https://www.theguardian.com/politics/eu-referendum Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:57:17 GMT 2026-06-18T00:57:17Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/labour-came-to-power-with-no-big-idea-for-relations-with-eu-says-former-top-diplomat <p>Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, says party’s ideas did not ‘remotely measure up’ to challenge</p><p>Labour arrived in power with no big idea on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, a former British ambassador to Brussels has said.</p><p>Ivan Rogers, Britain’s EU ambassador from 2013 to 2017, said Labour presented “a ragbag of issues” on the EU in its manifesto, which did not “remotely measure up to the challenge of the times” and would “make no measurable difference to the UK macroeconomy”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/labour-came-to-power-with-no-big-idea-for-relations-with-eu-says-former-top-diplomat">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Labour Keir Starmer David Cameron Theresa May Foreign policy European Union Politics UK news Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:27:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/labour-came-to-power-with-no-big-idea-for-relations-with-eu-says-former-top-diplomat Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images Jennifer Rankin in Brussels 2026-06-17T09:27:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/17/the-guardian-view-on-britain-and-the-eu-ed-davey-is-right-a-changed-world-changes-the-argument <p>The Liberal Democrat leader’s call for more ambitious reintegration with Europe brings a necessary focus on economic and strategic reality</p><p>Membership of the European single market was at stake when the UK voted on Brexit, but it was not the decisive question in the campaign. The leave campaign dishonestly promised a cost-free severance of ties with Britain’s largest trading partner. As immigration came to dominate the debate, the requirement to allow free movement of people as a condition of seamless integration with European markets undermined the remainers’ most compelling&nbsp;argument.</p><p>Reluctance to advocate a liberal migration regime imposed a taboo on calls to reconsider the Brexit settlement, even as warnings about the cost of rupture were vindicated. Now, after a decade of forsaken growth, the mood is finally changing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/17/the-guardian-view-on-britain-and-the-eu-ed-davey-is-right-a-changed-world-changes-the-argument">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Liberal Democrats Ed Davey Politics European Union Labour UK news Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:50:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/17/the-guardian-view-on-britain-and-the-eu-ed-davey-is-right-a-changed-world-changes-the-argument Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA Editorial 2026-06-17T17:50:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/17/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-contest-andy-burnham-makerfield-byelection-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates <p>This blog has now closed. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics">See all our UK politics coverage here</a></p><p>Andy Burnham may have trouble getting through to <strong>Keir Starmer</strong> if he tries ringing him after the Makerfield byelection to urge him to set a timetable for his departure. Burnham reportedly wants to call Starmer this weekend. (See <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/17/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-contest-andy-burnham-makerfield-byelection-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6a325c628f08bd83c766b902#block-6a325c628f08bd83c766b902">9.47am</a>.) But, in his interview with Sky News, Starmer said: “I’m sure I’ll talk to Andy <em>after</em> the weekend.”</p><p>If Starmer declines to take Burnham’s call, he may be following Ed Miliband’s example. In <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/keir-starmer-ed-miliband-defence-labour-q32b3hfnq">a Times story today</a>, <strong>Patrick Maguire </strong>and<strong> Steven Swinford</strong> report:</p><p>Sir Keir Starmer’s relationship with Ed Miliband has broken down to such an extent that the energy secretary has been accused of “ghosting” the prime minister in recent weeks.</p><p>Senior government sources claimed that Miliband declined to take calls from the prime minister during a tense stand-off over defence spending.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/17/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-contest-andy-burnham-makerfield-byelection-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates">Continue reading...</a> Politics UK news Labour Keir Starmer PMQs David Lammy Makerfield byelection Greater Manchester Andy Burnham Wes Streeting Labour party leadership Adoption Bridget Phillipson Brexit Nigel Farage House of Commons Conservatives Motoring Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jun/17/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-contest-andy-burnham-makerfield-byelection-wes-streeting-latest-news-updates Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters Photograph: Temilade Adelaja/Reuters Andrew Sparrow 2026-06-17T17:00:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/starmer-brexit-return-to-eu-g7-summit-labour-manifesto <p>Speaking at the G7 summit, prime minister says he stands by Labour’s manifesto pledge not to rejoin bloc</p><p>The UK and the European Union should not waste time “looking backwards” to Brexit, Keir Starmer said on Wednesday, as he comes under pressure to reconsider rejoining the EU.