Former MP describes ‘enormous guilt’ over Westminster honeypot scandal Politics Former MP William Wragg has described the feeling of “enormous guilt” that washed over him as he realised he had fallen victim to a sophisticated scam designed to target politicians in Westminster. A police probe began in April earlier this year after it was suggested at least 12 men with links to Westminster had received [...]
Column: The challenges facing Kemi Badenoch… Politics Politicians, the public often decry, lack real-world experience. Whether it be running a business, working in healthcare, serving in the armed forces, anything that demonstrates their ‘feet on the ground’ credentials is a plus. It covers parents too. Just look at Keir Starmer’s oft-touted “toolmaker father”; Rishi Sunak, the “son of a pharmacist; and even [...]
Kemi Badenoch appoints top team with Andrew Griffith to shadow business Politics Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has appointed her full top team, with former City minister Andrew Griffith taking on the role of shadow business and trade secretary. The Conservative leader appointed her former rival candidates Mel Stride and Dame Priti Patel as her shadow Chancellor and shadow foreign secretary last night, as well as making Laura [...]
Budget 2024: Backbenchers and bus fares – the political traps to dodge? October 30, 2024 For any Chancellor, their first Budget is always going to be a major event. But for Rachel Reeves, taking to the despatch box today as Britain’s first female top finance minister, she will – one way or another – be making history. The details laid out in Labour’s first Budget after 14 years in opposition [...]
Tory conference: What to expect from Birmingham and why does it matter? September 30, 2024 Battling through delayed and cancelled trains from London’s Euston, this weekend saw Tory and Westminster watchers embark on the journey to the Midlands. Rattling around the maze-like International Convention Centre (ICC), the party faithful are gathering for an event that promises to be a combination of a wake, for the past 14 years in government; [...]
Tory leadership race: Mel Stride knocked out as MPs whittle candidates to four September 10, 2024 Mel Stride has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race as Conservative MPs voted to whittle the remaining candidates down to four. The former work and pensions secretary received just 16 votes, the lowest number of votes, meaning he was eliminated from the process, while Robert Jenrick led the pack on 33 votes. Kemi [...]
Tory leadership contest: Priti Patel knocked out of race as Robert Jenrick leads field September 4, 2024 Dame Priti Patel has been knocked out of the Tory leadership race to replace Rishi Sunak, as rival Robert Jenrick was revealed to be leading the field. The results of the first ballot of MPs were revealed this afternoon with the former immigration minister emerging as the favourite among Conservative MPs to lead the party. [...]
This government is out of ideas, out of energy, and deserves to be out of office July 3, 2024 Our verdict on the General Election: this Conservative party deserves a spell on the sidelines
Worst (political) jargon of the week: Supermajority June 27, 2024 What does it mean? The eclipse of a waning organism by a massive new entity. A supermajority normally looms during the last evolutionary stages of a massive Tory government.
Election 2024: Cleverly says ‘no reason to believe’ cabinet ministers made bets June 23, 2024 James Cleverly has said he had “no reason to believe” any cabinet ministers placed a bet on the timing of the general election.