The UK Brexit Referendum
Corbyn props up May government after more Brexit vote defeats
By Robert Stevens, 16 March 2019
Ever since May took office as a minority dependent on the DUP, she has headed a government of permanent crisis, with her survival dependent on Labour leader Corbyn’s suppression of the class struggle amid a rising tide of anti-Tory sentiment.
UK: May’s Brexit deal rejected by parliament again
By Robert Stevens, 13 March 2019
With just 16 days to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU, no deal has been agreed on trading relations after Brexit.
UK Labour leader Corbyn endorses Blairite call for second Brexit referendum
By Robert Stevens, 27 February 2019
This week’s events signify that the Blairites have de facto total control over party policy, just over three years after they were annihilated by Corbyn in the leadership contest.
Brexit divisions lead to intensified discussions on Conservative and Labour Party splits
By Robert Stevens, 16 February 2019
Theresa May suffered a further defeat in Parliament over her Brexit policy, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was further undermined by a sizeable rebellion by the party’s Blairite right wing.
British government’s “Project After” plan for post-Brexit economic crisis
By Steve James, 13 February 2019
The Financial Times reported on a secret economic planning group in the British government, tasked with planning for a deep post Brexit economic crisis.
Brexit, Free Ports and the super-exploitation of the working class
By Steve James, 4 February 2019
Both Tory and Labour politicians support new Free Port deregulation zones.
UK’s May fends off demands to delay Brexit or rule out “no deal”
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 30 January 2019
May’s pledge to try to extract more concessions from the EU ensured that the government won the day, although this could prove to be a pyrrhic and very short-lived victory.
Leaks expose UK and EU government plans for military deployment in Brexit crisis
By Chris Marsden, 29 January 2019
Under conditions of intolerable levels of social inequality that will be exacerbated no matter the Brexit outcome, the power of the state will be directed against the true source of social discontent—the working class.
UK: Remain and Leave factions line up for battle prior to next Brexit vote
By Robert Stevens, 25 January 2019
Theresa May is calculating that enough rebel Brexiteers in her ruling Conservative Party, who voted against her original deal, will support her to ensure no possibility of Brexit being overturned.
24 January 2019
The Brexit crisis and the struggle for socialism
By Chris Marsden, 23 January 2019
The answer to austerity is not a pro-capitalist Labour government dedicated to rebuilding “national unity” across the Brexit divide, but the unification of workers in Britain with the working class across the continent in the fight for the United Socialist States of Europe.
UK: Corbyn endorses second referendum after May stonewalls on her Brexit plan
By Chris Marsden, 22 January 2019
With just 67 days before Brexit is scheduled to take place on March 29, Corbyn has once again folded his hand and united with his right-wing.
British PM May to reveal “Plan B” as Brexit infighting continues
By Robert Stevens, 21 January 2019
The various options being debated are solely concerned with securing the strategic interests of British imperialism.
Factional warfare hots up after collapse of May’s European Union Brexit deal
By Robert Stevens, 19 January 2019
Led by the Blairite wing of the Labour, Pro-Remain politicians calculated that the decks would now be cleared for them to campaign for a second “People’s Vote” to overturn the 2016 referendum.
UK: Blairites spearhead campaign to commit Labour to remaining in the European Union
By Thomas Scripps, 18 January 2019
The Blairites are opposed to a general election and aim to block Brexit without letting what is nominally their own party under Corbyn anywhere near power.
Theresa May’s Conservative government survives no-confidence vote
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 17 January 2019
What should have been a day of reckoning for May turned out to be a humiliating verdict on every capitulation made by Labour leader Corbyn to his party’s right wing since he became leader in September 2015.
UK parliament votes down Prime Minister May’s Brexit deal
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 16 January 2019
In response to the resounding rejection of May’s proposal, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called a vote of no confidence for Wednesday.
UK parliament to vote on Brexit deal today
By Chris Marsden, 15 January 2019
The fight over Brexit revolves around the best means of advancing the interests of British imperialism for control of global markets.
British prime minister suffers second defeat at hands of pro-European Union MPs
By Robert Stevens, 10 January 2019
The vote was the second defeat of the government in less than 24 hours as a result of pro-Remain Tories blocking with the opposition parties.
Debate begins in British parliament over May’s Brexit deal with EU
By Robert Stevens, 9 January 2019
May is using the growing possibility of a “no-deal” Brexit, with its unforetold economic and social consequences, to pressure Brussels for more and to force MPs to back her deal.
