<h1><meta name="uuid" content="uuidv58rANfm1MRo" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></h1>

It is up to Britain, not Brussels, to address problems the EU sees in the UK's latest Brexit proposal, a spokeswoman for the European Commission said Thursday.

"As we have said there are problematic points in the United Kingdom's proposal and further work is needed. But that work needs to be done by the United Kingdom and not the other way around," spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud told a media briefing.

The British government on Wednesday submitted its proposal for a new withdrawal agreement from the European Union to back up Prime Minister Boris Johnson's vow to pull his country out of the bloc on October 31.

While the EU has cautiously said the document contained some progress on the sticking point of Northern Ireland it also had problems.&nbsp;

Those are understood to focus on the reliance on UK good will and untested technology to prevent a border springing up anew between the British province and EU member Ireland, and a provision periodically allowing part of the Northern Ireland assembly to veto the agreement.

Johnson's ministers have suggested that, having handed over the Brexit proposal, the ball was now in the EU's court.

But the spokeswoman said "we would disagree."

She added: "We would remind you that it's the UK leaving the European Union and not the European Union leaving the UK and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that exit is on an orderly basis.

"And we are willing to engage constructively with our counterparts. But we are not going to be the ones left holding the bag, the ball or any other kind of object."

It is up to Britain, not Brussels, to address problems the EU sees in the UK's latest Brexit proposal, a spokeswoman for the European Commission said Thursday. "As we have said there are problematic points in the United Kingdom's proposal and further work is needed.

It is up to Britain, not Brussels, to address problems the EU sees in the UK's latest Brexit proposal, a spokeswoman for the European Commission said Thursday. "As we have said there are problematic points in the United Kingdom's proposal and further work is needed. But that work needs to be done by the United Kingdom and not the other way around," spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud told a media briefing. The British government on Wednesday submitted its proposal for a new withdrawal agreement from the European Union to back up Prime Minister Boris Johnson's vow to pull his country out of the bloc on October 31. While the EU has cautiously said the document contained some progress on the sticking point of Northern Ireland it also had problems. Those are understood to focus on the reliance on UK good will and untested technology to prevent a border springing up anew between the British province and EU member Ireland, and a provision periodically allowing part of the Northern Ireland assembly to veto the agreement. Johnson's ministers have suggested that, having handed over the Brexit proposal, the ball was now in the EU's court. But the spokeswoman said "we would disagree." She added: "We would remind you that it's the UK leaving the European Union and not the European Union leaving the UK and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that exit is on an orderly basis. "And we are willing to engage constructively with our counterparts. But we are not going to be the ones left holding the bag, the ball or any other kind of object."

UK, not EU, needs to do more work on Brexit offer: Brussels

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-prime-minister-johnson-to-submit-brexit-grand-bargain-but-ireland-sceptical-253001">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> will on Wednesday unveil his final Brexit offer to the European Union and make clear that if Brussels does not engage with the proposal, Britain will not negotiate further and will leave on October&nbsp;31.

In his closing speech to his governing Conservatives' annual conference, Johnson will stick to his hard line on Brexit, offering the party faithful the first details of what he will describe as his "fair and reasonable compromise".

With less than a month until Britain is due to leave the EU, the future of Brexit, the country's biggest trade and foreign policy shift in more than 40 years, is uncertain. Britain could leave with a deal, without one or no&nbsp;exit at all.

Johnson, who says Britain will leave the bloc on October&nbsp;31 no matter what will tell the conference he will send his proposal to Brussels, an attempt to secure a deal to smooth the country's departure and avoid a potentially damaging no-deal Brexit.

"My friends, I am afraid that after three-and-a-half years people are beginning to feel that they are being taken for fools. They are beginning to suspect that there are forces in this country that simply don't want Brexit delivered at all," he will say, according to extracts released by his office.

"Let's get Brexit done on October 31 so in 2020 our country can move on", he added.

More than three years after Britain voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, Brexit talks are at an impasse.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-vows-to-stay-put-to-hit-october-31-brexit-deadline-252702">Johnson has been firm that the October&nbsp;31 deadline will be met</a>, but parliament has put roadblocks in his way - passing a law that requires the prime minister to request a Brexit delay if he fails to secure an acceptable deal at an EU summit on October&nbsp;17.

The EU has repeatedly asked Britain to come up with "legal and operational" proposals for the changes Johnson wants to a deal his predecessor negotiated with the bloc last year.

'Nobody will work on a delay'

Following its rejection three times by parliament, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-juncker-says-britain-will-be-responsible-if-no-brexit-deal-252324">Johnson has demanded changes to the Withdrawal Agreement</a>, especially over new arrangements with the bloc for the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.

But after weeks of talks, since Johnson took power that has made little headway to break the Brexit stand-off, the prime minister will make his last gambit - a new proposal which British officials describe as a final offer.

The Telegraph newspaper cited a briefing to European capitals that Britain was suggesting a plan that would leave Northern Ireland in a special relationship with the EU until 2025, after which Belfast would decide whether to remain aligned to the bloc or return to following British rules.

The proposal would be aimed at replacing the so-called backstop -&nbsp;an insurance policy to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland -- that has become the biggest hurdle to securing an agreement with Brussels.

A senior British government official said: "The government is either going to be negotiating a new deal or working on no-deal — nobody will work on delay."

"We will keep fighting to respect the biggest democratic vote in British history. The EU is obliged by EU law only to negotiate with member state governments, they cannot negotiate with parliament, and this government will not negotiate delay."

Johnson has made the gamble that by pressing a hardline position on Brexit he will steal votes from parties such as the Brexit Party led by veteran eurosceptic Nigel Farage at an election, widely expected to come before the end of the year.

He also has the main opposition Labour Party in his sights and will use his speech to attack its leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who has led efforts to try to stop the prime minister taking Britain out of the EU without a deal.

"Can you imagine another three years of this? That is the Corbyn agenda – stay in the EU beyond October 31, paying $1.23 billion&nbsp;a month for the privilege, followed by years of uncertainty for business and everyone else," he will say.

"That is why we are coming out of the EU on October 31. Let's get Brexit done - we can, we must and we will", he added.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday unveil his final Brexit offer to the European Union and make clear that if Brussels does not engage with the proposal, Britain will not negotiate further and will leave on October 31.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday unveil his final Brexit offer to the European Union and make clear that if Brussels does not engage with the proposal, Britain will not negotiate further and will leave on October 31. In his closing speech to his governing Conservatives' annual conference, Johnson will stick to his hard line on Brexit, offering the party faithful the first details of what he will describe as his "fair and reasonable compromise". With less than a month until Britain is due to leave the EU, the future of Brexit, the country's biggest trade and foreign policy shift in more than 40 years, is uncertain. Britain could leave with a deal, without one or no exit at all. Johnson, who says Britain will leave the bloc on October 31 no matter what will tell the conference he will send his proposal to Brussels, an attempt to secure a deal to smooth the country's departure and avoid a potentially damaging no-deal Brexit. "My friends, I am afraid that after three-and-a-half years people are beginning to feel that they are being taken for fools. They are beginning to suspect that there are forces in this country that simply don't want Brexit delivered at all," he will say, according to extracts released by his office. "Let's get Brexit done on October 31 so in 2020 our country can move on", he added. More than three years after Britain voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum, Brexit talks are at an impasse. Johnson has been firm that the October 31 deadline will be met, but parliament has put roadblocks in his way - passing a law that requires the prime minister to request a Brexit delay if he fails to secure an acceptable deal at an EU summit on October 17. The EU has repeatedly asked Britain to come up with "legal and operational" proposals for the changes Johnson wants to a deal his predecessor negotiated with the bloc last year. 'Nobody will work on a delay' Following its rejection three times by parliament, Johnson has demanded changes to the Withdrawal Agreement, especially over new arrangements with the bloc for the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. But after weeks of talks, since Johnson took power that has made little headway to break the Brexit stand-off, the prime minister will make his last gambit - a new proposal which British officials describe as a final offer. The Telegraph newspaper cited a briefing to European capitals that Britain was suggesting a plan that would leave Northern Ireland in a special relationship with the EU until 2025, after which Belfast would decide whether to remain aligned to the bloc or return to following British rules. The proposal would be aimed at replacing the so-called backstop - an insurance policy to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland -- that has become the biggest hurdle to securing an agreement with Brussels. A senior British government official said: "The government is either going to be negotiating a new deal or working on no-deal — nobody will work on delay." "We will keep fighting to respect the biggest democratic vote in British history. The EU is obliged by EU law only to negotiate with member state governments, they cannot negotiate with parliament, and this government will not negotiate delay." Johnson has made the gamble that by pressing a hardline position on Brexit he will steal votes from parties such as the Brexit Party led by veteran eurosceptic Nigel Farage at an election, widely expected to come before the end of the year. He also has the main opposition Labour Party in his sights and will use his speech to attack its leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who has led efforts to try to stop the prime minister taking Britain out of the EU without a deal. "Can you imagine another three years of this? That is the Corbyn agenda – stay in the EU beyond October 31, paying $1.23 billion a month for the privilege, followed by years of uncertainty for business and everyone else," he will say. "That is why we are coming out of the EU on October 31. Let's get Brexit done - we can, we must and we will", he added.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson to unveil final Brexit offer to European Union

When The Prime Minister Of United Kingdom Was Denied A Cup Of Coffee...

Gravitas: Boris Johnson & Coffee: Many A Slip Between The Cup & The Lip!

London police said Tuesday they detained a man who was dousing himself with what appeared to be a flammable liquid outside parliament.

"The man, who had a lighter, was sprayed with a fire extinguisher," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "There was no ignition and the man was detained."

The man was assessed by ambulance workers and taken to the hospital. His age or condition was not immediately released.

One lawmaker who was at the scene tweeted the substance "smells like petrol".

The incident came against a background of heightened tension over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-prime-minister-johnson-to-submit-brexit-grand-bargain-but-ireland-sceptical-253001">Britain's</a> imminent departure from the European Union, which has divided the country.

MPs are currently debating ways to make sure Britain does not crash out of the EU without a negotiated agreement on its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-will-leave-eu-on-october-31-finance-minister-javid-says-252779">October 31</a> departure date.

London police said Tuesday they detained a man who was dousing himself with what appeared to be a flammable liquid outside parliament. "The man, who had a lighter, was sprayed with a fire extinguisher," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

London police said Tuesday they detained a man who was dousing himself with what appeared to be a flammable liquid outside parliament. "The man, who had a lighter, was sprayed with a fire extinguisher," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "There was no ignition and the man was detained." The man was assessed by ambulance workers and taken to the hospital. His age or condition was not immediately released. One lawmaker who was at the scene tweeted the substance "smells like petrol". The incident came against a background of heightened tension over Britain's imminent departure from the European Union, which has divided the country. MPs are currently debating ways to make sure Britain does not crash out of the EU without a negotiated agreement on its October 31 departure date.

