Battle than she has certainly won this particular leg. There may well bea this particular leg. There may well be a couple of things that suit theresa may, but there is definitely fatigue. Even though there were was an enthusiastic Campaign Last time, there is a huge amount of enthusiasm for another referendum isnt a huge amount of enthusiasm. The economic argument in favour of independence is more robust now that it was last time. Over those things that well for theresa may. The two personalities involved in this one at the top of the scottish and uk governments are very different to last time around, and i think that the psychology of the electorate will be influenced by the credibility and power of those two campaigns. I think they are quite canny politicians. Yes, alex salmond was more of a divisive figure, i think it is safe to say. He was more ofa think it is safe to say. He was more of a marmite figure and Nicola Sturgeon is not in that vein of politics. I think he could be a little bit limited, because i dont think he is a vote winner. A quick nod to the Scottish Daily mail, where it is fairly clear where it is pointing. Very clear about their editorial line. On any other day, the vote in the British Parliament going through the house of lords, brexit bill likely to get royal assent tomorrow would have been the dominant story. And yet it has been completely scuppered. It just shows how monumental that upcoming period is going to be in our politics, is entangling the uk and the european union. The constitutional crisis between scotland and the rest of the uk. Who knows what other things are going to be coming down the track . What it seems to me is the level of Political Uncertainty is at a level unprecedented in our lifetimes, and i think it is really difficult to envision what else might come along. Will there be other nations looking for independence . I think it is unlikely, but i do think that there will be eventualities that we havent yet foreseen. Sinn fein have said there should be a referendum on a united ireland. The plaid cymru leader has suggested something similar. Those political assumptions we have lived with all our lives. We thought the Thatcher Watershed in 1979 was a big change in the post war consensus. What we have now is ofa post war consensus. What we have now is of a completely different scope. As you are saying about brexit and the competition is there, they are writ large on the front of the times. And the times have a list of legislation prepared by whitehall to cover the various areas that have to be dealt with as we leave the european union. So we have this great repeal bill coming, and that would tie up all the loose ends, in one fell swoop, as it were. And that was going to be compensated enough because it you imagine how much legislation that has been accumulated over the last a0 or so years. According to this leaked list of legislation being prepared, it is covering immigration, tax, agriculture, trade and customs regimes, fishing, data protection, sanctions, a bill for each one. Bill for each one, and amendments reach one, and. The sheer complexity is mind blowing, really. The idea that they are going to be able to get through all of this within two years while also Holding Discussions with the other 27 leaders and trying to gain free trade deals, because the official position at the moment is that Downing Street can do all of that within two years, two years is nothing. It is the blink of an iron. It is quite a to do list. It is quite a todo list. Imagine them waking up in the with post it notes all over david daviss bathroom. I was very strongly in favour of remain, but i think it is right that this is going to be triggered and brexit must happen. Whether they get a good deal or a bad deal or no deal, i think it is vital that the democratic judgement of the british people is carried through. And i just through. And ijust got the impression last week, that backbench conservative mps and lords were using what looked like on the face of it democratic arguments, you know, parliamentary sovereignty, when they were really looking to overturn brexit itself. I think that would be wrong. Interestingly, in todays voting or this evenings voting, one or two conservatives were expected to vote against. There were expected to vote against. There were some abstentions, but not many. No, it completely collapsed. The talk of 20 tory mps voting against itjust didnt talk of 20 tory mps voting against it just didnt happen. Talk of 20 tory mps voting against itjust didnt happen. The amendments were overturned pretty co mforta bly. Amendments were overturned pretty comfortably. Lets finish with the express, the queen glowing on the Commonwealth Games, they say. And further coverage on, with regards to the commonwealth, the start up of the commonwealth, the start up of the run up to the Commonwealth Games. On the 2020 to Commonwealth Games. On the 2020 to Commonwealth Games in durban will not take place there are any more. And there are other cities which are therefore now in the running and i think liverpool and birmingham have made initial soundings and they may be interest in hosting at. A Second Opportunity to see