Politics

Read about the latest UK political news, views and analysis.

Wednesday

Sebastian Payne

Is Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘New Politics’ beginning to flounder?

Jeremy Corbyn has had enough of his shadow cabinet publicly opposing him. According to today’s Guardian, the Labour leader has given his frontbench team a dressing down over speaking out against him — in light of comments by the shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle on Trident last weekend: ‘According to several party sources, Corbyn made it clear that disputes must not be carried out so publicly in future, as he addressed his weekly shadow cabinet meeting. ‘The Labour leader also reminded his colleagues that media statements must be cleared through his office and asserted that there must be stronger collective responsibility. It is understood Eagle’s remarks appearing to back the stance of Gen Sir Nicholas

Steerpike Steerpike

Tory MP climbs the greasy pole with £20,000 a month oil gig

Last year Nadhim Zahawi told Parliament in a debate on UK-Kurdistan bilateral relations that it should come as ‘no surprise’ that he has ‘significant interest’ in the region. Indeed only this summer, Zahawi — who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kurdistan — led a cross-party group there which included a visit to an oil field which was run by a company that he has shares in. Now the millionaire businessman has managed to boost his income significantly with a new part-time job relating to the area. After it was announced in July that Zahawi was joining the oil firm Gulf Keystone as chief strategy officer, the latest register of

Nick Cohen Nick Cohen

George Osborne and the death of Tory idealism

The kindest way to treat your enemies is to hate them. Hate them and you don’t understand them or their appeal. Hate them and you cannot see their own doubts and divisions. The opponents of Conservatives see them as greed-driven monsters, concerned only with helping the rich and middle-class. They are so tawdry, so lacking in idealism, they make you hate your own country. ‘There has been so little that has happened to England since the 1980s that I have been happy about or felt able to endorse,’ sighed Alan Bennett recently, before going on to accuse the Tories of creating a one-party state (a charge which astonished everyone who 1)

Tuesday

Tim Farron

Why can’t Labour decide if it opposes the Investigatory Powers Bill?

Last week brought into focus how Labour is in complete and utter disarray. After the Home Secretary’s statement on the draft Investigatory Powers Bill, Andy Burnham wholeheartedly agreed with the government on the need for extra powers for spy chiefs. Then, about five days later, a letter was released by Burnham’s office saying that after closer inspection, he had a couple of ‘concerns’. Whatever you think of the Conservatives, they at least have a principled position on this: anything the spy agencies want, they get — regardless of the privacy implications. The Liberal Democrats on the other hand strongly believe that our agencies must make the case for new powers and

Sebastian Payne

Eurosceptics lambast David Cameron’s rhetoric on EU reform

David Cameron’s speech and letter on EU reform have gone down as you might expect with Eurosceptics: they hated them. MPs and campaigners think the Prime Minister should be pushing for bigger reforms and the renegotiation is looking like a sham. Some have concluded the Prime Minister has spent the past six months traveling around Europe, asking what others find acceptable and his rhetoric today is based on what he can achieve — on red tape and competitiveness for example — instead of what is best for Britain. One Eurosceptic Conservative MP says there is disappointment across the party: ‘The Prime Minister’s letter and speech were very disappointing and weak. A strong negotiating position is not being

Steerpike Steerpike

Benedict Cumberbatch defends his ‘f— the politicians’ rant

After Benedict Cumberbatch indulged in a foul-mouthed rant about the government’s response to the refugee crisis, he was criticised by several figures — including Boris Johnson — for using the theatre as a platform for his political views. In fact, the incident even left Mr S asking: is Benedict Cumberbatch the new Russell Brand? Judging by comments he made today after collecting his CBE, the actor could well succeed the retired-revolutionary. When reporters outside the palace put to the Sherlock actor that he may regret his comments — which included the line ‘f— the politicians’, Cumberbatch said actually it was quite the contrary: ‘Have you been to the theatre recently? How many times? Have you

Steerpike Steerpike

Labour’s Simon Danczuk under fire over economy class flight snub

Today Simon Danczuk has come under fire for reportedly pulling out of a parliamentary trip to China at the last minute, after discovering he would have to travel in mere economy class. The Labour MP cancelled his attendance after his request to be upgraded to business class was turned down. According to Richard Graham, the Tory MP,  this led to the whole trip being called off. However, Danczuk says that the suggestion he was being overly picky is ‘nonsense’ and that a health condition — thought to be a back problem — was the reason flying economy class was unsuitable. Still, this is the same super-fit Simon Danczuk who boasts that he runs at least