Man held outside UK parliament in 'petrol' incident: Police

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-row-boris-johnson-defeated-by-uk-supreme-court-but-he-could-still-emerge-as-a-winner-251957">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> will shortly present the European Union with proposals for an amended Brexit agreement, including new ideas that remove the contested insurance policy for the Irish border that Britain previously signed up to.

More than three years since the 2016 referendum, the United Kingdom is heading towards an October&nbsp;31 exit date without a clear understanding of whether it will leave with a deal, without a deal, or even leave by that deadline.

Even before the proposals were formally made, Ireland dismissed the ideas that had been previously floated with Foreign Minister Simon Coveney quipping: "Non-Starter".

"We've made a very good offer, we're going to make a very good offer, we're going to be tabling it formally very soon," Johnson, a Brexiter who helped lead the Out campaign in the referendum, told the BBC.

"We do think there's a good way forward, we do think there's a good solution. I very much hope that our European, EU friends in Brussels, in Dublin, in Germany as well will want to take it forward," he added.

Johnson said he wanted to get rid of the hotly contested element of the Brexit divorce agreement - the Irish border backstop - and that there was no point in leaving the EU if one stayed locked in an EU customs union.

"What we want to do is to get rid of the backstop, that is the most important thing," Johnson said.

"Getting rid of the backstop is a fantastic thing because what that does is it enables the UK genuinely to take back control of our regulatory framework, our tariffs, our customs and commercial policy and it allows us to go forward with a new and exciting relationship, not just with the EU but also with the rest of the world," he said.

The backstop is an insurance policy to prevent the return of border infrastructure between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-boris-johnson-brexit-warrior-trumps-friend-chinas-frenemy-237975">Johnson brushed away criticism</a> of leaked plans to manage the Irish border after Brexit, saying comments from Brussels and Dublin were not aimed at Britain's final proposals.

"As far as I can make out from what I've seen from the response from Brussels and I think Dublin, they're not talking about the proposals that we're actually going to be taking, they're talking about some stuff that went in previously," Johnson told the BBC.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will shortly present the European Union with proposals for an amended Brexit agreement, including new ideas that remove the contested insurance policy for the Irish border that Britain previously signed up to.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will shortly present the European Union with proposals for an amended Brexit agreement, including new ideas that remove the contested insurance policy for the Irish border that Britain previously signed up to. More than three years since the 2016 referendum, the United Kingdom is heading towards an October 31 exit date without a clear understanding of whether it will leave with a deal, without a deal, or even leave by that deadline. Even before the proposals were formally made, Ireland dismissed the ideas that had been previously floated with Foreign Minister Simon Coveney quipping: "Non-Starter". "We've made a very good offer, we're going to make a very good offer, we're going to be tabling it formally very soon," Johnson, a Brexiter who helped lead the Out campaign in the referendum, told the BBC. "We do think there's a good way forward, we do think there's a good solution. I very much hope that our European, EU friends in Brussels, in Dublin, in Germany as well will want to take it forward," he added. Johnson said he wanted to get rid of the hotly contested element of the Brexit divorce agreement - the Irish border backstop - and that there was no point in leaving the EU if one stayed locked in an EU customs union. "What we want to do is to get rid of the backstop, that is the most important thing," Johnson said. "Getting rid of the backstop is a fantastic thing because what that does is it enables the UK genuinely to take back control of our regulatory framework, our tariffs, our customs and commercial policy and it allows us to go forward with a new and exciting relationship, not just with the EU but also with the rest of the world," he said. The backstop is an insurance policy to prevent the return of border infrastructure between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Johnson brushed away criticism of leaked plans to manage the Irish border after Brexit, saying comments from Brussels and Dublin were not aimed at Britain's final proposals. "As far as I can make out from what I've seen from the response from Brussels and I think Dublin, they're not talking about the proposals that we're actually going to be taking, they're talking about some stuff that went in previously," Johnson told the BBC.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Johnson to submit Brexit grand bargain but Ireland sceptical

The United Kingdom will <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-vows-to-stay-put-to-hit-october-31-brexit-deadline-252702">leave the European Union</a> on October 31, hopefully, with a deal, Finance Minister Sajid Javid said on Monday.

"Hopefully we leave with a deal," Javid told ITV. "If we cannot strike a deal, I think it is important to leave in any case and leave with no deal. It is not perfect but it is appropriate that we leave on the 31st."

Javid repeatedly refused to set out how the government could deliver <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-juncker-says-britain-will-be-responsible-if-no-brexit-deal-252324">Brexit</a> if there was no deal given a law which demands the prime minister delay Brexit in such a scenario.

"The legislation that parliament has passed of course has made things more difficult, but we are clear our own policy is completely unchanged, we will be leaving on 31st," Javid said.

The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on October 31, hopefully, with a deal, Finance Minister Sajid Javid said on Monday. "Hopefully we leave with a deal," Javid told ITV.

The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on October 31, hopefully, with a deal, Finance Minister Sajid Javid said on Monday. "Hopefully we leave with a deal," Javid told ITV. "If we cannot strike a deal, I think it is important to leave in any case and leave with no deal. It is not perfect but it is appropriate that we leave on the 31st." Javid repeatedly refused to set out how the government could deliver Brexit if there was no deal given a law which demands the prime minister delay Brexit in such a scenario. "The legislation that parliament has passed of course has made things more difficult, but we are clear our own policy is completely unchanged, we will be leaving on 31st," Javid said.

UK will leave European Union on October 31, Finance Minister Javid says

More than half of of the 150,000 holidaymakers left stranded abroad after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-shrugs-off-thomas-cook-collapse-amid-booming-investment-252448">collapse of travel firm Thomas Cook</a> have been repatriated to Britain, the Civil Aviation Authority regulator said Saturday.

The CAA said 76,000 people had been returned in the first five days of Operation Matterhorn -&nbsp;Britain's biggest peacetime repatriation.

Debt-plagued Thomas Cook, which struggled against the fierce online competition for years and blamed Brexit uncertainty for a drop in bookings, declared bankruptcy Monday after failing to secure fresh funds.

The CAA said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/thomas-cook-france-declares-insolvency-252278">95 per cent of passengers were coming home on the day</a> they were originally scheduled to return.

The operation will continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total.

Some 76 flights were scheduled Saturday, bringing 16,700 people back to Britain.

"After five days, Operation Matterhorn has now flown home over half of the 150,000 customers who were abroad at the time Thomas Cook stopped trading," said CAA Chief Executive Richard Moriarty.

"We aim to bring home the rest at the end of their holiday," he said.

"An operation of this scale and complexity will inevitably cause some inconvenience and disruption and I would like to thank holidaymakers for bearing with us as we work around the clock to bring them back", he added.

The CAA said it was processing hundreds of payments to hotels <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-repatriate-16000-people-on-fourth-day-of-thomas-cook-collapse-252153">hosting Thomas Cook customers</a> to ensure they could stay on and complete their holidays.

Monday's bankruptcy followed a lengthy period of chronic financial turmoil after a disastrous series of mergers left it burdened with soaring debt, a large branch network and high costs.

More than half of of the 150,000 holidaymakers left stranded abroad after the collapse of travel firm Thomas Cook have been repatriated to Britain, the Civil Aviation Authority regulator said Saturday.

More than half of of the 150,000 holidaymakers left stranded abroad after the collapse of travel firm Thomas Cook have been repatriated to Britain, the Civil Aviation Authority regulator said Saturday. The CAA said 76,000 people had been returned in the first five days of Operation Matterhorn - Britain's biggest peacetime repatriation. Debt-plagued Thomas Cook, which struggled against the fierce online competition for years and blamed Brexit uncertainty for a drop in bookings, declared bankruptcy Monday after failing to secure fresh funds. The CAA said 95 per cent of passengers were coming home on the day they were originally scheduled to return. The operation will continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total. Some 76 flights were scheduled Saturday, bringing 16,700 people back to Britain. "After five days, Operation Matterhorn has now flown home over half of the 150,000 customers who were abroad at the time Thomas Cook stopped trading," said CAA Chief Executive Richard Moriarty. "We aim to bring home the rest at the end of their holiday," he said. "An operation of this scale and complexity will inevitably cause some inconvenience and disruption and I would like to thank holidaymakers for bearing with us as we work around the clock to bring them back", he added. The CAA said it was processing hundreds of payments to hotels hosting Thomas Cook customers to ensure they could stay on and complete their holidays. Monday's bankruptcy followed a lengthy period of chronic financial turmoil after a disastrous series of mergers left it burdened with soaring debt, a large branch network and high costs.

After disruptions, Thomas Cook holidaymakers back in UK

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/travellers-stranded-abroad-other-cases-before-thomas-cook-251538">collapse of Thomas Cook</a>.

The authority also said that over 150 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/thomas-cook-collapses-why-and-what-happens-now-251531">Thomas Cook</a> crew members and 30 per cent of the total number of passengers had been flown back in the first three days of post-collapse operations.

CAA said that its flying programme would continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total. The Aviation Regulator launched the largest peacetime repatriation on Monday.

"Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable, but the Civil Aviation Authority will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates," it said.

A fleet of aircraft will be used to repatriate British citizens. In a small number of destinations, alternative commercial flights will be used.

About 50,000 tourists are stranded in Greece, mainly on islands, a Greek tourism ministry official told Reuters on Monday.

The CAA has launched a special website,&nbsp;thomascook.caa.co.uk, where affected customers can find details and information on repatriation flights.

For those customers not flying from Britain, alternative arrangements will have to be found. In Germany, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thomas-cook-shuts-down-abruptly-leaves-thousands-of-passengers-stranded-251760">a popular customer market for Thomas Cook</a>, insurance companies will coordinate the response.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said that over 70 flights are scheduled to bring back 16,000 people to the country on Thursday following the collapse of Thomas Cook. The authority also said that over 150 Thomas Cook crew members and 30 per cent of the total number of passengers had been flown back in the first three days of post-collapse operations. CAA said that its flying programme would continue until October 6, with more than 1,000 flights planned in total. The Aviation Regulator launched the largest peacetime repatriation on Monday. "Due to the significant scale of the situation, some disruption is inevitable, but the Civil Aviation Authority will endeavour to get people home as close as possible to their planned dates," it said. A fleet of aircraft will be used to repatriate British citizens. In a small number of destinations, alternative commercial flights will be used. About 50,000 tourists are stranded in Greece, mainly on islands, a Greek tourism ministry official told Reuters on Monday. The CAA has launched a special website, thomascook.caa.co.uk, where affected customers can find details and information on repatriation flights. For those customers not flying from Britain, alternative arrangements will have to be found. In Germany, a popular customer market for Thomas Cook, insurance companies will coordinate the response.

