November 03, 2019
Sign up now to get The Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing, by email.
Sunday Shows Round-Up: Boris Johnson’s Bregret And Remain Alliance Talks
Sunday saw the first round of political programmes since MPs triggered a December 12 general election, which meant senior party figures, including Boris Johnson, were out in force.
The looming snap poll is starting to widen political debate away from the Brexit crisis, however there was still plenty of discuss about the UK’s withdrawal from the EU – which the prime minister is attempting to make the defining issue of the election.
So what happened?Brexit Boris Johnson says it is a matter of deep regret that the UK did not leave the EU on 31 October #Ridgepic.twitter.com/OiWDb6BAQ8— Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 3, 2019The prime minister expressed “deep regret” over his failure to deliver Brexit on October 31, which he had previously promised to “do or die”.
Johnson replied “of course, of course” when asked if he would apologise to Tory members who backed him to be PM on the understanding he would get the UK out of the EU on Halloween.
In his first long-form TV interview since the election was called, Sky News’s Sophy Ridge said he needed to take responsibility and could not just blame other people.
Johnson replied: “Well, I do. I do and I’m deeply, deeply disappointed.”
Asked if he was sorry, the PM said: “Yes, absolutely.”
Pushed on whether he would apologise to Tory members who supported him, Mr Johnson replied: “Of course, of course.
“It’s a matter of... it’s a matter of deep regret.
Johnson also failed to rule out extending the post-Brexit transition period, during which the UK will follow EU rules, beyond the end of 2020 if he has not agreed a comprehensive trade deal with Brussels in time.
He said only: “I see no reason whatsoever why we should extend the transition period.”
Treasury Chief Secretary Rishi Sunak meanwhile failed to deny suggestions the Tories would drop their no-deal Brexit threat from the party’s election manifesto.
Sunak repeatedly stressed that leaving with Johnson’s deal was the goal should the Tories secure a majority.
“I’m not going to comment on the manifesto specifically,” he told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show.
“But what I would say is the prime minister has spent all this time and energy negotiating a deal ... and that’s the deal we will put in place and deliver if we’re elected with a majority.” Nigel Farage not standingElection 2019: Nigel Farage tells #Marr he will not stand as an MP#Brexithttps://t.co/vSOXHyeUyDpic.twitter.com/KpPC7nkTOp— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 3, 2019Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage revealed he would not be standing to be an MP in the election, perhaps discouraged by slipping poll ratings.
Farage, who has failed in seven attempts to get elected to parliament, told Marr: “I’ve thought very hard about this, how do I serve the cause of Brexit best? Because that’s what I’m doing this for, not for a career because I don’t want to be in politics for the rest of my life.
“Do I find a seat, try to get myself into parliament or do I serve the cause better traversing the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, supporting 600 candidates, and I’ve decided that the latter course is the right one.
“It’s very difficult to do but it’s very difficult to be the constituency every day and at the same time be out across the United Kingdom.”Remain allianceLib Dem Leader @joswinson says discussions have been taking place to build a "remain alliance" approach to certain seats in the upcoming election.Follow #Ridge here: https://t.co/K4ToiVYIHkpic.twitter.com/r1jIQj0KVb— Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 3, 2019Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson confirmed talks are ongoing about a Remain alliance between her party, the Greens and Plaid Cymru in scores of seats across the country.
The pact would see two of the three parties stand aside to favour the one with the best chance of victory, replicating the success seen in the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election.
Some local pacts have already been struck, including a move to give the Greens a free run at Tory Bob Seely on the Isle of Wight.
Swinson did not rule out reports she could join an alliance across up to 60 seats.
“The specifics of announcements will be made in due course but it’s well understood that these discussions have been taking place,” she told Ridge.
“I wouldn’t necessarily assume that the numbers are accurate.
“I think it’s fair to say that in the vast majority of constituencies the party of Remain that is going to be best-placed to win that seat will be the Liberal Democrats.”
Swinson meanwhile criticised ITV again for excluding her from a live debate between Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, suggesting it could be sexist.
“In that election we had Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg - spot the difference,” she said.Heathrow expansion#Marr: Will Labour cancel Heathrow expansion?Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell: “It does not qualify on the basis of the criteria we’ve set out”https://t.co/AwOHXTazPLpic.twitter.com/PyTMqAJIKn— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 3, 2019Shadow chancellor John McDonnell reiterated Labour’s position that the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport does not meet the party’s required tests to go ahead.
