Beckett report: Labour failed to overcome the “myth” and convince voters it could be trusted on the economy January 20, 2016 The day after her report into Labour's defeat at last year's election was published, Dame Margaret Beckett has said the party has been "honest" in facing up to what went wrong. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Beckett said the single biggest problem Labour faced was that it couldn't overcome the perception it couldn't be trusted on the economy. She said it had Labour failed to [...]
Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna slams train group service as a “complete and utter rip off” January 20, 2016 Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna got to his feet in the House of Commons last night to lament the cost of travelling on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), branding the service a "rip off". Speaking the MPs, Umunna said that the cost of travelling on the train to and from "my constituency on Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs [...]
How much does being President of the United States age you? Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W Bush’s aging rates compared January 20, 2016 How much does being leader of the free world age you? Quite a lot, as it turns out. (especially if you get caught fondling the intern) The internet has been buzzing over the difference in Barack Obama’s appearance at his first and last State of the Union speech, a mere seven years apart, with recent [...]
Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin gives US Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump official endorsement January 20, 2016 US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump may have alienated many of the world's politicians, but that didn't stop former Alaska governor Sarah Palin endorsing the billionaire, giving him a potential boost. Palin, herself the vice-presidential nominee in 2008, threw her weight behind Trump, giving him his highest profile backer so far, just two weeks away from the Iowa caucuses. Read [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Green Party candidate Sian Berry defends plans to demolish London City Airport January 20, 2016 Sian Berry wants to multiply the number of Londoners walking, cycling and using public transportation – and she has no shortage of suggestions for how to make that happen. The Green Party candidate for mayor of London backs Crossrail, expanding Overground services, building more segregated cycle lanes and extending the so-called Mini-Holland town centre schemes [...]
Fund managers warn over risks of leaving the EU January 19, 2016 A group of finance industry leaders have warned influential MPs that quitting the EU would risk damaging businesses in the UK. Executives from three investment trade associations told the Treasury Select Committee EU leaving the EU would create extra barriers for their businesses. Guy Sears, interim CEO of the Investment Association (IA), said: “There would [...]
Migration Advisory Committee rules: Why making firms pay £1,000 for new hires is anti-business January 19, 2016 After four months of waiting, recommended changes to the immigration rules relating to skilled workers from outside Europe have been announced by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Should the changes be written into law, they will apply from 6 April this year. The recommendations are the biggest changes to sponsored employees since 2010, yet businesses hardly have [...]
Scottish independence referendum: Better Together campaign fined by Electoral Commission for failing to provide report on its spending January 19, 2016 Having failed to provide a full and complete report on its spending on the Scottish independence referendum, the Better Together campaign has been slapped with a fine by the Electoral Commission. The watchdog gave the Better Together campaign a £2,000 fine as it didn't provide receipts or invoices for £57,000 of expenditure. Bob Posner, director of party and [...]
Boris Johnson just made an announcement in Minecraft to launch the new Games London initiative January 19, 2016 Boris Johnson has never shied away from unexpected ways of doing things. So why should we be surprised the London mayor has chosen to promote the future of London’s gaming sector by turning himself into a Minecraft character? To launch the new initiative Games London, BoJo has appeared in an “in-game press-conference” held within the [...]
EU referendum: Battle commences as the “In” campaign focuses on security and the “Out” campaign remain divided January 19, 2016 It is hotting up. In London, the word on the street is that there are two dates to remember: February 19th and June 23rd. The first is when David Cameron claims a victory in his renegotiation after the make or break European Council meeting; the second is the probable date of the referendum. Eight months [...]