UK to repatriate 16,000 people on fourth day of Thomas Cook collapse

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was confronted at a London hospital on Wednesday by the father of a sick child who said the care his child received had not been acceptable and that the nation’s health service had been destroyed.

Boris Johnson confronted at a hospital by parent of sick child

By Jon Stokes and Stefan Stern

Britain’s destiny is uncertain. The country is in the middle of a political and, arguably, an identity crisis as well. At such a challenging moment it is understandable if people might long for a charismatic figure to lead them out of it. Indeed, that is probably one of the evolutionary functions of charismatic leadership: when a degree of mindlessness may be helpful for the survival of the group. But the complexities of negotiating a successful Brexit require something less intoxicating and more thoughtful.

As we’ve argued before, people fall in love with charismatic leaders because we believe they represent our ideal version of ourselves. A version we would, sometimes unconsciously, like to be. But no human being is ever ideal. When we expect perfection from a leader we set ourselves up for severe disappointment.

Boris Johnson’s undoubted charisma, although a mystery to some, is much remarked upon. But apart from an instant sugar rush of ephemeral optimism what can his charisma provide? Not managerial competence or a serious grasp of detail; nor, equally importantly, the genuine and lasting inspiration that a truly capable leader might bring.

In response to the timeless challenge made by leadership gurus Gareth Jones and Rob Goffee, “Why should anyone be led by you?”, we suggest that inspiring, as opposed to merely charismatic, leadership is what’s needed right now. Inspiring leaders help people build and sustain strength and long-term improvement, in an organisation or in society. While charisma is based on an instant and uncritical falling in love, inspiring leadership arises out of a more mature form of discerning love between leader and followers.

Grading Johnson’s performance

We’ve asked more than 500 managers the question, “Who have you personally known in your real life that has been inspiring to you?” in workshops over the years. Their answers reveal six key elements necessary for a leader to inspire. Let’s measure the UK’s current prime minister against them and see how he scores.

1. Being the exemplar: inspiring leaders demonstrate a clear set of strong values through their behaviour. These provide a role model that empowers their followers to take sometimes difficult decisions and actions.

Boris Johnson’s values are much questioned and seemingly shifting. There is a strong suspicion (shared, apparently, by former prime minister David Cameron) that his primary driver is to attain power for himself. Score: 2/10

2. Articulating a future: Effective leaders create a clear picture of a future state that provides followers with direction. By taking them there first in their imagination they provide a pull factor for changing current behaviour.

Boris Johnson’s picture of a future Britain is hyperbolically optimistic but lacking in detail and a route map to get there. Score: 4/10

3. Reading the situation: Leaders use their intuition to gauge the appropriate timing and course of their actions through reading people, gauging their likely reactions to a situation and identifying future trends and dynamics that will drive behaviour.

Boris Johnson may be quite a good reader of people but apparently he is a poor reader of the likely impact of his behaviour on them. He seems to have no detailed analysis of Britain’s likely future but is driven by what he believes most people want. Score: 3/10

4. Affirmation: Inspiring leaders provide people with an accurate sense of their actual and potential contribution and worth. They enable people to feel good about themselves by making them feel appropriately valued.

Boris Johnson is very positive about people as long as they support him. He seems to lose patience quickly when they don’t, as he did with the 21 Tory “rebels”, who lost the whip as soon as they refused to support him. Score: 2/10

5. Having the difficult conversations: Inspiring leaders do not avoid difficult conversations – they are prepared to provide constructive critical feedback that enables people to develop. They give people what they need rather than necessarily what they want.

Boris Johnson bumbling style is unlikely to provide those who work for him with clear, constructively critical feedback. When frustrated he seems quick to break off relationships as he did with Luxembourg prime minister, Xavier Bettel, preferring to abandon their press conference rather than discuss how Brexit negotiations were going. Score: 1/10

6. Being authentic: Inspiring leaders are able to be true to themselves in a skillful way, authentic both to themselves and to the requirements of the situation in which they find themselves. By acknowledging inevitable imperfections and vulnerability they create a climate in which others can do the same.

This is an area where Britain’s prime minister scores quite highly for some people. By acknowledging he is far from perfect, he creates a sense that he is a human not a robot. Yet doubts remain about how authentic the persona he presents truly is. Maybe it is all just a bit of an act. Score: 5/10

So as far as being an inspiring leader is concerned the prime minister, sadly, has to be considered a failure (17 points out of 60, or 28%). He needs to make a better effort next term – if given another chance.

(Jon Stokes is Senior Fellow in Management Practice, University of Oxford; Stefan Stern is Visiting Professor of Management Practice, Cass Business School, City, University of London) 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk-needs-inspiring-not-just-charismatic-leadership-to-break-brexit-impasse-123629">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

By Jon Stokes and Stefan Stern Britain’s destiny is uncertain. The country is in the middle of a political and, arguably, an identity crisis as well. At such a challenging moment it is understandable if people might long for a charismatic figure to lead them out of it.

By Jon Stokes and Stefan Stern Britain’s destiny is uncertain. The country is in the middle of a political and, arguably, an identity crisis as well. At such a challenging moment it is understandable if people might long for a charismatic figure to lead them out of it. Indeed, that is probably one of the evolutionary functions of charismatic leadership: when a degree of mindlessness may be helpful for the survival of the group. But the complexities of negotiating a successful Brexit require something less intoxicating and more thoughtful. As we’ve argued before, people fall in love with charismatic leaders because we believe they represent our ideal version of ourselves. A version we would, sometimes unconsciously, like to be. But no human being is ever ideal. When we expect perfection from a leader we set ourselves up for severe disappointment. Boris Johnson’s undoubted charisma, although a mystery to some, is much remarked upon. But apart from an instant sugar rush of ephemeral optimism what can his charisma provide? Not managerial competence or a serious grasp of detail; nor, equally importantly, the genuine and lasting inspiration that a truly capable leader might bring. In response to the timeless challenge made by leadership gurus Gareth Jones and Rob Goffee, “Why should anyone be led by you?”, we suggest that inspiring, as opposed to merely charismatic, leadership is what’s needed right now. Inspiring leaders help people build and sustain strength and long-term improvement, in an organisation or in society. While charisma is based on an instant and uncritical falling in love, inspiring leadership arises out of a more mature form of discerning love between leader and followers. Grading Johnson’s performance We’ve asked more than 500 managers the question, “Who have you personally known in your real life that has been inspiring to you?” in workshops over the years. Their answers reveal six key elements necessary for a leader to inspire. Let’s measure the UK’s current prime minister against them and see how he scores. 1. Being the exemplar: inspiring leaders demonstrate a clear set of strong values through their behaviour. These provide a role model that empowers their followers to take sometimes difficult decisions and actions. Boris Johnson’s values are much questioned and seemingly shifting. There is a strong suspicion (shared, apparently, by former prime minister David Cameron) that his primary driver is to attain power for himself. Score: 2/10 2. Articulating a future: Effective leaders create a clear picture of a future state that provides followers with direction. By taking them there first in their imagination they provide a pull factor for changing current behaviour. Boris Johnson’s picture of a future Britain is hyperbolically optimistic but lacking in detail and a route map to get there. Score: 4/10 3. Reading the situation: Leaders use their intuition to gauge the appropriate timing and course of their actions through reading people, gauging their likely reactions to a situation and identifying future trends and dynamics that will drive behaviour. Boris Johnson may be quite a good reader of people but apparently he is a poor reader of the likely impact of his behaviour on them. He seems to have no detailed analysis of Britain’s likely future but is driven by what he believes most people want. Score: 3/10 4. Affirmation: Inspiring leaders provide people with an accurate sense of their actual and potential contribution and worth. They enable people to feel good about themselves by making them feel appropriately valued. Boris Johnson is very positive about people as long as they support him. He seems to lose patience quickly when they don’t, as he did with the 21 Tory “rebels”, who lost the whip as soon as they refused to support him. Score: 2/10 5. Having the difficult conversations: Inspiring leaders do not avoid difficult conversations – they are prepared to provide constructive critical feedback that enables people to develop. They give people what they need rather than necessarily what they want. Boris Johnson bumbling style is unlikely to provide those who work for him with clear, constructively critical feedback. When frustrated he seems quick to break off relationships as he did with Luxembourg prime minister, Xavier Bettel, preferring to abandon their press conference rather than discuss how Brexit negotiations were going. Score: 1/10 6. Being authentic: Inspiring leaders are able to be true to themselves in a skillful way, authentic both to themselves and to the requirements of the situation in which they find themselves. By acknowledging inevitable imperfections and vulnerability they create a climate in which others can do the same. This is an area where Britain’s prime minister scores quite highly for some people. By acknowledging he is far from perfect, he creates a sense that he is a human not a robot. Yet doubts remain about how authentic the persona he presents truly is. Maybe it is all just a bit of an act. Score: 5/10 So as far as being an inspiring leader is concerned the prime minister, sadly, has to be considered a failure (17 points out of 60, or 28%). He needs to make a better effort next term – if given another chance. (Jon Stokes is Senior Fellow in Management Practice, University of Oxford; Stefan Stern is Visiting Professor of Management Practice, Cass Business School, City, University of London) (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)

UK needs inspiring leadership to break Brexit impasse

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson-under-fire-over-no-deal-brexit-assessment-249196">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-johnson-tells-parliament-you-can-tie-my-hands-but-i-will-not-delay-brexit-248705">Johnson</a> asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda.

The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges.

Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not".

Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month.

Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation.

"We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels.

Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit.

Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote.

Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament".

Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday.

In the meantime, parliament remains suspended.

Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord.

Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament.

"I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP.

"We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account."

'Worst-case scenario'

Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level".

The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release.

He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario".

"All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said.

The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure.

Johnson hopeful of deal

Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what.

But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance.

Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule.

The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected.

In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios.

But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives.

Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord.

And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop.

Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal.&nbsp;

"It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit. Johnson asked the British head of state to shutter parliament for five weeks from last Tuesday, claiming it was necessary ahead of rolling out a new domestic agenda. The unusually long suspension -- known as prorogation -- was widely seen as a bid to thwart opposition to a no-deal departure on the October 31 Brexit date, and provoked uproar across the political spectrum as well as legal challenges. Asked if he had misled Queen Elizabeth over his motives for the suspension, which will see the House of Commons closed until October 14, Johnson said, "Absolutely not". Meanwhile, in Brussels, EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said there was "no reason to be optimistic" about striking a possible divorce deal with Britain before a summit next month. Johnson is adamant that the UK must leave the European Union on October 31 -- with or without a withdrawal agreement to smooth over the separation. "We have no reason to be optimistic" that such an accord will be found in time for the crucial October 17-18 EU summit, Barnier told senior MEPs in Brussels. Problems are mounting for Johnson, who finds himself increasingly boxed in on Brexit. Johnson's government was forced Wednesday to release its no-deal Brexit contingency plans after a parliamentary vote. Scotland's highest civil court on Wednesday sided with critics of the prorogation, ruling it was "unlawful" and intended to "stymie parliament". Johnson's government has appealed against the decision and the case is set to be heard in Britain's Supreme Court next Tuesday. In the meantime, parliament remains suspended. Northern Ireland's High Court on Thursday dismissed several lawsuits filed there arguing the prorogation was illegal and that a no-deal Brexit would breach the terms of the province's 1998 peace accord. Tom Brake, Brexit spokesman for the pro-EU opposition Liberal Democrats, said the government was withholding internal documents, messages and emails about the decision to prorogue parliament. "I suspect that those documents... will confirm that the prime minister lied about the reason why," he told AFP. "We all know that the reason he wanted to shut down parliament is because he didn't want parliament holding him to account." 'Worst-case scenario' Johnson also vowed Thursday that Britain will be ready for a no-deal departure from the EU on October 31, despite his own government's assessment that planning remained "at a low level". The prime minister insisted the government had been "massively accelerating" its preparations since the August 2 internal report, which was disclosed on Wednesday after MPs voted for its release. He called the "Operation Yellowhammer" forecast, which warned of possible civil unrest and shortages of food and medicines following no deal, a "worst-case scenario". "All the industries that matter will be ready for a no-deal Brexit," Johnson said. The documents painted a grim picture of possible "public disorder and community tensions" as well as logjams at Channel ports, threatening supplies, after a no-deal departure. Johnson hopeful of deal Johnson took office in July promising to implement the referendum decision by leaving the EU on October 31 no matter what. But he lost his parliamentary majority last week after a series of defections and expulsions from his governing Conservative Party amid opposition to his strident Brexit stance. Ahead of the shutdown, lawmakers passed a law aimed at preventing a no-deal Brexit, but Johnson has insisted Britain will still depart the EU on schedule. The British leader wants to renegotiate the divorce terms struck by his predecessor Theresa May, which MPs have repeatedly rejected. In particular, he wants to change the so-called backstop provisions, which concern ways to keep the Northern Irish border with the Republic of Ireland open in all scenarios. But European leaders accuse him of offering no viable alternatives. Officials in Brussels increasingly accuse Johnson of conducting a sham negotiation as political cover while planning to crash out without an accord. And European parliamentary leaders insisted Thursday there could be no divorce deal without the backstop. Johnson insisted he remained "very hopeful" of a deal. "It will be hard, but I think we can get there," he said.

Boris Johnson denies lying to Queen in Brexit crisis

Britain should delay <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-a-hypothesis-im-willing-to-contemplate-johnson-on-resignation-over-brexit-248022">Brexit beyond October 31</a> rather than leave the European Union without a deal, which would be particularly harmful to large carmakers, the head of the sector's industry body told Reuters on Friday.

As Britain spins towards an election, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-opposition-parties-discuss-pm-johnsons-brexit-election-gamble-247990">Brexit remains up in the air </a>more than three years after Britons voted to leave the world's biggest trading bloc in a 2016 referendum leading to the country's biggest political crisis in decades.

The autos sector, the country's biggest exporter of goods, has been one of the most vocal opponents of a no-deal Brexit, warning that production would be hit with tariffs, border delays and new bureaucracy, ruining the viability of many plants.

"Leaving without a deal would be the worst outcome," the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers of Traders (SMMT) Mike Hawes told Reuters. "If it takes an extra couple of months to get that deal, I think the industry would put up with that," he said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has been urging companies to ramp up their efforts to prepare for a no-deal Brexit but not everyone can repeat plans in place for the original March exit date.

Ministers have said they could help sectors hit by a disorderly exit and Brexiteers have long argued that Europe's biggest economy, Germany, which exports hundreds of thousands of cars to Britain each year, would protect that trade.

Whilst some preparations, such as new IT systems, can be carried over, others, including building additional component stocks have to be redone, and some plans, such as temporarily shutting plants to cope with no-deal, cannot be repeated by all.

BMW, which moved its annual summertime shutdown at its Mini and Rolls-Royce factories to April to mitigate the effects of a disorderly exit, has said it cannot do the same again this time.

"Some may have a degree of flexibility, others won't," said Hawes.

A series of new models, the key to firms already hit by a collapse in diesel demand, the dented Chinese market and electrification, are due to roll off British production lines over the next few months.

Nissan, which operates Britain's largest car factory, will be producing the new Juke from October, BMW's electric Mini is due in the autumn and Aston Martin's first sport-utility vehicle will be built at a new plant in Wales.

The uncertainty over Brexit leaves the future of Peugeot's British car plant, which builds the Vauxhall/Opel Astra, in question as the firm has committed to keeping the site open "conditional on the final terms of the UK's exit from the European Union."

Meanwhile, Britain's biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, whose parent company posted record losses earlier this year, has said its Brexit planning costs were more than 100 million pounds ($123 million) between April and June.

All the main car companies in Britain are foreign-owned but the case for investing in the country as a gateway into Europe is at risk, Ian Henry, Professor in Automotive Business Strategy at Birmingham City University's Centre for Brexit Studies told Reuters.

"When you're talking about adding billions of pounds to the cost structure of an industry which either makes very low margins or no money at all, that can only undermine the viability of producing vehicles in this country," he said.

Britain should delay Brexit beyond October 31 rather than leave the European Union without a deal, which would be particularly harmful to large carmakers, the head of the sector's industry body told Reuters on Friday.

Britain should delay Brexit beyond October 31 rather than leave the European Union without a deal, which would be particularly harmful to large carmakers, the head of the sector's industry body told Reuters on Friday. As Britain spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the world's biggest trading bloc in a 2016 referendum leading to the country's biggest political crisis in decades. The autos sector, the country's biggest exporter of goods, has been one of the most vocal opponents of a no-deal Brexit, warning that production would be hit with tariffs, border delays and new bureaucracy, ruining the viability of many plants. "Leaving without a deal would be the worst outcome," the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers of Traders (SMMT) Mike Hawes told Reuters. "If it takes an extra couple of months to get that deal, I think the industry would put up with that," he said. Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government has been urging companies to ramp up their efforts to prepare for a no-deal Brexit but not everyone can repeat plans in place for the original March exit date. Ministers have said they could help sectors hit by a disorderly exit and Brexiteers have long argued that Europe's biggest economy, Germany, which exports hundreds of thousands of cars to Britain each year, would protect that trade. Whilst some preparations, such as new IT systems, can be carried over, others, including building additional component stocks have to be redone, and some plans, such as temporarily shutting plants to cope with no-deal, cannot be repeated by all. BMW, which moved its annual summertime shutdown at its Mini and Rolls-Royce factories to April to mitigate the effects of a disorderly exit, has said it cannot do the same again this time. "Some may have a degree of flexibility, others won't," said Hawes. A series of new models, the key to firms already hit by a collapse in diesel demand, the dented Chinese market and electrification, are due to roll off British production lines over the next few months. Nissan, which operates Britain's largest car factory, will be producing the new Juke from October, BMW's electric Mini is due in the autumn and Aston Martin's first sport-utility vehicle will be built at a new plant in Wales. The uncertainty over Brexit leaves the future of Peugeot's British car plant, which builds the Vauxhall/Opel Astra, in question as the firm has committed to keeping the site open "conditional on the final terms of the UK's exit from the European Union." Meanwhile, Britain's biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover, whose parent company posted record losses earlier this year, has said its Brexit planning costs were more than 100 million pounds ($123 million) between April and June. All the main car companies in Britain are foreign-owned but the case for investing in the country as a gateway into Europe is at risk, Ian Henry, Professor in Automotive Business Strategy at Birmingham City University's Centre for Brexit Studies told Reuters. "When you're talking about adding billions of pounds to the cost structure of an industry which either makes very low margins or no money at all, that can only undermine the viability of producing vehicles in this country," he said.

Leaving without a deal would be the worst outcome: UK carmakers on no-deal Brexit

British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721"> Boris Johnson</a> was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721">European Union</a>.

As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour.

After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law.

Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country.

The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU.

"Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said.

"Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election."

The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum.

An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit.

Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people."

Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October.&nbsp;

'Trust the people'

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept.

"We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man.

"We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said.

While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening.

Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31.

But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November.

Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history.

"The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union. As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour. After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law. Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country. The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU. "Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said. "Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election." The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum. An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit. Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people." Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October. 'Trust the people' Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept. "We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man. "We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said. While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening. Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31. But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November. Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history. "The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British PM Boris Johnson kicks off election campaign as parliament blocks no-deal Brexit

The United Kingdom Is One Step Closer To Polls.

WION Gravitas: Brexit: Johnson government loses working majority ahead of crucial vote

A 19-jet aerial parade soared over the Hudson River in New York on Thursday (August 22) in advance of the New York International Air Show.

'People have a love affair with aviation' - UK and US military teams fly over the Hudson River

The United Kingdom and France have called Kashmir a bilateral issue and urged a resolution of the issue through dialogue. In a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, both sides discussed the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, with the latter urging dialogue to resolve the issue.

The United Kingdom and France have called Kashmir a bilateral issue and urged a resolution of the issue through dialogue. In a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, both sides discussed the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions, with the latter urging dialogue to resolve the issue. A UK government readout said,"The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir. The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue." Both the leaders will be present at the G7 summit in France over the weekend and "ahead of the G7, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi agreed on the importance of working together to tackle climate change and other threats to biodiversity", the UK readout added. Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign minister SM Qureshi spoke to French Foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian during which France reiterated its position on Kashmir that its a bilateral issue. "It is up to the two countries, under the framework of their bilateral political dialogue, to resolve this dispute so as to establish lasting peace", French readout on Le Drian-Qureshi talks said. Paris also urged both parties for "restraint, de-escalation, and easing the situation" in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian Prime Minister will be in France on Thursday for a state visit where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and later participate in at the 45th G7 summit where he is expected to meet his British PM Johnson and US President Donald Trump.

UK, France say Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours.

This was said during a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-speaks-to-uk-pm-johnson-on-violent-protests-by-pak-group-outside-indian-mission-in-london-244512">conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM </a>Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

A UK Government readout said, "The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir. The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue."

Both the leaders will be present at the G7 summit that will take place in France over the weekend and "ahead of the G7, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi agreed on the importance of working together to tackle climate change and other threats to biodiversity", the UK government readout added.

Terror and trade was also discussed during the phone call with PM Modi highlighting how terror has plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe

During the same conversation, PM Modi had raised the issue of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/overwhelmingly-peaceful-says-british-high-commission-on-protests-outside-indian-high-commission-in-london-243434">violent protests that took place in UK outside the Indian mission</a> by Pakistani and Khalistani groups on Independence Day.

