thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--Charity boost as £16million fund launched over coronavirus crisis

Environment Secretary George Eustice announced the emergency cash for organisations delivering to food banks , shelters , refuges and rehabilitation centres at the daily Downing Street news briefing .
He said : `` We also recognise the economic impacts of coronavirus means that vulnerability is not just about physical access to food .
For some , there is also financial vulnerability .
`` So today , we are announcing a new £16 million fund to support frontline food charities.
” The cash will go the food distribution charities FareShare and WRAP to expand their work during the crisis , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delivering food to around 5,000 frontline charities .
`` These include refuges , homeless shelters and rehabilitation centres , ” he added .
Mr Eustice said more than one million food parcels had so far been delivered to the clinically vulnerable in society .
`` In addition all of those in the shielded cohort have been added to a list giving them priority access to supermarket delivery slots .
`` So far around 400,000 people have been offered priority delivery slots by supermarkets and around one million orders have been placed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 79,000 shopping runs had been carried out by volunteers using the NHS Good Samaritan app .
The £16million for food charities will come from a £750 million fund to help charities through the crisis unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month .
`` These are extraordinary times but I think that £750 million is very welcome and it 's helped a lot of charities with the additional burdens that they have as a result of the coronavirus , ” Mr Eustice said .
Mr Eustice said the country was '' not out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK will live with the virus for some time to come after Wales announced some changes to its own lockdown measures .
He said : `` We will have to wait for what the Prime Minister has to say on Sunday but I think what I can say is this - he 's going to set out effectively a roadmap of how we can evolve the current restrictions .
`` We have this complete lockdown at the moment to something where certain activities may become possible in the short term , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much longer .
`` We have to be realistic that there is n't going to be any dramatic overnight change , we will be very very cautious as we loosen the restrictions we have , as the data that we 're outlining on a daily basis shows we are not out of the woods .
”

Environment Secretary George Eustice announced the emergency cash for charitable organisations
Environment Secretary George Eustice announced the emergency cash for organisations delivering to food banks, shelters, refuges and rehabilitation centres at the daily Downing Street news briefing. He said: "We also recognise the economic impacts of coronavirus means that vulnerability is not just about physical access to food. For some, there is also financial vulnerability.
"So today, we are announcing a new £16 million fund to support frontline food charities.” The cash will go the food distribution charities FareShare and WRAP to expand their work during the crisis, the Cabinet minister said. "They will be delivering food to around 5,000 frontline charities. "These include refuges, homeless shelters and rehabilitation centres,” he added. Mr Eustice said more than one million food parcels had so far been delivered to the clinically vulnerable in society. "In addition all of those in the shielded cohort have been added to a list giving them priority access to supermarket delivery slots.
Mr Eustice said more than one million food parcels had so far been delivered
"So far around 400,000 people have been offered priority delivery slots by supermarkets and around one million orders have been placed,” he said. Mr Eustice added that 79,000 shopping runs had been carried out by volunteers using the NHS Good Samaritan app. The £16million for food charities will come from a £750 million fund to help charities through the crisis unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month. "These are extraordinary times but I think that £750 million is very welcome and it's helped a lot of charities with the additional burdens that they have as a result of the coronavirus,” Mr Eustice said. Mr Eustice said the country was"not out of the woods" and that the UK will live with the virus for some time to come after Wales announced some changes to its own lockdown measures.
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--VE Day hero: Boris praises Ernie Horsfall, 102, in brilliant video call

The Prime Minister spent half an hour talking to Ernie Horsfall , one of the UK ’ s oldest surviving former soldiers as part of a programme of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the conflict .
Their conversation took place after the Prime Minister observed yesterday ’ s national two-minute silence to commemorate the sacrifice of the wartime generation .
He also spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel , Russian President Vladimir Putin and Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a series of phone calls to leaders of nations involved in the conflict .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He held a Zoom call with a veteran , an amazing guy by the name of Ernie Horsfall .
`` He is 102 and one of the UK 's oldest surviving servicemen .
`` Ernie served with the Army 's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from 1940 to 1946 as a staff sergeant .
`` He was in Naples on VE Day , on the outskirts of the city along the Pompeii road , running workshops to repair and maintain tanks .
`` He and the PM had a really lovely conversation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour . ''
Mr Johnson told Ernie he was `` awesome '' and a `` credit to his generation '' during the call , the spokesman said .
The Prime Minister ’ s phone conversation with President Putin triggered some surprise at Westminster given the frosty relations between Westminster and the Kremlin following the nerve agent poisoning attack in Salisbury two years ago .
Mr Johnson ’ s spokesman said : `` The primary purpose of it is to mark VE Day .
`` The Prime Minister and President Putin met in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then what the UK 's position was on the relationship we have with Russia and what needs to happen before it can be normalised . ''
In his message to Mr Johnson released by the Kremlin yesterday , President Putin said : `` The Great Victory was a pivotal event of the 20th century with enduring significance for the fate of all humankind .
It was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition .
That invaluable experience is no less needed today .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conversation the two leaders “ paid tribute to the collaboration between British and Russian forces during the Second World War , including through the Arctic convoys , and to the heroism and sacrifice of all those who lost their lives '' .
The spokeswoman added : “ They also discussed the bilateral relationship between our countries .
The Prime Minister was clear we should maintain dialogue but that obstacles to further progress remained .
“ The leaders spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and agreed on the importance of continuing to work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
“ The Prime Minister invited President Putin to take part in the Global Vaccine Summit that the UK will host virtually in June , to strengthen healthcare systems and tackle coronavirus in some of the world ’ s poorest countries.
” In Parliament , a wreath-laying service was held in Westminster Hall led by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle ’ s chaplain Revd Tricia Hillas .
A trumpeter from the Band of the Scots Guard sounded the Last Post .
Sir Lindsay read extracts from a speech given by wartime premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 1945 to announce the surrender of the Nazi regime .
Following the ceremony , the Speaker said : “ While we can not celebrate VE Day as we would have liked , we should never forget that fight for freedom and the spirit that was so evident during the Second World War .
“ We must never lose hope that the freedom that they guaranteed for us , will be ours once again in the future .
”

VE Day: Boris Johnson says UK's gratitude will be 'eternal'
The Prime Minister spent half an hour talking to Ernie Horsfall, one of the UK’s oldest surviving former soldiers as part of a programme of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the conflict. Their conversation took place after the Prime Minister observed yesterday’s national two-minute silence to commemorate the sacrifice of the wartime generation. He also spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a series of phone calls to leaders of nations involved in the conflict.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: "He held a Zoom call with a veteran, an amazing guy by the name of Ernie Horsfall. "He is 102 and one of the UK's oldest surviving servicemen. "Ernie served with the Army's Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from 1940 to 1946 as a staff sergeant. "He was in Naples on VE Day, on the outskirts of the city along the Pompeii road, running workshops to repair and maintain tanks. "He and the PM had a really lovely conversation, they spoke for just over half an hour." Mr Johnson told Ernie he was "awesome" and a "credit to his generation" during the call, the spokesman said. The Prime Minister’s phone conversation with President Putin triggered some surprise at Westminster given the frosty relations between Westminster and the Kremlin following the nerve agent poisoning attack in Salisbury two years ago.
Boris Johnson spent half an hour talking to Ernie Horsfall
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: "The primary purpose of it is to mark VE Day. "The Prime Minister and President Putin met in January and the PM set out very clearly then what the UK's position was on the relationship we have with Russia and what needs to happen before it can be normalised." In his message to Mr Johnson released by the Kremlin yesterday, President Putin said: "The Great Victory was a pivotal event of the 20th century with enduring significance for the fate of all humankind. It was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the Soviet Union and the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. That invaluable experience is no less needed today." A Downing Street spokeswoman said during the conversation the two leaders “paid tribute to the collaboration between British and Russian forces during the Second World War, including through the Arctic convoys, and to the heroism and sacrifice of all those who lost their lives". The spokeswoman added: “They also discussed the bilateral relationship between our countries. The Prime Minister was clear we should maintain dialogue but that obstacles to further progress remained.
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Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle


thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--Tory civil war erupts: Rebellion ignited over lockdown as Javid sounds economic warning

