice President of the United States of America. Canada and the United States enjoy an extraordinary relationship – one that is unique on the world stage.”


cityam--2020-11-07--The moment Kamala Harris and Joe Biden first spoke about their US election win

Vice-president elect Kamala Harris was out for a walk with her husband when news came through that Joe Biden had been projected to win the US Presidential election .
Video of the subsequent celebratory call between Kamala Harris , the first female vice-president elect , and her victorious running mate and new boss Joe Biden was shared on her Twitter account .
Read more : Just Biden His Time : Democrat finally confirmed as President “ We did it Joe .
We did it .
You ’ re the next President of the United States , ” Harris told President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump was on the golf course playing a round when CNN , Fox and Associated Press called the election for his Democratic rival .
US president-elect Biden is expected to address the nation after midnight from his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware , according to a campaign aide .
Kamala Harris , a current Senator from California , will become the first woman , first Black American and first Asian American to win the second highest US office .
Harris , 56 , is widely seen as an obvious candidate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who will be 78 at their inauguration on 20 January , decide not to seek a second term .
She hasn ’ t weighed in publicly on such speculation .

The moment Kamala Harris and Joe Biden first spoke about their US election win
Vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris is shown on stage during democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden address to the nation (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Vice-president elect Kamala Harris was out for a walk with her husband when news came through that Joe Biden had been projected to win the US Presidential election.
Video of the subsequent celebratory call between Kamala Harris, the first female vice-president elect, and her victorious running mate and new boss Joe Biden was shared on her Twitter account.
“We did it Joe. We did it. You’re the next President of the United States,” Harris told President-elect Biden on the call.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump was on the golf course playing a round when CNN, Fox and Associated Press called the election for his Democratic rival.
US president-elect Biden is expected to address the nation after midnight from his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, according to a campaign aide.
Kamala Harris, a current Senator from California, will become the first woman, first Black American and first Asian American to win the second highest US office.
Harris, 56, is widely seen as an obvious candidate for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024 should Biden, who will be 78 at their inauguration on 20 January, decide not to seek a second term.
She hasn’t weighed in publicly on such speculation.


cityam--2020-11-07--Just Biden His Time: Democrat finally confirmed as President

Joe Biden has become the 46th President of the United States after winning the key battleground of Pennsylvania , handing him the 270 electoral votes needed to enter the White House .
In a drastic flip from red to blue , the Democrat inched past incumbent President Donald Trump in the ‘ Keystone ’ state , awarding Biden 20 electoral votes and boosting his electoral vote count from 253 to 273 .
Read more : US Election live : Biden inches away from White House as he takes the lead in Pennsylvania In a statement , the president-elect said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trust the American people have placed in me and in vice president-elect [ Kamala ] Harris .
“ In the face of unprecedented obstacles , a record number of Americans voted .
Proving once again , that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.
” Biden added : “ With the campaign over , it ’ s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation .
It ’ s time for America to unite .
And to heal .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s nothing we can ’ t do , if we do it together.
” Biden steadily erased Trump ’ s early lead in Pennsylvania yesterday morning , after more than 31,000 mail-in votes counted in Philadelphia came out overwhelming in favour of the Democrat .
An extra 2,016 votes from Bucks Country meant he cruised past the Republican by 28,887 votes in the state , shutting the door for any path to reelection for Trump .
Trump must now leave the Oval Office after four years at the helm .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s route to victory , the President ’ s legal team yesterday challenged the Pennsylvania count in court , after Trump on Thursday baselessly claimed wide-scale electoral “ fraud ” .
The Biden campaign has said it is “ capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House ” if Trump refuses to leave .
Presidential candidates have only beaten incumbent Presidents four times in US electoral history .
Biden ’ s entry to the White House not only makes Trump the fifth ever one-term President , but also makes Kamala Harris the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first ever vice president of colour .
Biden is also the most-voted-for presidential candidate of all time , after winning more than 73m votes .
Speaking briefly to reporters in Wilmington , Delaware , the president-elect urged the American public to show a “ little patience ” as the vote counting in battleground states stretched into its fourth day .
“ Democracy can sometimes be messy , ” said Biden .
The Democrat ’ s path to presidency received critical reinforcement yesterday morning as Biden also edged past Trump in Georgia , flipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His 7,258-vote lead against Trump in the state paved the way for several clear routes to victory .
Biden currently leads in Georgia , Nevada and Arizona , though total vote counts may take several days .
Georgia ’ s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger yesterday afternoon confirmed there will be a recount in the state , with the razor-thin result too close to call definitive .
Read more : US Election : Biden ’ s ( almost certain ) win : How it happened In Arizona , the continuing vote count slimmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state to roughly 47,000 votes , but still firmly placed him in in pole position to take the state .
Several outlets prematurely called the state for the former VP on Thursday , prompting furious backlash from an increasingly desperate Trump .
Fox News has instructed anchors not to call Biden the “ president-elect ” if he passes the 270 mark , in a move that has sparked outrage from politicians across the US .
Memos leaked to CNN showed instructions for Fox anchors to “ stay away ” from using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has “ enough electoral votes to win the presidency .
”

Just Biden His Time: Democrat finally confirmed as President
Joe Biden has become the 46th President of the United States after winning the key battleground of Pennsylvania, handing him the 270 electoral votes needed to enter the White House.
In a drastic flip from red to blue, the Democrat inched past incumbent President Donald Trump in the ‘Keystone’ state, awarding Biden 20 electoral votes and boosting his electoral vote count from 253 to 273.
In a statement, the president-elect said: “I am honoured and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in vice president-elect [Kamala] Harris.
“In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.”
Biden added: “With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It’s time for America to unite. And to heal.
“We are the United States of America. And there’s nothing we can’t do, if we do it together.”
Biden steadily erased Trump’s early lead in Pennsylvania yesterday morning, after more than 31,000 mail-in votes counted in Philadelphia came out overwhelming in favour of the Democrat.
An extra 2,016 votes from Bucks Country meant he cruised past the Republican by 28,887 votes in the state, shutting the door for any path to reelection for Trump.
Trump must now leave the Oval Office after four years at the helm. In a last-ditch bid to block Biden’s route to victory, the President’s legal team yesterday challenged the Pennsylvania count in court, after Trump on Thursday baselessly claimed wide-scale electoral “fraud”.
The Biden campaign has said it is “capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House” if Trump refuses to leave.
Presidential candidates have only beaten incumbent Presidents four times in US electoral history.
Biden’s entry to the White House not only makes Trump the fifth ever one-term President, but also makes Kamala Harris the first ever female vice president and the first ever vice president of colour.
Biden is also the most-voted-for presidential candidate of all time, after winning more than 73m votes.
Speaking briefly to reporters in Wilmington, Delaware, the president-elect urged the American public to show a “little patience” as the vote counting in battleground states stretched into its fourth day.
“Democracy can sometimes be messy,” said Biden.
The Democrat’s path to presidency received critical reinforcement yesterday morning as Biden also edged past Trump in Georgia, flipping the state from red to blue.
His 7,258-vote lead against Trump in the state paved the way for several clear routes to victory. Biden currently leads in Georgia, Nevada and Arizona, though total vote counts may take several days.
Georgia’s secretary of state Brad Raffensperger yesterday afternoon confirmed there will be a recount in the state, with the razor-thin result too close to call definitive.
In Arizona, the continuing vote count slimmed down Biden’s early lead in the state to roughly 47,000 votes, but still firmly placed him in in pole position to take the state.
Several outlets prematurely called the state for the former VP on Thursday, prompting furious backlash from an increasingly desperate Trump.
Fox News has instructed anchors not to call Biden the “president-elect” if he passes the 270 mark, in a move that has sparked outrage from politicians across the US.
Memos leaked to CNN showed instructions for Fox anchors to “stay away” from using the description, and to instead say Biden has “enough electoral votes to win the presidency.”
Main image: Getty


cityam--2020-11-07--Donald Trump baselessly claims 'thousands of illegal votes' counted in Pennsylvania