An Indian government readout said, that Prime Minister Modi "drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means."

Adding, "In this context, he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India."

The British Prime minister has regretted the incident and assured the safety of the Indian mission.

The readout said, Prime Minister Johnson "assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors."

Thousands of protestors from Pakistani and Khalistani groups in London clashed violently with outside the Indian High Commission on India's Independence day even as the authorities tried to control the mob. Four people were arrested by the London authorities and one person was injured in the incident.

Though the Indian mission was informed that protest will take place and asked to take all precautionary measures, the scale at which it took place and dramatic visuals that were seen left many members of Indian diaspora shocked.

India has already taken up with the United Kingdom the violent protests which took place outside the Indian high commission on Independence day and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined.&nbsp;

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours. This was said during a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

British Government underlined the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan and added that Kashmir was a bilateral issue between the two neighbours. This was said during a conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday afternoon. A UK Government readout said, "The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi discussed the current situation in Kashmir. The Prime Minister made clear that the UK views the issue of Kashmir is one for India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally. He underlined the importance of resolving issues through dialogue." Both the leaders will be present at the G7 summit that will take place in France over the weekend and "ahead of the G7, the Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi agreed on the importance of working together to tackle climate change and other threats to biodiversity", the UK government readout added. Terror and trade was also discussed during the phone call with PM Modi highlighting how terror has plagued all parts of the world, including India and Europe During the same conversation, PM Modi had raised the issue of violent protests that took place in UK outside the Indian mission by Pakistani and Khalistani groups on Independence Day. An Indian government readout said, that Prime Minister Modi "drew attention to the challenges posed by vested interests pursuing their motivated agenda, including by violent means." Adding, "In this context, he referred to the violence and vandalism perpetrated by a large mob against the High Commission of India in London on the last Independence Day of India." The British Prime minister has regretted the incident and assured the safety of the Indian mission. The readout said, Prime Minister Johnson "assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure safety and security of the High Commission, its personnel and visitors." Thousands of protestors from Pakistani and Khalistani groups in London clashed violently with outside the Indian High Commission on India's Independence day even as the authorities tried to control the mob. Four people were arrested by the London authorities and one person was injured in the incident. Though the Indian mission was informed that protest will take place and asked to take all precautionary measures, the scale at which it took place and dramatic visuals that were seen left many members of Indian diaspora shocked. India has already taken up with the United Kingdom the violent protests which took place outside the Indian high commission on Independence day and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined.

Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan: UK PM Boris Johnson

India has taken up with the United Kingdom the violent protests which took place outside the Indian High Commission on Independence Day and conveyed its concerns on how the security of the mission was undermined. Watch this video to know more.

After violent Kashmir Protests outside Indian High Commission, India takes up issue with UK

The United Kingdom on Saturday updated the travel advisory for its citizens visiting Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the Indian government asked tourists and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-security-forces-recovered-us-made-m-24-sniper-rifle-near-amarnath-yatra-route-240472">Amarnath Yatra</a> pilgrims to immediately curtail their stay after a series of intelligence inputs were received by security agencies over multiple terror attacks.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), in a statement, advised its citizens "against all travel to the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah, Jammu and Kashmir, except for travel within the city of Jammu, travel by air to the city of Jammu, and travel within the region of Ladakh."

"The tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg fall within the areas to which the FCO advise against all travel," the statement read.

On August 2, the Indian Army had said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-6200-transported-out-of-kashmir-valley-after-issuance-of-jk-security-advisory-aai-240495">Pakistan terrorists are plotting to carry out an attack</a> on the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and that the security forces even recovered a Pakistan Ordnance Factory anti-personnel mine from a terror cache.

Keeping security threats in view, the Jammu and Kashmir government advised all Amarnath Yatris and tourists to curtail their stay in the Valley "immediately".

The advisory stated that the British High Commission in New Delhi is monitoring the situation.

"If you're in Jammu and Kashmir, you should remain vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities and keep up to date with developments, including via this travel advice," it said.

The Jammu and Kashmir state government in a security advisory had said, "Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible."

However, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the state government's advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and other tourists to curtail their visit "immediately" in view of the security situation in the state, has created chaos and confusion among the people.Mufti said that she had never seen such a panic in the Valley.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom on Saturday updated the travel advisory for its citizens visiting Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the Indian government asked tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to immediately curtail their stay after a series of intelligence inputs were received by security agencies over multiple terror attacks.

The United Kingdom on Saturday updated the travel advisory for its citizens visiting Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the Indian government asked tourists and Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to immediately curtail their stay after a series of intelligence inputs were received by security agencies over multiple terror attacks. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), in a statement, advised its citizens "against all travel to the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than at Wagah, Jammu and Kashmir, except for travel within the city of Jammu, travel by air to the city of Jammu, and travel within the region of Ladakh." "The tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg fall within the areas to which the FCO advise against all travel," the statement read. On August 2, the Indian Army had said that Pakistan terrorists are plotting to carry out an attack on the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and that the security forces even recovered a Pakistan Ordnance Factory anti-personnel mine from a terror cache. Keeping security threats in view, the Jammu and Kashmir government advised all Amarnath Yatris and tourists to curtail their stay in the Valley "immediately". The advisory stated that the British High Commission in New Delhi is monitoring the situation. "If you're in Jammu and Kashmir, you should remain vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities and keep up to date with developments, including via this travel advice," it said. The Jammu and Kashmir state government in a security advisory had said, "Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible." However, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that the state government's advisory to Amarnath pilgrims and other tourists to curtail their visit "immediately" in view of the security situation in the state, has created chaos and confusion among the people.Mufti said that she had never seen such a panic in the Valley.

Britain issues travel advisory to citizens travelling to Kashmir over Amarnath alert

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/remain-alliance-can-it-halt-brexit-and-beat-boris-johnson-240152">Boris Johnson </a>suffered a setback in his first ballot box test as British prime minister on Friday after the Conservative candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that slims his parliamentary majority to one.

Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between the Brexit-backing incumbent&nbsp;from Johnson's ruling Tories and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade membership of the European Union.

Johnson dropped by the region Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after being criminally convicted of expenses fraud.

Davies protested his innocence and contested the seat again, but saw the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds overturn his previous majority of 8,038 and win by a margin of 1,425 votes.

"My very first act as MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear: stop playing with the futures of our communities and rule out no-deal Brexit," she said.

Watch: Boris Johnson loses 1st Electoral test

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-boris-johnson-loses-1st-electoral-test-240304/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Johnson's&nbsp;newly-formed government is trying to force Brussels to return to the negotiating table by insisting Britain is ready to leave the EU without a deal on the latest delayed departure date of October 31.

Finance minister Sajid Javid announced Wednesday an extra £2.1 billion ($2.6 billion, 2.3 billion euros) in funding to prepare for such an eventuality.

But Bank of England governor Mark Carney said Friday a no-deal Brexit would be a shock for the country's economy causing supply disruption and potentially undermining entire sectors such as the car industry and farming.

Meanwhile, an official government document obtained by Sky News warned of potential "consumer panic" and gaps in security within weeks.

Such fears have already pushed the pound to its lowest levels since Britons first voted to leave the EU in June 2016.

'So much at stake'&nbsp;

Control of Brecon and Radnorshire has swung between&nbsp;the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives since the 1990s. It voted 52 per cent to leave in the EU referendum -- mirroring the UK-wide result.

Dodds benefitted from a so-called "Remain alliance" which saw two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid.

The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense, thanks to its firm stand against Britain's split from the EU.

It came a surprise second behind populist eurosceptic Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in European Parliament elections in May.

Farage's candidate in the Wales by-election ate into the Conservative's support, while the main opposition Labour Party came in a distant fourth.

Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson, elevated to the role just last month, said the party would look to forge further pro-EU alliances at the next election.

"I do think that working across party lines is important when there is so much at stake for the future of our country," she told BBC Radio.

Test of strength

Despite the loss, polling expert John Curtice argued that the result confirmed a "Boris bounce" seen in opinion polls because it was not as bad as it could have been.

The party had been haemorrhaging support under Johnson's predecessor Theresa May, particularly at the expense of the newly-created Brexit Party.

But Curtice warned that polls indicated the Conservatives would still be short of a majority in any election.

The by-election defeat still leaves Johnson in danger of being unable to control parliament when it returns from a summer break on September 3.

MPs are already plotting ways to thwart his threat to take Britain out of the EU by October 31, fearing the dire economic consequences predicted.

The new Conservative leader also needs to be able to pass legislation to make that potentially chaotic outcome as smooth as possible -- and to pass any compromise he might suddenly strike with Brussels.

The 650-seat House of Commons is highly fractured across party lines over Brexit and includes MPs who at times switch sides or abstain in crunch votes.

This leaves Johnson dependent on the whims of just a few legislators at one of the most crucial points in British history since World War II.

Boris Johnson suffered a setback in his first ballot box test as British prime minister on Friday after the Conservative candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that slims his parliamentary majority to one.

Boris Johnson suffered a setback in his first ballot box test as British prime minister on Friday after the Conservative candidate lost to a pro-EU rival in a by-election that slims his parliamentary majority to one. Thursday's vote in the Welsh sheep farming community of Brecon and Radnorshire offered a stark choice between the Brexit-backing incumbent from Johnson's ruling Tories and a Liberal Democrat who wants to preserve Britain's four-decade membership of the European Union. Johnson dropped by the region Tuesday to help out Chris Davies -- a Conservative MP who was forced to step down after being criminally convicted of expenses fraud. Davies protested his innocence and contested the seat again, but saw the Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds overturn his previous majority of 8,038 and win by a margin of 1,425 votes. "My very first act as MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear: stop playing with the futures of our communities and rule out no-deal Brexit," she said. Watch: Boris Johnson loses 1st Electoral test × Johnson's newly-formed government is trying to force Brussels to return to the negotiating table by insisting Britain is ready to leave the EU without a deal on the latest delayed departure date of October 31. Finance minister Sajid Javid announced Wednesday an extra £2.1 billion ($2.6 billion, 2.3 billion euros) in funding to prepare for such an eventuality. But Bank of England governor Mark Carney said Friday a no-deal Brexit would be a shock for the country's economy causing supply disruption and potentially undermining entire sectors such as the car industry and farming. Meanwhile, an official government document obtained by Sky News warned of potential "consumer panic" and gaps in security within weeks. Such fears have already pushed the pound to its lowest levels since Britons first voted to leave the EU in June 2016. 'So much at stake' Control of Brecon and Radnorshire has swung between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives since the 1990s. It voted 52 per cent to leave in the EU referendum -- mirroring the UK-wide result. Dodds benefitted from a so-called "Remain alliance" which saw two smaller pro-EU parties back her bid. The result extends a recent revival for the Liberal Democrats at the major parties' expense, thanks to its firm stand against Britain's split from the EU. It came a surprise second behind populist eurosceptic Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in European Parliament elections in May. Farage's candidate in the Wales by-election ate into the Conservative's support, while the main opposition Labour Party came in a distant fourth. Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson, elevated to the role just last month, said the party would look to forge further pro-EU alliances at the next election. "I do think that working across party lines is important when there is so much at stake for the future of our country," she told BBC Radio. Test of strength Despite the loss, polling expert John Curtice argued that the result confirmed a "Boris bounce" seen in opinion polls because it was not as bad as it could have been. The party had been haemorrhaging support under Johnson's predecessor Theresa May, particularly at the expense of the newly-created Brexit Party. But Curtice warned that polls indicated the Conservatives would still be short of a majority in any election. The by-election defeat still leaves Johnson in danger of being unable to control parliament when it returns from a summer break on September 3. MPs are already plotting ways to thwart his threat to take Britain out of the EU by October 31, fearing the dire economic consequences predicted. The new Conservative leader also needs to be able to pass legislation to make that potentially chaotic outcome as smooth as possible -- and to pass any compromise he might suddenly strike with Brussels. The 650-seat House of Commons is highly fractured across party lines over Brexit and includes MPs who at times switch sides or abstain in crunch votes. This leaves Johnson dependent on the whims of just a few legislators at one of the most crucial points in British history since World War II.