</p><p>The prime minister reaffirmed his government’s manifesto commitment to not re-enter the bloc, but said there had been “real progress” with the relationship, which was “slowly but surely building”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/starmer-brexit-return-to-eu-g7-summit-labour-manifesto">Continue reading...</a> Keir Starmer European Union Brexit G7 Politics UK news Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:38 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/17/starmer-brexit-return-to-eu-g7-summit-labour-manifesto Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Photograph: Isabel Infantes/Reuters Alexandra Topping in Évian-les-Bains 2026-06-17T16:00:38Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17/lib-dems-to-urge-labour-to-drop-torpor-and-timidity-on-eu-and-rejoin-single-market <p>Exclusive: Ed Davey to make call ahead of 10th anniversary of Brexit vote, in strengthening of party’s position on EU</p><p>The Lib Dems will urge Andy Burnham to end Labour’s “torpor and timidity” towards the EU as they call for the UK to rejoin the single market, in a notable strengthening of their own position.</p><p>Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote next week, Ed Davey will challenge Burnham to scrap Labour’s red lines on the customs union and single market if he becomes prime minister and immediately begin talks on a more ambitious deal with the EU.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17/lib-dems-to-urge-labour-to-drop-torpor-and-timidity-on-eu-and-rejoin-single-market">Continue reading...</a> European Union Liberal Democrats Labour Andy Burnham Brexit Economic policy Europe Foreign policy Politics UK news Ed Davey Economic growth (GDP) Business Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:22 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/17/lib-dems-to-urge-labour-to-drop-torpor-and-timidity-on-eu-and-rejoin-single-market Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA Pippa Crerar and Jennifer Rankin 2026-06-17T05:00:22Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/16/eu-uk-announce-summit-reset-post-brexit-relations <p>Meeting was delayed over details of youth mobility scheme allowing under-30s freedom to work and study in each other’s territory</p><p>The EU and the UK have announced they will hold their next summit to discuss the “reset” in relations between London and Brussels on 22 July.</p><p>The summit, which will be held in Brussels, has been delayed several times, with talks over a youth mobility scheme allowing under-30s to work, travel or study in each other’s territory deadlocked in recent weeks, fuelling speculation the summit would be postponed until the autumn.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/16/eu-uk-announce-summit-reset-post-brexit-relations">Continue reading...</a> European Union Europe World news UK news Keir Starmer Politics Brexit Foreign policy Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:02:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/16/eu-uk-announce-summit-reset-post-brexit-relations Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: Getty Images Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent 2026-06-16T17:02:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain <p><strong>It’s a decade since the MP for Batley and Spen was killed by a far-right extremist. Her sister Kim Leadbeater, who took over her parliamentary seat, explains what lessons are still to be learned.</strong></p><p></p><p>Jo Cox was a Labour MP for Batley and Spen, the place where she had grown up and had known her whole life. She was firmly pro-Europe, a passionate campaigner for social justice - and the mother of two young children, five and three years old. On 16 June 2016, at the height of a toxic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/eu-referendum">Brexit</a> campaign, Jo was murdered by a far-right extremist. He shot and stabbed her several times outside Birstall library in West Yorkshire, shouting “This is for Britain.” She was 41 years old.</p><p></p><p>Her sister Kim Leadbeater and her family set up the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/jo-cox">Jo Cox</a> Foundation in her honour, and took on her former constituency. But a decade later, with far-right ideas increasingly mainstream and far-right violence more common, Leadbeater tells <strong>Nosheen Iqbal</strong> what lessons we can all learn from the tragedy.</p><p></p><p>Thumbnail image credit:</p><p>James Manning/PA Wire<br>Jo Cox Foundation/PA Wire</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain">Continue reading...</a> Jo Cox The far right Brexit Politics Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:52:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain Photograph: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Photograph: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Presented by Nosheen Iqbal with Kim Leadbeater ; produced by Eleanor Biggs, May Robson, Claudia Efemini, Aisha Riaz and Nada Smiljanic ; executive producer Homa Khaleeli 2026-06-16T08:52:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/16/division-in-uk-probably-worse-now-than-in-run-up-to-brexit-says-kim-leadbeater <p>Labour MP warns of voices fanning hatred on eve of 10th anniversary of the murder of her sister, the MP Jo Cox</p><p>• <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain-podcast">How the murder of my sister changed Britain – podcast</a></p><p>Political hatred and division in the UK is probably worse now than during the Brexit referendum, when Jo Cox was murdered, says Kim Leadbeater, Cox’s sister who is now also a Labour MP.