Archive for: Blog Posts

Today’s political headlines include May’s latest attempts to woo Labour, Javid clashes with May and Hammond on knife crime, Home Office ‘remains complacent’ despite Windrush and Corbyn’s office accused of intervening in antisemitism investigations. 

May announces workers’ rights pledge as Labour MP vows to vote for her deal
The BBC says that Theresa May is to promise MPs that they will get to vote on any change to workers’ rights after Brexit, allowing them to choose whether to adopt new protections introduced by the EU. However, the TUC has warned that the plans are ‘flimsy procedural tweaks’ and that ‘our hard-won rights are still under threat’. The Daily Mirror adds that Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey accused the Government of an ‘attempt to bribe workers to back their botched Brexit deal’, although Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick told the paper that he would now be backing the deal.

Javid clashes with May and Hammond over knife crime
The Daily Telegraph claims that Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, clashed with a ‘defensive’ Theresa May over knife crime at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in a ‘testy’ exchange. Javid argued in favour of extra resources and expanded stop and search powers, but Chancellor Philip Hammond said the police should ‘prioritise’ current, rather than historic, cases. Writing in the paper, Javid says that it is ‘vital we give the police the powers they need’.

MPs say Home Office remains complacent despite Windrush
The Guardian carries details of a new report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee which finds that the Home Office remains complacent about ‘systemic and cultural problems’ despite the Windrush scandal and is making ‘life-changing decisions based on incorrect data’. It accuses the department of doing ‘as little, rather than as much, as possible’ to help those affected by its actions.

Corbyn’s office accused of intervening in antisemitism investigations
The Daily Telegraph says it has been told by a ‘former Labour official’ that ‘senior allies’ of Jeremy Corbyn routinely intervened in antisemitism investigations, with a leaked email showing that senior aides Seumas Milne, Katie Murphy and Andrew Murray had been copied into one case. Labour dismissed the claims as ‘malicious lies from a disgruntled former employee’, adding that Corbyn’s office had been asked to help clear a backlog of cases.

Chief Whip warns MPs could force soft Brexit
According to The Sun, the Chief Whip Julian Smith has warned the Cabinet that if Theresa May’s Brexit deal is rejected next week, MPs may take back control from the Government and force the UK into a softer Brexit and a customs union with the EU, through an extension to Article 50 followed by an ‘indicative vote’.

Hatton attends event with shadow cabinet members days after suspension
The Times reveals that Derek Hatton, who was suspended from the Labour Party over antisemitism allegations just days after being readmitted, attended a fundraising event in Liverpool alongside three shadow cabinet members within a week of his suspension. He was pictured sharing a table with the Labour Mayor of Liverpool City Council, Joe Anderson.

Independent Group in talks to form political party
The Daily Mirror reports that the Independent Group has confirmed that it has held talks with the Electoral Commission about forming a political party, although it has not set a ‘specific timeframe’ for doing so. Group spokesperson Chukka Umunna confirmed that the group wished to field candidates in the next general election.

New plan to tackle potholes targets utility firms
The Times reports that the Department for Transport is to unveil new plans to tackle potholes. Under the new policy, utility firms will be forced to maintain roads for five years after they dig them up, rather than two years as at present. New standards will also compel them to use tougher asphalt which is less prone to potholes.

What does the workers’ rights pledge mean for you? Find out with Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include Acrimony in Cabinet over potential Brexit talks extension, May calls on Parliament to ‘do its duty’ and Government document warns of no-deal impact. 

‘Acrimony’ in Cabinet over potential Brexit talks extension
The Times claims that Theresa May’s decision to allow MPs to vote on extending negotiations for a ‘short, limited’ period if they reject her deal sparked ‘acrimony’ in yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. Liz Truss accused Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark, who have been pushing for such a move, of ‘kamikaze’ behaviour. The Guardian adds that Cabinet ministers including Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd told May that she should use an extension of the Brexit negotiations to ‘find a new coalition in Parliament’ and tackle the Conservative Party’s Brexiteer wing.

May calls on Parliament to ‘do its duty’
Theresa May has written in the Daily Mail that her ‘engagement’ with the EU over Brexit has ‘already begun to bear fruit’, calling on Parliament to vote for her deal and ‘do its duty so our country can move forward’, adding that she doesn’t want an Article 50 extension. David Davis also writes in the paper, claiming that fears about no-deal are ‘exaggerated’ and that while it might ‘be economically difficult, no Brexit would be a democratic disaster’.

