Archive for: Political Database

Today’s political headlines include May appealing to EU to help her deal pass, Zaghari-Ratcliffe granted diplomatic protection, Bradley accepts there are ‘no excuses’ for her comments and Conservatives scared they could lose 1,000 councillors in local elections. 

May appeals to EU to help her deal pass
The BBC reports that the Prime Minister will ask the EU to agree to legally binding changes to the backstop in order for her deal to pass through the House of Commons. She will tell EU negotiators that they will have a deciding role on whether the deal can pass next Wednesday. The EU has maintained the view that it is for the UK to come up with solutions to break the current deadlock.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe granted diplomatic protection
The Guardian reports on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe being granted diplomatic protection thus raising her case to the level of dispute between the UK and Iran, if she suffers any injury it will be seen as an injury to the UK. This comes after Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said her human rights were not being met after the denial of better medical treatment. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Iran on charges of spying. Hunt said the decision was not one he took lightly and it is down to the lack of progress in the talks.

Bradley accepts there are ‘no excuses’ for her comments
Sky News reports on Northern Ireland Secretary, Karen Bradley, accepting there are ‘no excuses’ for the comments she made about killings by the police and military during the Troubles not being crimes. Bradley has been under pressure to resign for her comments and has had to clarify she is not referring to any case. Prosecutors will next week announce whether soldiers will face trial for the Bloody Sunday killings amplifying the impact of the remarks. Bradley apologised for the remarks and any offence he caused.

Conservatives scared they could lose 1,000 councillors in local elections
The Sun has an exclusive that reveals that senior figures in the Conservative Party are worried they could lose 1,000 councillors in the upcoming local elections. If this scenario does play out it is expected that critics of the Prime Minister will begin demanding she step aside. However those close to May in the Cabinet are asking her to reshuffle her top team after the elections and bring in some fresh faces.

IDS criticises Khan for handling of violent crime in London
The Express reports on remarks made by Iain Duncan Smith on the Mayor of London’s handling of violent crime in London, IDS said that Khan is playing political games and not taking responsibility for what is going on. Khan has defended himself from any criticism by saying that the Metropolitan Police have lost vast amounts of funding in the last few years and this is having a direct impact. In his remarks IDS spoke of the effectiveness of stop and search in stopping knife crime.

Bercow blocks release of bullying inquiry emails
The Huffington Post reports on John Bercow using a veto to block the release of his correspondence with officials concerning bullying in Parliament. The post has been trying to get hold of the correspondence as it is rumoured that Bercow and senior staff are seen as part of the problem in them. Bercow has been criticised for this move saying that it is preventing public discussion of the issues and is harming the confidence people will have in Parliament.

Conservative Leadership candidates posturing themselves
The Financial Times looks at the possible candidates to replace Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party. They indicate that those who fancy the position for themselves are beginning to put themselves in the best possible position. The FT picks out Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Dominic Raab, James Cleverly, Penny Mordaunt and Matt Hancock as those making moves. The report looks at the different direction each possible candidate would look to take the party in and who they would appeal to.

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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 the new fund for deprived communities facing bribe allegations, UKIP’s shift to the far-right, Cox abandons attempt to secure backstop changes and Chancellor to announce ‘windfall’ in Spring Statement. 

New fund for deprived communities faces Brexit deal bribe allegations
The Times says that a new £1.6bn fund for ‘struggling communities’ announced by the Government is being seen as an attempt to secure Labour MPs’ support of Theresa May’s Brexit deal. The Stronger Towns Fund, which will be spent over four years, faces criticism both from Labour MPs, who believe that it does not go far enough, and Conservative MPs, with Sheryll Murray suggesting that it was ‘pork-barrel politics’ targeted at Labour areas and disadvantaging ‘Conservative-voting communities’.

Investigation reveals UKIP’s shift to ‘far-right’
The Guardian leads with an investigation into UKIP, which finds that a membership surge has led the party to move to the far-right, with moderates replaced by those ‘attracted by an anti-Islam agenda based on street protest’. Membership has increased by 50% in the last year, but many senior figures and organisers have left, hampering the party’s election-fighting capabilities.

