Beth Rigby Profile picture
Political Editor, Sky News
Sep 13, 2018 6 tweets 3 min read
NEW: No-deal roaming charges. Govt confirms my story that surcharge-free roaming "cannot be guaranteed" in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Govt also (as I reported) says it will legislate to apply limits if necessary. Notes some operators "no current plans" to change approach And.... While govt keen to stress companies covering 85% of consumers say have "no current plans" to reintroduce roaming charges, that is very different from current EU's legal protection, aka 'Roam Like at Home'. And 15% consumers NOT covered in that pledge (a lot of phones)
Sep 12, 2018 6 tweets 2 min read
Top story on @SkyNews this morning: Tories openly discussing ousting May at an ERG meeting last night: Brexiteers clearly split between those who want a true Brexiteer in power (some Johnson supporters and those who want to chuck Chequers not here (the @DavidDavisMP camp) But have they got the numbers? Could get the 48 letters into the 1922 chair to trigger a confidence vote, but No 10 sources say May will stay and fight......
Sep 10, 2018 5 tweets 3 min read
NEW: just ran into @SteveBakerHW outside parliament. 1] Sticking to that 80 PMs number. Says before recess 80 colleagues said they were willing to "protest Chequers" via amendments in the HoC 2] If May won't chuck Chequers will you try to chuck her? @SteveBakerHW: "We want to support TM as PM driving towards a free trade agreement and it is essential that this is done because alternative is crisis and rupture and we are trying to avoid that" (coming up on @skynews)
Sep 10, 2018 4 tweets 3 min read
No alternative Brexit plan yet from the ERG. But @SteveBakerHW tells PA May risks "catastrophic split" in party if she doesn't chuck Chequers. Says 80 MPs ready to vote in down in Commons 1/3 @SteveBakerHW Warning comes as @BorisJohnson sketches out a domestic policy platform that will infuriate No10/Hammond & delight grassroots: No more tax hikes under a [Johnson] Tory govt. (no mention of the Treasury warning of a £80bn no-deal black hole in public finances) 2/3
Aug 24, 2018 5 tweets 3 min read
Treasury source said Raab was shown letter ahead of publication (via @TomBoadle) & it was agreed that it would be published alongside the impact studies The *actual* content of the letter has no new forecasts but if does offer new language impressing on colleagues the benefits over the Chequers deal (which many hate) over No Deal
Jul 6, 2018 10 tweets 2 min read
1) #Chequers today with the scene set for a big showdown. Six Brexiteers - led by Johnson & Davis - to tell PM her plan not acceptable; told that Javid, Williamson & Alan Cairns behind them. PM can’t afford to alienate 9 cabinet ministers 2) Brexiteers baulked at language around a “common rule book” for goods & agribusiness, which will undermine a future trade deal with US. Brexiteer source told me last night this part of the paper needs reworking
Jul 2, 2018 4 tweets 2 min read
Is there a third way? Apparently so. No 10 saying this morning that is has an alternative customs plan to present at Chequers that is neither Max fac nor Customs partnership. #chequers #brexit No detail on this 'third way' & no briefing papers yet to ministers. Customs plan to be revealed on Friday at #Chequers. One senior minister: "I think it'll be a hybrid, complex fudge specifically tailored for a different regime for goods and services" #brexit