British PM Theresa May hails ‘special relationship’ & no, it’s not the one with the US

In fact, it’s with a group of islands nearer to France than the US – and with a history that stretches back nearly 1,000 years. 

The Channel Islands are made up of the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, and British Crown Dependencies but are not part of Great Britain. They were part of the Duchy of Normandy, and become linked to the English crown when William the Conqueror arrived at Hastings in 1066.

The self-governing bailiwicks each have their own elected assemblies, and don’t return MPs to the British parliament. In some aspects, the islands have acted more and more as states would – although they retain key links to the UK. The crown dependencies also include the Isle of Man.

They also didn’t have a vote in the recent Brexit referendum in the UK, although a chunk of islanders may have eligibility to vote depending on if they ever lived in the UK and how long ago that was.

But the fallout from Brexit is an issue for the Channel Islands, which have developed as financial services centres alongside tourism and other sectors. Access to markets, as with any economy, is important. So, leaders of the Channel Islands – such as Gavin St Pier and Jonathan Le Tocq – have been working hard to ensure their voice is heard in Westminster and in Brussels.

Letter from the PM

That work has resulted in a letter to the Crown Dependencies from new British prime minister Theresa May. She has given assurances that Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man (which is also a Crown Dependency) will be engaged in the process of the UK’s negotiations in relation to its exit and ongoing trade with the EU.

Special relationship

The historic and special relationship between the UK and the Channel Islands is also highlighted by Mrs May in her letter to Gavin St Pier, the chief minister of Guernsey.

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The Pea Stacks, Jerbourg, Guernsey 

(Main image: google maps)

 

Theresa May could prove she governs for the whole UK by moving parliament to Birmingham

Moving national politics to the Midlands would be hugely symbolic, economic and practical move by new prime minister Theresa May.

Symbolic because she has spoken about the need to unite the country and make it work for everyone. During the EU referendum campaign and result, much was spoken about the divisions between London and other parts of England – between the remainers and Brexiteers.

Moving the Houses of Parliament to Birmingham would show Mrs May is serious about trying to unite the country in a way never tried before. In fact, it would reflect her cabinet which has been as much as trying to unify as stamping her own mark on government.

It would also be a massive economic move, giving the Midlands another boost and showing that it’s not just London that matters – even if that’s clearly not the case. It could help move away from what some see as the lop-sided development of the UK, where London is dominant. Supporting the rest of the country is just as important.

It’s also extremely practical because the Houses of Parliament are in need of major renovation work. A rolling programme of work could cost around £5.7 billion, while a full move out would mean the work could be done more quickly and avoid disruption to parliamentary business. The cost for this option has been put at £3.9 billion with the work completed within six years.

Of course, accommodation could be found in Birmingham (or even another location outside of London) to house MPs, peers and their support staff for this period. Shifting Whitehall departments might also be required.

* Of course, it wouldn’t just be up to Mrs May, the parliamentary authorities and parliamentarians would also have to have a say – but wouldn’t it be an incredible statement to make the move permanent and turn the old London parliament buildings into a museum?

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Has Theresa May boxed in Boris Johnson at the foreign office – leaving with little real power?

The contrast between David Cameron and Theresa May

 

Has May boxed in Boris as Foreign Secretary by appointing David Davis and Liam Fox to the Cabinet?

Boris Johnson may have been appointed British Foreign Secretary, but has new Prime Minister Theresa May handed key parts of the job to David Davis as Brexit Secretary and Liam Fox as International Trade Secretary?

Being foreign secretary is one of the big jobs in British politics, but some of the central elements of foreign policy don’t appear to be in Boris’s portfolio.

Europe minister job at foreign office axed?

It’s interesting that former Europe minister David Lidington has now been appointed Leader of the Commons and as yet his job at the foreign office hasn’t been filled. The role is not listed, currently, on the foreign office’s website.

The ‘real’ Foreign Secretary – David Davis

With the appointment of former Europe minister David Davis as Brexit Secretary it perhaps make sense to no longer have a Europe minister. But if the Europe minister job is axed, it underlines that Boris doesn’t have the negotiation of exiting the European Union in his remit. It could be seen as a real actual sign of his wings being clipped by the new prime minister.

Mr Davis is Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union – a job so new in fact that the official UK government website doesn’t even have a department. It’s the same for Liam Fox, who has got a new role as well.