</p><p>Speaking to the Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast Leadbeater, who was elected to the same Yorkshire seat held by Cox <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/02/labour-candidate-kim-leadbeater-wins-batley-and-spen-byelection">in a 2021 byelection</a>, said everyone in public life had a responsibility to try and ease tensions.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/16/division-in-uk-probably-worse-now-than-in-run-up-to-brexit-says-kim-leadbeater">Continue reading...</a> Jo Cox Far right Brexit Communities Politics UK news Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:00:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/16/division-in-uk-probably-worse-now-than-in-run-up-to-brexit-says-kim-leadbeater Composite: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Composite: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Composite: Guardian Design/REX/Shutterstock Peter Walker and Nosheen Iqbal 2026-06-16T05:00:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain-podcast <p>It’s a decade since the MP for Batley and Spen was killed by a far-right extremist. Her sister, <strong>Kim Leadbeater</strong>, who took over her parliamentary seat, explains what lessons are still to be learned</p><p>Jo Cox was the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, the place she had grown up and had known her whole life. She was firmly pro-Europe, a passionate campaigner for social justice, and the mother of two young children, aged five and three. On 16 June 2016, at the height of a toxic Brexit campaign, she was murdered by a far-right extremist. He shot and stabbed her several times outside Birstall library in West Yorkshire, shouting: “This is for Britain.” She was 41.</p><p>Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, and her family set up the Jo Cox Foundation in her honour, and Leadbeater took on her former constituency. A decade later, with far-right ideas increasingly mainstream and far-right violence more common, Leadbeater tells <strong>Nosheen Iqbal</strong> what lessons we can learn from the tragedy.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain-podcast">Continue reading...</a> Jo Cox Brexit Politics UK news Labour British identity and society West Yorkshire England Society Tue, 16 Jun 2026 02:00:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jun/16/how-the-of-my-sister-jo-cox-changed-britain-podcast Photograph: Jo Cox Foundation/PA Photograph: Jo Cox Foundation/PA Photograph: Jo Cox Foundation/PA Presented by Nosheen Iqbal with Kim Leadbeater; produced by Eleanor Biggs, May Robson, Claudia Efemini, Aisha Riaz and Rudi Zygadlo; executive producer Homa Khaleeli 2026-06-16T02:00:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/15/britain-rejoin-european-union-needs-to-understand-it-uk <p>A full return will require a marathon of democratic persuasion, on the continent as much as in Britain. For one side holds most of the cards</p><p>As Britain approaches the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the EU, the British are beginning to debate rejoining what they call Europe. But, as in most previous British debates about “Europe”, this is Europe with the Europe left out. The discussion is all about what would be best for Britain economically and the British politics of getting there. Little or no account is taken of what the rest of Europe thinks or cares about. The other day, the Treasury minister Lord Livermore became the first member of the government to publicly endorse rejoining the EU. “Of course,” he <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-eu-rejoin-brexit-lord-livermore-b2987576.html">told the House of Lords</a>, “the UK will re-enter the European Union because it’s absolutely in our national economic interest.” As if we had only to knock on the EU’s door and – abracadabra! – we would immediately be welcomed back in.</p><p>If you asked all sitting British MPs to say when the European Council is next meeting in Brussels, I doubt that more than a handful could give you the right answer. In fact, I wonder how many could immediately tell you what the European Council is. It’s instructive to look at <a href="https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/CM-5-2026-INIT/en/pdf">the agenda</a> for that top table gathering of the national leaders of the 27 EU member states, together with the union’s key institutional leaders. Between 6pm this Thursday and lunchtime on Friday, they hope to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, the EU’s next seven-year budget, global economic challenges, European defence and security, migration and illicit drugs. So they have, to put it mildly, a lot on their plate.</p><p>Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, political writer and Guardian columnist. His new book, <a href="https://www.timothygartonash.com/shortest/">Europe in 7½ Chapters</a>, will be published this autumn</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/15/britain-rejoin-european-union-needs-to-understand-it-uk">Continue reading...</a> European Union Brexit Keir Starmer Labour Foreign policy Politics UK news Europe Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:00:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/15/britain-rejoin-european-union-needs-to-understand-it-uk Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Timothy Garton Ash 2026-06-15T15:00:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/14/how-uk-economy-changed-since-brexit-vote-charts <p>Forecasters were wrong about an immediate recession but right that we would be worse off outside the EU</p><p>As the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote approaches, the verdict on Britain’s economic performance is clear: voting to leave has resulted in severe costs for households and businesses.