Jean-Claude Juncker insists the EU’s future is not threatened by Brexit… The European Union “respects and regrets” Britain’s decision to leave but is not at risk from Brexit, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said in a keynote speech. Juncker used his annual State of the Union speech to reject claims Britain’s exit signalled the start of a breakdown of the European political project. “Allow me to state here and today that we respect and at the same time regret the UK decision but the European Union as such is not at risk,” he said. – ITV News …and seeks a swift triggering of Article 50… Mr Juncker also repeated previous assertions made by several EU leaders that Britain “could not have a la carte access” to the benefits of the EU after Brexit, and that the UK should trigger Article 50 “as quickly as possible”. – The Independent …as it turns out those who warned about plans for an EU army were right… Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan for the European Union to create a “common military force”, including a command headquarters in Brussels, has rung alarm bells in countries on eastern Europe’s front line with Russia. The European Commission president yesterday put a “Europe of defence” at the centre of his blueprint to relaunch the EU after Britain’s referendum vote to leave in June. – The Times (£) …and he sparks uproar by linking murder of a Pole in Essex to Brexit He triggered a furious backlash by claiming the killing of Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow last month shows what happens when Europe does not unite. Harlow MP Robert Halfon hit back last night: “It doesn’t help when somebody in a far away place, in a Brussels bureaucracy, tars the whole of Harlow and Essex with the actions of an evil minority.” – The Sun Further reaction to Juncker’s speech: Syed Kamall MEP warns the European Parliament – if you continue to ignore the people, more countries will leave – Conservative Home What does the SOTEU speech mean for the UK? – Open Europe Juliet Samuel: The EU’s federalists are heading for defeat. Britain must be ready to pick up the pieces – The Telegraph Jean-Claude Juncker represents the worst part of EU superiority that pushed so many to vote Leave – The Sun Says Farage brands appointment of Verhofstadt as Brexit negotiator as “declaration of war” on Britain The outgoing Ukip leader said Guy Verhofstadt was “anti-British to the core” and accused Brussels chiefs of deliberately stoking tensions with his controversial appointment… Speaking at the EU parliament in Strasbourg Mr Farage described the appointment of the high-profile Belgian as a “declaration of war” on post-Brexit Britain. He blasted: “If you were to think of this building as a temple, well Mr Verhofstadt is the high priest. A fanatic.” – Daily Express Van Rompuy predicts no substantive Brexit talks for 12 months Substantive Brexit talks between the UK and the rest of the EU are unlikely to start much before the end of 2017, a former European Council president says. Speaking to the BBC, Herman Van Rompuy described the UK’s decision to leave the EU as a “political amputation”. He said negotiations were unlikely until a new German government was formed after next September’s election. – BBC Times editorial: Britain should be present at the EU summit in Bratislava tomorrow Britain, still a fully paid-up member of the club, has not been invited to the Slovak capital. The official, barely credible explanation is that the summit was organised on the premise that David Cameron would, as promised, trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty and proceed swiftly towards the exit door. Britain’s presence would thus have compromised the negotiating process. However, the divorce papers have not yet been served. Britain is still an equal member of the EU and its prime minister should be present in the castle’s Knights Hall. – The Times (£) Opposition MPs block bill to begin Britain’s breakaway from Brussels Labour and the SNP have shot down a Tory MP’s bid to enforce Britain’s EU departure with a new Brexit law. Dover MP Charlie Elphicke introduced the backbenchers’ Ten Minute Rule bill to insist the “mandate of the masses” should be acted on asap… Opposition MPs were branded “arrogant” after they clubbed together to torpedo it with a major turnout, by 179 to 50. – The Sun Charlie Elphicke: Why we need to get on with Brexit – ConservativeHome Labour Remainer Hilary Benn running to chair new Brexit Select Committee Announcing his bid to be chair of the new committee on Twitter, Mr Benn said “we need to get the best possible deal for the British people”… A former minister told PoliticsHome it was unlikely that any other Labour MPs would challenge Mr Benn for the post. “They want to avoid four or five moderate pro-Remain Labour MPs all running against each other,” the source said. – PoliticsHome Ken Clarke insists referendum result is not binding Ken Clarke has sparked fury after vowing to fight against Brexit – insisting June’s historic referendum is “not binding”.The shameless former Chancellor urged pro-Brussels politicians to vote against any move to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. – Daily Express Alex Salmond: Scotland should block Brexit ‘If Scotland could block Brexit, then I think Nicola Sturgeon should do that. I think Nicola Sturgeon should take her instruction from the verdict of the Scottish people; she’s Scottish First Minister. If you remember the Scottish people voted decisively to remain.’ – The Spectator Nicola Sturgeon: independence may save Scotland from UK’s Brexit ‘lost decade’ – The Herald Scotland Civil servants had secret Brexit brainstorm during referendum campaign Whitehall’s top civil servants held an away day during the EU referendum campaign to brainstorm the consequences of a Leave vote without telling David Cameron, the cabinet secretary has revealed. Appearing before a committee of MPs yesterday, Sir Jeremy Heywood, the head of the civil service, defended the preparation for Brexit. – The Times (£) Unemployment falls again following Brexit vote Unemployment fell by 39,000 in the three months to July, figures released by the Office for National Statistics show… The period measured includes the month immediately after the vote to quit the European Union and appears to defy predictions that Brexit would lead to an immediate downturn in the economy. The unemployment rate remained at 4.9%, down from 5.5% a year earlier, and the lowest figure since 2005. – PoliticsHome The biggest threats to London have nothing to do with Brexit – Business Insider UK ‘Business as usual’ for recruiters following Brexit – Staffing Industry Analysts More momentum in the construction industry post-Brexit – The Times (£) Sir Bill Cash: What I want from Brexit We must usurp the EU and European Commission legislative control over our trade policies. We will continue to trade into the single market but not be in the single market. Other major economic powers such as the United States, China, Japan, Australia and others already do so. – The Times Red Box John Whittingdale: The UK needs a sharp Brexit – any further instability will be no good for our economy Already, a number of countries have indicated they are keen to reach agreements. Before we can begin to do any of this we need to get the formal process under way and that means triggering Article 50. I don’t say that it has to happen tomorrow, but I see no advantage in delay. We need to get on with it now so that all those who wish to invest in this country, to trade with us or to come and work here, know how they stand. – The Sun Matthew Lynn: Bank of England should cut interest rates The Bank of England won’t raise interest rates when it meets this week. But it should. Why? Because the ‘emergency’ post-Brexit cut is already looking like an over-reaction. In truth, the Bank’s Governor Mark Carney is already looking dangerously over-committed to Project Remain. The best thing the Bank could do now would be to admit that it had a made a mistake – and put rates back to where they were before 23 June. – The Spectator Coffee House Blog Shadow MPC calls on Mark Carney to wait before pulling the trigger on another rate cut – City A.M. Brexit News in Brief Bank bosses warn that rushing Brexit is like messing with ‘nuclear waste’ – Daily Telegraph EU appoints French and German negotiators to head new Brexit task force – International Business Times Bank of England names senior director Phil Evans as Brexit coordinator – International Business Times Have Remainers reached the acceptance stage? – Douglas Carswell’s Blog Brexit will change UK role in Europe’s space programmes – EurActiv