President Donald Trump has doubled down on false claims that “ illegal ” votes have contributed to his poor performance in the US presidential election , as the incumbent lays the ground for further legal challenges to the result .
Trump today took to Twitter to claim mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania were “ illegal ” , as rival Joe Biden continued to expand his lead in the key battleground state .
Read more : Breaking : Joe Biden almost over the line with leads in Georgia and Pennsylvania “ Tens of thousands of votes were illegally received after 8PM on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily changing the results in Pennsylvania and certain other razor thin states , ” Trump said .
The President claimed the mail-in ballots would alter the result of the election and tip the race in his favour , without offering specific evidence .
Twitter has flagged Trump ’ s tweets as potentially containing false and harmful information .
Multiple local and international officials have warned there is no evidence of voter fraud in the presidential election .
The head of an international delegation monitoring the US election yesterday said his team has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about alleged fraud involving mail-in absentee ballots .
Michael Georg Link , German political and head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , said : “ We looked into this .
We found no violations of the rules whatsoever.
” It comes as the Trump ’ s hopes of a path to reelection have been all but wiped out by Biden ’ s late gains in remaining undeclared states .
The President celebrated an early lead in Pennsylvania after a strong Republican turnout for in-person votes on Election Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s foothold in the state over the past few days , after hundreds of thousands of mail-in votes counted in cities such as Philadelphia came out overwhelming in favour of the Democrat .
Biden currently has a 29,000-vote lead against Trump in the key battleground state .
Pennsylvania is the biggest state left on the board , with 20 electoral votes up for grabs .
Both Biden and Trump need 270 electoral votes to enter the White House .
Biden is currently on 253 votes , against Trump ’ s 214 .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency .
The Democrat also maintains leads in three other states that have yet to be declared .
In a last-ditch bid to block Biden ’ s route to victory , the President ’ s legal team yesterday challenged the Pennsylvania count in court , after Trump on Thursday night baselessly claimed wide-scale electoral “ fraud ” .
Republicans are trying to raise at least $ 60m to fund legal challenges brought by Trump over the US presidential election ’ s results , after the incumbent hinted he would not agree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins .
Trump ’ s campaign has already filed lawsuits in several states over Tuesday ’ s election .
Read more : US Election : Biden ’ s ( almost certain ) win : How it happened Biden attempted to act the voice of reason yesterday , urging the American public to show a “ little patience ” as the vote counting in battleground states stretched into its third day .
“ Democracy can sometimes be messy , ” he said .
However , his campaign team last night warned that Trump may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he refuses to admit defeat in the knife-edge election .
“ As we said on 19 July , the American people will decide this election .
And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House , ” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said yesterday .

Donald Trump baselessly claims ‘thousands of illegal votes’ counted in Pennsylvania
A report by US intelligence officials found that Russia attempted to boost Trump’s chances at in the 2020 election
President Donald Trump has doubled down on false claims that “illegal” votes have contributed to his poor performance in the US presidential election, as the incumbent lays the ground for further legal challenges to the result.
Trump today took to Twitter to claim mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania were “illegal”, as rival Joe Biden continued to expand his lead in the key battleground state.
“Tens of thousands of votes were illegally received after 8PM on Tuesday, Election Day, totally and easily changing the results in Pennsylvania and certain other razor thin states,” Trump said.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325065546342264834
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1325065549559291910?s=20
The President claimed the mail-in ballots would alter the result of the election and tip the race in his favour, without offering specific evidence.
Twitter has flagged Trump’s tweets as potentially containing false and harmful information.
Multiple local and international officials have warned there is no evidence of voter fraud in the presidential election.
The head of an international delegation monitoring the US election yesterday said his team has no evidence to support Trump’s claims about alleged fraud involving mail-in absentee ballots.
Michael Georg Link, German political and head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said: “We looked into this. We found no violations of the rules whatsoever.”
It comes as the Trump’s hopes of a path to reelection have been all but wiped out by Biden’s late gains in remaining undeclared states.
The President celebrated an early lead in Pennsylvania after a strong Republican turnout for in-person votes on Election Day.
But Biden has steadily erased Trump’s foothold in the state over the past few days, after hundreds of thousands of mail-in votes counted in cities such as Philadelphia came out overwhelming in favour of the Democrat.
Biden currently has a 29,000-vote lead against Trump in the key battleground state.
Pennsylvania is the biggest state left on the board, with 20 electoral votes up for grabs.
Both Biden and Trump need 270 electoral votes to enter the White House. Biden is currently on 253 votes, against Trump’s 214.
If Biden wins in Pennsylvania, he wins the presidency. The Democrat also maintains leads in three other states that have yet to be declared.
In a last-ditch bid to block Biden’s route to victory, the President’s legal team yesterday challenged the Pennsylvania count in court, after Trump on Thursday night baselessly claimed wide-scale electoral “fraud”.
Republicans are trying to raise at least $60m to fund legal challenges brought by Trump over the US presidential election’s results, after the incumbent hinted he would not agree to a peaceful transfer of power if Biden wins.
Trump’s campaign has already filed lawsuits in several states over Tuesday’s election.
Biden attempted to act the voice of reason yesterday, urging the American public to show a “little patience” as the vote counting in battleground states stretched into its third day.
“Democracy can sometimes be messy,” he said.
However, his campaign team last night warned that Trump may be escorted from the White House if he refuses to admit defeat in the knife-edge election.
“As we said on 19 July, the American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House,” Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said yesterday.


cityam--2020-11-07--St Paul’s Cathedral awarded £2.1m in government funding

St Paul ’ s Cathedral has been awarded £2.1m of government cash as part of a series of lifeline grants for cultural venues during the pandemic .
The latest raft of government funding has seen more than £18m handed out to 182 cultural icons around the country .
Thirty per cent of the money was awarded to London venues including Ronnie Scott ’ s , various O2 Academies and St Paul ’ s Cathedral .
Read more : Cultural bailout : Which London arts venues will get a share of the £275m rescue fund ?
The £2.1m cash injection for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction and maintenance costs of the cathedral , which is usually propped up by tourism revenue , the Department for Digital , Culture , Media & Sport ( DCMS ) said today .
The London Venue Group , which operates cultural spaces across the capital including Flat Iron Square , will receive £2.4m of emergency cash to support them during the nationwide lockdown and to “ enable them to explore streaming options in the future ” , DCMS said .
O2 Academy owner Academy Music Group will receive just shy of £3m to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leeds and Liverpool .
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said : “ These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities .
“ From St Paul ’ s and Ronnie Scott ’ s to The Lowry and Durham Cathedral , we ’ re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it can bounce back strongly.
” The government ’ s latest Culture Recovery fund will also provide funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham Cathedral and Blenheim Palace to help them weather the coronavirus crisis .
The fresh tranche of funding is part of the government ’ s £1.57bn bailout for the arts sector announced in July .
DCMS last month announced 1,300 arts venues and organisations will share an emergency £257m fund to help get them back on their feet .
London venues such as The Globe theatre benefited from the funding round , as sites continue to remain shuttered during national lockdown measures .

