Almost one-in-three former Labour backers say Jeremy Corbyn was the chief reason behind their move away from the party August 23, 2016 Jeremy Corbyn has been the largest single factor behind drooping Labour support, according to a Yougov study of 200 former Labour backers. Of 1,000 Labour supporters previously interviewed by the pollster, Yougov returned to roughly 200 who said they would no longer back the party and get the main reasons behind their rejection of Labour. Respondents were [...]
Sadiq Khan’s plans to build affordable homes on TfL land have been thrown into doubt by questions over the sales process August 22, 2016 Sadiq Khan's hopes of forcing developers to build up affordable homes on former Transport for London property have been put in doubt by requirements on getting value for money on land deals. Khan was elected on a pledge of making sure that half of new homes would be affordable, and the sale of TfL land [...]
Merkel, Renzi and Hollande had this to say about Brexit August 22, 2016 The French President has today urged EU countries to reject nationalist tendencies as he met with the leaders of two of the bloc's major economies. Francois Hollande is meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi, which is currently playing a critical role in Europe's migrant rescue efforts. According [...]
Downing Street is hinting that future devolution will not require the election of regional mayors August 22, 2016 Future city devolution deals may not require the election of a mayor, Downing Street has hinted, after fears were raised of Theresa May abandoning the previous government's desire to pass down power. A total of 10 city-regions have secured devolution deals so far in talks with the government, and each one has required the adoption [...]
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour should focus on growth above inequality August 22, 2016 It used to go without saying that growth matters. But if former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers now feels the need to take to the pages of the FT to make the “progressive case for economic growth”, it shows just how far other issues, whether inequality or climate change, have come to dominate the thinking [...]
Even Switzerland doesn’t want Britain to adopt the Swiss model post-Brexit August 22, 2016 Imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, but it is doubtful whether anyone in Switzerland is thanking the City and the British Bankers’ Association for coming up with the idea that London should seek a Swiss-style relationship with Europe once Brexit is fully consummated. The reason Swiss banks and finance firms are so [...]
Theresa May’s Olympic praise sheds light on her industrial strategy vision August 22, 2016 Theresa May returns to Downing Street this week after a walking holiday in Switzerland, a reminder to anyone still basking in the sun with a bottle of rosé that autumn is now upon us. Unlike the rest of us mortals who spend the first day back in the office clearing out the inbox, the Prime [...]
Andrea Leadsom’s campaign manager has admitted “rookie mistakes” in the MP’s failed Tory leadership bid August 22, 2016 A high-profile interview which saw Andrea Leadsom accused of attacking Theresa May for not having children was “a cock up”, her former campaign manager has admitted. Speaking at the Edinburgh Festival last weekend, Conservative MP Tim Loughton claimed Leadsom was being “set up” by journalists, but maintained the decision to give the interview was “a [...]
Nicolas Sarkozy has confirmed his return to frontline politics with a bid to enter next year’s French presidential election August 22, 2016 Nicolas Sarkozy has confirmed a return to the frontline of French politics with his entry in next year's presidential election. Sarkozy has long been linked with a campaign, but the former President ended speculation with a statement on social media earlier this afternoon. "I have decided to be a candidate for the 2017 presidential election. [...]
Downing Street has hit back after Jean-Claude Juncker described national borders as “politicians’ worst invention” August 22, 2016 Downing Street has rejected Jean-Claude Juncker's assertion that borders are “the worst invention” of politicians. Speaking at the European Forum Alpbach yesterday, the European Commission president called on Europe to show “solidarity” with refugees, adding: “We have the duty not to follow populists but to block the avenue of populists.” “Borders are the worst invention [...]