thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--Brexit Bluster: A Guide To What Politicians Say And What They Actually Mean

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In years to come, it’ll be the slogans and soundbites of Brexit we remember most clearly.
But between the focus-grouped slogans and chaotic photo opportunities, a thousand opportunities for euphemism, empty promises and downright misinformation have sprung up.
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We’re all tired. There’s a lot on at the moment, and Brexit has been dragging on for what feels like forever – and with it a myriad of confusing deals, votes and statements.
Somehow through it all the government have remained committed to unrelenting bluster, covering the gaps in their logic or contradictions in their policy with grand sweeping statements. And let’s face it, it’s hard to keep up.
Here’s a path through the swamp of Brexit bullshit, and what really lies beneath the stagnant surface.
We’ll start with an easy one.
What they say: Australian-style deal
What they really mean: No-deal
Whatever Boris Johnson was going for when attempting to conflate our future with a far-off Commonwealth nation that does just 11% of its trade with the EU, it hasn’t worked.
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Apart from a handful of small agreements, Australia largely trades with the EU on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms. If that sounds familiar, it’s because WTO rules are what the UK will fall back on if negotiators fail to get a deal – which could in turn result in the huge lorry queues, medicine shortages and concerns over national security.
Despite these huge concerns, hard Brexiteers such as Nigel Farage have fawned over the concept of the very harshest form of separation from the EU for years.
Even Australians aren’t happy with an “Australian-style” Brexit – a claim thoroughly evidenced by the fact that the nation is trying to negotiate a free trade agreement with the EU right now.
If an 'Australia style' trade deal is so good, why are the Australians trying to secure an actual trade deal with the EU. Fucking riddle me that, Batman. — Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) December 7, 2020
Speaking on BBC Question Time on Thursday, former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull warned Johnson to be “careful what you wish for”, adding that the UK would probably find living with an “Australian-style” Brexit “pretty disappointing”.
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He added: “Australians would not regard our trade relationship with Europe as being a satisfactory one.
“There are very big barriers to Australian exports of agricultural products in particular, there’s a lot of friction in the system in terms of services, there’s a lot to aim for.
“So, you know, be careful what you wish for. Australia’s relationship with the EU is not one from a trade point of view that I think Britain would want, frankly.”
What they say: Irish sea border ‘over my dead body’
What they really mean: There might not be an actual border, but things are about to get much more complicated
Liam McBurney - PA Images via Getty Images
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Concerns around maintaining the Good Friday Agreement after Brexit have permeated almost every stage of the process.
With Ireland remaining in the EU after the UK’s departure, Brexit has raised significant questions about the prospect of a new border between the Republic and Northern Ireland, or a border in the Irish Sea.
As recently as August 2020, Boris Johnson publicly stated: “There will be no border down the Irish Sea – over my dead body.”
Shockingly, this declaration doesn’t seem to have put anyone’s mind at rest –especially after iron-clad assurances from senior politicians such as Michael Gove, who convincingly told Sky News on Wednesday: “I don’t think there is a border in the Irish Sea.”
His comments came after it emerged that the EU and the UK had agreed a deal “in principle” on Northern Ireland, with the British government saying it would withdraw clauses from its taxation and internal market bills that would have breached international law.
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So there won’t be an actual border in the Irish Sea – but there will be new trading agreements which mean Northern Ireland is to remain in the EU Single Market for goods.
This means there’ll be additional regulatory checks and certifications on animal-based products entering the region from Great Britain, complicating trade across the Irish Sea.
With just weeks to go until this deal comes into force, parties on both sides of the Irish Deal are still concerned. After all, nothing inspires confidence in a new system like supermarkets in Northern Ireland being given a three-month grace period to ensure food supplies aren’t disrupted.
What they say: This does break international law in a very specific and limited way
What they really mean: Breaking the law is literally the only way through this mess
When is breaking the law not actually breaking the law? When it’s broken in a “specific and limited way”, of course.
Fair enough, you might think. Maybe there’s a reason – doing 32 in a 30mph zone in a dash to hospital, or cycling on the pavement when lorries are racing past you on a busy inner city road.
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Tearing up international law to force through legislation for the UK’s internal market post-Brexit? Maybe not as “limited” as we first thought.
Asked back in September if anything in the proposed legislation did or potentially did breach international legal obligations or arrangements, Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis said: “Yes, this does break international law in a very specific and limited way.”
His admission led to immediate concerns the plan could result in the collapse of Brexit negotiations on a trade deal and even left the PM’s predecessor Theresa May questioning whether the UK can be “trusted” internationally. Legal experts also hit back at the “astonishing” admission, and they hit hard.
Ah, well if you’re only breaking the law in a very specific and limited way, that’s basically as good as following the law. That’s what all good lawyers will tell you, right @SuellaBraverman? https://t.co/DCz73i3QIq — The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) September 8, 2020
"My client only broke the law in a specific and limited way" is amongst the rarer pleas advanced by Counsel in written or oral submissions. https://t.co/2beBwHC7Py — Jo Maugham (@JolyonMaugham) September 8, 2020
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UK Govt:
"Yes this does break international law, but in a very specific and limited way"
Imagine as a citizen you tried this defence in Court, you would rightly be laughed out the Court (and duly found guilty!) https://t.co/zlaacBTX5k — Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) September 8, 2020
Despite being widely mocked for their plan, Downing Street doubled down – with attorney general Suella Braverman claiming the government remained “committed to the rule of law”, despite admitting the proposals were needed to resolve conflict between domestic and international law created by the EU withdrawal agreement.
After all, who’d let a little thing like maintaining a shred of credibility stand in the way of a good plan.
What they say: Soy sauce will be made cheaper thanks to our trade deal with Japan
What they really mean: The only thing that’s going to happen to the price of soy sauce is the exact opposite of what we’re claiming
We all like the Great British Bake Off, don’t we? Millions of people – not just in the UK but around the globe – sit down of a Tuesday evening and allow themselves to become weirdly emotionally intense about an incredibly low-stakes cooking competition.
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And in these odd, disconnected times, talking about as something as sedate, as gentle, as a deflated soufflé actually brought us closer together. Unfortunately, it also brought us closer together with the Department for International Trade, which literally couldn’t bring itself to let us enjoy one single thing.
Marking the show’s annual international week, during which the bakers made Japanese steamed buns, a government spokesperson tweeted: “The bakers used a lot of soya sauce in the first challenge on GBBO, so it’s a good thing it will be made cheaper thanks to our trade deal with Japan.”
The bakers used a lot of soya sauce in the first challenge on #GBBO, so it's a good thing it will be made cheaper thanks to our trade deal with Japan 🇯🇵 — Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) October 27, 2020
It went down about as well as you’d expect. Trade experts were pretty swift to point out the fact the UK continues to benefit from some EU trade deals – at least until December 31 – meaning soy sauce isn’t subject to any tariffs.
Back in September trade secretary Liz Truss did strike a post-Brexit trade deal with Japan, which means that soy sauce also won’t be subject to any tariffs after we leave. The price won’t change at all once the transition deal ends.
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Current tariff on soy sauce entering the UK from Japan - 0%. Tariff on soy sauce entering UK after UK-Japan trade deal - 0%.
Not a good look when you can't trust a government social media account to tell the truth. https://t.co/IVH5Qg8LtV — David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) October 27, 2020
The Department for International Trade was later forced to clarify it was referring to tariffs the UK could be paying – 6% – under a no-deal scenario, which would push the country into World Trade Organisation terms, without deals with individual countries.
That’s not all. As was quickly pointed out, at least one of the UK’s favourite soy sauce brands Kikkoman is currently manufactured in The Netherlands – not Japan after all.
Also, Kikkoman soy sauce sold in the UK currently is brewed in the Netherlands, so has a short journey, 0% tariffs and no customs costs. pic.twitter.com/Z5uJLCvVAY — Jon Tringham (@jontringham) October 27, 2020
Weeks out from the end of the transition period, we still don’t know whether we’ll have to deal with tariffs on imported goods from the EU (such as, er, soy sauce) – or whether a Japan-UK trade deal really was a good thing for the GBBO bakers after all.
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What they say: I’d rather be dead in a ditch than agree a Brexit extension
What they really mean: We’ll agree a Brexit extension in less than two months
Boris Johnson speaking in West Yorkshire in September 2019. DANNY LAWSON via Getty Images
In the four-and-a-half years since the Brexit referendum itself, the timeline of the whole process has shifted dramatically.
The whole experience of 2020 might have irreparably wrecked how we experience time, but it’s not just the pandemic’s fault.
With Brexit extension after Brexit vote after Brexit crisis talks after Brexit extension, it’s likely the process of damaging our perception of reality had begun long before we’d ever heard the phrase “hands, face, space”.
But October 31, 2019, promised to be different. That was when we would leave the EU, when the withdrawal agreement would actually, finally be agreed.
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In early September Johnson stood in front rows of trainee police officers in West Yorkshire for more than an hour and delivered a rambling speech. Wayward as it was, one line rang out loud and clear.
Despite the likelihood he would be forced to do so by parliament anyway, the PM stood up and said he’d “rather be dead in a ditch” than delay Brexit. That was the moment he set the course of the UK’s future, and on the morning of November 1 the nation woke up no longer a part of the European Union.
Except, of course, that isn’t what happened. Just days before October 31, Johnson was forced to formally accept the EU’s offer of a Brexit extension until January 31, 2020.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--American Black And Brown Doctors, Like Me, Are Not Okay Right Now