St Paul’s Cathedral awarded £2.1m in government funding
St Paul’s Cathedral has been awarded £2.1m of government cash as part of a series of lifeline grants for cultural venues during the pandemic.
The latest raft of government funding has seen more than £18m handed out to 182 cultural icons around the country. Thirty per cent of the money was awarded to London venues including Ronnie Scott’s, various O2 Academies and St Paul’s Cathedral.
The £2.1m cash injection for St Paul’s will go towards construction and maintenance costs of the cathedral, which is usually propped up by tourism revenue, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) said today.
The London Venue Group, which operates cultural spaces across the capital including Flat Iron Square, will receive £2.4m of emergency cash to support them during the nationwide lockdown and to “enable them to explore streaming options in the future”, DCMS said.
O2 Academy owner Academy Music Group will receive just shy of £3m to support live music venues across London, Leeds and Liverpool.
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: “These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities.
“From St Paul’s and Ronnie Scott’s to The Lowry and Durham Cathedral, we’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it can bounce back strongly.”
The government’s latest Culture Recovery fund will also provide funding to heritage sites around the country such as Durham Cathedral and Blenheim Palace to help them weather the coronavirus crisis.
The fresh tranche of funding is part of the government’s £1.57bn bailout for the arts sector announced in July.
DCMS last month announced 1,300 arts venues and organisations will share an emergency £257m fund to help get them back on their feet.
London venues such as The Globe theatre benefited from the funding round, as sites continue to remain shuttered during national lockdown measures.
Main image: Getty


cityam--2020-11-08--Private equity circles William Hill’s European arm

Buyout firms are once again circling William Hill , this time for its European operations following a deal with American firm Caesars Entertainment .
In late September William Hill said it had given Caesars Entertainment the green light for a £2.9bn deal , which will be put to a shareholder vote on 19 November .
Read more : William Hill warns new lockdowns will hit profit Once shareholders have approved the takeover Caesars will auction off William Hill ’ s 1,400 betting shops and its operations outside America .
CVC Partners and Apax Partners have both expressed an interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Sunday Telegraph .
It follows reports that US giant Apollo Global Management has drawn up a bid for the bookmaker ’ s betting shops and other non-US assets after originally approaching the bookmaker about a full takeover .
Las Vegas-based casino operator Caesars will reportedly include its own British business in the sell-off , according to a report by The Times last week .
Caesars UK owns seven casinos in Britain , including the Playboy Club and Empire Casino .
Billionaire bookmaker Fred Done , who began building a stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also reportedly mulling a bid for parts of the business .
William Hill has in recent weeks warned that the UK ’ s new coronavirus restrictions could hit profits .
Despite an “ encouraging ” third quarter as footfall grew , it cautioned new restrictions would set it back .
“ We estimate that , on average , the closure of 100 shops for four weeks would reduce EBITDA [ an earnings measure ] by circa £2m , ” it said in a trading statement .
It follows a slew of deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms circling UK corporates amid the pandemic .
Breadmaker Hovis is the most recent firm to be snapped up by private equity after a boost in sales during lockdown sparked a bidding war .
Premier Foods , which sold a majority stake in Hovis to private equity firm Gores Group six years ago , said it had agreed a sale to Endless on Friday .
CVC and Apax were contacted for comment .

Private equity circles William Hill’s European arm
Buyout firms are once again circling William Hill, this time for its European operations following a deal with American firm Caesars Entertainment.
In late September William Hill said it had given Caesars Entertainment the green light for a £2.9bn deal, which will be put to a shareholder vote on 19 November.
Once shareholders have approved the takeover Caesars will auction off William Hill’s 1,400 betting shops and its operations outside America.
CVC Partners and Apax Partners have both expressed an interest in William Hill’s European arm, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
It follows reports that US giant Apollo Global Management has drawn up a bid for the bookmaker’s betting shops and other non-US assets after originally approaching the bookmaker about a full takeover.
Las Vegas-based casino operator Caesars will reportedly include its own British business in the sell-off, according to a report by The Times last week. Caesars UK owns seven casinos in Britain, including the Playboy Club and Empire Casino.
Billionaire bookmaker Fred Done, who began building a stake in the firm two years ago, is also reportedly mulling a bid for parts of the business.
William Hill has in recent weeks warned that the UK’s new coronavirus restrictions could hit profits. Despite an “encouraging” third quarter as footfall grew, it cautioned new restrictions would set it back.
“We estimate that, on average, the closure of 100 shops for four weeks would reduce EBITDA [an earnings measure] by circa £2m,” it said in a trading statement.
It follows a slew of deals in recent months which have seen buyout firms circling UK corporates amid the pandemic. Breadmaker Hovis is the most recent firm to be snapped up by private equity after a boost in sales during lockdown sparked a bidding war.
Premier Foods, which sold a majority stake in Hovis to private equity firm Gores Group six years ago, said it had agreed a sale to Endless on Friday.
CVC and Apax both declined to comment.


cityam--2020-11-08--Joe Biden's business in-tray: The President-elect's most pressing issues

President-elect Joe Biden will be entering the White House at a time when the US is facing stark crises on multiple fronts .
The US is seeing a third wave of Covid with almost 240,000 deaths recorded , the economy is in a deep recession and the US ’ federal climate policy is in need of reform .
Read more : Joe Biden pledges to unify nation in US election acceptance speech City A.M. takes a look at what will be in the former Vice President ’ s business in-tray as he enters 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a new multi-trillion dollar Covid package to support workers and businesses , with Senate Republicans and Democrats jostling about the details of any new financial relief .
The Democrats have proposed packages in excess of $ 2 trillion , however many Republican fiscal hawks have baulked at the proposed price tag .
The government unleashed a first stimulus package in April worth $ 2 trillion .
Read more : The moment Kamala Harris and Joe Biden first spoke about their US election win Biden ’ s job may not be any easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with a divided Congress .
The Democrats have retained the House of Representatives , however the Republicans have thus far maintained their majority in the Senate .
However , this could still change as the two Senate races in Georgia will be re-contested in January , after neither candidate in either race got a clear majority .
The two-headed health and economic crisis that is Covid continues to rage across the US , with a record 132,000 cases recorded on Friday .
The country ’ s death toll is now up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes making testing free and more widely available , expanding contact tracing , making masks mandatory nationwide and accelerating the development of potential treatments and vaccines .
Biden laid the foundations of his new Covid plan in his election speech this morning .
Read more : Boris Johnson and other world leaders congratulate Joe Biden on US election win “ On Monday , I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisers to help take the Biden-Harris Covid plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That plan will be built on a bedrock of science.
” One of Biden ’ s first orders of business will be to re-enter the Paris Climate Accord , after Donald Trump withdrew the US from the global agreement .
The former Vice President has also vowed to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on large scale infrastructure projects and green energy investment .
However , once again this could be stifled if Congress remains divided .
The UK ’ s hosting of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way for Boris Johnson to build bridges with the new administration .
While Biden will likely end the US ’ trade war with China , many pundits still think he will pursue a more protectionist agenda than previous Democrat Presidents and will certainly not kowtow to Xi Jinping .
The President-elect has projected a tough stance on China during the election campaign , saying the US must “ pressure , isolate and punish China ” for its role in letting Covid spread across the world , its treatment of Uyghur Muslims and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China Sea .
Much of Biden ’ s economic policy platform was built around a “ Made in America ” push as a part of his successful bid to win back voters in the US ’ Rust Belt .
Read more : US election : Trumpism won the argument on US economic policy Matthias Matthjis , research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank , told City A.M. last week : “ I don ’ t think there ’ s going to be any big trade deals between the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next administration , it ’ s just not a priority .
“ I think his priorities will be overwhelmingly domestic – coronavirus , the economy and race relations.
” There has been speculation in recent weeks that Number 10 is nervous about a Biden presidency as Johnson as seen among establishment Democrats a close ally to Trump .
Earlier this year , Biden warned the UK that there would be repercussions if the Belfast Good Friday Agreement was breached in the course of Brexit negotiations .
There may also be tension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Johnson saying the then President ’ s removal of a Winston Churchill bust from the Oval Office was a “ symbol of the part-Kenyan president ’ s ancestral dislike of the British empire ” .
One Democratic source told the Sunday Times that “ there will be no special relationship with Boris Johnson ” .
However , it must also be remembered that Biden has been renowned in the Senate for working across party lines and for being pragmatic .
The UK-US relationship is also entrenched through defence and security arrangements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more : Just Biden His Time : Democrat finally confirmed as President Senator Chris Coons , a close Biden ally and a potential cabinet appointee , told the BBC today that the UK-US relationship is “ significant and enduring ” and dismissed claims Biden sees Johnson as “ Britain Trump ” .
“ In my meetings with the Prime Minister he ’ s struck me as someone more agile , engaging , educated and forward looking than perhaps the caricature of him in the American press would have suggested , ” he @ @

