Politics on Sunday – 14 January 2018

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Sunday marked the 2018 return of all the usual political shows, which meant there was a plethora of guests being interviewed.

Alongside new Chair of the Conservative Party, Brandon Lewis and Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, Andrew Marr had guests coming from Holyrood and Hollywood with First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, Nicola Sturgeon and Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Emily Thornberry did very little to convince Donald Trump he would be welcome in the UK, labelling him ‘a racist’ and an ‘asteroid of awfulness’. The Shadow Foreign Secretary did not stop there, saying Theresa May had humiliated the Queen by inviting the President to the UK. Marr pulled Thornberry up on her remarks by saying this attitude could lead to it being harder for the UK to secure a trade deal with the US, but Thornberry responded by saying trade deals are complex processes and it would not depend on the pen of Donald Trump.

Marr finished the exchange by saying we do not know how long Trump will be around, it could be three more years or it could be until 2024, and greater diplomacy could go a long way. Thornberry also spoke on John Worboys, stating he is a ‘threat to women’, and previous rape cases have not been prosecuted properly despite improvements being made.

Brandon Lewis took a different approach to Thornberry by saying it was right for Trump to be invited and discussed how Britain should pursue its relationship with the US, declaring it a ‘very important relationship’. Lewis did condemn Trump’s alleged remarks where he is accused of referring to African Nations as ‘shithole’ countries.

Lewis was asked about abuse of politicians online, and he pledged a tough stance from the Conservatives, saying any candidates who personally abuse politicians online will be suspended. Marr asked Lewis whether he would apologise for the abuse Diane Abbott receives from Conservatives; he didn’t apologise but pledged the strong stance. Marr then moved onto questioning how the online presence of the Conservatives compares to that of the Labour Party who are generally perceived as being better. Lewis said the Conservatives will aim to get better in a respectful manner.

Marr also called the reaction to this tweet from the Tories about banning credit card charges, ‘slightly embarrassing’ as it showed the Conservatives taking credit for EU legislation. Lewis also spoke on the Worboys case letting us know he understands the outrage and how the Justice Secretary will be doing all he can to make sure Worboys remains behind bars.

Sturgeon on Brexit
The First Minister of Scotland was given a very different line of questioning, mainly focusing on how Brexit will impact Scotland. Sturgeon put forward her view that staying in the single market and the customs union would be the least harmful option. When asked whether she accepts that Scotland will be leaving the EU, Sturgeon said she wants an alternative and for the least damaging scenario to be the one that is followed. Marr questioned Sturgeon on whether the Scottish people are actively interested in Scotland becoming an independent country as it does not affect their day-to-day lives. Sturgeon argued back saying this is a misconception people have been making for her entire political life. She said it is not a ‘constitutional abstraction’ as independence is linked to the economy and living standards.

Robert Peston’s headline guests were Culture Secretary, Matt Hancock and Jeremy Corbyn. Hancock suggested the amendments made by the House of Lords last week on Leveson and press regulation could be the beginning of the end for democracy. Hancock was then asked about pay at the BBC and his remarks that men are being paid too much at the broadcaster. When Peston suggested this may just be an operation of the market the BBC operates in, Hancock rejected this by saying the BBC has a ‘special responsibility’ to act on equal pay due to the licence fee. Hancock went on to say he will be having discussions with the Director General of the BBC in the next few weeks about pay for stars. Like Lewis and Thornberry on Marr, Hancock was asked about John Worboys and said it is a positive step that the Ministry of Justice will be considering this case after questions were raised over the process.

Corbyn on Trump
Jeremy Corbyn let Peston know he was not disappointed by Donald Trump cancelling his visit to the UK but took a more measured view than Thornberry by saying he will eventually come. He faced questions on the Labour Party’s position on Brexit, where Corbyn made it clear the Party is not calling for a second referendum on the terms of the UK’s Brexit deal but instead a meaningful vote in Parliament. Peston noted that Corbyn was speaking in the present tense so he was not ruling out changing this position later. The Labour leader took issue with remarks Nicola Sturgeon (and some of his backbenchers) have been making by calling for the UK to join the single market, as for him, leaving the EU means leaving the single market.

Other points of note from Sunday’s shows were Chuka Umunna on Sunday with Niall Paterson, claiming the remarks made by Corbyn were wrong. More disagreement in the Labour Party could be seen when Barry Gardiner told Sunday Politics that he would not have used the same language John McDonnell used to describe Esther McVey after a video emerged of him quoting an activist who said she should be ‘lynched’.

UKIP Chairman, Paul Oakden also told the BBC that party leader Henry Bolton would have to make some tough decisions to make.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 15 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including questions over Carillion’s liquidation, on-the-spot fines for hiring fly-tippers, scrapping the immigration target and Penny Mordaunt addressing ‘public concerns’ about aid spending.   

Carillion enters liquidation as ministers face questions
Construction firm and public sector contractor Carillion collapsed into liquidation this morning, following talks with its lenders and the Government. The Times says that ministers, including Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, are facing questions over their decision to continue to award the firm contracts while it issued a series of profit warnings. The Government is the firm’s biggest client, paying it around £1.7bn a year.

£400 on-the-spot fines for householders who fail to stop fly-tipping
The Daily Telegraph reports that the Government is considering giving councils the power to issue £400 on-the-spot fines to householders who do not check if a business is licensed to transport waste, if it ends up being fly-tipped. The paper says, ‘the move is likely to spark fears that the fines could be abused and used as a way of generating income for cash-strapped councils.’

Immigration target should be scrapped, select committee says
An article in the Financial Times says the Home Affairs Select Committee has released a report calling on the Government to scrap its immigration target, replacing it with a three-year plan set out and overseen by the independent Migration Advisory Committee

Mordaunt pledges to address public concerns about aid spending
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt makes five pledges which will ensure that money spent on foreign aid cannot be ‘better spent’, including to ‘not invest when others should be putting their hands in their pockets’ and that ‘our focus will increasingly be on helping developing countries stand on their own feet’.

Sexual harassment – Guardian
The House of Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee is to launch a formal inquiry into the laws around sexual harassment, The Guardian claims. The committee’s chair, Maria Miller, told the newspaper, ‘I think it’s clear that the current system is broken’, while Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary, said, ‘The government has removed protections from women and they have made it harder for women to get justice.’

Andrea Leadsom describes John McDonnell as ‘truly evil’
Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the House of Commons, has described Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell as ‘truly evil’, The Daily Telegraph says. The remarks come in the context of a dispute over comments he made in 2014 and 2015 about the new Work and Pensions Secretary, Esther McVey. Asked about the remarks, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said, ‘I would rather stick to where I disagree with somebody on their policies.’