The former chancellor put himself at odds with Boris Johnson by raising doubts over the Government ’ s cautious approach to lifting restrictions on businesses .
He claimed ministers should be “ running the economy hot ” to ensure a rapid recovery .
His remarks followed a warning from the Bank of England earlier this week that the shutdown to try to stop the virus spreading could reduce UK economic growth by 14 % this year in the worst collapse on record .
Speaking to Sky News , the former chancellor said the Government was right to put the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic issues and a balance needed to be struck .
`` We 're going to have to co-exist with this virus for many months , if not potentially years .
But we 've got to find a way forward and that does mean you 're relaxing , as much as you can , '' he said .
Mr Javid , who quit the Treasury in February after refusing to accept that Number 10 should appoint his advisers , added : `` Running the economy hot you could say , in a way that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just the sort of necessity to control the virus , but also the wider impact on society . ''
Mr Javid was sceptical about the economy bouncing back with a so-called “ V-shaped recovery ” , meaning a rapid fall in growth followed by an equally rapid rise .
`` I think a V-shaped recovery will be challenging .
And I know the Bank of England has said it 's possible , '' Mr Javid said .
`` It has made a whole set of assumptions around relaxing the lockdown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it says itself that it 's at best uncertain .
`` I do think it 's just like the virus itself , let 's hope for the best but let 's plan for the worst , and that means you 're taking whatever action you think is necessary and possible right now to make sure we do get the fastest recovery possible . ''
Mr Javid also argued that some groups in the community may have to abide by different regulations until a coronavirus vaccine is found .
`` It might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can find a way that we focus our protection on those that are most vulnerable , those that have underlying illnesses but give more freedom to , let 's say , younger people , so they can get on with their lives and at the same time help the rest of us by rebuilding our economy which benefits everyone , '' he said .
`` We 're learning all the time but we should n't rule out an option that focuses on protecting the most vulnerable but gives more freedom to others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ should dust off ” proposals dating back to financial crisis allowing the Government to break up banks to strip out “ bad ” assets .
“ You have some kind of support for banks with some of the worst-performing loans and try to help the banks in that way , so that they can in turn help the economy and lend , ” he said .
The policy “ was never properly implemented in the end because it wasn ’ t needed ” .
Mr Javid ’ s intervention made him the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government ’ s approach to lockdown .
Other backbenchers including Sir Graham Brady , chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of ToryMPs , and former minister Steve Baker criticised aspects of the lockdown in a Commons debate earlier this week .

Sajid Javid urged ministers to reopen the economy 'as far and as quick' as possible
The former chancellor put himself at odds with Boris Johnson by raising doubts over the Government’s cautious approach to lifting restrictions on businesses. He claimed ministers should be “running the economy hot” to ensure a rapid recovery.
His remarks followed a warning from the Bank of England earlier this week that the shutdown to try to stop the virus spreading could reduce UK economic growth by 14% this year in the worst collapse on record. Speaking to Sky News, the former chancellor said the Government was right to put the public health first but this had led to economic issues and a balance needed to be struck. "We're going to have to co-exist with this virus for many months, if not potentially years. But we've got to find a way forward and that does mean you're relaxing, as much as you can," he said. Mr Javid, who quit the Treasury in February after refusing to accept that Number 10 should appoint his advisers, added: "Running the economy hot you could say, in a way that you are trying to take into account, not just the sort of necessity to control the virus, but also the wider impact on society."
Mr Javid said the Government was right to put the public health first
Mr Javid was sceptical about the economy bouncing back with a so-called “V-shaped recovery”, meaning a rapid fall in growth followed by an equally rapid rise. "I think a V-shaped recovery will be challenging. And I know the Bank of England has said it's possible," Mr Javid said. "It has made a whole set of assumptions around relaxing the lockdown and ending it completely in three months. And it says itself that it's at best uncertain. "I do think it's just like the virus itself, let's hope for the best but let's plan for the worst, and that means you're taking whatever action you think is necessary and possible right now to make sure we do get the fastest recovery possible." Mr Javid also argued that some groups in the community may have to abide by different regulations until a coronavirus vaccine is found. "It might be the case that in the future we can find a way that we focus our protection on those that are most vulnerable, those that have underlying illnesses but give more freedom to, let's say, younger people, so they can get on with their lives and at the same time help the rest of us by rebuilding our economy which benefits everyone," he said.
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--Keir Starmer manages more to tackle antisemitism in 'four days than Corbyn in four years'

Ian Hernon , the author of Antisemitism and the Left , who has been an intermittent member of Labour for 50 years , also pointed the finger at Jennie Formby , who quit as Labour 's general secretary on Monday , accusing her of ignoring the scale of the problem .
Mr Starmer was elected Labour leader last month after comfortably winning the leadership contest triggered by Mr Corbyn 's resignation , beating challengers Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy in the process .
He swiftly unveiled his new shadow cabinet with left-wingers including John McDonnell relegated to the backbenches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise given her close links with Mr Corbyn but Mr Hernon said it was clearly indicative of Mr Starmer 's bid to change the party 's direction .
He said : `` It is true that Jennie Formby did speed up the procedures dealing with antisemitism – but from a snail ’ s pace start .
`` By her own admission , her top motivation in taking on the job two years ago was to support Jeremy Corbyn .
`` The Board of Jewish Deputies said that Sir Keith Starmer had done more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boil than Corbyn had done in four years . ''
Allegations of antisemitism within the party dogged Mr Corbyn throughout his tenure , with claims Mr Corbyn had consistently failed to tackle the problem .
Chief Rabbi , Ephraim Mirvis launched a scathing attack in an op-ed in The Times last November in the midst of the election campaign in which he accused Mr Corbyn of being unfit to lead .
Earlier in the year , in February , nine Labour MPs resigned from the party over the issue .
Mr Hernon has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time the publication of his book : `` Since the antisemitism row erupted , particularly when it became clear it could wreck his hopes of entering No 10 , Corbyn and his followers have insisted that they are anti-Zionist rather than racist .
That doesn ’ t wash. '' Mrs Formby served as Labour 's general secretary for two years having succeeded Iain McNicol in April 2018 , with her main rival for the role , Jon Lansmann , the chairman of Momentum , dropping out of the race the previous month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most senior employee involved responsibility for a wide range of matters , from the employment of staff to media strategy , and she also coordinated Labour 's December 2019 election campaign , which saw Boris Johnson 's Tories win an 80-seat majority .
In her resignation statement , she was explicit in her admiration for Mr Corbyn .
DO N'T MISS Jeremy Corbyn 's spending will bankrupt Britain [ COMMENT ] Parties are split more than a chorus of ballerinas says NICK FERRARI [ OPINION ] Tony Blair wades into People ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` When I applied for the role of General Secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn , who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope , equality and peace .
`` It has been a huge privilege to be General Secretary of the largest political party in Europe for the last two years , but now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down .
`` I would like to thank Jeremy , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period , in particular when I was suffering from ill health . ''
In reference to the new leadership , with Angela Rayner elected alongside Mr Starmer as deputy leader , she said : `` I wish Keir and Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next General Election . ''
Sir Keir said : `` I would like to thank Jennie for her service , and for the personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advancing the cause she has fought all her life for .
“ Jennie has led our party 's organisation with commitment and energy through a period of political upheaval , including a snap General Election last year .
I wish her the very best for the future . ''

Keir Starmer on anti-Semitism: 'I argued for automatic expulsion'
Ian Hernon, the author of Antisemitism and the Left, who has been an intermittent member of Labour for 50 years, also pointed the finger at Jennie Formby, who quit as Labour's general secretary on Monday, accusing her of ignoring the scale of the problem. Mr Starmer was elected Labour leader last month after comfortably winning the leadership contest triggered by Mr Corbyn's resignation, beating challengers Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy in the process.
He swiftly unveiled his new shadow cabinet with left-wingers including John McDonnell relegated to the backbenches. Mrs Formby's decision came as no surprise given her close links with Mr Corbyn but Mr Hernon said it was clearly indicative of Mr Starmer's bid to change the party's direction. He said: "It is true that Jennie Formby did speed up the procedures dealing with antisemitism – but from a snail’s pace start. "By her own admission, her top motivation in taking on the job two years ago was to support Jeremy Corbyn.
Keir Starmer has already done more on the issue than Jeremy Corbyn, said Ian Hernon
Jennie Formby, Labour's general secretary, stood down on Monday
The Board of Jewish Deputies said that Sir Keith Starmer had done more in four days to lance the antisemitism boil than Corbyn had done in four years Ian Hernon
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"The Board of Jewish Deputies said that Sir Keith Starmer had done more in four days to lance the antisemitism boil than Corbyn had done in four years." Allegations of antisemitism within the party dogged Mr Corbyn throughout his tenure, with claims Mr Corbyn had consistently failed to tackle the problem. Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis launched a scathing attack in an op-ed in The Times last November in the midst of the election campaign in which he accused Mr Corbyn of being unfit to lead. Earlier in the year, in February, nine Labour MPs resigned from the party over the issue. READ MORE: Brexit ultimatum - MEPs demand access to crunch Brexit conference
Keir Starmer beat Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy
Mr Hernon has been similarly critical, telling Express.co.uk at the time the publication of his book: "Since the antisemitism row erupted, particularly when it became clear it could wreck his hopes of entering No 10, Corbyn and his followers have insisted that they are anti-Zionist rather than racist. That doesn’t wash." Mrs Formby served as Labour's general secretary for two years having succeeded Iain McNicol in April 2018, with her main rival for the role, Jon Lansmann, the chairman of Momentum, dropping out of the race the previous month. Her role as the party's most senior employee involved responsibility for a wide range of matters, from the employment of staff to media strategy, and she also coordinated Labour's December 2019 election campaign, which saw Boris Johnson's Tories win an 80-seat majority. In her resignation statement, she was explicit in her admiration for Mr Corbyn. DON'T MISS
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Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis
She said: "When I applied for the role of General Secretary in 2018 it was because I wanted to support Jeremy Corbyn, who inspired so many people to get involved in politics with his message of hope, equality and peace. "It has been a huge privilege to be General Secretary of the largest political party in Europe for the last two years, but now we have a new leadership team it is the right time to step down. "I would like to thank Jeremy, our members and my staff colleagues who have given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period, in particular when I was suffering from ill health."
Voting patterns in the 2019 election
In reference to the new leadership, with Angela Rayner elected alongside Mr Starmer as deputy leader, she said: "I wish Keir and Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next General Election." Sir Keir said: "I would like to thank Jennie for her service, and for the personal and professional efforts she has made in advancing the cause she has fought all her life for. “Jennie has led our party's organisation with commitment and energy through a period of political upheaval, including a snap General Election last year. I wish her the very best for the future."
Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn talk at Labour's annual conference
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--Brexit warning: How Keir Starmer will use 'crunch point' to demand EU trade deal extension