Joe Biden’s business in-tray: The President-elect’s most pressing issues
President-elect Joe Biden will be entering the White House at a time when the US is facing stark crises on multiple fronts.
The US is seeing a third wave of Covid with almost 240,000 deaths recorded, the economy is in a deep recession and the US’ federal climate policy is in need of reform.
City A.M. takes a look at what will be in the former Vice President’s business in-tray as he enters 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January.
A new Covid stimulus package
The US Congress has been unable to agree to a new multi-trillion dollar Covid package to support workers and businesses, with Senate Republicans and Democrats jostling about the details of any new financial relief.
The Democrats have proposed packages in excess of $2 trillion, however many Republican fiscal hawks have baulked at the proposed price tag.
The government unleashed a first stimulus package in April worth $2 trillion.
Biden’s job may not be any easier as he will likely still have to deal with a divided Congress.
The Democrats have retained the House of Representatives, however the Republicans have thus far maintained their majority in the Senate.
However, this could still change as the two Senate races in Georgia will be re-contested in January, after neither candidate in either race got a clear majority.
A Biden Covid plan
The two-headed health and economic crisis that is Covid continues to rage across the US, with a record 132,000 cases recorded on Friday.
The country’s death toll is now up to 238,000.
Biden’s Covid plan includes making testing free and more widely available, expanding contact tracing, making masks mandatory nationwide and accelerating the development of potential treatments and vaccines.
Biden laid the foundations of his new Covid plan in his election speech this morning.
“On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as transition advisers to help take the Biden-Harris Covid plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on 20 January, 2021,” he said.
“That plan will be built on a bedrock of science.”
Climate change policy
One of Biden’s first orders of business will be to re-enter the Paris Climate Accord, after Donald Trump withdrew the US from the global agreement.
The former Vice President has also vowed to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on large scale infrastructure projects and green energy investment.
However, once again this could be stifled if Congress remains divided.
A divided government would constrain the Biden administration’s ability to implement plans for large-scale fiscal stimulus and public investment, tax, healthcare and climate related legislation. We see an increased focus on sustainability under a divided government, but through regulatory actions, rather than via tax policy or spending on green infrastructure. BlackRock Investment Institute
The UK’s hosting of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, could be a way for Boris Johnson to build bridges with the new administration.
Global trade
While Biden will likely end the US’ trade war with China, many pundits still think he will pursue a more protectionist agenda than previous Democrat Presidents and will certainly not kowtow to Xi Jinping.
The President-elect has projected a tough stance on China during the election campaign, saying the US must “pressure, isolate and punish China” for its role in letting Covid spread across the world, its treatment of Uyghur Muslims and for its increasing expansionism in the South China Sea.
Much of Biden’s economic policy platform was built around a “Made in America” push as a part of his successful bid to win back voters in the US’ Rust Belt.
Matthias Matthjis, research fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, told City A.M. last week: “I don’t think there’s going to be any big trade deals between the US and EU or between the UK and US in the next administration, it’s just not a priority.
“I think his priorities will be overwhelmingly domestic – coronavirus, the economy and race relations.”
US-UK relations under a Biden White House
There has been speculation in recent weeks that Number 10 is nervous about a Biden presidency as Johnson as seen among establishment Democrats a close ally to Trump.
Earlier this year, Biden warned the UK that there would be repercussions if the Belfast Good Friday Agreement was breached in the course of Brexit negotiations.
Biden attending a security briefing at Number 10 Downing Street next to Nick Clegg and George Osborne in 2013
There may also be tension over comments in 2016 about Barack Obama, with Johnson saying the then President’s removal of a Winston Churchill bust from the Oval Office was a “symbol of the part-Kenyan president’s ancestral dislike of the British empire”.
One Democratic source told the Sunday Times that “there will be no special relationship with Boris Johnson”.
However, it must also be remembered that Biden has been renowned in the Senate for working across party lines and for being pragmatic.
The UK-US relationship is also entrenched through defence and security arrangements that go beyond any individual government.
Senator Chris Coons, a close Biden ally and a potential cabinet appointee, told the BBC today that the UK-US relationship is “significant and enduring” and dismissed claims Biden sees Johnson as “Britain Trump”.
“In my meetings with the Prime Minister he’s struck me as someone more agile, engaging, educated and forward looking than perhaps the caricature of him in the American press would have suggested,” he said.


cityam--2020-11-08--National Grid faces breakup amid PM's green push

Boris Johnson ’ s push to reshape the energy industry in order to achieve the net zero target could reportedly see the break up of the National Grid .
The regulator Ofgem ’ s recent review into National Grid will soon draw to a close and officials are exploring moves to breakup its current structure , according to the Sunday Telegraph .
The electricity and gas network , which is a regulated monopoly , avoided a breakup in 2017 when Ofgem first looked at separating its dual roles .
Its operator division was spun off into a legally separate entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its own board and employees .
There is now growing support for the operator ’ s electricity division to be moved into an independent body , according to the Sunday Telegraph .
Officials are said to be exploring what the structure of this body would look like and how best to compensate shareholders , who would still own the main electricity transmission system for England and Wales .
The regulator accelerated the review into National Grid ’ s structure following the national net zero target set in 2019 and following last summer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to publish the results of the review once the government publishes its energy white paper .
It comes as the Prime Minister is expected to outline further details of his “ green industrial revolution ” backing a new wave of nuclear power plants .
He is reportedly mulling a 10-point plan , set to be announced this week , to slash the UK ’ s carbon emissions .
And National Grid will report interim results on Thursday .
In June it increased its payout for the year despite reporting a hit to profits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Read more : National Grid names Paula Rosput Reynolds its first female chair A spokesperson for National Grid said : “ The decarbonisation of the economy to reach the net zero target is the most critical issue facing the UK… National Grid continues to work closely with the government , regulator and industry to explore what changes will be needed to achieve net zero , and the role of the ESO is an important part of that discussion .
”