UK and France in danger of drifting apart
Lord Ricketts, UK ambassador to France from 2012 to 2016, has warned that the two countries are in danger of drifting further apart. The Guardian reports that the claim is contained in a report for the Royal United Services Institute. Ricketts says that co-operation has ‘become even closer in response to recent terrorist attacks. It is crucial that Brexit does not adversely affect this.’

British favour ‘European-style market economy’, Hammond says
The Times has details of an interview with Philip Hammond by the German newspaper Welt Am Sonntag. He said the British, ‘have a strong attachment to a European-style market economy’, that the UK wanted certainty on the transition period before the European Council summit on March 22, and there would be no deal that did not include services.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 12 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Trump cancelling his visit to the UK, Nigel Farage’s second Brexit referendum, Government ordering illegal migrants’ accounts to be closed, and a threat to the Royal Marines and paratroopers. 

Trump cancels UK visit
This morning’s Daily Mail revealed that President Trump has cancelled his visit to the UK. He was expected to visit next month, but has not offered a new date. According to a senior source, Trump cancelled ‘because he was unhappy about the arrangements and the scale of the visit’. However, he tweeted last night that he cancelled the trip because he was unhappy with the deal that led to the new embassy being built.

Nigel Farage floats the possibility of a second Brexit referendum
The Guardian reports that Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader, told Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff that ‘maybe, just maybe, I’m reaching the point of thinking that we should have a second referendum on EU membership’ in order to kill off arguments about Brexit. In this morning’s Daily Telegraph, Farage rows back on this stance, claiming instead that he is ‘beginning to fear that a second plebiscite may well happen anyway.’

Government to order banks to close illegal migrants’ accounts
The Daily Telegraph says that the Government is to hand banks a list of illegal migrants suspected of hiding in the country, and order that their accounts be closed. New immigration minister Caroline Noakes argues in the paper that innocent people have nothing to fear.

Merger threat to Royal Marines and paratroopers
According to The Times, defence secretary Gavin Williamson has been presented with three sets of defence cuts, cutting armed forces numbers by more than 14,000 and combining paratrooper units and the Royal Marines in order to save money. The cuts could leave the armed forces with fewer troops than at any point since the Napoleonic era.

Crisis talks held over Carillion
The Financial Times reports that senior Government ministers including David Lidington (Cabinet Office minister), Greg Clark (business secretary), Jo Johnson (transport minister), Liz Truss (chief secretary to the Treasury) and Rory Stewart (justice minister), as well as ministers from five other departments, met yesterday for talks about the future of Carillion, a major Government contractor that the paper says is ‘close to collapse’.

Theresa May meets financial leaders, whilst EU ambassadors debate transition extension
Details of a meeting between Theresa May and representatives of the financial services sector are reported in the Financial Times. She said that financial services would be ‘at the heart’ of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. However, The Times says that Downing Street has disputed Philip Hammond’s suggestion that the UK could keep paying into the EU budget after Brexit in exchange for privileged access for British banks to the EU market. Separately, the Financial Times also claims that EU ambassadors have begun debating whether the transition period can be extended and, if so, what price should be attached.

Chris Williamson resigns as shadow fire minister
Chris Williamson, Labour’s shadow fire minister, has resigned after he said that council tax should be doubled on high-value homes. The Guardian says that Williamson is now ‘expected to act as a leftwing outrider for the Labour leader from the backbenches’ and that Jeremy Corbyn is expected to announce a series of junior frontbench appointments today.

Peter Bone leaves wife for physio
The Sun’s front page story today is that Tory backbencher Peter Bone, famous for mentioning his wife in Parliament, has left her for a married physiotherapist and former Conservative candidate, Helen Harrison.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 11 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the Government’s environment strategy, Hammond calling on the EU to help with Brexit, Sadiq Khan’s warning that ‘no-deal’ could cause half a million job losses and the possible future leaders of the Tory party.   

Environment strategy unveiled
Theresa May will announce the Government’s environment strategy in a major speech today, the Daily Mail reports. The 25-year strategy will target the elimination of all ‘avoidable’ plastics, with calls for supermarkets to create ‘plastic free aisles’, a consultation on a levy on single-use plastics, extending the 5p carrier bag charge to all retailers, phasing out plastic cups and cutlery from Whitehall, a £10m scheme for schoolchildren to visit wildlife sites, and using the £13bn foreign aid budget to clean up oceans.

Hammond calls on EU to help with Brexit trade deal
The Financial Times says that the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has called on the EU to give a signal as to the type of future relationship it wants with the UK. Hammond also called on the EU to abandon any ‘narrative of punishment’. The Daily Telegraph adds that Hammond has refused to rule out making substantial payments to the EU in order to secure access for UK-based financial services firms. The Times says that this approach was being considered by countries including Germany, although it had not yet been approved by Angela Merkel.

No-deal Brexit could cause half a million job losses, Sadiq Khan says
An economic forecast for the Mayor of London says that a no-deal Brexit could cause the UK to lose half a million jobs and nearly £50bn investment by 2030, The Guardian says. The report concludes that ‘the harder the Brexit, the more severe the economic damage could be’.

Gove: Future Tory leadership election could be between Williamson and Hinds
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has said that a future Conservative leadership election could be between Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and new Education Secretary Damian Hinds, The Times reports. In The Daily Telegraph, May’s former chief of staff Nick Timothy also tips Hinds as a future leader and says that Justine Greening blocked tuition fee cuts.

Hospital bosses tell Hunt to spend more on the NHS
NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, has written to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to tell him that the NHS will be unable to meet its constitutional care standards without tens of billions of extra funding, The Guardian says. Yesterday, Hunt told MPs that the NHS would need ‘significantly more funding’ over the next decade. The Mirror has an article by an A&E doctor, who tells the Government ‘Don’t forget us. Defend us. Please.’

Government accuses Lords of voting to restrict press freedom
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock has accused the House of Lords of voting to restrict the freedom of the press, after Labour and Liberal Democrat peers voted to force the Government to launch either a new investigation into alleged breaches of data protection law or the second stage of the Leveson inquiry. Another amendment would require all publishers which are not part of Impress to pay the cost of data protection legal actions, The Times reports. Hancock has vowed to reverse the changes in the Commons.

John McDonnell to visit World Economic Forum
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell is to attend this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, according to The Times. A spokesman said he would ‘use the opportunity to set out why it is vital we rewrite the rules of the global economy’.

Tim Farron regrets saying that gay sex is not a sin
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron told Premier Christian Radio that he regrets saying that gay sex was not a sin, the BBC reports. Current leader, Sir Vince Cable has said that Farron’s personal views do not represent party policy.

 

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PMQs: Theresa May’s word cloud – 10 January 2018

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In the first Prime Minister’s Questions of 2018, Theresa May faced questions from MPs on the NHS, Brexit and the reshuffle. We present the word cloud for Theresa May’s answers at PMQs on 10 January 2018.

