you saying that the trouble over this border could actually lead to a partial breakup of the united kingdom well i think the issue of. a united ireland has certainly come back on the agenda. as a result of. the break the decision much earlier than expected. some people feel there is provision in the good friday agreement that there can be a border pole in other words a referendum the people of northern ireland as to whether they want to remain in the united kingdom or whether they want to be part of a united ireland i think it's more complex than that i don't think that this is going to ever come to a head count let's just have a referendum and let's just count how many want to be united ireland how many want to be in the united kingdom. because the reality is is that there is a very large number of people in northern ireland who are british who value their connection with the the rest of the united kingdom and therefore i think that would need to happen is a lot of discussion in advance about an agreed arland about agreeing what type of future arrangements would apply on the island so i th

other words a referendum people of northern ireland as to whether they want to remain in the united kingdom or whether they want to be part of a united ireland i think it's more complex than that i don't think that this is going to ever come to a head count let's just have a referendum and let's just count how many want to be united ireland how many want to be in the united kingdom. because the reality is is that there is a very large number of people in northern ireland who are british who value their connection with the the rest of the united kingdom and therefore i think would need to happen is a lot of discussion in advance about an agreed arland about agreeing what type of future arrangements would apply on the island so i think that that is a discussion that requires a lot of consideration i think it needs to be a very reasoned discussion and it's probably one that i think would have to take place over a period of time there are a lot of issues involved in this at the center of the issues are what was really at the center of the conflict which was the the two national identities that

i respect the referendum result across the united kingdom.n, scotland, places voted differently. whatever way they voted, the result is that the united kingdom voted and we should respect that. can i ask the prime minister, obviously in terms of northern ireland i'm happy to put it to attest a ny ireland i'm happy to put it to attest any time, we will happily go to the electorate and our views to the people if needs be and i'm certain that we'd be returned in greater numbers than we are today. i'm happy to take on the challenge that has been put down. can i ask the prime minister, in terms of guaranteeing northern ireland ‘s position, in paragraph 50 of the joint report we spent four days negotiated, there were guarantees given to northern ireland. never mind the words said in the house today, it is in the text. why has that been deleted 7 today, it is in the text. why has that been deleted? why has he not kept that in the withdrawal agreement? why hasn't it been translated? agreement? why hasn't it been translated ? that's what agreement? wh

can't really go as far as breaking the united kingdom apart today. the deadline looms large over the british. the fate of the prime minister's proposed deal hangs by a thread in parliament just braced to take the brunt of any bad deal with the possible but between north and sells how will these to the united kingdom fail as london makes its way out of the european union would go to reignite very grudges. but into the troubles that could be further dividing the irish be enough to stall breaks it or do you believe completely. gilmore a former irish deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and trade welcome to the show it's great to have you with us today lots to talk about so the border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland has become a key issue in rexx it united kingdom seemingly hastert choose between staying in the customs union with the e.u. or putting up a hard border isolating northern ireland are this really the only choice is is there a third option that could work. no i think that i think that summer summarizes a

some people wanted to cut up parts of the withdrawal agreement which has been agreed between the united kingdom and european union. those who favor a hard brexit in the house of commons are speaking to that point. clearly i want to repeat that is not on the table. europe is united around the cause of ireland. presidents of the commissioner junker made that statement this morning. i was chairing the debate. on that issue it will not happen. the question then arises is there an understanding of what the backdrop means. >> tell us because this is so complex and for our audience it's complex. i want to you explain what the backstop is. >> okay. when the united kingdom leaves the european union at the end of march we won't have established the details of our future partnership that is set out in a political declaration. the details will not be worked out. the concern -- in the aftermath of the referendum, the brexit vote, was nobody thought about the consequences for this invisible border with northern ireland and ireland which becomes the external border, the only external land border between the e

we are leaving the european union as a whole united kingdom. we will negotiate as a whole united kingdom, for the interests of scotland, the interests of scotland, remaining in the internal market of the united kingdom, it is a most important economic interest and for the interest of the fisheries policy. >> gordon henderson. >> mister speaker, my local authorities swerve our accounts, asked to find land with thousands more homes, are not happy. in the past 20 years we the large-scale housing developments that transformed our area. we already accepted more than our fair share of new houses. will my right honorable from the prime minister urge her ministers to take steps to recuse the housing targets being imposed? >> i recognize the concern he raises, people are often concerned when they see proposals for new developers in their area but we need to build homes the country needs so everyone can afford a decent place to call their own and to help more people on housing. young people today worry that they will not be able to get into the housing m

