Net <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../no-more-preferential-treatment-for-eu-migrants -after-brexit-uk-conservatives-262734">migration to Britain</a> fell to its lowest level in nearly six years during the year to June, driven by a fall in the number of European Union citizens moving to the country for work ahead of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../wion-edit-lessons-to-learn-from-jeremy-corbyns -blunders-265031">Brexit</a>, official data showed on Thursday.

The Office for National Statistics said 212,000 more people moved to Britain than left, the lowest total since the year to September 2013.

Immigration of EU citizens fell to 199,000 the lowest level since the year ending March 2013, the ONS said, extending a declining trend since the 2016 referendum, when Britons voted by 52 per cent&nbsp;to 48 per cent&nbsp;to leave the EU.

By contrast, 151,000 EU citizens left Britain in the year to June, the largest total since records started 10 years ago.

Immigration is a hot political topic ahead of the December&nbsp;12 national election.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to limit the number of people coming to Britain by implementing an Australian-style points system, while the opposition Labour Party said migration policy should fit the needs of the economy.

"While there are still more EU citizens moving to the UK than leaving, EU net migration has fallen since 2016, driven by fewer EU arrivals for work," the ONS said in a statement.

"In contrast, non-EU net migration has gradually increased for the past six years, largely as more non-EU citizens came to study."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../uk-election-poll-predicts-conservative-majority- 264965">Johnson</a> has said Britain will leave the EU by the end of January if his ruling Conservatives win a parliamentary majority in a Dec. 12 election.

Net migration to Britain fell to its lowest level in nearly six years during the year to June, driven by a fall in the number of European Union citizens moving to the country for work ahead of Brexit, official data showed on Thursday.

Net migration to Britain fell to its lowest level in nearly six years during the year to June, driven by a fall in the number of European Union citizens moving to the country for work ahead of Brexit, official data showed on Thursday. The Office for National Statistics said 212,000 more people moved to Britain than left, the lowest total since the year to September 2013. Immigration of EU citizens fell to 199,000 the lowest level since the year ending March 2013, the ONS said, extending a declining trend since the 2016 referendum, when Britons voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the EU. By contrast, 151,000 EU citizens left Britain in the year to June, the largest total since records started 10 years ago. Immigration is a hot political topic ahead of the December 12 national election. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to limit the number of people coming to Britain by implementing an Australian-style points system, while the opposition Labour Party said migration policy should fit the needs of the economy. "While there are still more EU citizens moving to the UK than leaving, EU net migration has fallen since 2016, driven by fewer EU arrivals for work," the ONS said in a statement. "In contrast, non-EU net migration has gradually increased for the past six years, largely as more non-EU citizens came to study." Johnson has said Britain will leave the EU by the end of January if his ruling Conservatives win a parliamentary majority in a Dec. 12 election.

Net migration to UK falls to lowest level in almost six years: Official data

In Indian politics, Chanakya is the flavour of the season, anybody with half a strategy is labelled Chanakya.

Chanakya said, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself."

Now as we see Jeremy Corbyn's list of blunders, what can politicians around the world learn from him?

Lesson number one - do your homework and do not venture into interviews without preparation.

Rahul Gandhi's infamous TV interview from 2014 made him a standing joke. His image hasn't quite recovered since then.

Jeremy Corbyn made the same mistake. He should have known that anti-semitism in the labour party would be raised. He looked ill-prepared and ill at ease.

Lesson number 2: Say sorry when you must. Politics is the game of perception. Appear too rigid and you've lost the plot. Anti-Semitism is a serious issue. Denying the holocaust is neither logical nor right.

There is no excuse for a political party to do so and there is no option for its leader but to apologise. Yet, Corbyn refused, he's already paying for it.&nbsp;

Lesson number 3 and this is interesting. Know your manifesto.

In a recent interview, Jeremy Corbyn was at odds with his party on a tax hike. The Labour Party manifesto says that tax allowance of married couples will be scrapped. This will affect 2 million people in the country.

When you plan such tax hikes, you must know the income tax bracket. It's the least minimum, but Corbyn was clueless about all this.

Lesson number 4 - stick to relevant issues. don't grandstand for votes. You might crash land.

The labour party's misadventure and many u-turns on Kashmir are a good example. A completely unnecessary controversy that has upset British Indians.

Lesson number 5 - keep your flock together.

Earlier this year, seven influential labour party leaders quit - the reason - Jeremy Corbyn and his inability to address antisemitism in the party.

How do you lead a country when you cannot even lead your own party?

Lesson number 6 - practice what you preach.

Promising welfare spending is fine, but that doesn't sit pretty with the plans to raise taxes for the poor.

And the final lesson, political economy is not a zero-sum game.

Taking on the big tech and branding them evil is neither good economics nor sound politics. If and when Brexit happens, the United Kingdom will need the support of the corporate community to prevent an economic doom and gloom.

Castigating companies as evil will hurt business sentiment and sour public sentiment. Capitalism does not mean the ill-treatment of labour, and socialism does not mean a war against capitalists.

(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

 
&nbsp;

In Indian politics, Chanakya is the flavour of the season, anybody with half a strategy is labelled Chanakya. Chanakya said, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

In Indian politics, Chanakya is the flavour of the season, anybody with half a strategy is labelled Chanakya. Chanakya said, "Learn from the mistakes of others, you can't live long enough to make them all yourself." Now as we see Jeremy Corbyn's list of blunders, what can politicians around the world learn from him? Lesson number one - do your homework and do not venture into interviews without preparation. Rahul Gandhi's infamous TV interview from 2014 made him a standing joke. His image hasn't quite recovered since then. Jeremy Corbyn made the same mistake. He should have known that anti-semitism in the labour party would be raised. He looked ill-prepared and ill at ease. Lesson number 2: Say sorry when you must. Politics is the game of perception. Appear too rigid and you've lost the plot. Anti-Semitism is a serious issue. Denying the holocaust is neither logical nor right. There is no excuse for a political party to do so and there is no option for its leader but to apologise. Yet, Corbyn refused, he's already paying for it. Lesson number 3 and this is interesting. Know your manifesto. In a recent interview, Jeremy Corbyn was at odds with his party on a tax hike. The Labour Party manifesto says that tax allowance of married couples will be scrapped. This will affect 2 million people in the country. When you plan such tax hikes, you must know the income tax bracket. It's the least minimum, but Corbyn was clueless about all this. Lesson number 4 - stick to relevant issues. don't grandstand for votes. You might crash land. The labour party's misadventure and many u-turns on Kashmir are a good example. A completely unnecessary controversy that has upset British Indians. Lesson number 5 - keep your flock together. Earlier this year, seven influential labour party leaders quit - the reason - Jeremy Corbyn and his inability to address antisemitism in the party. How do you lead a country when you cannot even lead your own party? Lesson number 6 - practice what you preach. Promising welfare spending is fine, but that doesn't sit pretty with the plans to raise taxes for the poor. And the final lesson, political economy is not a zero-sum game. Taking on the big tech and branding them evil is neither good economics nor sound politics. If and when Brexit happens, the United Kingdom will need the support of the corporate community to prevent an economic doom and gloom. Castigating companies as evil will hurt business sentiment and sour public sentiment. Capitalism does not mean the ill-treatment of labour, and socialism does not mean a war against capitalists. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Lessons to learn from Jeremy Corbyn's blunders