In what was an unusually short PMQs compared to normal, one of the key talking points from the session was when the PM was forced to backtrack after she began to remark on the absence of shadow education secretary Angela Rayner from Prime Minister’s Questions, only to be told that Rayner was undergoing medical treatment.

10 Jan 18

The NHS

As usual, Corbyn fired numerous statistics at May on the NHS, asking questions on winter preparedness, A&E waiting times, cancellation of operations, social care, funding and the role of private companies. May argued that the NHS had been better prepared than ever before for the winter pressures, but apologised to those who had planned operations cancelled to cope with the surge in demand.

Brexit

The SNP’s Ian Blackford focused on the EU (Withdrawal) Bill and how ending the supremacy of European law will affect the Scottish government’s powers. Blackford described the bill as ‘nothing more than a power grab from Scotland’. May claimed that the Government was seeking to improve the section of the bill in question, and that the ministers were ‘intensifying’ their discussions with Holyrood. Another SNP MP, Pete Wishart, asked the PM to rank her Brexit efforts on a scale of one to 10 – to which she replied saying that she is ‘getting on with the job’.

Reshuffle

Corbyn also made comments about Mr Hunt’s new job title, arguing that the new title ‘will not hide the fact that £6bn has been cut from social care under the Tories’. Separately, an early reference to the ‘housing secretary’ by the PM indicates a major shift in the priorities of the newly named Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 10 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including women and minorities promoted in the second day of the reshuffle, the confusion around no no-deal minister, an extended plastic bag charge and Germany’s opposition to a bespoke Brexit trade deal.   

Reshuffle: Women and minorities promoted
Theresa May concluded her ministerial reshuffle yesterday by ‘axing a string of white men in their 50s and 60s while promoting a number of younger, female and minority ethnic MPs’, as the Guardian reports. However, according to Sutton Trust analysis, the Cabinet is more privileged than before. The Times quotes Theresa May as saying that the Government ‘looks more like the country it serves’.

Reshuffle: no no-deal minister leaves Brexiteers ‘dumbfounded’
The Daily Telegraph says that Brexiteers have been left ‘dumbfounded’ after the Government abandoned plans for a no-deal minister to attend Cabinet, despite having promised them several months ago that this would happen. A Number 10 source told that paper that Brexit ministers ‘will be invited to come where relevant’.

New environment strategy will extend plastic bag charge
The Daily Mail reports that that the English 5p plastic bag charge will be extended to cover all shops (retailers with under 250 employees are currently exempt). A new 25-year environment strategy is to be unveiled tomorrow, with a deposit scheme for plastic bottles and new taxes on throwaway plastics apparently both under consideration.

Germany opposes bespoke Brexit trade deal as ministers visit
The Daily Telegraph claims that German opposition could prevent a bespoke Brexit trade deal. Angela Merkel is opposed to the British proposal for ‘managed divergence’ from the EU. The news emerges as Philip Hammond and David Davis visit the country on what the paper calls a ‘joint charm offensive’. The paper also reports that Brexit supporters, led by Steven Woolfe MEP, are to meet Michel Barnier today, presenting him with a hamper of English produce, which would ‘help illustrate our rich cultural and commercial offering’.

EU warns UK companies of the consequences of a no-deal Brexit
The Financial Times carries details of legal notices issued by the European Union to around 15 regulated industries in November and December, calling on UK companies to be ready for the UK to become a third country on 29/03/2019, with no right to operate in the single market. The memos warn of lapsing operating licences and the need to create EU entities. The documents have caused complaints from Brexit secretary David Davis.

Labour to commit to staying in EU customs union
According to The Times, Labour is to commit to staying in a modified version of the customs union by the spring. Whilst the policy is not yet confirmed, and still faces obstacles, sources have told the paper that such a move is likely. Labour would ask the EU to give the UK a seat when negotiating future trade agreements.

Government’s management of UK’s largest rail franchise criticised
The National Audit Office has ‘severely criticised’ the Government’s management of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise, the Guardian reports. It found that Department for Transport decisions had ‘negatively impacted on passengers’.

Prime Minister will survive Brexit vote, says John Curtice
The Guardian has details of new claims made by elections expert John Curtice. He has said that Theresa May will survive the final Commons vote on Brexit, and that there is no evidence that enough leave voters now want to remain in the EU to force the prime minister to reverse Brexit, although polling carried out by NatCen has found that leave voters increasingly think that the Government is mishandling the negoticreations.

 

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Diversity still lacking after Tory reshuffle

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Last night, the official Twitter account for the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted that there will now be 10 women attending Cabinet meetings after the first part of the reshuffle, a rise from the previous eight. Four of the positions that are referenced in the tweet are MPs who are ‘attending Cabinet’ rather than being members of the Cabinet, which is an important distinction to make in terms of seniority. Only one new woman is attending cabinet, and she replaces another woman.

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Ten women equates to 31.25% of the Cabinet, which measures up to the 32% of MPs that are women and outperforms the 21% of Conservative MPs that are women. Theresa May now has exactly the same proportion of women in her Cabinet as David Cameron did in his final Cabinet, and Cameron was celebrated for this achievement.

Almost 51% of the population of the UK are female and when we compare this to the numbers above it shows how much progress the Conservatives need to make both in the number of female MPs they have and in the number of female members of Cabinet.  If we look at the Labour Party we see a Party performing much better when it comes to diversity; 45% of their MPs are female and 57% of the total women MPs in Parliament take their seats on the Labour benches. Labour also do a lot better in their Shadow Cabinet having as many women as men.

Sajid Javid remains the only BME member of the Cabinet. Roughly 14% of the UK population is BME compared to the Cabinet’s 3%. The proportion of Conservative MPs who are BME is 6%, so the Cabinet is not even representative of the party. If we once again compare with David Cameron’s last Cabinet, then the number is not as encouraging as it was with women; Priti Patel was a part of Cameron’s last Cabinet along with Javid. To continue the comparison with the Labour Party, 12% of Labour MPs come from BME backgrounds and five members of their Shadow Cabinet come from BME backgrounds.

As two tweets from Press Association journalist Ian Jones point out, at 9am yesterday, the Cabinet had an average age of 51, was 70% male and 96% white.  Just 12 hours later, the Cabinet had an average age of 50, was 66% male and 97% white.

The narrative surrounding diversity does not read well for Theresa May. Justine Greening was the first openly gay women in a Cabinet position and the first state-educated Education Secretary, before she resigned. This is more problematic when you factor in Boris Johnson, Jeremy Hunt (who has been given additional power) and Chris Grayling – three white, middle-aged men, all Oxbridge educated, who have received far more criticism than Greening – and still sit in the Cabinet.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 9 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Theresa May’s reshuffle under attack, Toby Young quitting the Office for Students, Davis consults lawyers over EU no-deal and the truth about Australian flu.   