National Grid faces breakup amid PM’s green push
Boris Johnson’s push to reshape the energy industry in order to achieve the net zero target could reportedly see the break up of the National Grid.
The regulator Ofgem’s recent review into National Grid will soon draw to a close and officials are exploring moves to breakup its current structure, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
The electricity and gas network, which is a regulated monopoly, avoided a breakup in 2017 when Ofgem first looked at separating its dual roles. Its operator division was spun off into a legally separate entity, National Grid ESO, which has its own board and employees.
There is now growing support for the operator’s electricity division to be moved into an independent body, according to the Sunday Telegraph. Officials are said to be exploring what the structure of this body would look like and how best to compensate shareholders, who would still own the main electricity transmission system for England and Wales.
The regulator accelerated the review into National Grid’s structure following the national net zero target set in 2019 and following last summer’s power cuts. It is set to publish the results of the review once the government publishes its energy white paper.
It comes as the Prime Minister is expected to outline further details of his “green industrial revolution” backing a new wave of nuclear power plants.
He is reportedly mulling a 10-point plan, set to be announced this week, to slash the UK’s carbon emissions.
And National Grid will report interim results on Thursday. In June it increased its payout for the year despite reporting a hit to profits from increased bad debts due to the pandemic.
A spokesperson for National Grid said: “The decarbonisation of the economy to reach the net zero target is the most critical issue facing the UK… National Grid continues to work closely with the government, regulator and industry to explore what changes will be needed to achieve net zero, and the role of the ESO is an important part of that discussion.”
Ofgem was contacted for comment.


cityam--2020-11-08--Vaccine taskforce chief spends £670,000 on PR team

The chair of the government ’ s vaccine taskforce has reportedly used £670,000 of the taxpayers ’ money on her own team of PR consultants .
Kate Bingham was appointed in May and since June has used eight-full time PR consultants , on the equivalent of £165,000 salaries , to oversee her media strategy , according to the Sunday Times .
Read more : Oxford Covid-19 vaccine trial results due before New Year Documents leaked to the newspaper show she has already spent £500,000 on the team from London PR agency Admiral Associates , which is contracted until the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not signed off by the business secretary Alok Sharma but by civil servants , despite concerns the consultants would duplicate the work of communications staff at BEIS .
The consultants are reported to have helped Bingham prepare for media appearances , draft statements and oversee a vaccines podcast called Covid-19 : The Search for a Vaccine .
The government is already facing accusations of cronyism following the appointment of Baroness Dido Harding , whose husband is Conservative MP John Penrose as head of the Test and Trace system .
This recent episode will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Married to Conservative MP Jesse Norman , Bingham is a friend of the Johnson family having attended school with the PM ’ s sister Rachel and university with Boris Johnson .
The Sunday Times also reported that Bingham is due to appear at a conference hosted by Californian biotech firm Biocom , which charges $ 2,460 a ticket .
She is reportedly advertised solely as head of the UK ’ s vaccine taskforce to discuss finding and manufacturing a Covid-19 vaccine .
It comes after the Sunday Times reported Bingham had shown “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 200-a-head conference last month .
Bingham showed a list of vaccines the UK government is closely monitoring at a “ premier webinar networking event ” for women in private equity .
The vaccine tsar rejected the allegations and told a joint select committee last week that the report was “ nonsense ” , “ inaccurate ” and “ irresponsible ” .
The government defended Bingham and said she had focused “ on publicly available information and said little that expert delegates at the conference could not deduce themselves.
” Read more : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is preparing for vaccine by Christmas Last night , Rachel Reeves , the shadow Cabinet Office minister , told the Sunday Times : “ At a time of national crisis , people don ’ t want to see huge sums of taxpayers ’ money needlessly sprayed on spin doctors or management consultants .
“ There needs to be a breakdown of this expenditure and proper justification as to how it actually helps the national effort in tackling this pandemic .
”

Vaccine taskforce chief spends £670,000 on PR team
Reports today said that the UK’s drugs regulator had begun expedited reviews of two of the leading coronavirus vaccine candidates.
The chair of the government’s vaccine taskforce has reportedly used £670,000 of the taxpayers’ money on her own team of PR consultants.
Kate Bingham was appointed in May and since June has used eight-full time PR consultants, on the equivalent of £165,000 salaries, to oversee her media strategy, according to the Sunday Times.
Documents leaked to the newspaper show she has already spent £500,000 on the team from London PR agency Admiral Associates, which is contracted until the end of the year.
The decision was not signed off by the business secretary Alok Sharma but by civil servants, despite concerns the consultants would duplicate the work of communications staff at BEIS.
The consultants are reported to have helped Bingham prepare for media appearances, draft statements and oversee a vaccines podcast called Covid-19: The Search for a Vaccine.
The government is already facing accusations of cronyism following the appointment of Baroness Dido Harding, whose husband is Conservative MP John Penrose as head of the Test and Trace system.
This recent episode will only add fuel to the fire. Married to Conservative MP Jesse Norman, Bingham is a friend of the Johnson family having attended school with the PM’s sister Rachel and university with Boris Johnson.
The Sunday Times also reported that Bingham is due to appear at a conference hosted by Californian biotech firm Biocom, which charges $2,460 a ticket. She is reportedly advertised solely as head of the UK’s vaccine taskforce to discuss finding and manufacturing a Covid-19 vaccine.
It comes after the Sunday Times reported Bingham had shown “official sensitive” government documents at a $200-a-head conference last month. Bingham showed a list of vaccines the UK government is closely monitoring at a “premier webinar networking event” for women in private equity.
The vaccine tsar rejected the allegations and told a joint select committee last week that the report was “nonsense”, “inaccurate” and “irresponsible”.
The government defended Bingham and said she had focused “on publicly available information and said little that expert delegates at the conference could not deduce themselves.”
Last night, Rachel Reeves, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, told the Sunday Times: “At a time of national crisis, people don’t want to see huge sums of taxpayers’ money needlessly sprayed on spin doctors or management consultants.
“There needs to be a breakdown of this expenditure and proper justification as to how it actually helps the national effort in tackling this pandemic.”


cityam--2020-11-08--Joe Biden pledges to unify nation in US election acceptance speech

President-elect Joe Biden has said it is “ time to heal ” the US and bridge the country ’ s gaping political divides in his election acceptance speech .
Biden spook at Wilmington , Delaware just after 1am London time , telling the world that the “ grim era of demonization in America ” must end .
Read more : Just Biden His Time : Democrat finally confirmed as President “ The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control , ” he said .
He added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
“ Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses .
“ It is time for our better angels to prevail.
” The former Vice President was widely declared the winner of the US election last night , after it became apparent that he had an insurmountable lead in the state of Pennsylvania .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data Donald Trump has yet to concede the election and continues to claim there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having no evidence to back up this claim .
The Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in a number of swing states that were won by Biden by small margins .
Biden has so far won 279 Electoral College votes , with several states still counting ballots .
His final victory will likely be by a similar margin as Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Biden unveiled the foundations of his plan to control Covid in his speech as deaths from the virus have almost hit 240,000 in the US .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our vitality , or relish life ’ s most precious moments — hugging a grandchild , birthdays , weddings , graduations , all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under control , ” he said .
Read more : Boris Johnson and other world leaders congratulate Joe Biden on US election win “ On Monday , I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris Covid plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan will be built on a bedrock of science .
It will be constructed out of compassion , empathy , and concern .
”