Former Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer only took over as leader of the opposition from Jeremy Corbyn last month but already finds himself battling to reunite a party torn about by infighting , including its much-criticised position on Brexit .
The Labour Party 's stance on the UK 's departure from the Brussels bloc for months went backwards and forwards between a second referendum and an alternative plan to leave the EU altogether , leaving voters utterly bemused .
This confusion and frustration only intensified further when at the Labour Party Conference in September , Mr Corbyn said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' position on Brexit .
Labour was highly influential in stopping former Prime Minister Theresa May getting her Brexit deal through Parliament , and had played a large role in delaying progress under Boris Johnson by joining forces with rebels in a series of House of Commons votes .
But that plan crumbled when Mr Corbyn led Labour to its worst general election result in recent history , handing the Prime Minister a huge 80-seat majority to push his Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament and deliver on his promise to `` get Brexit done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got off to an uncertain start , with Mr Johnson continuing to insist the transition period will not be extended beyond December 31 - despite the political agenda across EU member states being dominated by the coronavirus pandemic .
Tim Bale , Deputy Director at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank and Politics Professor at the Queen Mary University of London , warned the issue of Remain or Leave has quickly lost significance , and Labour must now be prepared to push Mr Johnson into extending the post-Brexit transition period beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit is done .
Starmer has signalled very clearly that it 's time to move on .
`` Obviously there may be a crunch point later this year when it comes to whether or not we extend the transition period in order to deal with the coronavirus crisis first - and/or what sort of deal we can do with the EU in the longer term .
`` But Remain/Leave will matter less and less over time . ''
Patrick Sullivan , chief executive of the Parliament Street think tank , agreed Sir Keir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric in order to win back voters , and will likely push to extend the transition period .
He told this website : `` Labour must ditch its Remain plan to win back voters .
Nobody understands this better than Starmer .
`` However , do expect a Labour push to extend the transition period in the coming months .
`` They will want to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union for as long as possible.
” Alistair Jones , principal politics lecturer at De Montfort University in Leicester , warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political agenda since the EU referendum in June 2016 , will soon be `` redundant '' .
DO N'T MISS Keir Starmer accused of publicity stunt during NHS [ COMMENT ] Starmer speechless after BBC host slams 'clueless ' Labour leader [ INTERVIEW ] Nigel Farage 'astonished ' at Starmer 's PMQs as he exposes 'big ' change [ VIDEO ] He has urged Sir Keir to get Labour into a position to hold the Prime Minister and his Government to account over decisions being taken during the transition period process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` forensically examining the flaws in the Government 's approach '' .
Mr Jones said : `` The UK is leaving on 31 December 2020 at the end of the transition period .
It will be another three or four years until the next general election so debates around Leave/Remain are redundant .
`` What is more important for the Labour Party is to hold the Johnson Government to account for the decisions being taken in the transition period .
`` The fact the government has stated there will be no extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideological drive to leave the EU rather than considering the future of the UK economy .
`` Starmer has a very good track record of forensically examining the flaws in the government 's approach and explaining them to the public . ''
Dr Steve McCabe , Associate Professor with the Institute for Design and Economic Acceleration and Senior Fellow at the Centre for Brexit Studies at Birmingham City University , warned Leave or Remain `` is as dead as the proverbial dodo '' , adding Sir Keir will be smart enough swerve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back voters .
He said : `` Starmer was , without a doubt , the most pro-EU shadow minister under Corbyn who , ironically , was much more agnostic of an organisation he has always viewed with suspicion as overtly working in the interests of capitalism he ’ s despised since joining the party in his teens .
`` Starmer will continue to emphasise the importance of cooperation and the need to get a good trade deal .
`` However , he will recognise that last December ’ s election was won by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple slogan of getting Brexit “ done ” ; most especially by taking votes in Labour seats .
This issue is as dead as the proverbial dodo .
`` Starmer will , if he has any sense , approach it with the caution of a firework that has failed to go off .
Where Starmer is forced to deal with Brexit , he ’ s smart enough to nuance his language . ''

Kay Burley challenges Rachel Reeves on Labour poll result
Former Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer only took over as leader of the opposition from Jeremy Corbyn last month but already finds himself battling to reunite a party torn about by infighting, including its much-criticised position on Brexit. The Labour Party's stance on the UK's departure from the Brussels bloc for months went backwards and forwards between a second referendum and an alternative plan to leave the EU altogether, leaving voters utterly bemused. This confusion and frustration only intensified further when at the Labour Party Conference in September, Mr Corbyn said the party would be taking a "neutral" position on Brexit.
Labour was highly influential in stopping former Prime Minister Theresa May getting her Brexit deal through Parliament, and had played a large role in delaying progress under Boris Johnson by joining forces with rebels in a series of House of Commons votes. But that plan crumbled when Mr Corbyn led Labour to its worst general election result in recent history, handing the Prime Minister a huge 80-seat majority to push his Withdrawal Agreement through Parliament and deliver on his promise to "get Brexit done". The post-Brexit trade talks have got off to an uncertain start, with Mr Johnson continuing to insist the transition period will not be extended beyond December 31 - despite the political agenda across EU member states being dominated by the coronavirus pandemic. Tim Bale, Deputy Director at the UK in a Changing Europe think tank and Politics Professor at the Queen Mary University of London, warned the issue of Remain or Leave has quickly lost significance, and Labour must now be prepared to push Mr Johnson into extending the post-Brexit transition period beyond 2020.
Brexit news: Keir Starmer may wait for a potential 'crunch point' later this year
Brexit news: The Labour leader will likely push Boris Johnson into extending the transition period with the EU
He told Express.co.uk: "Brexit is done. Starmer has signalled very clearly that it's time to move on. "Obviously there may be a crunch point later this year when it comes to whether or not we extend the transition period in order to deal with the coronavirus crisis first - and/or what sort of deal we can do with the EU in the longer term. "But Remain/Leave will matter less and less over time." Patrick Sullivan, chief executive of the Parliament Street think tank, agreed Sir Keir must quickly distance Labour from the Remain rhetoric in order to win back voters, and will likely push to extend the transition period. READ MORE: Coronavirus testing: Boris warned over plunging test numbers
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Brexit news: Keir Starmer must ditch Labour's position on Remain, political experts have warned
He told this website: "Labour must ditch its Remain plan to win back voters. Nobody understands this better than Starmer. "However, do expect a Labour push to extend the transition period in the coming months. "They will want to remain in the Single Market and Customs Union for as long as possible.” Alistair Jones, principal politics lecturer at De Montfort University in Leicester, warned the Leave/Remain debate, which has dominated the political agenda since the EU referendum in June 2016, will soon be "redundant". DON'T MISS
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Brexit news: Negotiations on a trade deal between the UK and EU have got off to an uncertain start
He has urged Sir Keir to get Labour into a position to hold the Prime Minister and his Government to account over decisions being taken during the transition period process, adding he will use his track record of "forensically examining the flaws in the Government's approach". Mr Jones said: "The UK is leaving on 31 December 2020 at the end of the transition period. It will be another three or four years until the next general election so debates around Leave/Remain are redundant. "What is more important for the Labour Party is to hold the Johnson Government to account for the decisions being taken in the transition period. "The fact the government has stated there will be no extension, despite the pandemic, highlights the ideological drive to leave the EU rather than considering the future of the UK economy. "Starmer has a very good track record of forensically examining the flaws in the government's approach and explaining them to the public."
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Tory MP warns asbestos related diseases account for around 10,000 deaths per year