</p><p>The immediate recession predicted in the Treasury forecasts ordered by George Osborne – dubbed “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2016/jun/27/project-fear-over-says-boris-johnson-video">project fear</a>” by the Leave campaign – did not happen. The impact from the Covid pandemic, wars in Ukraine and Iran, and Donald Trump’s trade battles also cloud the picture.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/14/how-uk-economy-changed-since-brexit-vote-charts">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Economic policy European Union Politics Europe Economics UK news Business International trade Unemployment Foreign policy Global economy Investing Productivity Government borrowing Economic growth (GDP) Young people Immigration and asylum Sun, 14 Jun 2026 05:00:34 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/14/how-uk-economy-changed-since-brexit-vote-charts Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian Richard Partington Senior economics correspondent 2026-06-14T05:00:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/12/ten-years-after-the-vote-we-have-some-new-slogans-for-the-brexit-bus <p>Readers respond to an article by Jonathan Freedland about our entire political and cultural landscape being shaped by the referendum</p><p>Jonathan Freedland is right to highlight the disastrous role played by David Cameron and George Osborne in using the prospect of an in/out referendum to garner votes in the 2015 election, with a view to dropping it if the expected coalition with the Lib Dems emerged (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/05/britain-lies-disinformation-brexit-bus-economy-vote">Britain is a swamp of lies and disinformation – and we got here on the Brexit bus, 5 June</a>).</p><p>But even their win with a majority did not necessitate the calamity the country suffered. They could have kept their referendum commitment, but demanded that those proposing leave come up with a model for it to be put to the electorate as the “out” option.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/12/ten-years-after-the-vote-we-have-some-new-slogans-for-the-brexit-bus">Continue reading...</a> Brexit European Union Politics UK news David Cameron George Osborne Labour Austerity Liberal Democrats Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:59:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/12/ten-years-after-the-vote-we-have-some-new-slogans-for-the-brexit-bus Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-06-12T16:59:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/12/ireland-asylum-seekers-northern-land-border <p>Figures suggest common travel area being used in both directions, but particularly UK to Ireland</p><p>Up to 90% of asylum seekers in Ireland may have entered the country via the Northern Ireland land border in the last three years, figures suggest.</p><p>Irish government data shows the common travel area (CTA) is being exploited in both directions but suggests it may be more popular for those seeking asylum in Ireland than in the UK.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/12/ireland-asylum-seekers-northern-land-border">Continue reading...</a> Immigration and asylum Ireland UK news Northern Ireland Northern Irish politics Belfast Europe Politics Brexit Foreign policy European Union Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:00:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/12/ireland-asylum-seekers-northern-land-border Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent 2026-06-12T04:00:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-review-tv-no-right-this-much-of-a-hoot <p>Yes, it’s a documentary on a sobering topic. But when you’ve got an endless stream of blockbuster names spouting irresistible gossip – plus Nigel Farage being a total panto dame – you can’t help but have a ball</p><p>Let’s get one thing straight immediately: no documentary about Brexit should be this much of a hoot. The dread many felt when the referendum result came in – a fear that reactionary populism was on the rise and Britain was entering an era of managed decline – has only bloomed like mould in the intervening decade. Brexit was the source of much inadvertent comedy, of course, but to see it treated so irreverently en masse does leave a bit of a bad taste. Laughing at a YouTube compilation of politicians accidentally saying breakfast instead of Brexit? Fine. Chortling along with Nigel Farage as he reminisces about tensions between Dominic Cummings and Arron Banks? Tittering as Boris Johnson blathers about losing a tennis match to David Cameron during which the prime minister tried to secure his support for remain? No thanks.</p><p>Still, there is something extremely difficult to resist about Brexit: A Very British Civil War, a talking head-heavy chronicle of the period between the 2015 general election and the referendum itself. Rather than get bogged down in po-faced sincerity or hand-wringing about integrity (like the remain campaign!), it deals almost exclusively in attention-grabbing bombast (like the leave campaigns!). From the off we’re blasted with Brexit-flavoured juice. Vote Leave bosses “didn’t really want to win”, says Farage. Johnson’s position had “nothing to do with the EU,” says George Osborne. “It was Game of Thrones.” Johnson denies this, stifling a smile. “Everybody says I did this in order to be PM. I would have become prime minister anyway.