Opinion: Why Michael Gove’s plan to force housebuilders to leave green spaces better than they found them is a good idea February 18, 2019 Last December, Michael Gove announced proposals to enforce biodiversity net gain at new housing schemes. This would essentially require natural environments to be left in a better state than they were found by developers. The consultation on the plans closed on Sunday and I hope it will produce a host of positive outcomes. The environmental [...]
Professional headshots can be a minefield – especially if you take them too seriously February 7, 2019 TAKE a look at that picture of me. No tie or jacket. Not even a shirt for that matter. Hair a little on the louche side. Facing the camera squarely. Chin jutting out a bit, if we’re honest. And pixels. Lots of pixels. It’s not a professional photo, either in standard or purpose. But it’s [...]
Michael Gove tears into Jeremy Corbyn as government defeats no confidence vote January 16, 2019 Theresa May survived a vote of no confidence in her government on Wednesday after a barnstorming speech from Michael Gove tore apart the Labour leader’s claim to be the next Prime Minister. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tabled the motion after May’s Brexit deal was heavily defeated on Tuesday night in a bid to force a general [...]
Britain’s economic hopes rest not on productivity, but happiness January 14, 2019 They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. Thank you, Dickens, for words that capture the daily diet of our much-divided Britain. Happiness seems to be much on our minds, mainly because it seems so difficult to attain and then maintain. Next week we face Blue Monday, allegedly the most depressing [...]
The next Prime Minister? Six MPs who could succeed Theresa May December 12, 2018 If Theresa May loses a vote of no confidence on Wednesday evening, the starting gun will be fired on who will be the next Prime Minister. With no obvious candidate to succeed her, the race to Downing Street is set to be highly unpredictable. City A.M. looks at six of the most likely candidates: Boris [...]
No confidence: This is how Tory MPs plan to vote in tonight’s crucial contest over Theresa May’s future as Prime Minister December 12, 2018 The number of MPs who have declared themselves either in support of or against the leadership of Prime Minister Theresa May is growing. Here's who has said what so far. A vote of no confidence was triggered this morning, after more than 48 MPs sent in letters to Sir Graham Brady who controls the process. The [...]
Theresa May to reopen Brexit negotiations amid backstop row December 10, 2018 Theresa May’s authority has suffered yet another blow as the government scrapped the planned vote on her controversial Brexit deal. In a chaotic day in Westminster, the Prime Minister pulled the vote planned for Tuesday evening after realising she was in line for a huge defeat at the hands of her own party. May is set to [...]
Tony Blair: There’s no point in May pressing forward with parliament vote on ‘half in, half out’ Brexit deal December 6, 2018 Tony Blair believes Theresa May should scrap next week’s vote on her Brexit deal as she is about to hit a “brick wall at speed”. The former Prime Minister told journalists on Thursday afternoon May needs to begin finding a compromise that will pass through the Commons instead of pushing ahead with her “half in, [...]
Gove says government can win Brexit vote in parliament December 2, 2018 Environment secretary Michael Gove, a key ally of the Prime Minister, said he believes Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement will get through parliament despite signs of a growing revolt. By some estimates, over a hundred Conservative MPs are preparing to vote against May’s withdrawal agreement in parliament next week, paving the way for a crisis over how [...]
This Thanksgiving, be grateful for the political freedom to campaign November 21, 2018 Tomorrow is the fourth Thursday in November, so Americans, in the US and across the world, will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Whenever I have been invited to Thanksgiving dinners, one of my favourite traditions is when everyone sitting around the table mentions something which they are grateful for in their lives. People often mention something personal [...]