skynewspolitics--2020-09-13--Five things we learnt from this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday

With Brexit well and truly back on the agenda , the government is having to balance the fallout over its controversial bill and coronavirus at the same time .
Here are five things we learnt from this week 's Sophy Ridge On Sunday : Lord chancellor believes in the rule of law Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland has said he wo n't resign and that the `` whole government '' is committed to the rule of law , despite the suggestion it would break international law by amending the Northern Ireland protocol .
`` Government believes in rule of law '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday 's statement from the Northern Ireland secretary that the government would break international law in a `` limited and specific '' way has changed the usual questions .
The plans caused outrage in the EU and among some Conservatives , as well as turning all eyes to the government 's legal representatives .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Before taking the job , lord chancellors swear to uphold the law `` so help me God '' , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Geoffrey Cox gave an assessment of her deal blunt enough to sink it .
For now at least the lord chancellor is n't for turning , saying : `` I can reassure the Irish government , I can reassure all friends in Europe that all we are seeking to do is to prepare the ground domestically if things are not resolved .
`` That is a responsible course of action ... we are 100 % committed to these negotiations , we are going to press on with them until the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly nowhere near reassured , as Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee made clear .
She said the deal in question `` was voted through the UK Parliament nine months ago , it was voted through the European Parliament nine months ago and now this week one side of the agreement essentially has decided to unilaterally on its own change elements of that agreement so it 's posed some confusion , or a lot of confusion '' .
Warning that `` I think it has in some ways damaged trust between both sides '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week had `` certainly set us back '' when it came to negotiations .
Since Monday , a key argument against the plans to amend the protocol has been that it will damage the UK 's international credibility - a vital commodity as we try to strike trade deals worldwide .
Remedies for breaking international law are potentially severe and Ms McEntee told the programme that legal actions or sanctions against the UK `` could happen '' .
You 'd be forgiven for being a little surprised that the party that promised a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now denouncing the Conservatives as drawing Brexit out , but as Sir Keir Starmer has said , Labour is under new management .
`` I think the country wants to stop talking about Brexit , '' said Labour 's shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh .
After four years of argument , Labour 's position is that the government needs to get on and get a deal , with Ms Haigh calling for one that `` protects our trading relationship , protects businesses , protects jobs and protects peace in Northern Ireland '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously undermining and jeopardising '' the UK 's chances of an agreement and accused him of `` picking a fight '' over the issue of state aid ( which Dominic Raab told the show last week was one of the two remaining `` bones of contention '' ) .
Dramatic though this is , it is happening against a backdrop of a surge in coronavirus cases that are now reaching `` exponential '' growth , with new restrictions and potential lockdowns .
Imperial College 's Professor Peter Openshaw said the rise in coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more `` hospitalisations and deaths '' .
Asked if Britain is on the edge of losing control of COVID-19 , he said : `` Yes , I think that is right .
It is like water seeping through a dam .
It starts as a trickle but if you do n't do something about it , it can turn into a real cascade . ''
A recent study from Imperial put the R number , or rate of infection , as high as 1.7 , which Professor Openshaw said means `` that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected and that means exponential growth '' .
`` This is n't a game , which should n't be out trying to party as hard as we can in the run up to Monday 's lockdown , we should all be really thinking about what we can do now to slow down the spread , '' he added .
The glimmer of good news was the professor 's suggestion a vaccine for the virus could be found by Christmas and `` with rapid scaling up we might have vaccination programmes which can roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next nine months .
Among the many ways that COVID-19 has hit the economy is the devastation it has caused in the childcare sector .
Some 41 % of working mothers with children under 10 are n't getting enough support , according to a survey by ICM for the Trades Union Congress .
Many parents with full-time jobs and young children already face a struggle to balance work and childcare , and the TUC 's General Secretary Frances O'Grady warned of the risk that `` you pull one string and everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many women were being forced into choices including `` cutting their hours at work or going really early , or ending up doing effectively an evening shift to try to keep on top of their jobs '' .
With many nurseries facing a particularly shaky financial future , Ms O'Grady declared : `` If anyone 's going to get a bailout the childcare sector deserves a bailout - because that 's crucial for the economy , that allows working parents to do their jobs . ''

With Brexit well and truly back on the agenda, the government is having to balance the fallout over its controversial bill and coronavirus at the same time.
Here are five things we learnt from this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday:
Lord chancellor believes in the rule of law
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Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland has said he won't resign and that the "whole government" is committed to the rule of law, despite the suggestion it would break international law by amending the Northern Ireland protocol.
"Government believes in rule of law" is not a traditional headline, but Monday's statement from the Northern Ireland secretary that the government would break international law in a "limited and specific" way has changed the usual questions.
The plans caused outrage in the EU and among some Conservatives, as well as turning all eyes to the government's legal representatives.
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Before taking the job, lord chancellors swear to uphold the law "so help me God", and it's not long since Theresa May's Attorney General Geoffrey Cox gave an assessment of her deal blunt enough to sink it.
For now at least the lord chancellor isn't for turning, saying: "I can reassure the Irish government, I can reassure all friends in Europe that all we are seeking to do is to prepare the ground domestically if things are not resolved.
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"That is a responsible course of action... we are 100% committed to these negotiations, we are going to press on with them until the end."
Damaging trust
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But Ireland's government is clearly nowhere near reassured, as Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee made clear.
She said the deal in question "was voted through the UK Parliament nine months ago, it was voted through the European Parliament nine months ago and now this week one side of the agreement essentially has decided to unilaterally on its own change elements of that agreement so it's posed some confusion, or a lot of confusion".
Warning that "I think it has in some ways damaged trust between both sides", she said the events of the week had "certainly set us back" when it came to negotiations.
Since Monday, a key argument against the plans to amend the protocol has been that it will damage the UK's international credibility - a vital commodity as we try to strike trade deals worldwide.
Remedies for breaking international law are potentially severe and Ms McEntee told the programme that legal actions or sanctions against the UK "could happen".
Get Brexit... done?
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You'd be forgiven for being a little surprised that the party that promised a second referendum in December last year is now denouncing the Conservatives as drawing Brexit out, but as Sir Keir Starmer has said, Labour is under new management.
"I think the country wants to stop talking about Brexit," said Labour's shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh.
After four years of argument, Labour's position is that the government needs to get on and get a deal, with Ms Haigh calling for one that "protects our trading relationship, protects businesses, protects jobs and protects peace in Northern Ireland".
She accused Boris Johnson of "seriously undermining and jeopardising" the UK's chances of an agreement and accused him of "picking a fight" over the issue of state aid (which Dominic Raab told the show last week was one of the two remaining "bones of contention").
Losing control
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Dramatic though this is, it is happening against a backdrop of a surge in coronavirus cases that are now reaching "exponential" growth, with new restrictions and potential lockdowns.
Imperial College's Professor Peter Openshaw said the rise in coronavirus infections will "inevitably" result in more "hospitalisations and deaths".
Asked if Britain is on the edge of losing control of COVID-19, he said: "Yes, I think that is right. It is like water seeping through a dam. It starts as a trickle but if you don't do something about it, it can turn into a real cascade."
A recent study from Imperial put the R number, or rate of infection, as high as 1.7, which Professor Openshaw said means "that's 1.7 people for every person who's infected and that means exponential growth".
"This isn't a game, which shouldn't be out trying to party as hard as we can in the run up to Monday's lockdown, we should all be really thinking about what we can do now to slow down the spread," he added.
The glimmer of good news was the professor's suggestion a vaccine for the virus could be found by Christmas and "with rapid scaling up we might have vaccination programmes which can roll out to some parts of the world over the next nine months.
Bail out the nurseries
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Among the many ways that COVID-19 has hit the economy is the devastation it has caused in the childcare sector.
Some 41% of working mothers with children under 10 aren't getting enough support, according to a survey by ICM for the Trades Union Congress.
Many parents with full-time jobs and young children already face a struggle to balance work and childcare, and the TUC's General Secretary Frances O'Grady warned of the risk that "you pull one string and everything unravels".
She told the show that many women were being forced into choices including "cutting their hours at work or going really early, or ending up doing effectively an evening shift to try to keep on top of their jobs".
With many nurseries facing a particularly shaky financial future, Ms O'Grady declared: "If anyone's going to get a bailout the childcare sector deserves a bailout - because that's crucial for the economy, that allows working parents to do their jobs."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-13--How Labour turned Boris Johnson's own Brexit weapons against him

