Stewart Wood: The man behind Ed Miliband shaking up his party’s approach to business and the economy April 12, 2015 Stewart Wood, the Labour peer, is not exactly a household name. He is more likely to be found following his beloved Liverpool football team around the country than touring the television studios for political programmes. However, his influence as a long term ally of party leader Ed Miliband is becoming increasingly clear. Wood [...]
Nicola Sturgeon struggles to explain SNP economic policy as Jim Murphy promises no further cuts in Scotland April 12, 2015 SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon struggled to articulate her party's economic policy during a shambolic debate between the main party leaders in Scotland. In the third televised Scottish leaders' debate Sturgeon reiterated her desire to see Scotland granted full fiscal autonomy. Sturgeon was immediately attacked by Tory leader Ruth Davidson and Lib Dem Willie Rennie, who [...]
Hillary Clinton announces 2016 run for the Presidency with video message April 12, 2015 Hillary Clinton has announced she is running for the Presidency of the United States via a video message. The veteran politician fires the starting gun on what looks to be a limited race for the Democratic nomination. Clinton starts the race with a vast amount of money and unrivalled ground operation. Few Democrats are likely [...]
IFS say David Cameron’s inheritance tax cut would disproportionately benefit the wealthy April 12, 2015 The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has said the Conservatives' plan, if they win the General Election, to cut inheritance tax for homes worth up to £1m would disproportionately benefit the wealthy. George Osborne told the Andrew Marr show the Tory party supported "the basic human instinct to provide for your children." Under the current [...]
General Election 2015: Labour’s non-dom tax change would hit some of UK’s biggest banks April 12, 2015 Labour's pledge to scrap non-dom tax status would affect top employees at some of London’s leading banks, including RBS, Lloyds and Barclays. Under the non-domicile rule, those with a permanent home abroad currently do not have to pay UK tax on overseas earnings. Only their UK income is taxed, although they have to pay £30,000 [...]
General Election 2015: Six things you should know about the Conservatives’ inheritance tax cut April 12, 2015 If the Conservatives win next month's General Election, party leader David Cameron says he will cut inheritance tax on homes up to £1m in value. The proposal is being announced today, ahead of the launch of the party's manifesto next week. "We will take the family home out of inheritance tax,” Cameron is expected [...]
General Election 2015: Conservatives pledge £8bn a year for the NHS April 11, 2015 The Tories will inject an extra £8bn a year into the NHS if they win the general election, the party has announced. As part of a bid to revolutionize the health services, the Conservatives will guarantee over-75s same-day access to a GP and provide access to GPs on the weekends and in the evenings. [...]
General Election 2015: Tactical voting could save Scottish Labour from total SNP wipeout April 10, 2015 For several the months, the polls have been telling us Scottish Labour is facing electoral oblivion. No matter what he seems to do, Labour's leader in Scotland, Jim Murphy, cannot cut it with voters, and has failed to stem the rise of the SNP. But some new YouGov polling may provide some comfort to Labour's [...]
This man changed his name to Michael Green to challenge Tory chairman Grant Shapps for Welwyn Hatfield April 10, 2015 Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps is facing an unusual challenge in the seat of Welwyn Hatfield. Shapps will almost certainly retain the seat where he holds a 17,000 majority, but one of his rivals will bring up memories of one of his more embarrassing moments. Welwyn Council has confirmed that one of the opponents facing [...]
General Election 2015: Could the threat of Brexit trigger a second Scottish independence referendum? April 10, 2015 A push toward Brexit could trigger the SNP to push for a second Scottish independence referendum. The suggestion was made by SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon during the Scottish leaders' debate on Wednesday. Challenged over whether her party would push for a second independence referendum, Sturgeon said the SNP was not "planning or proposing another referendum". [...]