Theresa May’s reshuffle under attack
This morning’s big political story is the continuing reshuffle. Yesterday saw the Cabinet being reshuffled, and the reaction from the press is less than positive. The Times calls it ‘shambolic’, The Daily Telegraph says it was ‘chaotic’, whilst the Guardian opines that May was ‘thrown off course.’ As The Times explains, May’s lack of authority was ‘laid bare’ when Jeremy Hunt resisted efforts to make him business secretary and Justine Greening left the Government rather than become welfare secretary, while the mistaken announcement of Chris Grayling as party chairman added to the chaos. The Sun suggests that at least a dozen MPs from the 2015 intake will be promoted today, while the Daily Mail expects ‘significant numbers of female and ethnic minority MPs’ to join the Government.

Toby Young quits the Office for Students
Toby Young, the controversial appointee to the board of the Office for Students, resigned from his post this morning. Writing in The Spectator, Young said that he appointment had ‘become a distraction’, adding that ‘some of the things I said before I got involved in education, when I was a journalistic provocateur, were either ill-judged or just plain wrong – and I unreservedly apologise.’

Davis consults lawyers over EU no-deal plans
According to a report in the Financial Times based on a letter from David Davis to the Prime Minister seen by the paper, Davis has consulted lawyers over the EU’s preparations for a no deal Brexit, claiming that the EU is harming British business and breaching the UK’s rights as a member state.

No major outbreak of ‘Australian flu’ – just NHS underfunding, says virologist
The Guardian reports that John Oxford, emeritus professor of virology at the University of London, has said that the NHS’s problems are not being caused by an outbreak of ‘Australian flu’ but that ‘there is a lack of investment, there are not enough doctors or nurses, and politicians are trying to blame the situation on influenza.’

Health minister: Seats were available at hospital
The Mirror says that health minister Philip Dunne provoked anger when he answered questions about patients sleeping on hospital floors by saying that ‘There are seats available in most hospitals when beds are not available.’ Justin Madders, Labour’s shadow health minister, described this as ‘an appalling and ignorant remark’.

Juncker: Brexit will go ahead
The Sun says that Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission president, told a conference, ‘Don’t believe those who say that it’s not going to happen and that people have realised their error in the UK.’ Labour MP Ben Bradshaw accused Juncker of being out of touch.

UK to mitigate VAT damage
The Financial Times reports that the UK is to ‘mitigate’ potential damage to 130,000 companies which face having to pay VAT upfront on goods imported from the UK post-Brexit. The Treasury said it would ‘look at options to mitigate any cash flow impacts’.

Corbyn: UK cannot remain in single market
Jeremy Corbyn has said that the UK cannot remain in the single market after Brexit, disappointing pro-EU MPs, The Guardian reveals. A ‘senior Labour source’ told the paper ‘The single market is not a membership club that can be joined so we seek through negotiation to retain the benefits of the single market.’

 

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Politics on Sunday – 7 January 2018

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Did you miss Theresa May’s big interview from Sunday’s Andrew Marr show?

Andrew Marr was the only Sunday political show host to return from their festive break this week and his show featured a lengthy interview with Theresa May. With a cabinet reshuffle pending and issues surrounding the NHS, train fares, Brexit and foxhunting all in the news, it was a chance to see where May’s mind is.

A key moment of the conversation came when Marr challenged May over the state of the NHS. Marr chose to highlight the case of a pensioner in Essex who died after she waited close to four hours after calling the emergency services for chest pains she was experiencing. Marr, who suffered a stroke five years ago, said that if he had to wait a similar amount of time he would not be interviewing the PM as he would be dead. May responded by defending the NHS but saying there is room for improvement.

May defended the rise in rail fares by saying that investment in improvements and infrastructure is needed due to the increased use of the railways. The East Coast line that Andrew Adonis criticised in his resignation from the National Infrastructure Commission was raised by Marr, he wanted to know whether the taxpayer will get the money owed by the companies involved. May responded to this questioning by saying Virgin and Stagecoach are paying money to the Government.

Brexit did not take up a large part of the interview and when it was mentioned, May was clear with what she expected to happen. She expects an agreement on the transition by the end of March and Parliament to get its vote on the final deal by the end of the year. The PM has gone back on a manifesto promise to hold a vote on the Hunting Act (foxhunting), the reasoning she gave for this being the public have sent a clear message they are not in favour of it.

May also had to deal with questions regarding Donald Trump and Toby Young. May said she views Trump as making the decisions in the best interest of the United States, and confirmed Trump will be coming to this country. May revealed she was not aware of the remarks Toby Young had made in the past until recently and she was not impressed by them. May said she believes Young is qualified to do the job.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 8 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the expected cabinet reshuffle, a cabinet minister for no deal, May on Marr and the UK’s hopes for EU medicine regulation after Brexit.  

Cabinet reshuffle expected
Today’s main political story is that Theresa May is expected to reshuffle the cabinet today, with junior ministerial appointments to be announced on Tuesday. The Times reports that May will dismiss Sir Patrick McLoughlin, replace Justine Greening and move Greg Clark, while a new First Secretary of State will be appointed. However, Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd, Philip Hammond and David Davis are all expected to retain their roles. The paper identifies junior ministers Anne Milton and Dominic Raab as being likely to be promoted.

New cabinet minister for no deal Brexit
The Daily Telegraph claims that Theresa May is to create a ‘cabinet minister for no deal’. Whilst the minister would have a ‘significant budget’ and attend cabinet, they would not be a secretary of state. The paper suggests that Steve Baker, currently a minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union is ‘widely expected’ to be given the role.

May on Marr
Yesterday, Theresa May appeared on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show. She defended funding of the NHS and rail fare increases, pledged to bring ‘greater openness’ to the parole system, set out plans for a new Northern Forest, warned Toby Young about his language, dropped her pledge to hold a vote on the fox-hunting ban, confirmed that Donald Trump is to visit the UK, and said that she wanted to fight the next general election.

UK hopes for EU medicine regulation after Brexit
The Financial Times claims that it has been told by ‘three senior government figures’ that the UK hopes to continue to be regulated by the European Medicines Agency, after Brexit. This would break one of May’s red lines, European Court of Justice jurisdiction, but the paper adds that this has become less ‘rigid’ since Nick Timothy’s departure as chief of staff.

Brexit VAT
The Times says the companies may be forced to pay VAT upfront after Brexit on goods imported from the EU, bringing them into line with imports from elsewhere. Nicky Morgan, chair of the Treasury Select Committee has written to HMRC to ask for clarity, whilst the British Retail Consortium has expressed concern.

Grenfell inquiry cancels KPMG contract
The Guardian reports that the Grenfell Tower inquiry has cancelled its contract with KPMG, after an open letter signed by 70 individuals and organisations called on Theresa May to cancel the appointment. KPMG’s appointment had proved controversial because it audits the parent company of Celotex (which manufactured the building’s insulation), the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Rydon Group (which refurbished the building).

