Tories urge Waitrose to re-hire worker who tackled shoplifter – and give him a bonus Retail Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has urged the boss of Waitrose to re-hire Walker Smith, who tackled a shoplifter in south London attempting to steal luxury Easter eggs. Waitrose shop assistant Walker Smith was sacked by the supermarket after tackling a shoplifter, whom Smith recognised as a repeat offender. Philp wrote to Denyard, the managing [...]
The UK is in a ‘toxic relationship’ with the government says Badenoch Politics Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed the UK is in a “toxic relationship” with big government, which is stagnating economic growth and holding people and businesses back. In an op-ed in The Times, Badenoch said the relationship is making people “miserable” while proving to some that “Britain is broken”. She wrote: “This isn’t a broken [...]
Tories would welcome Claire Williams to party after former F1 owner’s comments Sport Business The Tories would welcome former Formula 1 team owner Claire Williams into their ranks after she expressed an interest in a political career. Williams, who once ran the eponymous Formula 1 team, which she sold for $150m in 2020, told City AM that she would be interested in going into politics once her child had [...]
Mel Stride vows ‘Big Bang’ as he targets careful City March 6, 2026 Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is set to promise a new “Big Bang” on City regulation in a speech at a Conservative conference this weekend harking back to Margaret Thatcher’s financial reforms. Stride is set to decry the lack of risk-taking across the UK economy and suggest regulation has been a “vast yoke” on businesses. [...]
Nadhim Zahawi joins equity group piling £1bn into Mayfair hotels February 23, 2026 Former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has joined the board of an investment firm piling £1.1bn into two luxury Mayfair hotels. Evolution Investment Fund, based in the British Virgin Islands, has acquired a long leasehold interest in the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square and a luxury hotel development site in New Bond Street. The fund, [...]
The Debate: Can you date across the divide? February 11, 2026 Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we ask the big question: can a Tory really love a leftie? Read the case for and against in this week's Debate.
Why the Tory Party tried to persuade Karren Brady to run for London mayor February 10, 2026 The Tories need a political heavyweight to come forward and run for mayor. We once tried but to no avail, writes Giles Kenningham
Tories issue challenge against Trump’s ‘mistake’ on trade February 2, 2026 The Conservatives have issued a direct challenge to President Trump on the benefits of free trade as shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said tariffs risked undermining transatlantic relations. In a speech at a conference hosted by British-American Business, Stride argued that free trade was “worth defending” as he took aim at President Trump’s protectionist policies. He [...]
Jenrick’s defection was “a mistake”, senior Tory claims February 1, 2026 A member of the shadow cabinet has said Robert Jenrick’s defection from the Conservatives to Reform UK was “a mistake”, fuelled by “frustrated personal ambition”. Shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, said Jenrick’s decision to join Nigel Farage’s party came from his upset about not being named party leader. Speaking to Sky News’s Trevor Phillips, he [...]
Hakluyt taps Lord Sedwill and Economist’s Lara Boro for board roles January 28, 2026 Lord Mark Sedwill and the Economist Group’s chief executive officer have joined the board of strategic advisory firm Hakluyt. Lord Sedwill, the former cabinet secretary and head of the Home Civil Service under both Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson, also served as a national security adviser. The company describes him as “one of [...]