Clearly the scale of this public health threat has necessitated an unprecedented response to save human life .
There will be a long tail to this crisis with hard lessons to come .
Our Prime Minister , Boris Johnson , has rightly pledged to put public health first as we emerge from this phase and begin to meet the ‘ five tests ’ for recovery .
But as we do so we must not let other threats to public health and safety simply fade into the background of public concern .
For decades , the UK has to all intents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of asbestos , another silent killer that is the leading cause of the terminal lung disease mesothelioma , and the UKs number one cause of occupational death .
Asbestos related diseases account for around 10,000 deaths per year , if we include the fatalities of those aged over 75 , which are inexplicably omitted from official figures .
A statistical practice that would be unimaginable in accounting for Covid-19 deaths .
The fact that asbestos related deaths receive so little attention highlights the difference between a fast and slow epidemic and the double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers they present .
Yes , contagion plays into the fear factor , but both are a real and present threat to life .
Like the coronavirus , asbestos related disease can take time to manifest symptoms .
But unlike the coronavirus , this can typically take between 20 and 40 years to emerge .
The difference here is not just temporal , but political .
COVID-19 can take effect within as little as 24 hours .
Because it carries a risk of imminent fatality to the patient , and rapid transmission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety response is to stop the spread of contagion .
A disease that takes decades to develop after first contact with a source , does not frighten us into the same call to action .
In such cases , health and safety policy slackens and precautions often enacted lackadaisically if at all , lack any proper means of oversight or enforcement .
The biggest single asbestos related disease is mesothelioma , and this is incurable .
This should make its prevention more important to us as its consequence is fatal .
A slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less lethal than one which acts swiftly yet is survived in the vast majority of cases .
It is an added shame then that those most at risk of developing mesothelioma , whose condition we ignore , happen to be society ’ s most essential workers .
Over the last two months , school across the UK have emptied while its hospitals have filled to capacity .
Around 80 percent of these schools and 94 percent of these hospitals contain asbestos .
Teachers and nurses are subsequently 3 to 5 times more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s schools reopen , teachers and schoolchildren will wander right back into the line of fire .
Asbestos kills teaching staff at a rate of around 20 per year , which doesn ’ t even begin to cover caretakers and administrative staff .
NHS workers currently moving at breakneck speed around packed wards up and down the UK are largely unaware that absent the Coronavirus they are risking their health just by being in their place of work .
The Health and Safety Executive ’ s management regime around asbestos has consistently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll among teachers and nurses , taking comfort from ( or hiding behind ) the fall in deaths caused decades before asbestos was banned .
The UK currently lags far behind international standards for sensitive air monitoring , which many developed nations use to test buildings for ambient exposure .
Germany not only exceeds UK testing for COVID-19 by a full 140,000 tests per week but has also managed for years to detect airborne asbestos levels with 10 times greater accuracy than in the UK .
Its secret has been to invest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What then should Government do to eradicate the silent killer we ’ ve ignored for so long ?
One idea articulated in a recent letter to the Chancellor by the think tank ResPublica is that some of the £1 billion allocated by the Treasury for the removal of unsafe materials from Britain ’ s public estate be used to give a full cost-benefit analysis of the phased removal of asbestos from schools .
Detecting and removing the most dangerous material from schools first .
This provision in the budget is primarily aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ResPublica points out , fire-safety measures have already started to reduce annual fire-related death rates ( 268 fire-related fatalities in the year ending June 2019 , with death rates falling over the last decade ) .
Comparatively little is being done meanwhile to protect ever younger generations of teachers and pupils from developing mesothelioma .
To accomplish this the UK should roll out a comprehensive sensitive air monitoring test of its public estate , using the best international standards to reveal the true extent of exposure to airborne asbestos and the health risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s make the eminently sensible decision of introducing a national asbestos database , one that is centralised in the hands of the HSE so that we can see where and in what condition this material lurks in our public estate .
It ’ s astonishing that no such database for Britain ’ s biggest occupational killer currently exists .
What we measure today can be removed tomorrow .
COVID-19 has already revealed some difficult home truths about our public health policy .
We have ignored and continue to ignore clear and present dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 mesothelioma has killed nearly 77,000 people under the age of 74 .
The total number of asbestos related deaths over the same period could be up to four times higher .
It ’ s time to take action .

Asbestos related diseases account for around 10,000 deaths per year
Clearly the scale of this public health threat has necessitated an unprecedented response to save human life. There will be a long tail to this crisis with hard lessons to come. Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has rightly pledged to put public health first as we emerge from this phase and begin to meet the ‘five tests’ for recovery. But as we do so we must not let other threats to public health and safety simply fade into the background of public concern. For decades, the UK has to all intents and purposes ignored the public health impact of asbestos, another silent killer that is the leading cause of the terminal lung disease mesothelioma, and the UKs number one cause of occupational death. Asbestos related diseases account for around 10,000 deaths per year, if we include the fatalities of those aged over 75, which are inexplicably omitted from official figures. A statistical practice that would be unimaginable in accounting for Covid-19 deaths.
The fact that asbestos related deaths receive so little attention highlights the difference between a fast and slow epidemic and the double standards in how we respond to the dangers they present. Yes, contagion plays into the fear factor, but both are a real and present threat to life. Like the coronavirus, asbestos related disease can take time to manifest symptoms. But unlike the coronavirus, this can typically take between 20 and 40 years to emerge. The difference here is not just temporal, but political. COVID-19 can take effect within as little as 24 hours. Because it carries a risk of imminent fatality to the patient, and rapid transmission to others. The only cogent health and safety response is to stop the spread of contagion. A disease that takes decades to develop after first contact with a source, does not frighten us into the same call to action. In such cases, health and safety policy slackens and precautions often enacted lackadaisically if at all, lack any proper means of oversight or enforcement. The biggest single asbestos related disease is mesothelioma, and this is incurable. This should make its prevention more important to us as its consequence is fatal. A slow silent killer that spares no-one is considered less lethal than one which acts swiftly yet is survived in the vast majority of cases. It is an added shame then that those most at risk of developing mesothelioma, whose condition we ignore, happen to be society’s most essential workers.
Like the coronavirus, asbestos related disease can take time to manifest symptoms
Over the last two months, school across the UK have emptied while its hospitals have filled to capacity. Around 80 percent of these schools and 94 percent of these hospitals contain asbestos. Teachers and nurses are subsequently 3 to 5 times more likely to develop mesothelioma. When the country’s schools reopen, teachers and schoolchildren will wander right back into the line of fire. Asbestos kills teaching staff at a rate of around 20 per year, which doesn’t even begin to cover caretakers and administrative staff. NHS workers currently moving at breakneck speed around packed wards up and down the UK are largely unaware that absent the Coronavirus they are risking their health just by being in their place of work. The Health and Safety Executive’s management regime around asbestos has consistently failed to act on this rising death toll among teachers and nurses, taking comfort from (or hiding behind) the fall in deaths caused decades before asbestos was banned. The UK currently lags far behind international standards for sensitive air monitoring, which many developed nations use to test buildings for ambient exposure. Germany not only exceeds UK testing for COVID-19 by a full 140,000 tests per week but has also managed for years to detect airborne asbestos levels with 10 times greater accuracy than in the UK. Its secret has been to invest in the right preventative measures from the get-go. What then should Government do to eradicate the silent killer we’ve ignored for so long? One idea articulated in a recent letter to the Chancellor by the think tank ResPublica is that some of the £1 billion allocated by the Treasury for the removal of unsafe materials from Britain’s public estate be used to give a full cost-benefit analysis of the phased removal of asbestos from schools. Detecting and removing the most dangerous material from schools first.
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Boris Johnson encouraged to rid schools and hospitals of killer asbestos in new campaign

A new cross party Parliamentary campaign has been launched to tackle the problem of asbestos in Britain ’ s public buildings which has cost the lives of thousands of teachers and NHS workers .
Writing for the Sunday Express , Tory MP David Morris , who has joined the campaign , said that the new focus on public health as a result of the coronavirus crisis should also ensure that the government rethinks its approach to asbestos .
Quoting a recent report by the thinktank Respublica , he said : “ Around 80 percent of these schools and 94 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nurses are subsequently three to five times more likely to develop mesothelioma .
“ When the country ’ s schools reopen , teachers and schoolchildren will wander right back into the line of fire .
“ Asbestos kills teaching staff at a rate of around 20 per year , which doesn ’ t even begin to cover caretakers and administrative staff .
NHS workers currently moving at breakneck speed around packed wards up and down the UK are largely unaware that absent the Coronavirus they are risking their health just by being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on : “ Our Prime Minister , Boris Johnson , has rightly pledged to put public health first as we emerge from this phase and begin to meet the ‘ five tests ’ for recovery .
“ But as we do so we must not let other threats to public health and safety simply fade into the background of public concern .
“ For decades , the UK has to all intents and purposes ignored the public health impact of asbestos , another silent killer that is the leading cause of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UKs number one cause of occupational death .