it. Having played in the Commonwealth Games in 2000 in manchester, in table tennis, and having won a gold medal in the team event, i know that you want to talk to me about that very much. Victory over india in the finals. Some wonderful Backhand Slices on in there. It is a wonderful festival of sport, very different from the olympic games. People often say the Commonwealth Games is an anachronism because there is no british empire, but it is terrific fun. It is a great privilege to play in it. I know you want to talk about your swimming bronze medal. I actually made that up. You were panicking, because you have nothing to contribute. I won a couple of golf trophies, i wasnt as good as my friends. In the last Commonwealth Games were in glasgow, regarded as a great success. A huge success, and it is an opportunity for the nations within the united kingdom, independently. I remember in 201a Commonwealth Games there was a feeling that that would be another boost of scotland did well, they would vote for independence. It didnt quite work out that way. On that note, no more medal talk. Thank you, matthew and kevin. Thats it for the papers this hour. Coming up next, it is sportsday. Hello, this is sport today, live from the bbc sport centre. Coming up on this programme. Chelsea book their place in the Fa Cup Semi Finals after a 1 0 win over holders Manchester United. And the 2022 Commonwealth Games will no longer be held in durban after failing to meet the criteria. Might they be in birmingham or liverpool instead . Might they be in birmingham or liverpool instead . Protests might they be in birmingham or liverpool instead . Protests in france after two of the biggest clu bs france after two of the biggest clubs stunned supporters by announcing they are to merge. Hello and welcome to the programme where we start with the news that seven time winners chelsea have beaten holders Manchester United 1 0 to progress to the Fa Cup Semi Finals. Watching at Stamford Bridge was olly foster. Manchester united fans have been coming here forfour years Manchester United fans have been coming here for four years without anyjoy. As they were coming here for four years without any joy. As they were frisked for expensive items at the shed end, the united team at bus were underjust as much scrutiny. A striker, just one would do. Marcus rushford, answering his managers call. Jose mourinho used to have that hold over chelseas players, of course. The new chelseas players, of course. The new man chelseas players, of course. The new man isnt doing too badly either. They are lighting up the premier league. United will dazzle the last time they visited and if it hadnt been for their keeper, the match could have been out of sight early on. Cahill and hazzard both kept out by fingertips. United fill united were further stretched. That would test the barinia tactics and temperamental. The first half was heated but goalless. Last season, kante was the unsung hero. Chelsea recognised his worth. Wembley semi final was what it was worth. Rash that should have called scored an equaliser. There was little to do but did it well. That was uniteds chimes. Chelsea had more. Diego costa with the best of them. A myth not so costly. A myth. What defeat meant to marine yeo is difficult to tell. We all watched the match until the red card. After the red cards. And then we can compare the decisions of these two yellow cards. In this case, their second yellow card. I dont want to go in that direction. For sure, a good performance against a good team. Very strong. I repeat, for me and united. The best squad in the leak. A lot of good players. For us, we must be pleased to go in the next round and to beat a great opponent. Chelsea is through and here is semi final draw. The legally in its wharf the League Leaders will play Totte N Ha M Wharf the League Leaders will play tottenham hotspur. Womens football has been let down by the sa, according to the organisations chief executive. Womens football has been let down by the fa, according to the organisations chief executive. The womens game was banned at Football League grounds in 1921 and wasnt back under the jurisdication of the fa for another 70 years. Martin glenn acknowledged the mistakes made in the past, but is aiming to double participation in the sport by 2020. It is such a great sport for everybody. Females havent had as much attention as they might. That has changed in recent years. Today was all about saying look, lets be really ambitious. Lets double the number of girls who are playing. Really make it a mainstream sport. Both birmingham and liverpool have already expressed an interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, after it was announced a little earlier on, that the event wont be taking place in durban any longer. The South African City was going to be the first african host but had indicated recently it faced financial difficulties. An official Commonwealth Games federation statement has said they are searching for potential replacement candidates. The Commonwealth Games federation are unwilling to meet some of the demands of the african department. I believe the Department Of Sport Wa Nted believe the department