“Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution. In a late-night news conference, he said he took responsibility for the outcome, and said the No camp must now make clear proposals. With most ballots counted, the No vote leads with 60% against 40% for Yes. The turnout was nearly 70%, in a vote that was seen as a chance to register discontent with the prime minister.” – BBC
“The Supreme Court will begin a landmark legal hearing on Monday into whether Parliament’s consent is required before official Brexit negotiations can begin. Its 11 justices will hear a government appeal against last month’s High Court ruling that only Parliament has the authority to trigger Article 50.The hearing, to be streamed live by the BBC, is expected to last four days, but the verdict is not due until next year.” – BBC
>Today: ToryDiary: Scotland – and how the Supreme Court could pave the way for a general election
>Yesterday:
“The UK should not have to pay “large” sums to the EU to trade with it after Brexit, Boris Johnson has said. The idea of the UK paying for tariff-free access to the EU’s internal market has been mooted in recent days. The foreign secretary told the BBC’s Andrew Marr that the question of whether the UK would pay anything at all was “pure speculation”, but if it did, any payments had to be “sensible”.” – BBC
>Yesterday: WATCH: Johnson says he doesn’t ‘privately support’ freedom of movement
“Yesterday there were growing signs that ministers will face an almighty political battle to get a Bill through the Commons and the Lords. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and his predecessor Nick Clegg said their party – which has only nine MPs but 100 peers – will block Article 50 unless the Bill includes provisions for a second referendum on the Brexit terms. On Saturday Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that, if the Supreme Court forces a vote in Parliament, Labour would try to amend the legislation to insert clauses on workers’ rights and the environment. And former SNP leader Alex Salmond said his party could block Brexit if the Supreme Court gives the Scottish Parliament a veto on Article 50.” – Daily Mail
“NICK CLEGG was ripped to shreds by Andrew Neil on his party’s position on Brexit. …The BBC presenter said Mr Clegg should consider dropping the “Democrat” in Liberal Democrats due to their stance on a second referendum. “Your party is the Liberal Democrats… Many people watching this will think, ‘maybe it’s time for a rebrand?’” He was met with a blank, death stare from the former Lib Dem leader. “I don’t know what you’re driving at,” he said angrily.” – The Sun
> Yesterday: WATCH: Clegg claims bureaucracy-free trade is impossible ‘other than being a member of the single market’
“Ahead of today’s Supreme Court hearing biz chiefs from across Britain are urging Theresa May to show leadership, trigger Article 50 and get on with Brexit. In a letter to Downing Street, the business leaders called on the PM to trigger Article 50 “as soon as possible” – preferably before March 31 next year. Its signatories include both Remain and Leave businesses stretching across the finance, legal, construction, leisure, licensing, car and agriculture industries.” – The Sun
“In effect, the European continent is saying to innovative thinkers the opposite of what it said for centuries. Where once it signalled that they could exile themselves and take their ideas with them to sow in more fertile ground, now it is saying: it does not matter how far you move within Europe, we want to be sure you can never escape the same rules. With east-west and north-south differences within the EU building, that feels increasingly like a tension that must break in the years ahead.” – Matt Ridley The Times(£)
“If thwarted, this “bloody difficult woman” — to quote Ken Clarke — is ready for a fight. She has worked all her life to be Prime Minister and she tells friends: “I am not going to give it up now.” Theresa May would win by a landslide majority in her own right tomorrow and she knows it. Under her premiership, the Tories are riding at record highs across all sectors and age groups — including struggling families abandoned by Labour.” – Trevor Kavanagh The Sun
“The Government, we are told, has prepared the legislation that will be needed if that is the way the Supreme Court rules. I do not believe the House of Commons will be prepared to affront the majority of the electorate by voting it down. During the referendum campaign, David Cameron made it clear that this was an issue the people would decide. Similar statements were made on behalf of the official Opposition. Parliament delegated this decision to the British people. I don’t think there is any prospect that the House of Commons will seek to undo that.” Lord Howard Daily Telegraph
“Developing post-Brexit trade with the Gulf region will be the focus of a two-day trip to Bahrain by Theresa May. She will be the first UK prime minister and female politician to attend the six-nation Gulf Co-operation Council. Mrs May said some would argue the UK should not seek to strengthen ties with the states because of their controversial human rights records. “But we don’t uphold our values and human rights by turning our back on this issue,” she insisted.” – BBC