Learnings From Jeremy Corbyn: How Not To Lose Popularity.

Why Is Britain Roasting Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn?

Gravitas: Corbyn's labour on the back-foot

All Odds Stacked Against Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn Ahead Of U.K.'s Elections.

Gravitas: Jeremy Corbyn: The most unpopular PM-candidate ever!

Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn's Disastrous Interview May Hurt His Chances In The Upcoming Elections.

Gravitas: 2 weeks to go for the U.K. Polls: Jeremy Corbyn struggles

How will Indians impact UK elections? Watch video to know more.

How will Indians impact UK elections?

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 27th, 2019

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to apologise over anti-semitism. Watch video to know more.

Jeremy Corbyn refuses to apologise over anti-semitism

UK's Chief Rabbi takes aim at Jeremy Corbyn. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: UK's Chief Rabbi takes aim at Corbyn

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thousands-protest-against-anti-semitism-in-france-198435">Anti-Semitism</a> is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/labour-leader-jeremy-corbyn-neutral-on-brexit-referendum-264122">Jeremy Corbyn</a> said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in an article in The Times, questioned how complicit in prejudice an opposition leader would have to be considered unfit for office.

"Anti-Semitism in any form is vile and wrong," Corbyn said at the launch of Labour's race and faith manifesto, adding that the party's door would be open to all faith leaders.

"There is no place whatsoever for anti-Semitism in any shape or form or in any place whatsoever in modern Britain, and under a Labour government, it will not be tolerated in any form, whatsoever. I want to make that clear."

Anti-Semitism is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party.

Anti-Semitism is vile and wrong and will not be tolerated in any form under a Labour government, party leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Tuesday after Britain's chief rabbi accused him of failing to stem the "poison" gripping the opposition party. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, in an article in The Times, questioned how complicit in prejudice an opposition leader would have to be considered unfit for office. "Anti-Semitism in any form is vile and wrong," Corbyn said at the launch of Labour's race and faith manifesto, adding that the party's door would be open to all faith leaders. "There is no place whatsoever for anti-Semitism in any shape or form or in any place whatsoever in modern Britain, and under a Labour government, it will not be tolerated in any form, whatsoever. I want to make that clear."

UK's Corbyn: Labour government would not tolerate anti-Semitism

Holly Hudson on Uber operations banned in UK's capital. To know more watch the video

WION Dispatch:  Holly Hudson on Uber operations banned in UK's capital

The Labour Party of the United Kingdom continues to offend India by interfering into its internal affairs. Its recent utterances also have the potential to drive a wedge in the UK’s South Asian community in general and British Indian community in particular.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

As the country gears up for midterm 2019 General Elections on December 12, the Labour Party released its Manifesto on November 21. The party once again has clubbed the situation in Kashmir with un-comparable situations in other parts of the world such as Yemen and Myanmar and put it into the category of regions witnessing “World’s most pressing humanitarian crises”.&nbsp;

In addition, while offering to apologise, if voted to power, over the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919 ( when a British General had opened fire on unarmed Indians in Amritsar and killed hundreds of innocent people ), the party has mischievously also assured to review the role played by the British Government during Operation Blue Star in 1984 (when the Indian Armed forces had moved into Golden Temple Gurudwara in Amritsar to flush out terrorists). &nbsp;

The erroneous reference to Kashmir in the Manifesto is a reiteration of what was stated in the “Emergency Motion” which the Labour Party delegates had passed two months ago on September 25, 2019 at Party’s annual conference in Brighton. In fact, the Motion contained many more highly objectionable statements. For Instance, it urged the Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn to “accept that Kashmir is a disputed territory and the people of J&amp;K should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions”. It went on to allege that “the enforced disappearance of civilians, the state-endorsed sexual violence of women by armed forces and the overall prevalence of human rights violations in the region not only continues but has exasperated further in the past week”; the “past week” &nbsp;was an obvious reference to the abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution and the administrative bifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In its official reaction within hours of the adoption of the Motion, the Government of India had dismissed it as a “vote bank politics”, while regretting the uninformed and unfounded positions taken by the Labour Party delegates. While taking note of the fact the British government has called Kashmir a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, the Government Spokesperson made it clear that there was no intention to engage the Labour Party on this issue. The Indian High Commission in the UK, however, cancelled a scheduled dinner with Labour friends of India so as to register its disapproval of the Motion.&nbsp;

The Indian diaspora in the UK was, however, not as mild in its reaction as the official Spokesperson of India. It was quick and firm in expressing its dismay and disappointment. In a strongly worded letter &nbsp;addressed to party leader Jeremy Corbyn, over 100 British -Indian &nbsp;organisations, representing diverse Indian communities, were explicit in conveying that the Party motion was not acceptable to them as it sought “to interfere in internal matters of and between the &nbsp;third countries” and was drafted in a “one-sided and partial manner”. The diaspora expressed its deep concern over the wider attempts to drag Kashmir into UK’s domestic politics which it said would have ramifications for the communal harmony in the UK. The diaspora went on to warn the party that it would reconsider the level of engagement with Labour Party.&nbsp;