we are leading the european union as a united kingdom and will be a whole united kingdom holding the interest of scotland remaining in the internal market of the united kingdom is the most important and for the interest of scotland coming out of the policy. the past 20 years we have seen these transform our area. we feel we've only accepted more than our fair share. take steps to reduce housing. >> i absolutely recognize the fact there are proposals for development in their area but we do need to build homes the country need so they can afford a place to call their own and we need to help more people off the housing ladder so for those i worry they will not be able to get on the ladder i share my determination so that they are able to do this and the last year we've delivered over 220,000 new homes the highest level we have seen in all but one of the last 31 years and my right honorable friend will be happy to meet to discuss those issues further. >> every single scenario that government modeled showed gdp growth default and default proper when the impasse of ending the freedom of mo

the united kingdom has not let us down. mr. speaker, our message to the people of gibraltar is clear -- we will always stand by you. we are proud to bulger is british and our position on sovereignty has not and will not are proud gibraltar is british and our position on sovereignty has not and will not change. we will leave the european union in a smooth and orderly way. it protects the citizens living in the u.k. and those living in the eu so they can carry on living their lives as before. it delivers the time implemented the liberation period to give us time to prepare for the arrangements. trade will continue on current terms so businesses only have to face one set of changes. it ensures a fair settlement of financial obligations. less than half of some expectations. there will be no hard border between northern ireland and ireland and no customs border in the irish the. in the event the future relationship is not ready by the end of the implementation period. mr. speaker some members remain concerned that we could find ours

experience. >> david amos. >> last week the debate took place, the motion was this house believed the united kingdom is less united than ever. i was part of the team opposing the motion and we comfortably defeated the motion. would my right honorable friend agree with those young people that the agreement this house is being asked to vote on actually threatens our union, worked out by largely unelected people and has a distinct flavor? >> my honorable friends might not be surprised if i don't quite share this analysis of the deal we put forward but this is a deal that does deliver on brexit. it is important, it does deliver on brexit but does so in a way that does protect the united kingdom. and issue i set out on this house on many occasions that we are keen to ensure was dealt with in this deal, a deal that protects jobs and delivers on people's vote to ensure that we leave the european union and do so in a way that delivers no free movement, no jurisdiction of the court of justice, not sending that to the european union every year but can i thank my honorable friends for engaging those young peop

yes i think a country like the united kingdom i mean has international alignment with the united states of the european union and has had a long time with the middle east and in particular saudi arabia finds it incredibly difficult to not be hypocritical in its own position when a situation like this arises the united kingdom is very dependent on the oil and gas reserves that are coming from the middle east of the oil from saudi arabia is particularly dependent on it. to that country and therefore it is unlikely to act in the same way that it would do with russia as we mentioned earlier there isn't as much trade between the united kingdom and russia as the very imposing sanctions on russia for itself isn't going to be financially. painful for the united kingdom but imposing sanctions on saudi arabia could cause huge amounts of cost and that's why they don't do it that's why there is your policy often in the international reader over decisions like this one of another big issue between the u.s. and russia even for the past number of weeks is the intermediate range nuclear forces trading

we will be leaving as one united kingdom. without idealving will be disastrous for the country, not least for manufacturing businesses across the midlands. the only way that this will happen is if people refuse the .eal we do leave on the 29th of march. prime minister may: my right honorable friend is right. make sure weto leave with a deal is to have a deal and we will leave. >> she says she's going back for more assurances on the backstop. is she not think she would be better able to negotiate if the eu new that this house had voted overwhelmingly against the deal? prime minister may: i indicated it is necessary to go back and send a message on the importance of engaging on this particular issue and ensuring that there is the level of assurance required by members of this house that is sufficient for members of this they can haveve the confidence the backstop is not indefinite. it is not the indefinite nature that has been raising questions with this house and that is the fact we shall be addressing particularly. then the s