Centre for Policy Studies calls for NHS Royal Commission
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Centre for Policy Studies thinktank has called for a Royal Commission on the NHS, which would investigate improvements in productivity and clinical outcomes – potentially worth an extra £5.6billion.

Labour launches new community unit
The BBC says that the Labour Party is launching a new community unit today, aiming to target seaside towns and traditional Labour heartlands where the party needs to rebuild support. The unit will help constituency Labour parties and trade unions build alliances outside the party and campaign on local issues. Jeremy Corbyn said that following this approach ‘we can make real, practical differences to people’s lives’.

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 5 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the release of John Worboys, the Latte Levy, Theresa May’s apology for cancelled operations and students being removed from migrant figures.  

Controversy over rapist’s release
The decision to release John Worboys, who The Times says is ‘believed to be Britain’s worst sex offender’, after serving ten years in prison has been heavily criticised. The paper reports that the roles of Baroness Scotland of Asthal (then Attorney-General, now Commonwealth Secretary-General) and Sir Keir Starmer (then Director of Public Prosecutions, now Shadow Brexit Secretary) are being questioned. In the i paper, the Secret Barrister explores how the sentence was reached, pointing out that Warboys was only convicted of 19 offences.

‘Latte levy’ recommended
The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has recommended a 25p ‘latte levy’ on throwaway coffee cups, the Daily Mail reports. The levy could raise £438m and lead to a 30% reduction in use of coffee cups. Government sources said that they were ‘open’ to the idea, with a Government review due to report at the end of the month.

Prime Minister apologies for operation cancellations
The Guardian says that Theresa May has given an ‘unprecedented apology’ to the tens of thousands of people affected by NHS England’s decision to postpone non-urgent operations and outpatient clinics until the end of January. The Times adds that Tory MPs have called for new taxes to fund the NHS, and the Daily Mail reports that Jeremy Corbyn has been criticising the Government whilst holidaying in Mexico.

Student migrants should be removed from figures, Tory rebels say
The Guardian claims that high-profile Tories have called on Theresa May to remove international students from immigration figures. Home Secretary Amber Rudd is said to fear that there are enough rebels to defeat the Government on the issue.

Defence review to be broken up
According to the Financial Times, the Government is planning to break up its national security and defence review. It is looking at publishing the security elements of the review as soon as possible, but pushing back armed forces decisions to later in the year. A final decision has not yet been taken, and the Government refused to comment on ‘speculation’.

US calls on the UK to change or axe food regulations to enable post-Brexit trade
The Financial Times says that the US undersecretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Ted McKinney has called on the UK to remove or change ‘some of the sanitary and phytosanitary burdens’ in order to enable trade with the USA. The Sun reports that Michael Gove, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, has said that genetically modified animals could be sold in the UK after Brexit.

Research reveals Tory dependence on group of rich male donors
Research by Labour, reported by The Mirror, reveals that the Tories are dependent on a small group of rich donors. The 64 donors who attended ‘Leader’s Group’ dinners hosted by Theresa May in the first half of last year, 62 of whom are men, were responsible for over a third of the reported donations to the Conservatives in 2017.

Corbyn accused on ‘hypocrisy’ over peers
The Times says that Jeremy Corbyn is being accused of hypocrisy as he expected to create three new Labour peers, despite earlier pledges not do so, which he has already broken by ennobling Shami Chakrabarti. The new peers may potentially include Murad Qureshi (chair of the Stop the War Coalition), Martha Osamor (a black rights activist) and Tony Woodley (former Unite general secretary).

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 4 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Michael Gove’s farm subsidy U-turn, the Government has been accused of failing to stop the NHS crisis, Labour’s minimum wage increase could lead to job losses and money from dormant bank accounts being spent on good causes.  

Michael Gove in farm subsidies U-turn
The Times reports that Michael Gove, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will announce a U-turn, maintaining farm subsidies until March 2024. Gove has criticised the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy for paying farmers according to the amount of land they own, but is expected to admit that reforms, such as linking subsidies to wildlife protection, will be delayed. However, the largest landowners may see payments capped before 2024.

Government accused of failing to stop NHS crisis
The Guardian reports on claims that the Government is failing to stop a growing crisis in the NHS, with at least 21 hospital trusts on black alert. John Kell, the Patients Association’s head of policy, said: ‘The policy decisions that have left the NHS in this position are taken by the government’. The Daily Telegraph adds that some hospitals have called on families to look after elderly patients at home, and that Prime Minister Theresa May said, ‘The NHS has been better prepared for this winter than ever before, we have put extra funding in.’

Labour’s minimum wage increase could lead to job losses
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded that Labour’s minimum wage increase could put jobs at risk, The Daily Telegraph says. As workers become more expensive to employ, low-paid jobs could be replaced by robots and automation, but it is not clear where the tipping point is. However, the analysis also says there is a case for a higher minimum wage, but that it should be based on evidence rather than a ‘political bidding war’.

Money from dormant bank accounts to be spent on good causes
The Financial Times reports that up to £330m from dormant bank and building society accounts will be spent on ‘a fairer society’. Money from accounts that have been unused for 15 years will be spent by the Big Lottery Fund, Big Society Capital, and local charities.

Government defends appointment of Toby Young
The Department for Education has defended the appointment of Toby Young to the board of the new Office for Students. The appointment had been criticised over comments he has made about women, working class people and eugenics, according to The Guardian. Young has deleted tens of thousands of his old tweets, whilst a departmental spokesman said that he had ‘expressed his regrets’.

Tony Blair: Labour will become ‘the handmaiden of Brexit’
Tony Blair has warned that Labour risks becoming ‘the handmaiden of Brexit’ if it continues to be timid over the issue, in an article on his own website. He argues that the party should ‘be on the high ground of progressive politics, explaining why membership of the European Union is right as a matter of principle, for profound political as well as economic reasons.’ Separately, The Times reports that Blair warned Donald Trump’s aides that British intelligence may have spied on them during the election.

Research on political party members published
Queen Mary University of London has published research on the members of different political parties. The Guardian claims that Conservative members are ‘a breed apart’, with stronger tendencies towards socially illiberal and authoritarian attitudes, and different views on Brexit.

Anti-slavery tsar under investigation
The Times reports that Kevin Hyland, appointed as anti-slavery commissioner when Theresa May was Home Secretary, is under investigation after Unseen, the charity that runs the modern slavery helpline, raised ‘serious concerns’ about his conduct.

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 3 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the UK’s talks to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Chris Grayling defending his Qatar trip and only minor changes to Theresa May’s Cabinet.  

