Well, either way we'll know come the end of the year.

Letter from London.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...r_19.05.20.pdf

The PM's chief aide Dominic Cummings' trip from London to Durham with his sick wife to be near relatives during the coronavirus lockdown was "in line" with guidelines, says No 10.

A spokesman said it was "essential" for Mr Cummings to ensure he had childcare if he also developed Covid-19 symptoms.

The Durham police chief said it was "unwise" for Mr Cummings to travel.

The SNP have called for him to resign, while Labour asked for a "clear explanation" for his actions.

Downing Street said Mr Cummings believed he "behaved reasonably and legally" when he made the 260-mile journey from his London home to Country Durham during the lockdown.

A No 10 spokesman said: "Owing to his wife being infected with suspected coronavirus and the high likelihood that he would himself become unwell, it was essential for Dominic Cummings to ensure his young child could be properly cared for.

"His sister and nieces had volunteered to help so he went to a house near to but separate from his extended family in case their help was needed. His sister shopped for the family and left everything outside.

"At no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported.

"His actions were in line with coronavirus guidelines. Mr Cummings believes he behaved reasonably and legally."

Police said they attended a property in County Durham, after the Guardian and the Daily Mirror newspapers first reported Mr Cummings had been seen near his parents' home in early April.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52782913

This "scandal" smells more like a coordinated political attack. The Guardian is pulling out all the stops going after Cummings.

Is this a real problem for Boris or a tempest in a tea cup?

Well, Cummings is his chief advisor and a man who many in high places loathe, so I'd say this could turn into a big problem.

He is going to explain his reasons for his actions in front of the press today and if that has little to ne effect I should imagine Boris will have to be seen to act if for nothing other yjan to prove his own credibility and leadership skills.

The main problem being there is no credible opposition atm so Boris may decide to ride the storm.

Some things never change, even to this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4g0a7LaUUI

What a shame :doh:

Michael gove has formally confirmed to EU commission vice presidne tMaros Sefcovic that the UK is not seekign an extension to the Brexit transition period. By formality, such a request would have needed to be made until end of this month. "The moment for extension has now passed", Gove said.

Both sides' positions have not changed in the past 5-6 months.

There will be a video conference of the the UK's and the EU heads of states. That is probably the very last opportunity to ask for an extension at the very last moment. As long as they do not break their previously agreed formal rules (which is not rare in the EU, if you think of it, but the normal modus operandi...) I think that is unlikely, however.

With Corona cracking down very hard on the UK, the outlook of Brexit needs to be reassessed, I think. I am much more pessimistic now. A dive of the econoym by over 20% in aporil and an expoected over-the-year shrink of 11% (likely to becomer highe rof the year, I think), is something that cannot be taken as granted to be disgestable.

Push the button, close your eyes and pray - in both scenarios (Brexit done, Brexit undone).

Tough times ahead I reckon but not totally unexpected.

Boris Johnson will hold post-Brexit trade talks with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via video link on Monday next week.

The UK and EU have said no major progress has been made towards a deal after four rounds of talks this year.

Both sides were due to decide by the end of June whether the current deadline for negotiating a deal should be extended beyond the end of December.

On Friday, the UK formally confirmed it will not extend the transition period.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53012383

Boris Johnson is holding post-Brexit trade talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via video link this afternoon.

The PM is expected to urge "renewed energy" to reach a trade deal "by the end of the summer", ahead of the end of the transition period in December.

Mrs von der Leyen said she wanted to "inject fresh momentum" into the talks.

Both sides have said no major progress has been made towards a deal after four rounds of talks this year.

It comes after the EU accepted that the UK will not seek to extend the transition period.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53048164

Well done Marcus Rashford
 

England international and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has published a letter on Twitter to encourage MPs to reconsider their decision to cancel the food voucher scheme for poor children over the summer holidays.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...-letter-to-mps

Government had rejected Rashford's call but in the meantime has made the U-turn and decided to extend the scheme.

Well done Marcus!

He's not stopping there either.

They had better leave well alone, I am due mine in three years come July.

MOMENTUM will not be happy about this but Keir is the leader and imho acted correctly.

Japan gives UK six weeks to strike a post-Brexit trade deal:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-a9580731.html

I wonder whether this brings some movement into Johnson's wait-and-see 'tactics'.

The Left will not let this go, they will continue to pull the strings of those MP's they control.

And that folks is the fundamental problem with todays Labour Party. For the first time in living memory they managed to get one of their own in as the leader and have created MOMENTUM and solidified their position as a result.

Tories won't mind because Britain is a long way from being so left wing.

The UK and EU have said serious differences remain over a post-Brexit trade deal, following the latest negotiations in Brussels.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc's position needed to be "better understood and respected" by the UK if an agreement is to be found.

His UK counterpart David Frost said "significant" disagreement remained on "a number of important issues".

The UK has ruled out extending the December deadline to reach a deal.

The latest round of talks, the first to be held in person since the Covid-19 crisis struck, came after both sides agreed to "intensify" negotiations last month.

Negotiations have continued throughout the pandemic via video link. An additional five weeks of in-person talks are planned for July and early August.

BBC Europe reporter Gavin Lee said the latest round of talks had broken up a day early, with a discussion between the two chief negotiators tomorrow cancelled.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53266902