it was confirmed this week that the brexit talks between britain and the eu can finally move to the second phase. what a week for britain's prime minister theresa may — losing a parliamentary vote in london, but getting a round of applause from leading eu figures in brussels. though by fridayjean claudejuncker and angela merkel were among those pointing out that phase two of the negotiations will be much harder than phase one. talks move injanuary to discussion of the transition period. yasmin, the pm more than soldiers on... to raise a soldier ‘s honour. to raise a soldier 's honour. you have to add my hurt when you think she is down and out, somehow she brings out something in her. —— admire her. she is also... i can't imagine what it feels like to be in her position. she is battling on many fronts within her own party all

these issues. i think we have to admire that she didn't collapse into admire that she didn't collapse into a heap and stop crying. they applauded her strength. the europeans have been so civilised, i have to say, through all of this. they are a very civilised bunch. i don't think we are very civilised when we are talking about them. theresa may has been, which is why she got a round of applause. jean—claude juncker says she was polite and friendly. she started that in florence and that new tone with her speech. the madness of this plays was not getting us anywhere. she did say, "we want to be friends and good for europe." she comes to this mad house that is the conservative party and she has do negotiate quite a lot. what is to come is so difficult. god help her

and us. there is a very important cabinet meeting and that goes to the heart of what she has two address. britain is too big a country to fail. this is a defining moment in the own history and we need to come together. the can't be brutal and bloody minded about britain. there isa bloody minded about britain. there is a reason for europe to be civilised because their own house is not in order. there are certain aspects of the summit meeting in brussels which were not reported as much because everyone was focused on brexit. there are huge problems waiting with the migration issue come the eu is by no means a hard on fa st come the eu is by no means a hard on fast currency to sustain itself. they need new economic balls to make

sure the currency survives and there are plans that the french have put forward of a harmonisation in europe which the germans are dead set against. germany, there is no reason for angela merkel to be civilised because she has no government at the moment. none of this has been reported in the uk. it looks pretty bleak because the total division of opinion inside germany is such that nobody seems to agree on anything with anybody. i wonder why in western democracy, the outcome of elections are murky and indecisive. the voters don't trust politicians enough to give any party a clear majority to rule the country. that is at the heart of the problem. majority to rule the country. that is at the heart of the problemlj agree. this idea of europe being

civilised but europe is quite divided both on brexit, where there are very different views, but within its own entity. migration, there was a huge debate about that on thursday night in brussels. other talks about eurozone governance but tax. countries like ireland, the netherlands, luxembourg, they are very worried about harms the taxation. there is a real blow and the loss of britain as a huge member of the eu will have more subtle implications in years to come not least with the idea of trade and free market. britain was always good up free market. britain was always good up to the french. the implications there of britain leaving are more nebulous but they will be felt for

years to come. that is a good thing for europe because we have not been a good member of the eu. we have never committed to this relationship and the low tax and... is what specifics? we have always had this argument. we don't want to be part of this. the neoliberal model is vast and i think the low tax economy like the one you are talking about, they have to rethink. this goes to they have to rethink. this goes to the heart of it. it will probably not change but i wouldn't agree with that entirely. britain may have played the role of being an outsider but officials in brussels were very clever in making a lot of the rules. also the other irony of brexit was britain had the best of both worlds. it had an opt out from a lot of

justice legislation. it was always half in. there was quite a good deal, many people think. as time went on, more people in this country felt european. there was an emotion involved that we feel has now been severed. because they wanted it all, i still feel the eu action may want to ta ke i still feel the eu action may want to take on the tax paid by the internet giants is a good thing. it isa internet giants is a good thing. it is a very good thing. a lot of people don't believe that. it is not simple. defence is another one. a

numberof simple. defence is another one. a number of countries in the eu are not members of nato. in the civilised language, a subtle attempt to strengthen her hand in the own country to make her look more impressive than some are saying. the middle round view will gain ascendancy in the cabinet. it is a subtle way to make sure not the mad crowd will win the day in britain. you have some grumbling saying margaret thatcher never got abroad when she won the rebate. maybe she has given up too much and she should be playing hard ball a bit more. i think whatever deal she gets out of the eu would be a reflection of where the eu is going. we need to think about that. you saw some more positive statements coming out of

the continent. the belgian prime minister saying he thought canada plus should be the cornerstone of any future negotiations with the uk. it is in keeping with what david davis has said. the majority of what the cabinet supports. many people thought they came dead deer unrealistic and a fantasy. i think how europe handles this will be a real reflection of where it is going. david davis and his ramblings on what was decided by mrs may was a statement of intent. they have been very tough. things will be as they are until 2019. the transition period, more or less everything stays the same. we are playing them. wet look at the transition period is

interesting. if we are looking at a two—year transition period, things are broadly the same for very many years to come. we are still part of the ec], the trade deal is going to be similar. you have been a member of the eu for 43 years so what is another five years? by the time we get to the end point, who knows? do any of us know what the eu was going to look like by the time we reach that point? they have used the time to become aware how terrible it would be to lose britain. you have to come up with an accommodating deal at the end of the day because britain is too big to fail in the eyes of europe. they have to make extra effort to accommodate whatever the discussion will throw up in britain. i think we have a major

