After the Scottish referendum results it’s what happens next which could buffet David Cameron September 19, 2014 In the end it came down to heart, not head. Scotland voted against independence in the way a tired child, having shouted and resisted in its parents' arms, eventually curls in for a cuddle after the storm passes. The union, like a great umbilical cord running the backbone of the United Kingdom, may bend and [...]
Battle not yet over as talks begin after vote September 18, 2014 PRIME Minister David Cameron will be facing some tough questions this morning, following the Scottish referendum vote yesterday. As the ballots were counted overnight, MPs in Westminster began to make their views on further devolution to Scotland clear, even before the result had been announced. Rumblings from the Conservative backbenches have been getting louder over [...]
Could Labour be set to make a big announcement on low pay at its party conference? September 18, 2014 Tackling low pay has been a central policy theme for Labour while in opposition, and it’s not hard to see why. While the economy is growing, wages aren’t rising in real-terms and people don’t feel better off. Ed Miliband knows this and has sought to focus his party’s strategy on the cost of living crisis [...]
Scottish independence: Gordon Brown’s battle speech puts referendum polls on a knife edge September 17, 2014 Gordon Brown gave a roaring speech in Glasgow yesterday, urging Scottish voters to cast their ballots in favour of the union when polling stations open this morning. The battle speech came as polls showed the outcome of the referendum remains on a knife-edge. Calling on Scots not to be swayed by accusations that [...]
Chuka Umunna on Scottish independence vote: Businesses threatened with financial hit for backing No September 17, 2014 Businesses in Scotland have been threatened with dire financial consequences if they openly back the No campaign during the Scottish referendum, Labour’s shadow business secretary exclusively told City A.M. yesterday. A number of businesses north of the border have been told by Yes campaigners that they will suffer a financial hit if they publically side [...]
Scottish independence: Win or lose, Cameron is in for a rocky ride – View From Westminster September 16, 2014 David Cameron probably feels a bit like Noah at the moment, preparing for a great flood to come barrelling towards his ark, hoping the seals hold and praying there aren’t any leaks. But of course as any good DIY-er knows, there’s always a leak. And it’s usually in the place you least expect. The Prime [...]
Scottish independence: Polls show referendum may go right to the wire September 16, 2014 Three new polls last night showed the No campaign edging ahead in the Scottish referendum race, all revealing identical but close results. The data will give the Better Together campaign a welcome boost as both camps head into the final full day of the election battle, but the results remain extremely tight and could yet [...]
Who wants Scotland to be independent? CBI and EDF are latest to call for United Kingdom September 16, 2014 Two business big-hitters last night joined a chorus of calls urging Scottish voters to stick with the United Kingdom instead of voting for independence tomorrow. Both the Confederation of British Industry and EDF Energy urged Scots to consider the risks of a Yes vote, as campaigning north of the border reached fever pitch. In a [...]
Scottish independence: Aye, it’ll be nae! Betfair pays out early on No vote September 16, 2014 Bookmaker Betfair has put its money where its mouth is by paying out early on the Scottish referendum outcome in favour of a No vote. The company has paid out over £100,000 to punters using Betfair Exchange, a small part of its bigger betting business, which allows people to wager against each other. The move [...]
End of the turntable: Pioneer spins out its DJ equipment unit September 16, 2014 PIONEER, famous for helping millions of music-lovers to party the night away with its turntables, is spinning out the audio equipment arm of its business in a £550m deal. It will sell the new business, Pioneer DJ, to private equity firm KKR early next year. Pioneer currently makes speakers, turntables and mixers used by DJs [...]