In the wake of the backlash from the British Indian community, the Labour Party took some damage-control steps. The Chairman of the Party Ian Lavery acknowledged that the language used in the Emergency Motion has caused offence to not just sections of the Indian diaspora but to India itself. Lavery went on to underline "Kashmir is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve together by means of a peaceful solution..." &nbsp;

The damage has, however, been already done. An opinion poll of British Indian voters by Optimus reveals the declining popularity and support from British Indians for the Labour Party for which they are known to have voted in the past. The estimated 1.5 million British Indian community has several wealthy and influential members; in some of the constituencies, up to 40 per cent voters are of Indian origin and thus have the potential to influence the outcome. &nbsp;

An apology from the elected British Government over Jallianwala Bagh massacre is overdue and if it comes the British would not be doing a favour to Indians. However, any review of the Operation Blue Star has the potential to re-open the wounds and drive a wedge between the Hindu and Sikh communities. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In short, the Labour Party must realise that it has no legal or moral right to comment upon issues which are internal to India. The Party should also tread with caution while dealing with issues which involve the sensitivities of the people in India and Indian diaspora in the UK. Dividing the South Asian communities in UK will only backfire to the disadvantage of communal harmony in that country where the society is already divided over the vexed issue of Brexit. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Labour Party Manifesto is titled: “It is Time For Real Change”. Yes indeed; it is time for the Labour Party to change its attitude towards India.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The Labour Party of the United Kingdom continues to offend India by interfering into its internal affairs. Its recent utterances also have the potential to drive a wedge in the UK’s South Asian community in general and British Indian community in particular.

The Labour Party of the United Kingdom continues to offend India by interfering into its internal affairs. Its recent utterances also have the potential to drive a wedge in the UK’s South Asian community in general and British Indian community in particular. As the country gears up for midterm 2019 General Elections on December 12, the Labour Party released its Manifesto on November 21. The party once again has clubbed the situation in Kashmir with un-comparable situations in other parts of the world such as Yemen and Myanmar and put it into the category of regions witnessing “World’s most pressing humanitarian crises”. In addition, while offering to apologise, if voted to power, over the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919 ( when a British General had opened fire on unarmed Indians in Amritsar and killed hundreds of innocent people ), the party has mischievously also assured to review the role played by the British Government during Operation Blue Star in 1984 (when the Indian Armed forces had moved into Golden Temple Gurudwara in Amritsar to flush out terrorists). The erroneous reference to Kashmir in the Manifesto is a reiteration of what was stated in the “Emergency Motion” which the Labour Party delegates had passed two months ago on September 25, 2019 at Party’s annual conference in Brighton. In fact, the Motion contained many more highly objectionable statements. For Instance, it urged the Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn to “accept that Kashmir is a disputed territory and the people of J&K should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions”. It went on to allege that “the enforced disappearance of civilians, the state-endorsed sexual violence of women by armed forces and the overall prevalence of human rights violations in the region not only continues but has exasperated further in the past week”; the “past week” was an obvious reference to the abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution and the administrative bifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. In its official reaction within hours of the adoption of the Motion, the Government of India had dismissed it as a “vote bank politics”, while regretting the uninformed and unfounded positions taken by the Labour Party delegates. While taking note of the fact the British government has called Kashmir a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, the Government Spokesperson made it clear that there was no intention to engage the Labour Party on this issue. The Indian High Commission in the UK, however, cancelled a scheduled dinner with Labour friends of India so as to register its disapproval of the Motion. The Indian diaspora in the UK was, however, not as mild in its reaction as the official Spokesperson of India. It was quick and firm in expressing its dismay and disappointment. In a strongly worded letter  addressed to party leader Jeremy Corbyn, over 100 British -Indian  organisations, representing diverse Indian communities, were explicit in conveying that the Party motion was not acceptable to them as it sought “to interfere in internal matters of and between the third countries” and was drafted in a “one-sided and partial manner”. The diaspora expressed its deep concern over the wider attempts to drag Kashmir into UK’s domestic politics which it said would have ramifications for the communal harmony in the UK. The diaspora went on to warn the party that it would reconsider the level of engagement with Labour Party. In the wake of the backlash from the British Indian community, the Labour Party took some damage-control steps. The Chairman of the Party Ian Lavery acknowledged that the language used in the Emergency Motion has caused offence to not just sections of the Indian diaspora but to India itself. Lavery went on to underline "Kashmir is a bilateral matter for India and Pakistan to resolve together by means of a peaceful solution..." The damage has, however, been already done. An opinion poll of British Indian voters by Optimus reveals the declining popularity and support from British Indians for the Labour Party for which they are known to have voted in the past. The estimated 1.5 million British Indian community has several wealthy and influential members; in some of the constituencies, up to 40 per cent voters are of Indian origin and thus have the potential to influence the outcome. An apology from the elected British Government over Jallianwala Bagh massacre is overdue and if it comes the British would not be doing a favour to Indians. However, any review of the Operation Blue Star has the potential to re-open the wounds and drive a wedge between the Hindu and Sikh communities. In short, the Labour Party must realise that it has no legal or moral right to comment upon issues which are internal to India. The Party should also tread with caution while dealing with issues which involve the sensitivities of the people in India and Indian diaspora in the UK. Dividing the South Asian communities in UK will only backfire to the disadvantage of communal harmony in that country where the society is already divided over the vexed issue of Brexit. The Labour Party Manifesto is titled: “It is Time For Real Change”. Yes indeed; it is time for the Labour Party to change its attitude towards India. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Kashmir issue: The Labour Party of UK offends India yet again

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum, so he could credibly carry out the result of the vote and unite the country.

Corbyn, 70, is vying to become prime minister at a December&nbsp;12 election called by his Conservative rival, the current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to resolve a deadlock in parliament over the right approach to leaving the European Union.

While Johnson wants to implement a deal he has already agreed with Brussels and leave the EU in January, Labour is promising to negotiate a new exit deal and put it to the public at a second referendum next year.

"I will adopt as prime minister, if I am, at the time, a neutral stance so that I can credibly carry out the results of that (referendum) to bring our communities and country together, rather than continuing an endless debate about the EU, and Brexit," Corbyn said during a televised question and answer session on BBC TV.

Previously, Corbyn has said his party's position would be determined by a special party conference on the issue.

Brexit divides many within Labour, with some senior figures angering eurosceptic grassroots members by saying openly they would campaign to remain in the EU.

