Devolution bill: George Osborne gives English cities the option to break away from London May 14, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne is giving English cities the chance to become more independent from London under a new devolution bill. During a speech in Manchester, his first since the Conservatives' victory at the General Election, he said things should no longer be run just from the capital, and that this “old model” had unbalanced the [...]
Ukip crisis: Party’s biggest donor Stuart Wheeler wants Nigel Farage to resign as aide Matthew Richardson offers his resignation May 14, 2015 Ukip has been sent spiraling into crisis after the party's campaign chief attacked leader Nigel Farage, calling him "snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive". Now Ukip's biggest donor Stuart Wheeler, a millionaire who gave the party £500,000, has called for Farage to resign – again – telling the BBC "If he wants to put himself up in an election [...]
Thousands want Manchester, Sheffield and the north to become part of “New Scotland” May 14, 2015 Thousands of northerners want to break away from the UK, even as chancellor George Osborne announces new devolved powers to cities across the country. More than 12,000 people have signed a petition calling for the north to secede from the UK and join Scotland, creating a "New Scotland" that includes Manchester, Sheffield and some of the country's [...]
George Osborne is offering greater devolved powers to English cities if they agree to have their own directly elected mayor May 14, 2015 More large English cities could soon have their own directly elected mayor like Boris Johnson under new plans to be unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne later today. Osborne wants to offer English cities greater devolved powers over housing, transport, planning and policing as long as they agree to be governed by a directly elected mayor. Greater Manchester will [...]
Barratt Developments boss Mark Clare warns Tories over housing May 13, 2015 The boss of Britain’s biggest housebuilder has called on the new Tory government to accelerate its sell-off of public sector land in order to help solve the country’s housing crisis. Mark Clare, the chief of Barratt Developments, said the election outcome ushered in a “positive political and economic environment” for housing, with the Conservatives [...]
Who will the next Labour leader be? Six things you should know about new hopeful Andy Burnham May 13, 2015 Shadow health secretary Andy Burnahm is the latest MP to join the race for Labour leadership. The party had a dismal time at the General Election, winning just 232 seats and leaving the Conservatives with an overall majority. Ed Miliband resigned as leader the very next day, and various members of the party have [...]
When will there be a new Labour leader? Miliband replacement due to be revealed in September May 13, 2015 The race is on to find the next Labour party leader, but we'll have to wait four months to find out the result. The ruling National Executive Committee has confirmed that those wishing to compete have until 15 June to gain the support of 34 colleagues, or 15 per cent of the party's MPs, and [...]
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, [...]