Tory leadership contest can spark a much-needed debate on the future of tax May 31, 2019 Should the Conservatives slash taxes? Social media star Liz Truss certainly thinks so, arguing yesterday that "taxes hold back growth, and by cutting rates in a targeted way we can turbocharge economic growth and boost wages so the overall tax burden falls." Her leadership rival Dominic Raab has also made headlines this week by pledging [...]
The CBI had a chance to look beyond the Brexit debate, and they blew it May 31, 2019 The Tory leadership election resembles a family dinner that starts off friendly enough but which will, inevitably, descend into a wine-soaked argument. And that’s before we’ve even got into policy details. The front-runners are currently gung-ho about a no-deal Brexit but those that aren’t, notably Matt Hancock and Rory Stewart, are keen to talk up their [...]
UK consumer confidence holds up in May despite Brexit impasse May 31, 2019 Consumers were feeling more upbeat about the British economy in May than they were in April despite Brexit, a new survey has shown, although confidence was well below the longer-term average. Read more: Warm-weather pub trips boost tepid consumer spending growth in April Meanwhile, more people felt positive about their personal financial situation than during [...]
Interest rates would be hiked if Britain achieves orderly Brexit, says Bank of England May 30, 2019 Deputy governor of the Bank of England Dave Ramsden has said interest rates would need to be hiked if Britain leaves the European Union in an orderly manner with a transition deal. Read more: Hammond may topple new PM to prevent no-deal Brexit Ramsden, speaking in Inverness, Scotland, said although he expected growth to pick [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond vows to topple next Prime Minister to avert no-deal Brexit May 30, 2019 Chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted he could try to topple the next government if it meant averting a no-deal Brexit. Read more: Tory leadership race: Who are the leading candidates? Warning that “national interest trumps the party interest”, Hammond told Sky News he would back a no-confidence vote in the next Prime Minister to prevent [...]
Post-Maybot, the Tories are on the hunt for a likeable leader May 30, 2019 Every Tory leadership election has a flavour. In 2016, after childishly airing our dirty laundry to our European neighbours during the bitter referendum, a sheepish UK was looking for a “grown-up”. Six years of boyish David Cameron making rash decisions on behalf of the country had taken its toll on the Conservative party, and the [...]
DEBATE: Was it right for Labour to expel Alastair Campbell because he voted for the Liberal Democrats? May 30, 2019 Was it right for Labour to expel Alastair Campbell because he voted for the Liberal Democrats? James A. Smith, author of Other People’s Politics: Populism to Corbynism, says YES. In 2016, in an attempt to prevent Jeremy Corbyn from being re-elected, Labour party officials began invoking obscure rules about conduct deemed irreconcilable with party membership. [...]
We turn politics into a deposition at our peril May 30, 2019 Politics is not known as one of the more truthful professions. Spin, exaggeration, and truth-stretching are all staples of the politician’s toolkit. We might prefer it to be otherwise, but the reality is that an astute public must take claims uttered by those in office with a healthy dose of salt. It is therefore worrying [...]
No-deal Brexit factory shutdowns slash UK car production by 45 per cent May 30, 2019 An “extraordinary” widespread factory shutdown prompted by Brexit slashed car production almost in half last month. Read more: Car sales fall again as Brexit puts brakes on consumer confidence The number of vehicles made slumped by 45 per cent, according to fresh figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That meant only [...]
EU citizens settlement scheme could be the new Windrush scandal, warns MPs May 30, 2019 The Windrush scandal is set to be repeated with EU nationals applying to stay in the UK after Brexit, a group of MPs have warned. The Home Affairs select committee claims large numbers of citizens are at risk of losing their residency rights as they are not aware they need to apply to remain once the [...]