Labour floats radical housing policy as election looms September 2, 2019 Labour is mulling a radical new housing scheme in which first-time buyers could potentially purchase their property for less than the market price. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the plan, first floated by Jeremy Corbyn in 2015, would disrupt the rising buy-to-let market and stop landlords making “a fast buck” at the expense of their [...]
Sajid Javid appoints EY Brexit guru Mats Persson as chief of staff September 2, 2019 EY’s Brexit strategy leader has left the accountants to serve in Downing Street as Sajid Javid’s new chief of staff, City A.M. understands. Mats Persson, who was once David Cameron’s main adviser on EU affairs, left the Big Four accountancy firm last week, EY has confirmed. Read more: Boris threatens rebel MPs with the sack [...]
Paw-rogued: Larry the cat on alert as new pup moves into Downing Street September 2, 2019 A new puppy has moved into Downing Street today to join Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his stay at number 10. The dog, which is a Jack Russell cross, is moving from Wales where it was rescued from a puppy farm. Read more: The fur flies on Downing Street as two of politics’ top cats [...]
Brexit: Leaked report claims all backstop alternatives have ‘concerns’ September 2, 2019 A leaked report looking into alternatives to the Irish border backstop has claimed there are “concerns and issues” in every case. The dossier, seen by The Guardian, summarises the findings of the government’s own “alternative arrangements” working groups. Read more: Prime Minister threatens to sack rebel MPs over Brexit vote It concludes there is no [...]
DEBATE: Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? September 2, 2019 Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, says YES. Gender discrimination remains rife within society and our political system. Politics fails not only new mothers like Ruth Davidson, but also those with a range of caring responsibilities. Parliament has failed [...]
Democracy means accepting that sometimes the other side gets to win September 2, 2019 Following the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue parliament, we have seen a tsunami of outrage that British democracy is effectively dead. Accusations and counter accusations are flying. Each side blames the other for undemocratic behaviour. There is no doubt that the Brexit process is putting British democracy under strain. It might therefore be appropriate to [...]
Can Tory mayoral hopeful Shaun Bailey turn City Hall blue? September 1, 2019 It is fair to say that Shaun Bailey’s bid to become the next mayor of London did not get off to a flying start. The seasoned activist and campaigner faced a barrage of criticism from his political opponents after some tactless comments he once made about multiculturalism resurfaced and were widely shared across social media. [...]
Sajid Javid to meet City figures for talks on a no-deal Brexit September 1, 2019 Sajid Javid will meet key City figures tomorrow in a bid to persuade them that a no-deal Brexit could provide opportunities for businesses. The chancellor is to hold a meeting with the bosses of financial powerhouses such as Barclays, Goldman Sachs and the London Stock Exchange Group on Monday, which will also be attended by [...]
Michel Barnier: Irish backstop is best solution we can offer UK September 1, 2019 The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has defended the controversial Irish backstop as the best it could offer the UK in any Brexit deal. Michel Barnier said the backstop – the insurance policy designed to prevent a hard border in Northern Ireland – represented the “maximum flexibility” the EU could offer a non-member state. [...]
Michael Gove suggests government could ignore rebels’ anti-no deal law September 1, 2019 Cabinet minister Michael Gove has hit back at Tory rebels by suggesting the government could ignore any new law they pass to thwart a no-deal Brexit. Gove, who is in charge of the government’s no-deal Brexit preparations, was asked by the BBC whether the government would abide by any legislation that MPs might be able [...]