Four-day working week ‘unrealistic’, finds Labour-backed report September 12, 2019 A four-day working week is unrealistic, according to a Labour party-commissioned report that undermines a policy the party is considering. Shadown chancellor John McDonnell tweeted that “something must change” after Lord Robert Skidelsky’s report said a reduction in working hours “is both desirable ethically and desired by most people”. Read more: John McDonnell poised to [...]
Startups clash with watchdog over digital merger regulation March 3, 2020 British startups have been plunged into a bitter war of words with the competition watchdog as the two sides clash over how major tech mergers should be regulated. Industry body the Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec) has penned a scathing letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak warning that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) risked [...]
Brexit: PM’s pre-Christmas election gambit under pressure October 29, 2019 The Prime Minister’s last attempt to secure an election this side of Christmas could still struggle Last night the government tabled a motion for an election that includes the date – 12 December – in a bid to convince critics who say he can’t be trusted not to push back the date and force a [...]
Reinvigorating the regions is crucial for the whole of our country January 10, 2020 The Prime Minister had victory to savour on holiday in Mustique, and when he returned foreign policy was very much top of the agenda, with the escalating tensions between Iran and the US. But if Boris Johnson is to remain in power for a decade, he must not take his eye off the ball domestically [...]
Sajid Javid refuses to rule out electoral pact with Brexit party September 8, 2019 Sajid Javid has refused to rule out an electoral pact with the Brexit party in the event of a snap general election. The chancellor said the Conservative party did not need an “electoral alliance with anyone”, but refused to rule out any agreement with Nigel Farage’s party if there was a general election. Read more: [...]
‘A weekly test of showmanship’: Does PMQs shape public opinion? June 3, 2020 The greatest representation of Westminster’s gladiatorial spirit has to be Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). MPs pack themselves onto the House of Commons benches every sitting Wednesday to watch and engage in the high political drama, which often has the feeling of a schoolyard brawl. The screeching interjections, snide personal attacks and fits of laughter from [...]
Boris Johnson expects a ‘tough election’ October 30, 2019 Boris Johnson has said he is prepared to fight a “tough” election after parliament agreed to a 12 December snap poll yesterday. Opposition parties granted the Prime Minister a general election after voting against previous attempts on several occasions. Read more: It’s on: Christmas election to decide fate of Brexit…maybe The bill, setting out the [...]
Brexit: Queen approves Boris Johnson’s prorogation request August 28, 2019 The Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s request to suspend parliament for an extended period, reducing the amount of time MPs will sit before the Brexit deadline. The Privy Council, represented by leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, chief whip Mark Spencer and Baroness Evans of Bowes Park, flew to Balmoral this morning, [...]
John McDonnell slammed by own MP for “thoughtless rant” on Scottish independence August 7, 2019 John McDonnell has come under attack from his own party after saying Labour would not stand in the way of a second independence referendum in Scotland. Speaking at an Edinburgh Fringe event yesterday, shadow chancellor McDonnell said the party was split on the issue, but would not stand in its way. “We would not block [...]
Labour pledges to cut working week to 32 hours September 23, 2019 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has pledged to cut back the working week to 32 hours, with no loss of pay, “within the next decade” under a Labour government. In what would be a radical transformation of the UK’s labour market, increasing the role of the state in the workplace, McDonnell set out how a Labour [...]