"I don't see how you can do a deal when you say you are going to be neutral or indifferent about the deal," Johnson said during a later appearance on the same show.

Audience groans

Voters face a stark choice at the election: Corbyn's socialist vision, including widespread nationalisation and free public services, or Johnson's drive to deliver Brexit within months and build a "dynamic market economy".

Both leaders endured criticism during their separate 30-minute grillings by members of the public in the northern city of Sheffield.

Johnson defended past comments criticised by voters as homophobic and Islamophobic, and was persistently heckled over his decision not to publish a report into Russian democratic interference. Every time he used his election slogan "Get Brexit Done", the audience groaned.

One participant, asking about healthcare funding, said simply: "I think you're lying to us."

Corbyn was criticised over his proposed economic reforms and his stance on Brexit. His most difficult moment came when addressing historic complaints about his handling of anti-Semitism complaints within Labour.

"I don't buy this whole 'nice old Grandpa' (image)," one audience member told the veteran pacifist.

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum, so he could credibly carry out the result of the vote and unite the country.

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum, so he could credibly carry out the result of the vote and unite the country. Corbyn, 70, is vying to become prime minister at a December 12 election called by his Conservative rival, the current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to resolve a deadlock in parliament over the right approach to leaving the European Union. While Johnson wants to implement a deal he has already agreed with Brussels and leave the EU in January, Labour is promising to negotiate a new exit deal and put it to the public at a second referendum next year. "I will adopt as prime minister, if I am, at the time, a neutral stance so that I can credibly carry out the results of that (referendum) to bring our communities and country together, rather than continuing an endless debate about the EU, and Brexit," Corbyn said during a televised question and answer session on BBC TV. Previously, Corbyn has said his party's position would be determined by a special party conference on the issue. Brexit divides many within Labour, with some senior figures angering eurosceptic grassroots members by saying openly they would campaign to remain in the EU. "I don't see how you can do a deal when you say you are going to be neutral or indifferent about the deal," Johnson said during a later appearance on the same show. Audience groans Voters face a stark choice at the election: Corbyn's socialist vision, including widespread nationalisation and free public services, or Johnson's drive to deliver Brexit within months and build a "dynamic market economy". Both leaders endured criticism during their separate 30-minute grillings by members of the public in the northern city of Sheffield. Johnson defended past comments criticised by voters as homophobic and Islamophobic, and was persistently heckled over his decision not to publish a report into Russian democratic interference. Every time he used his election slogan "Get Brexit Done", the audience groaned. One participant, asking about healthcare funding, said simply: "I think you're lying to us." Corbyn was criticised over his proposed economic reforms and his stance on Brexit. His most difficult moment came when addressing historic complaints about his handling of anti-Semitism complaints within Labour. "I don't buy this whole 'nice old Grandpa' (image)," one audience member told the veteran pacifist.

UK Labour Leader Corbyn: I would stay neutral in a second Brexit referendum

The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 'neutral' on Brexit referendum

Watch in WION Dispatch: UK's Labour party compares Kashmir to Yemen. Watch this complete video to know more about this. #WIONDispatch

WION Dispatch: UK's Labour party compares Kashmir to Yemen

By Chris Stafford

Of all the criticisms of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, of which there are many, one of the more prominent in recent times has been the party’s ambiguous stance on Brexit.

Corbyn would rather not spend all that much time talking about Brexit, preferring to stick to his strengths and discuss inequality, championing the needs of the many over those of the few. But the upcoming 2019 general election is set to focus heavily on the issue and all parties need a clear, credible policy platform if they want to attract voters.

Jeremy Corbyn was heavily criticised during and after the 2016 referendum for his lukewarm support for the Remain campaign, famously assessing his support for EU membership as a “Seven, seven-and-a-half out of ten”.

Historically, Corbyn has not been a supporter of EU membership, voting against continued membership in the 1975 referendum. But his reasons for this are very different to those offered by groups such as UKIP or the Conservatives.

While the Labour Party has been very pro-European in recent history, this was not always the case, and in the 1980s the party leadership was much more hostile towards Europe. During the New Labour years, MPs such as Corbyn were a relic of Labour’s past, ardent left-wingers who saw the EU as a capitalist club, opposed to the socialist roots of the Labour Party.

After pledging to respect the result of the 2016 referendum, the Labour Party adopted an ambiguous stance on Brexit for most of Theresa May’s time as prime minister. The strategy initially proved to be somewhat successful, with the party effectively sitting on the fence and letting the issue of Europe tear the Conservatives apart.

But it eventually became difficult to criticise the Conservatives’ handling of Brexit without actually offering a credible alternative. Voters started to want clear, decisive party positions on Brexit, as evidenced by the success of the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party at the 2019 European elections.

The new plan

In an attempt to appear more decisive on Brexit, and after significant internal debate, Labour is now presenting a Brexit policy. The plan is to go back to Europe and renegotiate the Brexit deal. This new agreement would then be put back to the British public in a referendum.

Labour’s Brexit deal would, if all goes to plan, see the UK maintain a close trading relationship with the EU, creating a customs union and staying in close alignment with the single market, allowing the UK to continue to trade with Europe without tariffs. But this would likely mean that the UK couldn’t negotiate its own trade deals with non-EU countries – something that the Conservatives’ current deal would allow by effectively cutting all trading links with Europe and leaving the single market entirely.

Labour claims that it would take about three months to negotiate this deal, with a referendum held within six months. Alongside the newly negotiated “credible leave option”, the referendum ballot would also include the option to remain as an EU member.

Although this is a much clearer position than the party has held for a while, the policy still amounts to sitting on the fence to a certain extent. It is an attempt to appeal to both Leave and Remain voters.

It is also unclear how successful it would be if implemented. Would the EU be willing to renegotiate the withdrawal deal again? Signs from the continent suggest that many of the EU27 just want the UK gone already, with Brexit taking up far too much of their time at the expense of other pressing issues. Brexit is, and always has been, just one of many problems for the continent to deal with.

Assuming the EU did agree to renegotiate the deal again, how much effort would they put into it if they thought the government would then actively campaign against it in a subsequent referendum? That is a possibility under Labour, which has not been particularly clear about what its official position would be in a fresh referendum. Again, the answer may depend on whether or not Europe wants the UK to stay.

(Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/labours-brexit-policy-explained-127380">original article</a>) 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Chris Stafford Of all the criticisms of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, of which there are many, one of the more prominent in recent times has been the party’s ambiguous stance on Brexit.

By Chris Stafford Of all the criticisms of Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, of which there are many, one of the more prominent in recent times has been the party’s ambiguous stance on Brexit. Corbyn would rather not spend all that much time talking about Brexit, preferring to stick to his strengths and discuss inequality, championing the needs of the many over those of the few. But the upcoming 2019 general election is set to focus heavily on the issue and all parties need a clear, credible policy platform if they want to attract voters. Jeremy Corbyn was heavily criticised during and after the 2016 referendum for his lukewarm support for the Remain campaign, famously assessing his support for EU membership as a “Seven, seven-and-a-half out of ten”. Historically, Corbyn has not been a supporter of EU membership, voting against continued membership in the 1975 referendum. But his reasons for this are very different to those offered by groups such as UKIP or the Conservatives. While the Labour Party has been very pro-European in recent history, this was not always the case, and in the 1980s the party leadership was much more hostile towards Europe. During the New Labour years, MPs such as Corbyn were a relic of Labour’s past, ardent left-wingers who saw the EU as a capitalist club, opposed to the socialist roots of the Labour Party. After pledging to respect the result of the 2016 referendum, the Labour Party adopted an ambiguous stance on Brexit for most of Theresa May’s time as prime minister. The strategy initially proved to be somewhat successful, with the party effectively sitting on the fence and letting the issue of Europe tear the Conservatives apart. But it eventually became difficult to criticise the Conservatives’ handling of Brexit without actually offering a credible alternative. Voters started to want clear, decisive party positions on Brexit, as evidenced by the success of the Liberal Democrats and the Brexit Party at the 2019 European elections. The new plan In an attempt to appear more decisive on Brexit, and after significant internal debate, Labour is now presenting a Brexit policy. The plan is to go back to Europe and renegotiate the Brexit deal. This new agreement would then be put back to the British public in a referendum. Labour’s Brexit deal would, if all goes to plan, see the UK maintain a close trading relationship with the EU, creating a customs union and staying in close alignment with the single market, allowing the UK to continue to trade with Europe without tariffs. But this would likely mean that the UK couldn’t negotiate its own trade deals with non-EU countries – something that the Conservatives’ current deal would allow by effectively cutting all trading links with Europe and leaving the single market entirely. Labour claims that it would take about three months to negotiate this deal, with a referendum held within six months. Alongside the newly negotiated “credible leave option”, the referendum ballot would also include the option to remain as an EU member. Although this is a much clearer position than the party has held for a while, the policy still amounts to sitting on the fence to a certain extent. It is an attempt to appeal to both Leave and Remain voters. It is also unclear how successful it would be if implemented. Would the EU be willing to renegotiate the withdrawal deal again? Signs from the continent suggest that many of the EU27 just want the UK gone already, with Brexit taking up far too much of their time at the expense of other pressing issues. Brexit is, and always has been, just one of many problems for the continent to deal with. Assuming the EU did agree to renegotiate the deal again, how much effort would they put into it if they thought the government would then actively campaign against it in a subsequent referendum? That is a possibility under Labour, which has not been particularly clear about what its official position would be in a fresh referendum. Again, the answer may depend on whether or not Europe wants the UK to stay. (Chris Stafford is Doctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Labour Party’s Brexit policy explained

A ferry crew found 25 migrants in a refrigerated container on a boat sailing from the Netherlands to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-detains-22-migrants-in-english-channel-261224">Britain</a> on Tuesday, emergency services said.

The cargo vessel bound for Felixstowe returned to the Dutch port of Vlaardingen, near Rotterdam, as soon as the stowaways were found, they said in a statement.

The people found in the container received medical attention at the port and two were taken to hospital for further treatment for possible hypothermia.&nbsp;

The discovery comes the month after 39 Vietnamese people were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain, again laying bare the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe.&nbsp;

"Onboard a ship it turned out that several people were found in a cooling container. The ship returned to the harbour," said the Rotterdam region emergency services on Twitter.

"The 25 people were taken off the ship and given the medical care they need. Earlier the message came from the ship that no people died.

"Two people were transported to the hospital for extra medical care. Twenty-three people were transferred to a police location after a medical check-up."

Watch: Dutch authorities found 25 migrants stowed away on a UK bound ferry

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DFDS Seaways, which operates the cargo ferry, said that the migrants had come on board on a lorry trailer, De Telegraaf newspaper said.

The driver of the truck had been arrested, it added.

A bus took away the mainly male group, some of whom were wrapped in silver thermal blankets.

Their nationalities were not immediately known.

The mayor of Vlaardingen, Annemiek Jetten, said "more and more" people were trying to cross the Channel and had not been put off by the deaths of the Vietnamese migrants.

"I think people are so desperate that they keep trying, despite the tragic events in the UK not so long ago," Jetten told broadcaster NOS.

She added that it was not clear if more people&nbsp;were trying to get to Britain before immigration laws become tougher after its scheduled exit from the EU next year.

Separately on Tuesday Dutch border police intercepted a bus carrying 65 Moldovan nationals including children who were planning to claim asylum, Dutch media reported.

A ferry crew found 25 migrants in a refrigerated container on a boat sailing from the Netherlands to Britain on Tuesday, emergency services said. The cargo vessel bound for Felixstowe returned to the Dutch port of Vlaardingen, near Rotterdam, as soon as the stowaways were found, they said in a statement.

