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Blair urges UK government, EU to prepare for second referendum
London, Dec 14 (IANS) Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday called on the British government and the European Union to prepare for the eventuality that Brexit could be pushed back in favour of further negotiations or a second referendum.
Blair, the former leader of the Labour Party, currently in opposition to the Conservative Party, made his comments in London at an event organized by the “People’s Vote” campaign group, which was pushing for another vote on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, Efe news reported.
“Between now and the 21st of January, we should see whether it is possible to find a majority consensus for any form of Brexit in Parliament,” Blair said during a speech.
“In the meantime, we should prepare for the eventuality that there isn’t such a consensus. Politicians should debate and discuss the different options.”
“Europe should prepare for the possibility, now morphing into the near probability that Britain will require an extension of time to the Article 50 process, either to negotiate further, or more likely to conduct a new referendum, a people’s vote,” the former Prime Minister said.
According to Blair, the decision to leave would be “regretted by future generations” and he argued that Brexit was “manmade” and could therefore be “unmade by man”.
The UK is on course to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, after the electorate narrowly voted in favour of such a move in June 2016.
Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 on March 29, 2017, setting in motion a two-year period of negotiations on the terms of her country’s withdrawal from the EU.
A deal reached between EU and May was scheduled to be put to a vote in the UK Parliament on Tuesday, but the leader ditched the vote over fears it would be defeated.
She later turned to Brussels in a bid to secure assurances over the so-called Irish backstop — a mechanism that would come into force to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit scenario.
The EU, however, said there was no room to renegotiate the deal reached with the UK on its terms of leaving.
The backstop has become one of the main sticking points throughout the negotiations.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.