If you were chancellor, what would be in your Budget? November 6, 2019 Today was scheduled to be the first Budget of Boris Johnson’s premiership. The chancellor announced the Budget last month, saying: “This is the right and responsible thing to do – we must get on with governing.” Unfortunately, to misquote a phrase, the best-laid plans of chancellors and Prime Ministers often go awry. The Budget has [...]
Why London could hold the key to December’s Brexit election November 5, 2019 Cat Neilan explores the state of play in the capital ahead of the 12 December – and identifies eight battleground seats While some have identified “Workington Man” as the decisive demographic in this election, the capital is home to a number of significant marginal seats which could play a central role in deciding who claims [...]
Philip Hammond to step down as MP at December election November 5, 2019 Philip Hammond will quit politics at the upcoming general election rather than run against his party, the former Treasury boss confirmed today. Hammond, who has railed against Boris Johnson’s Brexit strategy from the backbenches since leaving his post as chancellor, said he has made the decision with “great sadness”. Read more: These are all the [...]
General election 2019: Most Brits are confused by Labour’s Brexit stance November 5, 2019 Two-thirds of British voters are confused about Labour’s Brexit policy, according to polling data released today in the run up to the December general election. Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party has ruled out a no-deal Brexit and committed to “get[ting] Brexit sorted within six months”. But the strategy is not working for voters, a Yougov survey [...]
General election 2019: Pro-Remain Londoners turn back on Corbyn’s Labour – poll November 5, 2019 Labour’s lead in London has halved since the 2017 General Election as Remainers reject Jeremy Corbyn’s ambivalent approach to Brexit, a new poll suggests. The study, by Queen Mary University of London’s Mile End Institute, suggests half a dozen key Labour seats in the capital could be at risk when the country goes to the [...]
‘Stagnation at best’: UK’s giant services sector flatlines as Brexit uncertainty continues November 5, 2019 The UK’s enormous services sector flatlined in October as Brexit uncertainty dented demand, signalling a weak start to the third quarter for the UK economy. Read more: ‘Distressing decline’: UK construction sector contracts again in October The services purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which measures the performance of the sector, came in at 50 last month, [...]
Sir Lindsay Hoyle elected as speaker – but who is he? November 5, 2019 Sir Lindsay Hoyle was last night elected as the 158th speaker of the House of Commons – but who is the man who has taken on one of the most important roles in parliament? Who is Hoyle? Hoyle has been a Labour MP, representing Chorley, in Lancashire, since 1997. He has been the main deputy [...]
General election poll: Conservatives lead Labour by seven points November 5, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party has a seven-percentage point lead over the Labour Party, according to an ICM poll. The poll put the Conservatives on 38 per cent and Labour on 31 per cent. The Liberal Democrats were supported by 15 per cent of those polled, while the Brexit party was backed by nine [...]
Corbyn takes Brexit policy to Essex as PM demands answers on Labour’s second referendum November 5, 2019 Jeremy Corbyn is heading to one of the most pro-Leave parts of the country as he attempts to take on the Conservatives over Brexit. The Labour leader will today tell voters in Harlow, Essex that he will “get Brexit sorted within six months” through a second referendum with the choice of either remaining in the [...]
This parliament has taught us the strength of our democracy November 5, 2019 The 57th parliament of the United Kingdom officially comes to an end tomorrow. It has seen off a Prime Minister, survived a prorogation that wasn’t, and failed to deliver Brexit. Decried by the attorney general as a “zombie parliament”, it has gone to the country in search of new brains. It will have a curious [...]