Speaker pledges to step down on another dramatic day in Westminster September 9, 2019 Speaker John Bercow has confirmed he will stand down as early as tonight, and had a message for those working in Westminster: “We degrade parliament at our own peril”. Intervening in what promises to be a busy afternoon and evening, Bercow told MPs that he would stand down on Monday night if MPs backed Boris [...]
Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley makes move for Links of London September 9, 2019 Retail magnate Mike Ashley is hoping to ramp up his high street spending spree after putting in an offer for troubled jewellery group Links of London. The Sports Direct owner is tabling a bid to snap up the retail outlet, according to Sky News, which has reported that Ashley is one of two final bidders [...]
Pro-Kremlin party United Russia loses third of seats in Moscow elections September 9, 2019 Russia’s ruling party lost a third of its seats in a Moscow election over the weekend, suffering at the polls following mass public protests. United Russia, which supports President Vladmir Putin, suffered a string of defeats in the Moscow vote, although it remains on course to retain a majority. Read more: Russia threatens retaliation against [...]
Travelodge ‘super rooms’ boost revenue September 9, 2019 Travelodge reported boosted revenue in the first half of the year driven by the success of the budget hotel chain’s more up-market options. The firm’s “super rooms” and Travelodge Plus brands, which offer additional facilities and extra comfort, helped drive sales up six per cent to £337.3m the first six months of the year. Ebitda [...]
‘Tatty and antiquated’: Luton ranked worst large UK airport for fourth year running September 9, 2019 Luton airport has been ranked the worst large airport in the UK for the fourth year running by consumer watchdog Which. Luton managed a 43 per cent customer satisfaction score in a Which survey of 4,499 of its members, who were surveyed about 6,237 airport experiences at UK airports, including passport control and the price [...]
Brexit latest: Parliament to be prorogued tonight, PM’s spokesman confirms September 9, 2019 Parliament will be prorogued today, the Prime Minister’s spokesman has confirmed. Boris Johnson, who is currently in Dublin meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, is due to return to Westminster to open the debate this evening, as he seeks parliamentary approval for a general election for the second time in a week. After this vote, which [...]
Boris Johnson warned over ‘Herculean task’ of post-Brexit trade deals September 9, 2019 Boris Johnson has been warned to row back from his pledge to take the UK out of the European Union with or without a deal during his visit to Dublin. The Prime Minister arrived for talks with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this morning, with Westminster still in turmoil. Read more: Parliament will be prorogued tonight [...]
ERG chair Steve Baker vows to vote against Boris Johnson deal if is ‘Brexit in name only’ September 8, 2019 Steve Baker, Tory Brexiter MP and chair of the eurosceptic European Research Group (ERG), has threatened to vote against a deal Boris Johnson could strike with the EU if it is “Brexit in name only”. When asked if he was concerned about potentially losing the whip in such a scenario, Baker replied: “I’m not worried [...]
Boris Johnson hatches plan to devolve rail power to the north September 8, 2019 Boris Johnson is preparing to hand leaders in the north responsibility for train services as part of a big industry shakeup. Two struggling rail franchises, Northern and the Transpennine Express, are to be devolved to a new body that would be similar to Transport for London in the capital. Read more: Southeastern among franchises placed [...]
Sajid Javid refuses to rule out electoral pact with Brexit party September 8, 2019 Sajid Javid has refused to rule out an electoral pact with the Brexit party in the event of a snap general election. The chancellor said the Conservative party did not need an “electoral alliance with anyone”, but refused to rule out any agreement with Nigel Farage’s party if there was a general election. Read more: [...]