Theresa May says the Article 50 Bill “must be passed unamended”… The Prime Minister’s intervention comes after a defeat in the House of Lords over protections for EU citizens. Peers defied Mrs May and voted 358 to 256 in favour of an opposition amendment guaranteeing the rights of EU nationals in the UK post-Brexit. But a spokesman for the PM said she remained “committed” to meeting the deadline to trigger Article 50 by the end of March. He said: “Our message to MPs is that we expect this bill to go through unamended. MPs voted it through unamended and we expect that to be the case.” The Government has said that while it wants to secure the future rights of EU citizens in the UK, it needs to be able to secure the same rights for British citizens living in the EU at the same time. The bill is now expected to return to the Commons on 13 and 14 March. – Sky News …as the Government faces a potential Commons rebellion if the Lords passes an amendment on a “meaningful vote” on the final deal Senior Tories who supported Remain have told The Daily Telegraph that they expect at least 20 Tory MPs to vote with Labour and the Liberal Democrats to support a Lords amendment for “a meaningful vote” by Parliament. It would stop Britain leaving the EU until the Commons and Lords have approved a final draft of the terms of the Brexit decision. However, one MP said that the rebels were set to back Mrs May and overturn the amendment on rights for EU nationals living in Britain because of reassurances of an early deal on the issue… It emerged on Thursday that Lib Dem peers have ordered 90 sleeping bags and camp beds to prepare for a long night of “ping pong” as MPs vote on the contested changes on March 13 and 14. – Daily Telegraph Up to 30 Tory MPs will join the Article 50 Bill rebellion on EU nationals, claims Baroness Meacher – City A.M. David Davis promises status of EU nationals will be first priority in Brexit talks – The i Government drops threat to abolish House of Lords if it holds up Article 50 Bill – The Independent Not even Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber can save the Tories – Jon Craig for Sky News Will Tory MPs defeat the government over EU nationals? – Stephen Bush for the New Statesman Staggers Baroness Deech: My fellow Lords have damaged themselves, complicated Brexit, and all without helping EU citizens The rights of EU nationals are of course extremely important and people are right to be concerned about this issue. However this amendment will do nothing of practical use to help secure those rights. Instead some of my colleagues have chosen to present this issue as ‘the moral high ground’, suggesting they don’t want to be associated with a process that will hurt our resident EU nationals. This despite the fact that the Prime Minister has already declared her intent to resolve this issue at the earliest opportunity. The best way of helping guarantee the rights of EU citizens would have been to do as the elected chamber did and let this Bill pass unamended. – Baroness Deech for the Daily Telegraph (£) Should the government unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU nationals in Britain? – Jon McLeod and Rupert Myers for City A.M. Peer Pressure: The government is not obliged to listen to the House of Lords, but it should – The Times (£) leader The Lords are entitled to amend the Brexit Bill – or to try to. But not to dig in to delay it. – Paul Goodman for ConservativeHome Undemocratic freeloaders without peer on Brexit – Bill Carmichael for the Yorkshire Post Bitter Remainers must not be allowed to tie Theresa May’s hands before Brexit negotiations – The Sun says Scourge of Brexiteers Gina Miller “can’t think of anything better” to do with her money than fight Brexit The woman who forced Theresa May to consult MPs before triggering Brexit has vowed to continue her legal battle, saying that she “can’t think of anything better” to do with her money. Gina Miller, 51, an investment manager, said she would consider another challenge if parliament was not given a meaningful vote on the Brexit deal hammered out with the EU… “I have come to a place where I have been successful in my professional career,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It is my money and my decision and my actions, and I can’t think of anything better to do with the success I have. We don’t have a fully functioning opposition and we don’t have ministers voting with their conscience… I wish the politicians would do the jobs they’re paid for.” – The Times (£) ‘Starting to look desperate?’ BBC host roasts Remainer Gina Miller on bid to block Brexit – Daily Express Theresa May to warn SNP to stop playing politics over Brexit… Theresa May will use a visit to Scotland to tell Nicola Sturgeon to stop playing politics with Brexit and also condemn the Scottish National Party’s record in government on education. In a speech at the Scottish Tory conference in Glasgow, the Prime Minister will say “politics is not a game” and accuse the SNP of neglecting schools because of its obsession with independence. But the First Minister has already hit back, claiming her attempts to reach a Brexit compromise have been met by a “brick wall of Tory intransigence”. – Sky News Sturgeon’s government has ‘tunnel vision’ over independence, claims May – The Guardian …after Scotland Secretary David Mundell says the UK Government will win over Scotland with a good Brexit deal… The British government is confident it can seal a good divorce deal with the European Union which will win over the people of Scotland but may never please its pro-independence ruling party, Scottish minister David Mundell said. Mundell, Britain’s secretary of state for Scotland, told Reuters the