Joe Biden pledges to unify nation in US election acceptance speech
President-elect Joe Biden and Jill Biden wave to the crowd after Biden’s address to the nation from the Chase Center November in Wilmington, Delaware
President-elect Joe Biden has said it is “time to heal” the US and bridge the country’s gaping political divides in his election acceptance speech.
Biden spook at Wilmington, Delaware just after 1am London time, telling the world that the “grim era of demonization in America” must end.
“The refusal of Democrats and Republicans to cooperate with one another is not due to some mysterious force beyond our control,” he said.
“It’s a decision. It’s a choice we make.”
He added: “We must restore the soul of America.
“Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses.
“It is time for our better angels to prevail.”
The former Vice President was widely declared the winner of the US election last night, after it became apparent that he had an insurmountable lead in the state of Pennsylvania.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
Donald Trump has yet to concede the election and continues to claim there has been widespread election fraud, despite having no evidence to back up this claim.
The Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in a number of swing states that were won by Biden by small margins.
Biden has so far won 279 Electoral College votes, with several states still counting ballots.
His final victory will likely be by a similar margin as Trump beat Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Biden unveiled the foundations of his plan to control Covid in his speech as deaths from the virus have almost hit 240,000 in the US.
“We cannot repair the economy, restore our vitality, or relish life’s most precious moments — hugging a grandchild, birthdays, weddings, graduations, all the moments that matter most to us — until we get this virus under control,” he said.
“On Monday, I will name a group of leading scientists and experts as Transition Advisors to help take the Biden-Harris Covid plan and convert it into an action blueprint that starts on 20 January, 2021.
“That plan will be built on a bedrock of science. It will be constructed out of compassion, empathy, and concern.”


cityam--2020-11-08--Tech and the City: Listing rules set for revamp to lure unicorns

Rules governing public listings are reportedly set for a huge overhaul in a bid to lure tech giants to the City .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is next week set to announce a review into stock market listings to encourage tech unicorns , firms valued at over $ 1bn , and other high-growth companies to list in London rather than New York , Sky News reported .
Former British commissioner to the EU Lord Hill and a non-executive director of the Treasury is in line to lead the review , which is aimed at helping the City compete in the post-Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies shun London for the US when they go public in part because of the tough listing rules .
Proposals considered by the review include reducing the minimum “ free float ” requirement for a premium main market listing , according to Sky News .
This would allow entrepreneurs to retain greater ownership of their firms when they float .
The Treasury is also said to be considering allowing companies to list with “ dual class ” share structures , also proposed by the City of London Corporation in recent weeks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stock market listings to ensure competitiveness against other financial centres , and encourage more tech floats where “ competition is particularly fierce.
” There are encouraging signs London ’ s IPO market is picking up again , with cybersecurity firm Darktrace and food delivery giant Deliveroo both targeting listings next year .
Similarly the recent float of consumer goods retailer the Hut Group signals a rebound in the market .
The firm raised £1.88bn in the largest UK float since 2015 with chief executive Matthew Moulding holding a “ founder ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hostile takeover bid for the company .
But due to the group ’ s unusual capital structure , the Hut Group was not permitted a premium stock exchange listing .
The Treasury and London Stock Exchange were contacted for comment .

Tech and the City: Listing rules set for revamp to lure unicorns
The FTSE 100 joined a global equity rally following news of Biden’s victory
Rules governing public listings are reportedly set for a huge overhaul in a bid to lure tech giants to the City.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is next week set to announce a review into stock market listings to encourage tech unicorns, firms valued at over $1bn, and other high-growth companies to list in London rather than New York, Sky News reported.
Former British commissioner to the EU Lord Hill and a non-executive director of the Treasury is in line to lead the review, which is aimed at helping the City compete in the post-Brexit era.
A number of big tech companies shun London for the US when they go public in part because of the tough listing rules.
Proposals considered by the review include reducing the minimum “free float” requirement for a premium main market listing, according to Sky News. This would allow entrepreneurs to retain greater ownership of their firms when they float.
The Treasury is also said to be considering allowing companies to list with “dual class” share structures, also proposed by the City of London Corporation in recent weeks.
The corporation last month proposed a regulatory review of stock market listings to ensure competitiveness against other financial centres, and encourage more tech floats where “competition is particularly fierce.”
There are encouraging signs London’s IPO market is picking up again, with cybersecurity firm Darktrace and food delivery giant Deliveroo both targeting listings next year.
Similarly the recent float of consumer goods retailer the Hut Group signals a rebound in the market. The firm raised £1.88bn in the largest UK float since 2015 with chief executive Matthew Moulding holding a “founder’s share”, allowing him to veto a hostile takeover bid for the company.
But due to the group’s unusual capital structure, the Hut Group was not permitted a premium stock exchange listing.
The Treasury and London Stock Exchange were contacted for comment.


cityam--2020-11-09--Scottish Widows pulls £440m from investments in ESG push

Pensions provider Scottish Widows has announced it will pull millions from companies failing to meet its ESG standards .
The £440m divestment from companies that “ pose significant ESG ” risk is the firm ’ s latest sustainable push , and is one of the largest exclusions policy by an institutional investor yet .
The divestment seeks to protect almost 6m customers from ESG-related investment risks , with the exclusions being applied across the group ’ s life , pension and OEIC funds .
The new exclusions policy targets companies which derive more than 10 per cent of their revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers of controversial weapons and violators of the UN Global Compact on human rights , labour , environment and corruption .
And Scottish Widows warned the divestment figure could grow if companies fail to take further action on the sustainability of their business .
ESG has been a hot topic in recent years , not least for pension schemes , and consumer demand for sustainable investments is growing .
Pension providers have come under serious pressure from campaigners about the nature of their investments , from fossil fuels to tobacco .
Film director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Make My Money Matter ’ campaign to raise awareness of non-ESG compliant funds , pushing for sustainable alternatives .
In September the campaign partnered with WWF to call on the finance sector to “ urgently ” address its role in tackling the climate crisis .
“ As a large institutional investor , we have a vital role to play in shielding our customers from ESG investment risks , as well as influencing positive change through the investments we hold , ” Maria Nazrova-Doyle , head of pension investments at Scottish Widows said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk ’ companies is likely to be severely limited by future regulations and the changing views of customers and investors , leading to significant falls in their share prices.
” Read more : Climate-related risk becomes leading concern for business leaders Scottish Widows ’ divestment is the latest sustainability push from the pensions provider which in August announced it had collaborated with asset manager Blackrock to create a climate fund .
The Climate Transition World Equity fund has received £2bn of Scottish Widows ’ pension portfolios as it looks to offer customers “ @ @ @ @ @ @

