Helmut Schmidt: As Germany loses a historic figure, the UK has lost the most Anglo-Saxon of all Chancellors at a crucial time for Brexit November 11, 2015 The death of Helmut Schmidt is a profound moment for all post-war Germans. More than any other German Chancellor, Schmidt was the incarnation of a deep commitment to his nation as a part of the European Community, but also as a strong member of the Atlantic alliance. As an inveterate workaholic, Schmidt was used to burning [...]
Public spending watchdog warns government over devolution deals November 11, 2015 An influential parliamentary committee is cautioning the government over its plans to devolve further powers to local authorities, calling for more transparency about how devolution is carried out in various regions. In a new report out today, the Public Accounts Committee says that the government needs to “provide clarity on accountability, funding and economic impact” [...]
Controversial Trade Union Bill passes third reading in the House of Commons November 10, 2015 The government’s controversial Trade Union Bill was met with strong opposition, but ultimately passed the House of Commons in the third reading. Parliament voted 305 in favour, with 271 against, giving a majority of 34. Under the existing rules, if 100 members are balloted and only five vote and three vote yes and two vote [...]
EU referendum: Eurosceptics and Europhiles tear apart Cameron’s reform demands November 10, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has come under criticism from both European Union officials and members of his own political party over his European Union reform agenda. Cameron spelled out new details of his top demands, including major changes to welfare benefits for EU migrants in the UK, in a speech in central London yesterday morning. [...]
Government delays Sunday trading plans after SNP threats November 10, 2015 The government has reportedly postponed plans to relax Sunday trading laws in England and Wales after the SNP threatened to block legislation including the proposals. Chancellor George Osborne first proposed in his summer budget changing the rules to allow high street shops in England and Wales to stay open longer on Sundays, but the SNP’s Westminster leader [...]
Portuguese government ousted by Socialist coalition after losing parliamentary confidence vote November 10, 2015 Portugal's centre-right coalition government has been voted out of parliament by a vote of 123 to 107 after just 11 days in office. While Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coehlo was expected to lose, it is unclear whether the president of Portugal will ask the Socialist-led coalition – which formed over the weekend to oust the current [...]
HMRC to hire evening staff, having unveiling new telephone system to tackle customer service concerns November 10, 2015 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has today announced it is taking steps to improve customer service, including hiring staff for outside hours, the BBC has reported. Speaking in front of the Commons Treasury Committee today, Lin Homer, chief executive of HMRC, apologised for the tax authority’s poor track record of dealing with customer phone calls. [...]
Oldham West and Royton by-election 2015 result: There could be a massive upset on its way if Ukip has its way November 10, 2015 The forthcoming by-election in Oldham West and Royton will be a fascinating contest, prompted by the tragic death of Michael Meacher, an old school conviction politician who worked tirelessly for his constituents. His death, at a time when the Labour Party is in flux and the Tories are in state of post victory complacency, makes [...]
Former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna says he supports Prime Minister David Cameron’s demands on EU treaty change November 10, 2015 Chuka Umunna, Labour's former shadow business secretary, has come out in support of Conservative prime minister David Cameron’s demands on European Union treaty changes. Umunna told Morning Wire that Cameron’s demands, laid out in a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk, are “reasonable”. He said: “In the end the demands the Prime Minister have [...]
EU reform: Dear Donald – the full text of David Cameron’s EU renegotiation letter to Donald Tusk November 10, 2015 David Cameron has finally outlined his plans for EU renegotiation to European Council president Donald Tusk. But what did he actually ask for? The full thing comes in at a weighty 2,000 words across six pages. The letter suggests the pair are on first-name terms – beginning with "Dear Donald" and ending with a simple [...]