Inside Politics: No 10 tells EU to ‘shake off’ Brexit bitterness

Brexit minister David Frost appears in no mood for peace and reconciliation over the protocol, writes Adam Forrest

(PA)

Rancour and resentment. The nation cannot get enough of it. Some stayed up to stream the Meghan and Harry interview as it was broadcast in the US at 1am. Millions more will tune in tonight to watch the programme that royal courtiers have dismissed as a “circus”. Boris Johnson admitted some interest in the interview, but said he would he would “probably” miss it. The PM has enough rancour and resentment on his plate. His Brexit minister David Frost has accused the EU of sulking, as the circus over the protocol gets even more intense.

Inside the bubble

Whitehall editor Kate Devlin on what to look out for today:

Joe Biden’s special envoy for climate change John Kerry will arrive in London. The Democrat is expected to meet top UK officials, including COP26 conference president Alok Sharma. Elsewhere, MPs on the Treasury committee will scrutinise Rishi Sunak’s Budget when they hear from top Office for Budget Responsibility officials.

Daily briefing

BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES: Boris Johnson faces pressure over the return of schools and NHS funding this week. The PM said the return of classes would bring “joy” – but unions have warned that schools could be shut again if enough pupils don’t wear masks. The ASCL said school leaders would send a letter to parents warning that lack of face coverings could have “ramifications” for schools’ insurance. An exclusive poll for The Independent shows 37 per cent of people believe the government is moving too swiftly when it comes to schools. Education secretary Gavin Williamson revealed longer school days were under consideration to help pupils catch up. Asked about his personal approval rating of –43, Williamson said: “It’s not good, it is?” Meanwhile, NHS hospital chiefs have warned they could have to start cutting patient care unless the government finds £8bn for extra Covid costs. It comes senior Tory MPs predict a U-turn over the 1 per cent pay rise for NHS staff, according to The Telegraph.

SHAKE IT OFF: Boris Johnson’s new Brexit minister David Frost has told the EU to stop sulking, calling on Brussels chiefs to “shake off any remaining ill will towards us for leaving”. He also stuck the boot in over the EU’s threat to block vaccine, but offered nothing in the way of solutions to protocol problems. Boris Johnson said implementing the protocol was “always bound to have” problems, and breezily predicted “technical issues” could be ironed out. Labour said recent unilateral moves to undermine agreements risked “plunging Northern Ireland into further instability”. The party’s shadow NI secretary Louise Haigh said there was a real danger the province could become “the arena for wider UK-EU conflict for years to come”. Port bosses have warned new border checkposts won’t be ready for the next big deadline in July. Richard Ballantyne, head of the British Ports Association, said: “Our frustration with government is they are not willing to share what the plan B is.”

APOCALYPSE READY: Boris Johnson is busying himself with plans for a new high-tech, White House-style underground bunker beneath Whitehall to bolster Britain’s emergency planning. The PM has approved the £9m new command room – or The Situation Centre (dubbed SitCen) – for use during terrorist strikes and other crisis events, including pandemics. From this summer Johnson will be able to watch military engagements and other horrible things on huge interactive display screens. Is it necessary? Officials have revealed how low-tech things are at the moment. “At key moments we still get analogue government with no maps and PowerPoint presentations,” one told The Sunday Times. Labour has greater concerns about the £2.6m spent on a new media briefing room at No 10. A FOI request revealed the sum spent kitting out the place for Allegra Stratton’s new daily press conferences. Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner said it reflected “Boris Johnson’s warped priorities”.

NIGE, WE HARDLY KNEW YE: With a whip of his cape and an evil chuckle, Nigel Farage is finally departing the stage. The pantomime villain of the British right is quitting as leader of Reform UK – and insists there will be no dramatic return to party politics. “I know I’ve come back once or twice when people thought I’d gone, but this is it. It’s done. It’s over.” Richard Tice will take over the rebranded Brexit Party – though Farage claimed he had been a huge success. “I’ve achieved the one thing I set out to do: to achieve the independence of the UK.” Who will now fulfil the role as cartoon baddie? Step forward former actor Laurence Fox, who said at the weekend that he is standing for London mayor. The leader of the “anti-woke” Reclaim Party vowed to “speak up for those who are being dominated into silence”. In an interview with The Telegraph, Fox attacked BBC, Black Lives Matter and Labour mayor Sadiq Khan “and his nation hating cronies”.

BLANKETY BLANK: Is the Salmond-Sturgeon scandal finally losing some steam? Not if the Scottish Tories can possibly help it. Douglas Ross’s party said they would push for a vote of no confidence in the deputy first minister John Swinney “on Tuesday or Wednesday” over Swinney’s failure to publish all the Scottish government’s legal advice in the saga. “His actions are getting murkier and more inexcusable as the weeks go on,” said the Scottish Tory leader. Ross said a similar vote against Nicola Sturgeon was still a possibility – pointing to a “blank” regarding a crucial meeting between the first minister and her permanent secretary. The row appears to be hurting the SNP and the independence cause, at least for now. Some 43 per cent said that their trust in Ms Sturgeon has fallen as a result of the inquiry, according to the latest Savanta ComRes poll. The same survey found 52 per cent to 48 per cent of Scots indicated that they were in favour of the union (with undecided voters excluded).

FIRST OF MANY? Joe Biden and the Democrats are beginning to look to their next potential legislative wins after an early victory at the weekend. The Senate approved a $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan on a party-line 50-49 vote. Final passage is expected Tuesday in the House if leaders can hold the support of progressives frustrated that the Senate narrowed unemployment benefits and stripped out an increase of the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. The chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, representing around 100 House liberals, called the Senate’s weakening of some provisions “bad policy and bad politics.” One key moderate Democrat says he’s open to changing Senate rules that could allow Democrats to push through other parts of the White House’s agenda – such as voting rights. West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin stressed there were ways to change the rules that now effectively require 60 votes for most legislation.

On the record

“I hope they will shake off any remaining ill will towards us for leaving, and instead build a friendly relationship, between sovereign equals.”

David Frost accuses Brussels of being bitter.

From the Twitterati

“As a diplomat, I am quite interested by this new method of negotiation the UK has been experimenting since Brexit: insulting the other side, reneging on its signature, breaking international law. Quite innovative indeed.”

French diplomat Gerard Araud is stunned by the UK’s diplomacy...

“How dare Lord Frost, the unelected Brexit minister, warn EU to ‘shake off ill will towards us for leaving?’ Truth is he and Boris Johnson are breaking international law by flouting NI protocol. This ghastly duo are deliberately picking fights with EU, and we shall be the losers.”

…and journalist Mary Riddell is angry.

Essential reading

Sean O’Grady, The Independent: Farewell Nigel Farage, unelected but highly influential

John Rentoul, The Independent: Starmer should hold his nerve – Johnson’s popularity boost won’t last

Sonia Sodha, The Guardian: Salmond vs Sturgeon: Why should a woman answer for a man’s transgressions?

Julian Zelizer, CNN: Biden is on the cusp of a major victory over his Covid relief plan

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