Tara Fair
GB News: Ex-Conservative MP warns against 'underestimating' Brexiteer Penny Mordaunt
Ex-Tory MP Louise Mensch has warned Dan Wootton against "underestimating" Penny Mordaunt in the race to succeed Boris Johnson as Tory leader and Prime Minister.
Louise Mensch, who served as the Conservative MP for Corby from 2010 to 2012, joined Dan Wootton on GB News to discuss the ongoing Tory leadership election.
Ms Mensch voiced her support for the Brexit-backing Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt.
Ms Mordaunt retained her second-place position in the latest ballot among Tory MPs, with the support of 82 Conservative colleagues.
Ms Mensch, who once described the European Union as an idea which has "come and gone", told Mr Wootton: "He [Boris Johnson] was underestimated for most of his political career, I will say that about Boris, by absolutely everybody.
"And I think you're underestimating Penny Mordaunt now.
"Honestly, I don't know how many times Liz Truss has to fail to beat her, this massive Remainer, for you to accept that Conservative MPs prefer Penny by quite some distance."
Isabella Marsans
Ex-Tory leader backs Sunak as 'best hope' for Brexiteers in Conservative leadership race
Ex-Tory leader William Hague has backed Rishi Sunak to replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and claimed the ex-Chancellor is the "best hope" for Brexiteers.
William Hague, who led the Conservative Party from 1997 to 2001, revealed he is backing Rishi Sunak in the ongoing Tory leadership race.
Mr Hague served as the MP for Richmond from 1989 to 2015 and was replaced by Mr Sunak in the Brexit-backing Yorkshire constituency as the former Foreign Secretary was elevated to the House of Lords.
Writing in the Times, Mr Hague explained why he is supporting Mr Sunak and even claimed Eurosceptics should rally behind the ex-Chancellor.
Lord Hague said: "For hard-line Brexiteers he is their best hope of the intellectual grasp and political drive to create those Brexit freedoms the country was promised."
Mr Sunak has the backing of several senior Brexiteers, including ex-International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab.
The former Chancellor, who campaigned for Brexit in 2016, stressed his Eurosceptic credentials.
In a piece in the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Sunak promised to light a bonfire of EU laws “getting in the way” of British businesses and vowed to trigger “a new Big Bang”.
Aleks Phillips
Boris throws down Brexit gauntlet to successor
Boris Johnson has rebuffed claims that the end of his tenure as Prime Minister will spell the end of Brexit, telling the House of Commons the Conservative Party "will prove them wrong".
Speaking this afternoon, the outgoing Tory leader said: "Some people will say as I leave office that this is the end of Brexit, oh yes, and the Leader of the Opposition and the deep state will prevail in its plot to haul us back into alignment with the EU as a prelude to our eventual return, and we on this side of the House will prove them wrong, won't we?"
Aleks Phillips
International students flock to Brexit Britain despite academics' 'whinging'
UK universities have seen a steady increase in international students coming to study despite Brexit, according to newly released figures - with last year's intake reaching past 600,000.
Pro-Brexit research outfit Facts4EU, citing official statistics, said that there had been a continuous rise in the number of students coming to Britain to study, despite fears of a post-Brexit brain drain.
According to the figures, the number of students has risen each year from nearly 451,000 in 2016 - the year of the Brexit referendum - to just over 605,000 in 2021, even though academics "whinge about the effect of Brexit on our universities", it said.
Aleks Phillips
Boris: 'Rejoiners and revengers were left plotting!'
Boris Johnson has said that "the rejoiners and the revengers were left plotting" while he made a success of Brexit, as he remarked on what he saw as his achievements during his time as Prime Minister.
Addressing the House of Commons, the outgoing Tory leader commented: "We got Brexit done and though the rejoiners and the revengers were left plotting and planning and biding their time [...] we delivered on every single one of our promises."
Meanwhile, in a hint that he may throw former colleagues under the bus after effectively being ousted by a litany of Government resignations, Mr Johnson said he would "have more to say about the events of the last few weeks and months in due course".
Aleks Phillips
Cummings: UK will 'gain so much' from Brexit
Dominic Cummings has hit back at Brexit doom-mongers by stating that the UK will "gain so much" from being out of the European Union, vaunting a key benefit Britain can look forward to.
The former Downing Street adviser and Vote Leave chief said the nation can look forward to being "less entangled in [the EU's] dysfunction", citing the UK's ability to quickly procure a vaccine supply during the coronavirus pandemic while the EU became bogged down in bureaucracy.
READ MORE
Aleks Phillips
Mordaunt 'only member of her family to support Brexit'
Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt is the only member of her Irish catholic family to have supported Brexit, her uncle has revealed.
