Top story: Brexit deal ‘must have lock of second referendum’
Good morning briefers. I’m Martin Farrer and it’s my pleasure to bring you the best stories from the Guardian this Monday morning.
Keir Starmer has warned that Britain faces a “battle of values” in the effort to see off rightwing populists such as Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson, and urges progressive parties to “unite against intolerance”. Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, the shadow Brexit spokesman says he is determined to see next Thursday’s European elections as “an opportunity to have a fight about the values we actually believe in” and renew Labour’s mission as “an internationalist party”. His remarks come after a weekend poll showed that Farage’s Brexit party is 13 points ahead of second-placed Labour with 34%. As cross-party talks over a Brexit deal begin again today, Starmer says that any agreement must lock in a confirmatory referendum in order to succeed, adding that up to 150 Labour MPs would reject any agreement that does not include giving voters another say. He also urges remain voters tempted to switch to other parties to stick with Labour because it is the only party which could deliver a second referendum.
* * *
War on drugs – The fight against the importation of hard drugs into Britain will never be won without greater attempts to curb demand for illicit substances, according to the National Crime Agency’s top anti-drugs officer. Ahead of the agency’s annual threat assessment this week, Vince O’Brien tells the Guardian in an exclusive interview that organised criminals will always find a way of smuggling products into the country if the “user base” remains willing to spend millions to consume them. “We can’t arrest our way out of that anymore than we can arrest our way out of serious violence. We need to tackle the drivers behind it,” he says.
* * *
Trading blows – Financial markets are facing a turbulent week after comments from Donald Trump’s top economic adviser suggested that Washington is preparing for a full-blown trade war with China. Larry Kudlow said on Sunday that the White House expects Beijing to retaliate after the US hiked tariffs on $200bn worth of Chinese goods from 10% to 25% on Friday. His remarks, and tweets from the US president saying the US was “where we want to be with China”, saw stocks in Asia fall overnight. Futures trading point to a 0.85% fall on Wall Street later today, highlighting the risk Trump’s risky strategy could pose to the US economy.
* * *
Heart problem – Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity have all helped to increase deaths from heart disease and strokes for the first time in 50 years among under-75s, figures from the the British Heart Foundation show. In 2017, 42,384 people died from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK before the age of 75, a rise of just over 3% on the 41,042 in 2014. And a large survey by the Mental Health Foundation has found one in eight people aged 18 and above have been so distressed about their body image they have thought about killing themselves.
* * *
Tanker sabotage – Two Saudi oil tankers have been sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, posing a potentially serious threat to world oil supplies. One of the two vessels was on its way to be loaded with Saudi crude oil for shipment to the United States, it was reported. The attack did not lead to any casualties or an oil spill but caused significant damage to the structures of the two vessels, the Saudi government said. The incident comes after a warning from the US that Iran, Saudi’s regional rival, could try to distrupt oil supplies as it reels under the imposition of fresh sanctions.
* * *
Killer queens – It was a triumphant night for Killing Eve at the television Baftas last night. The popular BBC show about a female assassin scooped best drama series, best leading actress for Jodie Comer, and best supporting actress for Fiona Shaw. Benedict Cumberbatch won best actor for his lead role in Patrick Melrose, while there was also an award for Ant and Dec as Britain’s Got Talent won best entertainment show.
Today in Focus podcast: Stasiland remembered
In December 1984, a group of teenagers on a school trip from West Germany crossed the border into East Germany. When they returned, an East German defector was hiding under a seat on their bus. Sophie Hardach speaks to those involved and revisits their incredible story. Plus: Jo Holdaway on the GM anti-virus drug that saved her daughter’s life
Lunchtime read: The devil you know: Trump’s appeal to evangelicals
How does the thrice-married adulterer and one-time socially liberal Donald Trump retain the backing of America’s Christian right? Last week’s decision by Georgia to pass a bill to ban abortion after six weeks of a pregnancy has brought renewed focus on how the president won the votes of more evangelical white voters than the three previous Republican presidential candidates. David Smith looks at why those voters will likely remain loyal to the president if he continues to deliver on abortion, the supreme court and their sense of identity. As one expert says, Trump’s blunt appeal is just for the blue-collar working class but also evangelicals “who feel like they can’t watch TV without having somebody look down on them or making fun of them”.
Sport
Pep Guardiola thanked “incredible” Liverpool for pushing his side to new heights after the Manchester City manager, who stands alone as the club’s biggest star, guided his team to a second title in as many seasons. It has also been a brilliant season for City’s women’s team but, having lost Nikita Parris, they will have to add to the squad if they are to defend their title while competing in the Champions League next campaign. Israel Folau has revealed how he resisted the “temptation” of a peace offering from Rugby Australia that would have allowed him to resurrect his playing career. With three European crowns in four seasons to their name, there are no signs Saracens’ reign is coming to an end anytime soon. And in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference series decider. In the Eastern Conference, Kawhi Leonard hit a shot at the buzzer that bounced off the rim four times before falling in to give the Toronto Raptors victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Business
The decline in Britain’s high streets has been highlighted in a new study which shows that one in 10 shops are empty. But locals in Shields Road in Byker, Newcastle, dubbed the “worst high street” in Britain by a London-based consultancy, dispute that their thoroughfare is deserving of the itle. “Did they even visit?” asks one shop owner. Despite uncertainty about the US-China trade standoff, the FTSE100 is set to rise a fraction at the opening today. The pound is marooned at $1.30 and €1.158.
The papers
Brexit talks between the Conservatives and Labour feature on some front pages. The Guardian says: “Second Brexit referendum key to deal, says Starmer”, the Times has: “Pull plug on Brexit talks with Labour, May urged” and the i reports: “Pressure grows on PM to quit as support collapses”.
The Mail has: “Tax web giants to save high st”, reporting comments by the Tesco boss that internet giants should pay a levy to support struggling retailers. The Telegraph reports: “Payouts for NHS errors double in five years”, the Express has “Shock rise in heart disease deaths”, while the Sun goes with “Strictly coke shock” after Stefania Aleksander tweeted about cocaine.
For a more international outlook, the Mirror features a story about the ongoing crisis in Yemen: “Child victims of a forgotten war” and the FT has: “Trump-Xi meeting to rescue trade accord a ‘strong possibility’ at G20”.
Sign up
The Guardian morning briefing is delivered to thousands of inboxes bright and early every weekday. If you are not already receiving it by email, you can sign up here.
For more news: www.theguardian.com
