Senior Tory Eric Pickles hints at new Budget in coming weeks May 11, 2015 A Conservative member of the last coalition Cabinet said yesterday that chancellor George Osborne could unveil a new Budget “relatively soon”. Eric Pickles, who served as secretary of state for communities and local government, said that the move would be needed to outline Tory attempts to reduce the state’s huge annual deficit. Osborne revealed his [...]
Andrew Tyrie MP faces fight to keep Treasury Committee chair May 11, 2015 High-profile MP Andrew Tyrie is facing a challenge to his position as Treasury Select Committee (TSC) chairman, City A.M. understands. Jesse Norman, fellow Conservative and former Barclays banker, is believed to be seeking the role for the coming parliament. Such a move could shock political and financial circles, given that Tyrie is held in high [...]
David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle: Iain Duncan Smith keeps job as Tory big beasts are reappointed May 11, 2015 David Cameron will today confirm that Iain Duncan Smith is the latest big gun in the new all-Tory cabinet, holding on to his job as work and pensions secretary. Duncan Smith will be in charge of meeting the Conservative pledge to find £12bn worth of savings in the welfare budget by 2020. Only £2bn of [...]
David Cameron to act quickly on EU renegotiations and in-out referendum May 11, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron is facing increased pressure to fast-track his plans to reform Britain’s relationship with the European Union. Cameron is widely expected to introduce legislation for an in-out referendum during the early days of the new parliament, as well as ramp up discussions about reform within the EU ahead of the next [...]
Labour hopefuls line up bids to replace Ed Miliband: Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham, Chuka Umunna and Yvette Cooper top contenders May 11, 2015 Liz Kendall yesterday became the first Labour MP to officially announce a campaign to succeed Ed Miliband as party leader. Kendall is a rising star in the party, impressing as a shadow health minister and in the media. Liz Kendall Chuka Umunna The charismatic and business-friendly Chuka Umunna is one of [...]
Tax-and-spend plans: What to expect from the new Tory Treasury May 10, 2015 With the Conservative party winning a majority and George Osborne returning to his position as chancellor of the exchequer, the UK now faces another five years of Tory-led tax-and-spend plans. But without the competing visions of coalition partners, how will this Tory Treasury be different from that of the last government? When looking for answers, [...]
Nicola Sturgeon: SNP will be the main opposition to Conservatives May 10, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon rubbed salt into the Labour Party’s wounds yesterday, arguing that her Scottish National Party (SNP) is now the real opposition to the Conservative government. “Given that Labour are entering a period of introspection, questioning their very purpose in life – the SNP is going to be the principal opposition to the Conservatives,” she [...]
General Election 2015: Four things you should know about the tories’ plan to scrap the Human Rights Act May 10, 2015 The Conservatives are hoping to rid the UK of the Human Rights Act, and this has caused some consternation. But what does it mean exactly, when you scratch beneath the surface? Does the Prime Minister have a viable alternative? And will it do just as much to protect human rights? Here are the key things [...]
General Election 2015: Cameron needs “time and space” to work on Europe, says Owen Paterson May 10, 2015 Eurosceptic ex-cabinet minister Owen Paterson has urged the general public to give David Cameron “time and space” to deliver change on Europe. The Prime Minister promised that if the Conservatives were re-elected at the 2015 General Election, a referendum on EU membership would be held in 2017. Given that they ended up winning a [...]
Labour urged to shift to the centre by Tony Blair and Chuka Umunna following General Election defeat May 10, 2015 Labour is being urged to re-focus on the centre ground in the wake of its devastating General Election performance – its worst since 1987. Senior figures associated with the party have argued that the defeated Ed Miliband did not do enough to win over aspirational voters and spent too much time attacking job creators and [...]