How Labour turned Boris Johnson 's own Brexit weapons against him How Labour turned Boris Johnson 's own Brexit weapons against him Boris Johnson with a 'Get Brexit Done ' sign during the general election campaign To quote Back to the Future 's Marty McFly , Labour 's new Brexit position `` is an oldie where I come from '' .
Writing in the Brexiteer 's paper of choice , the Sunday Telegraph , Sir Keir Starmer today called on Boris Johnson to stop squabbling and do a deal with the EU .
The shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK will be `` stepping out on to the world stage… as global Britain '' when Brexit is complete .
Do not adjust your set ; that is a former Jeremy Corbyn frontbencher singing along with a classic of the Brexiteer genre .
In fact , Labour has made a wholesale raid of the Tory armoury deployed against their party at the last election , and turned that fire back on the government .
Boris Johnson is now being subjected to the same `` dither and delay '' attack line he repeatedly pelted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister was not helped by a week of rehashed arguments over the Irish border , infighting over the rule of law and that heaviest of heavy Brexit hits - the Tory rebel amendment .
No surprise that the Tories have today issued a rebuttal accusing the Labour leader of saying `` anything to score political points '' after years of trying to overturn the 2016 referendum .
But this move is as much about shoring up Labour 's own support as it is attacking the government .
Once a vocal supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows the Brexit weather has shifted with even the Liberal Democrat 's now saying they will not push to re-join the EU .
Brendan Chilton , general secretary of the pro-Brexit Labour Leave group , welcomed the pivot saying it was clearly designed to `` win back Brexit voters in the seats lost in the red wall '' .
`` It summarises what most people want… let 's not re-open old wounds as the bigger challenge here is COVID-19 and the economic fallout '' , he said .
But while a shift to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older voters in traditional Labour areas , it also risks alienating younger pro-EU supporters .
Former Labour minister Lord Adonis said `` it is a great mistake to endorse Brexit .
It is turning into a bigger and bigger disaster , undermining people 's living standards and the rule of law , and Labour should have nothing to do with it '' .
It 's something that could also feed into a wider battle brewing within the party , with former Corbyn supporters increasingly agitated about what they see as establishment attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality , a pandemic sucking up everyone 's energy and attention and a nation tiring of Brexit drama makes this move as pragmatic as it is political .
To misquote another Marty McFly one-liner , you may not be ready for a pro-Brexit Labour party , but your parents are gon na love it .

The PM is now being subjected to the same "dither and delay" attack line he repeatedly pelted at Jeremy Corbyn last year.
How Labour turned Boris Johnson's own Brexit weapons against him
To quote Back to the Future's Marty McFly, Labour's new Brexit position "is an oldie where I come from".
Writing in the Brexiteer's paper of choice, the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Keir Starmer today called on Boris Johnson to stop squabbling and do a deal with the EU.
Sound familiar?
The shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh went further, telling Sky News the UK will be "stepping out on to the world stage… as global Britain" when Brexit is complete.
Do not adjust your set; that is a former Jeremy Corbyn frontbencher singing along with a classic of the Brexiteer genre.
In fact, Labour has made a wholesale raid of the Tory armoury deployed against their party at the last election, and turned that fire back on the government.
Boris Johnson is now being subjected to the same "dither and delay" attack line he repeatedly pelted at Jeremy Corbyn last year.
The prime minister was not helped by a week of rehashed arguments over the Irish border, infighting over the rule of law and that heaviest of heavy Brexit hits - the Tory rebel amendment.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:20 'Govt are undermining a free trade agreement'
No surprise that the Tories have today issued a rebuttal accusing the Labour leader of saying "anything to score political points" after years of trying to overturn the 2016 referendum.
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But this move is as much about shoring up Labour's own support as it is attacking the government.
Once a vocal supporter of a second referendum, Sir Keir Starmer knows the Brexit weather has shifted with even the Liberal Democrat's now saying they will not push to re-join the EU.
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:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Brendan Chilton, general secretary of the pro-Brexit Labour Leave group, welcomed the pivot saying it was clearly designed to "win back Brexit voters in the seats lost in the red wall".
"It summarises what most people want… let's not re-open old wounds as the bigger challenge here is COVID-19 and the economic fallout", he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 Justice sec defends PM's Brexit strategy
But while a shift to a more pro-Brexit position may appeal to older voters in traditional Labour areas, it also risks alienating younger pro-EU supporters.
Former Labour minister Lord Adonis said "it is a great mistake to endorse Brexit. It is turning into a bigger and bigger disaster, undermining people's living standards and the rule of law, and Labour should have nothing to do with it".
It's something that could also feed into a wider battle brewing within the party, with former Corbyn supporters increasingly agitated about what they see as establishment attempts to silence those on the left.
In reality, a pandemic sucking up everyone's energy and attention and a nation tiring of Brexit drama makes this move as pragmatic as it is political.
To misquote another Marty McFly one-liner, you may not be ready for a pro-Brexit Labour party, but your parents are gonna love it.


skynewspolitics--2020-09-13--New Lib Dem deputy leader vows to help build 'winning campaign machine'

The new deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats has vowed to help the party build a `` winning campaign machine '' as it seeks a reversal of fortune .
It was announced by the party on Sunday that Daisy Cooper had been unanimously elected to the role .
Ms Cooper won her St Albans seat at the 2019 general election , the first time the Lib Dems were victorious in the constituency .
The announcement follows the election of Sir Ed Davey as leader last month .
The Lib Dems increased their vote share in 2019 , but failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swinson lost her seat as the party 's anti-Brexit message failed to win enough support to increase its number of MPs .
Before entering the House of Commons , Ms Cooper worked for the cross-party movement More United and in Commonwealth affairs , campaigning against international human rights abuses and for improved LGBT+ rights abroad .
`` At the same time that Ed Davey , as our new leader , is listening to and reconnecting with voters , it is my role to help build a winning campaign machine that will get Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` Liberal Democrats won St Albans in December for the first time ever .
`` It was a seat we had never held before .
`` But it did n't happen overnight .
It took three and a half years .
`` I am determined to use the three and a half years before the next general election to replicate our St Albans win in many other places .
`` With Johnson 's Conservatives attacking the independence of our judges , brazenly stating that they want to break the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more important than ever that Liberal Democrats listen and win in every part of the UK . ''

The new deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats has vowed to help the party build a "winning campaign machine" as it seeks a reversal of fortune.
It was announced by the party on Sunday that Daisy Cooper had been unanimously elected to the role.
Ms Cooper won her St Albans seat at the 2019 general election, the first time the Lib Dems were victorious in the constituency.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 New Lib Dem leader: 'Party must change'
The announcement follows the election of Sir Ed Davey as leader last month.
The Lib Dems increased their vote share in 2019, but failed to make an electoral breakthrough.
Then-leader Jo Swinson lost her seat as the party's anti-Brexit message failed to win enough support to increase its number of MPs.
Before entering the House of Commons, Ms Cooper worked for the cross-party movement More United and in Commonwealth affairs, campaigning against international human rights abuses and for improved LGBT+ rights abroad.
"At the same time that Ed Davey, as our new leader, is listening to and reconnecting with voters, it is my role to help build a winning campaign machine that will get Liberal Democrats elected at every level," she said.
"Liberal Democrats won St Albans in December for the first time ever.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:11 2019: 'Dread and dismay' for Lib Dems as leader loses seat
"It was a seat we had never held before.
"But it didn't happen overnight. It took three and a half years.
"I am determined to use the three and a half years before the next general election to replicate our St Albans win in many other places.
"With Johnson's Conservatives attacking the independence of our judges, brazenly stating that they want to break the law and destroy our international reputation, it is more important than ever that Liberal Democrats listen and win in every part of the UK."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-13--COVID testing programme 'in chaos' amid 185,000 swab backlog, leaked documents show

