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Mon, 4 December 2023

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Alain Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst is Chief Reporter at PoliticsHome and host of The Rundown podcast each week.

Tory MP Compares Planning System To “A Scene From The Thick Of It”
Communities
Tory MP Compares Planning System To “A Scene From The Thick Of It”
Former Conservative housing minister Brandon Lewis has said the UK's planning system means that the process to get permission for new developments resembles a scene from satirical TV programme “The Thick of It”.
AI Minister Warns Regulation Must Move Faster Than Online Safety Bill
Technology
AI Minister Warns Regulation Must Move Faster Than Online Safety Bill
The minister for AI has insisted the government must move more quickly to draw up AI safety regulation than it did to pass online safety legislation or there is a risk the technology will have “moved on”.
Former Corbyn Strategist Says It's 'Magical Thinking' To Expect Keir Starmer To Be Radical In No.10
Political parties
Former Corbyn Strategist Says It's "Magical Thinking" To Expect Keir Starmer To Be Radical In No.10
Jeremy Corbyn's former chief strategist James Schneider has said he believes it is “the most silly type of magical thinking” to expect Labour leader Keir Starmer to become more radical if he enters Downing Street, as some have suggested he could.
Luciana Berger Says “Democracy Is Diminished” When MPs Are Made To Feel Unsafe
Political parties
Luciana Berger Says “Democracy Is Diminished” When MPs Are Made To Feel Unsafe
The former Labour MP Luciana Berger has said “our democracy is diminished” when people in politics are made to feel unsafe due to the online abuse that she and others have suffered.
Chris Bryant Wants To Resurrect Two Hundred Year Old Rule To Oust Nadine Dorries
Political parties
Chris Bryant Wants To Resurrect Two Hundred Year Old Rule To Oust Nadine Dorries
Chair of the Commons standards committee Chris Bryant has threatened to try to resurrect an arcane parliamentary rule to force Nadine Dorries out of parliament after the MP failed to formally resign, despite announcing her intention to do so in June.

Tory Peer Says UK Has “Failed' To Learn Infectious Disease Lessons From Covid
Coronavirus
Tory Peer Says UK Has “Failed" To Learn Infectious Disease Lessons From Covid
Former public health minster Lord Bethell says he fears we haven’t “learned the lessons about infectious disease” from Covid-19 and health resources “are in worse shape” now than before the pandemic hit.
Elections Strategist Tells MPs To 'Calm Down' In Dash To Ditch Green Policies After ULEZ Row
Environment
Elections Strategist Tells MPs To "Calm Down" In Dash To Ditch Green Policies After ULEZ Row
Government and opposition parties have been urged to hold their nerve on the net zero agenda, after the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) row that characterised the Uxbridge and Ruislip by-election has spooked politicians into think voters will reject environmental policy.
Labour MP Challenges Grant Shapps To Justify 'Insane' Onshore Wind Ban
Energy
Labour MP Challenges Grant Shapps To Justify "Insane" Onshore Wind Ban
Labour MP Barry Gardiner has said the government's decision to keep the effective moratorium on building new onshore wind farms is “insane” and is keen for the chance to challenge the Energy Security and Net Zero secretary to justify the government's Net Zero plans to MPs.
The Fraught Process Behind Who Gets To Run To Be An MP
Political parties
The Fraught Process Behind Who Gets To Run To Be An MP
With a general election due to be called in 2024, a new cohort of MPs will soon enter parliament, and the secretive, often controversial, battle for each party to decide who is in the running is already underway.
Liz Truss's Ill-Fated Leadership Reached “Pivot Point” At Chevening Meetings
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Liz Truss's Ill-Fated Leadership Reached “Pivot Point” At Chevening Meetings
A close ally of former Prime Minister Liz Truss has said that the seeds of her downfall were likely to have been sown before she even entered Downing Street, during meetings preparing for government in the final stages of last summer's Conservative leadership contest.

Tory MP Admits “We’re All At Risk” Of Defeat After Disastrous Local Elections
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Tory MP Admits “We’re All At Risk” Of Defeat After Disastrous Local Elections
Conservative MPs are fearing for their fates at the next general election after the party took a hammering at last week's locals, losing more than 1,000 council seats.

