AIIB: Former Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander named as vice president of new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank February 5, 2016 Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury under the coalition government until 2015, has been given a key leadership role in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Alexander, a former Liberal Democrat MP who lost his seat in the 2015 General Election, was appointed vice president and corporate secretary by the bank's president Jin Liqun. "I look forward to using my experience [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith attacks Labour rival Sadiq Khan over housing record February 5, 2016 Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan's affordable housing plans are a "fantasy", Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith will claim today. Goldsmith will point to new analysis showing that not one of London's 16 Labour-led councils have delivered Khan's target of having 50 per cent of all new-build homes qualifying as affordable housing. According to Goldsmith's campaign, the average [...]
EU referendum: Scottish voters in favour of staying in EU but gap narrowing, according to new poll February 4, 2016 Scottish voters remain in favour of staying in the European Union – but the gap is narrowing according to a new poll. The first TNS poll of 2016 found that 44 per cent of voters would opt to remain a member of the EU, while 21 per cent would vote to leave. In May last year, [...]
EU referendum: Goldman Sachs says Brexit could cause sterling to plummet by 20 per cent February 4, 2016 Sterling could fall as much as 20 per cent if British voters back leaving the European Union, Goldman Sachs has warned. In a client note this morning, macro markets strategists at the US investment bank the UK’s current account deficit "would still be a source of vulnerability", adding that if Britain votes to leave the EU, an "abrupt [...]
Editor’s Interview: Christian May meets Labour’s mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan February 4, 2016 Clement Attlee dominates one wall in the meeting room of the Khan campaign HQ. I’m reading the plaque when Labour’s mayoral candidate bursts into the room. “Funny story,” he says, “you’ll like this.” He offers a handshake and points to the portrait at the same time. “The only reason that’s here is because the party can’t [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Labour candidate Sadiq Khan says he is embarrassed by Labour’s failures with British businesses February 4, 2016 Labour mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan has admitted he is embarrassed by his party's failure to win the backing of British businesses. "It's a huge embarrassment," Khan told City A.M. in an interview yesterday, pointing to an incident last year when former shadow chancellor Ed Balls was unable to name a single Labour supporter from the [...]
EU referendum: It is not surprising that Home Secretary Theresa May gave Prime Minister David Cameron her backing on EU reform February 3, 2016 Should European leaders agree the draft agreement on EU reform published by Donald Tusk yesterday, I believe it will make our membership of the European Union work even better for Britain. I am encouraged that even those traditionally more sceptical about the EU such as Theresa May see the draft as “a basis for a [...]
US Presidential Election: Republican candidate Rand Paul suspends 2016 White House bid February 3, 2016 Republican candidate Rand Paul has officially suspended his campaign to become the next President of the United States, according to reports. The Kentucky senator finished in fifth place in the Iowa caucuses, just two days ago, with just 4.5 per cent of the vote. Read more: Sarah Palin throws her support behind Donald Trump "It's been [...]
EU referendum: US President Barack Obama told Prime Minister David Cameron he supports the UK remaining in the EU February 3, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron may have faced criticism from all sides in the House of Commons today over his efforts to reform Britain's relationship with the European Union, but at least he has the backing of one high-profile politician: US President Barack Obama. According to a White House statement last night, the Prime Minister updated [...]
EU referendum: David Cameron pressed from every side of the House of Commons over EU reforms during Prime Minister’s Questions February 3, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron was met with acrimony on every side of the House of Commons today as he was quizzed on his European Union reform agenda. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Cameron came under pressure from backbench Conservative MPs, as well as Labour MPs and the Scottish National Party. John Mann, a Labour MP who [...]