A new cross party Parliamentary campaign has been launched to tackle the problem of asbestos in Britain’s public buildings which has cost the lives of thousands of teachers and NHS workers. Writing for the Sunday Express, Tory MP David Morris, who has joined the campaign, said that the new focus on public health as a result of the coronavirus crisis should also ensure that the government rethinks its approach to asbestos.
Quoting a recent report by the thinktank Respublica, he said: “Around 80 percent of these schools and 94 percent of these hospitals contain asbestos. Teachers and nurses are subsequently three to five times more likely to develop mesothelioma.
“When the country’s schools reopen, teachers and schoolchildren will wander right back into the line of fire.
“Asbestos kills teaching staff at a rate of around 20 per year, which doesn’t even begin to cover caretakers and administrative staff. NHS workers currently moving at breakneck speed around packed wards up and down the UK are largely unaware that absent the Coronavirus they are risking their health just by being in their place of work.”
He went on: “Our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has rightly pledged to put public health first as we emerge from this phase and begin to meet the ‘five tests’ for recovery.
“But as we do so we must not let other threats to public health and safety simply fade into the background of public concern.
“For decades, the UK has to all intents and purposes ignored the public health impact of asbestos, another silent killer that is the leading cause of the terminal lung disease mesothelioma, and the UKs number one cause of occupational death.


thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Boris Johnson warned by own MP of an economic collapse in UK farming

Farmers are responsible not only for putting food on the shelves and supplying our thriving hospitality sector , but also shoulder much of the responsibility for safeguarding our environment and cherished rural landscapes .
Yet sometimes I fear that Parliament loses sight of this fact , caught up in national or international policy or else distracted by the sometimes more visible challenges facing urban communities .
We must not let this happen during the Covid-19 pandemic .
The consequences of any serious crisis in the agricultural and horticultural sectors would be severe , and extend far beyond those sectors themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , only to find that the complex supply chains needed to supply them had collapsed ?
How many more vulnerable businesses might go under as a result ?
How much more taxpayers ’ money would need to be spent keeping the hospitality sector on extended economic life-support ?
This is a real possibility .
Many companies in those supply chains operate on long lead-in times , and can not easily wind their operations down or up in line with the broader lockdown policy .
In the short-term , that means large volumes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medium to long-term it could mean the closure of thousands of businesses and a permanent reduction in domestic production .
Across the industry , alarm bells are sounding .
According to the Horticultural Trades Association , one in three businesses are likely to go insolvent this year , even with the current support being offered by the Government – and with more than one in ten warning they will be out of business by the end of June .
Some plants may soon not be available from British growers for up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in Shropshire are deeply concerned about the current situation , and I know that the National Farmers ’ Union has written to MPs to set out in detail the specific challenges facing their members across the country , many of whom are trapped between fixed costs and reduced demand and are being forced to sell cows to stay afloat .
The common thread between all these warnings is that farmers and growers are falling between the cracks of the current coronavirus support measures .
The current furlough rules , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patterns of work necessary for processing businesses , and the relaxation of VAT reporting is of little help to the around 90 per cent of farmers who are unincorporated .
Fortunately , do date the Government has proven more than willing to adapt its policies to the situation on the ground .
We have already seen important changes to the rules on business loans and the unveiling of the Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme , a targeted programme tailored to the specific needs of businesses in that sector .
It ’ s clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural and horticultural sectors as soon as possible .
This should include support for businesses which have been forced to dispose of stock , and adaptations to existing provisions to make them more accessible and relevant to the needs of the industry .
I also strongly support calls for garden centres to be allowed to re-open – with appropriate social distancing in place – as soon as possible .
It ’ s ridiculous that ornamental growers are in crisis when so many of us are stuck at home with our gardens and window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment of huge opportunity for UK farming .
Our departure from the European Union means Parliament has a chance to take back control of agricultural regulation and replace the Common Agricultural Policy with a system much more closely tailored to British conditions and priorities .
It also lifts the restrictions that have so far prevented us from banning live animal exports , which so many voters consider to be a barbaric practice .
Even the current crisis might , if handled properly , have a silver lining .
This pandemic has exposed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chains and the importance of local producers .
I hope that better support from the Government will be matched by a renewed determination on the part of the nation ’ s shoppers to ‘ buy British ’ .
But first we must ensure that UK farming survives the next few months .
The industry is clear on what ’ s needed , and we politicians must respond .

Boris Johnson warned by own MP of an economic collapse in UK farming
Farmers are responsible not only for putting food on the shelves and supplying our thriving hospitality sector, but also shoulder much of the responsibility for safeguarding our environment and cherished rural landscapes. Yet sometimes I fear that Parliament loses sight of this fact, caught up in national or international policy or else distracted by the sometimes more visible challenges facing urban communities. We must not let this happen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The consequences of any serious crisis in the agricultural and horticultural sectors would be severe, and extend far beyond those sectors themselves. Imagine trying to re-open pubs and restaurants, only to find that the complex supply chains needed to supply them had collapsed? How many more vulnerable businesses might go under as a result? How much more taxpayers’ money would need to be spent keeping the hospitality sector on extended economic life-support? This is a real possibility. Many companies in those supply chains operate on long lead-in times, and cannot easily wind their operations down or up in line with the broader lockdown policy. In the short-term, that means large volumes of produce are being dumped. In the medium to long-term it could mean the closure of thousands of businesses and a permanent reduction in domestic production. Across the industry, alarm bells are sounding. According to the Horticultural Trades Association, one in three businesses are likely to go insolvent this year, even with the current support being offered by the Government – and with more than one in ten warning they will be out of business by the end of June. Some plants may soon not be available from British growers for up to two years.
Some plants may soon not be available from British growers for up to two years
Likewise, local dairymen here in Shropshire are deeply concerned about the current situation, and I know that the National Farmers’ Union has written to MPs to set out in detail the specific challenges facing their members across the country, many of whom are trapped between fixed costs and reduced demand and are being forced to sell cows to stay afloat. The common thread between all these warnings is that farmers and growers are falling between the cracks of the current coronavirus support measures. The current furlough rules, for example, don’t factor in the particular patterns of work necessary for processing businesses, and the relaxation of VAT reporting is of little help to the around 90 per cent of farmers who are unincorporated. Fortunately, do date the Government has proven more than willing to adapt its policies to the situation on the ground. We have already seen important changes to the rules on business loans and the unveiling of the Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme, a targeted programme tailored to the specific needs of businesses in that sector. It’s clear that we need an equivalent for the agricultural and horticultural sectors as soon as possible. This should include support for businesses which have been forced to dispose of stock, and adaptations to existing provisions to make them more accessible and relevant to the needs of the industry.
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Momentum infiltrating coronavirus volunteer groups to create far left campaign network

The Sunday Express has received evidence that the Corbynista wing of Labour is deliberating politicising the pandemic in a bid to create new campaign structures .
It comes as the far Left of Labour has been licking its wounds after Sir Keir Starmer ’ s victory in the leadership election which has led to an ousting of senior Corbynistas from the front bench and Jenny Formby ’ s departure as Labour ’ s general secretary .
In a recording of one online video conference briefing given to Momentum activists , former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell openly discussed how infiltrating voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used as a future platform for the Left .
He said : “ It is interesting that the coronavirus crisis it is Labour Party members who are populating the voluntary sector that are rising to the challenge of the coronavirus .
“ We are now from the Labour Party populating that whole voluntary sector area .
“ That again gives us the opportunity again with issues like housing we have got new organisational forms we can not only use to tackle a particular problem but use then to evolve a debate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local as well as the national level.
” The conference was the launch of Leo Panitch ’ s book , Searching for Socialism , where Jeremy Corbyn ’ s former spin doctor James Schneider and staffer Andrew Murray also spoke .