paradox now approaching on the tracks which is today, philip hammond in china was sick you wanted a deal that would replicate status quo. that is essentially what they are going to want. the northern ireland issue epitomised this by saying there won't be aboard in northern ireland and ireland. northern ireland and ireland. northern ireland and ireland. northern ireland will stay in the customs union and singles market and that has implications for the rest of uk. we are not in the single market but essentially we are. will the eu allow that? i don't think they will if they don't allow free movement. i am saying to you that the europeans have said you cannot do any trade deal independently until after this period. canada, do any trade deal independently untilafterthis period. canada, it took them eight years. there waiting

for britain. it is going to be very difficult. theresa may has been able to forge a number of issues with this preliminary agreement. you can't fudge things in trade talks. language has to be specific. the language in northern ireland can mean many things to many people. she will have a tough ride and this will not be easy. canada plus plus will be difficult negotiations. particularly over financial services which is incredibly important to the british economy and you can see the continent making offers to paris. nevertheless, there is a sense of community in europe. a sense of growing awareness that we have to be

on the positive and try to see if their will is some way of solving this conundrum. it is a cruel introduction of british policies which are mind—boggling. introduction of british policies which are mind-boggling. powerful people in the tory party and some labour, for whom it is never going to be good enough. it is never going to be good enough. it is never going to be good enough. it is never going to be enough. that is what theresa may has to navigate in the coming weeks and we will see what emerges from the cabinet meeting this week. in the us, the first democrat has been elected senator for alabama in 20 years. doug jones beat roy moore, even though the republican had been endorsed by president trump. did moore lose because of the allegations of sexual harrassment against him, or does the vote suggest wider problems for the administration? the republicans now have just 51 out of the 100 seats in the senate. stephanie how significant was the alabama vote? it was very significant for a number

of reasons. short—term, it makes it more difficult for donald trump to get his agenda through congress. they only have one vote and can lose in the senate. republicans have opposed him on a number of issues. they will get the tax bill through because doug jones will not be sworn in and they will vote on it next week. he will be sworn in after. welfare infrastructure, spending, judicial appointments, there is the divisions in the republican party that great and the possibility of swing votes will be much greater. long—term, some in the republican party said this was a special election. roy moore is accused paedophile with some extreme views ona number of

paedophile with some extreme views on a number of issues from the us constitution to and religion. you can't predict a democratic sweep nationwide in the november midterms. however, the democrats are very energised and see a road map from their victories in pigeon and alabama. now you have an increasing realisation amongst the democratic party that they have spent too much money on advertising and not enough on voter turnout. that is how they we re on voter turnout. that is how they were able to secure doug jones' victory. it was a strong african—american turnout. victory. it was a strong african-american turnout. 3096 turnout of black voters which was higher under barack obama. if they can replicate that in other races, they have a pabst of victory. what is the future of steve bannon? he has been waging war on the

republican party. a huge supporter and persuaded donald trump to back him. can the republican party cut him. can the republican party cut him off or will he be allowed to continue to field these toxic candidates in republican primaries that end up in the election not able to win and not able to swing —— secure the votes from swing voters. do they nuclei is the war or does he still get the upper vote. suzanne, what was your view? this could be a turning point for donald trump. if you look at the figures, suburban districts that voted for donald trump in 2016 flipped and voted for

a doug jones. there was also a very potent election in pigeon last month. same thing happened. it was a strong african—american vote. the idea of democrats winning an election in alabama at the moment would be beyond their wildest dreams. now one wanted to protect theirs. there are serious questions about donald trump's judgment theirs. there are serious questions about donald trump'sjudgment in terms of his decision to back this guy that everybody advised him not to back. i think this battle that has been happening will dominate the midterms next year. do we stick with conservative republicans or the route of candidates represented at _by route of candidates represented at —— by donald trump. they would be

much more careful about who they choose in the midterms next year and it will make it more difficult for democrats then if there is a sensible republican that will be more difficult to win that seat. donald trump still has a huge following. nationally, it is very low. in alabama, his base still voted for roy moore. we're not talking about a massive election win. centage wise, it was still a small victory. there weren't as many people. a lot of them that voted for donald trump did not vote for the republican candidate. southern parts of alabama, they did. in the suburbs and urban areas, they didn't. you saw people who have voted for trump then turned. donald trump's own election was very close. it takes

something small and if these suburban voters are flipping, that isa suburban voters are flipping, that is a worry for the republicans. suburban voters are flipping, that is a worry for the republicanslj ta ke is a worry for the republicans.” take comfort from the woods that he is in take comfort from the woods that he isina take comfort from the woods that he is in a difficult state because the re st of is in a difficult state because the rest of the world is wondering whether america... the president, rest of the world is wondering whetheramerica... the president, it isa whetheramerica... the president, it is a huge burden on the international scene and for the prospect of a republican party moderating itself in voting for someone else, it is huge news. the uncertainty. it is the whole circle. he isa uncertainty. it is the whole circle. he is a product of what they have been doing behind the scenes. the alt right —— outright influence remains very strong. it will not win them an election. people forget how close it was when donald trump one.