government was ‘taking note’ of warnings that Scottish leaders are gearing up for a vote which could split the more than three-century-old union between Scotland and England…Will we be able to please the SNP in this process? No. I can absolutely, categorically guarantee that,” he said. “But will we be able to satisfy Scottish public opinion? Yes, by getting a good deal …The SNP will have to accept that.” – Reuters Scottish Secretary David Mundell offers an “absolute guarantee” that Holyrood will be given greater control over Scottish affairs after Brexit – Daily Record Westminster must not use Brexit to undermine devolution, warns Nicola Sturgeon – Sunday Post Ruth Davidson warns Nicola Sturgeon: Unionists would win second independence referendum by bigger margin – Daily Telegraph So far, the Brexit vote has failed to boost support for Scottish independence – Sean Swan for LSE Brexit Hilarious SNP demands return of powers it wants to send back to Brussels anyway – Iain Martin for Reaction …and Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire says an EU trade deal would ease post-Brexit Irish border riddle Britain believes a post-Brexit free trade deal with the European Union would ease problems that its withdrawal from the EU will create on the Irish border, London’s Northern Ireland minister said on Wednesday… James Brokenshire echoed calls from Dublin and the EU for Brexit negotiations to ensure a new EU external land border across the island of Ireland would remain “frictionless” to avoid disrupting peace in the troubled British province… Brokenshire said he had been assured of understanding in Europe of the significance of preserving a 19-year-old peace deal under which people and goods now cross unimpeded across the border. – EurActiv After Brexit, is Ireland next to go? – Ray Bassett for The Globe and Mail Liam Fox warns EU against trade barriers Trade barriers put up by the EU with Britain for political purposes would be “economically dangerous”, Liam Fox, the UK’s international trade secretary, said on Wednesday… In a speech that had as its core theme the need to maintain “fair, free and open trade” across the world, [Dr] Fox warned EU governments not to impose trade barriers on Britain as a form of punishment. “Any new impediments to trade and investment in Europe will not only be politically irresponsible but economically dangerous — and not just for Europe but for the wider global economy,” he said. “We do not act in a political vacuum and there are economic actions that have global implications.” – FT (£) Liam Fox speech at Berlin Private Equity Conference – GOV.UK Brexit without trade deal would open Pandora’s box, says CBI chief – The Guardian Trade department may have broken EU procurement rules with ‘pro-Brexit’ contract criteria – The Guardian British taxpayers must fund Brussels ‘private army’ British taxpayers will help to fund a “private army” to protect MEPs as part of a record €2 billion (£1.7 billion) spending spree by the European parliament next year. Estimates seen by The Times showed the parliament’s budget rising to €1,971,883,373, an above-inflation increase of 3.3 per cent, as MEPs rush to beat cuts that are expected after Brexit… The British expense includes more than €4.5 million towards a €33.3 million pro-EU publicity campaign for the 2019 European elections, in which Britons will not take part because the country is expected to have left by then. Under the spending plan, the parliament is to create its own private armed response team, named “Unit Protection”, an innovation that will be unique among EU institutions. The in-house unit of 46 bodyguards and security personnel will include a “close protection” team of 12 to guard the parliament’s president, Antonio Tajani, providing a level of protection equivalent to most heads of state. – The Times (£) British taxpayers will fund MEPs’ ‘private army’ and £28million pro-EU propaganda campaign as Brussels goes on £1.7billion pre-Brexit spending spree – Daily Mail EU leaders told to be ready for 6-7 April Brexit summit… EU leaders have pencilled in a Brexit summit for the first week of April, sources said, although the final date will depend on British Prime Minister Theresa May. A summit of the other 27 national leaders to respond to May’s formal notification of the United Kingdom’s departure appears in an internal EU calendar seen by Reuters on Thursday, 6 April, as is currently “to be confirmed”. An EU source said European Council President Donald Tusk had asked last month that EU leaders keep that and the following day free for a summit which will set out guidelines for EU negotiators, based on what deal May asks for. – EurActiv Spain could be key British ally in Brexit talks – Daily Express Eastern European leaders warn post-Brexit EU changes can’t divide bloc – Bloomberg Eastern Europe warns against EU ‘disintegration’ – EUObserver European Parliament committee calls on EU leaders to agree ‘special relationship’ with UK – Daily Express White Paper on the future of Europe (sic- they mean EU) – John Redwood’s Diary Don’t worry about Nexit (well, maybe just a bit) – Cynthia Kroet for Politico …as Emmanuel Macron urges defence of EU single market in Brexit talks Centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron has said the remaining 27 European Union members must vigorously defend their single market in talks with Britain on its exit. Mr Macron, presenting his policy platform for the election, also urged efforts to reinvigorate the eurozone and called for closer European co-operation. He said the EU cannot survive “without a real European strategy” and called for a “new impulse for the single market”. – Belfast Telegraph France election: What does