The Sunday Express has received evidence that the Corbynista wing of Labour is deliberating politicising the pandemic in a bid to create new campaign structures. It comes as the far Left of Labour has been licking its wounds after Sir Keir Starmer’s victory in the leadership election which has led to an ousting of senior Corbynistas from the front bench and Jenny Formby’s departure as Labour’s general secretary.
In a recording of one online video conference briefing given to Momentum activists, former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell openly discussed how infiltrating voluntary groups helping communities in the coronavirus would be used as a future platform for the Left.
He said: “It is interesting that the coronavirus crisis it is Labour Party members who are populating the voluntary sector that are rising to the challenge of the coronavirus.
“We are now from the Labour Party populating that whole voluntary sector area.
“That again gives us the opportunity again with issues like housing we have got new organisational forms we can not only use to tackle a particular problem but use then to evolve a debate and discussion about what socialist practices are at the local as well as the national level.”
The conference was the launch of Leo Panitch’s book, Searching for Socialism, where Jeremy Corbyn’s former spin doctor James Schneider and staffer Andrew Murray also spoke.


thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Pressure mounts on Boris Johnson to ditch the £100 billion HS2 rail project

Tory MPs are demanding a rethink for the controversial rail project amid demands for investment in other sectors with fears of a collapse in the farming industry .
Boris Johnson defied fierce opposition in his party to back HS2 in February despite fears that costs have already gone out of control .
But the latest opponent to demand a rethink is former cabinet minister Esther McVey , the founder of the Blue Collar Conservative movement which won Mr Johnson the former Labour heartland seats in December ’ s election .
In her latest Blue Collar podcast , Ms McVey ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ internet poverty ” in Britain and a change in working practice brought about by coronavirus where people are more likely to work from home in the long term .
She said : “ The country has so moved on since coronavirus , it is time to put HS2 to bed and instead invest that £100 billion in high speed broadband infrastructure .
Surely that ’ s the case ?
” One of her guests , Neil Hollands , an IT consultant with his company Concert Networks , argued that money needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed broadband and said many areas in Britain suffer from “ internet poverty.
” He said : “ The experience people are having is a postcode lottery , which has always been the fundamental issue of internet connections in the last five to ten years .
“ If you look at somewhere like Sweden , which is a bigger country with a much smaller population , but wherever you are you are going to get high speed internet connection and the UK is a million miles away from that .
”

Tory MPs are demanding a rethink for the controversial rail project amid demands for investment in other sectors with fears of a collapse in the farming industry. Boris Johnson defied fierce opposition in his party to back HS2 in February despite fears that costs have already gone out of control. But the latest opponent to demand a rethink is former cabinet minister Esther McVey, the founder of the Blue Collar Conservative movement which won Mr Johnson the former Labour heartland seats in December’s election.
In her latest Blue Collar podcast, Ms McVey ran a series of interviews highlighting the problem of “internet poverty” in Britain and a change in working practice brought about by coronavirus where people are more likely to work from home in the long term.
She said: “The country has so moved on since coronavirus, it is time to put HS2 to bed and instead invest that £100 billion in high speed broadband infrastructure. Surely that’s the case?”
One of her guests, Neil Hollands, an IT consultant with his company Concert Networks, argued that money needs to be switched from HS2 to high speed broadband and said many areas in Britain suffer from “internet poverty.”
He said: “The experience people are having is a postcode lottery, which has always been the fundamental issue of internet connections in the last five to ten years.
“If you look at somewhere like Sweden, which is a bigger country with a much smaller population, but wherever you are you are going to get high speed internet connection and the UK is a million miles away from that.”


thedailyexpress--2020-05-09--Boris Johnson 'frustrating' EU with bold Brexit tactic - 'EU irritation growing'

The Director of UK in a Changing Europe , Anand Menon , argued the EU continues to get more frustrated with Boris Johnson and the UK .
While speaking to Reuters Institute , Mr Menon claimed Mr Johnson was ignoring the EU 's priorities in post-Brexit trade talks .
Mr Menon used the fisheries as an example of the EU 's top priority and insisted the Prime Minister 's stance was frustrating the bloc .
He added the EU believes the UK is not taking negotiations seriously and is n't focussing on the obligations set out in the initial withdrawal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus is affecting things but I think the main thing that is affecting how we are seen by the European Union at the moment is our approach to the post-Brexit trade negotiations .
`` I can not stress enough how irritated the European Union is getting with the way Britain is approaching the negotiations . ''
Mr Menon noted the key annoyances felt by the European Union during the trade talks with the UK .
DO N'T MISS : EU crisis : UK will 'absolutely not ' extend Brexit talks as EU crumble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU thinks we are not approaching the talks seriously .
`` That is to say they believe the Government is not acting as if it wants an agreement by December .
`` Because if the Government was it would address the EU 's priorities .
`` These are things like fisheries but the UK has simply ignored them .
`` The second thing is we are bound by the withdrawal agreement we have signed off to put in place the measures necessary to implement the Northern Ireland protocol .
`` This would involve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Northern Ireland and we are very behind schedule on that .
`` There are people in Brussels saying that the British are negotiating in bad faith .
`` This is because they are not taking their obligations seriously and there is a growing sense of irritation on the EU 's side .
VE Day 75 : RAF Red Arrows make historic flypast over empty streets [ VIDEO ] BBC 's Laura Kuenssberg exposes Boris fury at mixed messages [ REVEAL ] SNP 's Sturgeon accused of scoring political points over lockdown [ @ @

Brexit: EU ‘irritated’ with UK government says Menon
The Director of UK in a Changing Europe, Anand Menon, argued the EU continues to get more frustrated with Boris Johnson and the UK. While speaking to Reuters Institute, Mr Menon claimed Mr Johnson was ignoring the EU's priorities in post-Brexit trade talks. Mr Menon used the fisheries as an example of the EU's top priority and insisted the Prime Minister's stance was frustrating the bloc.
He added the EU believes the UK is not taking negotiations seriously and isn't focussing on the obligations set out in the initial withdrawal agreement. Mr Menon said: "Coronavirus is affecting things but I think the main thing that is affecting how we are seen by the European Union at the moment is our approach to the post-Brexit trade negotiations. "I cannot stress enough how irritated the European Union is getting with the way Britain is approaching the negotiations." Mr Menon noted the key annoyances felt by the European Union during the trade talks with the UK. DON'T MISS: EU crisis: UK will 'absolutely not' extend Brexit talks as EU crumble
Boris Johnson 'frustrating' EU with bold headstrong Brexit tactic 'EU irritation growing'
The Director of UK in a Changing Europe, Anand Menon, argued the EU continues to get more frustrated with Boris Johnson and the UK.
He said: "Firstly because the EU thinks we are not approaching the talks seriously. "That is to say they believe the Government is not acting as if it wants an agreement by December. "Because if the Government was it would address the EU's priorities. "These are things like fisheries but the UK has simply ignored them.
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Mr Menon noted the key annoyances felt by the European Union during the trade talks with the UK.
Brexit: Expert reveals 'price Boris Johnson will have to pay'
"The second thing is we are bound by the withdrawal agreement we have signed off to put in place the measures necessary to implement the Northern Ireland protocol. "This would involve checks on goods going between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and we are very behind schedule on that. "There are people in Brussels saying that the British are negotiating in bad faith. "This is because they are not taking their obligations seriously and there is a growing sense of irritation on the EU's side. READ MORE: VE Day 75: RAF Red Arrows make historic flypast over empty streets [VIDEO]
BBC's Laura Kuenssberg exposes Boris fury at mixed messages [REVEAL]
SNP's Sturgeon accused of scoring political points over lockdown [VIDEO]
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Nicola Sturgeon in 'deep trouble' as plans after coronavirus labelled 'absurd'

Nicola Sturgeon had been pushing for a second vote on Scottish independence at the beginning of this year before the coronavirus pandemic .
But due to the crisis , her plans appear to have been blocked as former Labour MP George Galloway explained any independence proposals after Brexit and COVID-19 are in 'deep trouble ' .
He noted the SNP leader 's plan would be extremely damaging to Scottish people .
Speaking to Express.co.uk , Mr Galloway said : `` The independence movement after the Brexit was already in very deep trouble .
`` The pandemic has made the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two states .
`` The pandemic proves that breaking up a small island would be at best , meaningless and at worst , extremely damaging to the people of Scotland and I think that 's written all over Nicola Sturgeon 's face . ''
His comments come as Ms Sturgeon continues to defy Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
During the crisis , she has made announcements ahead of the Government and recently said she will continue the lockdown in Scotland despite Mr Johnson 's best efforts to outline a plan to lift restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she would not be `` pressured '' by the Westminster Government into `` prematurely '' easing restrictions .
Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday , the Scottish First Minister said : `` The potential changes that have been reported in the media today have not yet been discussed with the Scottish Government or , as far as I know , with the other devolved governments . ''
She added : `` If and when those discussions do take place , I will make very clear , as I have all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if possible , for all four UK nations to make changes together at the same pace .
That certainly helps us give clear consistent messages to you the public .
`` However for that approach to work , we must agree to make changes only when all four governments are satisfied we do n't risk a resurgence of the virus .
`` If the Prime Minister decides that he wants to move at a faster pace for England than I consider is right for Scotland , that is his right , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticise him for doing that . ''
Ms Sturgeon said she has to make decisions `` informed by the evidence that are right and safe for Scotland '' .
Sturgeon issues order for Scotland to ignore Boris Johnson 's lockdown [ LATEST ] End of Sturgeon : SNP chief warns First Minister of 'uncertain ' future ' [ INTERVIEW ] Sturgeon slaps down Boris : ' I wo n't be pressured to lift lockdown ' [ VIDEO ] Mr Johnson - who will set out the next steps in the Government 's response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation at 7pm on Sunday - briefed the Cabinet on how he intended to proceed on Thursday .
Ministers are expected to convene again over the weekend before the details are finalised after officials have had a chance to scrutinise the latest data on the spread of the disease `` The Prime Minister said that in considering whether there could be any easement in the existing guidelines that we are not going to do anything that risks a second peak , '' a spokesman said .
`` We will advance with maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and save lives .
`` We will be guided at every step by the science and the data and we will closely track the impact of any easing of the social distancing measures and will not hesitate to tighten the rules if required . ''