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-review-tv-no-right-this-much-of-a-hoot">Continue reading...</a> Television Culture Television & radio Brexit Politics UK news Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:35 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-review-tv-no-right-this-much-of-a-hoot Photograph: BBC/Zinc Television Photograph: BBC/Zinc Television Photograph: BBC/Zinc Television Rachel Aroesti 2026-06-08T21:00:35Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/tv-tonight-brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-bbc-two <p>All the big hitters – on the leave side, anyway – are rolled out for Brexit: A Very British Civil War. Plus: the return of scouse comedy G’Wed. Here’s what to watch this evening</p><p><strong>9pm, BBC Two</strong><br> What a decade it’s been. As the nation prepares to link hands and joyfully celebrate the 10th anniversary of the decision to leave the EU, this two-part documentary recaps the febrile weeks and months around that choice. History, it is said, is written by the winners. And so it proves here: disappointingly, this story is told overwhelmingly from the perspective of the factions making up the leave campaign, as Michael Gove, Kate Hoey, Nigel Farage, Arron Banks and Boris Johnson offer their thoughts. Meanwhile, in the remain corner, it’s basically David Cameron, George Osborne and, muttering sadly to himself, Jeremy Corbyn. Fascinating and horrifying. <em>Phil Harrison</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/tv-tonight-brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-bbc-two">Continue reading...</a> Television Television & radio Culture Brexit Gareth Southgate Springwatch Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:20:17 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/08/tv-tonight-brexit-a-very-british-civil-war-bbc-two Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Zinc Television/Alamy/PA Images/Dominic Lipinski Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Zinc Television/Alamy/PA Images/Dominic Lipinski Photograph: PHOTOGRAPHER:/CREDIT LINE:BBC/Zinc Television/Alamy/PA Images/Dominic Lipinski Phil Harrison, Graeme Virtue, Hollie Richardson and Priya Elan 2026-06-08T05:20:17Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/07/eu-uk-car-industry-lobbying-second-brexit-ev-tariff-delay <p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> deal in 2020 had sought to stimulate local battery making but industry says it still cannot meet targets</p><p>The EU and UK car industries are urging the European Commission to adjust the Brexit trade deal and suspend, for a second time, tariffs on imports of electric vehicles.</p><p>They have expressed concerns that they will not be able to meet the conditions set for 1 January 2027 for tariff-free sales. This is because of strict rules of origin over what products can qualify for tariff-free trade under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement which has applied since 2021.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/07/eu-uk-car-industry-lobbying-second-brexit-ev-tariff-delay">Continue reading...</a> Automotive industry Manufacturing sector Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars European Commission UK news Brexit European Union Europe Business Energy storage Energy Sun, 07 Jun 2026 06:00:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/07/eu-uk-car-industry-lobbying-second-brexit-ev-tariff-delay Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Ronny Hartmann/AFP/Getty Images Lisa O’Carroll 2026-06-07T06:00:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/05/britain-lies-disinformation-brexit-bus-economy-vote <p>Ten years after the vote, our economy is battered – and our national conversation darkens by the day. Still, there is reason for hope</p><p>When the anniversary comes, later this month, few will be in the mood to look back. All the political talk will be of the Makerfield byelection, of the future of this government and this prime minister. And yet, it would be wise to reflect on <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/24/britain-votes-for-brexit-eu-referendum-david-cameron">what happened</a> on 23 June 2016 – if only because the choices Keir Starmer and his would-be successors face, indeed the entire political and cultural landscape we now inhabit, are informed or were shaped by that event. We are living in Brexit Britain.</p><p>A useful prompt comes from the upcoming two-part BBC series <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002xhvj/brexit-a-very-british-civil-war">Brexit: A Very British Civil War</a>, made by the master documentarian Norma Percy. Speaking to (nearly) every key player, it brings it all back – the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/27/the-guardian-view-on-the-leave-campaign-show-some-respect-for-truth">red bus</a>, “take back control”, the pantomime river battle of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/15/nigel-farage-bob-geldof-rival-eu-referendum-thames-flotillas">Nigel Farage v Bob Geldof</a>.</p><p>Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/05/britain-lies-disinformation-brexit-bus-economy-vote">Continue reading...