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The author at work. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Susan Lopez
The first time I saw the media portray doctors who were women of colour was on Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve been watching the show since it started, but a recent episode hit differently. It made me realise how this pandemic has affected me and all my colleagues who identify as underrepresented in medicine.
It is the end of a long day, and Maggie Pierce, a Black surgeon who has been redeployed to the Covid-19 intensive care unit, escapes into a supply room for a quiet moment. She dreads answering a call from her partner. He simply asks what is wrong; she slips to the floor and cries. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this... 53 people. That’s how many people have died on my watch. Rosalie deserved a better death than this, she deserved not to be a statistic.”
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That moment resonated. We have heard countless health care workers on the front lines describe the toll this pandemic is taking on them. They report feeling exhausted and bearing the weight of being the last human connection a patient may have.
But that scene revealed something more: the experience of Black and Latinx health care workers and physicians during this pandemic. We are only about 10.8% of the physician workforce, according to a 2018 survey, but our communities make up a far greater percentage of those in the Covid wards and morgues.
As a first-generation Latina and physician who cares for Covid-19 patients sick enough to need hospitalisation, watching its impact on communities of colour — a community I am a part of — is hard to endure. I understand the racism these communities have faced historically, because my family and friends have faced the same. My knowledge that these communities are disproportionately affected by diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease is not just clinical; I have experienced this reality in my own life.
I have never taken care of more Spanish speakers, undocumented patients, Latinx patients or Black patients than I have during the pandemic. At first, there was an adrenaline rush to buoy me when Spanish speakers crowded hospitals in the spring. But even as the numbers dipped, communities of colour continued to be disproportionately impacted. Now, as the numbers surge again, we are still getting seriously ill and dying at higher rates.
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“More often than we’d like, we watch a patient who could have been our mother, our father, our family member turn into a statistic.”
It’s not just me or the fictional Dr Pierce. My colleagues of colour tell me that they recognise that additional layer of heaviness that Grey’s Anatomy depicted. We see our mothers, fathers, siblings in the patients we care for. We talk daily with family members, updating them on their loved one’s progress. Sometimes the conversation is the same for days or weeks. “We’re doing everything we can; they’re on all of the treatments we have available. We just have to support them the best we can while their body fights this virus.”
And more often than we’d like, there is a phone call to say that we have had to transfer their loved one to the ICU, or that they’ve passed away. We watch a patient who could have been our mother, our father, our family member turn into a statistic.
Of course, we care for and do our best for every patient we see; we took an oath to do so. Still, I have come to realise that the connection that comes from shared experiences, culture and language is not just a special burden for health care providers of colour, but a special strength as well.
Health care messaging around Covid-19 has at times been inconsistent, unclear and culturally inappropriate. For example, initially people were told to stay home. But many Black and Latinx individuals couldn’t because they were essential workers. They did not have guidance on how to protect themselves if they did have to work. Other times, messages were not in their language or did not take into account social situations that are important factors in a pandemic, such as families in multigenerational homes.
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Health care workers who come from these disproportionately impacted communities have insights that can help guide hospitals and health care agencies when they reach out, but too often we are not at the table when messaging decisions are being made. This may be because we are fighting on the front lines.
Now is when we need our colleagues to reach out to us. Actively listen to our concerns or suggestions regarding outreach to these communities. Make use of our shared experience, culture and language to help make health care information more accessible. Let us feel heard and supported. Help us not feel we must bear this heavy weight alone.
Dr. Susan Lopez works with patients admitted to the hospital at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This article first appeared on HuffPost Personal.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--A Year Since The Red Wall Fell – The Tories And Labour Still Don't Know What To Do About It

British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, Boris Johnson speaks at Downing Street after the Conservative party won a majority in the General Election 2019. SIPA USA/PA Images
When the so-called “red wall” fell to the Tories, it pitched both Labour and the Conservatives into an identity crisis. Twelve months on, neither has figured out how to politically or economically navigate the post-industrial towns that put Johnson in number 10.
Regional policy is the major flashpoint for these internal conflicts. Voters in these seats, of course, care about similar things as voters elsewhere in the country. One of those things is the vibrancy of the local economy, reflected visibly on their high street, and their hometown’s direction of travel. In many of these places that direction has been downward – as in many southern coastal towns, but unlike the traditional Tory shires.
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For the Conservatives, the party’s ideology and interests continue to hold them back. As a backbencher, Rishi Sunak authored a paper advocating for free-ports, where normal tax and customs rules are suspended to encourage economic activity. The chancellor is quickly learning that more tax breaks and less regulation are not the answer to regional decline. It is magical thinking that has been roundly dismissed by economists.
The Conservatives now make a big show of public spending, but the numbers are small. In his spending review, the Chancellor set aside £4 billion to dish out before the next election. He will find that it takes a lot more cash and a lot more time to make a difference.
The communities they are targeting with this money are especially vulnerable to both the pandemic and a bad Brexit deal; Sunak will find that you can’t spruce up a high street when there’s only a jobcentre left open.
In 2021 we are likely to see the prime minister charge around the North promising a “green industrial revolution”. Northerners have seen this act before. And what of the Northern Powerhouse? It’s been superseded by yet another slogan, “levelling up”, which leaves voters perplexed at best, patronised at worst. It’s typically optimistic. But with big promises he can’t keep, Johnson is sewing cynicism, not reaping votes.
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If Labour continues to lose to the Conservatives in the “red wall”, then they deserve to. With Corbyn gone and Brexit soon done, there are few excuses left. There are only uncomfortable truths.
These constituencies have been turning blue for some time. Talk of heartlands and safe seats breeds a self-defeating mindset: political loyalty should never have been banked.
Labour has a well-documented challenge to find the right politics and policies to start winning these seats, but for them, regional policy is just one piece of the puzzle. While the Tories are enthusiastic but incoherent, Labour’s predicament is far worse, because in three manifestos, they have barely tried. Regional policy was just a box to be ticked. In 2019, the mainstay of this wish-list was their version of a “green industrial revolution” targeted at northern regions. It was utopian and unrealistic for an understandably cynical electorate.
Labour’s mayors are the exception that prove the rule. Many have mastered the soft power granted them by Whitehall and have led in the interests of the place they represent, not their party.
That’s the kind of thing the electorate notices. These mayors have extended their reach across a diverse electorate and united them in common cause: improving everyday life in the places people call home and fighting for their town or city to have a fair shot at success.
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They prioritise the economy and the environment, but talk about them in a way that resonates, and then crucially, they deliver on their promises.
There are many political lessons for Labour’s national party to learn from their mayors. Ostracised by Corbyn, they must now lead Labour’s fightback. The Labour leader has talked about his vision for a federal UK, from 2021, he will need to take a view on what that looks like, before the public decide on theirs.
Next year’s mayoral and devolved elections will be a milestone test for both parties.
They are the first indication of whether the Conservative’s 2019 coalition of traditional Tories and first time northern voters will stand firm. The risk for the government is that they expose their incoherence and overpromising.
For Labour, the 2021 elections are a chance to show the party is grounded, and focused on improving people’s lives in real, tangible ways. If there is a lack of progress after a year under Keir Starmer, questions will be asked.
For 2020, politics-as-usual has been suspended. The stage is set for it to reignite in 2021.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--Document Reveals Liverpool Warned Against Rapid Covid Testing In Care Homes As Government Delivers M

Document Reveals Liverpool Warned Against Rapid Covid Testing In Care Homes As Government Delivers Millions Of Kits