Cox abandons attempt to secure backstop time-limit or unilateral exit
The Daily Telegraph says it has been told that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox has abandoned his attempts to secure either an unilateral exit from or a time-limit on the Irish backstop, and is instead seeking an arbitration mechanism outside the European Court of Justice. This falls short of the demands of Brexiteers such as Bill Cash and Steve Baker, leading ministers to conclude that Theresa May will lose the next vote on her deal.

Chancellor to announce ‘windfall’ in Spring Statement
The Financial Times claims that Chancellor Philip Hammond is set to announce a ‘multibillion-pound windfall’ due to higher tax receipts in the Spring Statement next week, and that this could be spent on public services if a no-deal Brexit does not occur. There will be no new tax or spending announcements in the statement – instead the money would be made available to this year’s spending review.

Miller criticises NDA reforms
The Daily Telegraph reports that Maria Miller, Chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, has said that Government plans to clarify the use of non-disclosure agreements do not go far enough if they ‘simply reiterate the existing law’. Consultation on the proposals opens today, but doesn’t cover sexual harassment at work as this is a civil offence.

Inquiry into politicians and child sexual abuse opens
The Guardian reports a three-week long inquiry into allegations of child sexual abuse involving politicians and officials begins today, including ‘potentially explosive’ claims about the whips’ offices withholding details of criminal offences. The Times adds that former MI5 Director-General Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller is to be questioned about the suppression of allegations relating to Sir Peter Morrison, once an aide to Margaret Thatcher.

Ministers to consult on junk food advert ‘watershed’
The Daily Telegraph says that ministers have approved the launch of a consultation on banning junk food adverts before 9pm in a bid to prevent children from being exposed to advertising for unhealthy foods. The plans are opposed by broadcasters, who believe that advertisers would spend money online instead.

Mann and Flint say as many as 35 Labour MPs could back May’s Brexit deal
The Sun says that Labour MP John Mann has claimed that up to 35 Labour MPs are prepared to support Theresa May’s Brexit deal because they wished to avoid both a no-deal Brexit and a second referendum, a stance which fellow Labour MP Caroline Flint agreed with.

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Today’s political headlines include May’s pledge to secure Labour support, Labour confirms backing for second referendum and Tory MPs rebel over plan for extending Brexit vote. 

May to make pledge on workers’ rights to secure Labour MPs’ support for Brexit deal
The Guardian says that Theresa May is expected to use a ministerial statement next week to set out a series of pledges on workers’ rights and to reduce restrictions on trade unions in a bid to secure Labour MPs’ backing for her Brexit deal/ Measures to be offered include a ‘non-regression lock’ after Brexit, votes by MPs on adopting future EU rules on workers’ rights, and a reporting mechanism involving trade unions and the CBI on these. Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary James Brokenshire is expected to announce a £1.6bn fund for towns and coastal communities before the next meaningful vote.

Labour confirms backing for second referendum
As the BBC reports, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that his party is now backing a new Brexit referendum after MPs voted against his Brexit plans, and that he would vote to remain a member of the EU. He added that he will continue to pursue ‘other available options’, such as a general election or Labour’s plan for a ‘close economic relationship’.

Tory MPs rebel over plan for vote on extending Brexit negotiations
The Daily Telegraph reports that over 100 Conservative MPs revelled yesterday against Government plans to give MPs a vote on extending Article 50 if Theresa May’s deal is rejected. 20 of them, including Esther McVey, voted against the proposal with a further 88 choosing to abstain in protest, including Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Norwegian sovereign wealth fund to increase investments in the UK despite Brexit
The Times says that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest, has decided to increase its exposure to British investments whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, claiming that the UK was still an attractive destination over the next 30 plus years. Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg welcomed the news, but Chris Leslie of the Independent Group said that Brexit meant that ‘British assets are in the global bargain basement’.

Economic sentiment lowest in six years over no-deal Brexit fears
The Financial Times reports that economic sentiment in the UK has fallen this month, reaching its lowest level in six years according to a European Commission indicator. The CBI said that the best way to improve this was to avoid a no-deal Brexit and agree ‘a deal that commands a majority in parliament and is acceptable to the EU and protects our economy’.

