All articles written by Laura Hutchinson on PoliticsHome.com

19 Mar Coronavirus

Can the Prime Minister get away with legal gymnastics on cuts to the aid budget?

While cutting international development spending may be unpopular with parts of the Tory backbenches and charities, without concerted public pressure the government may be able to avoid legislative action

08 Feb Brexit

The UK and EU must be honest about the consequences of Brexit in Northern Ireland

With the delicate Northern Ireland Protocol facing more than just “teething problems”, all parties must take responsibility for their part in negotiating and now upholding it

19 Nov 2020 Brexit

With the rush for a deal on, the government should consider a Brexit implementation period so businesses aren’t left in the lurch

After a tumultuous year for business, if a trade deal with the EU is agreed, an implementation period may be needed to help both government and business adjust with minimum impact

07 Sep 2020 Defence

The UK must now concentrate on unseen destabilising forces for the Integrated Review

The UK is at a crossroads. After almost 50 years of membership, it will leave the European Union and begin a new chapter. From 1 January 2021 , Great Britain will no longer be part of a 28 strong political union – the second largest economy in the world, and the world’s largest trading bloc – but instead a small, sovereign, archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean.

20 Jun 2020 Brexit

Without compromise on both sides there will be no breakthrough in Brexit talks, regardless of any transition extension

Despite Covid-19 causing delays, the UK is still looking to secure a Brexit deal by July – to achieve this, both the EU and the UK need to will need to let go of their wilful misunderstandings

05 Jun 2020 Coronavirus

Coronavirus has demonstrated the importance of a ring-fenced overseas aid budget

Many hope that when the time comes, the lessons learnt from coronavirus will translate into a shift of priorities for the Government. This includes recognition of the importance of having a ring-fenced overseas aid budget and a single, separate, Department responsible for spending it.

20 Mar 2020 Coronavirus

The first 100 days: Boris Johnson’s pledge to ‘Get Brexit Done’ is now unsustainable

Sunday marks the first 100 days since the General Election. No significant progress has been made thus far in Brexit trade talks, and future talks are in limbo as we try to overcome this global health crisis.

31 Jan 2020 Home affairs

The UK is leaving the European Union – now the real work begins

10 months on from the date the UK was meant to leave the EU, the UK will leave the European Union after almost 50 years of membership tonight at 23:00 GMT. Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson considers the next steps.

09 Jan 2020 Economy

ANALYSIS: The general election delivered a mandate for Brexit, but not an end to uncertainty

Boris Johnson's convincing majority put an end to the parliamentary drama, but can he "Get Brexit Done" by the end of the year? Laura Hutchinson explores the possibilities ahead

20 Dec 2019 Home affairs

Boris Johnson has a blank cheque to 'Get Brexit Done', what is he likely to do with it?

With a majority of 80 there is no question that the Government will pass its Withdrawal Agreement Bill - Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson explains what might happen next.

11 Nov 2019 Brexit

A general election is a gamble for all parties - whatever the outcome, the Brexit crisis will continue

An election will not offer a conclusive answer to the Brexit question and there is a very real possibility that the UK will be left with another hung Parliament in which there is no clear mandate, no majority, and no consensus on the way forward, says Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson.

22 Oct 2019 Brexit

EXPLAINED: The key points in Boris Johnson’s EU withdrawal bill ahead of crunch Commons votes

MPs are set to vote on whether they support the principle of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal through the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB).

08 Oct 2019 Brexit

Can a feasible alternative to the 'Irish backstop' be reached before 31st October?

Even if Boris Johnson were to soften his position on the ‘Irish backstop’ a time limit or exit clause is an unworkable position for the EU, writes Dods Monitoring’s Laura Hutchinson.

06 Sep 2019 Brexit

Just six weeks into his premiership, Boris Johnson is running out of road – what happens now?

Boris Johnson’s premiership has seen him become the first UK Prime Minister in history to lose their first three Commons votes in a row - Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson looks back at the last week in politics, and considers the Prime Minister's next steps.

02 Sep 2019 Political parties

Boris Johnson is considering calling a snap election – what’s going on?

If Boris Johnson is defeated in a Parliamentary vote this week he has fuelled rumours that he might plan a snap election, Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson explains what's going on.

02 Aug 2019 Foreign affairs

All about David Frost - the PM's new Chief Brexit Negotiator

Dods Monitoring’s Principal Consultant Laura Hutchinson looks into David Frost, the new UK Brexit negotiator.

05 Jul 2019 Home affairs

Parliamentarians lack mechanisms, but not the political will, to stop no-deal on 31st October

A Prime Minister without a personal mandate from the public and without parliamentary backing will find it incredibly difficult politically to exit without a deal on 31st October, writes Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson.

10 May 2019 Home affairs

Knife Crime: from political football to public health

Knife crime has dominated headlines, engulfed parliamentary discussions and debates for years, and yet the heightened awareness and publicity has had no significant impact on reducing the problem, writes Laura Hutchinson.

29 Mar 2019 Brexit

Paradise Lost? How the UK missed the exit deadline.

How has the Article 50 deadline been missed? Dods Monitoring's Laura Hutchinson explains.