Channel 4 replaces Boris Johnson with ice sculpture in climate debate November 29, 2019 The Conservatives have become engulfed in a standoff with Channel 4 after the broadcaster “empty chaired” Prime Minister Boris Johnson during its climate debate last night. The Tory party has written to Ofcom to complain that Channel 4’s decision to replace Johnson with an ice sculpture was a “provocative partisan stunt”. Read more: Boris Johnson [...]
Safe as houses? Our electoral map is fuelling voter apathy November 29, 2019 With less than two weeks to go until the country heads to the polls, I have personally encountered precisely one attempt to garner my vote, in the form of a leaflet from my local Green candidate. While somewhat ironic given the party’s mission to protect the environment, this was immensely welcome. The other parties, it [...]
None of the parties have a credible plan to fix the social care crisis November 29, 2019 Every day, 1.4m elderly people are left unwashed, unsupported, and without the care they need — because our social care system is broken. “Crisis” is an overused term, but in this instance, it’s no exaggeration. And people are increasingly aware of this. Recent polling commissioned by Deloitte and Reform revealed that social care is the [...]
DEBATE: Is Extinction Rebellion’s target of net-zero emissions by 2025 economically viable? November 29, 2019 Is Extinction Rebellion’s target of net-zero emissions by 2025 economically viable? Zion Lights, a science communicator and editor of Extinction Rebellion newspaper The Hourglass, says YES. It’s an odd question — if we don’t achieve net-zero emissions sooner than the current target of 2050, we risk committing ourselves to potential economic collapse. Bank of England governor [...]
Conservatives break election donations record while unions turn on the taps for Labour November 28, 2019 The Conservatives have broken the record for the most amount of money raised in the first fortnight of a general election campaign. Figures from the Electoral commission show the Tories were given £8.6m in large donations in the first two weeks of the campaign, while Labour lags behind on £3.7m and the Brexit Party on [...]
Anti-Conservative Tube ads to be referred to watchdog November 28, 2019 Transport for London (TfL) will be referred to the advertising watchdog for displaying anti-Tory advertising during the election period. Israeli tech startup Monday.com has paid for advertising on the Tube that makes fun of Boris Johnson’s background and his record as mayor of London and Prime Minister. Read more: TfL bans Uber for London after [...]
General Election: DUP won’t back down on Brexit deal November 28, 2019 The DUP will seek changes to Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal if the Conservatives are re-elected on 12 December. DUP leader Arlene Foster launched the party’s manifesto in Belfast today, reiterating that Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal was unacceptable. Read more: Government’s halted ad campaign cost taxpayers £5m Deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the deal represented a [...]
General Election 2019: Conservatives and Labour’s spending plans not credible, warns IFS November 28, 2019 Neither the Tories nor Labour have presented voters with credible tax and spending plans in their General Election manifestos, according to damning analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). Labour is unable to raise the money it wants to and the Conservatives cannot meet the pledge to balance the budget with tax freezes and [...]
Dominic Cummings is quitting government, but not for the reason you think November 28, 2019 Reports of Dominic Cummings’ political death have been greatly exaggerated. It was first reported by The Guardian last night that the controversial special adviser (spad), and Brexit campaign mastermind had resigned three weeks ago. Read more: In defence of my friend Dominic Cummings Social media was humming this morning with news of Cummings’ demise, with [...]
Donald Trump put his head on Rocky’s body and Twitter was having none of it November 28, 2019 Twitter users have hit back at Donald Trump after the US President posted a picture of his head photoshopped onto the body of Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character Rocky. The punchy image was posted after Trump boasted about his “gorgeous” chest at a rally in Florida on Tuesday. Read more: Trump boasts to crowds about his [...]