Government document warns of no-deal Brexit impact
The Guardian reports that a new document published by the Government after being repeatedly demanded by Anna Soubry warns that a no-deal Brexit could make the British economy 6%-9% weaker, lead to Northern Irish businesses failing and increase food prices.

Probation contractors attacked over murders by offenders they supervised
In an exclusive, the Daily Mirror reveals that in the first four years since probation was privatised, criminals being monitored by contractors have killed 225 people, compared to 142 murders by higher-risk offenders being monitored by the state probation service. The figures were obtained by Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts who called for an end to privatisation. Harry Fletcher of the Victims Rights Campaign said the news was a ‘scandal’.

Allin-Khan tells MPs her father was left ‘bleeding and terrified’ in council care home
The Guardian reports that Labour’s Shadow Sport Minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan told the Commons during a debate yesterday that her father was left ‘bruised, bleeding and terrified’ in a Wandsworth Council care facility, with the council’s director of adult social services telling her that he ‘had asked for it’.

Williamson criticised after claiming Labour was ‘too apologetic’ for antisemitism
The BBC reports that Labour MP Chris Williamson has been criticised after video footage of him claiming that his party had been ‘too apologetic’ about antisemitism emerged, and it was revealed that he had booked a room in Parliament to screen a film about Jackie Walker, who was suspended from Labour over allegedly antisemitic comments.

Department for Transport criticised over rail failures
The Times carries details of a new report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee which warns that 2018’s ‘year of hell’ on the rail network could be repeated due to timetable changes and increasing engineering work, with the Department for Transport having failed to learn lessons, not having clear sight of the timetabling process and as a result ‘passengers and taxpayers risk continuing to pay the price for the department’s failures’.

Corbyn apologises for breaching Commons rules over foreign visit
The Daily Telegraph says that Jeremy Corbyn has ‘apologised unreservedly’ after he was found to have breached Commons rules by not declaring a trip to America with the CND. However, he’s been cleared of allegations that a further 16 trips broke the rules, including a trip to Tunisia where he participated in a controversial wreath-laying ceremony.

Political intelligence is available from Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include Corbyn to support second referendum if MPs reject Labour’s Brexit plan, May to offer MPs Brexit delay, ministers call on May to rule out no-deal Brexit and UK would pay divorce bill in no-deal scenario. 

Corbyn to support second referendum if MPs reject Labour’s Brexit plan
The Guardian says that Jeremy Corbyn has ‘finally’ given Labour’s backing to a second Brexit referendum, in which remain would be an option. The party has said it will back such a vote if its Brexit proposals are rejected this week, in a move designed to stem defections to the Independent Group but which will lead to opposition from MPs with leave-voting seats.

May to offer MPs Brexit delay
The Financial Times reports that Theresa May is to ‘offer MPs the chance to take a no-deal Brexit off the table’, making a statement in the Commons later today in which she will say that there could be a ‘short’ delay in Brexit. This morning’s Cabinet will be presented with a new plan, with a ‘meaningful vote’ on a revised Brexit deal on March 12, and if this is rejected there would be a further vote between a no-deal Brexit or a ‘short extension’.

Ministers call on May to rule out no-deal Brexit to prevent a ‘disaster’
The Daily Mail claims that Theresa May is ready to rule out a no-deal Brexit after 23 dissident ministers met in the Commons last night to discuss how to prevent such as scenario. Up to 15 are believed to be prepared to resign, with ministers Richard Harrington, Margot James and Clare Perry writing in the paper that, if Parliament doesn’t agree a deal by March 13, May must extend the negotiations, or they ‘will have no choice other than to join MPs of all parties and fellow ministers in acting in the national interest to prevent a disaster’.

UK would pay ‘divorce bill’ in no-deal Brexit scenario
The Daily Telegraph says that a Cabinet committee dealing with preparations for a no-deal Brexit has signed off plans to settle a large part of the £39bn Brexit settlement even if there is a no-deal Brexit, despite the expectation of Brexiteers that it would not be payable in such a scenario. The Treasury has advised that at least part of the settlement is legally unavoidable and failing to honour the UK’s commitments would risk the UK’s debt rating.

New poll shows Independent Group and Lib Dems combined would outpoll Labour
The Times carries details of a new YouGov poll which shows that the combined level of support of the Independent Group and the Liberal Democrats is now higher than that of Labour. Labour are on 23%, the Independent Group (TIG) on 18% and the Liberal Democrats on 6%. However, the Conservatives are on 36%. Without TIG the Conservatives are on 41%, Labour are on 30% and the Lib Dems on 10%.

