Iran nuclear talks: Obama says he would “walk away” from a bad deal March 8, 2015 Amid mounting criticism from the Republicans over his approach to Iran's nuclear programme, US President Barack Obama has insisted he would “walk away” before agreeing to a bad deal. In an interview with CBS News today, he said any agreement would have to satisfy Washington's demands and ensure Iran had no way of making an [...]
New airline laws will stop possible terrorists leaving the UK to join Islamic State March 8, 2015 Airline laws aimed at stopping would-be terrorists from leaving the UK will go before parliament next week. The new legislation, devised by home secretary Theresa May, would target flights carrying passengers to Iraq and Syria, where Islamic State and other radical groups are based. According to The Sunday Times, airlines would be required to [...]
The Germans want an EU army, but Britain is against it March 8, 2015 Jean-Claude Junker has called for the creation of an EU army, saying it would help the bloc be taken more seriously across the world. The President of the European Commission believes it will deter threats from Russia, which have escalated since the start of the Ukraine crisis. "With its own army, Europe could react [...]
General Election 2015: Here’s what people really think about the TV leaders debates in six charts March 8, 2015 1. Most people think they're a good thing 2. But the debates wouldn't sway votes for most Broken down by supporters, it wouldn't sway votes of most Conservatives and Ukipers, but would for Lib Dems. For Labour, it's almost equal for those who say it would help make their mind up and those who it [...]
General Election 2015: Miliband signs up to three debates, promises to face an empty chair if Cameron won’t attend March 7, 2015 Ed Miliband has promised to attend all three scheduled televised debates, with or without the Prime Minister. During a speech in Edinburgh, the Labour leader made it clear he was willing to debate, against an empty chair if necessary, whilst simultaneously refusing to be drawn on David Cameron’s challenge to rule out a coalition [...]
General Election 2015: Could the SNP support Labour? March 7, 2015 The Scottish National Party (SNP) has said it would support a minority Labour government, going some way to mitigating the impact of Labour’s apparent decline north of the border. Nicola Sturgeon’s party would support Labour, even if Ed Miliband and co. decided to keep the controversial Trident missile defence system. This was seen as a [...]
General Election 2015: Broadcasters will push ahead with debates March 6, 2015 Broadcasters will defy the prime minister and push ahead with three televised debates, even if David Cameron doesn’t attend. The Conservative leader has said he will appear once to face at least six other leaders, but not a second with the same format or a third against the opposition leader, Ed Miliband. This week Cameron [...]
Interactive: Why Britain should think before freezing its defence budget March 6, 2015 As the engines of Russian bombers rumble above the English channel, the government could be about to freeze defence spending. Sources inside the treasury told The Times the move, said to be possible after the election, has stirred the Tory ranks and spawned whispers of a rebellion. The UK currently spends 2.07 per cent of [...]
Economic policy must not be made by sound-bite, says Rake March 5, 2015 ECONOMIC policy must not be made by sound-bite, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) president, Sir Mike Rake, warned UK politicians last night. Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Trade and Industry Dinner at the Mansion House, Rake said: “As the UK economic situation has improved, the political risks have increased.” Sounding a warning about the fears [...]
2015 General Election TV debates in doubt as scrapping over line-ups and schedules rumbles on March 5, 2015 A serious of election television debates between party leaders is looking increasingly unlikely, as the impasse between political parties and broadcasters deepens. On Wednesday, David Cameron made it clear that he didn’t want a one-on-one debate with Ed Miliband, just a week before the election. Later that evening, Downing Street head of communications Craig Oliver [...]