The government 's coronavirus testing programme is in chaos - with leaked documents revealing a backlog of 185,000 swabs and large numbers of people who will never receive their results .
Officials apologised this week over growing problems with the test-and-trace process , blaming a `` critical pinch-point '' .
But despite Boris Johnson promising a `` world-beating '' operation would be in place by June , many suspected COVID-19 patients are being told there are no test sites available to them .
And with infections soaring across the UK , leaked documents show the system is currently so stretched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Italy and Germany .
Labelled `` official : sensitive '' , the Department of Health and Social Care report seen by The Sunday Times says most British laboratories are processing fewer tests than their stated capacity due to problems in supply chains .
The newspaper said that despite government claims that its system has capacity for 375,000 tests a day , the equivalent of just 62,000 people a day were newly tested in the first week of September .
It reported people across the country struggling to get tests , with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
Suspected coronavirus patients in London have received `` no test sites '' found messages when repeatedly trying to arrange checks to confirm they have the disease .
And tests have even been unavailable to many people in areas covered by stricter lockdown measures due to high numbers of infections .
According to leaked figures , three-quarters of all tests miss government targets of 24 hours from booking to result - while one in four take longer than 48 hours .
The Sunday Times report said the number of tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to human or technical error - had risen sharply .
Randox , which the government gave a £133m testing contract to early in the pandemic , reportedly disposed of 12,401 used swabs in a single day on 2 September and has voided more than 35,000 used test kits since the start of August .
The company said in a statement that `` a small minority of samples may be voided for reasons such as leaking or damaged tubes , or have time expired '' .
Jon Ashworth , shadow health secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or with a sick child desperate for a test will be astonished that tests are piling up , left unprocessed , or even thrown away , because of errors in transportation and swabbing , while at the same time we are testing less than capacity .
`` This really is ministerial incompetence at a whole new level . ''
Mr Johnson denied the testing programme was mired in crisis this week , after Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer told him : `` This is basic stuff , people who have got COVID symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , their families and what to do , it means they ca n't go to work , they ca n't send their children to school , it matters . ''
It also emerged this week that the PM had commissioned Operation Moonshot , an ambitious plan to carry out up to 10 million tests daily by the spring .
That would cost up to £100bn - which compares to the annual NHS budget for England of £130bn .
Sarah-Jane Marsh , the director of testing at NHS Test and Trace , apologised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Can I please offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who can not get a COVID test at present .
`` All of our testing sites have capacity , which is why they do n't look overcrowded , it 's our laboratory processing that is the critical pinch-point .
We are doing all we can to expand quickly . ''
The government defended the decision to send tests abroad to be processed , saying it was doing everything it could to respond to the pandemic and was seeking to rapidly expand capacity over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62,000 daily tests figure did not take account of the total number of people tested - including people who had already had tests - or the number of tests processed .
A Department of Health spokesperson said : `` NHS Test and Trace is working and our capacity is the highest it has ever been but we are seeing a significant demand for tests including from people who do not have symptoms and are not otherwise eligible .
`` New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity at the areas that need it most , including those where there is an outbreak , and prioritising at-risk groups .
`` Our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week and we recently announced new facilities and technology to process results even faster . ''

The government's coronavirus testing programme is in chaos - with leaked documents revealing a backlog of 185,000 swabs and large numbers of people who will never receive their results.
Officials apologised this week over growing problems with the test-and-trace process, blaming a "critical pinch-point".
But despite Boris Johnson promising a "world-beating" operation would be in place by June, many suspected COVID-19 patients are being told there are no test sites available to them.
And with infections soaring across the UK, leaked documents show the system is currently so stretched that it is sending samples to laboratories in Italy and Germany.
Labelled "official: sensitive", the Department of Health and Social Care report seen by The Sunday Times says most British laboratories are processing fewer tests than their stated capacity due to problems in supply chains.
The newspaper said that despite government claims that its system has capacity for 375,000 tests a day, the equivalent of just 62,000 people a day were newly tested in the first week of September.
It reported people across the country struggling to get tests, with some being told to drive hundreds of miles to do so.
Suspected coronavirus patients in London have received "no test sites" found messages when repeatedly trying to arrange checks to confirm they have the disease.
And tests have even been unavailable to many people in areas covered by stricter lockdown measures due to high numbers of infections.
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Image: People in London have been unable to book either a drive-through or walk-through coronavirus test
According to leaked figures, three-quarters of all tests miss government targets of 24 hours from booking to result - while one in four take longer than 48 hours.
The Sunday Times report said the number of tests being "voided" - disposed of due to human or technical error - had risen sharply.
Randox, which the government gave a £133m testing contract to early in the pandemic, reportedly disposed of 12,401 used swabs in a single day on 2 September and has voided more than 35,000 used test kits since the start of August.
The company said in a statement that "a small minority of samples may be voided for reasons such as leaking or damaged tubes, or have time expired".
Jon Ashworth, shadow health secretary, told the newspaper: "People ill or with a sick child desperate for a test will be astonished that tests are piling up, left unprocessed, or even thrown away, because of errors in transportation and swabbing, while at the same time we are testing less than capacity.
"This really is ministerial incompetence at a whole new level."
Mr Johnson denied the testing programme was mired in crisis this week, after Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer told him: "This is basic stuff, people who have got COVID symptoms are very anxious about themselves, their children, their families and what to do, it means they can't go to work, they can't send their children to school, it matters."
It also emerged this week that the PM had commissioned Operation Moonshot, an ambitious plan to carry out up to 10 million tests daily by the spring.
That would cost up to £100bn - which compares to the annual NHS budget for England of £130bn.
Sarah-Jane Marsh, the director of testing at NHS Test and Trace, apologised for testing problems earlier this week.
"Can I please offer my heartfelt apologies to anyone who cannot get a COVID test at present.
"All of our testing sites have capacity, which is why they don't look overcrowded, it's our laboratory processing that is the critical pinch-point. We are doing all we can to expand quickly."
The government defended the decision to send tests abroad to be processed, saying it was doing everything it could to respond to the pandemic and was seeking to rapidly expand capacity over coming weeks.
It also said the 62,000 daily tests figure did not take account of the total number of people tested - including people who had already had tests - or the number of tests processed.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: "NHS Test and Trace is working and our capacity is the highest it has ever been but we are seeing a significant demand for tests including from people who do not have symptoms and are not otherwise eligible.
"New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily for those who need them and we are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, and prioritising at-risk groups.
"Our laboratories are processing more than a million tests a week and we recently announced new facilities and technology to process results even faster."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Starmer self-isolating after member of household showed COVID-19 symptoms

