As licence fee critic John Whittingdale is made culture secretary, is this bad news for the BBC? May 11, 2015 Sam Bowman, deputy director of the Adam Smith Institute, says Yes John Whittingdale has described the licence fee as being “worse than a poll tax,” and wants to decriminalise non-payment. That is a good idea: 10 per cent of magistrate court cases are for licence fee non-payment. Every week that means 3,000 people are fined [...]
General Election 2015: The best reactions to Nigel Farage’s unresignation May 11, 2015 In his autobiography, The Purple Revolution, Nigel Farage said it was curtains for him if he failed to win in Thanet. "The consequences of me failing to secure a seat for myself in the Commons would be significant for both myself and the party. It is frankly just not credible for me to continue to [...]
General Election 2015: Nigel Farage remains Ukip leader after resignation rejected by party May 11, 2015 Nigel Farage will remain the leader of Ukip – despite handing in his resignation after being defeated in South Thanet in the General Election last week. Ukip members have rejected the leaders attempt to quit because they did not want him to go. "As promised Nigel Farage tendered his official resignation as leader of Ukip [...]
General Election 2015: David Cameron’s Conservative cabinet reshuffle so far – Sajid Javid confirmed as new business secretary as Eric Pickles loses communities and local government role May 11, 2015 Following Friday's fireworks, it's time to get down to business: the Prime Minister has set about forming the first all-Conservative cabinet in 18 years, with Sajid Javid appointed as business secretary, while Iain Duncan Smith has kept the work and pensions gig. Meanwhile, Greg Clark dethroned his boss, Eric Pickles, to become secretary of state [...]
General Election 2015 reshuffle: Sajid Javid as business secretary gets a thumbs up from the City May 11, 2015 David Cameron's appointment of former treasury man Sajid Javid as business secretary has received a positive welcome from the City. “This is a solid appointment and one that will bring a wealth of experience to an important office," said the Institute of Directors' head of communications and campaigns Christian May. "Sajid Javid is respected by [...]
General Election 2015 cabinet reshuffle: Sajid Javid – three things you need to know about the new business secretary in David Cameron’s cabinet May 11, 2015 David Cameron has lined up Sajid Javid as his new secretary of state for business in his first all-Conservative government. 1. In government Javid has had a meteoric rise in politics, having gone from parliamentary candidate to secretary of state in less than five years. Javid was culture secretary in the last government, a role he [...]
David Cameron’s cabinet reshuffle: Iain Duncan Smith keeps job as Tory big beasts are reappointed May 11, 2015 David Cameron will today confirm that Iain Duncan Smith is the latest big gun in the new all-Tory cabinet, holding on to his job as work and pensions secretary. Duncan Smith will be in charge of meeting the Conservative pledge to find £12bn worth of savings in the welfare budget by 2020. Only £2bn of [...]
David Cameron to act quickly on EU renegotiations and in-out referendum May 11, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron is facing increased pressure to fast-track his plans to reform Britain’s relationship with the European Union. Cameron is widely expected to introduce legislation for an in-out referendum during the early days of the new parliament, as well as ramp up discussions about reform within the EU ahead of the next [...]
Labour hopefuls line up bids to replace Ed Miliband: Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham, Chuka Umunna and Yvette Cooper top contenders May 11, 2015 Liz Kendall yesterday became the first Labour MP to officially announce a campaign to succeed Ed Miliband as party leader. Kendall is a rising star in the party, impressing as a shadow health minister and in the media. Liz Kendall Chuka Umunna The charismatic and business-friendly Chuka Umunna is one of [...]
Nicola Sturgeon: SNP will be the main opposition to Conservatives May 10, 2015 Nicola Sturgeon rubbed salt into the Labour Party’s wounds yesterday, arguing that her Scottish National Party (SNP) is now the real opposition to the Conservative government. “Given that Labour are entering a period of introspection, questioning their very purpose in life – the SNP is going to be the principal opposition to the Conservatives,” she [...]