Daily Archives: June 18, 2017

Phillip Hammond damns the Maybot with faint praise | Politics Sketch | John Crace – The Guardian

June 18, 2017 By in Austerity, Brexit, Business Administration, Fiscal Policy, Politics Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

In his political sketch in the Guardian, John Crace argues that the chancellor didn’t skewer the PM with the reckless abandon of his predecessor, but he was equally devastating, citing the Marr and Peston shows.

Source: Phillip Hammond damns the Maybot with faint praise | Politics | The Guardian

Having seen both the Andrew Marr and Peston interviews I think that John Crace has colored the evidence or certainly read more into it.

Hammond handled himself quite well, much more comfortable on Brexit than responsibility for the London tower block inferno. He Hammond came across with logic and sincerity, not obviously dodging questions like Theresa May.

On Twitter, John McDonnell, the Labour Shadow Chancellor tweeted:

Embittered Hammond in bizarre leadership bid touring TV studios launching full frontal attack on May.Government falling apart in front of us

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Will Brexit Now Be Hard, Soft or Scrambled?: QuickTake Q&A – Bloomberg

June 18, 2017 By in Brexit, Business Administration, Fiscal Policy, Foreign Policy, Growth, Immigration, People, Politicians, Politics Tags: , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments

Here’s an excellent read from Bloomberg. It reports that a year since Britain voted to leave the European Union, the debate over how that will work is again in the air after the June 8 election stripped U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party of its overall control of Parliament. It suggests that suspicion that voters turned against her original plan — plus doubt that enough lawmakers would now support it — is forcing May into a rethink just as already complex negotiations with the EU are to begin.

Source: Will Brexit Now Be Hard, Soft or Scrambled?: QuickTake Q&A – Bloomberg

Both hard and soft have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Also an orderly way forward is preferable to a scambled solution. Everything seems preferable to hostile exit and years of litigation and economic chaos.

Because of the election result, parliament will have a greater influence on Brexit and this is good. But May’s cabinet contains heavyweights with radically different Brexit views. We can expect Philip Hamond to champion soft Brexit and to go into battle with the Brexit triumvarate, namely Davis, Fox and Johnson.

Views?