Britain's Johnson suffers first electoral setback as prime minister

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-imran-are-fantastic-people-if-they-want-i-can-intervene-in-kashmir-issue-trump-240059">While some world leaders delved into the matter</a>, many steered clear of the issue. &nbsp;

Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama. But each time India responded predictably, maintaining that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/conveyed-to-america-in-clear-terms-that-discussion-on-kashmir-only-with-pakistan-s-jaishankar-240082">Kashmir is a bilateral issue</a> with Pakistan which requires no mediation from any third party and that the Simla and the Lahore pacts with the neighbouring South Asian nation are in place for bilateral talks. &nbsp;

Like Trump, Obama too could not resist wading into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistans-attempts-are-being-thwarted-no-one-will-be-allowed-to-disrupt-peace-in-jammu-and-kashmir-indian-army-240171">Kashmir controversy</a>. And again like Trump, Obama too linked the situation in Afghanistan to the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

In an interview, almost a decade back in 2008, former US President Barack Obama had said that “the most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan is actually a deal with Pakistan... We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India but on the situation with those militants."

After Obama became the US president, he once again invoked the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

At a joint news conference with then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2010, Obama said that Washington would be happy to play a role to improve India-Pakistan relations.

Obama qualified it by saying that the US cannot impose a solution.

Singh, however, was quick to point out that the US cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine in Pakistan remains as active as ever.

Other world leaders too had attempted to intervene in the South Asian situation, only to eventually fall in line.&nbsp;

For instance, the United Kingdom had acknowledged that the bilateral dialogue, in accordance with the Simla agreement and reiterated in the Lahore declaration, is the only way to address all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Kashmir.&nbsp;

In January 2018, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres ruled out mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue, unless all parties agree to it.

Guterres asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border.

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. While some world leaders delved into the matter, many steered clear of the issue. Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama.

Time and again the world seemed divided on the Kashmir issue. While some world leaders delved into the matter, many steered clear of the issue. Trump spoke on the issue and so did his predecessor Obama. But each time India responded predictably, maintaining that Kashmir is a bilateral issue with Pakistan which requires no mediation from any third party and that the Simla and the Lahore pacts with the neighbouring South Asian nation are in place for bilateral talks. Like Trump, Obama too could not resist wading into the Kashmir controversy. And again like Trump, Obama too linked the situation in Afghanistan to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. In an interview, almost a decade back in 2008, former US President Barack Obama had said that “the most important thing we’re going to have to do with respect to Afghanistan is actually a deal with Pakistan... We should probably try to facilitate a better understanding between Pakistan and India and try to resolve the Kashmir crisis so that they can stay focused not on India but on the situation with those militants." After Obama became the US president, he once again invoked the Kashmir issue. At a joint news conference with then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2010, Obama said that Washington would be happy to play a role to improve India-Pakistan relations. Obama qualified it by saying that the US cannot impose a solution. Singh, however, was quick to point out that the US cannot simultaneously be talking and at the same time the terror machine in Pakistan remains as active as ever. Other world leaders too had attempted to intervene in the South Asian situation, only to eventually fall in line. For instance, the United Kingdom had acknowledged that the bilateral dialogue, in accordance with the Simla agreement and reiterated in the Lahore declaration, is the only way to address all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan, including the issue of Kashmir. In January 2018, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres ruled out mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue, unless all parties agree to it. Guterres asked India and Pakistan to address their outstanding issues through talks amidst heightened tensions along the border.

From Trump to Obama, world leaders and their stance on Kashmir issue

By Paula Keaveney

This week’s by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire will be the first formal test of the so-called Remain Alliance. The unusually shortlist of candidates in this contest is partly because parties such as the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, have stood down in favour of the Liberal Democrats. Campaign visits have also been made by those who originally formed Change UK, such as former Conservatives MPs Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen.

It is rare in British politics for parties to stand down in favour of their usual competitors. And while this isn’t the first occurrence or the first initiative, the Brecon agreements could well lead to something more formal. A little earlier in the summer, former Change UK (now Independent Group for Change) leader Heidi Allen launched Unite to Remain. The idea is for Remain-supporting parties to work together to maximise the chance of electoral, and therefore policy, success. This would include the use of a common title or strapline to make the point.

There have been attempts to achieve a common purpose in the past. The 2017 general election, for example, saw the promotion of the so-called Progressive Alliance (of which more later). But what marks out the latest attempt is the move to register a name and logo (Remain Alliance) with the Electoral Commission. Current electoral law means that ballot papers can only include registered names and logos (or the word “Independent”).

Tribalism

To understand whether or not the current initiative can succeed, it is worth looking at cross-party cooperation, or the lack of it, in the past.

British politics is usually very tribal. This tribalism has meant that past efforts at cooperation have generally been motivated by negative factors, such as a desire to defeat a particular party (usually the Conservatives).

But the nature of the electoral system also means that tactics could trump tribalism. In a first-past-the-post system, which is used for UK parliamentary elections, a horse-race narrative often develops. It is in the interests of a challenger party to appear as the only participant with a chance to overtake the favourite and win.

This, in turn, means supporters of lower-placed, unlikely-to-win parties are targeted to “lend” their votes to defeat a less-preferred option. This has given birth to the idea that only certain parties are worth supporting.

Resistance, however, can come from the candidates and activists of those lower-placed parties. While the Green Party did stand down in favour of the Liberal Democrats in the 2016 Richmond Park by-election when the Lib-Dems successfully took the seat from Zac Goldsmith, for example, parts of the local Green Party felt very aggrieved and voiced their annoyance quite publicly. This, in turn, means that cooperative arrangements are often rare.

Who wins, and loses?

It can be very difficult to negotiate cooperation, particularly when one party will feel it is losing out. Anyone who thinks this is easy needs to look further into the SDP-Liberal Alliance.

The SDP was formed in 1981 and almost immediately began working with the existing Liberal Party. The idea was that one of either party would contest each parliamentary seat. This was generally achieved, but only after tortuous negotiations which rather ruined the image of cooperation and which are well described by participants such as the then MP, now Lord, Bill Rogers and the authors Ivor Crewe and Anthony King.

In fact, the Croydon North West by-election in 1981 was fought by the Liberal Bill Pitt – rather than by the leaders’ preferred option, Shirley Williams – because Pitt simply refused to budge. Pitt went on to win.

Of course, parties do not need to be working together explicitly for voters, or organisations, to urge tactical outcomes. While tribalism has a long history in UK politics, so too do attempts to persuade voters to make tactical decisions.

TV87, for example, referenced in an article in Political Behaviour, was a campaign set up to focus voters’ minds on the possibility of lending votes in the 1987 election. And it became common for publications and campaigns to produce lists of seats where incumbents were vulnerable to temporary tactics.

The current initiative, which goes well beyond leaving decisions to voters alone, can perhaps best be judged against more recent projects. The 2017 general election saw the promotion of the so-called Progressive Alliance. The thinking was that Progressive parties (generally centre-left or left wing) could stand down for each other in seats where this might help defeat a Tory, or assist a vulnerable Progressive incumbent. The book All Together Now by Barry Langford lists 42 seats in which this happened, but it was not always successful and it was only really the Green party which played a full part.

So can Remain Alliance work?

The Brecon and Radnorshire by-election result may provide part of an answer, although we need to remember that this has been a Lib-Dem seat in the past and the party has been campaigning there for some time (in other words, the cooperation between parties may not be the crucial factor here).

Perhaps more telling will be any negotiations ahead of the forthcoming Sheffield Hallam by-election as well as what happens when more than one party has a justifiable claim to stand.

The big issue, however, must be Labour’s role and how one can define a Remain party. Labour played no active part in the 2017 Progressive Alliance, so what would the Remain Alliance do if Labour was the clear challenger to the Conservatives, or Brexit party, in a tight contest? Only time will tell, but the answer hangs on whether or not Jeremy Corbyn ever comes out as an unequivocal supporter of either Leave or Remain.

(Paula Keaveney is Senior Lecturer in Politics, Edge Hill University)

(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.)

 
&nbsp;

By Paula Keaveney This week’s by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire will be the first formal test of the so-called Remain Alliance. The unusually shortlist of candidates in this contest is partly because parties such as the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, have stood down in favour of the Liberal Democrats.