UK takes part in talks to join a trans-Pacific trade group
As reported today in the Guardian, the Department for International Trade is believed to be taking part in talks on the UK’s potential membership of the Trans-Pacific Partnership after its departure from the European Union. The partnership currently consists of 11 members, including Australia, Mexico, Singapore and Canada. It lost its largest member, the US, last year.

Chris Grayling defends himself following criticism over his trip to Qatar
Chris Grayling has reportedly defended his trade mission in Qatar, telling The Times that he was negotiating two big contracts for British companies, including the construction of a new airport. Grayling became the focus of criticism as his trip to Qatar coincided with the biggest rail fare rise in five years.

Theresa May plans few Cabinet changes in minister re-shuffle
The Sun has reported that despite planning big changes to junior ministers, Theresa May plans to make only minor changes to the Cabinet. These plans come as a result of pressure to introduce new talent into the Government following the disappointing election result and the poor performance at the party conference. The Sun reports that several 2015 Conservative MPs could be offered promotions.

The US threatens to stop aid to Palestine over Jerusalem row
The BBC has published a story following Donald Trump’s comments on Twitter that the US may put a stop to aid payments to the Palestinian Authority until it is willing to recommence peace talks. The President’s comments came following US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s statement that the US would cut funding to the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees unless the Palestinian Authority resumed negotiations.

Non-urgent NHS operations to be delayed
The BBC has reported on the planned delays to non-urgent operations and procedures. Due to a ‘winter crisis’, hospitals have been ordered to postpone delay routine outpatient appointments in order to concentrate on emergency care.

DfE’s defence of Toby Young’s suitability for watchdog job put into question
New questions have been asked over whether Toby Young should be allowed to sit on the board of the Office for Students, the Guardian reported. It recently emerged that the Government had exaggerated Young’s qualifications, casting doubts on Young’s suitability to sit on the board of the universities regulator.

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 02 January 2018

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including May’s cabinet reshuffle, David Davis saying the EU cannot cherry pick terms and rail fares.  

May plans new cabinet reshuffle with Boris Johnson leading a new Brexit ‘super-ministry’
Following reports over the last few days that the Foreign Secretary will now take on a new Brexit delivery role, The Independent reports David Davis’s role in the Cabinet will be further weakened if a looming reshuffle hands Boris Johnson a new job directly involved in the Brexit negotiations. The Telegraph reports that Mr Johnson could be asked to replace Greg Clark, the Business Secretary.

David Davis says EU cannot ‘cherry pick’ terms of free trade deal
As The Guardian reports, the Brexit Secretary has used the phrase of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to say UK wants ‘full sweep of economic cooperation’. The Daily Mail reports that David Davis warned of more ‘thunder and lightning’ to come in Brexit talks today – as he vowed that financial services must be covered by any deal with the EU.

Whitehall warned there can be no ‘excuses’ for going slow on Brexit preparations
The Telegraph have reported that Ministers have warned Whitehall that there can be no more ‘excuses’ for going slow on Brexit preparations, including readying the UK for the prospect of leaving the EU without a deal. The Times have reported that Senior government officials have accused Brussels of trying to undermine David Davis before the next round of Brexit negotiations.

Rail fares: unions and Labour condemn ‘staggering’ increase
Sky News are reporting commuters are being ‘priced out of going to work’ by the largest rail fare increase in five years, according to a campaign group. The Guardian reports that Labour and trade unions have condemned ‘staggering’ annual increases to rail fares, which come into force today, triggering protests at dozens of stations in England.

Theresa May is preparing to take international students out of immigration figures
The Independent reports that the Prime Minister is facing a humiliating climb down on including international students in official immigration figures. A new Immigration Bill to be brought forward this year will allow MPs to force – and almost certainly win – a vote on the controversy.

Priti Patel demands investigation of Remain campaign spending
The Times reports that former International Development Secretary Priti Patel is calling for an investigation into claims of unlawful co-ordination between the campaigns pushing Britain to stay in the EU in the 2016 referendum campaign. She is writing to the Electoral Commission to urge an investigation into Britain Stronger in Europe (BSE), now Open Britain, over whether it breached the rules to get round strict spending limits.

Timewasting patients are costing NHS £1bn a year
The Times have reported that missed hospital appointments cost the NHS almost £1 billion a year and deprive patients of vital care. The article cites claims made by Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England, who has called for the public to be more responsible about wasting time and resources.

300,000 jobless Britons not claiming benefits
The Guardian reports that many people are not claiming support they are entitled to, with about 300,000 people without jobs or on very low wages missing out on at least £73 a week.

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 22 December 2017

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the former police officers criticised over Damian Green leaks, Boris Johnson delivering a warning to Russia, Passports returning to the colour blue and Diane Abbott’s turned down requests to visit Yarl’s Wood.  

Former police officers criticised over Damian Green leaks
The Times reports that Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, has joined forces with Tory MPs to condemn the actions of former police officers Bob Quick and Neil Lewis in leaking details of the pornography found when Damian Green’s office was raided nine years ago. The leaks are now the subject of a criminal inquiry. The paper also says that Lewis has liked anti-Tory posts on Facebook.

Boris Johnson to deliver warning to Russia
According to the Guardian, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is to deliver a warning to Russia that the UK will retaliate if Russia continues to use cyber-attacks. He is the first Foreign Secretary to visit Russia for five years. The paper adds that ‘neither side expects any major breakthrough’.

Passports to turn blue post-Brexit
In an exclusive, The Sun broke the news that from October 2019 the Government is to produce passports in what it calls ‘the dark blue colour that was once famous across the globe.’ People will have the option of requesting that their existing burgundy passport is replaced by a blue one.

Diane Abbott request explanation over being denied access to Yarl’s Wood
Diane Abbott has written to the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, after more than a dozen requests to visit Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre were turned down, the Guardian reports. In a statement, she said ‘It is of critical importance that we are able to scrutinise the conditions in which people are held, especially given the allegations of appalling treatment, abuse, and a lack of legal advice and medical support in this centre.’

Brexit sector reports released amidst criticism
The Guardian says that the Brexit sector reports, published in redacted form yesterday, have been ‘criticised for containing little more than padding, repetition and plagiarism’. Lord Jay, former Foreign Office head and acting chair of the Lords Brexit Committee described the reports as containing ‘little overarching analysis’ and being ‘inconsistent in approach and in the use of statistics’.

Mark Garnier cleared of wrongdoing
International trade minister Mark Garnier has been cleared of wrongdoing, as The Times reports. He had been accused of calling his secretary ‘sugar tits’ and asking her to buy him sex toys, but an inquiry by the Cabinet Office concluded that ‘that there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Garnier’s conduct as a minister since 2016 had breached the expected standards of behaviour’, Number 10 said.

EU preparing Canada-style deal for the UK
The Financial Times claims that the EU is preparing to present the UK with a Canada-style deal in early summer unless the UK is able to clarify its demands. As the paper reports, this would fall short of what Britain hopes for, as it will give only limited access for services.

