Keep up with the latest from Bremain in Spain
Frosty reception for latest protocol speech
Lord David Frost, former Brexit negotiator, is having another tantrum. It seems he is not taking criticism of his recent speech well, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.Lord David Frost, former Brexit negotiator, is having a bit of a tantrum....
Home Office response to Ukraine refugee crisis a “total disgrace”
The government's handling of Ukraine refugees is a "total disgrace", the Home Office could and should do better, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.When Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed Home Secretary Priti Patel at the despatch box...
Conservative Friends of Russia group disbands with immediate effect
After 10 years of operation, the Westminster Russia Forum, formerly known as the Conservative Friends of Russia, has suddenly disbanded, writes Bremain Vice Chair Lisa Burton. On 1 March, the Westminster Russia Forum, formerly known as the Conservative Friends of...
How Spain is outpacing the UK when it comes to women in politics
For over 100 years, International Women’s Day has celebrated women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Olive Press. In that time, the change in the way women are treated, or in the opportunities available to...
UK demonstrates world-beating indifference to Ukrainian refugees
Many in the UK are experiencing a severe case of national shame at the appalling indifference and lack of action shown by our government, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson for Yorkshire Bylines.When Ukrainian refugees arrived at Berlin station on Thursday, they were met...
The Conservative Party Common Sense Group: another sub-group with no common sense at all!
The Conservatives like their sub-groups, and who doesn’t like a bit of common sense, right? These think tanks with catchy names give the impression of seriousness and expertise. Yet, when you get closer to the truth, their mission generally stands in stark opposition...
Bremainers Ask – Will Hutton – February 2022
Will Hutton is a political economist, author and columnist. He is currently President of the Academy of Social Sciences, writes a fortnightly column for the Observer and co-chairs the Purposeful Company. An associate of the Centre for Economic Performance at the...
The EU/UK joint committee meeting recorded “neither a breakthrough nor a breakdown”
Although recent talks between the UK and EU have been lighter and more constructive in tone, little seems to have been accomplished, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.On Monday 21 February, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and European Commission...
EXCLUSIVE: Police Partygate Questionnaire uncovered!
DISCLAIMER: The questionnaire below was obtained by West England Bylines from a single unnamed source. We are currently in the process of verifying the authenticity of the document and seeking corroboration. However, we did not want to delay publication of this...
EU and UK complete round three of talks about talks
Round three of EU/UK Brexit negotiations took place on Friday with very little progress other than a plan for a joint committee meeting, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. Unless you read the Irish press, you may have failed to notice that...
Have confidence in our prime minister, he’s “not a complete clown”
The best that can be said about Johnson is that he's "not a complete clown". So why haven't more letters of no confidence been submitted?Following a spate of resignations from Number 10 – five aides in just 24 hours – the prime minister has been on a desperate...
Bremainers Ask Revisited – Part 6 – January 2022
This month we asked 5 former MEPs, and previous contributors to Bremainers Ask, to give us their take on the current state of British politics and Brexit. This is what they had to say ……Catherine Bearder – former LibDem MEP & leader of the LibDems in the EU Now...
Party within a party: who are the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, and what do they want?
The Net Zero Scrutiny Group – a group of around 20 MPs within the Tory party – is pushing for the expansion of domestic fossil fuels, writes Bremain Vice Chair Lisa Burton for Yorkshire Bylines.Most of us have heard of the ERG (European Research Group), the...
Truss heads to Brussels to continue the Brexit negotiations
Truss continued the Brexit talks with her EU counterpart Šefčovič today. Progress is still minimal, despite the mood being more upbeat, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines.On Monday 24 March, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss headed for Brussels for...
Open Letter to Liz Truss No. 2 – January 2022
Bremain Chair, Sue Wilson MBE writes a follow up Open Letter to Liz Truss for West England Bylines:Dear Liz, It’s a month since my last letter and I’m still eagerly awaiting your response. I appreciate it’s been a busy time for you, especially with you wearing so many...
The fear of immigrant crime: confronting our own bias and media representation
Bremain Vice Chair Lisa Burton writes for Yorkshire Bylines on the need to confront our worst instincts in tackling racism, particularly in regards to immigration and crime. She gives examples from football coaches to the Church of England and Catholic Church, to show...
Stick, Twist or Bust? Tory MPs on Johnson’s position
Which Conservative MPs are sticking with Boris Johnson and which are calling on him to resign over 'Partygate', questions Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines?Prime Minister Johnson seems to have got himself into a bit of bother. The supposed leadership...
Truss’s part in EU talks shows her desperation for a deal to be done
Truss’s part in EU talks began with the threat to trigger Article 16, but her hard-Brexit rhetoric is unlikely to work, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. When Lord Frost resigned his position as Brexit minister in December 2021, many...
One year since Brexit …. still not ´done´
Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE takes a look back at the first year of Brexit in an article for The Olive Press:The festivities are behind us, and for good or bad, we “got Christmas done”. If only the same could be said for Brexit. Not only is Brexit not “done” but it...
Open Letter to Liz Truss
Bremain Chair Sue Wilson writes an open letter to Liz Truss for West England Bylines:Dear Liz, I hope you’ll excuse the informality but dear ‘Foreign Secretary, Brexit Secretary and Women and Equalities Secretary’ is a bit of a mouthful. Let me start by wishing you a...
Brexit oven-ready deal has been de-Frosted
In his resignation letter, Frost expressed concern over the government’s “current direction of travel”. Ironically, it’s a concern we all share, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. On Saturday night, social media erupted with the news that Lord...
Lords debate Brexit impact on institutional framework and trade
The latest House of Lords 'Beyond Brexit' debate covered the institutional framework, trade in services and trade in goods, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. On 15 November, the House of Lords Grand Committee convened to debate reports...
On New Year’s Day, Brexit will be a bit more ‘done’
New Brexit rules for trade imports and exports will come into place from 2022 which will make trading with the EU more expensive and difficult, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. On 1 December, the government published the latest update to...
New travel restrictions between UK and Spain start today
All UK visitors to Spain (12 yrs+) must now prove they have been fully vaccinated. A negative covid test is no longer an alternative option, writes Bremain Chair Sue Wilson MBE for Yorkshire Bylines. Rising covid cases, and the recent arrival of the Omicron variant,...