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A document published by the government on Friday reveals that Liverpool City Council temporarily advised care homes not to use rapid lateral flow tests (LFTs) to allow visitors due to fears over false negatives.
A notice written by researchers at the University of Liverpool, published by the government alongside other Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) documents on Friday but dated November 25, states that the Liverpool health -protection board had decided to pause plans to use LSTs in care home settings.
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Authorities in Greater Manchester and Sheffield have also raised concerns that the tests, which can return results in a matter of minutes, had failed to detect enough infections. While the rollout of the care home test scheme was temporarily paused in Liverpool, it resumed from December 3 alongside rules against hugging or skin-to-skin contact.
The government recently changed its in advice for care homes, allowing visits across all tiers unless there’s an outbreak in the home. The LFTs are instrumental to this plan, with more than a million already sent to hundreds of England’s biggest care homes.
They are the same tests that are being sent to tier 3 areas as part of the government’s first wave of community testing, with 67 local authorities given approval to begin “testing support programmes” as soon as Monday to “drive down transmission rates in their areas.”
We are launching the first wave of community testing.
From Monday, more than one million rapid turnaround lateral flow tests will be sent to Tier 3 areas.
This will help:
▶identify people without #COVID19 symptoms
▶reduce transmission
▶put areas on a path towards Tier 2
👇 — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 12, 2020
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In a statement released on Saturday, health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “I am really pleased to announce the first areas embarking on enhanced community testing programmes - after the successful work in Liverpool.”
He did not mention the concern around false negatives, but a line in the release put out by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) states: “Extensive clinical evaluation has been carried out on the lateral flow tests by Public Health England and the University of Oxford which show these tests are accurate and sensitive enough to be used in the community.”
The tests are intended to be used hand-in-hand with PCR tests, which can take days to return a result but are regarded as a more reliable indicator of whether or not someone has Covid-19, whereas asymptomatic people have been encouraged to use the LTFs to gauge rates in the community.
Experts have already raised serious concerns about LFT tests providing a false sense of reassurance. Earlier in December, government figures were released from the Liverpool pilot scheme which showed they missed half of all cases and a third of those with a high viral load who were likely to be the most infectious.
Professor Jon Deeks, of Birmingham University, said the tests were being used in ways for which they were never intended with potentially dangerous consequences.
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“They are a low-tech test, they can’t detect low levels of the virus. The World Health Organisation has said ‘Don’t use it for this purpose,’ the manufacturer said ‘Don’t use it for this purpose’,” he told Today.
“We can’t see why the government is progressing with using this test when it is missing so many people.
“They have been sold to people with the idea that if you are negative you will be able to go and visit people, you will be able to be clear that you haven’t got Covid, and that it really dangerous.”
But Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, has defended their use, saying the tests had enabled them to find many cases of infection in people without Covid-19 symptoms that would otherwise have been missed.
“What we are doing here is case detection. We are not saying people do not have the disease if their test is negative,” she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
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“We are trying to say (to people who test positive) ‘You do have the disease and now we want you to go and isolate for ten days’. That is a whole different game-changer.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Extensive testing has shown lateral flow devices are suitable for use in care homes where they can help to identify people who are the most likely to spread the virus further and therefore support the prevention of transmission of the disease from staff and visitors.
“Testing is only part of the approach and it’s essential visitors wear PPE and follow all infection control methods to keep their loved ones, other residents and staff as safe as possible.
“We have sent out millions of tests, provided free PPE and issued guidance to help bring families back together. Care home residents in all tiers will have the chance to see their relatives before Christmas and homes across the country are arranging visits now.”
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated that the current advice from Liverpool City Council to care homes was not to use LFTs. This has now been updated.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--'It's Chaos': Royal Mail Workers Overwhelmed By Covid And Christmas Pressure

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Postal workers have spoken of the “chaos” on the Royal Mail shop floor as the service is hit by a perfect storm delaying deliveries of millions of Christmas gifts.
The pandemic means the company is having to deal with strict social distancing, swathes of self-isolating staff and an online shopping boom – at the same time as its traditional festive surge in volumes of parcels.
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With more people stuck at home and forced to turn to online retailers to cater to their needs, the company has already seen a 34% increase in parcel volumes between April and August. With the company expecting its busiest Christmas on record, the entire system is bracing itself for what could prove to be an unprecedented challenge.
HuffPost UK spoke to workers on the frontline, who revealed that despite the Royal Mail taking on 33,000 temporary workers – double their usual number over Christmas – some fear it will be impossible to make all their deliveries in time for December 25.
Even with the extra help, the company has urged customers to “shop early, send early for Christmas” in order to avoid the rush in the final run-up to December 25.
One worker from the Fishponds delivery centre in Bristol said: “It’s chaos, to be honest with you.”
He said the increased workload was “manageable in the summer period” but has become “impossible at Christmas when the volumes go through the ceiling”.
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The surge in covid cases has also had an impact. “The pandemic has got worse in the winter so we’ve got more staff being off – isolation, some cases in the office too. It means this waterfall doesn’t stop, and it gets loaded on top and loaded on top and loaded on top.”
He explains that workers are falling over bags because there’s so much post: “We just can’t handle the volume. In normal times, we would clear the office on a daily basis. It’s been a challenging time outside of Christmas to do that, because we have not had people able to come into work because they have been vulnerable and isolating. So we’ve been short-staffed.”
Other factors at play include social distancing ending van sharing. “So we’ve had to use a lot of hire vans to do single van duties - and even with that we’ve had a shortfall of vans.”
He says the workload can be overwhelming. “We’re coming in and given our duties and having a ‘holy shit!’ moment. How am I going to get this done? What am I going to do with this?
“And you speak to the manager and they’ll say just get out the tracked parcels. If you’re doing that on a daily basis, everything else builds up and you don’t get the opportunity to get that cleared.”
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He points out overtime is “through the roof”. “Posties are doing all they can. Some people are talking 30-40 hours a week of overtime if they can get it. And people are working Sundays – which doesn’t normally happen even at Christmas – because people feel obligated to the customer.
“Some people are very, very stressed out. They feel like they’re letting down the customer massively – which we are – and some people take it to heart. Some people have come in in the morning and looked at their frame and just walked out and had to take a day off.”
A couple more cases of covid will be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back”. “I’m not sure how successful we’re going to be in getting it cleared before Christmas,” he says.
Luke Elgar, who works at the Southend sorting office and is a Communication Workers Union representative, says some depots are “manic” and facing “unprecedented” pressures. “A lot of the problems are caused by the Test and Trace app where you’ll get say 15 people sent home at the same time,” he says.
“That’s having a massive impact. Everyone’s working tirelessly. With the pandemic and the extra ordering for Christmas and people being sent home, it’s a recipe for a very busy and difficult period. But a lot of offices are coping well.”
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As workers struggle through enormous workloads, customers and businesses who use Royal Mail have begun to raise concerns about slow deliveries – especially in the build up to Christmas.
A quick search on Twitter reveals dozens of complaints against Royal Mail, though other social media users have urged people to empathise with the pressure faced by many members of staff.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail declined to comment on the specific claims made to HuffPost UK by employees, directing us instead to a general statement issued on Friday.
They said: “Despite our best efforts, exhaustive planning and significant investment in extra resources, some customers may experience slightly longer delivery timescales than our usual service standards.”
“This is due to the exceptionally high volumes we are seeing, exacerbated by the coronavirus-related measures we have put in place in local mail centres and delivery offices.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-12--Schools Could Face Government Legal Action If They Switch To Online Classes Before Christmas

Schools in England could face legal action from the government if they allow pupils to learn remotely in the run-up to Christmas, forcing them to stay open.
New powers introduced through the Coronavirus Act allow Department for Education (DfE) to issue “directions” to headteachers around education provision during the pandemic.
But should schools fail to comply after being directed to remain open, education secretary Gavin Williamson could apply for a High Court injunction forcing them to do so.
It is understood that directions under the act would only be used as a last resort, while a court order would be sought if they were not followed.
It comes as a headteacher in Ware, Hertfordshire, was sent a “minded to direct” letter from schools minister Nick Gibb warning that the emergency powers could be used.
Presdales School had planned to switch to online learning for the final week of term to ensure staff and pupils did not have to self-isolate on Christmas Day, Schools Week reported.
But it was said to have scrapped the plans after receiving the letter.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, criticised the approach.
He said: “It marks a low moment when a government threatens legal action against its own school and college leaders, all of whom have worked tirelessly throughout this crisis to make sense of last-minute and chaotic decisions from Westminster.
“The government’s approach undermines the much-vaunted trust it once said it had for leaders and governors in their communities to make the right decisions on behalf of their pupils, parents and staff.”
The Department for Education (DfE) said keeping education settings open remained a “national priority” and that it was “vital” children remain in school until the end of the term.
In Wales, secondary schools and colleges will move to online learning from Monday following advice from the Welsh chief medical officer that the public health situation in the country is “deteriorating”.
It is understood that a direction under the Coronavirus Act requiring schools to remain open has not been used to date by the DfE.
Prior to a direction being issued, regional teams work with schools and local authorities to try to reach an agreement.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Cautious Boris Johnson Dampens Brexit Deal Hopes Despite Extending Talks