Challenge For Charles To Take On His Mother’s Mantle As UK’s Top Diplomat
Parliament
Challenge For Charles To Take On His Mother’s Mantle As UK’s Top Diplomat
As Charles prepares to be crowned, the new King faces the challenge of not only emulating his mother Queen Elizabeth II as a head of state, but as the UK’s biggest diplomatic asset.
After Six Months In No 10, Fixing The NHS Is Still Rishi Sunak’s Biggest Test
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
After Six Months In No 10, Fixing The NHS Is Still Rishi Sunak’s Biggest Test
Rishi Sunak has completed six months as Prime Minister, but despite having returned his chaotic party to a state of relative stability and clawed back some points from Labour in the polls, whether he can fix the crisis in the NHS remains his biggest barrier to staying in office.
Senior Tory Tells Rishi Sunak To Take “Leap Of Faith” And Offer Doctors New Pay Deal
Health
Senior Tory Tells Rishi Sunak To Take “Leap Of Faith” And Offer Doctors New Pay Deal
Tory chair of the health select committee Steve Brine wants Rishi Sunak to take “a leap of faith” and offer a new pay deal to doctors, to end the long-running industrial action before further strikes are announced.

Parliamentary Staff Could Face “Corporate Manslaughter Charges” If Crumbling Palace of Westminster Claims A Life
Parliament
Parliamentary Staff Could Face “Corporate Manslaughter Charges” If Crumbling Palace of Westminster Claims A Life
As MPs continue to delay plans to renovate the crumbling Palace of Westminster a leading Parliamentary expert says staff would be the ones to face “charges of corporate manslaughter” if someone dies before it is fixed.
Labour Is Braced For The Prospect Of A “Game-Changer” By-Election In Scotland
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Labour Is Braced For The Prospect Of A “Game-Changer” By-Election In Scotland
A Scottish by-election that could be triggered by standards committee sanctions against MP Margaret Ferrier would be a "game-changer" for Labour, according to the party's only Westminster MP in the country.
Belfast MP Says Northern Ireland “Addiction To Veto” Could Compromise Stormont Brake
Brexit
Belfast MP Says Northern Ireland “Addiction To Veto” Could Compromise Stormont Brake
A Northern Ireland MP believes devolved government has “an addiction to veto” that means Rishi Sunak's Northern Ireland Protocol deal could inadvertently add “another layer of dysfunction” to an already volatile political situation.
Tech Companies Resisting Online Safety Crackdown Shouldn't Be Welcome In The UK, Former Culture Secretary Says
Technology
By Alain Tolhurst
Tech Companies Resisting Online Safety Crackdown Shouldn't Be Welcome In The UK, Former Culture Secretary Says
Former Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan has said the UK should not back down on tough new rules that could see tech bosses sent to jail for failing to protect children online even if global firms won't sign up to them as the landmark Online Safety Bill works through parliament.
Downing Street Rejects Call For Rishi Sunak’s Ethics Adviser To Rule In Raab Bullying Inquiry
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Downing Street Rejects Call For Rishi Sunak’s Ethics Adviser To Rule In Raab Bullying Inquiry
Exclusive: Rishi Sunak has rejected calls for his ethics adviser to be involved in the investigation into claims Dominic Raab bullied civil servants, after the current process was labelled “clearly flawed”.
Rishi Sunak Talks Tough On Ethics But Questions Remain Over What He Knew About Nadhim Zahawi Tax Affairs
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Rishi Sunak Talks Tough On Ethics But Questions Remain Over What He Knew About Nadhim Zahawi Tax Affairs
The Prime Minister’s decision to unceremoniously sack Nadhim Zahawi early on Sunday morning is the clearest example yet of his attempt to overturn a growing narrative that while he might be a capable manager, he is unable to take tough political choices.
Nadhim Zahawi Sacked By Rishi Sunak Over Tax Affairs
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Nadhim Zahawi Sacked By Rishi Sunak Over Tax Affairs
The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sacked Tory party chairman Nadhim Zahawi over "a serious breach of the ministerial code" following an investigation into his tax affairs.
Labour Says Haste To Scrap Thousands Of EU Laws Will Lead To 'Mistakes We Might Regret'
Brexit
By Alain Tolhurst
Labour Says Haste To Scrap Thousands Of EU Laws Will Lead To "Mistakes We Might Regret"
A senior Labour frontbencher says the government’s plan to scrap thousands of EU laws from the UK statute book by the end of this year will “fail” and create a “horrible mess” due to insufficient time to address almost 4,000 pieces of legislation affected.
Union Leader Questions Independence Of NHS Pay Review Body
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Union Leader Questions Independence Of NHS Pay Review Body
The leader of a union representing thousands of NHS staff has questioned the independence of the pay review body responsible for recommending rates of public sector salaries, suggesting it is “farcical” that government appoints its members.
Andrea Leadsom Says Supporting Parents Is A “Major Battleground Issue” For 2023