we will negotiate as the whole united kingdom. for the interests of scotland, for the interests of scotland remaining in the internal market of the united kingdom is the most important economic interest. and for the interest of scotland coming out of the common fisheries policy which is in our deal, our policy and not his. >> gordon henderson. >> mr. speaker, my local authority has been asked to find land for thousands more homes. my constituents are not happy. over the past 20 years we've seen large scale housing developments that transformed our area. we feel we've already accepted more than our fair share of new housing. so will my right honorable friend the prime minister urge hermine sisters to take steps to reduce the housing targets? >> prime minister. >> i say to my honorable friend i absolutely recognize the concern that he raises and the facts that often people are concerned when they see proposals for new development in their areas. we do need to build the homes that the country needs so everyone can afford a decent saf

and for the united kingdom. for theng united kingdom. and with that in turn all market.un and with the interest of scotlandin with our policy. . >> but to be asked and my constituents that we have seen those in our area. we had more than our fair share. so for those third term ministers to reduce steps. >> and with my right honorable friend i ask with the people that our concerned for the development in their areas and those that have but those that are worried they cannot get off the housing letter. and then to ensure they are able to do that. and in the last year we had 222,000 new homes that is more than we have ever seen but i'm sure my cabinet would be happy to meet with those to discuss the service. >> every single t16 brexit model shows gdp growth that the prime minister continues to pretend but what about our children and grandchildren the ability to go doing away with this economically illiterate? . >> so wide it actually shows with the analysis is the best skill available in relation to the economy with european union for what

in the united kingdom and. those governments are military journalism and it spreads over to even social and t.v. where you often see the baddies in movies being russian for example and that is not sustainable in the long term you cannot allow ourselves to have people from different countries be so negative towards each other that you moves into the world of business moves into the world of diplomacy so i think that needs to be a reset of the relationship between two countries but it does require a strong. many of you will try on both russia and the union ninety days and i would hope that the sensible heads it in the diplomatic services could arrange something warm of conference or maybe intergovernmental meeting that kind of solve some of the big global concerns that britain has towards russia you mention three ball you mentioned the ukraine and the relationship to russia there and i think that should be the first step is to try to rebalance the relationship to move forward steve that would have been millions o

but it's designed to leave the european union well bringing together a basically divided united kingdom but this constituency says it will never compromise belief in the sanctity of the u.k. and it is prepared to bring down the deal. the prime minister described as a unionist to the core but she is now in a fight with her own side and they're not the kind of people to back down lawrence leigh al-jazeera. leaders of the year. the president emanuel on tuesday they're angry at rising fuel prices but. demonstrations against other. some of the worst rioting in years took place on saturday protests continued on monday when private ambulance workers blocked the traffic in paris was there. and besieged another landmark in central paris this time the french parliament. drivers are making sure m.p.'s could hear. then message a raft of reforms being passed into law on social security and health care would destroy their jobs they said. they stood apart from the yellow vests revolt which has seen so much violence across france but share this concern is with the money she does john you know what the

the first will be in the united kingdom, that we didn't leave the european union at all. i know there's a majority of remainers in the house of commons who like that but we have a responsibility to honour the result of the referendum. when we had that referendum, we didn't ask for a consultation, we asked for an instruction and it would be unthinkable for parliament to defy the will of the electorate in that way so i think that the democratically unacceptable consequence. the other would be to leave the european union with no agreement at all which would cause disruption, no doubt about that, both in the united kingdom and with oui’ both in the united kingdom and with our trading partners in continental europe and that is not to anyone's advantage so i think it is very clear that we both want to see the same thing in terms of northern ireland, no hard border, can we find another way in which it allows my collea g u es another way in which it allows my colleagues and people like myself who have had doubts about the backstop who have had doubts about the ba cksto p to who h

