The Salmond scandal won’t save the Union from the SNP September 5, 2018 There are quite a few people cheering from the aisles following the revelations that Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader and first minister of Scotland for seven years, is being investigated by police after complaints were made against him alleging inappropriate sexual behaviour by two civil servants. I suggest that people drop the schadenfreude and [...]
Unemployment down, GDP up – there’s no logic for a public spending boost now September 5, 2018 Despite the warmth of the days, there is a distinct autumn feel to the mornings. And in the autumn, thoughts begin to turn to the Budget. Speculation has already begun about what the chancellor Philip Hammond might or might not do. Read more: Corbyn won’t stop until the government controls everything For Labour, recent weeks have [...]
David Davis aims to see off Chequers by backing fully fledged ‘Alternative Brexit Plan’ September 4, 2018 Former Brexit secretary David Davis is poised to throw his weight behind a fully-fledged alternative to the government’s Brexit strategy as part of a major intervention ahead of the Conservative party conference. City A.M. understands the pro-Brexit big-hitter, who resigned in the wake of Theresa May’s Chequers plan, will endorse detailed proposals for an advanced [...]
Dominic Raab: UK will be ‘ready for Brexit, deal or no deal’ September 4, 2018 Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told MPs today that the UK will be "ready for Brexit, deal or no deal". Raab said the UK had received "positive and constructive feedback" from its EU counterparts on its Brexit plans. Speaking in the House of Commons Raab said: "pace and intensity has been injected into Brexit negotiations". Read [...]
Russian bank boss apologises for calling Boris Johnson a ‘prat’ September 4, 2018 The boss of one of Russia’s largest banks has apologised for calling former foreign secretary Boris Johnson a “prat”. Andrei Kostin, chief executive of VTB, made the comments at Moscow State Institute of International Relations University, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov also in attendance. “Look at, excuse me, the prats in the West, say at [...]
Tory voters snub Chequers deal as Brexiter MPs flex their muscles ahead of party conference September 4, 2018 Conservative voters continue to be unimpressed with Theresa May's vision for Brexit, with a new poll suggesting the Chequers plan has actually lost support over the summer. ConHome's latest survey of its readers found that just 23 per cent of members thought the proposals being touted across the capitals of the European Union over the [...]
Labour activist in antisemitism row Peter Willsman reelected to NEC despite Momentum removing #JC9 backing September 4, 2018 A Labour activist who rubbished claims of antisemitism within the party, arguing the allegations were being made by "Trump fanatics", has been re-elected to the national executive body after a ballot of members. Peter Willsman had originally been backed by Momentum as part of the grassroots organisation's #JC9 (Jeremy Corbyn) slate of candidates, but the group removed its backing amid [...]
London needs a new mayor to get the transport show back on the road September 4, 2018 You may remember the old joke about the family who, hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere, wind down their car window to ask for directions, only to be told “I wouldn’t start from here if I were you”. In the third year of Sadiq Khan’s mayoralty, transport in London isn’t quite that bad, but [...]
Corbyn won’t stop until the government controls everything September 4, 2018 Back in November 2013, the general secretary of the Unite union, Len McCluskey, outlined what he believed was so refreshing about then Labour leader Ed Miliband’s platform. “What is particularly important is the underlying rationale for what Ed has proposed,” McCluskey boomed. “There are some things too important to be left to the market.” “Too [...]
If Chequers is dead, a new battle looms: European Economic Area or Free Trade Agreement? September 3, 2018 Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country residence, was gifted to the nation by Lord and Lady Lee after the First World War. A stained glass window carries an inscription offering “this house of peace…as a place of rest and recreation” for Prime Ministers. Despite this noble intention, it's hard to imagine that Theresa May associates [...]