• Contact
  • About
DONATE
NEWSLETTER SIGN UP
  • Login
North East Bylines
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Brexit
    • Education
    • Environment
    • European News
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Science
    • UK News
    • World News
    man looking anxious

    Never assume: honesty and mental health

    Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

    The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

    A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

    Inequality and development: from global to local

    South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

    A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

    Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

    Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

    Child poverty protestor

    Child poverty: enough is enough

    Boys with kite in Kabul

    One year since the fall of Afghanistan

    North East for Europe at an earlier London march

    The North East in London for National Rejoin March

    Tyne Bridge

    Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

    Trending Tags

    • Ukraine
  • Culture
    • All
    • Animation
    • Books
    • Illustrations & More
    • Music
    • Performance
    • Poetry
    • Social Media
    • Theatre
    • TV & Radio
    The Rock Showman

    Hardwick Festival is down with the kids

    Witty Look

    All aboard the festival bus for Hardwick this weekend

    Boys with kite in Kabul

    One year since the fall of Afghanistan

    Eurovision sign

    The North East could host Eurovision in 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Fashion
    • Food & Drink
    • Health & Fitness
    Master Chef of Great Britain

    Master Chef of Great Britain at Lumley

    Prezzo

    Discovering the new summer menu at Prezzo

    Chef and son

    MasterChef’s’ Posh Street Food chef’s own summer of entertainment

    Scottish highlands

    The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

    Kleo Tabuku

    Top chef to open Newcastle restaurant, Lovage

    Pop up park

    Pop up to the park in Sunderland

    The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland

    The Blackbird Inn flies high with its new summer menu

    gymnast

    Culture of fear in British gymnastics uncovered by the Whyte Review

    Kennedy and Rhind

    Kennedy and Rhind: more time to enjoy a North East favourite

    Trending Tags

    • Business
      • All
      • Economy
      • Rural
      • Technology
      • Trade
      • Voluntary Sector
      Liz Truss

      Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

      Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

      Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

      Fishing protest

      Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

      Scottish highlands

      The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

      loo

      A room with a loo

      Newcastle quayside

      Newcastle named as one of the best cities for graduates

      Brexit economics

      New research shows the economic effect of Brexit

      Wetherspoons pub

      Wetherspoons sparkle: has it gone flat?

      Leon Fussell rehearsing

      Unsung Heroes at Queen’s Hall, Hexham

      Trending Tags

      • Region
        • All
        • Co. Durham
        • North East
        • Northumberland
        • Teesside
        • Tyneside
        • Wearside
        Fire in Gosforth

        Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

        A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

        Inequality and development: from global to local

        South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

        A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

        Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

        Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

        Child poverty protestor

        Child poverty: enough is enough

        Tyne Bridge

        Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

        Wildfire at Witherwack

        “Busier than Bonfire Night” as wildfire rages for over 20 hours

        Fishing protest

        Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

        NUFC foodbank

        Howay the lads and lasses: the new football foodbank season ‘22/23

        Trending Tags

        • Opinion
          Titanic coming out of Southampton

          The 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s departure

          There is an England

          There is an England

          Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union"

          The parody of disinformation: Boris Johnson on Ukraine and Brexit

          Boris Johnson’s comments on Ukraine and Brexit are an insult

          TV Agency staff jumping in the air

          The TV Agency celebrates 10th anniversary with global success

          North East of County Dublin

          North East of England and North East of County Dublin: Compare and contrast

          North Sea oil rig

          Copping out of COP: Ukraine, fossil fuels and nuclear fusion

          Placard with Boris Johnson as a clown

          Dictators, media and mobility: erosion of identity, sustenance and safety

          close up on a child's eye

          Racism and misogyny where there should have been safeguarding and security

        AUDIO
        No Result
        View All Result
        • Home
        • News
          • All
          • Brexit
          • Education
          • Environment
          • European News
          • Health
          • Politics
          • Science
          • UK News
          • World News
          man looking anxious

          Never assume: honesty and mental health

          Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

          The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

          A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

          Inequality and development: from global to local

          South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

          A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

          Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

          Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

          Child poverty protestor

          Child poverty: enough is enough

          Boys with kite in Kabul

          One year since the fall of Afghanistan

          North East for Europe at an earlier London march

          The North East in London for National Rejoin March

          Tyne Bridge

          Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

          Trending Tags

          • Ukraine
        • Culture
          • All
          • Animation
          • Books
          • Illustrations & More
          • Music
          • Performance
          • Poetry
          • Social Media
          • Theatre
          • TV & Radio
          The Rock Showman