Williamson suspended after Labour MPs revolt over antisemitism
The Daily Mail claims that Labour only suspended its MP Chris Williamson for saying that the party was ‘too apologetic’ for antisemitism because 38 MPs and deputy leader Tom Watson pressed for this, with leader Jeremy Corbyn having initially ‘intervened personally to block his suspension’, pledging only to ‘investigate’ the remarks.

Burns under investigation over Thatcher library charity
The Times claims that Conservative MP Conor Burns is ‘under scrutiny’ from the Charity Commission over his involvement in a campaign to build a library and museum dedicated to Margaret Thatcher. Much of the money raised by the campaign has apparently instead been spent on other things, including student exchanges between the UK and the USA.

May to defend aid budget
The Sun says that Theresa May is to use a speech at a conference on Jordan today to defend the £14bn aid budget, pledging to continue spending 0.7% of GDP on foreign aid. She will promise that the UK will continue to be a ‘global champion’, spending aid ‘innovatively and in a way that delivers value of money for the UK taxpayer’.

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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 Tory ministers and backbenchers warn they’ll revolt, more Labour MPs will defect if Corbyn doesn’t back second referendum and the Tories who want Umunna to lead Independent Group. 

Tory ministers and backbenchers warn they’ll revolt to support Brexit delay
The Guardian reports that up to 25 ministers may vote for a delay to Brexit next week unless Theresa May rules out a no-deal Brexit. They would not offer to resign, which would force May to decide on whether or not to sack them. The Daily Telegraph has obtained a leaked letter in which the 100-strong Brexit Delivery Group of moderate Conservative MPs has warned the Prime Minister that they are prepared to vote to delay Brexit if she doesn’t secure a deal, calling for a free vote on next week’s backbench amendment on a delay.

More Labour MPs will defect if Corbyn doesn’t back second referendum
According to The Times Jeremy Corbyn’s office has been wanted that dozens of Labour MPs could defect to the Independent Group unless he backs plans for a second referendum, including shadow ministers. They are calling on him to back an amendment to next week’s Brexit motion tabled by Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson which calls for such a vote.

Umunna should lead Independent Group, Tory defectors say
The Daily Telegraph claims that two of the Conservative defectors to the Independent Group, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry, have insisted that Chuka Ummuna should lead the group. Allen told the paper that he would get ‘the best’ out of the group, although further defections could change that. She also insisted the group wouldn’t become ‘a home for waifs and strays’ by admitting MPs who left Labour in controversial circumstances.

Minister backs ban on selling scratchcards to 16 and 17 year olds
The Sun reports that Sports Minister Mims Davies has suggested that the Government will act ‘soon’ to ban the sale of scratchcards to 16 and 17 year olds, as well as restricting betting and alcohol brands from advertising on football strips. She insists that the move is ‘not to stop people having fun’ but to protect the ‘most vulnerable’.

Juncker ‘not very optimistic’ about Brexit deal chances
The Daily Telegraph says that the EU has rejected a proposal from the Attorney General, Geoffrey Cox, which would have allowed the UK to leave the backstop without the EU’s consent. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker admitted he was ‘not very optimistic’ about the chances of a deal, adding that he was suffering from ‘Brexit fatigue’.

Prosecutions fall to lowest level ever recorded
The Times reports that prosecutions have fallen to their lowest number since records began nearly 50 years ago, despite increases in recorded crime. Victims’ rights campaigner Harry Fletcher told the paper that the fall was ‘clearly linked to cuts’, accusing the Government of damaging the ‘criminal justice system at every stage’.

Joan Ryan reported by Labour for alleged data protection breach
The Guardian says that Joan Ryan has been reported to the Information Commissioner by the Labour Party for accessing party systems after her defection to the Independent Group, a claim which she denies. As a result the party shut down access to two key campaigning tools yesterday.

Trade deals with Japan and Turkey won’t roll over
The Financial Times reports that the Government has confirmed that trade deals with Turkey and Japan will not be rolled over on exit day in the event of a no-deal Brexit, leading to the immediate imposition of tariffs. It also confirmed that it is still in talks with most of the 71 countries covered by EU trade agreements

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Today’s political headlines include Ryan quitting the Labour party, Shamina Begum’s family to sue the Home Office, Independent Group to announce first Tory defector within days and May to visit Brussels for Brexit talks. 

