Editor’s Notes: The Tories face a huge challenge, but they must take the fight to Corbyn September 28, 2018 Having observed the Labour party conference from a safe distance I’ll be travelling to Birmingham on Sunday to soak up the atmosphere at the annual Tory gathering. My first port of call will be speaking at a dinner hosted by City comms firm Cicero, where I shall sing for my supper and offer a [...]
DEBATE: Is Labour looking more like a credible government-in-waiting after this year’s conference? September 27, 2018 Is Labour looking more like a credible government-in-waiting after this year’s conference? Finn McRedmond, staff writer at Reaction, says YES. In his keynote speech yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn said to Jim O’Neill, former Tory minister and Goldman Sachs economist: “You’re welcome, come and join us in the new political mainstream.” This was the pervasive sentiment: [...]
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn set out competing economic visions in major speeches September 26, 2018 Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn set out competing visions of Britain's future on Wednesday with two radically different speeches on the economy. Addressing the Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York, May praised free markets and vowed to slash the UK's corporation tax to the lowest rate in the G20 after Brexit. As the PM addressed [...]
The Tories must tackle the growing confidence of socialists – and the growing attractiveness of socialism September 26, 2018 Two party leaders gave speeches on Wednesday. One, in New York, praised the free-market as “the greatest agent of human progress” and pledged “a post-Brexit Britain will be an unequivocally pro-business Britain.” The other, in Liverpool, lashed out at “a failed economic system” in which “millions of people” are a mere “side show for [...]
Jeremy Corbyn vows to vote down Chequers deal as he calls for UK to stay in a customs union September 26, 2018 Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he would vote down Theresa May's Brexit plan as part of a gamble to trigger a general election. In his keynote speech to Labour's conference on Wednesday, Corbyn said his MPs would not back May's so-called Chequers proposal, but would also oppose leaving the EU without any trade deal. He claimed [...]
Wealthy parents would pay just £4 an hour towards childcare under Labour, Jeremy Corbyn announces September 25, 2018 Wealthy parents would pay just £4 an hour towards childcare under Labour, Jeremy Corbyn is set to announce. The Labour leader will use his keynote conference speech on Wednesday to propose a massive subsidy of childcare for all parents – regardless of earnings. As well as extending 30 hours a week free childcare to all [...]
An election is the last thing we need – and voters would punish politicians for calling it September 25, 2018 Theresa May’s Brexit negotiations with the European Union are going very, very wrong, and there is now speculation that the UK could be heading for a snap election — cue eyerolls and yawns nationwide. Both the ruling Conservatives and opposition Labour party appear to be considering the possibility of a snap election as early [...]
John McDonnell accused of a ‘wilful misunderstanding of business’ after radical conference speech September 24, 2018 One of the UK's biggest business groups pleaded with Labour not to see enterprise as "the enemy" after shadow chancellor John McDonnell delivered a radical speech at his party's conference. The Institute of Directors, which represents companies across the UK, urged McDonnell to abandon "sweeping measures and angry rhetoric" as he used a [...]
Labour will tell major UK companies to hand 10 per cent of equity to workers September 23, 2018 The Labour party opened up a new front in its war with business last night, revealing a plan to force companies to put 10 per cent of shares into so-called "inclusive ownership funds". Workers could receive up to £500 a year from the funds, according to the policy. However, any additional revenues "will be transferred [...]
Labour opens new front in party’s war on business September 23, 2018 Labour's party conference is getting underway in Liverpool, and the various factions of the hard-left are already putting on a good show as they compete for control of the agenda. The trade unions used their voting power to block a bid by Momentum activists to force sitting MPs to face reselection challenges; members demanding [...]