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Boris Johnson has dampened hopes that a Brexit deal could be close by insisting the UK and EU are “still very far apart” on key issues.
The prime minister agreed with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday to extend negotiations, raising hopes a free trade agreement could be close.
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But Johnson’s tone was markedly more downbeat that von der Leyen, as he warned of “serious and very, very difficult issues” remaining in the talks.
The PM also said that “the most likely thing” was that “we have to get ready” to default to World Trade Organisation terms from January 1, widely predicted to be the most damaging outcome.
But in a sign that there may still be room to compromise, Johnson repeatedly refused to say whether or not there had been political movement from the EU on the sticking points.
Following a call with cabinet ministers, he told broadcasters: “As things stand, and this is basically what Ursula and I agreed, I’m afraid we’re still very far apart on some key things.
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“But where there’s life, there’s hope.
“We’re going to keep talking to see what we can do, the UK certainly won’t be walking away from the talks, I think people expect us to go the extra mile.”
"We're still very far apart on some key issues... but we're going to keep talking to see what we can do."
Boris Johnson says "whatever happens, the UK will do very well", after agreeing with Ursula von der Leyen to continue #Brexit talks.
Read more: https://t.co/HgkMYPBBdk pic.twitter.com/dz3HZDxc1a — Sky News (@SkyNews) December 13, 2020
Johnson also revealed that his call to speak with EU leaders like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron individually was again rebuffed by von der Leyen, who is demanding all negotiations go through the Commission.
Von der Leyen raised hopes of a deal earlier by saying she had a “constructive and useful” phone conversation on Sunday with Johnson.
But the PM said: “Look, if Ursula is optimistic then that is great… but as far as I can see there are some serious and very, very difficult issues that currently separate the UK from the EU and the best thing to do now for everybody is to follow up all the work that has been done over the last four-and-a-half years, a colossal amount of preparation at our ports, everywhere across the UK, get ready to trade on WTO terms.
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“And there is a clarity and a simplicity in that approach that has its own advantages.
“It is not where we wanted to get to, but if we have to end up with that solution, the UK is more than prepared.”
Earlier, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said there is “a long way to go” to find a resolution on fisheries and so-called level playing field “ratchet” clause, which could see either side punished with trade tariffs if they do not bring their standards in areas like the environment up to the level of the other.
Johnson said: “We’re going to continue to try and we’re going to try with all our hearts and be as creative as we possibly can, but what we can’t do is compromise on that fundamental nature of what Brexit is all about which is us being able to control our laws, control our fisheries, it’s very, very simple.
“I think our friends get it, and we remain willing to talk and will continue to do so.
“But in the meantime let’s get ready for the WTO option, and that’s what I told the cabinet.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Christmas Socialising Could Hinder Coronavirus Vaccination Programme, Scientist Warns

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Travelling and socialising over Christmas could hinder the Covid-19 vaccination programme and will have a “big impact” on how long it takes for life to return to normal, the lead researcher behind the Oxford jab has warned.
Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, things could be “more or less” back to normal by next summer but would depend on transmission rates in January.
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“What we’ve seen in the US is that after Thanksgiving, when people were travelling and mixing, there’s now been a big surge in infections and they’re seeing 3,000 deaths a day now – the highest rate there’s ever been in any country,” Prof Gilbert said.
“If we have that kind of thing happening over the Christmas holidays in this country, with very high transmission rates then possible in January, it’s going to take so much longer to get things back to normal.
“Because partly, all the vaccination clinics will be disrupted. It’s not possible to run vaccination clinics when staff are off sick, and there’s a very high transmission rate affecting people’s ability to come to be vaccinated.
“So I think what we do over the next few weeks is really going to have a big impact on how long it’s going to take to get back to the normal.”
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She added: “Hopefully we could be more or less back to normal by the summer, but that’s not going to be possible if we’re starting from a very bad position in January.”
It comes after NHS bosses warned Boris Johnson that any relaxation of restrictions in England’s tier system may trigger a third wave of the pandemic at the busiest time of the year for hospitals.
Meanwhile, in a letter to Boris Johnson, NHS Providers urged “extreme caution” in moving any area of the country to a lower tier, PA Media reports.
SOPA Images via Getty Images
The first review of England’s tier allocation is due take place on Wednesday, two weeks after the three-tier system was brought in following the end of lockdown.
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But areas should be moved into the highest tier of restrictions “as soon as this is needed, without any delay”, according to the letter from NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts in England.
Chief executive Chris Hopson told the BBC: “We’re about to hit our busiest time of year so people are really worried that if we relax the restrictions now the NHS simply won’t be able to cope with all of the work that it needs to do in late December, January and February.”
While the letter did not call for a review of the temporary relaxation of measures over Christmas, NHS Providers said it was “vital” the public understands the risks of extra social contact during the festive period.
A government spokeswoman said ministers will not “hesitate to take necessary actions to protect local communities” and that decisions are made based on the latest available data.
“We have introduced strengthened local restrictions to protect the progress gained during national restrictions, reduce pressure on the NHS and ultimately save lives,” the spokeswoman said.
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“On top of our record NHS investment, this winter we are providing an extra £3 billion to maintain independent sector and Nightingale hospital surge capacity and a further £450 million to upgrade and expand A&Es.”
On Saturday, the government said a further 519 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK, with a further 21,502 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Matt Hancock has indicated that towns and villages will not be able to move alert level by being “decoupled” from nearby coronavirus hotspots.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Brexit Talks Extended Again After Boris Johnson's Crunch Call With EU

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Boris Johnson and the EU have agreed to extend the Brexit talks again, keeping hopes of a trade deal alive.
It came after the prime minister and Ursula von der Leyen had what the European Commission president described as a “constructive and useful” phone conversation on Sunday.
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However, Johnson struck a markedly more downbeat tone, warning that the two sides are “still very far apart” on key issues.
Negotiations are now going down to the wire, with the UK due to default to World Trade Organisation terms for trade with the EU from January 1 – widely predicted to be the most damaging outcome – if agreement cannot be found.
However, there is increasing but cautious optimism that agreement may be possible with both sides deciding to continue negotiations without setting a new deadline, despite the PM claiming no deal was “very, very likely” on Friday.
"Despite the fact deadlines have been missed over and over, we both think it is responsible to go the extra mile"
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says trade negotiations will continue
Latest: https://t.co/vJLY2y3qu1 pic.twitter.com/w7nfUDCx6S — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) December 13, 2020
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In a joint statement, Johnson and von der Leyen said: “We had a useful phone call this morning. We discussed the major unresolved topics.
“Our negotiating teams have been working day and night over recent days.
“And despite the exhaustion after almost a year of negotiations, despite the fact that deadlines have been missed over and over we think it is responsible at this point to go the extra mile.
“We have accordingly mandated our negotiators to continue the talks and to see whether an agreement can even at this late stage be reached.”
Later, Johnson warned that there are still “serious difficulties” in the talks.
"We're still very far apart on some key issues... but we're going to keep talking to see what we can do."
Boris Johnson says "whatever happens, the UK will do very well", after agreeing with Ursula von der Leyen to continue #Brexit talks.
Read more: https://t.co/HgkMYPBBdk pic.twitter.com/dz3HZDxc1a — Sky News (@SkyNews) December 13, 2020
He told broadcasters: "As things stand, and this is basically what Ursula and I agreed, I’m afraid we’re still very far apart on some key things.
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“But where there’s life, there’s hope.
“We’re going to keep talking to see what we can do, the UK certainly won’t be walking away from the talks, I think people expect us to go the extra mile.”
Talks between UK chief negotiator Lord Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier went on until 9.30pm on Friday, with their technical teams continuing to midnight.
The pair will now continue their negotiations in Brussels with talks stuck on the key issues of fishing rights and the extent to which the UK and EU would maintain similar standards.
Before the announcement, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said there is “a long way to go” to find a resolution on fisheries and so-called level playing field “ratchet” clause, which could see either side punished with trade tariffs if they do not bring their standards in areas like the environment up to the level of the other.
But Raab told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show the bar that would need to be crossed to continue talking is “quite high”, suggesting that some movement must have been achieved for Johnson and von der Leyen to reach that conclusion.
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UK-EU trade deal: "What really matters is the political will" on the EU’s side of negotiations to move on
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tells #Marr "the bar is quite high for us to be able to keep talking"#Brexit https://t.co/qvhGW845Bt pic.twitter.com/cXhMrSwec2 — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) December 13, 2020
“We would need at a political level a commitment to move on those two key issues,” he said.
“When you look at what I said at the start of the week, it is pretty similar to what I’m saying now, which is never say never because EU negotiations can often drag and drift.
“But, actually, we do need finality and therefore we need at the political level of Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, that there is clarity the EU will move on those two key issues. If we get that then there are still talks to be processed.”
The row over what rights EU trawlers would have to access UK waters dramatically escalated over the weekend, with Royal Navy vessels on stand-by to patrol the seas around Britain if there is no deal in a move branded “irresponsible” by senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood.
French president Emmanuel Macron is said to have threatened to veto a UK-EU trade deal after expressing dissatisfaction at the new quota terms being thrashed out for his fishermen.
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Raab told Marr it is “crazy” of the French to make “aggressive demands” when a no deal scenario would leave their boats with “zero assured access” to UK fishing grounds.
He said the UK is “going to exercise full control in the way I think people would expect over our fisheries” but said any enforcement would be “proportionate”.
But Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said she does not believe the proposition of deploying gunboats is “serious”.
She told the Sophy Ridge programme: “I think this is all for the gallery, I don’t think this is serious – and, by the way, I don’t think this is needed.
“I think what would be more responsible is to sit down and agree what kind of relationship does the UK want with the European Union on fishing, again understanding that on this, like on the rest (of the issues), there are things for the UK to win, things for the EU to win – we just have to find this middle point.”
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Responding to the news that negotiations were extended, a spokesperson for the Labour Party said: “The Conservatives promised the British people that they had an oven-ready deal and that they would get Brexit done.
“The government needs to deliver on that promise, get us the deal and allow us to move on as a country.”
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI)’s director-general Tony Danker said: “The news that talks will continue gives hope.
“A deal is both essential and possible.
“It is the only way to build upon the extensive support for the economy given by all governments during the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Piers Morgan Insists He Wore A Face Mask ‘Seconds’ After Being Photographed In A Taxi Without One