By Paula Keaveney This week’s by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire will be the first formal test of the so-called Remain Alliance. The unusually shortlist of candidates in this contest is partly because parties such as the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, have stood down in favour of the Liberal Democrats. Campaign visits have also been made by those who originally formed Change UK, such as former Conservatives MPs Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen. It is rare in British politics for parties to stand down in favour of their usual competitors. And while this isn’t the first occurrence or the first initiative, the Brecon agreements could well lead to something more formal. A little earlier in the summer, former Change UK (now Independent Group for Change) leader Heidi Allen launched Unite to Remain. The idea is for Remain-supporting parties to work together to maximise the chance of electoral, and therefore policy, success. This would include the use of a common title or strapline to make the point. There have been attempts to achieve a common purpose in the past. The 2017 general election, for example, saw the promotion of the so-called Progressive Alliance (of which more later). But what marks out the latest attempt is the move to register a name and logo (Remain Alliance) with the Electoral Commission. Current electoral law means that ballot papers can only include registered names and logos (or the word “Independent”). Tribalism To understand whether or not the current initiative can succeed, it is worth looking at cross-party cooperation, or the lack of it, in the past. British politics is usually very tribal. This tribalism has meant that past efforts at cooperation have generally been motivated by negative factors, such as a desire to defeat a particular party (usually the Conservatives). But the nature of the electoral system also means that tactics could trump tribalism. In a first-past-the-post system, which is used for UK parliamentary elections, a horse-race narrative often develops. It is in the interests of a challenger party to appear as the only participant with a chance to overtake the favourite and win. This, in turn, means supporters of lower-placed, unlikely-to-win parties are targeted to “lend” their votes to defeat a less-preferred option. This has given birth to the idea that only certain parties are worth supporting. Resistance, however, can come from the candidates and activists of those lower-placed parties. While the Green Party did stand down in favour of the Liberal Democrats in the 2016 Richmond Park by-election when the Lib-Dems successfully took the seat from Zac Goldsmith, for example, parts of the local Green Party felt very aggrieved and voiced their annoyance quite publicly. This, in turn, means that cooperative arrangements are often rare. Who wins, and loses? It can be very difficult to negotiate cooperation, particularly when one party will feel it is losing out. Anyone who thinks this is easy needs to look further into the SDP-Liberal Alliance. The SDP was formed in 1981 and almost immediately began working with the existing Liberal Party. The idea was that one of either party would contest each parliamentary seat. This was generally achieved, but only after tortuous negotiations which rather ruined the image of cooperation and which are well described by participants such as the then MP, now Lord, Bill Rogers and the authors Ivor Crewe and Anthony King. In fact, the Croydon North West by-election in 1981 was fought by the Liberal Bill Pitt – rather than by the leaders’ preferred option, Shirley Williams – because Pitt simply refused to budge. Pitt went on to win. Of course, parties do not need to be working together explicitly for voters, or organisations, to urge tactical outcomes. While tribalism has a long history in UK politics, so too do attempts to persuade voters to make tactical decisions. TV87, for example, referenced in an article in Political Behaviour, was a campaign set up to focus voters’ minds on the possibility of lending votes in the 1987 election. And it became common for publications and campaigns to produce lists of seats where incumbents were vulnerable to temporary tactics. The current initiative, which goes well beyond leaving decisions to voters alone, can perhaps best be judged against more recent projects. The 2017 general election saw the promotion of the so-called Progressive Alliance. The thinking was that Progressive parties (generally centre-left or left wing) could stand down for each other in seats where this might help defeat a Tory, or assist a vulnerable Progressive incumbent. The book All Together Now by Barry Langford lists 42 seats in which this happened, but it was not always successful and it was only really the Green party which played a full part. So can Remain Alliance work? The Brecon and Radnorshire by-election result may provide part of an answer, although we need to remember that this has been a Lib-Dem seat in the past and the party has been campaigning there for some time (in other words, the cooperation between parties may not be the crucial factor here). Perhaps more telling will be any negotiations ahead of the forthcoming Sheffield Hallam by-election as well as what happens when more than one party has a justifiable claim to stand. The big issue, however, must be Labour’s role and how one can define a Remain party. Labour played no active part in the 2017 Progressive Alliance, so what would the Remain Alliance do if Labour was the clear challenger to the Conservatives, or Brexit party, in a tight contest? Only time will tell, but the answer hangs on whether or not Jeremy Corbyn ever comes out as an unequivocal supporter of either Leave or Remain. (Paula Keaveney is Senior Lecturer in Politics, Edge Hill University) (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.)

Remain Alliance – can it halt Brexit and beat Boris Johnson?

Indians working on the merchant vessels are stuck in the cold war between the UK-Iran. 4 Indians are set to face judicial processes for violating EU sanctions.

Iran-UK tanker row: 4 Indians charged for violating EU sanctions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/my-focus-is-restoring-power-sharing-in-northern-ireland-uk-pm-boris-johnson-239728">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> could see his working majority in parliament reduced to just one when voters in a rural Welsh parliamentary seat go to the polls on Thursday in his first electoral test as leader.&nbsp;

The pro-European Union Liberal Democrats are the bookmakers` favourites to win the vote in Brecon and Radnorshire, triggered when Conservative lawmaker Chris Davies was ousted by a petition of constituents after being convicted of falsifying expenses.

Brecon is a region where sheep outnumber people many times over and where the prospect of steep EU tariffs being slapped on its Welsh lamb exports in a no-deal Brexit have prompted widespread concern among farmers.

Johnson`s government already relies on the support of a small Northern Irish party for its wafer-thin majority, with just a handful of rebels in his own Conservatives needed to lose key votes - as his predecessor Theresa May repeatedly found.

May stepped down after her Brexit deal with the EU was rejected three times by parliament.&nbsp;

Johnson has said he plans to renegotiate that deal but that Britain will leave the bloc on October 31 with or without an agreement, potentially setting himself up for a fight with parliament, which has pledged to try to block a no-deal exit.

The Liberal Democrats held the seat of Brecon from 1997 until 2015 when it was won by Davies. In the 2017 snap election he held the seat with a majority of just over 8,000 votes and is running again for the Conservatives on Thursday.

Wales, and the Brecon area, voted to leave the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum but the pro-Brexit vote is likely to be split between the Conservatives and the Brexit Party, which won the United Kingdom`s European Parliament election in May by riding a wave of anger over the failure to deliver Brexit.&nbsp;

In contrast, in a bid to boost the Liberal Democrats` chances by concentrating the support of `Remain` voters, other pro-EU parties including the Greens and Plaid Cymru are not standing in the election. 
Liberal Democrat candidate Jane Dodds has also sought to focus her campaign on local issues.

"I believe we deserve better from our politicians and the Westminster government. I`ll be a strong voice for everyone who feels let down by those in power," Dodds, who is also the Liberal Democrats` leader in Wales, said on her website.&nbsp;

The Conservatives, who have seen their national poll ratings jump since Johnson took over in what has been dubbed a Boris bounce, will be hoping for a last-minute boost from their new leader, who visited the area on Tuesday.

But the National Farmers` Union (NFU) in Wales has warned Johnson of the potential consequences for lamb producers of leaving the EU without a deal.

"The prime minister must prioritise the protection of this core market through securing continued, unfettered access," its president John Davies said. "The EU is our nearest and largest export market and any interruption to this trade will have catastrophic impacts for Welsh farming."&nbsp;

The result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could see his working majority in parliament reduced to just one when voters in a rural Welsh parliamentary seat go to the polls on Thursday in his first electoral test as leader.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could see his working majority in parliament reduced to just one when voters in a rural Welsh parliamentary seat go to the polls on Thursday in his first electoral test as leader. The pro-European Union Liberal Democrats are the bookmakers` favourites to win the vote in Brecon and Radnorshire, triggered when Conservative lawmaker Chris Davies was ousted by a petition of constituents after being convicted of falsifying expenses. Brecon is a region where sheep outnumber people many times over and where the prospect of steep EU tariffs being slapped on its Welsh lamb exports in a no-deal Brexit have prompted widespread concern among farmers. Johnson`s government already relies on the support of a small Northern Irish party for its wafer-thin majority, with just a handful of rebels in his own Conservatives needed to lose key votes - as his predecessor Theresa May repeatedly found. May stepped down after her Brexit deal with the EU was rejected three times by parliament. Johnson has said he plans to renegotiate that deal but that Britain will leave the bloc on October 31 with or without an agreement, potentially setting himself up for a fight with parliament, which has pledged to try to block a no-deal exit. The Liberal Democrats held the seat of Brecon from 1997 until 2015 when it was won by Davies. In the 2017 snap election he held the seat with a majority of just over 8,000 votes and is running again for the Conservatives on Thursday. Wales, and the Brecon area, voted to leave the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum but the pro-Brexit vote is likely to be split between the Conservatives and the Brexit Party, which won the United Kingdom`s European Parliament election in May by riding a wave of anger over the failure to deliver Brexit. In contrast, in a bid to boost the Liberal Democrats` chances by concentrating the support of `Remain` voters, other pro-EU parties including the Greens and Plaid Cymru are not standing in the election. Liberal Democrat candidate Jane Dodds has also sought to focus her campaign on local issues. "I believe we deserve better from our politicians and the Westminster government. I`ll be a strong voice for everyone who feels let down by those in power," Dodds, who is also the Liberal Democrats` leader in Wales, said on her website. The Conservatives, who have seen their national poll ratings jump since Johnson took over in what has been dubbed a Boris bounce, will be hoping for a last-minute boost from their new leader, who visited the area on Tuesday. But the National Farmers` Union (NFU) in Wales has warned Johnson of the potential consequences for lamb producers of leaving the EU without a deal. "The prime minister must prioritise the protection of this core market through securing continued, unfettered access," its president John Davies said. "The EU is our nearest and largest export market and any interruption to this trade will have catastrophic impacts for Welsh farming." The result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning.

UK PM Boris Johnson faces first electoral test in vote for Welsh parliamentary seat

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his priority was to try to restore the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland on a visit when he will meet local parties.

The power-sharing administration was suspended two-and-a-half years ago because of differences between the parties representing mainly Protestant pro-British unionists and mainly Catholic nationalists who favour a united Ireland.

"It's great to be here in Northern Ireland and clearly the people of Northern Ireland have been without a government, without Stormont for two years and six months so my prime focus this morning is to do everything I can to help that get up and running again," Johnson told journalists, adding that he expected Brexit would also come up in talks. 
&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his priority was to try to restore the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland on a visit when he will meet local parties.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his priority was to try to restore the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland on a visit when he will meet local parties. The power-sharing administration was suspended two-and-a-half years ago because of differences between the parties representing mainly Protestant pro-British unionists and mainly Catholic nationalists who favour a united Ireland. "It's great to be here in Northern Ireland and clearly the people of Northern Ireland have been without a government, without Stormont for two years and six months so my prime focus this morning is to do everything I can to help that get up and running again," Johnson told journalists, adding that he expected Brexit would also come up in talks.

My focus is restoring power-sharing in Northern Ireland: UK PM Boris Johnson

The commander of a British warship accompanying UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions with Iran said Wednesday that Tehran appeared to be testing the Royal Navy's resolve.

William King, commander of HMS Montrose, said during 27 days patrolling the flashpoint entrance to the Gulf he had had 85 "interactions with Iranian forces", which had often led to "an exchange of warnings" over the radio.

"That gives you some idea of the intensity... (it) is perhaps more than we've seen of recent times," he told BBC Radio in a phone interview from aboard the frigate.

"The Iranians seem to be keen to test our resolve, test our reactions most of the time," King added.

"They'll claim that perhaps our presence is illegitimate, even though we're completely lawfully in international waters.

"They may also run boats in at speed towards us, to test what warning levels we get to."

Montrose, on a three-year deployment in the region since April based at a British naval hub opened in Bahrain last year, began the escorts through the world's busiest oil shipping lane earlier this month.