Ryan quits Labour citing antisemitism
The Times reports that Joan Ryan has now also resigned from the Labour Party to join the Independent Group. In an interview with the paper, she accused Jeremy Corbyn of ‘presiding over a culture of antisemitism and hatred of Israel’, adding that she couldn’t ‘be part of a party that allows racism to flourish’. Labour MP Ruth George has apologised after suggesting that it was ‘possible’ that the new group was being supported by Israel.

ISIS runaway’s family to sue Home Office over loss of citizenship
The Daily Mail reports that the family of Shamina Begum, who fled the UK to join ISIS, are to take the Home Office to court after Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he would remove her British citizenship. While being left stateless is illegal, the Government believes that as Begum’s mother was born in Bangladesh, she also has Bangladeshi citizenship.

Independent Group hopes to announce first Tory defector ‘within days’
According to The Sun, the Independent Group hopes to unveil their first defector from the Conservatives ‘within days’, with talks taking place between Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie and Tory backbenchers. It adds that either Heidi Allen or Sarah Wollaston might announce their defection before Prime Minister’s Questions today.

May to visit Brussels for Brexit talks
The BBC reports that the Prime Minister is to visit Brussels today for continued Brexit negotiations, where she is expected to request a legally-binding assurance that the Irish backstop will not be indefinite. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned that a ‘breakthrough’ should not be expected. The Times adds that Theresa May has told Brexiteers that the so-called ‘Malthouse compromise’ cannot be negotiated in time for 29 March, but that both sides had established a taskforce to work on it after the UK had left the EU, although she did not promise that it would be legally binding.

Brexit vote may be brought forward to next week
The Daily Telegraph suggests that Theresa May will bring forward the meaningful vote on her Brexit deal to next week, following revisions being approved by EU leaders at a summit in Egypt this weekend, allowing her to avoid mass resignations from ministers who want Brexit to be delayed if a deal is not reached.

Major warns that ‘extremists’ are manipulating both main parties
The Daily Telegraph says that Sir John Major has warned that moderate members of both the Conservatives and Labour are being sidelined while the parties are ‘manipulated’ by extreme fringes such as the European Research Group, which he described as a ‘party within a party’. However, he also argued against establishing a new centrist party.

Report shows Universal Credit will boost incomes for almost 4m people
In an exclusive, The Sun reports that Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has welcomed a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which shows that 3.9m working people will see their incomes increase by an average of £3,400 a year under Universal Credit. However, the report also shows that 1.7m people will be an average of £2,500 a year worse off, with Rudd promising to ‘continue to make improvements to the system’.

Thinktank warns against Huawei
The Financial Times carries details of a new report by the Royal United Services Institute which warns that permitting Huawei to equip the UK’s future 5G mobile networks would be ‘naïve’ and ‘irresponsible’, despite GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre having concluded that the risks associated with Chinese influence can be mitigated.

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Today’s political headlines cover the moderate MPs set to announce their departure from Labour, the call for Facebook to be regulated and the moderate Tories facing deselection. 

Moderate MPs set to announce departure from Labour
The BBC says that senior Labour sources have claimed that a small group of MPs will announce their departure from the party at an event this morning over the leadership’s handling of Brexit and antisemitism. Stephen Kinnock urged the MPs to ‘stay in and fight’. The Guardian adds that Chuka Umunna is expected to be one of those involved, while others could include Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes.

MPs allege Facebook broke laws and should be regulated
The Guardian carries details of a new report by the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee into disinformation and fake news which says that Facebook broke privacy and competition laws, and should be subject to statutory regulation. The report labels the social media firm’s executives ‘digital gangsters’, accuses chief executive Mark Zuckerberg of contempt for Parliament, claims that electoral law is not fit for purposes, and calls for an independent investigation into recent elections and referenda.

