Boris Johnson bookies’ favourite for next Tory leader as party members poll names him front-runner March 24, 2015 David Cameron's off the cuff remark that he will not serve a third term in number 10 has sparked a flurry of speculation as to who will be the next Tory leader. The speculation has been focused and intensified around three candidates at the top of the Conservative hierarchy – not least because they were [...]
Tesco share price edges down as investors prepare new legal claim over profits mis-statement March 24, 2015 Tesco's share price fell 0.5 per cent this morning as it emerged a group of investors were preparing a legal challenge for compensation over its profits mis-statement. The shareholders have hired a litigation specialist to seek compensation following a fall in the company's share price after management revealed a £250m black hole in its profits, [...]
David Cameron should serve full second term if re-elected, say voters March 24, 2015 David Cameron dropped a bombshell of distraction yesterday by declaring that he would not serve a third term as Prime Minister. In an interview with the BBC's James Landale the PM said: I feel I’ve got more to bring to this job, I think the job is half done. The economy’s turned round. The deficits [...]
Ukip’s economic policies fail the credibility test March 23, 2015 When Ukip released a list of 100 of its policies in January, the words “debt” and “deficit” were not mentioned once. In fact, the only time it mentioned the word “budget” was with respect to its intention to cut foreign aid spending. Of course, as today’s speeches by Nigel Farage and Patrick O’Flynn made very [...]
Ukip economic policy: Patrick O’Flynn takes aim at “onesie state” and promises tax cuts March 23, 2015 Ukip's economic spokesman Patrick O'Flynn has unveiled the economic policies the party will carry into the General Election. The headline pledges included upping defence spending by £3bn per year, hitting the Nato target of two per cent of GDP being spent on the military. "It is astonishing to think that UKIP goes into this election [...]
Jim Murphy fails to halt SNP momentum as Labour faces Scottish meltdown March 23, 2015 The stream of bad news for Labour's electoral chances in Scotland just keeps on coming. This morning it's provided courtesy of an ICM poll for The Guardian, showing Labour on course to shed 29 of its 41 seats north of the border. Jim Murphy, Labour's leader in Scotland, gained respect across the political spectrum for his [...]
FirstGroup share price edges up after securing Great Western rail franchise March 23, 2015 FirstGroup's share price edged up this morning after it announced a deal with the Department of Transport (DfT) to operate the First Great Western rail franchise all the way through to 1 April 2019. The deal could be extended by a year at the DfT's discretion. After losing a series of bids for rail franchises [...]
Brexit could cost UK 2.2 per cent of GDP without radical free market reform and liberal immigration policy March 23, 2015 Britain's economy could take a hit of up to 2.2 per cent of GDP – or £56bn – by 2030 if it leaves the EU, according to a new report from think tank Open Europe. The report argues that in the worst case scenario, the negative effects of Brexit would not wholly be offset by [...]
Quindell March 22, 2015 The numbers Quindell has reported Here's why it's interesting Quindell recently issued close to 850,000 shares as it moved to takeover Navseeker, after a legal dispute with the company. In early March, the troubled insurance outsourcer settled a US litigation in which it was claimed that Quindell and others had “misappropriated the entire value of [...]
Deal reached on TV election debates as broadcasters release dates and format March 21, 2015 Britain's broadcasters have finally reached a deal with the political parties on General Election TV debates. After what seemed like a never-ending series of concessions and argument the number of debates and their format has been agreed. One seven-way election debate that will be held on 2 April, hosted by ITV and moderated by Julie [...]
