Philip Hammond: Government is blocking Brexit to ‘create a narrative’ October 29, 2019 Philip Hammond has claimed the government is blocking Brexit in order to “create a narrative” about an obstructive parliament. The former chancellor, who was sacked last month after going against Boris Johnson on a vote which effectively blocked a no deal, was scathing of the Prime Minister’s tactics. He told the BBC’s Today programme: “It [...]
Grenfell report: Fire service’s ‘serious shortcomings’ contributed to deaths October 29, 2019 Systemic failures within the London Fire Brigade (LFB) contributed to more deaths in the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy, a report published this week will say. Although firefighters have been praised for courage, the report by inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick has slammed the LFB for “serious shortcomings” in how it approached the blaze in which [...]
PM Boris Johnson goes fourth – with pre-Brexit date sewn into election October 28, 2019 The Prime Minister will today seek an election for the fourth time in two months – this time with a pre-Brexit date sewn in. Yesterday the EU finally granted a three-month extension to the Brexit process, pushing back the deadline until 31 January, or earlier if a deal is signed off by parliament in time. [...]
Labour to abstain on third election vote as govt poised to back SNP/Lib Dem route October 28, 2019 Labour is expected to abstain on tonight’s vote – the third time the government will have sought an election since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister. Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly said he will seek an election once a no deal Brexit is “off the table”. However it is thought Labour MPs are concerned about current polling, [...]
Labour MP Keith Vaz ‘should be suspended’ for six months after drugs and sex scandal October 28, 2019 Labour MP Keith Vaz is set to be suspended for six months after he was caught paying for sex while the chair of the Home Affairs select committee. The ban, for causing “significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons”, would trigger a recall petition, which could lead to a by-election. [...]
EU grants full Brexit extension until 31 January 2020 October 28, 2019 The EU has granted a three month extension to the Brexit process, paving the way for a general election this side of Christmas. This morning European Council president Donald Tusk tweeted that the EU27 member states would “accept the UK’s request” for Article 50 to be delayed until 31 January. That means Prime Minister Boris [...]
Rory Stewart: The mayoral candidate in need of a London story October 28, 2019 It might feel like a lifetime ago, but turn the clock back to the summer and for a brief moment it felt as if the Conservative party could be about to anoint Rory Stewart as Prime Minister. The dark horse candidate, who stood on a ticket of soft Brexit – code for being “anyone but [...]
Boris Johnson launches bid for Christmas election October 24, 2019 The Prime Minister’s pledge to take the UK out of the EU before Halloween “come what may” was left in tatters last night, after MPs blocked a key vote to fast-track his Brexit legislation. MPs voted in support of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), notably 52-48 per cent in favour, but refused to back the [...]
PM Boris Johnson to ask Parliament for December 12 election October 24, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to call for an election to take place on 12 December. Johnson, who has already sought to go to the polls twice, is expected to bring forward a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act this afternoon, as the Queen’s Speech is concluded. If Johnson attempts the FTPA route, there [...]
McDonnell: We want to scrutinise Brexit bill – but winter coat is ready for snap election October 24, 2019 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said his “preference” would be for the Brexit bill to return to the House of Commons for full scrutiny – but said he is “always ready” for a snap election. Speaking after his intervention on the Queen’s Speech, the Hayes and Harlington MP said he had “ordered my winter coat” [...]