the european council calls for work on preparing as at all levels for the consequences of the united kingdom'srawal to be intensified, taking into account all possible outcomes —— prep airiness. on foreign policy we discussed the recent issues in the sea. european council is united in the conviction that there is no justification for the use of military force by russia. therefore, we request the immediate release of all detained ukrainian seamen. russia must not limit the freedom through the strait. while the eu continues to follow developments in the sea of as, we will give additional assistant to the affected regions. chancellor merkel and president macron also presented a state of implementation of the minsk agreement and decided to renew our economic sanctions against russia, given that no progress has been made. we also discuss the ongoing preparations for the first stage of the summit to take place next february in it. thank you. now presidentjean—claude juncker of the european commission. translation: i don't have anything to add to what has been said by a president brexit, except to ei

you know us we we are british role in our eyes and therefore i'm nothing the texas side of the united kingdom is extremely honesty about a month long for your deal this fall to politicians who represent these people in parliament of the democratic unionists by the prime minister to prop up the governments after she failed to win a majority in last year's election they said they would support but they don't anymore they have made it plain they will vote a deal down the simple message go back to brussels and try again we try to be very clear we will not support dana shouldn't be a choice between a bad day are no day we believe that's and then make sure the interests of not just the united kingdom but also the entire of the your opinion and try to get a date but we're trying to set everybody is sensible heads should prevail this isn't good enough it's not just us saying that it's many many other people across other political parties as well the state isn't good enough both sides need to get together in terms of your opinion in the united kingdom and get a sense of a day in the works for both of

the prime minister's conservatives but now says the agreement could cause the breakup of the united kingdom loss leader reports from belfast. in the process to loyalist parts of belfast their loyalty is unquestioned country first the four corners of the u.k. in divisible their problem with the bricks it deal is that in theory it could lead to a future trade agreements pushing northern ireland closer to the e.u. than the rest of the u.k. that in turn leads to the inconceivable fools that northern ireland could be unified with the republic of ireland our whole purpose of union our system and take on the length with the union we fail lots of the best interests of northern ireland long term and it is an article where unionists we we're british were all an irish and therefore i'm nothing the texas side of the united kingdom as extremely honesty about i'm on suffering for a large ordeal this is for the politicians who represent these people in parliament of the democratic unionists by the prime minister to prop up the governments after she failed to win a majority in last year's election they sai

council reiterate that the two issues to establish a close as possible in partnership with the united kingdom in the future. it stands ready to embark on preparations immediately after the signature of the agreement to ensure that they will see asians can start as soon as possible after the your case withdrawal free. their pm council underlines that the backstop is intended as an insurance policy to prevent the how the border on the island of ireland and ensure the integrity of the single market. it is the union firm determination to work speedily on a subsequent agreement that establishes by. the thirty first of december twenty twenty alternative arrangements followed that the pack up will not need to be triggered it. for. there are also underlines that if the facts were nevertheless to be triggered. it would apply temporarily unless and until it is superseded by a subsequent agreement that ensures that the hardball the voided. and such a case the union would use its best and dave has to negotiate and conclude expeditiously expeditiously and subsequent agreement that would replace the backst

was for a canada put to the united kingdom was for a ca na da style put to the united kingdom was forend refers to, indeed we have continued to engage with those who put these forward but the question is not just about put these forward but the question is notjust about no physical infrastructure on the border. the question is about the extent to which people on both sides of the border are able to continue to lead their lives as they do today with no increased barriers or encumbrances to them leading their lives in that way and that is what i believe delivers on the seamless border which does indeed underpin the belfast good friday agreement. she said ina belfast good friday agreement. she said in a statement that this is the best deal and the only deal and it is time for all of us in this place to face up to our responsibilities also we are ready to do that, prime minister, so put this deal to a vote in this house and if she is not prepared to, put it to a vote of the people. we are deferring the vote, we will seek... we will seek these further reassurances and on the issue of the v

we will be leaving as one united kingdom. without idealving will be disastrous for the country, not least for manufacturing businesses across the midlands. the only way that this will happen is if people refuse the .eal we do leave on the 29th of march. prime minister may: my right honorable friend is right. make sure weto leave with a deal is to have a deal and we will leave. be better able to negotiate if the eu new that this house had voted overwhelmingly against the deal? prime minister may: i indicated it is necessary to go back and send a message on the importance of engaging on this particular issue and ensuring that there is the level of assurance required by members of this house that is sufficient for members of this they can haveve the confidence the backstop is not indefinite. it is not the indefinite nature that has been raising questions with this house and that is the fact we shall be addressing particularly. then the seventh of march, wide-ranging free-trade agreement founded on the issue of the northern irela

