David Cameron set for double trouble over plain cigarette packaging and defence spending March 9, 2015 Disgruntled Tory backbenchers are set to defy David Cameron over two controversial issues this week, intensifying pressure on a Prime Minister who faces growing criticism for refusing to accept invitations to TV leaders debates. Around 100 Conservative MPs will vote against the government’s proposals to force cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging on Wednesday. [...]
General Election 2015: Ed Balls to launch assault on Tory spending plans March 9, 2015 Labour will today launch an assault on the Conservative’s proposed spending cuts, accusing the party of wanting to cut government spending to a “share of national income last seen in the 1930s – a time before there was an NHS.” Shadow chancellor Ed Balls will deliver the attack in a central London speech. Labour’s charge [...]
General Election 2015: Lib Dems aim for UK economy to lead Europe March 9, 2015 Nick Clegg and Vince Cable will today lay out the Liberal Democrat’s ambition to make Britain Europe’s largest economy over the next 20 years, and explain how they want the country to get there. The deputy prime minister and business secretary will put forward a five point plan that they believe will help the British [...]
General Election TV debates: Ed Miliband ups David Cameron pressure with call for new law March 9, 2015 With lesss than two months until polling day, the row over television leader debates has taken a new turn. It has emerged that the broadcasters may have to give David Cameron his own television slots if he refuses to take part in debates, to comply with strict election rules. Miliband has formally agreed to take [...]
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 [...]