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 [...]
Number 10 slaps down Boris Johnson after criticism of Brexit plan September 3, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May has kicked off the new political season with a pointed put-down of rival Boris Johnson, with Downing Street saying the former foreign secretary offered “no new ideas” in the Brexit debate. As rumours grow that he is preparing to challenge May over her control of the Conservative party, Johnson used his [...]
Downing Street says Mark Carney still set to leave the Bank of England in 2019 September 3, 2018 Mark Carney is still on track to leave the Bank of England in 2019 according to the Prime Minister's spokesperson, in spite of reports he may be considering an extension to his time as governor in Threadneedle Street. Carney is currently set to lead the Bank until the end of June 2019, three months after [...]
The media’s greatest enemy isn’t Trump, it’s the tech titans September 3, 2018 What is the biggest threat to the future of the media: President Donald Trump, or Silicon Valley? In the presidential corner, Trump’s regular attacks on the “fake news media” have provoked a robust response. This summer, newspapers coordinated a string of editorials defending the essential role of the press as a lens on power and [...]
Tory MPs ramp up opposition against Theresa May’s Chequers proposals September 2, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May is facing mounting opposition from her own MPs as Tory backbenchers ramp up their campaign against her Chequers proposal. Yesterday former Brexit secretary David Davis confirmed he would join rebels and vote against any deal based on May's Chequers plan, under which the the UK would remain closely aligned with the [...]