McDonnell, whose Hayes and Harlington seat contains Heathrow, has long opposed expansion to protect the quality of life of his constituents.
He told Marr: “We set ourselves criteria, one of which was environmental impact, the other was also economic impact and social impact.
“On the current criteria, we’ve said very clearly, Heathrow expansion doesn’t qualify.”
Pressed on whether Labour would cancel the extension, he said: “At the moment it does not qualify based on the criteria we set out.”
Other expansions across the country including in Manchester would also be considered under the criteria, he said.Scottish independenceFirst Minister @NicolaSturgeon says it would be unsustainable for Westminster leaders to oppose holding a Scottish independence referendum if the SNP succeed in the general election.Follow #Ridge here: https://t.co/K4ToiVYIHkpic.twitter.com/0vcv0pmyGe— Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 3, 2019Johnson ruled out granting permission for a second Scottish independence referendum while he is PM, despite Nicola Sturgeon’s insistence that “things have changed” since the country voted to stay in the UK five years ago.
Asked if he would ever grant permission for such a ballot, Johnson told Ridge: “No, I don’t want to have one.”
He added: “We had one in 2014, the British people, the people of Scotland, were told in 2014 that that was a once-in-a-generation event. I don’t see any reason to go back on that, on that assurance.”
But Scottish First Minister Sturgeon insisted the PM had “omitted to recognise the fact that many things have changed since Scotland had an independence referendum in 2014, not least we face being taken out of the EU against our will”.
The SNP leader said the issue was “one of the central questions” of the election.
“Our future is on the line and it’s a choice of what kind of future we want,” she told Ridge.Naughty? Has Boris Johnson ever done anything naughtier than running through a field of wheat? The PM promises to give an answer next time he is on #Ridge, as long as it is "not terminally politically damaging".Follow the show live here: https://t.co/K4ToiVYIHkpic.twitter.com/g4Qo77YcL5— Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) November 3, 2019Johnson refused to reveal the naughtiest thing he has ever done, perhaps discouraged by the relentless mocking of his predecessor Theresa May’s 2017 election confession about running through fields of wheat.
The PM said he had not cleared an answer with his “handlers”, but promised to come back to Ridge with a response if he thought of something “that is both interesting and not terminally politically damaging”.Related... Nigel Farage Will Not Stand To Be An MP In General Election Boris Johnson Refuses To Reveal Naughtiest Thing He Has Ever Done Labour Says A Whistleblower Has Raised 'Serious Concerns' About Dominic Cummings
Related Stories
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Watch It
Millie Bobby Brown & Jake Bongiovi Celebrate “Three Years of Bliss” Ahead of Wedding
March 24, 2024
C4Ehegcq1-A
Kate Middleton & Prince William "Enormously Touched" by Public Support
March 24, 2024
s8fig-RCjFc
Gisele Bündchen Denies Cheating on Ex-Husband Tom Brady
March 23, 2024
_SpRMagA8BM
Eminem, 50 Cent & Snoop Dogg Present Dr. Dre with a Star on the Walk of Fame
March 19, 2024
4bNLs1hxVp8
Opening Remarks for the Variety Summit October 20th, 2023 Jay Penske
March 18, 2024
c6Z707iLq8E
'Everybody Was S----ing Their Pants': Nick Thune Jokes About Being Born in the '70s and Fatherhood
March 16, 2024
mm7Baf6o2d8
Gunna Says Tour Will Up Creativity in Rap, Endorses Flo Milli | TMZ
March 22, 2024
QfMU24fw-Qo
Reporter Taylor Lorenz Says Palace Botched Kate Cancer News Rollout | TMZ Live
March 22, 2024
o43ZucdiyEo
Riley Strain's Body Found After Going Missing in Nashville 2 Weeks Ago | TMZ NOW
March 22, 2024
1m1zM-4_Cs8
Kyle Richards hasn’t spoken to co-star Dorit Kemsley, denies sending her a ‘manipulative’ text
March 24, 2024
LqLZzDP1hm4
Jordan Emanuel on her connection to 'RHOSLC' star Meredith Marks, advice from Amanda Batula
March 24, 2024
5NPAwlOov1Y
Kate Middleton’s uncle Gary apologizes after slamming ‘fickle’ Meghan Markle in scathing interview
March 24, 2024
JWG9kitALZk
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SK Brann W - Barcelona W
20
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Hacken W - PSG W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
SL Benfica W - Lyon W
19
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Playoffs - Women
Ajax W - Chelsea W
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Brighton - Manchester City
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.