unionists we we're british were all an irish and therefore i'm nothing the texas side of the united kingdom as extremely honesty about i'm on suffering for a virtual deal this fall but the politicians who represent these people in parliament of the democratic unionists by the prime minister to prop up the governments after she failed to win a majority in last year's election they said they would support but they don't anymore they have made it plain they will vote her deal down the simple message go back to. brussels and try again we try to be very clear we will not support dana shouldn't be a choice between a day are no day we believe that's and then make sure the interests of not just the united kingdom but also the entire of the your opinion and try to get a day what we're trying to said everybody is sensible heads should prevail this isn't good enough it's not just us saying that it's many many other people across other political parties as well the state isn't good enough both sides need to get together in terms the european union the united kingdom and get a sensible day in the works

we are leaving the european union as the whole united kingdom.will negotiate as the whole united kingdom. for the interests of scotland... for the interests of scotland, remaining in the internal market of united kingdom is the most important economic interest. and for the interests of scotland, coming out of the common fisheries policy, which is in our deal and our policy and not his. but the northern ireland border was taken up by a dup mp. this morning's legal advice refers to the backstop as permanent arrangement and will endure indefinitely, a repeat of previous assertions that were made. does the prime minister agree, at this last moment, that the entire premise of the backstop has been based on a false assertion? it is a practical, physical, political impossibility under any circumstances for a hard border to emerge on the island of ireland. why has she allowed that to be used as a negotiating ploy by the eu against the united kingdom? this is not a negotiating ploy by the european union against the uk. what it is is our commitment, as a u

choice between our no day we believe that's and then make sure the interests of not just the united kingdom but also the entire of the your opinion and try to get a day what we're trying to said everybody is sensible heads should prevail this isn't good enough it's not just us it's a lot it's many many other people across other political parties as well the state doesn't get enough both sides need to get together in terms of your opinion in the united kingdom and get a sensible report. it will demonstrate starkly the mess the prime minister is in she can't even rely on politicians who are supposed to back inside her own government stories amaze us sales pitch deal with the european union is that it's a compromise it might not be perfect but it's designed to leave the european union well bringing together a basically divided united kingdom but this constituency says it will never compromise on its core belief in the sanctity of the u.k. and it is prepared to bring down the deal. the prime minister describes herself as a unionist to the cool but she is now in a fight with her own side and the

the united kingdom leaving the european union there are lots of complex issues involved there's the issue of costumes there's the issue of. environmental issues thirty issue of the single market all of these issues are involved i think it was probably an issue that needed to have been addressed more clearly before the referendum took place but we are where we are and it has to be addressed now. now the french president's trying to quell weeks of violence by offering an olive branch to his angry nation after four weekends of nationwide protests emanuel mccrum made a dramatic statement. i am declaring a state of economic and social emergency. i accept my share of responsibility and initial attempts to appease the revolt failed the so-called yellow vests protests continued even when the government scrapped a fuel tax hike in his first public address since the unrest mccraw bowed to other demands like tax concessions and a minimum wage rise. an innocent may have given the impression that it wasn't my concern that i had other priorities i also know that my words may have hurt some of you very

having its rules set by an external body —— united kingdom.aving a vote or influencing those rules and. the european court of justice influencing those rules and. the european court ofjustice would still have jurisdiction over northern ireland and northern ireland would have to maintain single market rules and regulations —— rules. it will also have to be in the eu customs union. that's the side a lot of eu, unionist mps have a problem with. from a brexiteer perspective, the uk remains... we don't know for how long that is, do we? it would be for an indefinite period, unless and until something else is agreed and the fear is as it stands very little incentive for the eu to agree anything better that the uk would want in order to progress out of the backstop or stockert coming into effect in the first place. is this what she needs to bring back to parliament —— stop it. that indefinite period of time is somehow definite, that there is an end to that. would that help?m would certainly help, some mps have indicated that having a unilateral right

