Keep calm and drink Yorkshire Tea until the Twitter storm blows over February 27, 2020 Another day, another Twitter pile-on. This time, the warriors of social justice turned their ire on homely hot-drink merchants Yorkshire Tea. Their equally voluble online opponents rallied to its defence. Why? Because Yorkshire Tea had the temerity to be, unbeknownst to them, our new chancellor’s choice of brew. Or, more precisely, the drink selected by [...]
Our capitalist system is in crisis — here’s how we can reboot it February 27, 2020 Capitalism and the market economy are in trouble. As the benefits of our capitalist system accrue to the already wealthy while a huge swathe of the population continues to struggle, many are questioning whether inequality is built into the current system — which therefore needs overthrowing with statist intervention. Others cling on to their ideological [...]
Britain’s political landscape has shifted, but think tanks are struggling to adapt February 27, 2020 Think tanks occupy a unique place in the policy world. Neither academic institutions nor the parties tasked with policy implementation, their role has traditionally been as independent “policy labs”, growing ideas for politicians to use when in power. Yet, as we are all aware, the political landscape has shifted in recent years. And think tanks [...]
DEBATE: Would it be a disaster for Democrats if Bernie Sanders became the nominee? February 27, 2020 Would it be a disaster for Democrats if Bernie Sanders became the nominee? Samuel Armstrong, head of communications at the Henry Jackson Society, says YES. Successful Democratic campaigns have one thing in common: they focus on what matters to ordinary people. This rule’s famed champion, James Carville, delivered Bill Clinton’s victory in 1992. The motto [...]
Exclusive: MPs warn over scrutiny as Downing Street prepares to ‘anoint’ friendly face in key role February 26, 2020 Downing Street is considering a controversial move to appoint its own chair of a powerful parliamentary committee – subverting parliamentary convention. The move would be seen as the latest attempt by Number 10 to avoid scrutiny after recent brouhahas over journalists’ access to key briefings. The chair of the Liaison Committee – the only committee [...]
Brexit: EU calls Downing Street’s bluff on standards February 26, 2020 Brussels accepts Downing Street’s pledge not to cut red tape in a bid to become “some sort of Singapore-on-Thames” – but there must still be common “ground rules” in order to strike a trade deal, Michel Barnier has said. In a shift away from increasingly hostile briefings ahead of talks next week, the EU’s chief [...]
Crossrail 2 should be funded this year, says government adviser February 26, 2020 Crossrail 2 should be one of Boris Johnson’s top infrastructure priorities and get a funding commitment this year, according to a key government infrastructure adviser. The National Infrastructure Commission released its annual report today, saying the £41bn north-south train line should immediately get the go ahead. The project is under a cloud of uncertainty due [...]
Sajid Javid issues PM a warning over fiscal rules and urges him to ‘balance the books’ February 26, 2020 Former chancellor Sajid Javid has issued a warning to the government not to allow spending to get out of hand, telling Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak the country’s fiscal rules are “critical”. Speaking in the Commons for the first time since he quit during the reshuffle, in the unusual move of giving a personal statement [...]
Sadiq Khan backs Sir Keir Starmer for Labour leader February 26, 2020 Sadiq Khan has endorsed Sir Keir Starmer to be the next leader of the Labour Party. The London mayor finally came out for the favourite today, after refusing to publicly back any of the leadership hopefuls for the first two months of the campaign. It also comes after Starmer was the only one of the [...]
Yorkshire Tea shocked by backlash to Rishi Sunak photo February 26, 2020 Yorkshire Tea urged social media users to “be kind” after the company became embroiled in a row involving the Chancellor. Last week Chancellor Rishi Sunak posted a picture of him making a huge round of tea for his staff. He was pictured holding a bumper pack of 1,040 tea bags. The tweet led to a [...]