A Lib Dem peer has defected to the Conservatives because of Tim Farron’s support for retaining EU membership October 9, 2016 Concerns around the Liberal Democrats' pro-European stance under Tim Farron have driven one of the party's peers to defect to the Conservatives. Baroness Manzoor announced her decision this morning, praising Theresa May's approach to the verdict of the June referendum. Farron has sought to make the Lib Dems the party of the 48 per cent [...]
Miliband, Clegg and a cross-party group of MPs want a parliamentary vote on Brexit October 9, 2016 Former party leaders Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are among a group of MPs from across the political spectrum calling for a parliamentary vote on Brexit. The group, which also includes pro-EU Tories, SNP and Green party politicians, is seeking clarity on a so-called hard Brexit that would mean leaving the Single Market and which Prime Minister Theresa [...]
Nigel Farage defends Trump’s “alpha male boasting” as high profile Republicans withdraw support October 9, 2016 Ukip's boomerang leader Nigel Farage has defended the behaviour of under pressure Presidential hopeful Donald Trump after making lewd remarks about women as fellow high profile Republicans withdrew their support. Farage, who is once again in charge of the party on an interim basis following the resignation of elected leader Diane James, said Trump's comments were "alpha [...]
He said, he said: Watch Ukip’s Mike Hookem defend himself against accusations of punching Steven Woolfe October 7, 2016 Ukip MEP Mike Hookem has denied punching party colleague Steven Woolfe, after reports the two engaged in a fight at the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday. Woolfe was hospitalised after collapsing at the parliamentary building, and Ukip leader (technically) Nigel Farage said it followed an 'altercation' at a meeting of MPs. "I deeply regret that [...]
Jonathan Ashworth expected to be offered shadow health secretary role – but may need to resign from Labour’s National Executive Committee October 7, 2016 Jonathan Ashworth is widely expected to be offered the role of shadow health secretary in Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench, Morning Wire understands. However, in return for the promotion he is likely to need to resign from Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC). If he does resign, it will pave the way for the influential committee to be comprised of a pro-Jeremy [...]
Government announces final details of Lloyds share sale October 7, 2016 Shares in Lloyds Banking Group have dropped two per cent after the government announced it will press ahead with plans to offload its remaining stake in the part-nationalised lender. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the plans during a trip to Washington this morning as part of his bid to reassure American financial companies that the UK [...]
Ukip’s Steven Woolfe says party colleague ‘came at me and landed a blow’ October 7, 2016 The European Parliament has launched a disciplinary inquiry into an altercation between Ukip MEPs yesterday, which left one of the party's leadership candidates in hospital. Ukip MEP Steven Woolfe has accused party colleague Mike Hookem of punching him at the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday. Woolfe was taken to hospital yesterday afternoon after he collapsed following an [...]
Jeremy Corbyn announces more appointments amid Labour party frontbench reshuffle October 6, 2016 Jeremy Corbyn announced a string of appointments today amid a reshuffle of his Labour party's frontbench. The opposition leader is trying to strengthen his grip on the party after winning last month's Labour leadership contest by a large majority. Read more: Jeremy Corbyn has named a new shadow City minister, recruiting an MP who previously resigned [...]
Hammond to decide on more QE “carefully and cautiously” October 6, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond said today that future decisions over whether the government will approve another round of quantitative easing (QE) to bolster the economy would be taken "carefully and cautiously". His comments came a day after Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged super-low interest rates and quantitative easing have "some bad side effects". Speaking during a television [...]
Don’t blame businesses for hiring foreign staff. Improve British skills October 6, 2016 Home secretary Amber Rudd provoked outrage this week for suggesting that companies should list the number of foreign workers they employ. For many in the business community, it hit a raw nerve at a sensitive time. EU nationals that call the UK home and have set up fast-growth businesses, or joined talented global teams, are already [...]