Nicola Sturgeon's Indyref2 bid is ‘absurd’ says Galloway
Nicola Sturgeon had been pushing for a second vote on Scottish independence at the beginning of this year before the coronavirus pandemic. But due to the crisis, her plans appear to have been blocked as former Labour MP George Galloway explained any independence proposals after Brexit and COVID-19 are in 'deep trouble'. He noted the SNP leader's plan would be extremely damaging to Scottish people.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Galloway said: "The independence movement after the Brexit was already in very deep trouble. "The pandemic has made the idea absurd of partitioning one small island into two states. "It is absolutely ridiculous. "The pandemic proves that breaking up a small island would be at best, meaningless and at worst, extremely damaging to the people of Scotland and I think that's written all over Nicola Sturgeon's face." READ MORE: BBC host accuses SNP's Blackford of exploiting coronavirus crisis
Nicola Sturgeon's plans for independence are damaging, says Galloway
Nicola Sturgeon has extended Scotland's lockdown
His comments come as Ms Sturgeon continues to defy Prime Minister Boris Johnson. During the crisis, she has made announcements ahead of the Government and recently said she will continue the lockdown in Scotland despite Mr Johnson's best efforts to outline a plan to lift restrictions. The First Minister warned on Thursday that she would not be "pressured" by the Westminster Government into "prematurely" easing restrictions. Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, the Scottish First Minister said: "The potential changes that have been reported in the media today have not yet been discussed with the Scottish Government or, as far as I know, with the other devolved governments."
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Boris Johnson will tell Britons the latest coronavirus measures on Sunday
Jackson Carlaw discusses 'stopping Nicola Sturgeon'
She added: "If and when those discussions do take place, I will make very clear, as I have all along, that it is my preference, if possible, for all four UK nations to make changes together at the same pace. That certainly helps us give clear consistent messages to you the public. "However for that approach to work, we must agree to make changes only when all four governments are satisfied we don't risk a resurgence of the virus. "If the Prime Minister decides that he wants to move at a faster pace for England than I consider is right for Scotland, that is his right, I will respect that and I will not criticise him for doing that." Ms Sturgeon said she has to make decisions "informed by the evidence that are right and safe for Scotland". DON'T MISS Sturgeon issues order for Scotland to ignore Boris Johnson's lockdown [LATEST]
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Jennie Formby was only the start! Keir Starmer set to replace those loyal Corbyn in Labour

Mrs Formby , a close ally of Sir Keir 's left-wing predecessor , confirmed her decision on Monday , having served in the post for two years , during which time she oversaw Labour 's general election campaign - which resulted in an 80-seat majority for Boris Johnson 's Conservatives .
The 60-year-old 's decision is also likely to have been influenced by her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment last year - but Professor Tony Travers , director of LSE London , said ideological considerations will also have been a factor .
He told Express.co.uk : `` Jeremy Corbyn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time rebuilding the machinery of the Labour Party and the National Executive Committee , and senior officers of the party in their own image .
`` Keir Starmer is a very different leader who is committed to moving on and making the Labour Party more electable and he is inevitably going to spend some time wanting to replace people Corbyn put in power with people that are loyal to him , who are going to work towards the objectives that he sets .
`` There is no doubt Jennie Formby is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a Keir Starmer-led Labour Party - and vice versa .
`` Any question of any leader of the party would want the senior officers of any party to be loyal and have the same rule-set .
`` There is no question that people put in place by Corbyn are in many cases a long way away , ideologically and in terms of loyalty , from Keir Starmer . ''
Sir Keir , who comfortably won a leadership contest ahead of Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy , would be working hard over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw a line under the previous regime , Prof Travers said - suggesting the ongoing national crisis might actually work in his favour .
He explained : `` It 's an odd six months because of the fact that COVID-19 dominates all politics and influences the way that people think about both Government and opposition .
`` It does have the slight advantage for Keir Starmer of meaning that if there is to be a bit more internecine strife at the top of the Labour Party they are going to get much coverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months ago .
`` COVID-19 does provide Keir Starmer with a period in which any efforts to reshuffle or change the senior figures in the Labour Party , and have an argument about it , will get less coverage . ''
Sir Keir was trying to strike a balance between the old and the new , Prof Travers said .
He added : `` With his Shadow Cabinet , and indeed many of the things he has said and done , they have been done with a view to keeping many if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have lost everything - Rebecca Long-Bailey is in the shadow cabinet for example .
`` But the Labour Party , like all political parties , is a rough , tough institution , and it is hard to believe that he will nevertheless want to rearrange the party in his own image as much as possible . ''
Prof Travers suggested the 57-year-old 's efforts were geared towards the next general election , likely to happen in 2024 if as expected the Fixed Terms Parliament Act 2011 is repealed .
DO N'T MISS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lockdown rules set to be relaxed [ REVEALED ] Lockdown POLL : Is Boris Johnson right to ease lockdown restrictions ?
[ POLL ] Boris promises the first steps to lockdown freedom will be on Monday [ INSIGHT ] He said : `` At its simplest , he would want a broadly attractive manifesto with an electable leader .
`` The last manifesto was not one and Jeremy Corbyn really was not the other .
`` The 2017 manifesto was much more of a traditional manifesto and they want a manifesto which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social democratic agenda .
`` Although again , that will all have to be judged against the backdrop of the fallout from COVID-19 .
`` In terms of the general long term position of the political parties , COVID-19 , by radically increasing the size of the state as a share of the economy , and the likelihood it will stay like that for some time , it moves the economy towards Labour 's territory . ''
Prof Travers also suggested the current broad consensus - and relative absence of bickering - which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not last forever .
He explained : `` Normal politics always reasserts itself after a national moment of crisis .
`` Eventually we 'll get to the point where people are less worried about COVID-19 and more worried about unemployment or inflation or all the other things that are about the happen when lockdown ends . ''

