G20 finance ministers ditch anti-protectionist pledge and climate change commitment March 18, 2017 Finance ministers from the world's biggest economies have ditched an anti-protectionist commitment following opposition from the US. The annual G20 meeting of the 20 financial leaders closed without a set agreement on free trade after the US rejected past commitments regarding the open flow of goods. The leaders noted the importance of trade to the global economy, [...]
President Donald Trump says Germany “owes vast sums” to Nato after saying he had a “great meeting” with Angela Merkel March 18, 2017 President Donald Trump has said Germany "owes vast sums of money" to Nato and should also pay the US more for defending it. He made the remarks on Twitter, saying he had a "great meeting" with German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday. A video of the meeting showed him appearing to deny Merkel a handshake during a [...]
Gordon Brown has a third “patriotic” option in the debate over a second Scottish independence referendum March 18, 2017 Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has an alternative to full-blown independence from the UK, as the debate over a second Scottish referendum ramps up. During a speech in Fife, Brown suggested giving Holyrood vast new powers, including the responsibility of signing treaties with other European and setting VAT – as long as it stays in the UK. Read [...]
An anti-racism march is being held in London today by Stand Up to Racism to defend EU nationals’ rights and protest Trump’s ban March 18, 2017 Thousands are expected to take part in today’s anti-racism march in the capital to mark UN Anti-Racism Day and campaign for EU workers in the UK and against the “toxic scapegoating of migrants”. Organisers Stand Up to Racism said: “As Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 with ‘hard Brexit’ while contributing to the toxic [...]
After his appointment as Evening Standard editor, should George Osborne resign as an MP? March 17, 2017 Chris Rumfitt, founder and chief executive of Field Consulting, says Yes. George Osborne’s post-ministerial career had already raised eyebrows when he took a bumper package to advise asset manager Blackrock. But it truly caused jaws to drop when news came through that he was to edit the Evening Standard. While the former chancellor is clearly [...]
Tony Blair launches anti-populist institute which definitely isn’t a party March 17, 2017 Fresh from his rousing anti-Brexit speech, Tony Blair has launched a new institute for centre-ground policy based on globalisation and liberal democracy with the warning: "we could be living through a populist moment; but we could be living at the start of a populist era." Renewing the Centre will be directed by Yascha Mounk, a German-born [...]
George Osborne’s successor Philip Hammond will have a say in whether he can take his new job as Evening Standard editor March 17, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond will play a direct part in the decision made by the government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) on his predecessor George Osborne’s new role as editor of the Evening Standard. Acoba, the body tasked with scrutinising appointments, will ask relevant government departments for their opinions on whether the new job will [...]
Former chancellor George Osborne has been appointed editor of London daily the Evening Standard – Twitter reacts March 17, 2017 George Osborne has announced yet another new job, and Twitter has gone a bit nuts… The former chancellor has just been appointed Editor of the Evening Standard and it's fair to say the news came as a surprise to basically everyone. I am literally dumbfounded. Trying to imagine Osbo drumming up page leads. "Don't we need a nib [...]
SNP rejects PM’s rejection: Tories wouldn’t “dare” stand in the way of vote March 17, 2017 The SNP said today there will be a second Scottish referendum and accused the Conservative party of being scared to give the Scottish people the chance to vote on the future of the union. After earlier this week calling for Scotland to be given another chance to vote on its future in the UK, the SNP kicks [...]
George Osborne’s latest job is editor of the Evening Standard March 17, 2017 Former chancellor George Osborne has been appointed as the new editor of the Evening Standard, its owner has said. Osborne, who worked for the Telegraph before running for Parliament, will keep his job as an MP. A source told City A.M. it was likely Osborne will edit the Standard four days a week on average. “So much [...]