Labour’s business charm offensive is an attempt to right the ship March 6, 2023 As Labour headed further left under Corbyn, business ran scared from the party fearing higher taxes and heavy-handed nationalisation – all roundly rejected by voters. But Starmer has steered the ship around and is leading a business charm offensive. His efforts to win over big business have been branded the ‘Prawn Cocktail Offensive 2.0’ in [...]
Sadiq Khan urges government to commit to making all public bodies a ‘safe haven for women’ March 6, 2023 Sadiq Khan is urging the government to back his call for a review of “women-friendly” workplace policies ahead of International Women’s Day. The mayor of London is calling for public bodies to commit to supporting female workers with domestic abuse, gynaecological pain, leadership development, and the menopause. He has written to work and pensions secretary [...]
Sadiq Khan criticised for ULEZ cameras for ‘pay-as-you-drive’ charge plans March 5, 2023 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been criticised over plans to use ULEZ cameras for a possible future ‘pay-as-you-drive’ road user charging scheme. Transport for London (TfL) is looking into replacing existing schemes such as the congestion charge and the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) with a “single, integrated road user” charge. Just 300 of the [...]
Keir Starmer should publish Sue Gray WhatsApps, Tories say, amid pro-Labour poll March 5, 2023 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer should publish any WhatsApp messages with Sue Gray ahead of her becoming his chief of staff, a Conservative minister has said. Starmer should publish his messages with the civil servant and partygate investigator to clear up questions about her move to the senior role, the Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris [...]
MP Neil Coyle to be suspended from Commons over drunk tirade using ‘abusive language with racial overtones’ March 3, 2023 MP Neil Coyle has been recommended for a five-day suspension for drunkenly abusing two people in a Commons bar, using “abusive language with racial overtones” on one occasion. The Independent Expert Panel found he breached Parliament’s bullying and harassment policy in a report published on Friday over two incidents. One was the “foul-mouthed and drunken [...]
Sue Gray, civil servant who chaired inquiry into Boris Johnson ‘partygate’, reportedly hired as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff March 2, 2023 Top civil servant Sue Gray who carried out the partygate inquiry has reportedly been hired as Keir Starmer’s new chief of staff. Gray has quit her Cabinet Office post, according to the PA news agency, and is reportedly set to take up the key role in Sir Keir’s operation. It comes as Labour tries to [...]
UK will have highest growth in G7 under Labour, Keir Starmer pledges February 23, 2023 The UK should become the highest growth economy in the G7, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said, as he unveiled a package of national missions. Speaking in Manchester this morning, Sir Keir revealed a set of five ambitions for the country, with a general election expected to take place in the next 18 months. [...]
Labour ‘very supportive’ of post-Brexit overhaul of EU Solvency II rules February 21, 2023 Labour is “very supportive” of the government’s plans to overhaul EU rules that govern Britain’s insurance sector, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said. The government is eager to overhaul the EU-era Solvency II rules, which govern the sums of money insurers must hold on their balance sheets to protect themselves against bankruptcy, in a bid to [...]
Who could replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister? February 16, 2023 Scottish first minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon revealed she is quitting the top job in a shock move seen as a major boon to the unionist movement. Runners and riders are jostling for position as the Scottish National Party (SNP) prepares to replace Sturgeon in the post. While the news was welcomed by the [...]
Four rebel Labour MPs reveal opposition to Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion plans February 15, 2023 Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand ULEZ has hit a further roadblock after four Labour MPs came out against the scheme. Seema Malhotra, Jon Cruddas, Siobhain McDonagh and Abena Oppong-Asare all told LBC they had concerns about the policy’s impact. Khan wants to extend the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) and the £12.50 daily charge [...]