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Piers Morgan has insisted he did wear a face mask in a cab after he was photographed without one on a night out with his wife Celia.
On Sunday, the Good Morning Britain presenter explained that he had initially forgotten to put on his face covering but did so “seconds after” the picture was taken.
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Responding to the snap that appeared in The Sun, Piers said: “I put my mask on seconds after this pic was taken, as the cab moved off. I should have done it before I got in but ironically, I was chatting to the paparazzi & I forgot.”
I put my mask on seconds after this pic was taken, as the cab moved off.. I should have done it before I got in but ironically, I was chatting to the paparazzi & I forgot. https://t.co/qefLRDJMBT — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2020
In a series of follow-up tweets, Piers attempted to clarify his actions, admitting he was “guilty as charged”.
“I haven’t made an excuse,” he tweeted. “I just explained what happened. I’m guilty as charged. For a few seconds, I was a Covidiot & I deserve the full wrath of Twitter hell to now descend on me
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I haven't made an excuse, I just explained what happened. I'm guilty as charged. For a few seconds, I was a Covidiot & I deserve the full wrath of Twitter hell to now descend on me. https://t.co/PQEP89PnRJ — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2020
It was outside in the street.
Ironically, the paparazzi were telling me they've been having a tough time financially during the pandemic. Looks I've been able to help them out today with my few seconds of forgetfulness. So, every cloud etc. https://t.co/0D1dw6SbIs — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2020
No, The Sun was right. I did breach covid rules for a few seconds by forgetting to put my mask on before I got in the cab.
Fortunately, I remembered as we pulled away & put it on. Masks help save lives, so it's very important we all remember to wear them when we should. https://t.co/p7Va4LlKnq — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2020
The 55-year-old star has been highly critical of “Covidiots” who don’t follow the government’s coronavirus safety guidelines.
Current rules state that face coverings must be worn “when using taxies or private hire vehicles.”
Earlier this week, Piers said Sky News journalist Kay Burley should be held to the same account as politicians over her Covid rule-break.
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The broadcaster has been taken off air for six months following an internal investigation into the news anchor’s 60th birthday celebrations in London last weekend, whilst the capital was under tier 2 restrictions.
Piers addressed the story on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain after being asked why “we’re not commenting on this given it’s one of our own, the media”.
Piers Morgan David M. Benett via Getty Images
“We should talk about it even though they are friends of ours,” he insisted.
“My view would be, as I’m sure Kay’s view would be if she was talking about this, we should be held to account, in my opinion, exactly the same way we hold politicians to account.
“If we’re going to hold people’s feet to the fire, we’ve got to make sure we live up to the same standards.”
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He also made it clear he wasn’t buying Rita Ora’s apology, after the singer broke lockdown restrictions to celebrate her 30th birthday at the start of the month.
After the singer said she was “deeply sorry” for her actions, Piers dismissed the apology, suggesting the chart-topping star was actually just “deeply sorry you got caught”.
Referring to Rita’s mother, who is a nurse, Piers said: “She spent most of the first wave of the pandemic speaking about her pride for the health service.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Travis Alabanza: 'I'm Chain Smoking My Way Through All This'

Supplied Travis Alabanza speaks to HuffPost UK about their new show Overflow opening at the Bush Theatre
In What Works For Me – a series of articles considering how we can find balance in our lives – we talk to celebrities about wellbeing and self-care.
The public bathroom, with all its potential for intimacy and heartache and filth, has become a microcosm for the conversation around trans people in the UK. It is also the subject matter – and setting – of Overflow, a new show by writer and theatre maker Travis Alabanza at the newly reopened Bush Theatre in London
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In 2017, Alabanza themselves (the writer identifies as non-binary and use they/them pronouns) was subjected to discrimination when told not to use the female changing rooms in a high street clothing shop. Only a year earlier, a passer-by shouted transphobic abuse and hurled a burger at them – the prompt for Alabanza’s most famous show to date, Burgerz, which was, in their own words, “trying to work through that trauma, and figure out how to get over it.”
Overflow stars relative newcomer Reece Lyons, 21, as Rosie, a young trans woman trapped in a bathroom while the toilet floods. The bathroom is the symbol, Alabanza tells HuffPost UK, of “how venomous the conversation around public space can be.” Some trans people develop urinary tract infections because they are too fearful of using public toilets while out and about for fear of being physically or verbally attacked, says the playwright.
“Instead of the media consistency talking about us, I wanted to create a show where we’re talking for ourselves,” Alabanza reflects. “To look at what it means to kick people out of public space based on body parts and not identity – and how that creates a slippery slope for feminism.”
In 2017, Alabanza did a TEDx talk, Who is allowed to be a victim?, about violence, silence and public space in relation to transness. The issues are no less relevant in this pandemic year of lockdown, social distancing and isolation.
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“After the first lockdown, I went outside for the first time and I was harrassed,” Alabanza says. “And it hit differently. We’re two metres apart but we can still break those rules just to cause harm.” Alabanza says they avoid using bathrooms in gendered public spaces because they “can’t be bothered for the debate to happen in real time about my body”. But the writer performer has a habit of sidelining themselves during interviews to paint a wider picture. “What’s more important than how I feel as an individual is that the statistics are there to show how trans people have been treated nationally,” Alabanza says.
According to a recent report by the BBC, trans hate crimes have quadrupled over the past five years in the UK. At the same time, trans people have been the subject of endless public conversation. “We’re seeing in countless, countless debates, whether that be from inside the Labour party or whether that be from Liz Truss, our equalities minister, trans people always feel like the talking point.”
Overflow is the writer’s way of moving that conversation on.
Supplied Performer Reece Lyons
Reece Lyons was cast from an open call for trans women and this is her first leading role. “We’re so excited to cast Reece because I feel so often, you know, trans people aren’t given the main part or the main stage to have a story,” says Alabanza. “Although this is about the negative side of being trans, there’s so much that’s positive about this story being on the stage as well.”
Not to mention a healthy dose of toilet humour. Bathrooms have a surprisingly jovial role in Alabanza’s pre-pandemic life. “So many funny things naturally happen in the bathroom [of queer venues], so it’d be silly for me not to get a toilet gag in there somewhere,” they say, admitting they miss clubbing – a lot.
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Writing Overflow was “a great chance to explore all the hilarious times you have in club bathrooms, all the joy,” they say. “You wouldn’t find a gendered toilet in any of the clubs I go to,” Alabanza adds, citing east London establishments like the Dalston Superstore. In these spaces, they feel not only safe but free.
“We’re less worried about what we were assigned at birth and more worried about who’s got the right lip liner, who’s got a party favour.”
“Although this is about the negative side of being trans, there’s so much that's positive about this story being on the stage as well.” - Travis Alabanza, theatre maker
It’s not only clubs Alabanza misses: they also lament the creative spark ignited by working in person with cast and crew in non-pandemic times. “I make theatre because I enjoy hanging out with people and having laughs – it’s hard to go from a Zoom production meeting to just being in your room on your own,” they say. “I’ve only met the team virtually online, I haven’t been able to even have a cigarette with Reece. I’m definitely missing emotionally some of the other aspects which I’ve realised are so important to making work.”
Lockdown life has been about “staying inside but making staying inside as fun as possible”. Alabanza is currently living in Bristol with a flatmate – they share a balcony for smoking. “We watch loads of movies or dress up, or do make up looks on each other. I’m definitely chain smoking my way through all this and watching loads of reality TV. Trying to eat good, enjoy meals.
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“I’m very lucky in lots of ways in the position I’m in... It’s the greatest distraction game I’ve ever played. I’m not doing sourdoughs or anything like that.”
Having toured their award-winning production of Burgerz internationally for two years, the pandemic has been a sharp U-turn for Alabanza – but work has been relatively steady. In the early stages, they wrote a play for Paines Plough’s digital season. Another thing to emerge from lockdown is a newsletter – now they can’t tour, Alabanza calls it “a way of connecting to an international audience”.
Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images
It’s also a response to an unhealthy relationship with social media that was developing in lockdown.
“I noticed I was looking for something – I haven’t looked for something on social media for a long time but during lockdown I was looking for something and it didn’t feel good. I don’t know if it was affirmation: I was looking for instant gratification and this feels off, so let me find a different space to connect.”
Alabanza has an impressive 70,000 followers on Instagram – would they ever give them up? “I enjoy posting my selfies too much to get off it,” they say, “but I’ve reduced screen time. I’m trying to figure out which apps to knock it down.”
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With some theatres back open, and the London run of Overflow this month, Alabanza may regain some of that real-time contact they find so helpful for creativity – maybe conversations over drinks in the socially-distanced bar or finally having that after-show cigarette with Reece to find out where the story of trans representation will go next.
Overflow sounds well-suited to TV – a story in something of the same vein as I May Destroy You, in the sense that it aims to be an authentic portrayal of what it’s like to go through trauma. “My first love is theatre, I feel really comfortable in theatre right now, but of course I always think about impact,” says Alabanza of TV’s reach, admitting that some of the bathroom scenes from Michaela Coel’s show were in their mind when writing Overflow.
“You can get in the homes of so many people and we haven’t had that in the UK yet for something around transness, and gender non-conforming characters. We’ve guest-spotted but we haven’t had our show. It’s definitely something I think about: I’ve got some ideas up my belt.”
But Alabanza feels no rush. Perhaps reality TV and chain smoking is, after all, coping mechanism enough right now. “I’m still 25,” they conclude. “What this time has taught me is just to enjoy the pace that I’m at.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Labour Is 'Minded To Support' A Brexit Deal In A Commons Vote, Ed Miliband Says

