Political Headlines – Tories plot to oust May and cross-party Brexit talks resume

Today’s political headlines includes May being told leadership rules will be changed, cross-party Brexit talks resume, Hancock promises to end NHS NDAs and Grenfell Tower survivors’ group criticises Government. 

May to be told that leadership rules will be changed to allow her to be ousted in June
The Daily Telegraph claims Sir Graham Brady, the Chair of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs is to warn the Prime Minister that the party is preparing to alter its rules to make it easier to oust leaders. A meeting of the committee today is expected to agree a cut to the period between votes of no confidence to six months, allowing a new vote to be held on June 12, with a threshold of 30% of MPs needed to call one. Separately, Brexiteer Cabinet ministers are tell May to hold a vote on her deal for a fourth time.

Cross-party talks resume as May takes second look at Malthouse compromise
The Guardian reports that cross-party Brexit talks are to resume, but the chances of a resolution are ‘limited’. The Government’s team will include David Lidington and Steve Barclay, while Labour will send Rebecca Long-Bailey and Keir Starmer. So far, Labour has not been given a revised offer or agenda. The Sun says that Theresa May has asked civil servants to take a second look at the so-called Malthouse compromise plan, with senior Brexiteers led by Iain Duncan Smith lobbying her to adopt it as her policy.

Hancock promises to end NHS NDAs
The Guardian says that Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has promised to stop the NHS from using non-disclosure agreements to gag whistleblowers, saying that more people should be able to ‘put their head above the parapet’, with a ‘safe, open culture’ that doesn’t require people to ‘choose between the job they love and speaking the truth to keep patients safe’.

Grenfell Tower survivors’ group criticises Government
The Times says that the Grenfell Tower survivors’ group has criticised the Government for the first time. It accuses ministers of being ‘indifferent and incompetent’ and that, despite meeting with them for nearly two years, of having taken little action. Grenfell United is now planning a national campaign for ‘safe homes and tenants to be treated with respect’.

Crosby linked to wider hard Brexit campaign
The Guardian reveals a network of pro-Brexit Facebook campaigns overseen by CTF Partners (Sir Lynton Crosby’s firm) formed part of a wider campaign to undermine Theresa May. As well as running the controversial adverts, the company’s employees have been advising key members of the European Research Group, including on the ‘chuck Chequers’ campaign and the attempt to oust May as leader. It continues to be unclear how the work has been funded.

NHS concerned about new immigration policy, leaked minutes show
The Daily Telegraph has obtained the minutes of meetings between NHS and civil service officials which show that the NHS is concerned that the Government’s new immigration policy would be the ‘most destructive policy proposal for NHS recruitment’. The proposed £30,000 salary threshold would put at risk efforts to recruit the 50,000 nurses the service requires and would be ‘awful for social care’.

Brexit Party and Change UK to announce European election candidates
The Sun says Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party and Change UK are to unveil European election candidates today. Farage is set to reveal five new names, including former Communist and BBC pundit Claire Fox, while Change UK’s candidates are understood to include former politicians from the three main parties as well as doctors, nurses and teachers.

Morgan criticises Cash over appeasement comments
The Times says that Nicky Morgan and Alistair Burt have criticised Brexiteer Bill Cash for suggesting that Theresa May was guilty of appeasing the EU. Morgan said that there was a link between comments like his and threats received by MPs, adding that it was not the language ‘any normal people would use’.

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