It followed Iranian threats of retribution for Royal Marines helping Gibraltar -&nbsp;a British Overseas Territory -&nbsp;seize one of its tankers on July 4 on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

Despite Montrose's presence in the Gulf, Iran intercepted the British-flagged tanker "Stena Impero" on July 19 as it made its way through the strait and has detained the ship at an Iranian port.

Britain on Monday ruled out swapping the tankers and has proposed the formation of a European-led naval escort mission for global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

It comes as US President Donald Trump exerts a "maximum pressure" campaign of economic sanctions and stepped-up military presence aimed at forcing Tehran to renegotiate a landmark 2015 nuclear pact he pulled out of last year.

However, amid the escalating tensions, King said contact with Iran remained "professional" and "cordial" on the choppy waters of the Gulf.

"There's a healthy understanding, shall I say respect between mariners, which now seems to be established," he added.

Montrose will return to port later this week for pre-planned maintenance and crew changeover and will be replaced by HMS Duncan, a destroyer which arrived in the region on Sunday.

The commander of a British warship accompanying UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions with Iran said Wednesday that Tehran appeared to be testing the Royal Navy's resolve.

The commander of a British warship accompanying UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions with Iran said Wednesday that Tehran appeared to be testing the Royal Navy's resolve. William King, commander of HMS Montrose, said during 27 days patrolling the flashpoint entrance to the Gulf he had had 85 "interactions with Iranian forces", which had often led to "an exchange of warnings" over the radio. "That gives you some idea of the intensity... (it) is perhaps more than we've seen of recent times," he told BBC Radio in a phone interview from aboard the frigate. "The Iranians seem to be keen to test our resolve, test our reactions most of the time," King added. "They'll claim that perhaps our presence is illegitimate, even though we're completely lawfully in international waters. "They may also run boats in at speed towards us, to test what warning levels we get to." Montrose, on a three-year deployment in the region since April based at a British naval hub opened in Bahrain last year, began the escorts through the world's busiest oil shipping lane earlier this month. It followed Iranian threats of retribution for Royal Marines helping Gibraltar - a British Overseas Territory - seize one of its tankers on July 4 on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. Despite Montrose's presence in the Gulf, Iran intercepted the British-flagged tanker "Stena Impero" on July 19 as it made its way through the strait and has detained the ship at an Iranian port. Britain on Monday ruled out swapping the tankers and has proposed the formation of a European-led naval escort mission for global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. It comes as US President Donald Trump exerts a "maximum pressure" campaign of economic sanctions and stepped-up military presence aimed at forcing Tehran to renegotiate a landmark 2015 nuclear pact he pulled out of last year. However, amid the escalating tensions, King said contact with Iran remained "professional" and "cordial" on the choppy waters of the Gulf. "There's a healthy understanding, shall I say respect between mariners, which now seems to be established," he added. Montrose will return to port later this week for pre-planned maintenance and crew changeover and will be replaced by HMS Duncan, a destroyer which arrived in the region on Sunday.

UK warship commander says Iran trying 'to test' Britain in Gulf

Who is Boris Johnson? Brexit warrior, Trump's friend & China's frenemy

A group of Iranians living in the United Kingdom rallied in central London on Saturday (July 27) calling for tougher sanctions against the Iranian regime. Several hundred demonstrators protested, waved signs and flags and chanted in Trafalgar Square. The National Council of Resistance of Iran group, which organized the demonstration, is calling for the UK to take on a tougher stance as tensions between the West and Iran continue to grow. The group also called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and the Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei's office to be listed as terrorist entities by the United Kingdom, a press release stated. Member of Parliament for Hendon, Matthew Offord, who attended the rally said he was using it as an opportunity to send a message to new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Iranians demonstrate in central London, calling for sanctions against regime

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-intends-to-restart-activities-at-arak-heavy-water-nuclear-reactor-report-238974">Iran</a> on Sunday slammed as "provocative" a British proposal for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf, amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ships-stranded-in-brazil-are-set-to-depart-officials-238954">soaring tensions over the seizure of ships</a>.

"We heard that they intend to send a European fleet to the Persian Gulf which naturally carries a hostile message, is provocative and will increase tensions," government spokesman Ali Rabiei said, quoted by ISNA news agency.

Britain said on Monday it was planning a European-led force to escort tankers through the world's busiest oil shipping lane in response to Iran's seizure of a UK-flagged vessel on July 19.

The seizure of the Stena Impero came two weeks after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker the Grace 1 off its overseas territory Gibraltar on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria.

In his comments on Sunday, the government spokesman said Iran believed the security of the oil-rich Gulf had to be maintained by countries in the region.

"We are the biggest agent of maritime security in the Persian Gulf," said Rabiei.

Britain on Thursday ordered its navy to escort <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-zarif-calls-for-prudence-and-foresight-as-tensions-mount-with-uk-237486">UK-flagged ships </a>through the Strait of Hormuz, where the Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

But it has so far only received a cool response from the continent to its proposal for a multi-national escort fleet that would exclude the United States.

France said on Thursday it was not willing to send extra military assets to the Gulf, but would share information and coordinate its currently deployed assets.

The US military has said it is already monitoring the strait, and that it is developing a "multinational maritime effort" dubbed Operation Sentinel to increase surveillance and security in key Middle East waterways.

The 33-kilometre (22-mile) wide Strait of Hormuz provides the eastern entrance and exit point into the Gulf and runs between the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iran's high-seas standoff with Britain comes amid rising hostilities between the Islamic republic and the UK ally the United States.

The arch-enemies have been locked in a battle of nerves since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from a landmark 2015 deal aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear programme and began reimposing sanctions.

The situation has worsened since the Trump administration began a campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran this year, with drones downed and tankers mysteriously attacked in Gulf waters.

Iran on Sunday slammed as "provocative" a British proposal for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf, amid soaring tensions over the seizure of ships.

Iran on Sunday slammed as "provocative" a British proposal for a European-led naval mission to escort tankers in the Gulf, amid soaring tensions over the seizure of ships. "We heard that they intend to send a European fleet to the Persian Gulf which naturally carries a hostile message, is provocative and will increase tensions," government spokesman Ali Rabiei said, quoted by ISNA news agency. Britain said on Monday it was planning a European-led force to escort tankers through the world's busiest oil shipping lane in response to Iran's seizure of a UK-flagged vessel on July 19. The seizure of the Stena Impero came two weeks after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker the Grace 1 off its overseas territory Gibraltar on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. In his comments on Sunday, the government spokesman said Iran believed the security of the oil-rich Gulf had to be maintained by countries in the region. "We are the biggest agent of maritime security in the Persian Gulf," said Rabiei. Britain on Thursday ordered its navy to escort UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where the Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. But it has so far only received a cool response from the continent to its proposal for a multi-national escort fleet that would exclude the United States. France said on Thursday it was not willing to send extra military assets to the Gulf, but would share information and coordinate its currently deployed assets. The US military has said it is already monitoring the strait, and that it is developing a "multinational maritime effort" dubbed Operation Sentinel to increase surveillance and security in key Middle East waterways. The 33-kilometre (22-mile) wide Strait of Hormuz provides the eastern entrance and exit point into the Gulf and runs between the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Iran's high-seas standoff with Britain comes amid rising hostilities between the Islamic republic and the UK ally the United States. The arch-enemies have been locked in a battle of nerves since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from a landmark 2015 deal aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear programme and began reimposing sanctions. The situation has worsened since the Trump administration began a campaign of "maximum pressure" against Iran this year, with drones downed and tankers mysteriously attacked in Gulf waters.

Iran says European naval mission in Gulf would be 'provocative'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-intends-to-restart-activities-at-arak-heavy-water-nuclear-reactor-report-238974">Iran</a> said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

British authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ships-stranded-in-brazil-are-set-to-depart-officials-238954">detained an Iranian tanker</a> off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria.

On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move.

Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-deputy-foreign-minister-says-tehran-has-not-lost-any-drones-237039">Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi</a> linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV.

"Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added.

Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough.

Mounting tensions

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US President Donald Trump</a> pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions.

Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions.

Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones.

The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water.

Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high.

The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies.

Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing.

The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed.

Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments".

The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid.

It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA. 
&nbsp;

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement.

Iran said Sunday it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a breach of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, as the remaining parties to the accord meet in Vienna in another attempt to salvage the agreement. British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off the UK overseas territory of Gibraltar in early July on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. On July 19, a British-flagged tanker was impounded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards with its 23 crew aboard in the Strait of Hormuz, which was seen by the UK as a tit-for-tat move. Arriving at the meeting in Vienna, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi linked the tanker row to discussions over the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Developments have occurred, such as the seizure of the tanker carrying Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which in our view is considered a breach of the JCPOA," Araghchi said in comments carried on Iranian state TV. "Countries party to the JCPOA must not create any obstacles in the way of Iran exporting its oil," he added. Araghchi was speaking as envoys from Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and Iran gathered for talks in the Austrian capital, a month after a similar meeting failed to achieve a breakthrough. Mounting tensions Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord that was aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme and imposed punishing sanctions. Iran said in May it would disregard certain limits the JCPOA set on its nuclear programme and threatened to take further measures if remaining parties to the deal, especially European nations, did not help it circumvent the US sanctions. Even before the latest tanker seizures, pressure had been mounting in the region with a string of incidents involving tankers and drones. The US has said it brought down one and possibly two Iranian drones last week, and blamed Tehran for a series of mysterious attacks on tanker ships in strategic Gulf water. Iran shot down an unmanned US aircraft in June, after which Trump announced that he had called off retaliatory airstrikes at the last minute because the resulting death toll would have been too high. The US and Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf in June, which Iran denies. Efforts by European powers, notably France's President Emmanuel Macron, to salvage the nuclear deal have so far come to nothing. The remaining signatories, however, have pledged to work towards a breakthrough at a future ministerial session, for which no date has yet been fixed. Referring to the need for a "preparatory meeting before the ministerial-level meeting that will be necessary", one European diplomat told AFP it was "imperative to talk to the Iranians after the proven violations of their commitments". The European Union said earlier this week the extraordinary meeting would be chaired by the secretary-general of the European External Action Service, Helga Schmid. It said the talks were requested by Britain, France, Germany, and Iran and would examine issues linked to the implementation of the JCPOA.

Britain's seizure of oil tanker breach of ailing 2015 nuclear deal: Iran

Three Politicians Of Indian Origin Get Significant Position In Boris Johnson's Cabinet UK's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hoping to deliver his promises with a brand new team. And that team comprises of many members of Indian origin. Palki brings a profile of the three Indian-origin British cabinet members.

Gravitas: 3 Indians in Boris Johnson's Cabinet

united-kingdom

United Kingdom, News on United Kingdom, stories on United Kingdom, articles on United Kingdom, United Kingdom stories at Wion, United Kingdom news, United Kingdom latest news

united kingdom