Labour isn’t even trying to make its slapdash sums add up December 3, 2019 General Elections are always an uncomfortable period for those of us who like our facts straight and our figures honest. All too often, politicians of all stripes seem to be treating the Liberal Democrats’ infamous bar charts not as a scandal, but an inspiration. Even by modern standards, however, there is something rather special about [...]
Green belt reform isn’t political dynamite, it’s a major part of fixing the housing crisis December 3, 2019 As in every election campaign, the need to build huge numbers of new homes for voters is common ground across the main political parties. Yet, also treading a well-worn path, both the Conservatives and Labour continue through their manifestos to promise to protect the green belt and to prioritise development of brownfield land. Will this [...]
General Election 2019: Pressure ramps up over US trade deal as Trump flies in for Nato meeting December 2, 2019 Boris Johnson is coming under renewed pressure over a future UK-US trade deal, as Donald Trump travels to the UK for this week’s Nato meeting. Leaders from 29 countries arrive in London tomorrow for a meeting to mark Nato’s 70th anniversary. On the agenda are drinks at Buckingham Palace and a reception at Downing Street, [...]
General Election 2019: Businesses hit back as Labour ‘names and shames’ UK’s five worst bosses December 2, 2019 Businesses have hit back against Labour’s renewed attack, after the party “named and shamed” some of the biggest firms in the country. Retailers Amazon, Asda and Sports Direct, taxi app Uber and outsourcer ISS have all come under attack from Jeremy Corbyn, as part of Labour’s campaign promise to deliver “the biggest extension of workers’ [...]
Election laws ‘not fit for purpose’, says Electoral Commission December 2, 2019 Laws governing the General Election are not fit for purpose and need reform, according to the Electoral Commission. The electoral watchdog said today that changes by Facebook and Google to increase advertising transparency were not a substitute for reform. Read more: BBC inundated with bias complaints as election campaign heats up The commission wants more [...]
Nato summit 2019: London road closures map as Trump arrives in UK December 2, 2019 World leaders are set to descend on London this week for the 2019 Nato summit. The main event will take place on Wednesday 4 December at the The Grove Hotel at Chandler’s Cross in Watford, Hertfordshire. Read more: Angela Merkel says Europe cannot do without Nato The heads of state from 28 countries will gather [...]
BBC election coverage draws 10,000 complaints in two weeks December 2, 2019 The BBC received more than 10,000 complaints of bias in its political coverage in a single fortnight as the General Election campaign ramped up, new figures show. The broadcaster received at least 10,209 complaints related to political coverage between 11 and 24 November, according to its latest complaints log. Read more: General election 2019: Council [...]
Guildhall holds vigil for London Bridge terror attack victims December 2, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson stood side by side this morning in solidarity at a vigil for the London Bridge terror attack victims. The Prime Minister and opposition leader were joined by London lord mayor William Russell, mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick at Guildhall Yard for the service. Read [...]
General election 2019: Council taxes likely to rise more under Tories, says IFS December 2, 2019 Council tax rates are likely to rise more under a Conservative government than a Labour one, in order to cover local government costs, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned. The Tories have not allocated enough funding to meet local government requirements, even with a four per cent rise in council tax. Read more: Both [...]
Five memorable times Donald Trump interfered with British politics December 2, 2019 With Donald Trump set to arrive in London tonight for a planned Nato summit on Wednesday, Boris Johnson has asked the US President not to interfere with the UK’s general election. Johnson told reporters last week that it would be “best” if Trump steered clear of speaking about UK politics, with senior Tory figures concerned [...]