“Public bodies in the UK have too often ignored or condoned divisive and harmful religious practices for fear of being labelled racist, a report says. A government-commissioned review into British social integration found ethnic segregation is growing in some places. More emphasis should be put on British values, law and history in schools, and immigrants should take an “integration oath”, author Dame Louise Casey said. Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said he will study the findings “closely”.” – BBC
“Drivers who cause death by dangerous or careless driving could get life in prison under new government proposals. Ministers want to bring the offence, which has a maximum sentence of 14 years, in line with manslaughter…Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said it was “impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one”, but he was determined to make sure the punishment fitted the crime. “Killer drivers ruin lives. Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses,” he added.” – BBC
“Motorway roadworks will shortened and strict speed limits will be relaxed in a move that will help end the misery of hundreds of thousands of drivers who are caught by “stealth” cameras. John Hayes, a transport minister , has ordered Highways England to examine whether speed limits at roadworks can be “safely” increased beyond the current maximum of 50mph. He has also asked the agency to reduce the length of roadworks to a maximum of 10 miles and encourage more use of contraflows on the other side of motorways to reduce disruption.” – Daily Telegraph
“SUGAR tax could mean higher taxes on families and more Government borrowing, a new study claims. Analysis from the TaxPayers’ Alliance found the sugar tax was not certain to raise the revenue claimed – leaving a gap that would hit hard-pressed families. Not so sweet? … a sugar tax could mean higher taxes on families and more Government borrowing, a new study claims. And researchers said it was likely to raise inflation, leading to increased Government borrowing costs.” – The Sun
“Police officers across Britain are expected to be issued with a new and more powerful Taser gun despite calls for use of the potentially fatal weapon to be curtailed, the Guardian has learned. Amber Rudd, the home secretary, is due to give approval to the new model of the electric stun gun within weeks. The X2 model has a second shot, in case the first fails to subdue a suspect, and is equipped with a warning crackle of bright electric light designed to encourage suspects to surrender before being fired upon.” – The Guardian
“Newly elected Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has denied issuing a fake CV. Questions surfaced over the weekend over Mr Nuttall’s credentials after it emerged that a LinkedIn profile attributed to the leader marked him as a PhD holder in History, gained from Liverpool Hope University, in 2004. The institution did not become a university until 2005 and didn’t award doctorates until 2009. But on Sunday, Mr Nuttall said he had “never claimed” to have a PhD. Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, Mr Nuttall said: “It’s on a LinkedIn page, that wasn’t put up by us and we don’t know where it’s come from. I’ve never claimed that at all ever.” – Independent
“John Key has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand. He made the shock announcement at his weekly press conference on Monday. Key, 55, his voice shaking with emotion, said he told his Cabinet of his decision this morning. On hearing the news Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he texted Key: ‘Say it ain’t so bro.’ ‘This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made and I don’t know what I’ll do next,’ Key said. ”I’m leaving on my own terms.’ ” – Daily Mail
> Today: WATCH: No fourth term – quit while you’re ahead. John Key resigns as New Zealand’s Prime Minister
“Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost the race for the Austrian presidency and has conceded defeat as the first results emerged. As the polls closed at 4pm UK time, exit surveys indicated left-leaning candidate Alexander Van der Bellen has taken an unbeatable lead in the election with more than 53 per cent of the vote. Hofer would have been the first far-right politician elected to national office in Europe since World War 2.” – Daily Mail
“The prime minister will be curled up on the sofa watching traditional British TV on Christmas Day. While being a fan of “Scandi dramas” like Borgen, Theresa May told the Radio Times she’d tune in to Doctor Who and “a nice Agatha Christie”. Earlier in the day, she’ll have a drink with friends before helping churches in her Berkshire constituency who provide lunch for elderly people. The PM also said she enjoys Strictly Come Dancing, but wouldn’t take part.” – BBC