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Andrea Leadsom Says Supporting Parents Is A “Major Battleground Issue” For 2023
Former cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom is determined to put supporting families at the top of the Conservative agenda for 2023, as the party seeks to regain support, particularly among young voters.
Labour's Search For New MPs Has Provoked A Fresh Clash Between Leadership And The Left
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Labour's Search For New MPs Has Provoked A Fresh Clash Between Leadership And The Left
Record polling leads for Labour suggest they could soon be set to win their first general election since 2005, but ongoing internal rows over who will stand to be the party's MPs show no sign of abating in the new year.
Unions Vow To Take Government To Court Over Anti-Strike Laws
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Unions Vow To Take Government To Court Over Anti-Strike Laws
The government’s planned measures to try and limit strike action will “put them in breach of international law”, according to the incoming leader of the Trades Union Congress.
Elections Watchdog Warns Voter ID Plans Risk Undermining Confidence In Democracy
Social affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Elections Watchdog Warns Voter ID Plans Risk Undermining Confidence In Democracy
The Electoral Commission is warning that the shortened timeframe to raise awareness of the government’s controversial voter ID plans before people next go to the polls risks undermining confidence in British democracy.
Immigration Staff Still Doubt “Massively Theoretical” Rwanda Deportation Plan Will Go Ahead
Home affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Immigration Staff Still Doubt “Massively Theoretical” Rwanda Deportation Plan Will Go Ahead
Immigration staff who would be in charge of overseeing flights for the government's controversial Rwanda deportation scheme believe the policy is still “massively theoretical”, despite the High Court's ruling that it is lawful.
Tory MP Accuses Rishi Sunak Of “Organised Hypocrisy” By Stopping Asylum Seekers Working
Home affairs
By Alain Tolhurst
Tory MP Accuses Rishi Sunak Of “Organised Hypocrisy” By Stopping Asylum Seekers Working
Former justice secretary Robert Buckland has urged the Prime Minister to scrap rules banning people who are waiting for an asylum claim to be processed from working legally in the UK.
Senior Tories Suggest Government Should Negotiate With Nurses On Pay As Thousands Strike
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
Senior Tories Suggest Government Should Negotiate With Nurses On Pay As Thousands Strike
A number of prominent Conservative MPs have urged government to re-open pay talks with the nurses union as thousands of healthcare workers went on strike today.
Government Warned Making Soldiers Cover Ambulance Strikes Will Worsen Army Recruitment Crisis
Defence
By Alain Tolhurst
Government Warned Making Soldiers Cover Ambulance Strikes Will Worsen Army Recruitment Crisis
Senior ex-military figures have warned that soldiers being deployed over the picket line to drive ambulances during this month’s strikes will “exacerbate the recruitment crisis” in the Armed Forces.
Vince Cable Warns Quitting MPs People Won't Be “Rushing To Offer” Them Big Jobs
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Vince Cable Warns Quitting MPs People Won't Be “Rushing To Offer” Them Big Jobs
Former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has said the cohort of MPs who do not plan to stand at the next election, including Matt Hancock and Dehenna Davison, should not assume they'll receive a lot of big job offers when they leave the Commons.
Unions Accuse Government Of Refusing To Engage To End Strike Deadlock
Transport
By Alain Tolhurst
Unions Accuse Government Of Refusing To Engage To End Strike Deadlock
Unions have accused the government of continually "refusing to engage” in meaningful pay negotiations to avert widespread strikes, despite a recent softening in tone from ministers.
Government's Double Climbdown Exposes 'Varied' Whipping Operation, MP Says
Energy
By Alain Tolhurst
Government's Double Climbdown Exposes "Varied" Whipping Operation, MP Says
A former minister has said parliamentary handling of the Levelling Up Bill, over which Rishi Sunak was forced into two major climbdowns, was a “model of how not to do it”, in a sharp criticism of the government's "varied" whipping operation.
Matt Hancock Will Not Stand To Be a Conservative MP At The Next Election
Political parties
By Alain Tolhurst
Matt Hancock Will Not Stand To Be a Conservative MP At The Next Election
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed he does not intend to stand to be a Conservative MP at the next general election.
Rishi Sunak Tells PMQs He's “Shocked” At Mone Allegations, NHS Pay Talks Off Table, Tory Rebellion On Access To Cash
Health
By Alain Tolhurst
Rishi Sunak Tells PMQs He's “Shocked” At Mone Allegations, NHS Pay Talks Off Table, Tory Rebellion On Access To Cash
Rishi Sunak has said he was “shocked” to hear the allegations against Baroness Mone after the peer asked to take a leave of absence from the House of Lords as she denies lobbying for £200m of PPE contracts on behalf of a company she has links to.