DOES European Union negotiator Michel Barnier have a vested interest in boosting Theresa May’s credibility as a defender of UK national interests?
What other conclusion explains Barnier’s insistence on publishing his draft legal document on a “common regulatory area” between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland that would consider the six counties as “part of the customs territory” of the EU?
Nothing could be more calculated to wind up the Democratic Unionist Party MPs on which May’s government depends for support.
A new group within the NEU is preparing the labour movement for a conversation on Irish unity by arguing that true liberation must be rooted in working-class solidarity and anti-sectarianism, writes ROBERT POOLE
US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT
Starmer sabotaged Labour with his second referendum campaign, mobilising a liberal backlash that sincerely felt progressive ideals were at stake — but the EU was then and is now an entity Britain should have nothing to do with, explains NICK WRIGHT



