Chuka Umunna blasts Ukip as anti-business after CBI speech March 17, 2015 Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna has branded Nigel Farage’s Ukip anti-business, due to its determination to take Britain out of the EU. He told City A.M.: “I do think Ukip is an anti-business party. There’s no doubt about that.” He was similarly critical of the coalition’s approach. “I think this government has compromised not only [...]
German politician Gesine Schwan supports war reparations for Greece March 17, 2015 A respected German politician has called on the country to pay war reparations to Greece, as well as repay an occupation loan to its central bank. “We should make a financial approach to victims and their families,” said Gesine Schwan, a member of the Social Democrats who are in coalition with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic [...]
David Cameron agrees to TV debate: PM accepts broadcasters’ offer of one seven-way contest March 17, 2015 David Cameron has agreed to the offer made by Britain's broadcasters for a single seven-way election debate that will be held on 2 April. The contest will be a first in British broadcasting history. The Tories originally wanted a single debate in the week staring 23 March. However, the PM came under a barrage of [...]
Nigel Farage: Those who can afford it should opt for private healthcare to relieve burden on the NHS March 17, 2015 Those who can afford to buy private healthcare should do so because they would help to relieve the burden on the NHS, according to Ukip leader Nigel Farage. Appearing on Tuesday's edition of the Daily Politics, Farage answered a host of questions on Ukip's policy platform, including healthcare. Farage emphasised that Ukip supported a National [...]
Lord Ashcroft marginals poll delivers bad news for Cameron’s General Election chances March 17, 2015 After two weeks of matching or overtaking Labour in the national polls, the Tories are hoping they will soon reach their much hoped for "crossover" moment, when they can consistently out poll Labour and build some momentum toward victory. But Tory peer Lord Ashcroft's latest round of polling from the marginal constituencies may dampen Tory [...]
Oxfam anti-tax dodging protesters shower Westminster with fake money in run-up to 2015 budget March 17, 2015 Protesters from Oxfam donned their George Osborne and Danny Alexander costumes and took to Westminster this morning, in a protest against tax dodging. Dressed as the chancellor and chief secretary to the Treasury, the protesters posed with mock ministerial red boxes inside a glass dome, with fake bank notes flying all over the place. According [...]
Budget 2015: Who’s winning the social media battle March 17, 2015 Tomorrow George Osborne will deliver the final Budget of this Parliament, but the PR war over the coalition government's last set-piece event is already under way. As with almost all Budgets, large chunks have already been trailed and leaked leaving observers wondering whether Osborne will stick to his promise of no more gimmicks or pull [...]
Jean-Claude Juncker rules out major EU reform to prevent Brexit March 17, 2015 EU Commission President Jean-Claude Junker hopes to keep what he calls "down to earth Britain" in the EU but has dashed any hopes of major treaty change. Juncker ruled out a major reform of the European treaties to satisfy British demands for reform. Speaking at a conference he insisted he was "in favour of a [...]
General Election 2015: Ed Miliband stops short of ruling out post-electoral deal with SNP March 16, 2015 Labour leader Ed Miliband has declined to rule out doing a deal with the Scottish National party (SNP) to secure the keys to Downing Street. However, he said there would be no formal coalition between the two parties. Speaking yesterday, Miliband said: “Labour will not go into coalition government with the SNP. There will be [...]
Where has Vladimir Putin been? The theories surrounding the Russian President’s disappearance March 16, 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin finally made a public appearance this morning, after an 11-day absence. Putin turned up to a scheduled meeting with Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev in St Petersburg – and even took him "for a little drive", according to Atambayev. But the rumour-mill was working in overdrive during Putin's disappearance/ Here are the [...]