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is self-isolating after a member of his household displayed possible coronavirus symptoms .
Sir Keir will now be working from home and will not speak in today 's House of Commons debate on the government 's controversial internal market legislation , which could see ministers override the Brexit withdrawal deal .
He is understood to have not shown any COVID-19 symptoms himself .
A spokesperson for the Labour leader said : `` This morning Keir Starmer was advised to self-isolate after a member of his household showed possible symptoms of the coronavirus .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test .
`` In line with NHS guidelines , Keir will self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test and further advice from medical professionals . ''
Earlier on Monday morning , Sir Keir took part in a phone-in show on LBC Radio and appeared in the station 's studio alongside host Nick Ferrari .
The Labour leader is understood to have been alerted to his need to self-isolate shortly after and he went straight home .
Once Sir Keir arrived home , the household member got an NHS coronavirus test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ works for the NHS and , at the hospital where she works , the policy is that any NHS staff member or their family can go straight to the hospital to get a COVID-19 test .
Sir Keir 's office has contacted LBC to inform them .
If the member of Sir Keir 's household tests positive for coronavirus , he will have to self-isolate for 14 days .
He is due to make the keynote speech at Labour 's online party conference next Tuesday , 22 September .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` pass on my best wishes '' .
`` Sincerely hope he & his family are well , '' he added on Twitter .
On the LBC Radio show , Sir Keir criticised the government 's UK Internal Market Bill , which ministers have admitted could see the UK breach international law by overriding the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU .
`` Here we are on the world stage for the first time in many years on our own and what 's the first thing we do ?
We break a treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's basic stuff - if you say to other nations we agree something and a few months later you say no we do n't , the chances are they are n't going to trust you going forward . ''

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is self-isolating after a member of his household displayed possible coronavirus symptoms.
Sir Keir will now be working from home and will not speak in today's House of Commons debate on the government's controversial internal market legislation, which could see ministers override the Brexit withdrawal deal.
He is understood to have not shown any COVID-19 symptoms himself.
Image: The Labour leader took part in an LBC Radio show earlier on Monday
A spokesperson for the Labour leader said: "This morning Keir Starmer was advised to self-isolate after a member of his household showed possible symptoms of the coronavirus.
"The member of his household has now had a test.
"In line with NHS guidelines, Keir will self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test and further advice from medical professionals."
Earlier on Monday morning, Sir Keir took part in a phone-in show on LBC Radio and appeared in the station's studio alongside host Nick Ferrari.
The Labour leader is understood to have been alerted to his need to self-isolate shortly after and he went straight home.
Once Sir Keir arrived home, the household member got an NHS coronavirus test.
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Sir Keir's wife, Victoria, works for the NHS and, at the hospital where she works, the policy is that any NHS staff member or their family can go straight to the hospital to get a COVID-19 test.
Sir Keir's office has contacted LBC to inform them.
If the member of Sir Keir's household tests positive for coronavirus, he will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
He is due to make the keynote speech at Labour's online party conference next Tuesday, 22 September.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed he had spoken to Sir Keir to "pass on my best wishes".
"Sincerely hope he & his family are well," he added on Twitter.
On the LBC Radio show, Sir Keir criticised the government's UK Internal Market Bill, which ministers have admitted could see the UK breach international law by overriding the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.
"Here we are on the world stage for the first time in many years on our own and what's the first thing we do? We break a treaty," Sir Keir said.
"It's basic stuff - if you say to other nations we agree something and a few months later you say no we don't, the chances are they aren't going to trust you going forward."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Cameron becomes fifth ex-PM to express concern at Johnson's plan to override Brexit deal

Former prime minister David Cameron has `` misgivings '' about the government 's plan to override the UK 's Brexit withdrawal deal .
The government has admitted its UK Internal Market Bill could breach international law , but has insisted it is `` critical '' to ensuring the unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK .
But the proposed legislation has prompted a storm of anger both at Westminster and in Brussels over the plan to give ministers the power to alter key elements of the UK 's Withdrawal Agreement , which was formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January .
Live updates as Internal Market Bill goes to Commons Mr Cameron on Monday became the fourth ex-Tory leader - after Lord Howard , Sir John Major and Theresa May - to express concern at Mr Johnson 's plan .
His comments mean all five living former prime ministers , including ex-Labour premiers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as well as Sir John and Mrs May , have now spoken out against the government 's proposals .
He said : `` Passing an Act of Parliment and then going on to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , very last thing you should contemplate .
`` It should be an absolute final resort .
So I do have misgivings about what 's being proposed . ''
However , Mr Cameron also added : `` So far what 's happened is the government has proposed a law that it might pass , or might not pass , or might use or might not use , depending on whether certain circumstances do or do not appear .
`` Of course the bigger picture here is we are in a vital negotiation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we have to keep that context , that big prize in mind , and that 's why I 've perhaps held back from saying more up to now . ''
At the weekend , UK chief negotiator Lord Frost accused the EU of threatening `` explicitly '' in trade talks that Great Britain would not be able to move food to Northern Ireland .
However , EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Brussels is `` not refusing '' to list the UK as a third country for food imports - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarity '' on the UK 's food safety and animal and plant health measures .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Government minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News that , if the EU does not list the UK as a third country for food imports , then `` we could be in a position where food exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland could be illegal '' .
`` No prime minister , it seems to me , can contemplate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burley show .
Mr Johnson will on Monday afternoon open a House of Commons debate on the UK Internal Market Bill , with a number of Tory MPs expected to rebel against the legislation .
There has also been anger among Tory Brexiteers , with former attorney general Geoffrey Cox condeming the government 's plan as `` unconscionable '' .
But Mr Malthouse , the policing minister , said he had `` yet to hear from people who oppose this bill what their solution would be to this problem '' .
`` Tesco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shelves in Northern Ireland , '' he added .
`` That 's a situation which we never expected to be presented with . ''
He admitted `` in theory '' the proposed legislation could break international law , but that international law could `` accommodate '' such a scenario .
`` In circumstances where the EU sought to prevent food exports from GB to Northern Ireland , I think that would be perfectly legitimate thing for us to do , '' he said .
`` To say 'that 's just not within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a right to supply food into that part of the country ' .
`` I those circumstances I think ... international law would accommodate that . ''
Labour peer Lord Hain , a former Northern Ireland secretary , told Sky News the government 's use of `` bombast '' and proposal to override the Withdrawal Agreement had `` ruined our reputation across the world '' .
`` Britain can not have a situation where we give our word and then we actually break it , '' he said .
`` It completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Former prime minister David Cameron has "misgivings" about the government's plan to override the UK's Brexit withdrawal deal.
The government has admitted its UK Internal Market Bill could breach international law, but has insisted it is "critical" to ensuring the unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.
But the proposed legislation has prompted a storm of anger both at Westminster and in Brussels over the plan to give ministers the power to alter key elements of the UK's Withdrawal Agreement, which was formally signed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in January.
Live updates as Internal Market Bill goes to Commons
Image: Boris Johnson's plan has prompted a storm of anger at Westminster and in Brussels
Mr Cameron on Monday became the fourth ex-Tory leader - after Lord Howard, Sir John Major and Theresa May - to express concern at Mr Johnson's plan.
His comments mean all five living former prime ministers, including ex-Labour premiers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as well as Sir John and Mrs May, have now spoken out against the government's proposals.
He said: "Passing an Act of Parliment and then going on to break an international treaty obligation is the very, very last thing you should contemplate.
"It should be an absolute final resort. So I do have misgivings about what's being proposed."
However, Mr Cameron also added: "So far what's happened is the government has proposed a law that it might pass, or might not pass, or might use or might not use, depending on whether certain circumstances do or do not appear.
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"Of course the bigger picture here is we are in a vital negotiation with the EU to get a deal and I think we have to keep that context, that big prize in mind, and that's why I've perhaps held back from saying more up to now."
At the weekend, UK chief negotiator Lord Frost accused the EU of threatening "explicitly" in trade talks that Great Britain would not be able to move food to Northern Ireland.
However, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Brussels is "not refusing" to list the UK as a third country for food imports - although he has called for "more clarity" on the UK's food safety and animal and plant health measures.
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Government minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News that, if the EU does not list the UK as a third country for food imports, then "we could be in a position where food exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland could be illegal".
"No prime minister, it seems to me, can contemplate that situation," he told the Kay Burley show.
Mr Johnson will on Monday afternoon open a House of Commons debate on the UK Internal Market Bill, with a number of Tory MPs expected to rebel against the legislation.
There has also been anger among Tory Brexiteers, with former attorney general Geoffrey Cox condeming the government's plan as "unconscionable".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 Brexit bill could 'in theory' break law
But Mr Malthouse, the policing minister, said he had "yet to hear from people who oppose this bill what their solution would be to this problem".
"Tesco could not, in theory, stock the shelves in Northern Ireland," he added.
"That's a situation which we never expected to be presented with."
He admitted "in theory" the proposed legislation could break international law, but that international law could "accommodate" such a scenario.
"In circumstances where the EU sought to prevent food exports from GB to Northern Ireland, I think that would be perfectly legitimate thing for us to do," he said.
"To say 'that's just not within our sovereign rights and we therefore we have a right to supply food into that part of the country'.
"I those circumstances I think... international law would accommodate that."
Labour peer Lord Hain, a former Northern Ireland secretary, told Sky News the government's use of "bombast" and proposal to override the Withdrawal Agreement had "ruined our reputation across the world".
"Britain cannot have a situation where we give our word and then we actually break it," he said.
"It completely destroys our standing in the world."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Report your neighbours to police if they break rule of six, says minister