The Spectator

Full text: David Cameron’s Chatham House speech on Europe

Almost three years ago, I made a speech about Europe. I argued that the European Union needed to reform if it was to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. I argued that Britain’s best future lay within a reformed European Union, if the necessary changes could be agreed. And I promised the British people that, if I was re-elected as Prime Minister, we would have an in-out referendum…and the final say on whether our national and economic security is better protected by remaining in the European Union, or by leaving. That promise is now being honoured. The law of the land will require that there must be a referendum on our EU membership by

Alex Massie Alex Massie

Cameron is fighting insurgencies on two fronts: Scotland and Europe

Counter-insurgency operations, as any army officer could tell you, are a messy business in which the consequences of failure are always easier to measure and appreciate than the rewards of victory. Moreover, even limited success in one area – the destruction of the enemy’s ‘human resources’, for instance – can be offset by the manner in which that success is achieved. Short-term success cannot be confused with long-term stability. And therein lies one of many paradoxes: counter-insurgency operations frequently involve starting fires to put out other, larger, fires. Politics, as David Cameron might now tell you, is often much the same. The Prime Minister is, this week, fighting twin insurgencies. Each

Nigel Adams

Power shortages in Britain’s energy network are shameful

Last Wednesday, following what National Grid casually referred to as ‘multiple plant breakdowns’ of a number of power stations – desperate attempts had to be made to find back-up power supplies to keep the lights on throughout the evening. It was a clear demonstration of the dangers of the UK’s outmoded power network and successive failures of policy. And before anyone starts bleating about the government’s slashing of wind and solar subsidies, the wind wasn’t blowing and the sun wasn’t shining, so they were unable to help out at a time of crisis. As a result, there was little spare power to cover the gap. This meant that at one

Sebastian Payne

Read: David Cameron’s letter to Donald Tusk outlining EU reform proposals

Downing Street has released the long-awaited letter from the Prime Minister to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council — outlining the four areas in which he would like to negotiate a new settlement for Britain. Here are the key parts of the letter, outlining the areas David Cameron is keen to reform: 1. Economic governance ‘What we seek are legally binding principles that safeguard the operation of the Union for all 28 Member States — and a safeguard mechanism to ensure these principles are respected and enforced. These principles should include recognition that: The EU has more than one currency. There should be no discrimination and no disadvantage for

Steerpike Steerpike

Coffee Shots: the face of Labour is here to stay

Although Jeremy Corbyn has faced criticism this week for failing to bow deeply enough at the Remembrance Day service in Whitehall, the left-wing messiah can at least count on the continuing support of his Corbynistas. In fact, one 18-year-old fan by the name of Kierran Horsfield has decided to do his own permanent tribute to the Labour leader, with an inking of Corbyn’s face on his shoulder: https://twitter.com/_megoll/status/663815056967254016 Still, Mr S suspects Corbyn shouldn’t take his popularity among fans as an indication of where he will stand in the polls — after all, one woman did get a tattoo of Nigel Farage: might put a quote with it or union

Daniel Hannan

David Cameron will secure all of his EU reforms — because they will alter nothing

I have no doubt that David Cameron will secure 100 per cent of his stated aims vis-à-vis the EU. The reason he is stating them in public is that the other members have already agreed to them in private. They have done so cheerfully, incredulous at how little is being asked. The other heads of government know, as the PM knows, that his four ‘reforms’ will alter nothing. Think about it. 1. Opting out of the words ‘ever closer union’ Just the words. Not the fact of ever closer union. The real way to opt out would be to end the automatic supremacy of EU over British law. As long

Monday

Sebastian Payne

Will Jeremy Corbyn benefit from a vicious press?

