Tory MP Chris Pincher loses appeal against two-month suspension September 4, 2023 Former Tory whip Chris Pincher has lost his appeal against an eight-week suspension from the House of Commons following allegations he drunkenly groped two men last year. The incidents allegedly occurred at London’s exclusive Carlton Club in 2022. His suspension exceeds the 10-day threshold that would trigger a recall petition in his Tamworth seat, which [...]
What to expect from our MPs before the end of the year September 4, 2023 The long weeks of parliamentary recess for MPs have finally drawn to a close. Next year's election campaign has already begun.
MPs criticise government’s unclear China strategy amid James Cleverly visit August 29, 2023 MPs have criticised the government for having an unclear strategy around its relationship with China, amid a high-profile visit by the foreign secretary James Cleverly. A parliamentary committee cited “confusion” and “failure to explain policy” on China, following a government announcement of the ‘Indo-Pacific Tilt’ as part of the integrated defence review. The report by [...]
Rishi Sunak breached MPs’ code of conduct by not declaring wife Akshata Murty’s shares August 24, 2023 Rishi Sunak broke the MPs’ code of conduct by failing to correctly declare his wife’s shares in a childminding company, the Commons’ standards commissioner has said. Daniel Greenberg concluded the breach arose out of the prime minister’s “confusion” around the rules on declaration, and decided to close the inquiry without the need for further action. [...]
Supermarket fuel margins more than double since Ukraine war July 22, 2023 Supermarkets have more than doubled their margins on fuel since the start of the war in Ukraine, new analysis suggests. The RAC said Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s were making an average of around 4.7p per litre on fuel sales when the Russian invasion began in February 2022. The motoring services company found this had [...]
Johnny Mercer will ‘soon be history’, says Keir Starmer July 22, 2023 Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Johnny Mercer a “silly sod” who will “soon be history”, after he compared Labour’s new 25-year-old MP to a character from comedy series The Inbetweeners. The minister for Veterans’ Affairs said Keir Mather had been “dropped into” the Selby and Ainsty constituency in North Yorkshire and “spouted identikit Keir Starmer [...]
You win some, ULEZ some: A mixed bag of by-election results but what does it all mean? July 21, 2023 Well, it was quite a night. Three by-elections, three very different constituencies, and – at face value at least – something for everyone. If you’re catching up now, the headlines are: Rishi Sunak dodges a triple defeat, as the Tory Party held onto Uxbridge, while Labour won big in Selby and the Lib Dems took [...]
Double loss for Tories in Selby and Somerton as Sunak gets kicking July 21, 2023 Rishi Sunak has suffered a double defeat, losing Selby and Ainsty to Labour in a historic victory as the Liberal Democrats took Somerton and Froome. The Conservatives held on the west London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip – by fewer than 500 votes – but former prime minister Boris Johnson’s 7,210 majority was decimated. [...]
Uxbridge by-election: Tories hold Boris Johnson’s old seat as Labour blame Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion July 21, 2023 The Conservatives have held onto Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip as Labour blame Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion policy for the loss. Tory councillor and former postman Steve Tuckwell won the west London constituency with 13,965 votes – beating Labour’s Danny Beales, on 13,470. Sir Keir Starmer’s party had hoped to overturn [...]
Coutts treatment of Farage ‘ought to jeopardise’ Natwest’s bank licence, senior Tory says July 19, 2023 Top Tory MPs have piled pressure on Coutts and its owner Natwest after the private bank reportedly closed Nigel Farage’s account because his views do “not align with our values”. Former Brexit secretary David Davis said the decision amounted to “thinly veiled political discrimination” and called it a “vindictive, irresponsible and undemocratic action”. Speaking during [...]