Shuker to convene the Independent Group
The Guardian reports that the Independent Group has selected Gavin Shuker as its convenor, having decided to postpone selecting a leader until later this year, when it hopes to have become a political party. Specialist spokesperson roles may be announced earlier, while the group has rebuffed suggestions from the Lib Dems that they might work together.

Government to protect sensitive sectors with tariffs
According to the Financial Times, the Government has decided to protect ‘sensitive agricultural and manufacturing sectors’ after a no-deal Brexit by maintaining tariffs, while dropping tariffs on most other goods. As 30% of the food consumed in the UK comes from the EU, this will push up prices for consumers.

May faces rebellion over EU citizens’ rights
The Daily Telegraph claims that Theresa May is facing a ‘major rebellion’ after over 130 MPs, including 60 Conservatives, backed an amendment to her Brexit motion demanding a written guarantee on the right of EU citizens in the UK in a no-deal Brexit scenario. Backers include both Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and pro-EU MPs including Dominic Grieve.

These political headlines are put together by Vuelio Political Services.

Today’s political headlines include May delaying the meaningful vote on brexit until 12 March and considering a Brexit extension, EU officials exploring the delay of Brexit until 2021 and growing support for postponing Brexit. 

May delays Brexit ‘meaningful vote’ until 12 March
The Times reports that Theresa May has said that she will not put an amended Brexit agreement to the Commons this week, setting a new deadline of 12 March. The paper claims that this means that she will now spend the week ‘separately attempting’ to prevent Cabinet ministers from resigning ahead of Wednesday’s Brexit motion, with some calling on her to rule out a no-deal Brexit in a statement to the Commons.

May considers Brexit extension
The Daily Telegraph claims that Theresa May is considering plans to delay Brexit by up to two months. It is one of three scenarios drawn up by Downing Street in an attempt to stave off ministerial resignations this week and prevent a rebellion in support of amendments backing such an extension. The others include a meaningful vote on the deal, which she has ruled out, and a conditional vote on plans drawn up by the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox to time-limit the Irish backstop. May has resisted calls to sack Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark, who indicated at the weekend they could support attempts to delay Brexit.

EU officials explore delaying Brexit until 2021
The Guardian says that the EU’s ‘most senior officials’ are exploring plans which would significantly extend the Brexit negotiation period, delaying Brexit until 2021. This would allow the two sides to develop their future relationship and thus make the Irish backstop redundant. The EU does not want to offer a short extension and then find the issue being revisited in the summer, creating what one diplomat called a ‘rolling cliff-edge’.

Support for postponing Brexit grows
According to the Financial Times, support is growing for parliamentary amendments to extend Brexit talks. Yvette Cooper and Sir Oliver Letwin are proposing an amendment that would empower Parliament if there was no agreed deal by March 13, allowing it to request an extension, while the leaders of the Brexit Delivery Group of Tory MPs, Andrew Percy and Simon Hart are proposing to extend negotiations until the European elections in May.

May says she wants to deliver her ‘domestic agenda’
The Sun reports that Theresa May told reporters, when asked if she was planning to resign in the summer as some ministers have demanded, that ‘there is still a domestic agenda that I want to get on with’. She also denied accusations from Anna Soubry that she ‘had a problem with immigration’, adding that it ‘has overall been good for the UK.’

Ministers plan no-deal Brexit ‘hardship fund’
The Times has obtained a document from the cabinet committee responsible for no-deal Brexit preparations that shows ministers are planning a ‘hardship fund’ for those affected, will use ‘tax and benefits policy’ to offset price rises and will tackle food shortages.

Watson says Corbyn should lead efforts to tackle antisemitism
The Guardian reports that Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson used an interview with Andrew Marr to call on Jeremy Corbyn to lead efforts to tackle antisemitism in Labour, describing it as ‘a crisis for the soul of the Labour Party’. The paper has seen a dossier of complaints made by Labour MPs to Watson including details of members’ antisemitic tweets.

Field calls for Spring Statement benefits ‘rescue package’
The Daily Mirror says that Commons Work and Pensions Committee Chair Frank Field has called for the Chancellor to use the Spring Statement to deliver a ‘rescue package’ to low income families affected by benefit caps and freezes, which he said had a ‘devastating’ effect on the poorest families in the country.

Need meaningful political intelligence? Don’t delay, get Vuelio Political Services today.