This week we finally saw that the Tories have bought the UKIP lie: hook, line and sinker. Anyone who did not believe that the European Question is the defining attribute of politics in these islands is in no doubt after Theresa May’s speech to Conservative Party Conference last Sunday.

The Prime Minister, by pandering to the worst, most base elements in her party has made it clear that to keep them happy she is quite happy to inflict massive harm upon our (and indeed everyone else’s) interests.

You can read more of my thoughts here:

http://www.thenational.scot/politics/alyn-smith-theresa-mays-speech-killed-off-lingering-hope-of-salvaging-something-from-the-ruins-of-brexit.23158

As ever, if anyone you know is interested then send them here to sign up for their copy: http://www.alynsmith.eu/stay_informed

Yours aye,

Alyn

Holyrood will get few new powers directly from Brexitsays Professor Alan Page a veteran international lawyer:

https://www.holyrood.com/articles/news/veteran-international-lawyer-says-holyrood-will-get-few-new-powers-directly-brexit

“It is no coincidence that racist violence is on the rise in the UK at the same time as we see worrying examples of intolerance and hate speech in the newspapers, online and even among politicians,” said the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Chair Christian Ahlund. Furthermore he went on: “The Brexit referendum seems to have led to a further rise in ‘anti-foreigner’ sentiment, making it even more important that the British authorities take the steps outlined in our report as a matter of priority.”

http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/library/PressReleases/GBR-PR-V-2016-226-EN.asp

Splitting the four freedoms is not an option on the table. Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament negotiator, must be getting tired of repeating himself but since the UK government isn’t listening he has little choice:

http://www.politico.eu/article/guy-verhofstadt-splitting-four-freedoms-would-destroy-eu-brexit-negotiator-uk/

No negotiation without notification. The EU Commission response to Theresa May’s announcement that she intends to trigger article 50 next year was simple:

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=I127008

The “Brexit talks will be like the Greek bailout” according to the PM of Malta:

http://www.politico.eu/article/malta-pm-joseph-muscat-brexit-talks-will-be-like-the-greek-bailout/

Charles Grant, who is on the Scottish Government’s Standing Council on Europe alongside myself, has written an interesting analysis on why the EU27 are taking a hard line on Brexit.

https://www.cer.org.uk/insights/why-27-are-taking-hard-line-brexit

The Fraser of Allander Institute has done a series of economic models for Brexit and under all the modelled scenarios Brexit is predicted to have a negative impact on Scotland’s economy.

https://www.sbs.strath.ac.uk/economics/fraser/20161006/Long-term-Economic-Implications-of-Brexit.pdf

Sterling fell to its lowest level since 1985.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-04/pound-tumbles-to-three-decade-low-as-angst-over-brexit-persists

After the Tory conference the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens have agreed to work together to resist the ‘Tories’ toxic politics’.

http://www.snp.org/cross_party_statement_on_resisting_the_tories_toxic_politics

In the wake of Brexit Spain has submitted a proposal to the UN to share sovereignty over Gibraltar with the UK.

The Irish Seanad passed a motion in opposition to CETA. This is a sure sign there are increasing levels of opposition from across Europe.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/government-seanad-defeat-as-ff-abstain-in-higgins-trade-motion-1.2818340

The Commission’s Brexit negotiator met with Romanian PM Dacian Cioloș. The Romanian’s will hold the EU’s presidency in 2019 when we expect article 50 to come to fruition. The Commission is laying the groundwork across Europe. (In Romanian).

http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-esential-21333852-dacian-ciolos-intalnit-michel-barnier-negociatorul-sef-comisiei-europene-pentru-brexit.htm

And finally, the UK Government has gone straight for the big issues: selling jam to the French!

https://www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk/opportunities/france-opportunity-for-high-quality-innovative-british-jams-marmalades?hootPostID=d2049001234cd51bcd316cb89a9d12be

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