of sport wanted a return of investment. There was also a discrepancy in the budget that was presented. It was believed to be 120 million less than what was seen to be 120 million less than what was seen to be provided by the ministry of sport. When it came to theissues ministry of sport. When it came to the issues of funding, the Economic Growth was set to be a. 3 lasting. There are more pressing needs in the country. The mystery has been able to provide the kind of funding that has been required to host the games. Chris froome has given his backing to the principle of team sky, sir dave brailsford, saying without him, there is no team sky. Froome hadnt commented on his Under Pressure boss who has said he wont resign despite uk anti dopings continuing investigation into a Mystery Package delivered to sir Bradley Wiggins in 2011 but today the three time Tour De France winner apologised for the way things have been handled. Both brailsford and team sky deny any wrongdoing. There have been protests this evening by fans and supporters of two of the biggest clubs in French Rugby Union after it was announced that they are to merge. Paris based Stade Francais and racing 92 say they need to pool their resources to cope with the challenges of performance and education. Its a huge shock. As our Reporter Chrisjones explains. This is unprecedented and bizarre. These are not to rugby clubs struggling to make ends meet. This is paris heavyweights. Stade france who won the french title in 2015 and racing 92. Dan carter is potentially the worlds greatest player. He plays for racing 92. They won the title in 2016. These are two powerhouses of the french game and they have announced they are going to merge under one banner in order to merge under one banner in order to get the best out of both clubs. Their owners say they need to pool their resources and become one club. It is the equivalent of perhaps of saracens and harlequins at merging oi saracens and harlequins at merging or you saracens and harlequins at merging oi you can use saracens and harlequins at merging or you can use Football Examples and save tottenham and arsenal merging to london sides. It really is a bizarre story. The only story that may be french rough french rugby is able to throw up. That is all from me. Goodbye. Monday was a beautiful spring day. We had great sense of sunsets. This was my personal favourite taken by gerry. In kent. We saw the clear skies as the sun was setting but the cloud is now increasingly over many parts of the country put of overnight tonight, not as cold as it was last night. We have the blanket of cloud moving in. Because cloud bringing hill fog across Northern England and wales and down towards the south west of england. Out the odd spot of drizzle. A few showers. Linda Northern Ireland has lobbied a mild start to tuesday. Looking at tuesday. A windy day for the northern and western aisles of scotland. The Northern Ireland, a dry start with sunny spells. Cloudy skies in tuesday morning. The Northern England, wales and the south west. It could bring murky conditions with the odd spot of Drizzling Rain but for central and eastern england, a dry start of the day. They will be sunshine breaking through the cloud as well. Heading through the cloud as well. Heading through tuesday, it is looking mostly dry and settled across many parts of the country. The wind is becoming more of a feature in the north and particularly for the Northern Isles of scotland. Here we could reach 70 mph gust, and after caused some disruption. The odd rumble of thunder around as well. Further south across the country, variable amount of cloud. Apache, light rain is possible. Further south across england and wales, sunny spells particular towards the east and the bridges ofjune round 16 degrees. Onto tuesday evening, light patchy rain. Mostly dry to the south and east. Clearer skies to the north and north east. This is wednesday, sunshine for must have got scotland. Slightly cloudy on wednesday but most places dry and temperatures still doing pretty well. Up into the mid teens. Birthday again, High Pressure. A Weather Front Moves in. Birthday again, High Pressure. A weatherfront moves in. Birthday again. It is not particularly strong, the weather front but it will bring some wind. We hang on the High Pressure and around 1a or 15 degrees. It will deal cooler as we entered the week. Friday into saturday, a slightly fresher feel and a bit more unsettled. Some scattered showers around, too. Tuesday, a mixed day that we have some dry, settled weather over the next few days. Welcomed the newsday. Welcome to newsday. The british get the parliamentary green light for Brexit Negotiations as scotlands First Minister announces she will seek a second independence referendum. |j will now take the steps necessary to make sure that scotland will have a choice at the end of this process. A choice at the end of this process. A choice whether to follow the uk a hired brexit, or to become an independent country hard brexit. Defending its recent missile test, north korea accuses america of pushing to the pushing the region to the brink of nuclear war. It has been called the largest unitarian crisis in over