General Election: Electoral Commission opens investigation into Conservative party spending at 2015 election in South Thanet constituency where Craig Mackinlay beat Ukip’s Nigel Farage February 18, 2016 The Electoral Commission is to open an investigation into allegations around Conservative party spending at the 2015 General Election. The commission's announcement follows Kent Police's decision not to pursue an investigation into allegations regarding the Conservative candidate for South Thanet's spending return at the General Election. The constituency was won by Conservative Craig Mackinlay with a vote [...]
EU referendum: We must vote to remain in the EU as London is Europe’s financial capital and David Cameron has protected the rights of non-Eurozone countries February 18, 2016 A recent visit to Brussels brought back mixed memories of my time as a minister in the last Government. In my roles in both the Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions, I had to negotiate with the European Commission, other member states and MEPs. My first visit was a culture shock, but over [...]
EU referendum: Frexit? France-EU relationship could be set for change if Le Pen’s National Front wins presidential election February 18, 2016 French National Front (FN) leader Marine Le Pen is revelling in the EU drama that has been unfolding over recent months, hoping a potential Brexit vote could lead to growing euroscepticism in France. Currently garnering support, Le Pen is planning a push for the French presidency next year, and if she wins she hopes to renegotiate France's membership terms [...]
EU referendum: Tim Montgomerie, co-founder of ConservativeHome, quits Conservative party over Prime Minister’s stance on the European Union February 18, 2016 Tim Montgomerie, co-founder of grassroots ConservativeHome website, has announced he is quitting the Conservative party over Prime Minister David Cameron's position on the European Union. The influential Tory wrote in the Times that he would not be joining another party, but wouldn't be giving any more time, money or love to the "Cameron project". He wrote [...]
EU referendum vote odds: 73 per cent of bets since David Cameron’s Brussels trip back Brexit as people also bet on the referendum being held before the end of June February 18, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron might be forgiven for feeling like the world is against him at the moment. He's simultaneously trying to win the backing of European leaders and Conservative MPs on his draft EU proposals, not forgetting the public who are due to cast their votes later this year. And the public don't seem [...]
EU referendum: Fund manager Neil Woodford says economic arguments on staying in and leaving Europe are “bogus” ahead of EU Council summit February 18, 2016 Star fund manager Neil Woodford has thrown his two cents into the EU referendum debate, saying economic arguments about whether the UK should remain in the 28-member bloc are "bogus". Woodford said economic arguments making the case for or against staying in the EU ahead of the referendum lack credibility. "I think it's really hard to [...]
Oil prices: UK oil baron Algy Cluff warns chancellor George Osborne that the North Sea industry is on the brink of destruction February 17, 2016 One of Britain’s best known oil tycoons has warned that low prices could destroy the UK oil industry if the government fails to slash taxes and encourage exploration in the sector. Speaking exclusively to City A.M., Algy Cluff, who pioneered exploration in the North Sea in the 1970s, has added his voice to a growing [...]
EU referendum: European Council President Donald Tusk says “there is still no guarantee” of a reform deal February 17, 2016 On the eve of a make-or-break meeting for Prime Minister David Cameron's EU reform agenda, European Council President Donald Tusk has warned that "there is still no guarantee" EU leaders will sign off on a final deal this week. "After my consultations in the last hours I have to state frankly: there is still no guarantee [...]
RAF Typhoons scrambled to intercept Russian Tupolev TU 160 fighter jets near UK air space February 17, 2016 RAF jets have been scrambled to intercept Russian fighter jets near UK airspace, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said. Russian Tupolev TU 160 aircraft are near the UK but not in UK airspace. The RAF is now escorting the fighter jets across the North Sea. The British planes were deployed from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire this afternoon. [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith says he will reveal his tax returns if Labour candidate Sadiq Khan and others do the same February 17, 2016 Conservative mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith has said he will publish his tax returns in the run-up to May's City Hall election, after being questioned on his previous "non dom" status. "Of course I will," Goldsmith said last night on the BBC when asked if he would reveal his tax records. "I think all candidates should in [...]