Political Headlines – Brexit, Boris, and antisemitism in the Labour party

Today’s Political Headlines includes the latest Brexit voting drama, BoJo breaking the rules, Labour accused of antisemitism and Labour rejecting May’s Brexit plans.  

Government wins customs union vote
The Daily Telegraph claims that the Government used ‘desperate measures’ to defeat an amendment on the customs union last night. Potential rebels were warned that a Government defeat would lead to a motion of no confidence in Theresa May and the Government offered to table an amendment on a ‘customs arrangement’ in the Lords. The Government won by six votes, aided by Labour Brexiteers. Lib Dem MP Jo Swinson, who has recently given birth, complained that the Government broke an agreement under which she should have been ‘paired’ with Brandon Lewis. The Government did, however, lose a vote on the UK’s continued membership of the European Medicines Agency.

Johnson breaks rules on ex-ministers’ employment
According to the Daily Mail, Boris Johnson has broken rules which prevent former cabinet ministers from taking up new jobs for three months after leaving their post. The former Foreign Secretary also failed to seek clearance from Acoba, the appointments watchdog, before resuming his old role as a columnist for The Daily Telegraph.

Hodge attacks Corbyn over antisemitism decision
The Guardian says that Margaret Hodge called Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn an ‘antisemitic racist’ after the party’s National Executive Committee refused to abandon its new code of conduct on antisemitism. The decision has also been criticised by the Jewish Labour Movement, MPs including Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband and deputy leader Tom Watson, and Momentum founder Jon Lansman. A new consultation on the code will be opened.

Labour rejects May’s Brexit plans
Writing in the Daily Mirror, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, says that his party does not support Theresa May’s proposed deal with the EU, describing it as ‘fatally flawed’. Instead, he claims that Labour would deliver ‘a deal that works for Britain’, protecting ‘jobs, the economy and the union of our United Kingdom.’

Paisley faces ten day ban from Commons after breaching lobbying rules
The Sun reveals that DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr is facing a ten day suspension from the Commons after he broke rules on lobbying by going on a trip paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013 and later signing a letter in support of the country, without mentioning his visit. An announcement is due to be made today and, if confirmed, the suspension would be the longest to be imposed since 2008.

Andrew Griffiths was appointed as a minister despite being under investigation
In an exclusive, The Guardian claims that Andrew Griffiths, who resigned after sending explicit text messages to constituents, was made minister for small business despite already being under investigation after allegations of inappropriate touching and bullying were made against him.

Skills minister would advise children to ‘leave it a year’ before taking new qualification
The Times reports that Skills Minister Anne Milton told the Commons Education Committee that she would advise her children to ‘leave it a year’ before taking the new T-level qualification. In May, Damian Hinds, the Education Secretary, overrode a warning from his permanent secretary that the scheme would not be ready to launch in 2020.

Cladding ban insufficient, MPs say
The BBC carries details of a new report by the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee that warns that a proposed Government ban on using combustible material in new high-rise buildings is not enough. The committee is calling for the ban to be extended to existing buildings and those under construction.

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