A ferry crew found 25 migrants in a refrigerated container on a boat sailing from the Netherlands to Britain on Tuesday, emergency services said. The cargo vessel bound for Felixstowe returned to the Dutch port of Vlaardingen, near Rotterdam, as soon as the stowaways were found, they said in a statement. The people found in the container received medical attention at the port and two were taken to hospital for further treatment for possible hypothermia. The discovery comes the month after 39 Vietnamese people were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain, again laying bare the risks of illegal migrant routes to Europe. "Onboard a ship it turned out that several people were found in a cooling container. The ship returned to the harbour," said the Rotterdam region emergency services on Twitter. "The 25 people were taken off the ship and given the medical care they need. Earlier the message came from the ship that no people died. "Two people were transported to the hospital for extra medical care. Twenty-three people were transferred to a police location after a medical check-up." Watch: Dutch authorities found 25 migrants stowed away on a UK bound ferry DFDS Seaways, which operates the cargo ferry, said that the migrants had come on board on a lorry trailer, De Telegraaf newspaper said. The driver of the truck had been arrested, it added. A bus took away the mainly male group, some of whom were wrapped in silver thermal blankets. Their nationalities were not immediately known. The mayor of Vlaardingen, Annemiek Jetten, said "more and more" people were trying to cross the Channel and had not been put off by the deaths of the Vietnamese migrants. "I think people are so desperate that they keep trying, despite the tragic events in the UK not so long ago," Jetten told broadcaster NOS. She added that it was not clear if more people were trying to get to Britain before immigration laws become tougher after its scheduled exit from the EU next year. Separately on Tuesday Dutch border police intercepted a bus carrying 65 Moldovan nationals including children who were planning to claim asylum, Dutch media reported.

Migrants found alive in refrigerated lorry on Dutch-UK ferry

A&nbsp;former&nbsp;employee of Britain's&nbsp;consulate&nbsp;in Hong Kong said Wednesday that&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;secret&nbsp;police&nbsp;tortured&nbsp;and interrogated&nbsp;him&nbsp;about London's role in protests in the semi-autonomous city.

Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong citizen, claimed he was shackled to a steel "tiger chair", hung spread-eagled on a "steep X-Cross" and beaten while he was detained for 15 days in August.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Cheng's allegations are credible and that the treatment "amounts to&nbsp;torture".

Raab told BBC radio that he summoned the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;ambassador to denounce the "disgraceful" and "outrageous behaviour from the authorities in China" which violate international law.

Cheng was placed in administrative detention after visiting the neighbouring southern&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;city of Shenzhen in August.

He said in a statement on Facebook that he had taken a high-speed train to Hong Kong's West Kowloon station, where he was stopped by mainland&nbsp;police&nbsp;and sent back to Shenzhen.

Cheng said&nbsp;police&nbsp;tied&nbsp;him&nbsp;to a steel "tiger chair," accused&nbsp;him&nbsp;of being a British spy and forced to do "extreme strength exercise" for hours, beating&nbsp;him&nbsp;whenever he failed to complete it.

He was also shackled to an X-shaped frame that kept his hands aloft for "hours after hours," Cheng wrote.

"It felt extremely painful."

Cheng said he was asked if he knew anyone who worked for British intelligence agencies, what part he had played in protests and what he knew about mainland citizens who had joined the demonstrations.

China has repeatedly accused Washington and London of condoning violence in Hong Kong.

The&nbsp;former&nbsp;British colony was handed back to Beijing in 1997 under a 50-year agreement that gave Hong Kong special rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.

The protests started as&nbsp;a response to a now-scrapped extradition bill but has since expanded to include broader demands for democracy and investigations into&nbsp;police&nbsp;violence.

Chinese&nbsp;foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Wednesday said that Shenzhen&nbsp;police&nbsp;had "guaranteed" Cheng's "legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law."

Geng said that he was unaware of any statements from London on Cheng's situation, but that China expressed "strong indignation at the recent series mistakes and deeds of the British side on the Hong Kong issue."

Police&nbsp;in Shenzhen declined to comment on Cheng's statement when contacted by AFP.

Cheng said he had monitored&nbsp;the protests&nbsp;as part of his work at the British&nbsp;consulate&nbsp;in Hong Kong, "in order to evaluate travel alerts" and whether British citizens were involved.

Outside of work, he supported the movement and had joined the protests.

The longest round of interrogations by a team of&nbsp;police&nbsp;officers lasted 48 hours with no break, Cheng said.

Police&nbsp;expected Cheng to confess that the "UK&nbsp;instigates the riots in Hong Kong by donating money, materials and equipment," and that he was&nbsp;paying the bail for mainlanders arrested by Hong Kong&nbsp;police&nbsp;using money from the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;government, Cheng said.

Shenzhen&nbsp;police&nbsp;had said in August that Cheng was detained for "violating the law of the People's Republic of China on public safety management."

The Global Times, a state-run tabloid, said cited&nbsp;police&nbsp;as saying that Cheng had been held for "soliciting prostitutes".

Cheng said he felt he had no choice but to make a filmed confession to "soliciting prostitution," a charge that he said was offered by&nbsp;police&nbsp;as an alternative to "indefinite criminal detention."

Cheng said he was asked during his detention by&nbsp;police&nbsp;to provide information on members of protest-related Telegram chat groups.&nbsp;

Police&nbsp;also wanted to know why protesters were becoming increasingly violent by late summer, and challenged Cheng's belief in democracy, calling&nbsp;him&nbsp;a traitor to China.

He said he had complied with some of their demands and drawn up an "organisational chart" of one Telegram group.

Cheng was asked if he had safeguarded the "Lennon Wall" in Hong Kong's Jordan neighbourhood, where protesters had put up messages and posters, and shown a photograph of the wall.

"That photo is not from my mobile phone, I suspect they have eyes and ears for gathering information in Hong Kong," Cheng wrote.

Cheng said has resigned from the British&nbsp;consulate&nbsp;and fled to an unnamed third place and intends to seek asylum.

"I won't give up the fight for human rights, peace, freedom and democracy for the rest of my life, no matter the danger, discrimination and retaliation I will face, and no matter how my reputation will be stained," he wrote.

A former employee of Britain's consulate in Hong Kong said Wednesday that Chinese secret police tortured and interrogated him about London's role in protests in the semi-autonomous city.