Speaking to the Irish Times, Henry Mordaunt said he "disagrees with her politics, unfortunately", but would be "happy for her if she achieves her ambition".
The Royal Navy reservist and hopeful to become the next Prime Minister has burnished her Brexit credentials during the campaign to become the next leader of the Conservative Party.
Mr Mordaunt claimed that many British generals who had spent time working with European counterparts "were all very pro-Britain remaining in the EU", but that "Penny on the other hand, her link is with the Navy. The Navy keeps people out. Their job is to keep the foreigner away."
Aleks Phillips
Good afternoon
I’mAleks PhillipsandI’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Brexit this afternoon.
Aliss Higham
EU secures gas deal with Azerbaijan
The EU has signed a deal with Azerbaijan to double gas deliveries from the country to “at least” 20 billion cubic metres by 2027.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had “to diversify away from Russia and to turn to more reliable, trustworthy suppliers”.
She also described Azerbaijan as a “crucial energy partner”.
Ms von der Leyen also confirmed the EU will invest €60 million to expand trade with Azerbaijan up to 2024.
Aliss Higham
Brexit LIVE: Rug pulled from under EU as British businesses leave bloc in dust – new chart
Brexit LIVE: Rug pulled from under EU as British businesses leave bloc in dust – new chart
UK business confidence has remained higher than the rest of Europe, despite previous fearmongering that the bloc exit would decimate the economy, according to a new report.
According to a new business outlook report by Accenture/S&P Global UK, UK business confidence fell to a joint record low in June, but beats a slew of EU countries with considerably lower business confidence.
The report found a net balance of 28 percent more private sector firms forecast their activity to increase over the coming year, but this is half the level recorded in February, when confidence stood at 56 percent.
Both the EU and global averages are below the UK at +16 percent and +22 percent respectively.
Matt Prebble, Strategy and Consultant lead for the UK and Ireland at Accenture, said: “Inflation and a cloud of economic uncertainty have understandably knocked business confidence.
“Whilst some predict lower profits and are cutting back on research and development, it is worth noting that the more confident sectors are continuing to sustainably invest in new products.
"Over the past few years, UK business leaders have proven resilient in the face of constant change which may explain their optimism compared to other countries.
“It is this mindset to make transformational change where it is needed most, invest in talent and new technologies that will put them in a strong position to take market share when the current turbulence passes."
Aliss Higham
Angela Rayner defends Labour's Brexit record
Watch Angela Rayner defend Labour's Brexit stance on LBC
Angela Rayner grilled on Labour's Brexit stance by radio caller
Aliss Higham
Penny plummets after Brexit remarks
Former favourite Penny Mordaunt has plummetted from her second place spot after reiterating a misleading point about Turkey's potential EU membership.
New polling by Smarkets found Ms Mordaunt in third position to be the next Tory leader; down to 18.87 percent, behind her rivals Liz Truss on 28.17 percent and Rishi Sunak on 45.45 percent.
This pessimism is echoed in a survey by ConservativeHome that suggested both Mr Sunak and Ms Truss had risen above Mordaunt in the estimation of Tory members.
Ms Mordaunt found herself in trouble when she decided to repeat an untrue claim that UK could not have vetoed Turkey's ascension to the EU if it remained a member of the bloc.
This is untrue - any EU member can veto another country joining.
Penny Mordaunt is slipping in the eyes of Conservative voters (Image: GETTY)
Aliss Higham
EU nightmare as UK exports soar
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Professor Daniel Hodson, CIBUK’s Deputy Chairman, said: “For years we’ve been told the United Kingdom couldn’t survive on its own without being a member of the European Union.
“This was always patently false on every level. The idea that the world’s fifth largest economy could not hold its own as an independent country was an absurdity.
“Nevertheless, this mantra was repeated – and still is – over and over again.
“Our report puts some facts behind the assertion by Brexiteers that: “We’ll do just fine without EU membership, thank you”.
“Not only that, but it clearly shows the EU has some serious problems. Its once invincible trade surplus has disappeared down a big hole and has become a large and growing deficit.
“The EU’s trade deficit in the first five months of this year was €163billion (around £139billion) in the red, compared with a surplus in the same period last year of €69billion (about £59billion) in the black.
“That’s quite a turnaround – but not in a good way.”
Read more here.
Aliss Higham
EU hopeful in reaching Black Sea exports agreement
Josep Borrell on Monday ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels: “I have a hope that this week it will be possible to reach an agreement to unblock Odesa and other Ukrainian ports.
“The life of thousands, more than thousands, tens of thousands of people depends on this agreement. It is not a diplomatic game. It is an issue of life or death for many.”
