London Calling is a weekly rundown of the top ten emerging issues from the past seven days shaping US-UK commercial relations.
London Calling is for global communication strategists and C-Suite executives.
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Memo: London Calling | Edition 5 | February 9, 2021
1. How can Johnson convince a skeptical Biden that these seemingly chalk-and-cheese leaders, in fact, see the world the same way? Politico reports, it's a question currently occupying some of the biggest brains in Whitehall, as the UK PM considers how he might charm the new POTUS who once described him witheringly as the "physical and emotional clone" of Trump.
2. Anne Sacoolas, accused of killing British teen Harry Dunn, was working for US intelligence; her lawyer says: The assertion reopens questions about whether Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity. "Did the Foreign Secretary simply accept the US Embassy's account without asking any questions on behalf of a UK citizen, or has he misled the House [of Commons]?" Labour Party’s Lisa Nandy.
3. Brexit has placed unprecedented stress on the already fraying bonds between the United Kingdom's four constituent countries, putting the union's future in doubt. The gravest and most immediate threat comes from Scotland, which headed off an independence referendum in 2014 but could hold a second one soon, thanks to the strength of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
4. Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland's first minister leads the West's most woke government: Alex Massie writes, with the promise of more trans rights and an end to 'period poverty,' she is aspiring to be the patron saint of political correctness and thinks it will convert the young to her nationalist cause.
5. Independence would cost Scotland far more than Brexit, study finds: A report from the London School of Economics comes amid a renewed push for a referendum by the Scottish National Party.
"There is no reason whatsoever that Scotland could not emulate the success of independent countries of our size which are far wealthier per head than the UK," said Fiona Hyslop, Scotland's economy secretary, citing Denmark and Norway.
6. Whatever the merits suggested by Brexit, fishermen in Scotland — where 70 percent of the UK's industry is based — struggle to deal with a bewildering squall of red tape and plummeting sales. The sector is losing £1M a day, one industry groups estimate.
7. The Royal Navy's flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) is set to drill with Japanese maritime forces in the Pacific during its maiden deployment this spring, the UK Ministry of Defense announced. The confirmation of the exercises between the two naval forces comes as Japan and the UK have increased defense cooperation.
8. Thousands of people are fleeing Hong Kong amid a crackdown by Beijing that prompted Britain to loosen visa rules for its former colony residents. The moves are expected to accelerate now that 5 million Hong Kongers are eligible to apply for visas to Britain, allowing them to live, work and study there and eventually apply to become British citizens.
9. Save the date: February 23: Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a gathering of the UN Security Council (possibly in-person in New York, though most likely via video) on the links between climate change and conflict and prevention measures.
10. Westminster polling intention:
CON: 42% (+1%)
LAB: 38% (-3%)
GRN: 8% (+3%)
LD: 7% (+1%)
Other: 5% (-2%)
Via Ipsos MORI + Evening Standard