centrist Emmanuel Macron stand for? – BBC News French presidential candidate Fillon’s home searched amid investigation into alleged corruption – ITV News François Fillon’s supporters head for the lifeboats – Politico With Francois Fillon limping on, is centrist Emmanuel Macron going to be the next French President? – Famke Krumbmüller and Naomi Firsht for City A.M. Does the fall of François Fillon spell victory for Emmanuel Macron? – Pauline Bock for the New Statesman Macron is more establishment than you think – Naomi Firsht for spiked Timid centrist Emmanuel Macron is unlikely to fix a failing France – Tom Welsh for City A.M. UK firms report stronger growth, but SMEs hoard cash as Brexit looms Growth in the UK private sector picked up speed, according to a survey published on today (3 March) by an employers group but Britain’s smaller companies are hoarding cash and cutting investment as confidence starts to wobble as the government sets off down the uncertain path of leaving the EU. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said its monthly measure of growth rose to +15 from +10 in the November-January period, suggesting there was still little impact on business so far from last year’s Brexit vote. Companies expected similar growth over the next three months, the CBI said. – EurActiv Pound slump after Brexit vote boosts London Eye owner Merlin – Sky News Record revenues for Jimmy Choo fuelled by ‘currency volatility’ – Belfast Telegraph Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: Theresa May’s honourable Brexit deserves more chivalrous treatment The relentless attempt to portray Theresa May’s Brexit plan as extreme and provocatively hostile to Europe is degenerating into a systemic lie. Even if you agree with Sir John Major that Brexit is a “historic mistake”, it is hard to imagine steadier and more cautious leaders than the Prime Minister and her Chancellor. Both are Remainers trying to play a very difficult hand as best they can. This campaign – for that is what it has become – inflames a false debate about Brexit. It is fanning a constitutional crisis over Scotland and Northern Ireland that might otherwise be defused. The sloganeering is picked up and echoed by the global media, perpetuating a dark legend of nativist tribalism on these islands, and depicting Brexit as hostile to free trade and a “rules-based” global system. It is poisonous and does great damage. – Ambrose Evans-Pritchard for the Daily Telegraph (£) Mark Wilson: I supported Remain — but now we all need a hefty dose of ‘Brealism’ I saw for myself from working in Asia just how highly regarded the UK is for quality, integrity and reliability… Simply put, brand Britain is an extraordinary competitive advantage. If Britain had no heritage as a great trading nation then Brexit may well be posing an existential threat. But that is simply not the case. However, to make the most of Brexit we need to peel back layers of needless bureaucracy and excessive regulation so that our essential strengths can shine. After all, this is one of the reasons people voted for Brexit in the first place… And let’s embrace the potential of deals with the US, China and beyond… The future is bilateral, not bloc. – Mark Wilson, CEO of Aviva, for the Evening Standard Allister Heath: Without even trying, Brexit Britain is thriving. Wait until we really go for it Sir James Dyson’s multi-billion-pound bet is just the latest confirmation that Britain has spectacularly won Brexit’s first phase, against almost all expert opinion. It’s not just that the GDP data and employment figures have continued to grow as if nothing had happened, with the UK expanding faster than America and the Eurozone last year. Crucially, even without any extra tax cuts or deregulatory measures, we continue to attract investors from all over the world. – Allister Heath for the Daily Telegraph (£) Brexit comment in brief May and Merkel: splitting differences – Tom McTague and Janosch Delcker for Politico How three decades of negative press sunk the Remain campaign – Stephen Bush for the New Statesman Liberal Democrats’ anti-Brexit stance brings £1m donation from one of UK’s richest men – The Independent Dear Remainiac tycoons, 17 million votes is bigger than 1 million pounds – Asa Bennett for the Daily Telegraph (£) How other EU countries can stop us leaving. Or so I’m told. – Iain Dale for ConservativeHome Labour leapt into Brexit’s fires – and now the party is burning – Martin Kettle for The Guardian More than politics, Theresa May’s true strength is her grasp of British culture – Rafael Behr for The Guardian Britain can enjoy another golden age of advertising outside the EU – Sam Delaney for City A.M. Blair and Major are yesterday’s men – Rory Broomfield for Comment Central Experts aren’t the problem: The problem is conceited experts – Philip Booth for City A.M. Theresa May’s Brexit path stalked by Big Beasts of the past – George Parker for the FT (£) Overzealous EU data protection regulations are more likely to take your job than a robot – Nick Wallace for City A.M. Brexit news in brief City minister Simon Kirby stripped of Brexit role after failing to impress finance bosses – PoliticsHome ECB supervisor says UK banks need to build operations in EU post Brexit – Reuters Step up deportations, Juncker urges as 1m flout rules – The Times (£) EU wants rejected migrants, including minors, locked up – EUObserver Government unveils post-Brexit digital strategy – FStech UK can lead 5G revolution post Brexit, says Three owner – Bloomberg German rail operator revives plans for high-speed London to Frankfurt trains – City A.M. Britain’s love of New Zealand lamb chops will cause yet another Brexit headache for the EU – Politico (£)