Esther McVey reveals she will stand in the next Tory leadership contest May 9, 2019 Another Conservative MP has joined the race to become the next Prime Minister, with former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey announcing she will stand in the race to succeed Theresa May. McVey, who lost her Wirral West seat in 2015 before being elected as MP for Tatton two years later, revealed this morning that [...]
Extinction Rebellion hates capitalism, but these climate change protesters wouldn’t exist without it May 1, 2019 The Extinction Rebellion protesters on the streets of London seemed to consist of two disparate interest groups: pensioners and the young. Their shared connection is that most of them – certainly in the former group – seemed to be affluent. An identical alliance was observed a few months ago in the rather unlikely setting of the [...]
Michael Gove meeting ‘disappointing’, says climate protest group Extinction Rebellion April 30, 2019 Climate protest group Extinction Rebellion has said it was left “frustrated” by talks with environment minister Michael Gove today, because he would not declare a climate emergency. Read more: Climate protesters blockade Treasury in action against finance sector Activists said Gove committed to discussions with London mayor Sadiq Khan on holding a citizens assembly on [...]
The anti-vax movement is a symptom of our expert malaise April 26, 2019 The anti-vaccination movement is deadly. According to the charity Unicef, more than half a million UK children were not vaccinated against measles, a highly dangerous but preventable disease, between 2010 and 2017 – which is part of a terrifying global trend. When less than 95 per cent of a population are vaccinated, herd immunity is weakened, [...]
Cross-party Brexit talks abandoned until after EU summit, Downing Street confirm April 9, 2019 The Conservatives and Labour have abandon Brexit talks until Thursday after failing to reach an agreement, just a day before Theresa May asks the EU for another delay to the UK’s withdrawal. Leading MPs from both parties held talks for four hours on Tuesday in an attempt to find a compromise plan which could win [...]
Tory leadership race: Who are the leading candidates? March 29, 2019 Theresa May’s promise this week to step down if her Brexit deal passed parliament made the prospect of a Tory leadership battle increasingly likely. Although May’s deal was defeated in the commons yet again this afternoon, her calamitous premiership looks like it could end at any moment. There are dozens of potential candidates for the top [...]
Labour won’t back May’s standalone withdrawal agreement, confirms Sir Keir Starmer March 28, 2019 Labour will not vote for Theresa May’s EU withdrawal plan even if it is separated from the future relationship declaration, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed. Read more: DUP: Abstaining on May's Brexit deal was 'never an option' Speaking at the British Chambers of Commerce conference this afternoon, Starmer shot down a plan [...]
Half a million packets returned since launch of Walkers recycling scheme March 18, 2019 Walkers revealed today that more than half a million packets of crisps have been collected since it launched a recycling scheme in the wake of mounting public pressure late last year. Over 8,500 collection points for recycling Walkers crisp packets have been established since December, when the group began a new green initiative. The firm’s [...]
DEBATE: Should we slash post-Brexit tariffs on food imports to offer consumers cheaper goods? February 21, 2019 Should we slash post-Brexit tariffs on food imports to offer consumers cheaper goods? Bill Wirtz, policy analyst at the Consumer Choice Center, says YES. Contrary what the protectionists will tell you, tariffs don’t only hurt the country upon which they are imposed. If the government decides to maintain import tariffs on food post-Brexit, it is [...]
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 [...]