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Labour is “minded to support” any Brexit deal Boris Johnson strikes with the EU in a Commons vote, Ed Miliband has said.
The shadow business secretary told the prime minister to “stand up for the national interest” and strike an agreement with the EU rather than listening to Tory Brexiteers “who don’t want a deal”.
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Miliband said no deal would be a “disgrace” given the UK is in the worst economic crisis for 300 years amid the coronavirus pandemic.
And he appeared to go further than Keir Starmer by suggesting Labour will back any Brexit deal the PM strikes with the EU, while stressing the party will want to “look at the detail” of the agreement.
“We’ve said we’re minded to support it,” he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show.
Labour's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband PA
Miliband said no deal would be “disastrous”.
“What the government seems to be saying is we are willing to accept no-deal, which would mean tariffs across the board, because of some future, theoretical threat maybe sometime in the future to have tariffs in relation to some products.
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“That makes no sense at all. That is like saying I’m worried that my roof is going to leak in five years’ time, so let’s bulldoze the house now.
“I say, no deal is a disastrous outcome for the country, it is not a wonderful outcome and it is a disgrace frankly that Boris Johnson said it.”
He added: “He’s being cavalier with our national interest and frankly he is playing Russian roulette with jobs and livelihoods of people up and down the country.”
It comes with Johnson and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen expected to speak around lunchtime to make a decision on the future of negotiations.
Talks between UK chief negotiator Lord Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier went on until 9.30pm on Friday, with their technical teams continuing to midnight.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Police 'Drop Probe Into Tory MP Arrested Over Rape Accusation’

House of Commons and Palace of Westminster next to Thames river in London. Nuwan via Getty Images
Police have reportedly dropped their investigation into a Conservative MP and ex-minister who was arrested after a woman accused him of rape, sexual assault and coercive control.
The Metropolitan Police had said they received allegations on July 31 of sexual offences and assault relating to four separate incidents at addresses in London, including in Westminster, between July last year and January this year.
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A man was arrested on August 1 on suspicion of rape and was taken into custody at an east London police station before later being released on bail, the force added.
But The Sunday Times quoted a police spokesman as saying: “Following a thorough investigation, and based on all evidence made available to officers, the decision was taken that the case did not meet the evidential test and no further action will be taken.”
The spokesman added that the alleged victim has been made aware of the force’s decision.
The man, who the paper reports has conducted parliamentary duties from home since his arrest, has been made aware of the police decision.
The alleged victim told the paper she intended to appeal against the decision under the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme.
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Following the man’s arrest, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said on August 2 he did not known the name of the MP.
Jenrick added Parliament “needs to be” a safe environment for young women to work in.
He told Times Radio: “There has clearly been some very difficult allegations and cases in recent years.
“We need to make sure, like any other workplace, it is one that’s fit for everybody, where everybody feels safe and comfortable working, and when allegations are raised they are treated with the seriousness they deserve.”
Asked whether he personally wanted to see the Tory whip removed from the MP under police investigation, Jenrick said: “We need to take allegations of this nature very seriously and I’m confident that the party is, and will do. “
Numerous reports in the Sunday papers on August 2 said the allegations were raised with Tory chief whip Mark Spencer, and the complainant also spoke to him, but no action was taken.
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The PA news agency understands Spencer advised her to make a formal complaint to authorities who would be able to investigate the claims.
A spokesman for Spencer said: “The Chief Whip takes all allegations of harassment and abuse extremely seriously and has strongly encouraged anybody who has approached him to contact the appropriate authorities, including Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, which can formally carry out independent and confidential investigations.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Game Of Thrones Prequel, House Of Dragon, Reveals Your New Targaryens

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If you thought you’d never see a family more messed up than the Lannisters, HBO just said hold my Starbucks.
Game of Thrones tweeted out new casting news on Friday for its upcoming prequel, House of the Dragon, revealing that Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One), Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers) and Matt Smith (The Crown) would be the fresh new faces of House Targaryen.
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And take a good look, because there aren’t too many happy family reunions coming after this.
Fire will reign.
Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, and Matt Smith join the cast of @HBO’s #HouseOfTheDragon
For the latest updates: https://t.co/ojAsdiyoWV pic.twitter.com/uKSyIGIJJU — Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) December 11, 2020
In Game of Thrones, Maester Aemon once said, “A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing.” Well, it turns out a bunch of them isn’t that great either.
All of the new characters are key in the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons: a bloody, dragon-filled fight for the Iron Throne. The war seems to be the main conflict explored in the series, and — if you know nothing, Jon Snow — here’s who’s who.
Olivia Cooke Is Alicent Hightower
She’s the daughter of the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, in George R.R. Martin’s books and becomes the second wife of King Viserys Targaryen, who’s played in the show by Paddy Considine.
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HBO didn’t specifically mention the wife detail in its character description, so perhaps that won’t happen until the series begins.
Alicent is a trouble maker, everyone. It’s directly because of her actions, which we won’t spoil, that the Dance of the Dragons takes place.
Emma D’Arcy Is Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra is King Viserys’ first-born child, a dragon rider and possible heir to the Iron Throne. But Westeros is a pretty misogynistic place, and not everyone’s down with women ruling.
Interestingly, HBO’s description of the character says, “Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything ... but she was not born a man.” That definitely feels like Cersei (Lena Headey) vibes.
(Spoiler alert! Stepmom Alicent and Rhaenyra probably aren’t going to get along.)
And finally ...
Matt Smith Is Prince Daemon Targaryen
Daemon is King Viserys’ younger brother, also a possible heir to the throne and ... kind of a creep?
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In Martin’s stories, the prince rode Caraxes the Blood Wyrm, one of the fiercest dragons the realm ever saw and the dragon thought to be teased in recent concept art for the series.
Nice concept art! Guessing these might by Sunfyre the Golden (looks like a young dragon) and Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm #HouseOfTheDragon #GameOfThrones #dragons https://t.co/uAnT5ToLnj — Elio & Linda (@westerosorg) December 3, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Dolly Parton Pays Tribute To Country Music Star Charley Pride Following His Death, Aged 86