Cargo ships have been prevented from reaching ports in Ukraine, which is one of the world’s largest grain producers, ever since Russia invaded at the end of February.
Aliss Higham
EU ministers to approve more Ukraine funding
EU foreign ministers are likely to approve another 500 million euros of EU funding to supply arms to Ukraine,
It will take the bloc's security support to two billion euros since Russia forces invaded Ukraine in February.
The package comes despite the serious inflationary effect Russia's invasion has had on Europe.
Aliss Higham
Nigel Farage says Badenoch can complete Brexit
In an article published today, Mr Farage said:"OnlyKemi Badenochhas the genuine conviction to talk about legal and illegal immigration, completing Brexit by leaving the ECHR and ending the poison that has been taught to our children in schools.
"Her manner is refreshing in comparison to what we have become used to in Westminster politics."
Aliss Higham
Nigel Farage weighs in on leadership race
Nigel Farage has blasted Liz Truss on Twitter this morning, asking how a former remainer could possibly lead a post-EU UK.
He said: "A Remain-voting, former card-carrying member of the Liberal Democrats, who once endorsed Republicanism — a woman who voted for May's disastrous deal three times — will likely lead the Conservative Party and post-Brexit Britain.
"How did it come to this?"
Aliss Higham
Sunak takes swipe at Truss over Brexit
Leadership contender Rishi Sunak has taken aim at rival Liz Truss in a new promotional video as he attempts to shore up support.
In a new clip, styled in the 1920s cinema style, the video takes us back to the 2016 referendum and highlights Mr Sunak's longstanding support for Brexit.
Taking aim at his rival, the video points out the fact Ms Truss once campaigned for remain, despite her support for Brexit in more recent years.
The clip ends with Sunak being described as "a real Brexiteer from day one".
Rishi Sunak has released a bizarre new 1920s style promotion video (Image: RISHI SUNAK)
Aliss Higham
BAE Systems unveils latest high-tech drone concepts
Britain is set to boost its unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities after defence giant BAE Systems demonstrated its latest drone concepts at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).
Speaking toExpress.co.uk, a BAE spokesperson explained the importance of autonomous air support as warfare evolves.
They said: “We see an increasing requirement for autonomous systems for UK armed forces, recognising they offer the potential for affordable increases to combat air capacity.
“We have a well-established capability in developing and certifying complex technologies in the air domain.
“We are exploring a family of Uncrewed Air System (UAS) concepts and technologies suitable for current and future operating environments.”
Aliss Higham
Watch as Penny Mordaunt slammed over misleading on Brexit
The BBC's SophieRaworth challenged the Tory leadership candidatePenny Mordauntover UK's veto against Turkey joining the EU back in 2016.
Mordaunt slammed over 'misleading' Brexit warning by Raworth
Aliss Higham
Rishi Sunak outlines plans for post Brexit Britain
The leadership candidate has been making promises on the direction he will take Britain if he is successful in his bid.
Writing in the Telegraph, he said: "Today, I make a promise. If I am elected prime minister, by the time of the next General Election, I will have scrapped or reformed all of theEU law, red tape and bureaucracythat is still on our statute book and slowing economic growth.
"We have made a start on taking advantage of our Brexit freedoms.
"Now we need to put our foot to the accelerator and deliver much more."
Mr Sunak wrote his "ambition is that the UK should become by far the richest country in Europe within the next 15 years," meaning it would overtake Germany as the largest economy in Europe.
He continued: "As prime minister, I would task a new Brexit delivery department with reviewing all of the remaining 2,400 laws on our statute book – with the first set of recommendations as to whether each law should be scrapped or reformed being published within my first 100 days in the job.
"We need to remove power from faceless regulators and give that power to MPs in our Parliament."
Rishi Sunak is currently the front runner to become the next PM (Image: GETTY)
Aliss Higham
Exports to the bloc up despite Brexit
On Friday, theEU Commissionreleased a new report on the bloc’s trade statistics.
It revealed that in the first five months of this year, Britain’s exports to theEUsoared by 58.8 percent, compared to the previous January to May period last year.
Figures from Eurostat revealed that in May alone, the EU recorded a €35 billion (£29.8billion) trade deficit, while the UK’s exports to the bloc were up by 69.9 percent.
Aliss Higham
British businesses most confident in Europe
British businesses are more confident on average than EU ones, with the UK beating the likes of France, Spain, Germany and Italy.
The UK is more confident than the Eurozone overall, with the report saying the bloc's business have reported 16 percent net confidence.
However, UK business still expect the pressure of high inflation to drive down profits, with the forecast turning negative to minus two percent.
Aliss Higham
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Aliss Higham, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Brexit today. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: aliss.higham@reachplc.com