Tessa Jowell plans to run for London Mayor in 2016 as Labour candidate in fight to succeed Boris Johnson November 22, 2014 Veteran Labour MP and former cabinet minister Tessa Jowell has thrown her hat in the ring for the race to succeed Boris Johnson as London Mayor in 2016. The former culture secretary told the BBC she is "certainly planning to run" for mayor. However, she added that now "isn't time for a formal declaration". Jowell [...]
Mark Reckless splits with Nigel Farage on Ukip immigration policy after Rochester by-election win November 22, 2014 Barely 24 hours after being sworn in as Ukip's second elected MP Marke Reckless is as already criticising his party leader Nigel Farage. Speaking to the Times, Reckless said Ukip's immigration policy "changed on Wednesday, and I'm a bit sore about how I came out of that". Speaking on Tuesday at a hustings event during [...]
ECB kicks off its asset-back securities purchase programme November 21, 2014 The European Central Bank (ECB) has kicked off its programme to buy asset-backed securities in an effort to stimulate the region's flagging economy. ECB chief Mario Draghi confirmed in September that the bank would start buying asset-backed securities in a programme slated to last "at least" two years. Because of the ECB's collateral rules, the [...]
Mario Draghi delivers dovish speech as inflation becomes ‘increasingly challenging’ November 21, 2014 European Central Bank (ECB) boss Mario Draghi has said the Bank will "do what we must to raise inflation and inflation expectations as fast as possible" across the eurozone, hinting a new round of monetary stimulus is on its way. At a conference in Frankfurt, Draghi suggested that if current policies fail to work, then the [...]
The politicians brought down by Twitter: Emily Thornberry’s Rochester nightmare, Diane Abbott’s divide and rule and Miliband’s Bob Holness disaster November 21, 2014 After a storm on Twitter which was then picked up by the mainstream press, Islington MP Emily Thornberry resigned from the shadow cabinet last night. While pounding the pavements of Rochester and Strood, the Labour MP tweeted a picture of a white van parked in the driveway of a house displaying several England flags with the [...]
George Osborne calls off challenge to EU bankers’ bonus cap November 20, 2014 The UK government has withdrawn its legal challenge to the EU bankers’ bonus cap, George Osborne admitted today. The chancellor admitted the challenge was “unlikely to succeed” after an advisor to the European Court of Justice rejected the UK government’s argument. The EU legislation limits bonuses to 100 per cent of a banker’s [...]
The European Court of Justice has dealt a blow to George Osborne’s banker bonus cap challenge November 20, 2014 The European court should reject George Osborne's challenge to the EU's cap on banker bonuses, according to one of its senior advisors. Niilo Jääskinen, an advocate general at the European Court of Justice's (ECJ), has said that all the UK’s pleas should be dismissed and that the action should be scrapped. He said that the [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell leads cheers for Harvey Soning’s big night at Claridge’s November 19, 2014 Veteran property legend Harvey Soning, chairman of James Andrew International, stood at the entrance of Claridge’s Ballroom last night, shaking the hands of some of the biggest names in the property world who flocked to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his firm (and his belated 70th birthday). Sir Martin Sorrell (absent from WPP-owned Finsbury’s bash) [...]
Ukip? SNP? WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell warns Conservatives could find any new coalition partner “more difficult” November 19, 2014 WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has warned of “clouds on the horizon” for the Conservatives, even if they win the 2015 election, noting that a coalition with untested parties such as Ukip and the SNP is likely. Sorrell – who gave the keynote speech at the City A.M. Awards last week – tipped the [...]
Captain Euro teaches David Cameron the virtues of a federal Europe November 18, 2014 The EU hasn't got a great track record PR wins, having to withdraw a £106,000 promotional video that was widely seen as racist back in 2012. But on the softer side of EU promotion is the delightful Captain Euro, a cartoon character who runs the twelve-star organisation that defends "the security of Europe and uphold [...]