General Election 2015: Farage opens the way for a deal with the Tories if Cameron agrees to an EU referendum in 2015 March 15, 2015 Ukip could offer to support a minority Conservative government on key policies like the budget – if David Cameron’s party agrees to stage a referendum on the UK’s EU membership by the end of 2015. The Telegraph is publishing extracts from Nigel Farage’s memoirs – entitled Purple Revolution – in which the Ukip leader rules [...]
2015 General Election TV debates: Broadcasters won’t empty chair David Cameron – they’ve good commercial reasons not to March 11, 2015 The extended row over the proposed TV election debates has reached a deadlock. David Cameron has said he will take part in just one, but the broadcasters (supported by Tory opponents) are committed to running three. What will break this impasse? In my view, commercial factors will force the UK’s broadcasters to give up their [...]
Cameron looks to increase defence spending – for free March 11, 2015 There is more than one way to skin a cat – and, it seems, plump up a defence budget. David Cameron has instructed ministers to find out whether the budgets of intelligence agencies can be lumped in as part of defence spending. The UK has come under pressure recently from the US to maintain its [...]
David Cameron’s free schools General Election pledge: Is there one in your area – and what kind is it? March 9, 2015 David Cameron today announced his government will build another 500 free schools if they win the next election – a policy Labour is staunchly opposed to. The schools, which are free from local authority control, are variously said to boost school places or be a waste of money that risk segregating children from the realities [...]
Ukip spoof Tory attack ad: Nigel Farage has some fun at Cameron’s expense March 9, 2015 The Tory party has been consistently attacking Ed Miliband over whether Labour will enter into a deal with the SNP if the General Election fails to produce a clear result. There was no let-up in the attack today as the Tories unveiled a new poster produced by advertising agency M&C Saatchi showing Ed Miliband in [...]
General Election 2015: David Cameron to open 500 extra free schools if Conservatives win March 9, 2015 The Conservatives are set to double down on free schools, opening a further 500 if they win the General Election. In a speech today, David Cameron said that the government plans to create 270,000 new school places, on top of the final wave of 49 free schools to be opened during the final throws of [...]
David Cameron set for double trouble over plain cigarette packaging and defence spending March 9, 2015 Disgruntled Tory backbenchers are set to defy David Cameron over two controversial issues this week, intensifying pressure on a Prime Minister who faces growing criticism for refusing to accept invitations to TV leaders debates. Around 100 Conservative MPs will vote against the government’s proposals to force cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging on Wednesday. [...]
General Election TV debates: Ed Miliband ups David Cameron pressure with call for new law March 9, 2015 With lesss than two months until polling day, the row over television leader debates has taken a new turn. It has emerged that the broadcasters may have to give David Cameron his own television slots if he refuses to take part in debates, to comply with strict election rules. Miliband has formally agreed to take [...]
General Election 2015: Miliband signs up to three debates, promises to face an empty chair if Cameron won’t attend March 7, 2015 Ed Miliband has promised to attend all three scheduled televised debates, with or without the Prime Minister. During a speech in Edinburgh, the Labour leader made it clear he was willing to debate, against an empty chair if necessary, whilst simultaneously refusing to be drawn on David Cameron’s challenge to rule out a coalition [...]
Boris Johnson top choice for Tory leader among Londoners if Cameron fails to win General Election March 5, 2015 Boris Johnson is Londoners top pick for the next Tory leader if David Cameron fails to secure victory in May and the country is forced to go to the polls for a second time. The Tory Mayor enjoyed the support of 40 per cent of those who expressed a view. David Cameron had the support [...]