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Dolly Parton has paid tribute to fellow country music star Charley Pride following his death aged 86 from coronavirus complications.
Pride, from Sledge in Mississippi, was one the genre’s first Black stars and the first Black member of the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
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A statement from his representative said: “Pride, whose rich baritone voice and impeccable song-sense altered American culture, died Saturday, December 12, 2020 in Dallas, Texas of complications from Covid-19 at age 86.”
Widely considered a trailblazer, he was one of only three African-Americans to become a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry club.
Charley Pride Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
Parton, 74, said on Twitter: “I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from Covid-19.
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“What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans.”
I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. (1/2) — Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020
Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans. - Dolly (2/2) — Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020
Among Pride’s best known songs were Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’, Is Anybody Going To San Antone? and Mountain Of Love.
Across his nearly seven-decade career, he was nominated for 13 Grammys and won three.
Before arriving in Nashville in 1963 to pursue music, Pride spent time in the Army, working at a Missouri smelting plant and attempting to forge a career in big-league baseball.
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He played for the Memphis Red Sox and Birmingham Black Barons.
In August 1965, he recorded a session that impressed the RCA record label’s Chet Atkins, who offered him a recording contract.
And in 1967, his recording of Clement’s Just Between You And Me broke into the country top 10 in the US.
Pride promptly quit his job as a smelter to pursue music full time.
His greatest musical success came in the 1970s when he became the best-selling performer for RCA since Elvis Presley.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2000.
Pride’s final performance came on November 11 this year when he sang Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’ during the Country Music Association Awards show at Nashville’s Music City Centre with contemporary star Jimmie Allen.
Billy Ray Cyrus was also among those from the country music world paying tribute.
Sharing a photo of them together, the Achy Breaky Heart singer wrote on Twitter: “The last time I spoke to my good friend and legend Charley Pride. We met in ’92 playing shows together in Australia.
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“His beloved sweetheart Rosie by his side. A gentleman… legend and true trail blazer. With much respect.”
The last time I spoke to my good friend and legend Charley Pride. We met in ‘92 playing shows together in Australia. His beloved sweetheart Rosie by his side. A gentleman... legend and true trail blazer. With much respect #RIP pic.twitter.com/dewMqcC6Rk — Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) December 12, 2020
American singer-songwriter Luke Combs said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Charley Pride when I was playing the @opry. I was in awe of his presence and his talent.
“So saddened by the news of his passing. He was a true legend and trailblazer. His impact on our genre and generations of artists will never be forgotten.”
Documentary-maker Ken Burns tweeted: “Charley Pride was a trail blazer whose remarkable voice & generous spirit broke down barriers in country music just as his hero Jackie Robinson had in baseball. His last performance was his hit, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin.” Now he is one.”
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Country star Reba McEntire said: “Charley Pride will always be a legend in Country music. He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--14 Little Ways To Feel More Connected To Your Partner

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It’s not uncommon for couples to go through periods where they feel a little distant or out-of-sync. Maybe they’ve been consumed with work, focussed on the kids or just in a rut. What matters, though, is what you do when the drifting happens: Do you ignore the issue and hope it resolves itself? Or do you make — and keep making — a conscious effort to reconnect?
We asked couples to share the small, simple things they do on a regular basis to feel closer to each other. You just might want to try some of their ideas.
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1. Get up a little earlier to have coffee or breakfast together
“When you both work from home, it can be easy to wake up and hit the work tasks first thing. We take time, even if that means getting up a little earlier, to connect before we divide and conquer the day. Sometimes we spend time cooking and talking, or just keep it simple — like cereal or toast — and have more time to chat undistracted.” — Christina Litke
2. Create a healthy (and funny) morning ritual
“Every morning, I thaw out a little chlorophyll beverage for us to split and when we cheers we say, ‘To your health!’ Then, we do a second cheers with our daily probiotic and say, ‘To your butt!’ It makes us laugh, which is a great way to start off the day together.” — Bronwyn Lundberg
3. Kiss hello and goodbye, no matter what
“We greet one another with a kiss when we are heading out and coming back home. We also toast before eating by tapping our forks. I can’t even remember when that tradition started but that’s the signal for us to start eating when we eat together. We also text each other ‘Good night and sweet dreams. I love you,’ if we are not with one another that night before going to bed.” — Jan-Kristòf Louis-Mansano
HEX via Getty Images Keep the spark alive by always kissing hello and goodbye.
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4. Leave each other notes hidden around the house
“I have a set of postcards that I colour in and then write a message for my wife. I leave them in places where she won’t expect to find them. The combination of surprise, positive intention and thoughtful message fosters connection in an often digital message world. I’ve had one sent to her workplace, hidden in her sock drawer, in her car glove compartment and at the end of her favourite [sneakers].” — Lee Chambers
5. Carve out “we” time after the kids are asleep
“We reserve two nights a week just for us. Since we became parents, my wife and I have made sure to set aside this time every week. It might sound monotonous to some, but with kids around, we both crave that time together. It gives us a chance to catch up and reconnect.” — Sham P.
6. Name specific reasons you’re thankful for each other
“Before falling asleep, we thank each other for everything we did for each other throughout the day that made us feel loved, taken care of and seen. We do this before bed every day. It has just become a nice habit, it makes us feel appreciated and loved.” — Amanda Oleander
7. Plan a special Saturday night dinner at home
“My husband, Jack, is our resident cook, and he’ll spend time during the day thinking about what to make, looking at recipes, etc. He’ll ask me for input and it becomes this big plan. Then later I either help him prepare the food, or if he doesn’t need help, I sit and talk to him while he cooks.” — Adrienne Hedger
8. Commit to unplugged Sunday mornings
“We’ve made a commitment to spend Sunday mornings in bed. We call it our Sunday morning ‘lie-in.’ No screens allowed while we read the paper, drink our morning beverages and just connect. Being slightly Type A, doing ‘nothing’ for four or five hours was a tall order for me at first. But it didn’t take long for me to start looking forward to turning off the outside world and just disappearing into him for the entire morning.” — Laura Cathcart Robbins
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PeopleImages via Getty Images To bond, spend Sunday morning in bed with coffee, something to read and no phones.
9. Celebrate the little things
“We’ve done ‘monthiversaries’ where we would do a small celebration on the 5th every few months — our dating anniversary is Nov. 5 — and that could be with a spa or a special dinner or something special at home.” — Louis-Mansano
10. Make up goofy songs for the heck of it
“We have a breakfast and dinner song we sing to our dog every morning and night. We also have a walking song we sing to him when we go out, and a bye-bye song when we go for a ride.” — Dan Regan
11. Play a slideshow of old family photos on the TV and bask in the memories
“We have an Apple TV, and we can set it up to display random photos from our phones, either from selected albums or just photos in general. So these photos just appear on the TV as we go about our business during the day, afternoon or evening. It’s fun to see old pictures pop up, and it can lead to fun memories and stories.” — Hedger
12. Take genuine interest in each other’s work, hobbies or passions
“My husband and I have very different interests and our jobs are also quite different in the sense that mine is very creative and his is more corporate. But we always talk about our days, our projects and the things that are happening no matter how unfamiliar it may seem to each other. I think that’s an important part of our marriage.” — Debbie Tung
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South_agency via Getty Images Showing interest in your partner's passions goes a long way.
13. Meditate together
“It sounds hokey — actually, it probably would have made me gag a few years ago — but Scott and I like meditating together. Even though we work from our home, sometimes our days are so hectic that we literally have to schedule time to eat lunch together. Taking time in the morning to meditate is a really nice way to prepare for an over-scheduled day and I always feel more connected to him afterward.” — Cathcart Robbins
14. Bring each other a snack, just because
“We both work from home and really get into our work and sometimes forget to eat or drink for hours. So we bring each other water and snacks throughout the day accompanied with a kiss, of course.” — Oleander


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--Ranvir Singh Pays Emotional Tribute To Good Morning Britain Co-Presenter Kate Garraway On Strictly S

Ranvir Singh Pays Emotional Tribute To Good Morning Britain Co-Presenter Kate Garraway On Strictly Semi-Final

Kate, whose husband Derek Draper remains in hospital after contracting Covid-19, recorded a message of support for the presenter.
Ranvir was shown the video after her first dance on Saturday’s semi-final.
(L-R) Good Morning Britain's Sean Fletcher, Laura Tobin, Kate Garraway, Ranvir Singh and Ben Shepard Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images
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Addressing the camera, Kate told her: “Ranvir? The semi-finals? This is unbelievable. It’s not though, is it? Because you are unbelievable.
“It’s just so fantastic watching you. You are amazing. We all know you are amazing and now the world knows it too.
“Hope you get to the final but whatever happens you are the absolute winner of this series.”
Ranvir responded: “We all know what she is going through. She typifies what everyone is going through this year and it’s so wonderful she found time to think of me. That is her all over.
“Thank you so much to her. It means so much for me.”
Derek Draper was placed in an induced coma after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus in March.
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In October, Kate confirmed the former lobbyist and political adviser was able to breathe without a ventilator and had mouthed his first word.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--The Dos And Don'ts Of Supporting Someone Who's Grieving This Christmas