</a> Brexit Economic policy Politics Foreign policy UK news Boris Johnson David Cameron George Osborne Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:10:52 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/05/britain-lies-disinformation-brexit-bus-economy-vote Illustration: Matt Kenyon/The Guardian Illustration: Matt Kenyon/The Guardian Illustration: Matt Kenyon/The Guardian Jonathan Freedland 2026-06-05T16:10:52Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/05/a-low-birthrate-isnt-the-end-of-the-world <p>Population fears | Pure, cold rage | Protest arrests | Broom v leaf blower </p><p>Surely the old will be cared for by robots while watching endless pictures of kittens (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/31/right-solution-falling-birthrates-immigration-reform-maga">The right is desperate for a solution to falling birthrates. Who’s going to tell them that the answer is immigration?, 31 May</a>). As the population falls, there will be a glut of housing, which will become&nbsp;affordable, and so women&nbsp;will be able to have more children and the cycle will begin&nbsp;again, assuming that one or&nbsp;other of the megalomaniacs haven’t blown us all to smithereens&nbsp;first.<br><strong>Mary Bolton</strong><br><em>Chiswick, London</em></p><p>• Nigel Farage has called for “pure,&nbsp;cold rage” (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/02/keir-starmer-far-right-exploit-henry-nowak-murder">Starmer urges calm as far right seeks to exploit Henry Nowak murder, 2 June</a>). Strangely enough, this is precisely what I have felt since he and his cronies cheated me out of my EU&nbsp;membership back in 2016.<br><strong>Shane Roberts</strong><br><em>Easton, Bristol</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/05/a-low-birthrate-isnt-the-end-of-the-world">Continue reading...</a> Population Children Nigel Farage Brexit Palestine Action Protest Police Gardening advice Politics Labour Keir Starmer UK news Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:31:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/05/a-low-birthrate-isnt-the-end-of-the-world Photograph: Posed by models; Olga Pankova/Getty Images Photograph: Posed by models; Olga Pankova/Getty Images Photograph: Posed by models; Olga Pankova/Getty Images Guardian Staff 2026-06-05T15:31:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/05/quarter-of-uk-musicians-have-lost-all-eu-work-since-2021-report-finds <p>Average tour earnings down 45%, with nearly three-fifths of musicians saying touring in Europe is no longer viable</p><p>More than a quarter of British musicians have lost all their work in the European Union since 2021, according to new research.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/creating-culture-together#recommendations">report by European Movement UK</a>, a cross-party campaign group advocating closer UK-EU relations, found that nearly half of British musicians had experienced a reduced amount of work in the EU since 2021, while more than a quarter had stopped working there altogether.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/05/quarter-of-uk-musicians-have-lost-all-eu-work-since-2021-report-finds">Continue reading...</a> Music industry Music Brexit European Union Culture UK news Europe World news Business Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:52:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/05/quarter-of-uk-musicians-have-lost-all-eu-work-since-2021-report-finds Photograph: Dimitris Legakis/The Guardian Photograph: Dimitris Legakis/The Guardian Photograph: Dimitris Legakis/The Guardian Amelia Hill 2026-06-05T13:52:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/04/i-wouldnt-flinch-burnham-on-social-care-markets-brexit-and-the-prospect-of-a-general-election <p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Greater Manchester mayor sets out his priorities before Makerfield byelection – and what might happen after the vote</p><p>Andy Burnham has signalled he would begin transforming England’s broken social care system this year if he became prime minister, accusing Westminster of “flinching away” from tackling difficult policy problems.</p><p>The Greater Manchester mayor said politicians must be willing to take on “the weight of the system” that stood in the way of radical change, as he began to set out his prospectus for government if he won the Makerfield byelection.</p><p>Said Labour should be a broad church with more government ministers from the left of the party, but Jeremy Corbyn should not be allowed back in.</p><p>Signalled there would be no snap election if he replaced Keir Starmer, but defended himself from criticism over a shadow leadership campaign.</p><p>Defended his comments that politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/25/andy-burnham-alarms-city-call-end-uk-dependence-foreign-lenders">should not be “in hock” to the bond markets</a>, and denied he was boxing himself in by sticking to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules.</p><p>Argued it would be a mistake to rerun the Brexit referendum but that he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime.</p><p>Praised Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, for “facing up” to the big issues on immigration.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/04/i-wouldnt-flinch-burnham-on-social-care-markets-brexit-and-the-prospect-of-a-general-election">Continue reading...</a> Andy Burnham Makerfield byelection Labour Social care Labour party leadership Greater Manchester UK news Society Politics Older people Brexit Byelections Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:25:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/04/i-wouldnt-flinch-burnham-on-social-care-markets-brexit-and-the-prospect-of-a-general-election Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Pippa Crerar 2026-06-04T21:25:44Z