Military prepare for post-Brexit civil war in Britain and Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 8 January 2019
Preparations involve 50,000 troops in mainland Britain and 1,000 more police in Northern Ireland—close to half the current size of the British Army and more than the force sent by the government to invade Iraq.
UK: Cross-party moves escalate to prevent Brexit and secure second referendum
By Robert Stevens, 31 December 2018
Amid an unprecedented crisis of rule, Corbyn’s major concern is to preserve the unity of the Labour Party on the basis that only a Labour government can rescue British imperialism.
UK government announces draconian Brexit immigration policy and deployment of troops
By Robert Stevens, 21 December 2018
With the working class unable to articulate its own independent interests, a crisis-ridden Tory government is moving to rapidly enact its reactionary Brexit agenda.
Corbyn, Brexit and the struggle for the United Socialist States of Europe
By Chris Marsden, 17 December 2018
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has cast himself as a guarantor of national stability, denouncing the inability of May and the Conservatives to “end the chaos.”
UK: May staggers on as more than a third of Tory MPs oppose her
By Robert Stevens, 13 December 2018
The vote against her by her hard-Brexit wing, combined with the loss of support from the 10 Democratic Unionist Party MPs, confirms that May’s days are numbered.
UK: May faces possible leadership contest after seeking concessions from EU on Brexit
By Robert Stevens, 12 December 2018
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday once again insisted that he would not call a vote of no confidence—allowing the crisis ridden Conservative government to stagger on.
May delays Brexit vote while Corbyn refuses to move no confidence motion
By Chris Marsden, 11 December 2018
May called off today’s scheduled vote because she knew her proposed agreement with the EU would be heavily defeated.
Parliamentary debate on Brexit deal begins after three defeats for May government
By Robert Stevens, 6 December 2018
Whatever happens in the Brexit crisis, Britain is in the grip of a historic crisis of rule that threatens to unleash social upheavals.
British PM May attacked from all sides ahead of parliament Brexit vote
By Robert Stevens, 28 November 2018
As it stands there is no parliamentary arithmetic under which May can get the Brexit deal passed.
The only answer to Brexit is the United Socialist States of Europe
By Chris Marsden, 19 November 2018
Every faction of Britain’s ruling elite—whether pro- or anti-EU membership or urging some form of continued relations—is viciously opposed to the interests of the working class.
Some of the main provisions of the draft EU-UK proposed Brexit deal
By our reporter, 16 November 2018
The 585-page document includes a legal guarantee to ensure the Irish border remains open after Brexit, with the UK remaining in a customs union with the EU until a broader EU-UK trade deal can be finalised.
Brexit deal threatens survival of May government
By Robert Stevens, 16 November 2018
Prime Minister May has been brought face to face with the full implications of the growing antagonisms between the US and Europe.
British prime minister tries to minimise cabinet rebellion against draft Brexit agreement
By Robert Stevens, 14 November 2018
So acute is the crisis facing May’s government that sections of the ruling class and the state apparatus are factoring in the possibility that a general election might be unavoidable, and that a Corbyn government is becoming a distinct possibility.
UK: May fends off challenge by hard-Brexiteers
By Robert Stevens, 26 October 2018
That May, who supported Remain in the 2016 referendum, was able to seize the day reflects a pronounced shift in ruling circles, who cannot countenance a hard Brexit.
People’s Vote campaign ups ante against hard Brexit with large London protest
By Robert Stevens, 22 October 2018
The campaign in support of a second referendum on British membership of the EU is a cross-party initiative with significant support and funding from the political and corporate elite.
British PM addresses EU summit as “no deal” Brexit threatened
By Thomas Scripps, 17 October 2018
With the government in turmoil, Labour is advancing itself as a responsible representative of the British ruling elite.
Brexit crisis leaves fate of May government in balance
By Robert Stevens, 15 October 2018
If the May government fails to secure an EU deal without precipitating a pro-Brexit Conservatives and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) rebellion, a general election might result, bringing a Jeremy Corbyn Labour-led government to power.
Risk of no-deal Brexit staggers European companies and economy
By Alex Lantier, 5 October 2018
With mass layoffs prepared in auto firms, plans in ruling circles are well advanced to place the cost of any Brexit crisis firmly on the backs of workers internationally.
Auto manufacturers in UK cut production, threaten jobs as Brexit crisis deepens
By Margot Miller, 27 September 2018
The UK car industry faces massive disruption if the government fails to agree unfettered access to the EU single market, with the loss of tens of thousands of jobs threatened.
