Government looks to quell Tory rebellion over Covid restrictions September 28, 2020 The government is looking at ways at stopping a Tory backbench revolt over the implementation of new Covid restrictions, according to health secretary Matt Hancock. Hancock said he would meet with the revolt’s leader Graham Brady, chair of the powerful 1922 committee of backbench Tories, while also announcing that indoor mixing between households is now [...]
Brexit: EU renews legal threat against UK over controversial bill September 28, 2020 The EU has doubled down on its threat to take legal action against the UK unless it withdraws its controversial internal market bill that could breach the Brexit withdrawal agreement. European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič said the EU would “not be shy” in using legal methods to stop the UK implementing the legislation after [...]
Liz Truss sets mid-2021 deadline for UK-US trade deal September 28, 2020 The UK is aiming to get a US trade deal completed by midway next year, according to international trade secretary Liz Truss. Truss revealed the deadline on trade talks during a virtual Spectator event today, saying any potential deal will need to be agreed before the US Congress’ power to approve trade deals expires mid-2021. [...]
Boris Johnson facing parliamentary defeat over Covid powers September 27, 2020 Boris Johnson is facing his first parliamentary defeat since winning the 2019 election, with up to 60 Tory MPs prepared to defy party whips and vote for an amendment to new Covid legislation. Legislation to extend powers allowing the Prime Minister to unilaterally impose coronavirus restrictions by a further six months will come before the [...]
Labour takes three-point lead over Tories in new poll September 27, 2020 Labour has taken a three-point lead over Boris Johnson’s Conservatives in a new poll, just days after Sir Keir Starmer’s first party conference as leader. An Opinium/Observer poll released last night has Labour on 42 per cent and the Conservatives on 39 per cent, representing the first major poll to have the opposition lead the [...]
UK and EU to enter crunch final weeks in Brexit negotiations September 27, 2020 The UK and EU are moving toward the final stages of Brexit trade talks, with the chances of a deal reportedly improving. The ninth round of formal negotiations will begin on Tuesday, with both sides having made late concessions, according to the Sunday Times. Senior sources told the Times that Michael Gove has been pressuring [...]
Right-wingers Dacre and Moore in line for top media posts under Johnson September 27, 2020 Two prominent right-wing media critics of the BBC are reportedly in line for jobs as the next president of the public service broadcaster and the head of TV regulator Ofcom. Former Telegraph editor, and official Margaret Thatcher biographer, Lord Charles Moore is in line to be the next BBC president, while former Daily Mail editor [...]
SAGE expert warns of 100 Covid-19 deaths a day within four weeks September 26, 2020 The daily death toll in the UK caused by Covid-19 will rise to around 100 per day within four weeks, according to a member of the government’s scientific advisory board, SAGE. Professor Graham Medley said little can be done to prevent the daily deaths rising from the current 34 per day to 100 due to [...]
Andrew Neil to leave BBC and lead new UK TV news channel September 26, 2020 Andrew Neil is set to leave the BBC and lead a rival news channel backed by US group Discovery. GB News plans to launch in early 2021 with Neil as its chair and top presenter. The channel is aiming to bring a talk-radio style to the UK “underserved and unheard by their media” and upend [...]
UK to pledge £340m increase in funding for World Health Organisation September 26, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson will pledge on Saturday a 30 per cent increase in funding for the World Health Organization while urging reforms to the global health body and calling for a revival of cross-border cooperation to end “ugly rifts”. Delivering a recorded speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Johnson will say the [...]