Scottish Widows pulls £440m from investments in ESG push
Pensions provider Scottish Widows has announced it will pull millions from companies failing to meet its ESG standards.
The £440m divestment from companies that “pose significant ESG” risk is the firm’s latest sustainable push, and is one of the largest exclusions policy by an institutional investor yet.
The divestment seeks to protect almost 6m customers from ESG-related investment risks, with the exclusions being applied across the group’s life, pension and OEIC funds.
The new exclusions policy targets companies which derive more than 10 per cent of their revenue from thermal coal and tar sands, manufacturers of controversial weapons and violators of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, environment and corruption.
And Scottish Widows warned the divestment figure could grow if companies fail to take further action on the sustainability of their business.
ESG has been a hot topic in recent years, not least for pension schemes, and consumer demand for sustainable investments is growing. Pension providers have come under serious pressure from campaigners about the nature of their investments, from fossil fuels to tobacco.
Film director Richard Curtis this year launched the ‘Make My Money Matter’ campaign to raise awareness of non-ESG compliant funds, pushing for sustainable alternatives.
In September the campaign partnered with WWF to call on the finance sector to “urgently” address its role in tackling the climate crisis.
“As a large institutional investor, we have a vital role to play in shielding our customers from ESG investment risks, as well as influencing positive change through the investments we hold,” Maria Nazrova-Doyle, head of pension investments at Scottish Widows said.
“The growth of these ‘at risk’ companies is likely to be severely limited by future regulations and the changing views of customers and investors, leading to significant falls in their share prices.”
Scottish Widows’ divestment is the latest sustainability push from the pensions provider which in August announced it had collaborated with asset manager Blackrock to create a climate fund.
The Climate Transition World Equity fund has received £2bn of Scottish Widows’ pension portfolios as it looks to offer customers “more sustainable investment choices”.


cityam--2020-11-09--Housing market fends off significant hit of second lockdown

While the second lockdown in England has had a detrimental effect on the country ’ s hospitality and leisure industries , the housing market is having an entirely different experience .
The early impact of the second lockdown is bearing little resemblance to the hit it took in March , according to estate agent Knight Frank .
UK house prices have shot up during the pandemic despite the worst economic downturn in a generation .
Read more : UK house prices see fastest growth in four years but monthly rate slows The housing market has been allowed to stay open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of restrictions , when buying and selling were severely curtailed for six weeks .
The estate agent ’ s data shows that exchanges were up 11 per cent between Monday and Thursday last week , reflecting the large number of properties that have gone under offer since the market reopened .
That said data shows a number of agents saw some dropoff in activity after the announcement of a second lockdown .
“ Part of that was caused by some initial confusion around whether the property market was remaining open… In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking extra precautions and delaying decisions , ” said Tom Bill , head of UK residential research .
The number of viewings that took place between Monday and Thursday were down 15 per cent on the previous week , but the number of valuation appraisals rose 38 per cent over the same period .
Prospective buyers are likely moving quickly as the deadline for the stamp duty holiday looms .
Indeed the number of exchanges in prime London markets reached its highest level in five years last month , although most exchanges still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
Read more : Mortgage approvals soar to 13-year high as UK housing market booms “ If the second lockdown is not extended , it therefore feels like it will put a small dent in the performance of a resurgent property market ; but little more , ” said Bill .
Whether this dent becomes bigger depends on how quickly a vaccine for Covid-19 can be distributed and the avoidance of a “ no-deal cliff-edge Brexit ” .

Housing market fends off significant hit of second lockdown
While the second lockdown in England has had a detrimental effect on the country’s hospitality and leisure industries, the housing market is having an entirely different experience.
The early impact of the second lockdown is bearing little resemblance to the hit it took in March, according to estate agent Knight Frank.
UK house prices have shot up during the pandemic despite the worst economic downturn in a generation.
The housing market has been allowed to stay open during this lockdown unlike in the first wave of restrictions, when buying and selling were severely curtailed for six weeks.
The estate agent’s data shows that exchanges were up 11 per cent between Monday and Thursday last week, reflecting the large number of properties that have gone under offer since the market reopened.
That said data shows a number of agents saw some dropoff in activity after the announcement of a second lockdown. “Part of that was caused by some initial confusion around whether the property market was remaining open… In other cases, buyers and sellers are understandably taking extra precautions and delaying decisions,” said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research.
The number of viewings that took place between Monday and Thursday were down 15 per cent on the previous week, but the number of valuation appraisals rose 38 per cent over the same period.
Prospective buyers are likely moving quickly as the deadline for the stamp duty holiday looms. Indeed the number of exchanges in prime London markets reached its highest level in five years last month, although most exchanges still relate to deals that pre-date the first lockdown.
“If the second lockdown is not extended, it therefore feels like it will put a small dent in the performance of a resurgent property market; but little more,” said Bill.
Whether this dent becomes bigger depends on how quickly a vaccine for Covid-19 can be distributed and the avoidance of a “no-deal cliff-edge Brexit”.


cityam--2020-11-08--Young Britons worst hit by Covid lockdowns, says new study

Young people have been disproportionately affected by the UK ’ s Covid lockdowns and other restrictions , according to a new study .
A study by NatWest/Centre for Social Justice found 20 per cent of all Britons saw their income fall this year , with 27 per cent of young people reporting decreases .
Read more : Covid19 : Test and trace success rate stays near record low Debit card spending on local services , such as hairdressers and beauticians , has plummeted by more than 20 per cent in London alone , according to the new figures .
Eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent in the nation ’ s capital .
The study has also showed spending on debit cards had the largest increases in the UK ’ s towns and smaller cities , with increases of “ more than 30 per cent in certain parts of the north of England , Scotland and Wales ” .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data This is in line with the nature of the country ’ s Covid lockdowns and subsequent restrictions , which has seen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major cities left deserted .
Andy Cook , chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice , said the government needed to target young Britons in further financial support packages .
“ Unless government and business acts , Britain ’ s young people are on the verge of catastrophe , ” he said .
“ The lockdown measures of 2020 , although they have saved lives , can not be isolated from economic , social and community concerns .
“ The first lockdown saw a positive wave of community action and support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure drives down number of permanent jobs NatWest Group chief executive Alison Roe added : “ Existing trends are accelerating and new ones emerging .
“ The solutions require a collaborative response from government , businesses and communities , in particular to ensure our young people have every opportunity to succeed .
”

Young Britons worst hit by Covid lockdowns, says new study
Young people have been disproportionately affected by the UK’s Covid lockdowns and other restrictions, according to a new study.
A study by NatWest/Centre for Social Justice found 20 per cent of all Britons saw their income fall this year, with 27 per cent of young people reporting decreases.
Debit card spending on local services, such as hairdressers and beauticians, has plummeted by more than 20 per cent in London alone, according to the new figures.
Eating out was also down by 11 per cent in the nation’s capital.
The study has also showed spending on debit cards had the largest increases in the UK’s towns and smaller cities, with increases of “more than 30 per cent in certain parts of the north of England, Scotland and Wales”.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
This is in line with the nature of the country’s Covid lockdowns and subsequent restrictions, which has seen the high streets of central London and other major cities left deserted.
Andy Cook, chief executive of the Centre for Social Justice, said the government needed to target young Britons in further financial support packages.
“Unless government and business acts, Britain’s young people are on the verge of catastrophe,” he said.
“The lockdown measures of 2020, although they have saved lives, cannot be isolated from economic, social and community concerns.
“The first lockdown saw a positive wave of community action and support for local businesses.”
NatWest Group chief executive Alison Roe added: “Existing trends are accelerating and new ones emerging.
“The solutions require a collaborative response from government, businesses and communities, in particular to ensure our young people have every opportunity to succeed.”


cityam--2020-11-08--Boris Johnson maintains Brexit deal 'is there to be done'

