Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Britain's Year In Review.


Dear Editors, 

I have just posted this to the feed which can be used over the holiday period at any time.  Hope it's of some use. 

Regards, 

Catherine 


INTRO:

2016 turned out to be the year of Brexit, Britain's historic decision to leave the European Union.     June 23rd  will go down in history as the pivotal day for the United Kingdom as a slim majority of people voted to leave the bloc.  But more than six months on, there is still little clarity about what the future will look like for the UK outside the EU. 

From London, Catherine Drew takes a look back 

 


IN: "After months..…

OUT: SOC

DUR:  3: 36

 


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SCRIPT: 

After months of ill-tempered campaigning on both sides, the Leave camp won a victory most opinion polls had not predicted.

Of the 17.4 million people who voted, just under 52 per cent chose to leave the European Union, against 48 per cent who wanted to remain.

It was hailed by Brexit campaigners, such as Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party as striking a blow for freedom.

INSERT: 

"The sun has risen on an independent United Kingdom."

SCRIPT: 

The financial markets were quick to react with the pound dropping dramatically against major currencies.      The political repercussions were also swift.  Despite saying he would stay on if he lost the Brexit vote,  Prime Minister David Cameron announced he would be stepping down.

INSERT: 


SCRIPT: 

After a short but extremely bloody battle within the Conservative party, former Home Secretary Theresa May emerged as the winner and promised to get on with the business of brexit. 

INSERT: 

"Brexit means brexit and we're going to make a success of it."

 SCRIPT:

Leading conservative LEAVE campaigners were given key roles in implementing Brexit.    Many, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, insisted Britain could continue to have a favourable trading arrangement with its European neighbours but also impose restrictions on the free movement of people - a key foundation of the bloc.   other members of the EU have repeatedly said that this will not be possible  The other members of the EU united in their message free movement of people was inextricably linked to free trade. 

As the ruling Conservatives gathered for their annual conference in September, Theresa May said she would not offer a running commentary on negotiations but promised to trigger article 50 by the end of March 2017 

INSERT: 

"And lets be clear about what is going to happen, Article 50 triggered no later than the end of March." 

SCRIPT: 

That will signal the formal start of talks on Britain's exit.  But huge question marks about this date were raised after a ruling at Britain's High Court which said Theresa May's government must seek parliamentary approval to begin the Article 50 process. 

The year ended with the government awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Supreme Court on this very issue and a decision is expected sometime in January. 

Leave campaigners fear MPs will try to water down the Brexit agreements to keep favorable trading arrangements, potentially at the cost of the UK giving up immigration controls. 
As the legal case plays out, many believe pressure is building on Theresa May to be more open about her negotiating strategy.   Bronwen Maddox heads the Institute for government an
independent charity working to increase government effectiveness

 

INSERT: 

"Its coming most urgently from business perhaps, saying look we really need to know whether to invest or not and what are we going to do.  It's coming from departments from Whitehall  saying "Look if we're going to make plans for leaving the EU, we've got all kinds of options and please can we have a steer on which you value more than others, and it's coming from ordinary people saying what is this going to look like for us and  are we going to get what we voted for?"

 

SCRIPT: 

Key questions for those in the UK and our European partners, which may, or may not be answered in 2017.    
Catherine Drew, SOC, London 

--
Catherine Drew
London Bureau Chief
www.featurestorynews.com

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