英國脫歐Brexit

Brexit: Was a shock British by-election a sign of UK EU referendum backlash?

ANALYSIS
By Europe correspondent James Glenday
Posted 3 Dec 2016, 3:54am

In a year of global political earthquakes, the Richmond Park by-election is barely more than a blip.
But was it, as some campaigners and commentators claim, the first sign of a significant Brexit backlash?
By any measure the leafy London constituency has stunned the country's political pundits.
Zac Goldsmith — a former Conservative MP and London mayoral candidate — triggered the poll by resigning from his party.
He stood as an independent so he could protest plans to expand the country's biggest airport, Heathrow.
The Conservatives did not run and most pundits predicted Mr Goldsmith, who won last year by 23,000 votes, would hold on.
But what was meant as a referendum on a new runway quickly became framed as a Brexit by-election.
Mr Goldsmith, who wants the UK to leave the EU, found himself pitted against Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Olney, who does not want to leave.

The result?

He lost — 18,638 votes to 20,510.

The Lib Dems, who shed 49 of their 57 seats at the 2015 general election, claimed the result showed they "are back" — reinvigorated as spokespeople for the "48 per cent" of Brits "unhappy" with Brexit.
European bureaucrats even took the unusual step of welcoming the result.
Guy Verhofstadt, the lead EU negotiator on Brexit, congratulated the party declaring "Europe is watching and we are proud".
But Richmond Park is a strongly pro-EU constituency, where around 70 per cent of people voted to remain in this year's referendum.
The Conservatives and several prominent "Brexiteers" claim the result means nothing.
They argue it has already been over interpreted and ignores the fact most British constituencies voted Leave last year.
So what does it mean?
On its own this by-election is probably just a speed bump for the Government on the long winding road to Brexit.
But it will not want any more similar surprises as it moves towards starting the process of leaving the EU in March next year.
These highly publicised campaigns, which come with rolling media coverage and pages of opinion pieces, can ultimately alter the political mood.



http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-03/was-a-shock-british-by-election-a-sign-of-a-brexit-backlash/8089468


Who-Zac Goldsmith — a former Conservative MP and London mayoral candidate
What-He lost — 18,638 votes to 20,510.
When-not given
Where-Britain
Why-He stood as an independent so he could protest plans to expand the country's biggest airport, Heathrow.
How-not given

key words(5-10):
referendum (n.)全民投票
backlash (v.)反彈
constituency (n.)選區
triggered (v.)觸發
Heathrow 希思羅機場
reinvigorated (v.)恢復活力
bureaucrats (n.)官僚
coverage (v.)覆蓋
ultimately (a.)最終
Pundits (n.)專家

白頭盔White Helmets

WHAT IT TAKES TO SAVE A LIFE

A STORY OF HOPE SHINING FROM ONE OF THE DARKEST CORNERS OF HUMANITY

In the deadliest conflict of our era an unlikely group of heroes has emerged. Former tailors, bakers, teachers and other ordinary Syrians have banded together to save lives from the rubble of bombardment and the violence of war in Syria. Forming the Syria Civil Defence, their distinctive uniform of a white helmet now symbolises hope for millions.

When the bombs rain down, the White Helmets rush in. In a place where public services no longer function these unarmed volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need, regardless of their religion or politics. These volunteer rescue workers have saved over 73,530 lives.

The White Helmets motto is taken from the Quran: 'to save a life is to save all of humanity'. In a conflict where too many have chosen violence, the White Helmets wake up everyday to save the lives others are trying so hard to take.

Their bravery has inspired people across the planet -- from the children in Syria who play at being rescue workers, to the students in Norway who awarded them their town’s peace prize, and to their nomination now for the Nobel Peace Prize.

https://nobelpeaceprize.whitehelmets.org/en

Who-White Helmets
What-was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
When-not given
Where-Syria
Why-save lives from the rubble of bombardment and the violence of war
How-risk their lives to help anyone in need

key words(5-10):
deadliest (a.)致命的
tailors (n.)裁縫
band (v.)帶
bombardment (n.)轟擊
motto (n.)座右銘
Quran (n.)古蘭經
nomination (n.)提名