Puppy farmers to be cracked down on
According to the Daily Mail, Theresa May has promised to ‘eradicate animal cruelty from our society’ by cracking down on puppy farmers. Proposals include forcing breeders to show puppies alongside their mother before selling them, ensuring sales are completed in the new owners’ presence, banning licensed breeders from selling puppies they haven’t bred, and regulation of adverts.

 

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Today’s Political Headlines – 21 December 2017

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including Damian Green’s ‘resignation’, the movable EU Withdrawal date, unfair leasehold practices and how Brexit is damaging the UK economy.  

Damian Green ordered to resign after Cabinet Office investigation
As The Times reports, Damian Green was ordered to resign as First Secretary of State last night, after a Cabinet Office investigation found that he had made ‘misleading and inaccurate’ statements about his knowledge of pornography found on an office computer during a police raid in 2008, while allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by Conservative activist and journalist Kate Maltby were ‘plausible’.

Government backs down on Brexit date amendment
The Guardian says the Government has accepted a compromise over its plans to set the Brexit date in the EU (Withdrawal) Bill. The Government had tabled an amendment setting the Brexit date (29 March 2019), but climbed down by also backing an amendment tabled by Oliver Letwin allowing this date to be changed by MPs with EU agreement. As a result, the Bill passed committee stage, and will move onto report stage in the new year.

Government goes further than expected in leasehold crackdown
The Government has gone further than expected in its plans to crackdown on unfair leasehold practices, The Times claims. Ground rents will be outlawed on newly built flats, it will be made easier and cheaper for leaseholders to buy out their freeholds and better information will be made available on redress for those facing the most onerous terms.

IMF: Brexit vote damaging UK economy
The International Monetary Fund has said that the UK’s vote to leave the EU is damaging the economy. As the Financial Times reports, the IMF’s report shows that economic growth rates have declined in the UK while they have grown in Europe, the US and Japan. The IMF’s UK growth forecast for the next year has been cut from 1.7% to 1.6%.

Gove: UK will not compromise with US food standards and will support hill farmers
The Guardian reports that Michael Gove told the Environment Select Committee that the UK will not compromise on ‘high animal welfare and environmental standards’, for example chlorine-washed chicken or use of neonicotinoid pesticides, when seeking to reach a trade deal with the US. The Times adds that Gove confirmed that hill farmers will continue to receive subsidies after 2022.

Barnier: Brexit transition must end in December 2020
EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has said that it would be ‘logical’ for the Brexit transition period to end on December 31 2017, according to the Financial Times. The European Commission has published its directives for the negotiation. A spokesperson for No 10 said that the UK was looking at a period of around two years, adding that ‘The commission have said just over 21 months, but it’s a negotiation.’

UK building cyber deterrent
The annual report of Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee reveals that the UK is building a cyber deterrent to ward off attacks from countries such as China, Iran and Russia. As The Daily Telegraph says, the report also raises concerns about so-called Islamic State’s ability to hack infrastructure using cyber weapons available for sale online.

Zac Goldsmith wished ‘cancerous new year’
Zac Goldsmith posted an image on Twitter of what he dubbed a ‘sweet Christmas message from a local Remain group’, The Daily Telegraph reports. The card carried a variety of abusive messages, including one wishing him a ‘cancerous new year’.

 

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UK Government

PMQs: Theresa May’s word cloud – 20 December 2017

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At the last Prime Minister’s Questions of the year, and the one a few days before Christmas, the season’s biggest holiday was discussed along with drugs, the NHS, social care and Brexit. We present the word cloud for Theresa May’s answers at PMQs on 20 December 2017.

Word cloud

 

Christmas
This is the last PMQs of the year, and MPs were certainly in the Christmas spirit during this session. Aside from the usual niceties, MPs also took the opportunity to ask for increased funding for education, health and social care in the spirit of the season.

Drugs
Drug legalisation has long been an issue which has divided MPs from within parties and across the House. SNP MP Ronnie Cowan this week raised the topic of ‘drug consumption rooms’, which he said had decreased the number of HIV and hepatitis occurances in drug users, as well as crime. There has never been an overdose in a supervised drug consumption room; he asked for powers to be devolved to Scotland so they could implement these rooms. May stated that her focus was on ensuring people stayed clear from drugs, rather than on funding policies such as this.

NHS
The NHS once again took centre stage during Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn’s first exchange. This week Corbyn began with a quote from the Conservative leader of Warwickshire country council, who has said the Government needs to tackle chronic underfunding in the NHS. May rebuked this with a much quoted statistic about Welsh failure to meet NHS targets since 2008, the Government there being run by Labour.

Social
Both social care and social mobility were issues raised throughout this week’s session. Corbyn referenced cuts to social care budget, while Labour MP Lucy Powell raised May’s former chief of staff Nick Timonthy’s article in the Sun this week, which criticised the Government’s social mobility action plan.

Brexit
Conservative MP Julian Lewis used his question for confirmation that Oliver Letwin’s amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill, which would allow the Government to change the withdrawal date if sufficient progress on agreement hadn’t been made, would only be used in ‘exceptional circumstances’. His party colleague John Baron followed on from this by asking May to confirm that any delay would be a maximum of two months. May responded by saying it would be for the shortest amount of time necessary.

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Today’s Political Headlines – 20 December 2017

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A round-up of the latest political headlines, including the removal of the council tax rise cap, criticism of the Government’s homelessness policy, the UK having no major warships overseas and Theresa May’s tour of Britain.  

Government breaks cap on council tax rises
The Daily Telegraph reports that Sajid Javid has announced the lifting of a cap on council tax rises, in a move that could increase household bills by up to £200. Councils will be allowed to raise bills by up to 6%, and police forces will be allowed to charge an extra £12 per household.

Government’s homelessness policy criticised
A report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee criticises the Government’s approach to tackling homelessness, according to the Guardian. Committee chair, Meg Hillier, said ‘The latest official figures hammer home the shameful state of homelessness in England and the abject failure of the government’s approach to addressing the misery suffered by many thousands of families and individuals.’

UK left with no major warships overseas
The Times claims that the UK has no major warships on operations anywhere in the world for the first time since the Royal Navy was formed around 500 years ago. A ‘senior serving military officer’ said that this was a ‘strategic embarrassment for the country and a strategic embarrassment for defence’, according to the paper.

May plans question and answer tour of Britain
Theresa May is planning a nationwide tour, the Daily Mail reports. The Prime Minister will revive the informal question-and-answer sessions run by David Cameron, as part of an attempt to ‘show off more of her personality and connect with voters’.