A former employee of Britain's consulate in Hong Kong said Wednesday that Chinese secret police tortured and interrogated him about London's role in protests in the semi-autonomous city. Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong citizen, claimed he was shackled to a steel "tiger chair", hung spread-eagled on a "steep X-Cross" and beaten while he was detained for 15 days in August. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Cheng's allegations are credible and that the treatment "amounts to torture". Raab told BBC radio that he summoned the Chinese ambassador to denounce the "disgraceful" and "outrageous behaviour from the authorities in China" which violate international law. Cheng was placed in administrative detention after visiting the neighbouring southern Chinese city of Shenzhen in August. He said in a statement on Facebook that he had taken a high-speed train to Hong Kong's West Kowloon station, where he was stopped by mainland police and sent back to Shenzhen. Cheng said police tied him to a steel "tiger chair," accused him of being a British spy and forced to do "extreme strength exercise" for hours, beating him whenever he failed to complete it. He was also shackled to an X-shaped frame that kept his hands aloft for "hours after hours," Cheng wrote. "It felt extremely painful." Cheng said he was asked if he knew anyone who worked for British intelligence agencies, what part he had played in protests and what he knew about mainland citizens who had joined the demonstrations. China has repeatedly accused Washington and London of condoning violence in Hong Kong. The former British colony was handed back to Beijing in 1997 under a 50-year agreement that gave Hong Kong special rights unseen on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary. The protests started as a response to a now-scrapped extradition bill but has since expanded to include broader demands for democracy and investigations into police violence. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Wednesday said that Shenzhen police had "guaranteed" Cheng's "legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law." Geng said that he was unaware of any statements from London on Cheng's situation, but that China expressed "strong indignation at the recent series mistakes and deeds of the British side on the Hong Kong issue." Police in Shenzhen declined to comment on Cheng's statement when contacted by AFP. Cheng said he had monitored the protests as part of his work at the British consulate in Hong Kong, "in order to evaluate travel alerts" and whether British citizens were involved. Outside of work, he supported the movement and had joined the protests. The longest round of interrogations by a team of police officers lasted 48 hours with no break, Cheng said. Police expected Cheng to confess that the "UK instigates the riots in Hong Kong by donating money, materials and equipment," and that he was paying the bail for mainlanders arrested by Hong Kong police using money from the UK government, Cheng said. Shenzhen police had said in August that Cheng was detained for "violating the law of the People's Republic of China on public safety management." The Global Times, a state-run tabloid, said cited police as saying that Cheng had been held for "soliciting prostitutes". Cheng said he felt he had no choice but to make a filmed confession to "soliciting prostitution," a charge that he said was offered by police as an alternative to "indefinite criminal detention." Cheng said he was asked during his detention by police to provide information on members of protest-related Telegram chat groups. Police also wanted to know why protesters were becoming increasingly violent by late summer, and challenged Cheng's belief in democracy, calling him a traitor to China. He said he had complied with some of their demands and drawn up an "organisational chart" of one Telegram group. Cheng was asked if he had safeguarded the "Lennon Wall" in Hong Kong's Jordan neighbourhood, where protesters had put up messages and posters, and shown a photograph of the wall. "That photo is not from my mobile phone, I suspect they have eyes and ears for gathering information in Hong Kong," Cheng wrote. Cheng said has resigned from the British consulate and fled to an unnamed third place and intends to seek asylum. "I won't give up the fight for human rights, peace, freedom and democracy for the rest of my life, no matter the danger, discrimination and retaliation I will face, and no matter how my reputation will be stained," he wrote.

Former United Kingdom consulate worker says Chinese police tortured him

So. the United Kingdom goes to polls on December 12, how is it different from elections held across the world. Let's break it out for you. Watch this video to understand the political system of the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom's political system explained

U.S. businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri told a British television programme that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cast her aside like 'some gremlin', since she became the centre of a series of newspaper allegations over Johnson's conduct while he was mayor of London.

U.S. businesswoman: 'UK PM Johnson cast me aside like a one night stand'

Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Envoy to UK addresses Press Conference on Hong Kong Crisis

Chinese Envoy to UK addresses Press Conference on Hong Kong Crisis

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-goes-head-to-head-with-buckethead-and-binface-in-uk-vote-262460">Boris Johnson</a> has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December&nbsp;12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

"All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election,&nbsp;every single one of them,&nbsp;has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday.

"I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent&nbsp;sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done."

Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU.

Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent&nbsp;tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups.

"We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes."

Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls.

However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-transition-period-will-not-be-extended-united-kingdom-pm-johnson-262314">result of the coming vote</a> highly unpredictable.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that all Conservative Party candidates in the December 12 election have pledged to back his Brexit deal, opening the door to getting the agreement passed through parliament if the party were to win a majority. "All 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election, every single one of them, has pledged to me that if elected they will vote in Parliament to pass my Brexit deal so we can end the uncertainty and finally leave the EU," Johnson told the Telegraph newspaper in an interview published late on Saturday. "I am offering a pact with the people: if you vote Conservative you can be 100 per cent sure a majority Conservative government will unblock Parliament and get Brexit done." Johnson struck a last-minute Brexit deal with the European Union last month, as the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Voters in the 2016 referendum narrowly voted in favour of leaving the EU. Commenting separately on his tax policy, the prime minister told the newspaper that tax cuts can boost the economy, but added that he is delaying plans to increase the 40 per cent tax rate threshold, stating that the aim is to first "lift the burden" for low-income groups. "We do want to reduce the burden of taxation," Johnson said. "That's very much our ambition, but we won't do that until we have done more to lift the burden particularly on people on low incomes." Opinion polls published on Saturday showed that Johnson's Conservatives have the highest level of support since 2017, with the party leading opposition Labour by 10-17 percentage points in four polls. However, analysts have warned that Brexit, which has divided parties and their voters, could make the result of the coming vote highly unpredictable.

All Conservative election candidates pledge to back my Brexit deal: UK PM Boris Johnson

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-to-become-second-rate-in-the-world-after-brexit-donald-tusk-261980">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> said Britain&nbsp;will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year.

"I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC. "If we can get a working majority, all we need is 9 more seats, then can absolutely guarantee" not seeking an extension.

Britons will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-set-for-third-election-in-four-years-to-try-to-break-brexit-gridlock-258692">vote on December&nbsp;12</a> after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

"The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks.

"If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again.

Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year. "I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain will "absolutely guarantee" that his government will not extend the Brexit transition period before the end of year. "I don't want an extension," Johnson told the BBC. "If we can get a working majority, all we need is 9 more seats, then can absolutely guarantee" not seeking an extension. Britons will vote on December 12 after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth-largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing. "The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks. "If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted the third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU. The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn. Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

Brexit transition period will not be extended: United Kingdom PM Johnson

UK Labour Party hit by cyber attack ahead of election. Watch video to know more.