A post-Brexit trade deal is still “ there to be done ” despite the final deadline looming next month , according to Boris Johnson .
Johnson , who spoke to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday , said “ the broad outlines are pretty clear ” and that the EU chief “ totally agrees with me ” .
Read more : Boris Johnson says UK ‘ well prepared ’ for no-deal Brexit A statement from Downing Street yesterday said that “ significant differences ” remained between the two sides including “ the so-called level playing field and fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ redouble ” efforts to close a deal before the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union on 31 December .
Last month the deadline for a deal was the end of October , however like many others it also slipped as 31 December gets nearer .
State subsidy regulations , which are a part of the level playing field talks , has been one of the largest barriers to a deal .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory regime for business subsidies , and other things like labour and environmental laws , in return for zero tariff trade .
Brussels also started negotiations by demanding EU countries retain the same fishing rights to UK waters as they currently have , which UK negotiator David Frost has said is untenable .
Speaking today , Johnson said : “ I ’ ve always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners , I think it is there to be done .
“ The broad outlines are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get on and do it if we can .
I ’ ve said that to Ursula von der Leyen just yesterday and she totally agrees with me.
” The Prime Minister also talked up the chances of a UK-US trade deal under a Joe Biden administration .
Many pundits have suggested that transatlantic trade deals will not be a priority for Biden .
Read more : Goldman Sachs to shift $ 60bn of assets to Germany ahead of Brexit “ On the trade deal with the US , I am a keen student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re tough negotiators , and I ’ ve never believed this was going to be something that was going to be a complete pushover under any US administration , ” Johnson said .
“ I think there is a good chance we ’ ll do something – Liz Truss and her team ’ s made a huge amount of progress – and we ’ ll get on .
”

Boris Johnson maintains Brexit deal ‘is there to be done’
A post-Brexit trade deal is still “there to be done” despite the final deadline looming next month, according to Boris Johnson.
Johnson, who spoke to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday, said “the broad outlines are pretty clear” and that the EU chief “totally agrees with me”.
A statement from Downing Street yesterday said that “significant differences” remained between the two sides including “the so-called level playing field and fish”.
Negotiators will meet tomorrow and “redouble” efforts to close a deal before the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union on 31 December.
Last month the deadline for a deal was the end of October, however like many others it also slipped as 31 December gets nearer.
State subsidy regulations, which are a part of the level playing field talks, has been one of the largest barriers to a deal.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
The EU wants the UK to mirror its regulatory regime for business subsidies, and other things like labour and environmental laws, in return for zero tariff trade.
Brussels also started negotiations by demanding EU countries retain the same fishing rights to UK waters as they currently have, which UK negotiator David Frost has said is untenable.
Speaking today, Johnson said: “I’ve always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners, I think it is there to be done.
“The broad outlines are pretty clear, we just need to get on and do it if we can. I’ve said that to Ursula von der Leyen just yesterday and she totally agrees with me.”
The Prime Minister also talked up the chances of a UK-US trade deal under a Joe Biden administration.
Many pundits have suggested that transatlantic trade deals will not be a priority for Biden.
“On the trade deal with the US, I am a keen student of the United States trade policy and they’re tough negotiators, and I’ve never believed this was going to be something that was going to be a complete pushover under any US administration,” Johnson said.
“I think there is a good chance we’ll do something – Liz Truss and her team’s made a huge amount of progress – and we’ll get on.”


cityam--2020-11-08--Dominic Raab says Joe Biden and the US has 'no greater ally' than UK

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said the US has “ no greater ally or dependable friend ” than the UK as Downing Street prepares for a Joe Biden White House .
The foreign secretary told the BBC he was “ excited ” to work with Biden and was “ confident ” the UK will be able to smooth any fears he may have about the Good Friday Agreement and how it relates to Brexit .
Read more : Joe Biden ’ s business in-tray : The President-elect ’ s most pressing issues Raab said the UK ’ s ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch with the Biden camp and the President-elect would speak to Boris Johnson “ in due course ” .
There has been speculation that Biden will give the the UK government the cold shoulder over its stance on Brexit , Johnson ’ s attempts to forge a close relationship with Donald Trump and comments made by the Prime Minister in 2016 about Barack Obama .
Johnson said the then President ’ s removal of a Winston Churchill bust from the Oval Office was a “ symbol of the part-Kenyan president ’ s ancestral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more : Can Boris Johnson forge a special relationship with Joe Biden ?
Biden recently sent a tweet warning the there would be no UK-US trade deal if Johnson breached the Belfast Good Friday Agreement during Brexit negotiations .
The Prime Minister introduced legislation earlier this year that would breach the Withdrawal Agreement , as it pertains to Northern Ireland , if the UK leaves the EU ’ s single market and customs union without a deal on 31 December .
Brussels has claimed this legislation could put the Good Friday Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK has “ no intention of imperiling ” the peace treaty .
“ What he ’ s looking for , what the Americans will be looking for , I ’ m sure , is the opportunities of the future , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not saying that their interest in the Good Friday Agreement will in any way dim , I ’ ve explained why we ’ re absolutely committed to it , but .
.
.
they ’ re looking at the opportunities for multi-lateral co-operation on Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing , reinforcing the Nato alliance and , of course , climate change.
” Read more : Joe Biden pledges to unify nation in US election acceptance speech Senator Chris Coons , a close Biden ally and a potential cabinet appointee , told the BBC today that the UK-US relationship is “ significant and enduring ” and dismissed claims the President-elect sees Johnson as a British equivalent of Trump .
“ In my meetings with the Prime Minister he ’ s struck me as someone more agile , engaging , educated and forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the American press would have suggested , ” he said .

Dominic Raab says Joe Biden and the US has ‘no greater ally’ than UK
Dominic Raab at a Washington press conference in September
Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said the US has “no greater ally or dependable friend” than the UK as Downing Street prepares for a Joe Biden White House.
The foreign secretary told the BBC he was “excited” to work with Biden and was “confident” the UK will be able to smooth any fears he may have about the Good Friday Agreement and how it relates to Brexit.
Raab said the UK’s ambassador to Washington Dame Karen Pierce has been in touch with the Biden camp and the President-elect would speak to Boris Johnson “in due course”.
There has been speculation that Biden will give the the UK government the cold shoulder over its stance on Brexit, Johnson’s attempts to forge a close relationship with Donald Trump and comments made by the Prime Minister in 2016 about Barack Obama.
Johnson said the then President’s removal of a Winston Churchill bust from the Oval Office was a “symbol of the part-Kenyan president’s ancestral dislike of the British empire”.
Biden recently sent a tweet warning the there would be no UK-US trade deal if Johnson breached the Belfast Good Friday Agreement during Brexit negotiations.
The Prime Minister introduced legislation earlier this year that would breach the Withdrawal Agreement, as it pertains to Northern Ireland, if the UK leaves the EU’s single market and customs union without a deal on 31 December.
Brussels has claimed this legislation could put the Good Friday Agreement at risk.
Raab today said the UK has “no intention of imperiling” the peace treaty.
“What he’s looking for, what the Americans will be looking for, I’m sure, is the opportunities of the future,” he said.
“I’m not saying that their interest in the Good Friday Agreement will in any way dim, I’ve explained why we’re absolutely committed to it, but . . . they’re looking at the opportunities for multi-lateral co-operation on Covid or counter-terrorism, cyber is a big thing, reinforcing the Nato alliance and, of course, climate change.”
Senator Chris Coons, a close Biden ally and a potential cabinet appointee, told the BBC today that the UK-US relationship is “significant and enduring” and dismissed claims the President-elect sees Johnson as a British equivalent of Trump.
“In my meetings with the Prime Minister he’s struck me as someone more agile, engaging, educated and forward looking than perhaps the caricature of him in the American press would have suggested,” he said.