People in England who see their neighbours flouting the new `` rule of six '' are being encouraged to contact police by the government .
Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England from today .
People face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure , which aims to curb an increase in COVID-19 cases .
A total of 3,330 confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Sunday - the first time since May that cases have been above 3,000 on three consecutive days .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister Kit Malthouse said concerned neighbours should ring the non-emergency police phone number to report violations of the restriction .
`` We are in discussions about what reporting mechanisms there might be but there is obviously the non-emergency number that people can ring and report issues they wish to , '' he told the BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
`` Certainly during the initial stage of lockdown , we did see a surge in those reports coming through to the police .
`` If people are concerned , if they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is open to them . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Pressed on whether that would involve reporting a gathering of seven or more in a neighbour 's garden , Mr Malthouse said : `` It is open to neighbours to do exactly that through the non-emergency number and if they are concerned and they do see that kind of thing , then absolutely they should think about it . ''
Asked to clarify whether residents should be concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and report them to the police , he replied : `` Yes . ''
Regulations enabling the enforcement of the rule were published late on Sunday night , around 30 minutes before they came into effect .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the new rule was `` easier to understand and easier for the police to enforce '' .
Writing in The Sun newspaper , Ms Patel said the police `` will be able to disperse gatherings of more than six people and fine individuals involved £100 , doubling up to a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They will continue to hand down £10,000 fines for people hosting raves or other large unlawful events , '' she added .
`` I know that , as part of our national effort , the law-abiding majority will stick to these new rules .
`` But there will be a small minority who do not and the police have the necessary powers to take action against them .
`` This disease is deadly and that is why it is right that the police enforce where people break the rules . ''
Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposing fines on people who break the `` rule of six '' restrictions .
The Prime Minister 's official spokesman said : `` What you would expect to happen is for the police to be out today encouraging people to follow the new rules but in the coming days , if we see people continuing to flout the new rules , it is right that people could face a fine .
`` The regulations are in place to help to stop the spread of the virus , to protect the NHS and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people should report neighbours who breach coronavirus rules , the spokesman said : `` What we want people to be focused on is following the new rules and ensuring that they , themselves , help again as they have in the past to slow the spread of the virus .
`` What you have seen in recent weeks is some egregious flouting of the rules , such as the holding of large illegal parties , and members of the public have been contacting the police about those because they have been concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @

People in England who see their neighbours flouting the new "rule of six" are being encouraged to contact police by the government.
Social gatherings of more than six people are now illegal in England from today.
People face fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which aims to curb an increase in COVID-19 cases.
A total of 3,330 confirmed coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Sunday - the first time since May that cases have been above 3,000 on three consecutive days.
As the new rule came into force, policing minister Kit Malthouse said concerned neighbours should ring the non-emergency police phone number to report violations of the restriction.
"We are in discussions about what reporting mechanisms there might be but there is obviously the non-emergency number that people can ring and report issues they wish to," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"Certainly during the initial stage of lockdown, we did see a surge in those reports coming through to the police.
"If people are concerned, if they do think there is contravention then that option is open to them."
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Pressed on whether that would involve reporting a gathering of seven or more in a neighbour's garden, Mr Malthouse said: "It is open to neighbours to do exactly that through the non-emergency number and if they are concerned and they do see that kind of thing, then absolutely they should think about it."
Asked to clarify whether residents should be concerned about local breaches of law in neighbouring properties and report them to the police, he replied: "Yes."
Regulations enabling the enforcement of the rule were published late on Sunday night, around 30 minutes before they came into effect.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the new rule was "easier to understand and easier for the police to enforce".
Writing in The Sun newspaper, Ms Patel said the police "will be able to disperse gatherings of more than six people and fine individuals involved £100, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200 for repeat offenders".
"They will continue to hand down £10,000 fines for people hosting raves or other large unlawful events," she added.
"I know that, as part of our national effort, the law-abiding majority will stick to these new rules.
"But there will be a small minority who do not and the police have the necessary powers to take action against them.
"This disease is deadly and that is why it is right that the police enforce where people break the rules."
Downing Street suggested police would not immediately start imposing fines on people who break the "rule of six" restrictions.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "What you would expect to happen is for the police to be out today encouraging people to follow the new rules but in the coming days, if we see people continuing to flout the new rules, it is right that people could face a fine.
"The regulations are in place to help to stop the spread of the virus, to protect the NHS and to ultimately save lives."
Asked whether people should report neighbours who breach coronavirus rules, the spokesman said: "What we want people to be focused on is following the new rules and ensuring that they, themselves, help again as they have in the past to slow the spread of the virus.
"What you have seen in recent weeks is some egregious flouting of the rules, such as the holding of large illegal parties, and members of the public have been contacting the police about those because they have been concerned about the risk to public health."
Have you recently had a COVID-19 test or tried to get one? Get in touch with Sky News to let us know about your experience - good or bad.
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skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Chancellor urged to extend furlough to stop 'tsunami of job losses'

The leader of the UK 's six million trade union members has demanded an extension of the coronavirus furlough scheme to prevent `` a tsunami of job losses '' .
In a direct appeal to Chancellor Rishi Sunak , TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said the pandemic would not end in October , so neither should government support for jobs .
She pledged to work with Mr Sunak , as unions did in setting up the furlough scheme , to stop `` the catastrophe of mass unemployment '' and urged him : `` Do n't walk away . ''
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech at a two-day COVID-secure TUC conference in London , with a small invited group in Congress House and union members across Britain joining online .
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was due to speak in person and take questions from union members on day two of the conference , but that is now in doubt after he announced he was self-isolating .
The TUC conference began with a debate on the impact of coronavirus , with union leaders complaining of abuse against shop workers and claims of employees being forced back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government 's handling of the pandemic , Ms O'Grady declared : `` A useless app , a mutant algorithm and a half-baked test and trace system .
Less 'moonshot ' , more a case of moonshine . ''
Ms O'Grady also hit out in her speech at claims that the chancellor is poised to scrap the rise in the minimum wage from £8.72 to £9.21 due next April because he can not afford it after coronavirus .
And the TUC chief began her speech by fiercely criticising the GMB union after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , warning : `` This is a # MeToo moment for our unions . ''
In her plea for a furlough extension , Ms O'Grady said : `` If the government does n't act we face a tsunami of job losses .
`` The chancellor must learn the lessons of the job retention scheme and keep on supporting jobs .
`` So my message to the chancellor is this : We worked together once before .
`` We are ready to work with you again - if you are serious about stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the TUC leader 's call , a government spokesman said : `` Supporting jobs is an absolute priority which is why we 've set out a comprehensive Plan for Jobs to protect , create and support jobs across the UK by providing significant , targeted support where it is needed the most .
`` We are continuing to support livelihoods and incomes through our £2 billion Kickstart scheme , creating incentives for training and apprenticeships , a £1,000 retention bonus for businesses that can bring furloughed employees back to work , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help people find work .
`` We are also supporting and protecting jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors through our VAT cut and last month 's Eat Out to Help Out scheme . ''
But Ms O'Grady said : `` The pandemic is n't scheduled to end in October so neither should state support for jobs .
`` When the crisis began , the chancellor said he would do 'whatever it takes ' .
He must keep that promise .
`` Some will ask can the country afford to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't afford not to . ''
Demanding the national living wage rise goes ahead as planned , Ms O'Grady said : `` Coronavirus is no leveller .
It has exposed huge inequality in modern Britain .
`` The minimum wage - the wage of two million key workers - must rise as planned .
Do n't punch down on the working poor . ''