Five moderate Tories face deselection attempts
The Daily Telegraph reports that two more moderate Conservative MPs are facing deselection votes. Sir Alan Duncan and Dr Sarah Wollaston join Heidi Alexander, Dominic Grieve and Nick Boles in facing votes of no confidence from their constituency associations, in what it claims is known as the ‘purple momentum’ drive.

May ready for ‘howls of rage’ over no-deal Brexit tariffs
According to The Times, the Prime Minister is preparing for ‘howls of rage’ as ministers finalise no-deal Brexit tariffs. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox favours dropping them to zero in as many areas as possible, but other ministers want to protect producers, including farmers. Tariff details will be published next week, with a decision due on Wednesday.

Gove announces increased efforts to tackle plastic pollution
The Financial Times says that Michael Gove, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sectary, has increased his efforts to tackle plastic pollution, setting out plans for a new tax, standardised recycling and a bottle return scheme. However, the paper says that this is likely to ‘irritate food and drinks companies’ as they have already warned that don’t have the capacity to respond to consultations on topics other than Brexit. The Times adds that the proposals also include a levy on all clothing sold in an attempt to reduce waste.

Border security checks to be abandoned in no-deal Brexit
The Sun says that HMRC will announce a six-month ‘standstill’ this week, abandoning no-deal Brexit security and safety checks, as the Border Force is insufficiently prepared to administer these, having already said it will waive the requirement for goods declarations.

British attempts to speed-up Japanese trade deal fail
The Financial Times claims that British attempts to persuade Japan to agree to a quick trade deal after Brexit have ‘backfired’. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox wrote to their counterparts to tell them that ‘time is of the essence’. However, the Japanese found this to be a ‘high-handed approach’ and are unwilling to replicate their trade deal with the EU, instead seeking preferential terms.

Labour MP Paul Flynn dies
The BBC reports that Labour MP Paul Flynn has died at the age of 84. Flynn, who had announced that he would step down ‘as soon as possible’ in October, had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Jeremy Corbyn described Flynn as ‘an independent thinker who was a credit to the Labour Party’, adding that he ‘will be greatly missed’.

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Today’s political headlines include May facing fresh Brexit defeat, McDonnell calling Churchill a villain, Labour frontbenchers might quit and Conservative MPs back end to indefinite immigration detention. 

May facing fresh Brexit defeat as Brexiteers object to motion
As the BBC reports, MPs will debate the next steps on Brexit later today, with the Government facing a potential defeat at the hands of Conservative Brexiteers. This is because the motion tabled by the Prime Minister backs the views expressed by MPs in their last Brexit vote, including ruling out a no-deal Brexit. The deputy chairman of the European Research Group of Eurosceptic MPs said that its members had ‘pleaded’ for the wording to be changed’ and they could not back the motion as it ‘removes our negotiating leverage’.

McDonnell calls Churchill a ‘villain’
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has caused controversy after he told Politico that Winston Churchill was a ‘villain’, citing his role in sending troops into the Tonypandy riots. In response, Sir Nicholas Soames, a Tory MP and Churchill’s grandson, told The Daily Telegraph that McDonnell was a ‘third-rate, Poundshop Lenin’.

Labour frontbenchers may quit if Corbyn doesn’t back referendum

The Guardian says that Jeremy Corbyn will see up to ten frontbenchers resign unless he backs a second Brexit referendum in a fortnight. However, Len McCluskey, Unite’s General Secretary has warned that stopping Brexit ‘is not the best option for our nation’ and other frontbenchers have indicated that they could not back such a policy.

Conservative MPs back end to indefinite immigration detention
The Times reports that eleven Conservative MPs have written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid demanding that immigration rules are reformed to restrict the amount of time people can be held in immigration centres to 28 days. The MPs, including David Davis, Andrew Mitchell, Dominic Grieve, Anna Soubry and Dame Caroline Spelman, claim that the current policy ‘undermines our proud traditions of justice and the rule of law’ and is ‘expensive and inefficient’.

Almost all councils plan to increase council tax
The Guardian carries the results of a survey by the Local Government Information Unit which shows that almost all councils plan to increase council tax in April, with three-quarters planning increases of over 2.75%. However, they also plan cuts to services as a result of falling funding from the Government, with 80% having no confidence that the current funding model is sustainable.