          Hardwick Festival is down with the kids

          Witty Look

          All aboard the festival bus for Hardwick this weekend

          Boys with kite in Kabul

          One year since the fall of Afghanistan

          Eurovision sign

          The North East could host Eurovision in 2023

        • Lifestyle
          • All
          • Fashion
          • Food & Drink
          • Health & Fitness
          Master Chef of Great Britain

          Master Chef of Great Britain at Lumley

          Prezzo

          Discovering the new summer menu at Prezzo

          Chef and son

          MasterChef’s’ Posh Street Food chef’s own summer of entertainment

          Scottish highlands

          The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

          Kleo Tabuku

          Top chef to open Newcastle restaurant, Lovage

          Pop up park

          Pop up to the park in Sunderland

          The Blackbird Inn, Ponteland

          The Blackbird Inn flies high with its new summer menu

          gymnast

          Culture of fear in British gymnastics uncovered by the Whyte Review

          Kennedy and Rhind

          Kennedy and Rhind: more time to enjoy a North East favourite

          Trending Tags

          • Business
            • All
            • Economy
            • Rural
            • Technology
            • Trade
            • Voluntary Sector
            Liz Truss

            Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

            Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

            Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

            Fishing protest

            Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

            Scottish highlands

            The beauty of the Scottish Highlands

            loo

            A room with a loo

            Newcastle quayside

            Newcastle named as one of the best cities for graduates

            Brexit economics

            New research shows the economic effect of Brexit

            Wetherspoons pub

            Wetherspoons sparkle: has it gone flat?

            Leon Fussell rehearsing

            Unsung Heroes at Queen’s Hall, Hexham

            Trending Tags

            • Region
              • All
              • Co. Durham
              • North East
              • Northumberland
              • Teesside
              • Tyneside
              • Wearside
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

              A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

              Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter

              Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

              Child poverty protestor

              Child poverty: enough is enough

              Tyne Bridge

              Newcastle shortlisted for Eurovision 2023

              Wildfire at Witherwack

              “Busier than Bonfire Night” as wildfire rages for over 20 hours

              Fishing protest

              Dead crustaceans on North East coast: the next chapter

              NUFC foodbank

              Howay the lads and lasses: the new football foodbank season ‘22/23

              Trending Tags

              • Opinion
                Titanic coming out of Southampton

                The 110th anniversary of the Titanic’s departure

                There is an England

                There is an England

                Prime Minister Boris Johnson signs the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union"

                The parody of disinformation: Boris Johnson on Ukraine and Brexit

                Boris Johnson’s comments on Ukraine and Brexit are an insult

                TV Agency staff jumping in the air

                The TV Agency celebrates 10th anniversary with global success

                North East of County Dublin

                North East of England and North East of County Dublin: Compare and contrast

                North Sea oil rig

                Copping out of COP: Ukraine, fossil fuels and nuclear fusion

                Placard with Boris Johnson as a clown

                Dictators, media and mobility: erosion of identity, sustenance and safety

                close up on a child's eye

                Racism and misogyny where there should have been safeguarding and security

              No Result
              View All Result
              North East Bylines
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home News Brexit

              A constructive strategic partnership with Europe: Part 5 European Movement conference

              We have to find ways to interact civilly with people that voted leave!

              Robin TudgebyRobin Tudge
              08-04-2021 06:20
              in Brexit, Business, Economy, European News, Politics, UK
              Daisy Cooper

              Daisy Cooper by David Woolfall, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

              Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
              ADVERTISEMENT

              A trio of keynote speeches came in the afternoon. Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, began: “We all know”, she would reiterate, ”the Deal is threadbare”, and is bad for jobs; bad for business, for our standing on the world stage; that it’s not going well, we’re burning bridges, it’s a war of words at a time we should be working with our closest neighbours, exports down, costs are up.

              But despite the untold misery of the pandemic, the bad Deal, stalling on climate action, Johnson is yet up in the polls, as is Tory party membership, due to his popularity. Worse, the forthcoming seat boundary review will give the Tories more seats, they are changing the rules to allow for larger donations, and they can call the election when they want. Seats propped up with taxpayer cash. 

              “This will not be easy,” as they will continue to wage culture wars, mislead the public as they did in 2019 with a fake-fact checking Twitter feed, denouncing judges as ‘lefty’ and newspapers as ‘campaigning’.