Keir Starmer says he is ‘determined’ to ‘pull party together’
Mrs Formby, a close ally of Sir Keir's left-wing predecessor, confirmed her decision on Monday, having served in the post for two years, during which time she oversaw Labour's general election campaign - which resulted in an 80-seat majority for Boris Johnson's Conservatives. The 60-year-old's decision is also likely to have been influenced by her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment last year - but Professor Tony Travers, director of LSE London, said ideological considerations will also have been a factor. He told Express.co.uk: "Jeremy Corbyn and his colleagues have spent a great deal of time rebuilding the machinery of the Labour Party and the National Executive Committee, and senior officers of the party in their own image.
Keir Starmer is a very different leader who is committed to moving on and making the Labour Party more electable and he is inevitably going to spend some time wanting to replace people Corbyn put in power with people that are loyal to him Professor Tony Travers
"Keir Starmer is a very different leader who is committed to moving on and making the Labour Party more electable and he is inevitably going to spend some time wanting to replace people Corbyn put in power with people that are loyal to him, who are going to work towards the objectives that he sets. "There is no doubt Jennie Formby is not somebody who was going to be comfortable with a Keir Starmer-led Labour Party - and vice versa. "Any question of any leader of the party would want the senior officers of any party to be loyal and have the same rule-set. "There is no question that people put in place by Corbyn are in many cases a long way away, ideologically and in terms of loyalty, from Keir Starmer."
Keir Starmer is a very different characters to Jeremy Corbyn, said Prof Travers
Jennie Formby was a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn
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Sir Keir, who comfortably won a leadership contest ahead of Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy, would be working hard over the course of the next six months to draw a line under the previous regime, Prof Travers said - suggesting the ongoing national crisis might actually work in his favour. He explained: "It's an odd six months because of the fact that COVID-19 dominates all politics and influences the way that people think about both Government and opposition. "It does have the slight advantage for Keir Starmer of meaning that if there is to be a bit more internecine strife at the top of the Labour Party they are going to get much coverage than they would otherwise, three or four months ago. "COVID-19 does provide Keir Starmer with a period in which any efforts to reshuffle or change the senior figures in the Labour Party, and have an argument about it, will get less coverage." READ MORE: Lockdown warning: Tory MP Baker 'gravely concerned' at economic damage
Keir Starmer was previously Director of Public Prosecutions before becoming an MP
Sir Keir was trying to strike a balance between the old and the new, Prof Travers said. He added: "With his Shadow Cabinet, and indeed many of the things he has said and done, they have been done with a view to keeping many if not all the Momentum-type politicians from feeling they have lost everything - Rebecca Long-Bailey is in the shadow cabinet for example. "But the Labour Party, like all political parties, is a rough, tough institution, and it is hard to believe that he will nevertheless want to rearrange the party in his own image as much as possible." Prof Travers suggested the 57-year-old's efforts were geared towards the next general election, likely to happen in 2024 if as expected the Fixed Terms Parliament Act 2011 is repealed. DON'T MISS
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Mr Starmer beat Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey to the Labour leadership
Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour leader in 2015
He said: "At its simplest, he would want a broadly attractive manifesto with an electable leader. "The last manifesto was not one and Jeremy Corbyn really was not the other. "The 2017 manifesto was much more of a traditional manifesto and they want a manifesto which will look like a much more traditional social democratic agenda. "Although again, that will all have to be judged against the backdrop of the fallout from COVID-19.
Key Labour policies under Jeremy Corbyn
"In terms of the general long term position of the political parties, COVID-19, by radically increasing the size of the state as a share of the economy, and the likelihood it will stay like that for some time, it moves the economy towards Labour's territory." Prof Travers also suggested the current broad consensus - and relative absence of bickering - which has characterised the coronavirus crisis so far would not last forever. He explained: "Normal politics always reasserts itself after a national moment of crisis. "Eventually we'll get to the point where people are less worried about COVID-19 and more worried about unemployment or inflation or all the other things that are about the happen when lockdown ends."
The fallout from the pandemic may work in Labour's favour, suggested Prof Travers
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thedailyexpress--2020-05-10--Starmer's challenge: Polling guru John Curtice outlines tough task facing Labour leader

Mrs Formby confirmed her decision on Monday , exactly a month after Mr Starmer was elected to replace Mr Corbyn - and while his tribute to her was characteristically diplomatic , Sir John , Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde , suggested her departure would make his job easier .
Sir John explained : `` Starmer on the radio this week did not deny that he had intimated that perhaps Mrs Formby might resign although he was being very polite about it .
`` One crucial thing that happened on the day that Keir Starmer won the leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the National Executive Committee ( NEC ) which means there is now a non-Corbynite majority on the committee .
`` So in a sense Mrs Formby 's resignation simply helps to strengthen the hand of the party machine - once he had got control of the NEC , he was heading in that direction anyway .
`` It 's clearly a change of personality , it 's clearly a different team .
`` Keir for the most part , with the exception of Rebecca Long-Bailey , has dropped most of those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keir was having to tread a fine line in everything he did , Sir John said .
He explained : `` Starmer has been quite careful not to position himself too clearly with respect to the various factions and divisions within the Parliamentary Labour Party , partly because he wants to unite the party .
`` So he neither is overly critical of Corbyn nor is he overly slavish in his adherence to Blair and he has certainly not been suggesting he is going to overturn every single element of what Jeremy Corbyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what is the stance for the Labour that emerges under Starmer .
`` It evidently is not simply going to be New Labour reinvented but will in some ways at least , row back from what Corbyn had in mind .
Sir Keir 's ultimate goal would be to make his party electable again , something it was evidently not in December 2019 , when Boris Johnson 's Tories won an 80-seat majority .
Sir John said : `` In my view , one of the major problems the Labour Party faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine a point on it , people just did not think they were capable of running the country .
`` So it was not necessarily the Labour Party being too left wing .
`` Even when pollsters were asking people who they thought could better run the health service , Hancock and Johnson or Corbyn and Ashworth , even on that issue , which is a classic Labour issue , Johnson and Hancock were coming up as more likely to be trusted .
`` And also it 's about having a leader who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of Corbyn 's problems was people could not quite imagine that .
`` It 's very early days , and Starmer is not terribly well-known , and one of the basic jobs is to get better known , and obviously the circumstances in which he has got the leadership make that difficult , but the indication so far is that is more likely to be regarded as Prime Ministerial than was Corbyn , which is not bad for a start . ''
It was also difficult to predict the impact the unfolding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political landscape in two or three years time , Sir John said .
He explained : `` Among the many uncertainties coronavirus creates is what the public 's attitude is going to be towards the role of Government in our society and the need to get the economy back up and how do people think that 's going to be achieved . ''
However , referring to the Tories success with their straightforward 2019 slogan - Get Brexit Done - he added : `` What one can say is one of weaknesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual policies were unpopular .
`` The problem the party had was lots of individual policy but there were no broad vision which was the equivalent of Get Brexit Done .

Starmer to be ‘more difficult’ for Johnson in PMQs says expert
Starmer on the radio this week did not deny that he had intimated that perhaps Mrs Formby might resign although he was being very polite about it Sir John Curtice
Mrs Formby confirmed her decision on Monday, exactly a month after Mr Starmer was elected to replace Mr Corbyn - and while his tribute to her was characteristically diplomatic, Sir John, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde, suggested her departure would make his job easier. Sir John explained: "Starmer on the radio this week did not deny that he had intimated that perhaps Mrs Formby might resign although he was being very polite about it. "One crucial thing that happened on the day that Keir Starmer won the leadership is that non-Corbynites won the three vacancies on the National Executive Committee (NEC) which means there is now a non-Corbynite majority on the committee.
"So in a sense Mrs Formby's resignation simply helps to strengthen the hand of the party machine - once he had got control of the NEC, he was heading in that direction anyway. "It's clearly a change of personality, it's clearly a different team. "Keir for the most part, with the exception of Rebecca Long-Bailey, has dropped most of those who were close to Corbyn." Sir Keir was having to tread a fine line in everything he did, Sir John said.
Keir Starmer is facing a tough task as Labour leader, said Sir John Curtice
Former leader Jeremy Corbyn
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He explained: "Starmer has been quite careful not to position himself too clearly with respect to the various factions and divisions within the Parliamentary Labour Party, partly because he wants to unite the party. "So he neither is overly critical of Corbyn nor is he overly slavish in his adherence to Blair and he has certainly not been suggesting he is going to overturn every single element of what Jeremy Corbyn stood for. "The interesting thing is what is the stance for the Labour that emerges under Starmer. "It evidently is not simply going to be New Labour reinvented but will in some ways at least, row back from what Corbyn had in mind. READ MORE: Ireland DEMANDS Brexit delay 'Deal is virtually impossible'
Jennie Formby stood down as Labour's general secretary this week
Health Secretary Matt Hancock
Boris Johnson - and Mr Hancock - were more trusted on the NHS by voters in 2019, Sir John pointed out
Sir Keir's ultimate goal would be to make his party electable again, something it was evidently not in December 2019, when Boris Johnson's Tories won an 80-seat majority. Sir John said: "In my view, one of the major problems the Labour Party faced in 2019 was not to put too fine a point on it, people just did not think they were capable of running the country. "So it was not necessarily the Labour Party being too left wing. "Even when pollsters were asking people who they thought could better run the health service, Hancock and Johnson or Corbyn and Ashworth, even on that issue, which is a classic Labour issue, Johnson and Hancock were coming up as more likely to be trusted. "And also it's about having a leader who people can conceive being Prime Minister. One of Corbyn's problems was people could not quite imagine that.
Priorities for voters in 2019
"It's very early days, and Starmer is not terribly well-known, and one of the basic jobs is to get better known, and obviously the circumstances in which he has got the leadership make that difficult, but the indication so far is that is more likely to be regarded as Prime Ministerial than was Corbyn, which is not bad for a start." It was also difficult to predict the impact the unfolding coronavirus pandemic was likely to have on the political landscape in two or three years time, Sir John said. He explained: "Among the many uncertainties coronavirus creates is what the public's attitude is going to be towards the role of Government in our society and the need to get the economy back up and how do people think that's going to be achieved." However, referring to the Tories success with their straightforward 2019 slogan - Get Brexit Done - he added: "What one can say is one of weaknesses of Labour in 2019 was not that individual policies were unpopular. "The problem the party had was lots of individual policy but there were no broad vision which was the equivalent of Get Brexit Done.
Labour's left-wing MP for Hemsworth Jon Trickett
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