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Covid-19 has taken the lives of tens of thousands of people this year, leaving families and friends in unimaginable pain.
It means millions of people will be seeing in Christmas grieving the loss of a loved one – whether a partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or friend.
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Offering support to those grieving at Christmas is especially important this year, bereavement charities have said – and even more so for those living alone. But it can be hard to know how best to do this. Often, people shy away from saying anything for fear of upsetting their loved one, but silence isn’t the answer.
“As a friend, you can end up in a ‘no man’s land’ of wanting to help, show support, and that you care, but you don’t know how,” says Carole Henderson, managing director of Grief UK.
“We’re not taught what to say and do beyond ‘If there’s anything you need, let me know,’ ‘I’m sorry for your loss,’ and ‘I’m thinking of you.’”
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Henderson says while it’s good to acknowledge the loss, anyone who’s been through the loss of a loved one can tell you the grief extends way beyond the funeral.
“We would urge you not to leave them to grieve alone over the Christmas period,” she adds.
The dos and don’ts of showing support
1. Don’t avoid sending Christmas cards, says Henderson. Instead acknowledge it’ll be a difficult time of year. Mention the name of the person who has died, and even share a memory in the card. Vicky Anning, communications manager for charity WAY (Widowed and Young), seconds this, advising to send cards and small treats to let them know you’re thinking of them.
2. Do keep in regular contact. “The most important way you can support someone grieving this Christmas is quite simply to be there for them,” says Anning. Keep in touch, even if it’s at the end of a phone, to listen to them, to be available and to share memories about the person they have lost.
Kittiphan Teerawattanakul / EyeEm via Getty Images
3. Don’t ask ‘how are you?‘. Try asking your friend or loved one ‘what’s happening with you?’ instead. Grief UK’s Carole Henderson says if you ask, ‘how are you?’ many people just say ‘I’m fine’, as it’s easier than being honest.
4. Do listen without interrupting. “Grieving people need to be heard,” says Henderson. “Crying is a normal reaction to loss, even though it might feel a bit uncomfortable for you. Grief is emotional.” It’s important to create an environment in which the bereaved person can be themselves and show their feelings, rather than putting on a front, adds Andy Langford, clinical director for Cruse Bereavement Care.
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5. Do help your friend plan for Christmas. They might be feeling the pressure to do something, or to put on a show of being okay. Ask them what they’d really like to do, then support their decision, suggests Grief UK, which has a free ebook, ‘How to Support your Grieving Friend at Christmas’, available to download from its website.
FotoMaximum via Getty Images
6. Do offer practical help. This could be putting up Christmas decorations for them, doing their Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, or taking over the Christmas Day meal. If they have children, you could offer to look after them for to give them a break. The help you offer doesn’t have to be Christmas related either – you could send meal kits, help with DIY tasks or do their food shop. You could even invite them for a socially distanced walk to get them away from the house.
7. Don’t come out with comments like ‘they’re in a better place’, or ‘at least you’re still young, you’ll find someone else’, says Anning. The WAY website has some helpful pointers of what’s best to say to someone who’s widowed – and what you absolutely shouldn’t be saying.
8. Don’t offer solutions to their grief. It might be hard to see your loved one so upset, but it’s important to remember there are no quick fixes for grief. “Simply be there for your friend, and be there for the long haul as they adjust to life without their loved one,” says Anning. “That support will mean the world to them.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-13--The Psychology Behind Why We Love Bad Christmas Films

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“Twinkle All The Way.” “Jingle Bell Bride.” “Merry Kissmass.” “The Christmas Prince.”
Year after year, networks and now even streaming services like Netflix ― inundate us with a slew of terribly cheesy Christmas movies (with inane titles to match). And year after year, we eat it all up.
Whether you proudly tweet about your film consumption or hide the guilty pleasure, the fact remains that these over-the-top, formulaic, questionably acted films have a real audience.
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But why are so many of us drawn to these cheesy made-for-TV Christmas movies? HuffPost asked some mental health experts to break down our not-so-secret love affair.
They offer a sense of certainty.
Made-for-TV Christmas films are famous for following the same predictable formula, from the plot structure to the set decoration to the specific Christmas motifs. And as much as we mock this approach, our brains actually tend to love the certainty, particularly in times of uncertainty like the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The human brain loves patterns and predictability, especially when we are stressed out,” said Kati Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of “Are U Ok? A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health.”
“Knowing what to expect can be relaxing because it shows life in a much simpler way without all of the unknowns and complexities of regular life,” she added. “We can find ourselves seeking out these predictable films as a way to comfort ourselves and escape from this difficult time.”
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We’re attracted to simple solutions.
Morton believes that people may be watching these kinds of films even more this year because they present simple fixes to very complex issues like finding a partner, navigating relationship conflicts, dealing with childhood trauma, grieving a loved one, reuniting family and more.
“And it’s all figured out in an hour and a half!” she said. “We can be attracted to the easy solutions because our day-to-day life can seem to have more questions than answers.”
The plot of every Hallmark movie is about a career woman who is too busy for love but she has to move to a small town where a handsome local bachelor teaches her about the true spirit of the holiday. It starts snowing and they kiss. There is also a dog. — Joel Doubleyou (@JoelDoubleyou) November 19, 2018
The relentless positivity boosts morale.
“People tend to watch cheesy movies around the festive season because it’s positive, even though predictable,” said licensed marriage and family therapist Saniyyah Mayo. “People enjoy having positive things to think about. Positive movies can increase one’s morale during hard times. Holidays are great for some but depressing for many. Statistics have shown that depression spikes during the festive season. Although the movie may not be that great, it provides a temporary glimpse of optimism for some.”
There’s a chemical nature to the experience of watching cheesy movies, maybe even more so those with a Christmas theme. Feel-good movies alter our hormone levels, and research has suggested that a rom-coms in particular can activate the brain’s empathy centre to release dopamine and oxytocin.
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“The festive season is stressful, especially this year, and being able to tap into a world where everything seems to work out, people fall in love, and the good guy wins is a retreat,” Morton said. “We can seek them out as a way to calm our nervous system and get that extra dopamine hit from the feel-good plots.”
Hallmark/Ion//Lifetime/Netflix
They provide an escape to fulfil certain needs.
“The uses and gratifications model proposes that people watch media to fulfil certain needs,” explained T. Makana Chock, a media psychologist and communications professor at Syracuse University. “These include affective needs — the emotional fulfilment and pleasure we may experience in watching a romantic plot or vicariously experiencing the emotional journal of a likeable character ― and diversion ― the need to temporarily escape the tensions and stress of our lives.”
Indeed, cheesy Christmas films offer a healthy sense of escapism and even a temporary heightening of endorphins, according to life coach and “Behaving Bravely” author Anita Kanti.
““The holidays are stressful, especially this year, and being able to tap into a world where everything seems to work out, people fall in love, and the good guy wins is a retreat.”” - Kati Morton, licensed marriage and family therapist
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“The imagery, acting, and music can help stimulate stress releases, primarily through laughter and sadness,” Kanti said. “Watching Christmas films, yes, can serve as the release you may need temporarily to promote those ‘happy hormones.’”
Our brains love happy endings.
“Our brains love feeling good. Formulaic styles and structure are typical in romantic comedies, helping us feel close to home in our own human stories,” Kanti said. “We’re wired to recognise specific common patterns that are relatable in storytelling. Endings can be incredibly impactful because they can remind us of the importance of solving solutions and the benefits of doing so in simple ways.”
Made-for-TV Christmas films tend to showcase journeys of self-discovery, happy endings and even miracles at times.
“Today we live in a time where many don’t believe or operate with a ‘happy endings’ mindset,” Kanti noted. “The lesson for ourselves is to narrate our own story of courage and resilience. This is a time to reflect and confirm that a happy ending is what you ultimately decide, drive and design through your own lens.”
Does every Hallmark Christmas movie have the same plot?
Yes.
Am I still going to watch them and act surprised when Susan falls in love with the small town baker who only wears sweaters instead of falling for the big city CEO?
Yes. — Alli Moore (@AlliMichalMoore) November 22, 2017
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They appeal to our moral intuitions.
“Christmas films, which usually involve a character initially rejecting the holiday spirit (Bah, humbug) to becoming a firm believer in these values (love, family, giving), may also appeal to people’s moral intuitions,” Chock said. “Some scholars argue that humans have evolutionary-based moral sensitivities that have enabled us to survive in groups. Christmas films may appeal to caring, or our sensitivity to others’ pain and suffering, and fairness — a desire to see justice done and have an equitable outcome for the characters.”
She noted that these movies often involve a central character who is an outsider (like a high-powered, city-dwelling, corporate worker who left her small town years ago) eventually becoming part of a group (either joining a family, getting involved with her small-town community, and/or partnering up with a love interest).
“The predictable plot lines and happy endings can provide us with a form of media ‘comfort food,’” Chock said.
They keep us dreaming.
“These movies capture the joys of Christmas traditions ― that December feeling of an open fire, the scent of a fresh Christmas tree, and the heartfelt gift of giving,” Kanti mused. “Along with that, many Americans will binge the Hallmark Channel this time of year to be part of the positivity, festivity and idealism cast in the fairy tales portrayed on camera.”
Even if we know the plots are unrealistic (and mock them accordingly), the movies still tap into the part of us that dares to dream and use our imaginations.
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