UK Labour conference passes Brexit motion with option for “people’s vote”
By Thomas Scripps, 26 September 2018
Labour Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, speaking for the Blairites and dominant sections of British business, sees the latest compromise as a step toward committing Labour to retaining membership of the EU.
EU summit marked by Brexit threats and ultimatums
By Chris Marsden, 22 September 2018
Theresa May's address was met with silence and her implied threats were stonewalled, as the main players within the EU combined the next day to declare her proposals to be “unworkable.”
Labour’s John McDonnell embraces Blairite “new economy” plan
By Laura Tiernan, 19 September 2018
Labour’s endorsement of the IPPR plan makes clear that, behind the talk about governing “for the many, not the few,” Corbyn and his allies are adopting trade war policies.
What is behind the talk of a Brexit “national emergency”?
By Julie Hyland, 3 August 2018
Underlying the febrile atmosphere that has developed since the Brexit referendum vote are explosive class tensions.
Brexit crisis prompts calls for national unity government
By Robert Stevens, 21 July 2018
The call for a national unity coalition seeks to address fears that May’s downfall could end in the election of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
UK: May government in meltdown over Brexit
By Robert Stevens, 18 July 2018
May’s attempted compromise over Brexit has blown up, due not simply to events in Britain, but also to the antagonisms between the US and Europe.
Concerted efforts to save May’s government and the chance of a “soft Brexit”
By Chris Marsden, 11 July 2018
US President Trump has made no secret of his hostility to the EU and desire to weaken what he considers a rival trade bloc, including by supporting Brexit and imposing sanctions.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigns to prepare possible Conservative leadership challenge
By Chris Marsden, 10 July 2018
Unlike David Davis, who stressed that he remained loyal to Theresa May, Johnson quit in a manner designed to inflict maximum damage to the prime minister.
Resignation of Brexit secretary David Davis prompts talk of leadership contest, British general election
By Robert Stevens and Chris Marsden, 9 July 2018
Fear of triggering a general election is all that continues to hold the Tory party together, such is the depth of the rift over Europe.
EU citizens must register, carry ID cards, in post-Brexit Britain
By Steve James, 27 June 2018
As the Home Office scheme currently stands, EU citizens will be required to carry identity cards, which have never been enforced in Britain.
Britain’s Tory government offers concession to pro-EU MPs to advance Brexit bill
By Robert Stevens, 21 June 2018
With the May government beholden to its pro-Brexit wing, there is a stepped-up effort to use Labour as the political vehicle for preventing Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Brexit crisis intensifies as “Remain” Tories reject bogus compromise on parliament having “meaningful vote”
By Chris Marsden, 15 June 2018
Divisions within the Tories were matched by those in Labour, as 90 Labour MPs rebelled against leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Brexit constitutional stand-off reaches UK Supreme Court
By Steve James, 9 June 2018
The escalation of tensions risks becoming a conflict not only between England, Scotland and Wales, but between London and Brussels.
House of Lords Brexit revolt hits Conservatives and Labour
By Paul Mitchell, 10 May 2018
Theresa May’s Conservative government suffered another defeat in the House of Lords on Tuesday, as peers voted for an amendment to the European Union withdrawal bill.
UK: Brexit divisions threaten government defeat
By Chris Marsden, 28 April 2018
The prime minister is under pressure from both sides of her party to clarify her position on the customs union, the mechanism allowing goods to be transported tariff-free between European Union member states.
UK: May government declares against customs union as Brexit crisis intensifies
By Robert Stevens, 25 April 2018
Support for the customs union from a sizable cross-party faction is a stalking horse aimed at ensuring the UK remains in the Single Market and possibly reversing Brexit entirely.
Claims by Cambridge Analytica whistleblower used for new electoral investigation into Brexit
By Julie Hyland, 3 April 2018
The Electoral Commission’s latest investigation testifies to the deep tensions within the British bourgeoisie over Brexit.
UK-EU draft deal pleases neither side of ruling elite’s Brexit divide
By Chris Marsden, 21 March 2018
Struck against the background of demands for action against Russia, the agreement gave expression to rising antagonisms between the UK and its European rivals.
Theresa May’s Brexit speech gets short shrift from European Union
By Chris Marsden, 3 March 2018
Despite her conciliatory tone, May failed to meet EU demands to flesh out what her government means by “ambitious managed diversion.”
Draft EU Brexit agreement deepens divisions over Northern Ireland
By Steve James, 2 March 2018
The European powers’ draft, put together in consultation with the Irish government, is an aggressive response to British maneuvers.