The leader of the UK's six million trade union members has demanded an extension of the coronavirus furlough scheme to prevent "a tsunami of job losses".
In a direct appeal to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said the pandemic would not end in October, so neither should government support for jobs.
She pledged to work with Mr Sunak, as unions did in setting up the furlough scheme, to stop "the catastrophe of mass unemployment" and urged him: "Don't walk away."
Ms O'Grady's plea came in her keynote speech at a two-day COVID-secure TUC conference in London, with a small invited group in Congress House and union members across Britain joining online.
Image: Frances O'Grady will also urge the government not to scrap the rise in the minimum wage
The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was due to speak in person and take questions from union members on day two of the conference, but that is now in doubt after he announced he was self-isolating.
The TUC conference began with a debate on the impact of coronavirus, with union leaders complaining of abuse against shop workers and claims of employees being forced back to work in unsafe conditions.
Ridiculing the government's handling of the pandemic, Ms O'Grady declared: "A useless app, a mutant algorithm and a half-baked test and trace system. Less 'moonshot', more a case of moonshine."
Ms O'Grady also hit out in her speech at claims that the chancellor is poised to scrap the rise in the minimum wage from £8.72 to £9.21 due next April because he cannot afford it after coronavirus.
Image: The TUC is suggesting a scheme where workers are first brought back on shorter hours
And the TUC chief began her speech by fiercely criticising the GMB union after an inquiry found it was "institutionally sexist", warning: "This is a #MeToo moment for our unions."
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In her plea for a furlough extension, Ms O'Grady said: "If the government doesn't act we face a tsunami of job losses.
"The chancellor must learn the lessons of the job retention scheme and keep on supporting jobs.
"So my message to the chancellor is this: We worked together once before.
"We are ready to work with you again - if you are serious about stopping the catastrophe of mass unemployment.
"Rishi Sunak: stand by working families - don't walk away."
Responding to the TUC leader's call, a government spokesman said: "Supporting jobs is an absolute priority which is why we've set out a comprehensive Plan for Jobs to protect, create and support jobs across the UK by providing significant, targeted support where it is needed the most.
"We are continuing to support livelihoods and incomes through our £2 billion Kickstart scheme, creating incentives for training and apprenticeships, a £1,000 retention bonus for businesses that can bring furloughed employees back to work, and doubling the number of frontline work coaches to help people find work.
"We are also supporting and protecting jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors through our VAT cut and last month's Eat Out to Help Out scheme."
But Ms O'Grady said: "The pandemic isn't scheduled to end in October so neither should state support for jobs.
"When the crisis began, the chancellor said he would do 'whatever it takes'. He must keep that promise.
"Some will ask can the country afford to do it? The answer is - we can't afford not to."
Demanding the national living wage rise goes ahead as planned, Ms O'Grady said: "Coronavirus is no leveller. It has exposed huge inequality in modern Britain.
"The minimum wage - the wage of two million key workers - must rise as planned. Don't punch down on the working poor."


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Police could get powers to stop and search convicted knife offenders without further suspicion

Police could be given powers to stop and search people with knife convictions without the need for further suspicion , under new government plans .
The Home Office says it wants to use serious violence reduction orders ( SVROs ) to increase the chances of repeat offenders being caught and imprisoned .
Courts would get powers to grant the orders on people convicted of carrying an offensive weapon , even if they have not received custodial or immediate prison sentences .
Under current stop and search laws , police must have `` reasonable grounds '' to carry out the search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs or a weapon .
But the SVRO would become the sole basis for the search for the duration of the court order if the plans are approved .
Those with an order who are caught reoffending would then likely receive a jail term under existing `` two strikes '' legislation .
An eight-week public consultation on the proposals was launched by the Home Office on Monday .
Crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse said : `` Our ambition is for these new powers to transform the way stop and search is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most serious and persistent criminals . ''
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said knife crime and reoffending had risen under Tory governments as an `` inevitable consequence of deep cuts to the police and preventive services '' .
`` A range of actions are needed to tackle repeat offending , with a strategy that carries the confidence of all our communities , not simply a public consultation on piecemeal measures , '' the Labour MP added .
`` A targeted approach can only work if police officers have the trust and confidence they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , '' he added .
The government is making a number of announcements on law and order , amid widespread condemnation for its threat to break international law over Brexit .
It comes after ministers also announced that long-promised legislation to give life sentences to drivers who kill someone in the most serious cases will be introduced to Parliament next year .

Police could be given powers to stop and search people with knife convictions without the need for further suspicion, under new government plans.
The Home Office says it wants to use serious violence reduction orders (SVROs) to increase the chances of repeat offenders being caught and imprisoned.
Courts would get powers to grant the orders on people convicted of carrying an offensive weapon, even if they have not received custodial or immediate prison sentences.
Under current stop and search laws, police must have "reasonable grounds" to carry out the search, such as suspecting someone is carrying drugs or a weapon.
But the SVRO would become the sole basis for the search for the duration of the court order if the plans are approved.
Those with an order who are caught reoffending would then likely receive a jail term under existing "two strikes" legislation.
An eight-week public consultation on the proposals was launched by the Home Office on Monday.
Crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse said: "Our ambition is for these new powers to transform the way stop and search is used by targeting the small number of the most serious and persistent criminals."
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said knife crime and reoffending had risen under Tory governments as an "inevitable consequence of deep cuts to the police and preventive services".
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"A range of actions are needed to tackle repeat offending, with a strategy that carries the confidence of all our communities, not simply a public consultation on piecemeal measures," the Labour MP added.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael called for a return to "community policing".
"A targeted approach can only work if police officers have the trust and confidence they need to identify the weapon-carriers in their communities," he added.
The government is making a number of announcements on law and order, amid widespread condemnation for its threat to break international law over Brexit.
It comes after ministers also announced that long-promised legislation to give life sentences to drivers who kill someone in the most serious cases will be introduced to Parliament next year.


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--PM's bid to override parts of Brexit deal passes first Commons test

Boris Johnson 's controversial bid to override parts of the Brexit deal has cleared a major hurdle in parliament .
The prime minister had been expected to win the key vote on his Internal Market Bill , given the Conservatives ' large majority in the House of Commons .
MPs voted for the proposed legislation by 340 to 263 - a majority of 77 .
Several Tory backbenchers earlier vowed to either abstain or vote against the government , after a minister admitted the bill `` does break international law '' .
All five living former prime ministers - three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservations , with David Cameron making a rare intervention on Monday to explain his `` misgivings '' .
And a senior Conservative MP , Rehman Chishti , resigned as a special envoy , citing `` real concerns '' about the UK breaking its commitments under the Withdrawal Agreement struck with the EU last year .
Mr Johnson kept the vast majority of his party on side by saying the most controversial part of the bill may `` never be invoked '' if a trade deal is struck with Brussels .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net , it 's an insurance policy and it 's a very sensible measure , '' he said .
The prime minister also accused Brussels of going to `` extreme and unreasonable lengths '' over the part of the Withdrawal Agreement affecting Northern Ireland , which he said could lead to `` blockading food and agriculture transports within our own country '' .
But there was significant anger from some Tory backbenchers , including Andrew Mitchell who warned against `` incalculable damage to our reputation all around the world '' and Charles Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whacking a dog , do n't be surprised when it bites you back . ''
The fresh row over Brexit erupted last week , when Downing Street revealed plans to give ministers power to alter key elements of the deal which they said were `` critical '' to ensuring unrestricted access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK .
The bill passed its first major hurdle known as `` second reading '' , but will still have to clear several other stages before becoming law before the transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , it will go into `` committee stage '' - where the bill is gone through line by line - before a final , `` third reading '' in the Commons after which it will head to the House of Lords .
Only when it has gone through the same stages among peers will it get `` royal assent '' and be signed into law by the Queen .

