A new trade commission has warned the UK to treat China with “kid gloves”, and focus on attempts to secure deals with countries with “similar values” August 17, 2016 A group of global trade experts are calling on the UK to focus on negotiations with culturally similar nations, warning the UK to treat China “with kid gloves”. The new, independent special trade commission will operate through think tank Legatum, and features former advisers to both President Obama and former President George W Bush. The [...]
Blame Jeremy Corbyn for the increasing number of public sector strikes August 16, 2016 The total number of working days lost through labour disputes last year was, at just 170,000, the second lowest annual total since records began in 1891. What a difference a year can make. Southern Rail commuters have endured months of misery due to the prolonged series of strikes called by the RMT. Union members on Eurostar [...]
A German minister has called for the UK to be granted “special status” in Europe following the vote to leave the EU August 16, 2016 Germany's European Affairs minister has called for Britain to win "a special status" following Brexit, while calling for talks to begin early next year. Theresa May has repeatedly stated that she will not activate Article 50, which gives the UK two years to secure new terms, until 2017. And Michael Roth has told Reuters the UK [...]
Jeremy Corbyn unveils renationalistation transformation plans for Britain’s transport system August 16, 2016 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has laid out his plans to rebuild and transform the UK's transport system through renationalisation as the fight for the Labour crown continues. Corbyn set out how he would "rebuild and transform Britain's transport system", extending public ownership from rail to bus networks. He said that enough money from public ownership [...]
Billy Bragg says he still backs Jeremy Corbyn, despite calling the Labour leader a “20th century man” and warning against “tribalist” moves August 16, 2016 Singer and Labour activist Billy Bragg has denied withdrawing his support for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, despite warning the party risks becoming “tribalist” under Corbyn. Speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, Bragg, who has repeatedly lent Corbyn his backing, said Labour was failing to articulate new ideas, such as federalism for English regions. According to [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: Donald Trump wants “extreme vetting” for immigrants August 16, 2016 There is a necessity to conduct "extreme vetting" of immigrants into the US to fight against radical Islam, Donald Trump has said. The Republican presidential candidate said new arrivals should be tested to ascertain if they share Western values such as religious tolerance and the acceptance of LGBT rights. The suggestion comes months after Trump first [...]
Resolution Foundation argues Brexit won’t solve the low-skilled pay squeeze August 16, 2016 Reducing levels of migration will do little to end the pay squeeze for low-income workers, new research by a leading think tank has found. A report published today by the Resolution Foundation claims while net migration has reduced earnings for some people in the UK, a tighter, post-Brexit clampdown on the numbers of people coming [...]
A Labour Brexit campaigner will lead a cross-party probe on the EU nationals “left in limbo” following the June referendum August 16, 2016 Labour MP and Brexit campaigner Gisela Stuart will chair a new cross-party inquiry into rights that could be granted to EU nationals living in the UK after Britain splits from the EU. Stuart will lead the work for think tank British Future, working with representatives from the Conservatives and Ukip, as well as the Institute [...]
Don’t call it a comeback – Boris is in charge of the country this week August 16, 2016 Foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the government's senior minister for the second week of Theresa May's holiday. May, who is spending a break in Switzerland, last week appointed chancellor Philip Hammond to the role of “senior minister in charge”. However, the position has now been rotated to the former London mayor for the second half [...]
Trump and Corbyn are pushing extreme views August 16, 2016 Surveys constantly reveal that a worrying number of Americans believe some absurd untruths, and crackpot conspiracy theories, about their outgoing President, Barack Obama. A poll last year, for example, found that 29 per cent think Obama is a muslim. A respected survey a few years prior put the number at 18 per cent. Republican candidate Donald [...]