, you cannotjust are dependent on the united kingdom, you cannot just given a are dependent on the united, nothing to do. it is not just ireland will pick up. germany owns, rods, and pays for europe. when northern ireland kick up, it is nothing to do with brussels had everything to do with westminster. so she has got the impossibility of which you speak and you are right. it also has this domestic dimension about getting anything else through, nothing to do with brexit. it is very big. in the times today, sorry, it is in the sun, page two of the sun, the same theme... let me help you with that. i have it here. loyal senior minister, it says, quite, we are going to say to theresa may, you have done your best but the only way is for you to go next year, things have got very personal between her and the dup which are never going to be fixed. that is in inverted commas from a senior minister in the sun. that is the point. she has been promising things to lots of people... don't be going off piste again. we might not find the piece of paper. it proves it isa find the piece of paper. it proves

we see the next step in this ever lasting case is the responsibility the united kingdom united kingdom has to take the measures now. to thank you solution which is in the frame of international law and not in the frame off the u.s. at a new station boys again it's international law and against actually the u.s. war i mean against the first amendment they are taking measures like the protection of journalists and freedom of speech and the freedom of press so we have to actually protect them from that of a self. not to a violate their first amendment julian assange just father also visited him here on thursday saying he did not find his son in the best of conditions but declining as you would expect of a future. straight. pool patient. motion was restricted this is toast. to a communication snow job for. most friends. the m.p.'s visiting from berlin have demanded that the international community listen up to the united nations ruling that has now quite a long time ago found that julian assange has detention is arbitrary united kingdom government tried to appeal the un decision and but th

northern ireland is part of the united kingdom, which would leave the e.u. under brexit. both the e.u. and britain wa to prevent the return of a hard border between ireland and northern ireland, but they can't agree on a solution. until there's a final brexit settlement, northern ireland will remain within the e.u.'s free trade zone, and its border with ireland will remain open. theresa may's opponents fear northern ireland's special status would effectively mean partition of the united kingdom. they're also concerned that britain will be apped into following e.u. rules for an indefite period of time. conservative member of parliament, nigel evans: ttorney general has made it clear that we cannot, with the withdrawal agreement,at unally leave the european union. we want to control our own laws in the united kingdom, and the withdrawal agreement as ity currentlands doesn't allow us to do that. >> reporter: conservative rebels sske evans want theresa may to demand new concens from beuropean leaders who areng tough on britain because they don't want any more countries to it

this tuesday all of this united kingdom stand exhausted.els across the north sea in a final attempt to avert a collapse of her government. may, we presume, will be greeted by silence on the continent. "bloomberg surveillance" from london. tom keene and francine lacqua. this is the greatest crisis in the modern history of the conservative party. i thought that gave scope and scale. francine: it does. i'm looking forward to the speech of hammond. we also had a chance to speak with the foreign secretary, talking about the need with many people believing and not believing that we need to protect the u.k. from a no deal brexit. what is significant is that now, because of where we are in the kind of messiness of it all, every person and every party now think they can get the brexit they want, so there's very little commonality. tom: it is beautiful here, a warm winter day. they have no idea what a real winter is in london. but in this beautiful setting, i said the nation is exhausted. is that right? are the people exhausted from this? francine: i

we will be leaving as one united kingdom. without idealving will be disastrous for the country, not least for manufacturing businesses across the midlands. the only way that this will happen is if people refuse the .eal we do leave on the 29th of march. prime minister may: my right honorable friend is right. make sure weto leave with a deal is to have a deal and we will leave. >> she says she's

this deal is not in the interests of the scots or indeed of anyone in the united kingdom. have shown that the promises made by the leave campaign are not deliverable at all significant analysis shows that the deal is going to have a massive hit on the british economy, especially onjobs massive hit on the british economy, especially on jobs and living standards of our constituents. the loss of freedom of movement will in particular affect the scottish economy. what i would say is that it is not deal or no deal, there is a third option, which is no brexit. today, as has been widely reported, the advocate general of the court of justice of the european union has given his opinion in the case of whiteman and others, including myself, against the secretary of state for exiting the european union, and that opinion has said that article 50 can be unilaterally revoked. i wish to suggest that this ruling might have some impact on today's proceedings and i'll explain why ina today's proceedings and i'll explain why in a moment. hopefully i'll get the courtesy of a hearing, as others