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn slithers toward sellout
By Chris Marsden, 1 March 2018
Corbyn’s speech expresses the role that would be played by any future Labour government, under conditions where a deepening Tory crisis could hasten a general election.
As May faces leadership challenge, Corbyn and Labour make Brexit pitch to employers’ groups
By Chris Marsden, 2 February 2018
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn met privately with the leaders of the major employers’ organisations, including the Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Business to discuss Brexit.
EU summit agrees talks will move forward, but Brexit crisis continues
By Chris Marsden, 16 December 2017
Guidelines issued for the UK on Brexit stipulate that it must adopt all new European Union laws created during the transition period, while being excluded from any decision-making role.
Brexit crisis deepens after Tory revolt on eve of EU summit
By Chris Marsden, 15 December 2017
The parliamentary defeat for Prime Minister Theresa May has been hailed as proof of a majority for a “soft Brexit”—preserving at all costs full access to the Single European Market.
Brexit talks with EU to proceed after climbdown by UK prime minister
By Chris Marsden, 9 December 2017
The European Union will likely allow the UK to move on to the next stage of discussion on the terms of Brexit, focusing on a future trading relationship.
Former UK minister indicates Brexit referendum “deal” between Rupert Murdoch and David Cameron
By Julie Hyland, 7 December 2017
According to Ken Clarke, Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of Murdoch’s British arm, News International, said she was “running the government now in partnership with David Cameron.”
Proposed Brexit deal blocked by Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party
By Robert Stevens, 6 December 2017
The May government has failed to reach an agreement with the European Union after seven months of acrimonious talks.
Political turmoil over Ireland’s post-Brexit status escalates
By Steve James, 28 November 2017
Northern Ireland has not had a functioning government for months. Now the government in the Republic of Ireland faces collapse.
UK Electoral Commission investigates Leave campaign finances in Brexit referendum
By Julie Hyland, 25 November 2017
The UK Electoral Commission is investigating whether the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum on British membership of the European Union breached its £7 million spending limit.
May’s Conservative government faces possible collapse over Brexit
By Chris Marsden, 11 November 2017
European Union officials have let it be known that they are making contingency plans based on Prime Minister Theresa May not surviving beyond the end of this year.
Rift deepens between Britain and European Union as talks reach no agreement
By Robert Stevens, 19 October 2017
EU leaders will today inform British Prime Minister Theresa May that after five rounds of negotiations over the terms of its exit from the EU, the UK needs to make further concessions.
Row over Brexit punctures myth of unity behind Corbyn at Labour Party conference
By Robert Stevens, 27 September 2017
The conference vote on Brexit took on surreal elements, being held on the same day that it was announced that the beginning of a fourth round of talks between the UK and the EU again broke up without agreement.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale quits
By Steve James, 25 September 2017
Dugdale’s career points to the hollowed-out character of Labour and leader Jeremy Corbyn’s refusal to wage a struggle against the party’s right-wing.
May’s overtures to European Union on Brexit terms falls flat
By Robert Stevens, 23 September 2017
While Conservative Prime Minister May’s speech in Florence was flagged as bridge building with the European Union over Brexit, not a single EU leader or representative was present.
UK wields military and security cooperation as a weapon in Brexit negotiations
By Robert Stevens, 22 September 2017
The British government’s position paper on the terms of its exit from the EU stresses the UK’s role as the second military power in NATO, to underline the implicit threat that it will withdraw military and defence co-operation with the bloc.
UK parliament approves sweeping executive powers under Brexit bill
By Julie Hyland, 13 September 2017
The so-called Great Repeal Bill, incorporating European Union (EU) legislation into British law, passed its second reading in parliament early Tuesday morning.
UK: Tony Blair calls for anti-immigration policies to stop Brexit
By Robert Stevens, 12 September 2017
The former Labour prime minister called for EU nationals without work in the UK to be barred from renting homes, opening bank accounts and receiving health care.
Labour will seek to block Brexit bill
By Julie Hyland, 7 September 2017
As parliament begins its debate today on the second reading of the so-called Great Repeal bill, the Labour Party officially announced it will vote against.
No progress in UK- European Union talks over Brexit
By Julie Hyland, 5 September 2017
The European Union insists there can be no progress to discussion on future relations without Britain settling its “divorce” bill first.
Corbyn and Labour backtrack on Brexit
By Chris Marsden, 30 August 2017
The Financial Times welcomed Labour’s support for continued membership of the European Union Single Market, saying that it put the party “firmly on the side of business.”
Brexit crisis tearing apart UK’s Conservative Party
By Chris Marsden, 22 July 2017
The political turmoil and economic dislocation surrounding Brexit has dramatically undermined the authority of Britain’s rulers, not only in Brussels but also in the eyes of millions of workers.