In last week’s Spectator,  Rod Liddle reported that his Tory-supporting wife is beginning to feel sorry for Jeremy Corbyn. ‘You lot want to watch it. I’m beginning to feel sorry for the bloke. The sympathy votes will be stacking up,’ Mrs Liddle informed her husband. At first, you might wonder what there is to feel sympathetic about. In his short tenure as leader so far, Corbyn has used his ‘huge mandate’ to put a stamp on Labour — allowing it to descend into public infighting over muddled policy positions, as well as riling his own MPs with an assortment of controversial appointments. But after this weekend’s ‘row’ about whether Corbyn bowed low

Sebastian Payne

Downing Street backs Sir Nicholas Houghton in Corbyn row

Downing Street has waded into the dispute over Sir Nicholas Houghton’s comments regarding Jeremy Corbyn and his position on Trident. After Houghton, the Chief of the Defence Staff, told Andrew Marr yesterday that the prospect of Prime Minister Corbyn would ‘worry’ him, the Labour leader complained of constructional meddling and asked the Defence Secretary to investigate the comments. Michael Fallon has yet to respond but No.10 has meanwhile defended Houghton’s remarks. At today’s lobby briefing, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said his points were valid and appropriate (quotes via The Guardian): ‘He was asked about deterrence. He made the point about the credibility of the deterrent. As the principal military adviser to the government, it

Steerpike Steerpike

Watch: David Cameron heckled during EU speech

Oh dear. David Cameron’s speech to the Confederation of British Industry got off to a shaky start today after he was heckled by Brexit protesters. While the CBI had opted to leave members of the Vote Leave campaign off of the invite list, two protesters managed to sneak in and get their own anti-EU message across. As the Prime Minister gave a speech in which he said that he could work with business leaders to keep ‘Britain in a reformed Europe’ after a successful renegotiation, protesters held up a banner and shouted that the CBI is the ‘voice of Brussels’: Exclusive: watch anti-CBI hecklers interrupt PM speech (& forgive my

Sebastian Payne

Why an EU referendum in June 2016 is unlikely to happen

The EU referendum looks set to be held next year – it’s now a question of whether it’s in the summer or autumn. Today’s Times reports that Whitehall is preparing for a referendum next June, if EU leaders are on side with David Cameron’s proposed reforms at December’s European Council meeting. The Prime Minister is set to deliver a speech at the CBI today, where he will describe the vote as ‘the biggest we will make in our lifetimes’ and will say the decision isn’t about whether Britain can ‘survive outside’ of the EU but whether it ‘adds to our economic security or detracts from it’. Eurosceptics think the pre-briefed portions of the speech and the

Sunday

Sebastian Payne

Labour in chaos over Trident as defence chief says PM Corbyn would ‘worry me’

Jeremy Corbyn is at odds with the military for the second time. On the Andrew Marr Show this morning, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, the Chief of the Defence Staff, expressed concerns about the Labour leader’s position on Trident — in particular that he would never press the button. ‘Well it would worry me if that thought was translated into power as it were,’ Houghton said, also noting ‘there’s a couple of hurdles to cross before we get to that’. Although Houghton’s remarks may appear a little sinister, he explained his concerns about Corbyn were not personal. Instead, his aim is to ensure Britain has an effective nuclear deterrent: ‘But the reason I say this – and it’s not based

Friday

Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

Corbyn backs suspended policy chief in Labour party row

Labour is having the sort of day that Ukip used to offer up on a reasonably regular basis. Jeremy Corbyn’s head of policy Andrew Fisher has been suspended and faces an investigation by the party for urging voters in his constituency to back the Class War candidate over the Labour one. But Jeremy Corbyn has backed his head of policy, saying he hopes the matter can be resolved quickly. Corbyn said this afternoon: ‘I have full confidence in Andrew Fisher and his work. I respect the integrity of the General Secretary’s office and trust that this matter will be settled as quickly as possible.’ These sorts of stories are the

Ed West Ed West

‘Because it’s 2015’ is not a strong line of argument

The suspiciously handsome Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau was asked on Wednesday why it’s important to have a gender balance in the cabinet. As the Times of India reported: ‘It’s an incredible pleasure for me to be before you here today to present to Canada a cabinet that looks like Canada,’ Trudeau told reporters after he was sworn in with his team, which includes immigrants, aboriginals, religious minorities, a quadriplegic and 15 women.  Trudeau, the first son of a prime minister to take office in Canada and the second-youngest in the country’s history, has grabbed international attention for his good looks and retail approach to politics. Asked why he felt gender