Boris Johnson's controversial bid to override parts of the Brexit deal has cleared a major hurdle in parliament.
The prime minister had been expected to win the key vote on his Internal Market Bill, given the Conservatives' large majority in the House of Commons.
MPs voted for the proposed legislation by 340 to 263 - a majority of 77.
Image: The Brexit transition period runs out at the end of 2020
Several Tory backbenchers earlier vowed to either abstain or vote against the government, after a minister admitted the bill "does break international law".
All five living former prime ministers - three of them Conservative - also expressed serious reservations, with David Cameron making a rare intervention on Monday to explain his "misgivings".
And a senior Conservative MP, Rehman Chishti, resigned as a special envoy, citing "real concerns" about the UK breaking its commitments under the Withdrawal Agreement struck with the EU last year.
Mr Johnson kept the vast majority of his party on side by saying the most controversial part of the bill may "never be invoked" if a trade deal is struck with Brussels.
"It's a protection, it's a safety net, it's an insurance policy and it's a very sensible measure," he said.
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The prime minister also accused Brussels of going to "extreme and unreasonable lengths" over the part of the Withdrawal Agreement affecting Northern Ireland, which he said could lead to "blockading food and agriculture transports within our own country".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 The moment MPs backed controversial Brexit bill
But there was significant anger from some Tory backbenchers, including Andrew Mitchell who warned against "incalculable damage to our reputation all around the world" and Charles Walker who said: "If you keep whacking a dog, don't be surprised when it bites you back."
The fresh row over Brexit erupted last week, when Downing Street revealed plans to give ministers power to alter key elements of the deal which they said were "critical" to ensuring unrestricted access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:16 Miliband: 'Time for PM to take responsibility for Brexit deal'
The bill passed its first major hurdle known as "second reading", but will still have to clear several other stages before becoming law before the transition period runs out at the end of 2020.
On Tuesday, it will go into "committee stage" - where the bill is gone through line by line - before a final, "third reading" in the Commons after which it will head to the House of Lords.
Only when it has gone through the same stages among peers will it get "royal assent" and be signed into law by the Queen.


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--What is really behind the PM's Brexit move?

Brexit wars are back this week with full fire and fury .
All five living former prime ministers have spoken out against Mr Johnson and his plan to break international law .
Former chancellor Sajid Javid and former attorney general Geoffery Cox have both come out to say they can not support a bill that will override the Brexit divorce deal .
Breaching international law in a `` specific and limited way '' is a step too far for many MPs regardless which side of the line they stand when it comes to Brexit and Boris Johnson .
The rebellion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now publicly expressed concerns with the bill , while others tell me they are keeping their powder dry until next week when they will have the chance to amend the bill and give parliament , rather than ministers , the power to trigger any tearing up of the UK-EU Withdrawal Bill .
Mr Johnson won the second reading vote comfortably on Monday night , but I 'm told the number of rebels is ticking up to 30 .
And it could grow larger still .
So prepare for plenty of parliamentary drama in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peers in the Commons and the Lords try to amend the bill and pressure builds on the government to accept amendments .
`` This is a very un-Tory thing to do , '' said one rebel .
`` Many MPs are keeping their own counsel but are making it clear to the whips that this bill must be amended . ''
It is in many ways a re-run of the tactics of 2019 .
You may well remember the running battles between Mr Johnson , parliament , and the EU that autumn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union , insisting the Withdrawal Agreement be re-opened and the Irish backstop - which effectively kept all of the UK in a customs union with the EU - be removed .
He said he would under no circumstances extend Brexit beyond 31 October .
In the end , he did reach an agreement with the EU ( and he was also forced by MPs to delay Brexit ) .
That `` great '' deal , which he is now trying to overwrite , was the `` oven ready '' Brexit deal he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He secured support from Brexiteers by removing the backstop from the Withdrawal Agreement but in return agreed to a new customs border inside the UK between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain .
A border down the Irish Sea was at the time too much for the DUP and now , a year later , it 's suddenly too much for the PM too .
On Monday , Mr Johnson framed his explosive Internal Market Bill as a 'last resort ' to protect Britain from the threat of `` unreasonable and extreme '' action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially use the Brexit deal agreed last year to cleave Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK .
The PM again played hardball with the EU .
`` What we can not do now is tolerate a situation where our EU counterparts seriously believe they have the power to break up our country . ''
On the face of it , Mr Johnson looks like he is on the precipice of exploding trade talks and will do whatever it takes to protect British interests .
But what if , in the words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his senior adviser Dominic Cummings well , the prime minister is actually gearing up to take the trade deal on the table , while simultaneously going to war on the Withdrawal Agreement to demonstrate that he was fighting the UK 's corner and trying to secure concessions around state aid or border checks .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker After all , the actual trade talks might have completely fallen away from view , but they are still going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal ends up being agreed long before this bill becomes law ?
Mr Johnson could - as he did in 2019 - say he played hardball , secured concessions and managed to secure a trade deal against all the odds .
Walking right up to the Brexit cliff edge has been effective for this prime minister before , not least when it comes to winning the approval of his pro-Brexit base .
Deal or no deal , it may well be that this tactic pays off for the prime minister again .
Whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this bill into law or is using it as political theatre to help him frame whatever deal he gets as one he fought tooth and nail for , only he really knows .
But for many of his colleagues and supporters the damage is already done - to his standing as prime minister and our place in the world .