All-party pro-European Union group formed by UK Labour’s Chuka Umunna
By Chris Marsden, 13 July 2017
The formation of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on European Union Relations comes prior to the moving of the Great Repeal Bill concerning Britain's exit from the European Union.
UK: Conservatives seek toxic alliance with Democratic Unionist Party
By Steve James, 24 June 2017
The DUP’s current policy is to extract as many concessions as possible to offset the catastrophic economic impact of Brexit, while maintaining Northern Ireland’s position in the UK.
Exit talks begin between UK and European Union
By Chris Marsden, 20 June 2017
Britain’s Brexit Secretary David Davis and Michel Bernier of the European Union launched negotiations Monday on the terms of Britain’s exit from the trade bloc.
Corbyn makes his appeal to become Britain’s next prime minister
By Robert Stevens, 27 May 2017
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gave his response to the Manchester suicide bombing yesterday, amid the further unravelling of the government’s narrative of the attack.
UK Conservative manifesto outlines stepped up austerity and militarism
By Robert Stevens, 22 May 2017
The commitment to Britain’s exit from the European Union is a pledge to proceed with intensified attacks on the working class.
NATO requests UK troops for US-led surge in Afghanistan
By Paul Mitchell, 11 May 2017
The Stoltenberg-May talks confirm that behind the official reasons given for the calling of a snap general election, one of its central aims is to further the UK’s war agenda in alliance with US imperialism.
Prime Minister May accuses EU of meddling in UK election
By Chris Marsden, 4 May 2017
May’s accusation that the EU is interfering in the UK election in language hitherto reserved for Vladimir Putin testifies to an escalation of hostilities with Europe.
European Union issues hard-line Brexit negotiating strategy
By Robert Stevens, 1 May 2017
Under the guidelines, discussions on trade between the EU and the UK can only proceed after the divorce payment and agreement on other terms of Britain’s EU exit.
Ahead of EU Brexit summit, Merkel takes tough stance on UK
By Johannes Stern, 29 April 2017
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the UK “will not have the same rights and cannot expect to be treated better than a member of the European Union.”
010 Merkel on Brexit
28 April 2017
Labour outlines pro-business “soft Brexit” policy for June 8 vote
By Robert Stevens, 26 April 2017
Labour's preoccupation is satisfying the concerns expressed by the majority of Britain’s bourgeoisie, which supported Remain and whose interests are tied to the EU.
Leading ministers outline war agenda behind UK’s snap general election
By Chris Marsden, 22 April 2017
Prime Minister Theresa May’s calling of a general election is an attempt to shape post-Brexit politics based on an agenda of trade and military war.
UK parliament votes for snap June 8 general election
By Robert Stevens, 20 April 2017
In calling the election, UK Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking to expand her government’s majority by exploiting the crisis facing Labour.
Snap UK general election called amid continuing Brexit crisis
By Chris Marsden, 19 April 2017
Events in Britain are unfolding at a time of a build-up to a possible US war against North Korea and unending anti-Russian propaganda.
Aggressive claims by Spain helped provoke Gibraltar flare-up with Britain
By Alejandro López, 6 April 2017
Sections of the Spanish ruling class have calculated that Brexit offers Spain an opportunity not only to reclaim Gibraltar but also to possibly become Washington’s new strategic ally in Europe.
The UK’s Great Repeal Bill: A bonfire of workers’ rights
By Julie Hyland, 1 April 2017
The bill is framed to meet the demands of banks and big business to end all regulation of their predatory activities.
Triggering of Brexit intensifies national tensions in Europe
By Robert Stevens, 31 March 2017
Representatives of the EU and the continent’s major powers reacted with undisguised hostility to Prime Minister Theresa May’s triggering of the Article 50 process.
UK officially begins process of exiting the European Union
By Chris Marsden, 30 March 2017
The centrifugal forces tearing apart the EU reveal the failure of any attempt to overcome, within the framework of the capitalist system, the national antagonisms that gave rise to two world wars.
UK government to trigger Brexit amid calls for second Scottish independence vote
By Chris Marsden, 15 March 2017
As the Tory government presses on with its plans to leave the EU, the United Kingdom could itself face the same dissolution that threatens the European Union.
Border issues and Brexit dominate Northern Ireland elections
By Steve James, 27 February 2017
The British and Irish governments have insisted that, post-Brexit, no border checks will be imposed, but no one has yet come up with a means to explain how this can be done.
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