May warns BBC not to cut free TV licences
The Daily Telegraph reports that Theresa May has warned the BBC not to end free TV licences for the over-75s, using Prime Minister’s Questions to say that the Government ‘want and expect the BBC to continue free licences when they take over responsibility for the concession in 2020.’ A final decision is due by June.

Williamson attacked after Chinese cancel trade meeting
The Sun claims that a row has broken out in the Government after the Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Hu Chunhua cancelled trade talks with Chancellor Philip Hammond at which he was due to lift bans on British poultry and cosmetics, following a speech in which Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson attacked China’s military plans.

Williamson calls for gay troops to be allowed to marry at bases
In an exclusive, The Daily Telegraph says Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has written to Women and Equalities Secretary Penny Mordaunt, calling for legislation to be changed so that gay members of the armed forces can marry at bases, describing the current situation as ‘unacceptable’.

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Today’s political headlines include May telling MPs to hold their nerve, Tories would get majority if a general election was held today, NSPCC calls for a new duty of care and Treasury Committee rejects Hammond’s claims. 

May to tell MPs to hold their nerve
The BBC says that Theresa May will today tell MPs that ‘we now all need to hold our nerve’ because the Brexit negotiations are at a ‘crucial stage’ and that ‘a deal that this House can support’ is still possible. The Daily Telegraph adds that May is expected to use her statement today to rule out membership of a customs union with the EU. The Sun claims that pro-EU ministers will today demand that May gives parliamentary time at the end of this month to debate a bill to extend the Article 50 talks unless progress had been made, because her promise of another vote on February 27 is not felt to be sufficient.

Tories would get majority if a general election was held today
The Times says that according to YouGov’s modelling which correctly predicted a hung parliament in 2017, the Conservatives would win a slim majority if a general election was held today, gaining four seats to give them a total of 321, while Labour would lose twelve, falling to 250/ The Liberal Democrats and the SNP would also gain four seats each.

NSPCC calls for new duty of care on social media firms
The Daily Telegraph reports that the NSPCC is to publish plans to introduce a statutory duty of care for social media firms overseen by a regulator able to issue unlimited fines if they fail to protect children from online harms. There would be a new criminal offence, based on corporate manslaughter laws, with executives held personally liable for any breaches.

Treasury Committee rejects Hammond’s ‘deal dividend’ claims
The Guardian carries details of a report by the Commons Treasury Committee which rejects Chancellor Philip Hammond’s claim of a dividend from Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal, saying that this suggestion lacks credibility. Data published yesterday showed that GDP grew by just 0.2% in the last three months of 2018, with a decline of 0.4% in December.

Journalism review suggests restrictions on BBC, Facebook and Google
The Daily Telegraph reports the findings of a review on safeguarding quality journalism by Dame Frances Cairncross, commissioned by Theresa May. She suggests restrictions on the BBC, Facebook and Google and the creation of an institute of public interest news, which would funnel finance into the news industry. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Wright will now examine the recommendations.

Rudd admits link between Universal Credit and foodbank use
The Daily Mirror says that Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd admitted yesterday that there was a link between the rollout of Universal Credit and increases in foodbank uses, although she claimed that the situation was improving. Her predecessor, Esther McVey, had suggested the rise was due to Labour not having let jobcentres refer people to foodbanks, while minister Alok Sharma had claimed there wasn’t a ‘single reason’ for the increase.

May to resign this summer
According to The Sun, Theresa May has dropped hints to Cabinet ministers including Liam Fox and Greg Clark that she plans to resign in the summer so that she can influence her party’s choice of successor, with a new leader being picked at the party’s conference in October. The paper suggests that this ‘will widely be seen as a plan to stop Boris Johnson.

Labour releases antisemitism statistics
The Guardian reports that Labour has released details of the scale of antisemitism allegations received by the party, which has investigated 673 complaints since last April and expelled 12 members. The statistics have been questioned by MPs such as Margaret Hodge who said that there had ‘been a breakdown in trust’. They plan to use a meeting next week to demand to know why 146 of those investigated were only given a ‘preliminary warning’.

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