Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond reportedly told the board of U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs that he was pushing for a lengthy transition period after Britain leaves the European Union, a source familiar with the talks said. The source said Hammond made a presentation to the Goldman Sachs board on June 29 when CEO Lloyd Blankfein was in London for the annual board meeting.
Sir Vince Cable has become the new leader of the Liberal Democrats with a promise to offer voters the possibility of an “exit from Brexit” through a second referendum on EU membership. The former business secretary took up the role after nominations for the post closed without him facing any challengers, becoming, at 74, the oldest leader in the party’s history.
The second round of Brexit talks has ended with “fundamental” disagreements remaining between Britain and the European Union on citizens’ rights and a stand-off over the so-called “divorce bill”.
The author of the European Union’s Article 50 has issued a call for Brexit to be halted, warning that its “disastrous consequences” are becoming clearer every day. Lord Kerr of Kinlochard was among more than 60 prominent figures in Scotland who signed a joint letter warning that Brexit has seriously damaged the UK’s international reputation and calling for a “UK-wide debate about calling a halt to the process”.
The election of Emmanuel Macron as president has helped propel France to the top of a league table of global “soft power”, while Britain’s score has decreased partly as a result of Brexit. But despite losing points for government stability, enterprise and favorability measured in worldwide polls, the UK hung on to second slot, thanks to the US tumbling from first to third following the election of Donald Trump.
Negotiations regarding Britain's exit from the European Union resumed on Monday in Brussels, and Britain's prime minister warned her feuding cabinet to stop its infighting. David Davis, the Britain's Brexit secretary, began four days of talks with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, but flew home to London after only three hours of negotiation.
UK and Gibraltar will establish a mechanism to ensure Gibraltar is consulted on any trade agreements negotiated by Britain outside the EU, both governments said in a joint statement.
Tony Blair says he now accepts Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister. The ex-PM told BBC Newsnight that a year ago he would have said it was impossible for the left-wing Labour leader to win. But he added: “There's been so many political upsets, it's possible Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister and Labour could win on that program.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that businesses are holding off from investing in the UK because of uncertainty about Brexit. The interview came a day before the second round of negotiations which take place this Monday in Brussels.
Spain’s “eccentric” enclaves in north Africa make its position on Gibraltar “incomprehensible”, said Tory MP Dominic Grieve reaffirming UK’s commitment to stand by Gibraltar after Brexit. Speaking during a visit to Gibraltar, MP Grieve said any future Brexit deal struck by the UK with the EU must also include the Rock.