Boris Johnson claims reason for partygate fines ‘remains unclear’ March 21, 2023 Boris Johnson has claimed it “remains unclear” to him – and possibly to Rishi Sunak – why they were fined for breaching lockdown laws after the Met Police investigation into partygate. The former prime minister has released his defence dossier ahead of a marathon evidence session before the cross-party parliamentary privileges committee tomorrow. In the [...]
In the absence of fresh cash, it will be trade which drives further growth in the UK March 21, 2023 Jeremy Hunt's Budget almost ignored trade. But when cash is short, trade is the ultimate lever to unleash growth in our economy: that's why we must support companies to trade more, writes Chris Southworth
Explainer: The DUP won’t back Rishi’s Brexit deal – but does it matter? March 20, 2023 The DUP said today that it will vote against Rishi Sunak’s Windsor Framework Brexit plans. Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is concerned about the so-called ‘Stormont brake’, which allows the assembly to block new incoming rules from Brussels from applying in Northern Ireland. “Whilst representing real progress, the ‘brake’ does not deal with the fundamental [...]
Boris Johnson prepares for showdown with MPs over partygate fib claims as defence to be published March 20, 2023 Boris Johnson’s defence against claims he lied to Parliament over the partygate scandal could be published on Monday as he prepares for a showdown with MPs. The Privileges Committee is expected to publish the lengthy submission from Mr Johnson’s barrister Lord Pannick KC before the former prime minister gives evidence on Wednesday in a session [...]
Elgin Marbles: Leading historian says British Museum has “nothing to apologise for” March 20, 2023 A leading Oxford academic has slammed mooted plans to lend the Elgin Marbles to Greece ahead of a crunch meeting of the trustees of the British Museum this week. In a new report commissioned by Policy Exchange, art historian and Elgin Marbles expert Sir Noel Malcolm has confirmed the Museum is legally bound to preserve [...]
Brits now more concerned about state of UK economy than before budget, polling finds March 20, 2023 More than a third of Brits surveyed say the budget last week made them more concerned about the state of the UK’s economy. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled his spring statement in the House of Commons last week in light of rosier economic projections and within the government’s self-imposed fiscal rules. He focused on childcare reforms, [...]
Rishi Sunak’s cool head after the collapse of SVB was a political windfall March 20, 2023 Rishi Sunak’s handling of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank was what one actually wants in a government: swift, effective, unshowy competence, writes Eliot Wilson
Allies fear Boris Johnson walking into a partygate ‘witch hunt’ – with a comeback at risk March 19, 2023 Former prime minister Boris Johnson could face a “witch hunt” before MPs at a grilling over his involvement in the lockdown-busting partygate scandal, a key ally has warned. Lord Greenhalgh, who was a deputy mayor during Johnson’s tenure at City Hall, said he was “concerned it will be a witch hunt” and hoped he would [...]
‘They have not done anything’: Hunt slammed for failing to back solar energy in Budget March 19, 2023 The government should have prioritised boosting renewable energy such as solar power, argued the boss of a British energy supplier.
Not going anywhere: Former PM Boris Johnson re selected as Uxbridge Tory candidate March 17, 2023 Boris Johnson has been re-selected as the Conservative candidate in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency. It comes following speculation that the former prime minister might seek out a safer seat, ahead of the next general election. “I can confirm Boris Johnson has been reselected as the Conservative candidate in Uxbridge and South Ruislip,” a [...]