The latest blowback from Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2019 became apparent on Thursday when the EU decided to remove the country from the long-running European Capital of Culture event.
Britain was due to hold the title in 2023, and five British cities and regions were competing to be chosen – Nottingham, Leeds and Milton Keynes in England, Dundee in Scotland and a joint bid by Belfast, Londonderry and Strabane in Northern Ireland.
Due to Britain’s decision to leave the bloc in 2019, its participation “will not be possible”, the European Commission declared. It said the decision was “one of the many concrete consequences” of Brexit.
Britain had previously advised told candidate cities that their eligibility would depend on the outcome of exit negotiations with the EU, which are still underway.
The capital of culture designation is an EU project but cities in non-member states such as Norway, Iceland and Turkey have held the title, and Novi Sad, in aspirant member Serbia, has been awarded the accolade for 2021.
Designation as a capital of culture typically brings attention, investment and a tourism boost to the host cities.
Britain’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said it was “deeply disappointed” by the EU decision and was holding “urgent discussions with the commission on the matter.”
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “absolutely dismayed by the news” and blamed Theresa May’s Conservative government. The UK voted narrowly by a margin of 52-48 to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016, but Scotland voted by a wide margin to remain.
“Dundee’s European Capital of Culture bid looks as if it is going to be the latest victim of the Tories’ obsession with taking this country out of the European Union against our will, and they should hang their heads in shame,” Sturgeon said.#
Rupert Matthews, Tory MEP for the East Midlands area which encompasses Nottingham, instead voiced his anger at the EU.
“I am extremely angry that the European Commission has taken the unfair and unjustified decision to exclude UK cities including Nottingham from bidding to become the European City of Culture in 2023.
“Time, effort and money have all been put into this process by local individuals, businesses and public bodies, only to be wasted if this very poor decision is allowed to stand. Nottingham has a very strong bid and I am outraged that all the hard work will have been for nothing,” said Mr Matthews, who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU.
Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, a former Labour shadow foreign secretary, said the news was “a terrible blow to Leeds’s great bid for 2023 which has gathered so much support from across the city”.
“It is also inexplicable given that in the past Bergen and Istanbul have both been awarded the title even though neither Turkey nor Norway are members of the European Union,” he added.
“The European Commission must now explain why it has decided to engage in blatant discrimination against the bid from Leeds.”
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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Result
Arsenal 4
Monreal (51'), Ramsey (82'), Lacazette 85', 89')
West Ham United 1
Arnautovic (64')
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Series result
1st ODI Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
2nd ODI Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
3rd ODI Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
4th ODI Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets
5th ODI Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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