Editor's note

Theresa May has enraged Brexiters by softening her position on her preferred model for the UK’s future relationship with the EU. And, of course, Remainers have been enraged for ages now already. So now that both sides of the debate are suitably unhappy with the direction of travel, many are wondering if a referendum on the final Brexit deal is looking more likely. Kenneth Armstrong explains why it’s an option fraught with difficulties. But news that the Electoral Commission will fine the official Leave campaign over its 2016 spending and is sharing its evidence with the police only aggravates matters further. Sam Power takes a look at what rules the campaign broke.

Social media is a great tool for activists campaigning for social justice. But if it is not used with caution it can end up working against them as governments and organisations step up internet filtering and surveillance. Shahla Ghobadi says campaigns need to focus less on emotion and more on information to gradually build up a base of supporters capable of dealing with such challenges.

Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Croatia had a bit of a fright when their plane suddenly lost cabin pressure. The pilot had to make a rapid descent, leaving dozens of passengers needing hospital treatment. Adam Taylor explains why some of them were left bleeding from the ears.

Laura Hood

Politics Editor, Assistant Editor

Top stories

Protestors call for a vote on the final deal. PA/Jane Barlow

Brexit: here are the barriers to a referendum on the final deal

Kenneth Armstrong, University of Cambridge

Both Leavers and Remainers are unhappy with the UK's exit plan – but can their dispute ever be resolved satisfactorily?

Vote Leave campaigners, including Darren Grimes, gather with Michael Gove. PA/ Stefan Rousseau

Brexit campaigners fined: what rules did they break and does it make the vote invalid?

Sam Power, University of Sussex

The Electoral Commission has ruled the official campaign to leave the EU broke funding rules.

Sign displaying the #metoo and #timesup message at the Women’s March in San Francisco in January, 2018. Shutterstock/SundryPhotography

Going viral: what social media activists need to know

Shahla Ghobadi, University of Manchester

Social media is a great tool for activists campaigning for social justice. But if it is not used with caution it can end up working against them.

pio3/Shutterstock.com

Why Ryanair passengers were bleeding from the ears

Adam Taylor, Lancaster University

Flying plays havoc with people's ears. But it's a lot worse if your cabin suddenly loses pressure.

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