UK Labour Party hit by cyber attack ahead of election

British&nbsp;police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/39-bodies-found-in-lorry-in-essex-were-vietnam-nationals-uk-police-260616">manslaughter and people trafficking</a>, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England.

The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said.

Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings.

A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday.

Police initially said the victims,&nbsp;believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge,&nbsp;were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese.

Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to&nbsp;British&nbsp;interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said.

In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad.

All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad.

Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons.&nbsp;

'Fell to the ground'

In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-police-step-up-appeals-over-migrant-lorry-deaths-259320">son had died en route to Britain</a>.&nbsp;

"I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said.&nbsp;"It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead."

Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam.

Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives.&nbsp;

The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham&nbsp;Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died.

"I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong.

Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese&nbsp;steel&nbsp;firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean.

Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank.

'Vulnerable people'

The truck's driver is due in court on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-lorry-victims-believed-to-be-vietnamese-uk-police-259383">Among the suspects still in custody</a> is a&nbsp;38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports.

"We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers,"&nbsp;British&nbsp;police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday.

"It must be clear that criminals,&nbsp;and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers,&nbsp;are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added.&nbsp;

He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative.

Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead. Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England. The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said. Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings. A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday. Police initially said the victims, believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese. Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to British interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said. In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad. All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad. Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons. 'Fell to the ground' In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his son had died en route to Britain. "I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said. "It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead." Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam. Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives. The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died. "I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong. Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese steel firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean. Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank. 'Vulnerable people' The truck's driver is due in court on Monday. Among the suspects still in custody is a 38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports. "We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers," British police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday. "It must be clear that criminals, and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers, are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added. He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative. Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

Driver charged as more Vietnamese feared dead among 39 UK truck victims

Britain's economy grew at the slowest annual rate in nearly a decade in the three months to the end of September, as a global slowdown and Brexit worries hit business investment and manufacturing.

Year-on-year gross domestic product growth slowed to 1.0 per cent&nbsp;from 1.3 per cent&nbsp;in the second quarter, Britain's Office for National Statistics said, its lowest since the first three months of 2010 and just below economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll of 1.1 per cent.

The slowdown reflected a smaller-than-expected rebound in quarterly GDP growth after a contraction in the second quarter when businesses faced an overhang of stocks of raw materials after Brexit was delayed from the end of March.

"Looking at the picture over the last year, growth slowed to its lowest rate in almost a decade," an ONS spokesperson said.

During the third quarter, when Boris Johnson became prime minister, there were increasing concerns among businesses that Britain could have been heading for a no-deal Brexit on October&nbsp;31.

In the event, parliament forced Johnson to seek a delay and he has now called an early election for December&nbsp;12 in an attempt to win a large enough majority for his preferred Brexit deal before a new deadline of January&nbsp;31.

Gross domestic product expanded at a quarterly rate of 0.3 per cent&nbsp;in the third quarter of 2019, below the 0.4 per cent&nbsp;reading expected by the Bank of England, as well as by private-sector economists.

Britain's economy has lost momentum since the 2016 Brexit referendum, before which it typically grew more than 2 per cent&nbsp;a year.

Last week the BoE nudged up its growth forecast for 2019 to 1.4 per cent&nbsp;from 1.3 per cent&nbsp;- largely because of its expectation of a bigger pick-up in the third quarter than it forecast before.

This would be the same growth rate as 2018 and the weakest since the financial crisis, while for 2020 the BoE expects a further slowdown to 1.3 per cent.

On top of Brexit, businesses across Europe have been suffering spill-over from the US-China trade war. Eurozone annual GDP growth slowed to 1.1 per cent&nbsp;in the third quarter from 1.2 per cent&nbsp;in the quarter before.

Monday's data showed business investment held steady in the third quarter versus economists' expectations for a 0.5 per cent&nbsp;fall.

Household spending, which has been much more than resilient business investment, due to falling unemployment and rising wages, rose by 0.4 per cent&nbsp;on the quarter while government spending increased by 0.3 per cent.

Britain's economy grew at the slowest annual rate in nearly a decade in the three months to the end of September, as a global slowdown and Brexit worries hit business investment and manufacturing.

Britain's economy grew at the slowest annual rate in nearly a decade in the three months to the end of September, as a global slowdown and Brexit worries hit business investment and manufacturing. Year-on-year gross domestic product growth slowed to 1.0 per cent from 1.3 per cent in the second quarter, Britain's Office for National Statistics said, its lowest since the first three months of 2010 and just below economists' forecasts in a Reuters poll of 1.1 per cent. The slowdown reflected a smaller-than-expected rebound in quarterly GDP growth after a contraction in the second quarter when businesses faced an overhang of stocks of raw materials after Brexit was delayed from the end of March. "Looking at the picture over the last year, growth slowed to its lowest rate in almost a decade," an ONS spokesperson said. During the third quarter, when Boris Johnson became prime minister, there were increasing concerns among businesses that Britain could have been heading for a no-deal Brexit on October 31. In the event, parliament forced Johnson to seek a delay and he has now called an early election for December 12 in an attempt to win a large enough majority for his preferred Brexit deal before a new deadline of January 31. Gross domestic product expanded at a quarterly rate of 0.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2019, below the 0.4 per cent reading expected by the Bank of England, as well as by private-sector economists. Britain's economy has lost momentum since the 2016 Brexit referendum, before which it typically grew more than 2 per cent a year. Last week the BoE nudged up its growth forecast for 2019 to 1.4 per cent from 1.3 per cent - largely because of its expectation of a bigger pick-up in the third quarter than it forecast before. This would be the same growth rate as 2018 and the weakest since the financial crisis, while for 2020 the BoE expects a further slowdown to 1.3 per cent. On top of Brexit, businesses across Europe have been suffering spill-over from the US-China trade war. Eurozone annual GDP growth slowed to 1.1 per cent in the third quarter from 1.2 per cent in the quarter before. Monday's data showed business investment held steady in the third quarter versus economists' expectations for a 0.5 per cent fall. Household spending, which has been much more than resilient business investment, due to falling unemployment and rising wages, rose by 0.4 per cent on the quarter while government spending increased by 0.3 per cent.

United Kingdom economy grows at slowest annual rate since 2010 in Q3

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