Prince Charles “black spider” memos reveal concerns over supermarket power were raised with Tony Blair May 13, 2015 The publication of letters written by Prince Charles to the government reveal the monarch raised concerns about the power of supermarkets over Britain's farmers with then Prime Minister Tony Blair. The private letters, dubbed the black spider memos, were published after a 10-year legal battle by the Guardian, and show how the Prince of Wales [...]
Kent police are investigating claims of electoral fraud in Nigel Farage-contested South Thanet seat May 13, 2015 Kent police are investigating claims of electoral fraud in South Thanet – the constituency contested by Ukip leader Nigel Farage at the General Election "Kent Police have received a report of electoral fraud. Inquiries are ongoing," Kent Police said in a statement. The highly contested constituency where Farage made a bid to win Ukip its [...]
London mayor elections 2016: Diane Abbott launches bid to become Labour candidate – and the next Boris Johnson May 13, 2015 In the race to replace Boris Johnson as mayor of London, Diane Abbott has officially launched her campaign to gain Labour's backing as the party's candidate in the 2016 election. The veteran MP, who was re-elected as representative for Hackney and Stoke Newington with a comfortable majority in this General Election, is seeking to replace Boris Johnson, [...]
MPs went on £70,000 iPad, iPhone and laptop spending spree before the General Election May 13, 2015 A cohort of 60 MPs spent £70,000 on iPads, iPhones and laptops as the election loomed. They may not have broken any rules, but the spree meant expenses watchdog Ipsa (the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) wrote to politicians to express concern. Read more: How MPs stepping down at this election could make millions on their [...]
Business backs Sajid Javid over strike law reforms May 12, 2015 Business groups have rallied behind government moves to make big changes to strike laws. New business minister Sajid Javid said he will use his first days in office to tighten rules surrounding strikes, saying that the Tory government’s Queen’s Speech would introduce thresholds for strike ballots. Under the proposals, strikes affecting public services would need [...]
David Cameron ushers in a new era at the Treasury as Damien Hinds and David Gauke join Greg Hands and Harriet Baldwin May 12, 2015 George Osborne is set to work with a new team at the Treasury following this week’s Cabinet reshuffle. Prime Minister David Cameron announced one new Treasury minister and the reappointment of another yesterday, the latest in a slew of postings he has doled out to loyal Conservatives following last week’s General Election. Read [...]
George Osborne starts his EU reform push with ministers in Brussels May 12, 2015 Britain’s EU renegotiation process is officially underway, as chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne made his first post-General Election trip to Brussels yesterday. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU finance ministers, Osborne said he went to Brussels “with a very clear mandate to improve Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union, and to [...]
EU referendum: German finance minister says Europe won’t be rushed on UK’s demands May 12, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has only just formed his new all-tory new cabinet, but already he's trying to get the ball rolling on Europe. In fact, earlier today it was reported that he wants to bring the referendum on EU membership forward to next year. First of all, he wants to try and get a [...]
How coalitions dominate Europe: David Cameron’s majority makes UK one of only three single party governments May 12, 2015 The UK may have what David Cameron would describe as a “strong and stable government”, led by one majority party, but the rest of the EU looks quite different. Of the 28 countries in the EU, only the UK, Malta, and Spain have single parties in power, with the others being led by coalitions. Some [...]
David Cameron might bring the EU referendum forward to next year May 12, 2015 David Cameron could bring the referendum on EU membership forward to next year – a year earlier than was originally promised. The Prime Minister is drawing up the plans in order to avoid coinciding with the German and French elections in 2017, which could end up creating a crash. One source told The Guardian [...]