              Brexit was only ever the first step in a much bigger project to much us an inward looking nationalist country. Every pillar of our democracy is under attack, with an authoritarian government breaking international law, chipping away and judicial review, cracking down on protest – but most people haven’t noticed. This is where the EM has as huge role, and urgently: the longer this goes on, the more embedded this government will become, and the harder it will be to get back in.

              “If you see want to see change, want to see our European movement flourish, it starts with our government.” It took Leave 40 years to get the UK out of Europe, and the timeline for getting us back in is up to us. We have lost the battle, but have one of the largest pro-EU movements on the continent, and it is “time to wake our sleeping giant”, and build on it, get friends, to join the party, get them to vote.  

               “Don’t say I told you so. These remarks are cheap and divisive.” Instead, we have to take the country with us and we should all want the UK to rejoin the Customs Union, the Single Market, and ultimately the EU, from a position of strength. “I find no joy in seeing livelihoods destroyed, in our country being on its knees.”

              Then followed Kishan Devani, honourary vice-president of the Green Liberal Democrats, who told how “I crossed from the Tories because of Brexit, predicting and then seeing their ‘lurch to the right’.”

              Political parties must unite, as Femi said, on our commonly held, basic tenets of tolerance and  openness. “I’m a son of refugees. I haven’t forgotten that,” but the way this government  is treating immigrants, who don’t happen to be like them, haven’t had the same privileges, don’t come from the same socio-economic background, “it’s really troubling.”

              The nationalist agenda underpinning this government’s anti-European, self-defeatingly pro-globalist  agenda, makes it very difficult to feel ‘British’. As for the current flag saga, “we can see where this agenda is going – back to the Enoch Powell days, that real fear, the Enoch Powell that my grandparents talked of. And some say we’re already back there.” 

              Although he agreed that the disaster of Brexit shouldn’t be rubbed into people’s faces, “at certain times we should understand issues are real.”  The British curry industry was promised unicorns in the form of chefs and culinary experts being able to come with ease from India and the sub-continent, ‘if only we magically voted to leave the EU’ – lies, told by the very people who now staff this government. “I know people deeply hurt by this, lied to, they think this government is morally defunct.”

              We must unite for a common cause, and look to remove this government at the ballot box. Engaging with the BAME communities is vital to that, making BAME part of a cohesive, cooperative society, “that’s our task.” Reach out to the communities, their temples, mosques, we can make a difference. The incumbent Mayor of London is BAME, and so is his opposing Tory candidate, but our work doesn’t have to be just political, it can be charitable, it can simply what is good for the whole community.

              “We pride ourselves on being a liberal democracy …  we should fight for that.”

              The Chair of the Conservative European Forum and former Leader of the Commons David Lidlington rounded off that the movement had to demonstrate support from right across the political spectrum, across the UK. Even at the 2019 General Election with polarised views, a fifth of Tories still had voted remain in 2016.

              He brought up some “unwelcome truths”, not least, “we did lose”, regardless of how much we may go over it. Moreover, “You win very few arguments shouting about how the electorate got it all wrong and they must change their minds.” Of the British public, most that voted leave say they regret it, but there is “no really strong appetite for rejoining” here, nor in the EU: the EU does not have the UK atop its priorities, there being “one single mention” of Brexit in the German presidency’s latest state document, and a mere three bland mentions from the office of the Portuguese president.

              Hence efforts towards rejoining are futile, and it is better to rebuild relationships, rebuild the trust in friendships that are “very badly bruised.” “Geography and history haven’t changed,” he said, and nor have common interests: cross border trade, supply chains, Russian attempts to destabilise east and central Europe and the Balkans, and organised crime, state capacity in Africa against crime and terrorism. The UK’s positions on Iran, Israel and Palestine have been more aligned with Europe than with the Trump administration. All combining to constitute the basis for a fruitful partnership between the UK and EU.

              As well as there being a huge body of pro Europeans in the UK that wasn’t there before 2016, there are “now many who feel European who didn’t feel that before being put to the test before the vote. especially among the young that voted remain” but as they age and rise into leadership, business, creative life, will become ever more important.

              Still, trust and good relations cannot be rebuilt overnight, and the aftershocks and tremors of the Brexit earthquake, compounded by Covid-19, continue.

              The UK is as always has been, a European power, but one with global interest, and a global outlook. A constructive strategic partnership with Europe is the best way to serve those interests and the security and prosperity of this country.

              The interests of the British people are like those of Europeans, so it must be shown to Leavers as a whole that there is “no contradiction” between a European Britain and a global Britain, and despite all the setbacks, “I’m optimistic that with determination and perseverance we can establish a constructive partnership to serve those interests.”