Brexit wars are back this week with full fire and fury.
All five living former prime ministers have spoken out against Mr Johnson and his plan to break international law.
Former chancellor Sajid Javid and former attorney general Geoffery Cox have both come out to say they cannot support a bill that will override the Brexit divorce deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:46 The moment MPs voted for the controversial Internal Market Bill
Breaching international law in a "specific and limited way" is a step too far for many MPs regardless which side of the line they stand when it comes to Brexit and Boris Johnson.
The rebellion is building. Eighteen Conservative MPs have now publicly expressed concerns with the bill, while others tell me they are keeping their powder dry until next week when they will have the chance to amend the bill and give parliament, rather than ministers, the power to trigger any tearing up of the UK-EU Withdrawal Bill.
Mr Johnson won the second reading vote comfortably on Monday night, but I'm told the number of rebels is ticking up to 30. And it could grow larger still. So prepare for plenty of parliamentary drama in the coming few weeks as MPs and peers in the Commons and the Lords try to amend the bill and pressure builds on the government to accept amendments.
"This is a very un-Tory thing to do," said one rebel. "Many MPs are keeping their own counsel but are making it clear to the whips that this bill must be amended."
It is in many ways a re-run of the tactics of 2019. You may well remember the running battles between Mr Johnson, parliament, and the EU that autumn.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:06 Boris Johnson defends his plan to overwrite Brexit agreement
The prime minister played hardball with the European Union, insisting the Withdrawal Agreement be re-opened and the Irish backstop - which effectively kept all of the UK in a customs union with the EU - be removed. He said he would under no circumstances extend Brexit beyond 31 October.
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In the end, he did reach an agreement with the EU (and he was also forced by MPs to delay Brexit). That "great" deal, which he is now trying to overwrite, was the "oven ready" Brexit deal he fought and won an election on.
He secured support from Brexiteers by removing the backstop from the Withdrawal Agreement but in return agreed to a new customs border inside the UK between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. A border down the Irish Sea was at the time too much for the DUP and now, a year later, it's suddenly too much for the PM too.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:16 Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband: 'Time for PM to take responsibility for Brexit deal'
On Monday, Mr Johnson framed his explosive Internal Market Bill as a 'last resort' to protect Britain from the threat of "unreasonable and extreme" action from the European Union, which could potentially use the Brexit deal agreed last year to cleave Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. The PM again played hardball with the EU. "What we cannot do now is tolerate a situation where our EU counterparts seriously believe they have the power to break up our country."
On the face of it, Mr Johnson looks like he is on the precipice of exploding trade talks and will do whatever it takes to protect British interests. But what if, in the words of one figure who knows Mr Johnson and his senior adviser Dominic Cummings well, the prime minister is actually gearing up to take the trade deal on the table, while simultaneously going to war on the Withdrawal Agreement to demonstrate that he was fighting the UK's corner and trying to secure concessions around state aid or border checks.
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After all, the actual trade talks might have completely fallen away from view, but they are still going on. Could it be that a trade deal ends up being agreed long before this bill becomes law? Mr Johnson could - as he did in 2019 - say he played hardball, secured concessions and managed to secure a trade deal against all the odds.
Walking right up to the Brexit cliff edge has been effective for this prime minister before, not least when it comes to winning the approval of his pro-Brexit base. Deal or no deal, it may well be that this tactic pays off for the prime minister again.
Whether the prime minister really intends to put this bill into law or is using it as political theatre to help him frame whatever deal he gets as one he fought tooth and nail for, only he really knows. But for many of his colleagues and supporters the damage is already done - to his standing as prime minister and our place in the world.


skynewspolitics--2020-09-14--Starmer calls on Johnson to back Labour's 'national plan' on jobs

Sir Keir Starmer is calling on Boris Johnson to put party differences aside and work with Labour on a jobs crusade during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a move normally associated with wartime , Sir Keir is proposing a `` national plan '' to protect jobs , create new ones and invest in skills and training .
The Labour leader 's proposal comes in a speech to the TUC conference which he was due to make in person but will now deliver by video link as he is self-isolating .
`` I 'm making an open offer to the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people in work , '' Sir Keir will say .
`` Work with the trade unions and work with businesses .
Do everything possible to protect jobs and to deliver for working people . ''
Suggesting the sort of co-operation which saw Winston Churchill govern alongside Labour 's Clement Attlee in World War Two , Sir Keir will say : `` At this moment of national crisis we should take inspiration from our past .
`` Be willing to put party differences aside and work together in the interest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be if we could form a genuine national plan to protect jobs , create new ones and investing in skills and training ? ''
But Sir Keir 's offer is likely to be rebuffed by the prime minister , who has repeatedly expressed disdain for the Labour leader , dismissing him as a `` Remainer lawyer '' and lampooning him as having `` more briefs than Calvin Klein '' and `` more flip flops than Bournemouth beach '' .
As part of his national plan proposal , Sir Keir wants the government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort of `` firing and re-hiring '' practices of companies like British Airways .
But despite his pledge of co-operation , Sir Keir Starmer will also accuse the prime minister of failing to get the basics of coronavirus testing or a plan for care homes right over the summer and of attempting to `` re-open old wounds over Brexit '' .
And after calling on the prime minister at the weekend to `` stop banging on about Brexit and defeat Covid '' he will again urge Mr Johnson : `` Get your priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus . ''
Sir Keir claims Tory co-operation with Labour , business and the unions could avoid `` scarring effect mass unemployment will have on communities and families across the country '' and `` with a bit of imagination and acting in the national interest , a better approach is possible '' .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Whereas the TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady called in her conference speech for an extension of furlough , Sir Keir will propose replacing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other parts of the world , including : • Expanding part-time working and rewarding employers who give people hours rather than cut jobs ; • Providing training and support for those unable to come back full-time ; • Targeting sectors most in need - including retail , aviation and those hit by local lockdowns .
In a pledge that will be welcomed by unions , Sir Keir will call on the government to outlaw `` fire and re-hire '' - where people are given notice of redundancy and then hired back on worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wrong but against British values '' .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He will say : `` These tactics punish good employers , hit working people hard and harm our economy .
After a decade of pay restraint - that 's the last thing working people need , and in the middle of a deep recession - it 's the last thing our economy needs . ''
And praising the work of unions during coronavirus , he will say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of jobs and keeping people safe at work it was the union movement that stood up .
`` Without you there would have been no furlough scheme .
No life raft for seven million people .
The trade unions have always been the unsung heroes of our national story - and through this crisis you have helped to write another proud chapter . ''

Sir Keir Starmer is calling on Boris Johnson to put party differences aside and work with Labour on a jobs crusade during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a move normally associated with wartime, Sir Keir is proposing a "national plan" to protect jobs, create new ones and invest in skills and training.
The Labour leader's proposal comes in a speech to the TUC conference which he was due to make in person but will now deliver by video link as he is self-isolating.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Starmer backs new COVID-19 measures
"I'm making an open offer to the prime minister: work with us to keep millions of people in work," Sir Keir will say. "Work with the trade unions and work with businesses. Do everything possible to protect jobs and to deliver for working people."
Suggesting the sort of co-operation which saw Winston Churchill govern alongside Labour's Clement Attlee in World War Two, Sir Keir will say: "At this moment of national crisis we should take inspiration from our past.
"Be willing to put party differences aside and work together in the interest of the country. Imagine how powerful it would be if we could form a genuine national plan to protect jobs, create new ones and investing in skills and training?"
But Sir Keir's offer is likely to be rebuffed by the prime minister, who has repeatedly expressed disdain for the Labour leader, dismissing him as a "Remainer lawyer" and lampooning him as having "more briefs than Calvin Klein" and "more flip flops than Bournemouth beach".
As part of his national plan proposal, Sir Keir wants the government to replace the furlough scheme and outlaw the sort of "firing and re-hiring" practices of companies like British Airways.
But despite his pledge of co-operation, Sir Keir Starmer will also accuse the prime minister of failing to get the basics of coronavirus testing or a plan for care homes right over the summer and of attempting to "re-open old wounds over Brexit".
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 'Government lurching from crisis to crisis'
And after calling on the prime minister at the weekend to "stop banging on about Brexit and defeat Covid" he will again urge Mr Johnson: "Get your priorities right. Get on with defeating this virus."
Sir Keir claims Tory co-operation with Labour, business and the unions could avoid "scarring effect mass unemployment will have on communities and families across the country" and "with a bit of imagination and acting in the national interest, a better approach is possible".
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Whereas the TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady called in her conference speech for an extension of furlough, Sir Keir will propose replacing the job retention scheme with measures from other parts of the world, including:
Expanding part-time working and rewarding employers who give people hours rather than cut jobs;
Providing training and support for those unable to come back full-time;
Targeting sectors most in need - including retail, aviation and those hit by local lockdowns.
In a pledge that will be welcomed by unions, Sir Keir will call on the government to outlaw "fire and re-hire" - where people are given notice of redundancy and then hired back on worse pay and conditions - as "not just wrong but against British values".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He will say: "These tactics punish good employers, hit working people hard and harm our economy. After a decade of pay restraint - that's the last thing working people need, and in the middle of a deep recession - it's the last thing our economy needs."
And praising the work of unions during coronavirus, he will say: "When it came to protecting millions of jobs and keeping people safe at work it was the union movement that stood up.
"Without you there would have been no furlough scheme. No life raft for seven million people. The trade unions have always been the unsung heroes of our national story - and through this crisis you have helped to write another proud chapter."