your headlines. the canadian pharmaceutical billionaire barry sherman and his wife have been found dead at their home in toronto. police have described the death as suspicious. the south african president jacob zuma says that the country and the governing anc faces enormous challenges as the party gathers to vote for a new leader. a leading supporter brexit has said the uk cannot become a colony of the european union during the expected two—year transition period after britain's withdrawal. and renowned scientist and television presenter heinz wolff has died at the age of 89. well, now, it is dateline london. hello and a very warm welcome to

dateline london. this week we are reflecting on some movement finally you might say in the brexit talks. and we will be asking whether the election of a democrat in alabama really is a blow to donald trump. let me introduce you to my guests this week. american writer stephanie baker, suzanne lynch from the irish times, jasmine brown and... a very warm welcome again to all of you. we really have seen the end of the beginning. it was confirmed this week the brexit talks can finally move to the second phase. what a week for prime minister theresa may.

losing a parliamentary vote in london but getting a round of applause from leading figures in brussels. although by friday, jean—claude juncker and angela merkel were among those pointing out that phase two will be much harder than phase one. yasmin, theresa may very much soldiers on, more than soldiers on, many would say. you have to admire her, just when you think she is down and out somehow she... adversity seems to bring out something in her. and you have to do admire it. she is also, i think... i and you have to do admire it. she is also, ithink... i cannot and you have to do admire it. she is also, i think... i cannot imagine what it feels like to be in the position because she is battling on six or seven position because she is battling on six oi’ seven france position because she is battling on six or seven france within her own party. all these issues. so, yes, i think what would dateline hast to admire she did not collapse into a heap and start crying. they applauded her strength. ithink

heap and start crying. they applauded her strength. i think the europeans have been so civilised through all of this. they are a very civilised bunch. i don't think we are very civilised when we are talking about them. i am really pleased. theresa may presumably has been. that is why she got a round of applause. jean—claude juncker said she had polite and friendly. and she started that in florence. i think she started that new tone with her florence speech. the madness of this place was just not getting us anywhere so she did say we want to be friends, we wanted to be good for europe and that was good and then she comes back to this madhouse that is the conservative party and so she has to negotiate quite a lot. i think what is to come is so difficult. god help her and us. one of the things that is to come is an important cabinet meeting on tuesday. that goes to the heart of what she has two address within her own party. let's talk to a polite,

civilised european. britain is too big a country to lose... too big to fail. they need to come to their senses and realise this is a dividing moment in their own history and we need to come together. we cannot be bloody—minded about britain. secondly there is a reason for europe to be civilised because their own house is not totally in order. there are certain aspects of the summit meeting in brussels that weren't really the summit meeting in brussels that we ren't really reported the summit meeting in brussels that weren't really reported much in britain because everyone is focused on brexit. huge problems waiting down the line next year for the eu. it is by no means a hard and fast currency it is by no means a hard and fast currency to sustain itself. they need new economic rules to make sure the currency survives and there are plans that the french put forward of a budgetary harmonisation which the germans are dead set against. and

talking about germany, honestly, angela merkel does not have a government at the moment. where are we with that at the moment? government at the moment. where are we with that at the moment7m government at the moment. where are we with that at the moment? it looks pretty bleak because the total mess and the total division of opinion inside germany is that no one seems to agree with anything on anybody and it is a really... i wonder why in western democracies the outcome of elections are all similarly sort of elections are all similarly sort of murky and indecisive. the voters don't seem to trust politicians enough to give any single party a clear majority to rule the country. and that is at the heart of the problem. we will come back to that. just come back what thomas was saying. i think europe is itself quite divided. both on brexit, very different views on what brexit should be from west to east, if you

write. but within its own entity. migration, there was a huge debate about that on thursday night in brussels. also things like tax. countries like ireland, the netherlands, luxembourg are very, very worried about moves to harmonise taxation. they are losing a big ally with britain leaving. but isa a big ally with britain leaving. but is a real blow. and i think the loss britain as a huge member of the european union is going to have much more subtle implications in years to come, not least with the idea of trade and free market. britain is always a from market and standing up to the french, not to stereotype too much, a more protectionist idea of europe. i think it will be felt for years to come. i think that is a good thing for europe because we have not been a good member. we have never committed to this relationship. and the low tax and

the... we haven't. we have always had this argument, for as long as i have been here. there has been this argument that we don't want to be pa rt argument that we don't want to be part of this, but then the neoliberal model is bust. and i think the low tax economy is like the ones that you are talking about have to rethink. entreaties, you will have national sovereignty is over your tax. i would will have national sovereignty is over your tax. iwould not will have national sovereignty is over your tax. i would not agree with out entirely. it had an opt out from a lot ofjustice 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 take on the tax paid by the 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 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 ecj, 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 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, 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. 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 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 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 were able to secure doug jones' victory. it was a strong african—american turnout. 30% 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 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

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 virginia 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'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 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 is a worry for the republicans. i take comfort from the woods that he is in a difficult state because the rest of the world is wondering whether america... 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 is a product of what they have been doing behind the scenes. the alt right 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 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 2018. 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 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 are 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 2018. 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, a tax cut for the top earners, 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. thank you to all of you, as ever. join us again next week, if you can. thank you for watching. 0nce

once again, there is a cold night ahead for the eastern side of the british isles. i will show you that injusta british isles. i will show you that injust a second. british isles. i will show you that in just a second. this was the scene earlier on in staffordshire. it was one of those days. you had to wait a long time across the west midlands to see anything like a decent sunset. that is because you had a ribbon of cloud producing showers all the way down. that area of cloud will tend to stay there during the course of the night, helping to keep the temperature is up. that will not be the case further east. it will turn increasingly mild across scotla nd turn increasingly mild across scotland as the night goes on. and it makes for a pretty dull old start. and a wet one for a good part of scotla nd start. and a wet one for a good part of scotland and northern ireland.

this weather front tumbles further south and east but it is slow progress. that will mean down towards the south—eastern quarter, a cold start but not like today, you won't have the sunshine. you have the boast of —— the worst of both worlds. asi worlds. as i say, you have those leaden skies. just one of those days. after a pretty murky old start and a wet start across scotland and northern ireland, things are improving through the midday period and improving much more as we get into the early part of the afternoon. much of this rain will pull away. but i'm afraid the payoff is the cloud and rain has to go somewhere and it will be all over the southern parts of england and wales until late in the night. clear skies will develop. as we get into the first pa rt develop. as we get into the first part of next week, mild

south—westerly is trying to push it. they will be there until the first pa rt they will be there until the first part of monday and then as we get on through monday into tuesday, absolutely winning. there is a change on the way. it will turn milder. and then it will be mainly dry but often quite cloudy. something of a west east split on monday. a frosty start across these eastern areas. 0ut west, it is that much milder. but you pay for it with a lack of sunshine. that will be the way of it for a couple of days. this is bbc news.

the headlines at 5pm: police in canada say they're treating the deaths of the billionaire businessman barry sherman and his wife honey, as "suspicious". south africa's president jacob zuma, warns the anc that its very survival is under threat — as it meets to choose a new leader. 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. the renowned scientist and television presenter heinz wolff has died at the age of 89. his son says describes him as having a natural sense of fun. the ashes are slipping away from england. the person people saw when they met him was the person we knew at home. his sense of humour, his