it doesn't take that much to push a democrat over the line. in the midterms, you have got senate seats openin midterms, you have got senate seats open in states that trump one. that would be an uphill struggle for the democrats. you already see paul ryan, the republican leader, saying he is soul—searching. there is this report that he has been considering resigning and not running in november 20 18. the feeling that if the republicans tried to go after special counsel, robert muller, does he want to be fronting mats? that will play a huge effect on how the november midterms play out. we don't know what else is robert muller is sitting on and what else he can come out with. sitting on and what else he can come

outwith. he has got with four indictments and has two cooperating with him. i would not downplay how much additional indictments could affect the prospects for the republican party going forward. on a lot of conservative channels, the talk was about robert muller's investigation and there is now a theory that the investigation against donald trump is biased. a lot of conservative media are saying it. he went to an fbi graduation ceremony yesterday and on his way, he gave a speech saying the fbi were disc rates fall, he was going to fix things, the hillary clinton investigation was a hoax and there was a witchhunt against him. we have an unprecedented breakdown in relations between fbi and the executive. also we have a concerted

effort to delegitimise the investigation. if you do is find out anything negative about donald trump, donald trump is ready to see this investigation was flawed and we don't trust them. it is a serious issue. it is to do with this terrible dangerous thing that has grown both in this country and the us, that the elite is plotting against the interests of the people. they played this every time. they are out to get donald trump, they have created this thing, this is a man who the people want and all of this rhetoric. evident... vladimir putin gave his press conference this week where he deprived himself of the problems that donald trump is happening. he is deep in trouble about this connection with america. he has his hands dirty because of the influence and interference of

russia. the fact that vladimir putin is on the side of the donald trump camp, makes me sure the investigation will come out all right. i read that they asked a group of americans outside the main big cities where russia was and three quarters of the people had never heard the word, russia. we're talking about levels of ignorance that really striking. you talk about the vote and the tax laws. that assuming it goes through will be trumpeted as his first big legislative victory. we know the arguments on both sides but he and the administration will betray this as delivering on his election promises. he will score a victory on that front. however, what is unclear

is how much that tax cut will be felt by voters by november 20 18. some voters will feel it immediately but it gives the democrats a platform to campaign on. this was a massive tax cut for the wealthy and for big corporations and four trump himself. the businesses, it is remarkable how much he and the organisations would benefit from this tax cuts. that gives them a natural platform to campaign on and it is incredibly unpopular, this tax cut. it is corporate and personal. $1 trillion of tax cuts. $1 trillion goes to the corporations. the impact on the middle classes? 200 to 300 billion for individual tax cuts.

again, attacks go at the top honours —— burners, which is the latest. although it will cut taxes on middle and low income, those expire and some won't necessarily feel that until they file their tax returns the following year. we have seen from previous tax cuts under barack obama, he gave similar tax cuts of 800 and most people didn't notice it. if people don't notice any real benefits from this tax cuts and democrats are campaigning this was a massive cut for the rich, then that happens them a lot of firepower. an interesting note on which to end. that is all we have time for this week. join us next week if you can. thanks for watching, goodbye. hello. it has been called for the

last few weeks. now we are starting to see a change and we are expecting it to take place during this weekend. there is a plume of milder air pushing in and it is going to be with us for much of next week also. back to today and it is another cold one. it has been a frosty start. more cloud and a few splashes of rain further south and west. it will be damp the parts of the west country in towards wales. to the east, asian stayed pretty dry. it

would be called for more kneeling —— northern england and scotland. temperatures around six celsius in belfast. sunshine and one or two shelves for the north of scotland. for the football matches this afternoon across england, it is going to be damp for a while. it should dry up later on. elsewhere, cold and largely dry. sony for the scottish premiership matches. temperatures around three celsius at best. those temperatures fall away in scotland and eastern parts of england. this is where we see the change and a weather front brings in stronger winds and outbreaks of rain. less cold here but a very cold one across eastern areas again. subzero values and we will probably wa ke subzero values and we will probably wake up to another frost on sunday morning. this is the weather system moving in from the west. tightly

packed isobars and it would be a windy day across the northern half of the uk. some of that rate will be heavy and persistent. it becomes light as it sinks south eastwards. it is wetter and cloudier through the day. the sky brightened up and behind that weather friend, you can see double—figure value starting to push into the west. as we heading towards next week, we have a run of south—westerly winds rooted down from the azores. it is set to stay mild. with this mild air comes a lot of cloud. sunshine will be limited. the most diverse, it should stay on the dry side. —— most of us. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at midday: a leading brexit supporting mp says he's unhappy about the idea of britain staying in the single market and customs union during any transition period. we cannot be a colony of the european union for two

years from 2019 to 2021, accepting new laws that are made without any say—so of the british people, parliament or government. police in canada say they're treating the deaths of the billionaire businessman barry sherman and his wifea ' after a bitter campaign, south africa's governing anc is preparing to vote for a new leader to replace president jacob zuma. wildfires in southern california continue to burn out of control — scorching an area larger than new york city and paris combined.