              A more integrated UK within the EU makes it a stronger, more influential player. There is a real opportunity at Scotland later this year re climate issues. This can be complimentary rather than adversarial. We’re not shaping those decisions in Europe and can’t see us being happy with the Norwegian position in the long term to just accept what the 27 decide. So sector by sector we should negotiate where there’s mutual interest.

              Meanwhile, we should work to attaining a veterinary treaty, streamlining checks on livestock and food products, as the EU has with several countries; restore our scientific partnership, with UK participation in EU scientific programs; and look at migration, particularly in easing freedom of movement for the arts and creative industries, for financial services (where a consultation deals already seems to be in progress), and supply chains.

              We have to find ways to interact civilly with people that voted leave! Forget the Farageists, but there are millions of decent ordinary people who voted leave, thinking it was the right thing for the country. A fifth of Conservatives voted remain, remember the young voters, and that two countries in the Union also voted remain.  

              It is about working together. It will take time. A lot of this is time.  

              ADVERTISEMENT
              Previous Post

              Was Jenrick “politically motivated”?

              Next Post

              New figures reveal over 56,000 people living with Long Covid in the North East

              Robin Tudge

              Robin Tudge

              Related Posts

              Liz Truss
              Economy

              Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

              byDavid Taylor-Gooby
              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires
              Environment

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              byGiuseppe Bignardi
              August 18, 2022
              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd
              North East

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              bySophie Lively
              August 17, 2022
              Ben Houchen by Scott Hunter
              Business

              Alleged National Audit Office review of Teesworks

              byScott Hunter
              August 16, 2022
              Child poverty protestor
              North East

              Child poverty: enough is enough

              byPeter Benson
              August 15, 2022
              Next Post
              Photo by Adrian Swancar from unsplash

              New figures reveal over 56,000 people living with Long Covid in the North East

              Want to support us?

              Can you help North East Bylines to grow and become more sustainable with a regular donation, no matter how small?  

              DONATE

              Sign up to our newsletter

              If you would like to receive the North East Bylines regular newsletter, straight talking direct to your inbox, click the button below.

              NEWSLETTER

              LATEST

              Liz Truss

              Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

              August 18, 2022
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              August 18, 2022
              man looking anxious

              Never assume: honesty and mental health

              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              August 18, 2022
              A sign with the "not equal" symbol is held in a crowd

              Inequality and development: from global to local

              August 17, 2022
              South Tyneside's only black electric taxi

              A sustainable policy for Tyneside taxis

              August 17, 2022

              MOST READ

              Liz Truss

              Tory leadership election: Liz Truss should look at how economies work

              August 18, 2022
              Fire in Gosforth

              Firefighters praised for life-saving response to Gosforth arson attack

              August 18, 2022
              man looking anxious

              Never assume: honesty and mental health

              August 18, 2022
              Flood in York in 2022. Climate change brings about more floods and not just heatwaves and wildfires

              The Tories’ climate change policy does not add up

              August 18, 2022

              BROWSE BY TAGS

              Audio Beach Brexit Business castle leazes climate activism Co. Durham cost of living crisis Culture defra democracy ducklings Economy Education Environment fire and rescue firefighter Food & Drink food poverty Health Health & Care Home Affairs just stop oil Lifestyle Local Lockdown Northumberland Peace Performance Politics pride month refugee rescue Science Social Media Teesside TV & Radio Tynemouth Tyneside Ukraine volunteer Wearside

              We are a not-for-profit citizen journalism publication. Our aim is to publish well-written, fact-based articles and opinion pieces on subjects that are of interest to people in the North East and beyond.

              North East Bylines is a trading brand of Bylines Network Limited, which is a sister organisation to Byline Times.

              Learn more about us

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Contact
              • About
              • Letters
              • Donate
              • Privacy
              • Bylines network
              • Shop

              © 2022 North East Bylines. Citizen Journalism | Local & Internationalist

              No Result
              View All Result
              • Home
              • News
                • Brexit
                • Education
                • Environment
                • UK News
                • Transport
                • World News
              • Politics
              • Opinion
              • Lifestyle
                • Culture
                • Music
                • Poetry
              • Business
                • Economy
                • Technology
                • Trade
              • Donate
              • Newsletter sign up
              • Boriiis Cartoons
              • Authors
              • Audio

              © 2022 North East Bylines. Citizen Journalism | Local & Internationalist

              Welcome Back!

              Login to your account below

              Forgotten Password?

              Retrieve your password

              Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

              Log In