Gibraltar becomes latest Brexit sticking point
The Financial Times says that Brussels is pressuring the UK to resolve its dispute with Spain over the Rock of Gibraltar in order to secure a quick deal on the Brexit transition period. The paper reports that the European Commission will adopt a four-page mandate covering the second phase of Brexit negotiations on Wednesday, including a requirement for a UK-Spain bilateral agreement if Gibraltar is to be covered by the transition deal.

Department for Transport plans new rules for lasers and driverless cars
The Daily Telegraph reports that the Government is planning to introduce unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to five years for people who shine a laser at aircraft, cars or ships. The plans will be in the draft Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Bill, to be published by the Department for Transport. Another consultation by the department covers proposed changes to regulations which would allow cars to be parked remotely, according to The Times.

Subsidy for rural post offices and Universal Service Obligation for rural broadband
The Government is to announce a £160m fund to safeguard the future of rural Post Offices, The Daily Telegraph reports, with a further £210m to modernise branches. The move comes as the Post Office makes its first profit in 16 years. Separately, the Financial Times claims that the Government is to reject BT’s offer to connect 1.1m rural homes to superfast broadband and instead give rural homeowners the legal right to demand an upgrade through a Universal Service Obligation.

Guy Verhofstadt calls on May to condemn Poland
Guy Verhofstadt, head of the European Parliament’s Brexit working group, told The Daily Telegraph that Theresa May’s visit to Warsaw would be a ‘test’ of the UK’s commitment to European values. The European Commission meets today to decide whether to launch proceedings against Poland for violating commitments to democracy and human rights.

 

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new year 2018

So we survived 2017. What next?

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As 2017 draws to a close, it’s the time to reflect upon the events of the past 12 months and make predictions for the future. That was the topic of global think tank Project for the Study of the 21st Century’s latest London event.

The panel was hosted by Reuters global defence correspondent Peter Apps, who shared the stage with John Raines, head of political risk at HIS Markit, Patricia Lewis, research director in international security at Chatham House, Jonn Elledge, editor at the New Statesman, and Jessica Toale from the Fabian Society International Group.

The events that have unfolded throughout the year have largely been the effects of decisions made in 2016, namely the election of Donald Trump and the UK vote to leave the European Union.

According to John Raines, Trump has been ‘impeding the ways of international cooperation’ since his inauguration, through the official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and continuous NATO-bashing.

Modern diplomacy is being tested.

Jonn Elledge went even further, suggesting that ‘a gradual erosion of democracy’ is taking place. Alarmingly, we are losing our grip on what was once a very powerful tool: shame. Shame no longer has the ability to prevent leaders from doing things that we do not expect from people in charge. Instead, personal insecurities seem to have harnessed this power; for example, Putin’s obsession with his own height as well as heterosexuality exert a strong influence on his behaviour.

In times of uncertainty, people look for strong leaders and it’s no coincidence that both Trump and Putin seem to put a lot of effort into appearing as ‘manly’ as possible.

Patricia Lewis spoke of several potential threats to the status quo. She warned about the increasing stress of climate change and the conflicts that this will cause; the situation in North Korea that signals the failure of nuclear deterrents; as well as the ‘octopus’ of terrorism and the increase in the use of chemicals such as chlorine. Additionally, Lewis predicted that cyber attacks will become more frequent, with infrastructure and energy the preferred targets.

Ever since Theresa May’s disappointing performance in the 2017 general election and the DUP deal that followed, there has been talk of another election. However, according to Jessica Toale, the recent progress in the Brexit negotiations has postponed this possibility. Toale is also confident that the royal wedding will exclude any chance of an election until June.

It is probable that rising inflation and a stagnation in wages will temporarily work in Labour’s favour. In terms of domestic issues, poor productivity, health and public sector services will be the most pressing. Elledge is far from optimistic when it comes to the housing situation: the fundamentals – too many people wanting to live in too few places – are not set to change.

As the end of 2017 draws ever nearer, the repercussions of 2016 are still being felt; this will continue well into 2018. We have long assumed that from generation to generation the world will get better, however, the events of the past year have shown us that we shouldn’t take traditional progress for granted.

That said, with this current uncertainty there comes a genuine opportunity for change.

Report Abuse

Google, Facebook and Twitter are not taking online abuse and hate seriously enough

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The Home Affairs Committee has questioned Google, Facebook and Twitter over the work they’re doing to combat online hate. The Committee questioned Dr Nicklas Berild Lundbald, vice president public policy at Google EMEA; Simon Milner, director, public policy at Facebook; and Sinead McSweeney, VP public policy and communications at Twitter EMEA.

They were focusing on trends in online hate crime and what actions are being taken by the leading platforms to tackle it. This follows earlier news that Twitter revised its hate policies, which led to Britain First being suspended.

Mark Di Stefano, media and politics reporter for BuzzFeed UK, live-tweeted the session and is the source of the quotes below.

Under questioning from MPs, Facebook revealed it now has more than 7,500 people whose jobs are focused on removing content from the platform, while Google expects to have over 10,000 by the end of 2018.

Highlighting problems with Twitter’s reporting system, Yvette Cooper presented abusive and threatening tweets against Diane Abbott and Theresa May, which she had reported on the platform. The tweets are still online, but McSweeney was unable to give a reason why. In an attempt to excuse it, she said: ‘You can clean a street every morning, you can’t guarantee it’ll be clean by 10am’.

McSweeney was unable to explain why any of the offensive comments in tweets were still live on the platform. She did admit to failings with the verification system on Twitter, with the blue tick system clearly broken, she said: ‘People became verified who should have never been verified’. She also confirmed what was reported a few weeks ago: the Twitter verification system has been suspended.

McSweeney received the brunt of questioning, perhaps due to Twitter’s nature as a broadcast platform and one on which MPs receive so much abuse themselves.

Tory MP Rehman Chishti presented Milner with an offensive crusader meme and asked: ‘That is completely unacceptable, would you accept that?’ to which Milner replied: ‘I’d have to ask our expert teams’.

Google didn’t escape the spotlight, Cooper asked why she was receiving recommendations from YouTube for ‘pretty horrible organisations’.

‘You are actively recommending what is effectively racist material into people’s timelines’, she said. ‘Isn’t the real truth that your algorithms and the way in which you want to attract people to other linked and connected things, is that actually your algorithms are actually doing that grooming and radicalization?’

Towards the end of the session Milner complained: ‘I kinda hope you have some other companies here. It’s usually us three. There are a lot of other online companies many who are not applying the same endeavors we are’.

Cooper wrapped up the session by telling the three networks: ‘It is about harassment and abuse that can undermine political debate and democracy. You are some of the richest companies in the world. We need you to do more.’

The Home Affairs Committee questioned Google, Facebook and Twitter as part of its ‘Hate crime and its violent consequences’ inquiry. The Committee started before the election and even published a report in May: ‘Abuse, hate and extremism online’. Today’s session was a continuation of the existing investigation into online abuse.