Former Labour minister Tony McNulty has tweeted this:

Oh look, it’s the real Foreign Secretary – and they’ve also given him a clown to play with….. https://t.co/ZCpoWz1U0Q

— Tony McNulty (@Tony_McNulty) July 14, 2016

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Boris out of the country

Mr Johnson will also doubtless be out of the UK rather a lot, so out of sight and perhaps mind for Tory activists. Mrs May may not have to worry about her erstwhile rival for the Tory leadership making popular appearances on the domestic stage.

His role as London mayor and jolly attitude could also yet be invaluable as foreign secretary.

Photo credit: Foreign Office / Twitter

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Theresa May could prove she governs for the whole UK by moving parliament to Birmingham

I’ve met David Cameron and Theresa May – and they are very different characters

 

 

I’ve met David Cameron and Theresa May – and they are very different characters

The outgoing prime minister was charming and well-mannered whenever I met him, and gave the impression of being calm under pressure.

He might not have had Tony Blair’s incredible ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room, which I saw first hand in the 2005 general election. But neither did he have the brooding character of Gordon Brown.

Right! Good!

David Cameron has an easy affability, he’s a good sort of chap. The type that your mum would love to be your friend (unless they’re die-in-the-wool opponents). The outgoing prime minister was also fond of the quip, but perhaps his character was given away by his announcement today that he would be gone by Wednesday!

David Cameron: “Thank you very much……………………doo, doo, doo, doo. Right…Good.” (The End) pic.twitter.com/Z1zHgSlkLf

— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) July 11, 2016

A Liberal Conservative

At that first Rose Garden press conference with coalition partner Nick Clegg, there was something of a bromance and joshing, and ribbing between the pair. He was a huge contrast when he arrived in No 10 to Gordon Brown in the dog days of the last Labour government.

I always got the feeling that Mr Cameron was a liberal conservative, so his support for gay marriage was telling.

Libya

As a political editor based in Westminster for several years, I remember well a lunch for political journalists based in the UK parliament that Mr Cameron was the guest speaker at. It was interrupted by news that Gaddafi had been captured by rebel forces in Libya. The prime minister obviously had to leave as the news filtered through.

Subsequent events following his decision to join the international intervention against the Libyan dictator have led some to question the effectiveness of Mr Cameron’s actions.

Europe

For all his initial attempts to re-position the Tories, it was Europe that ultimately led to his downfall as it had for previous Conservative prime ministers. His decision to call a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU, seen partly as an attempt to stave off the electoral threat from Nigel Farage’s Ukip party, will go down as a defining moment in history.

After getting his deal from Brussels, Mr Cameron fought from the front in the referendum campaign –  which is perhaps to be admired rather than lowing low as other leading lights of the UK cabinet chose to do.

Ultimately, he lost the referendum and his job. Whether he could have got a better deal, and thus won the referendum, will forever be a what if deal.

But there’s no doubt that Mr Cameron will be an historic prime minister, leading a coalition government and then calling a fateful referendum.

Theresa May – the ‘Ice Maiden’

Britain’s next prime minister Theresa May is definitely a different character to Mr Cameron. The current home secretary, who I’ve met, is recognised as not being particularly clubbable.

Mrs May’s attitude could be seen as aloof, but maybe she was wisely keeping her distance and simply didn’t feel the need to be over-friendly. Can you see her getting the moniker, call me Theresa like Call me Tony?

She didn’t appear too bothered to curry favour. Just take a look at the police, when she urged their union that they had to change. Nick Clegg reportedly even reportedly called her the ‘Ice Maiden’, so you get something of the impression that Mrs May portrays.

‘Together, we will build a better Britain’ – watch Theresa’s speech after being chosen as @Conservatives leader: pic.twitter.com/MIUIqRVSoM

— Theresa May (@TheresaMay2016) July 11, 2016

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‘There’s an obvious reason why I’m not part of the old-boys’ network — I’m not an old boy. I’ve always taken the same approach in every role I’ve played, which is I’ve got a job to do, let’s get on and deliver,’ she told London’s Evening Standard a few days.

Perhaps, just perhaps that’s a good thing in these times . Oh, and there’s a Labour leadership election happening too…

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Photo: David Cameron gave a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016, following the EU referendum announcement that the UK had voted to leave the European Union. Photo: Crown Copyright Credit: Tom Evans