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Sat, 2 December 2023

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Alistair Darling Praised For “Calm Expertise And Honesty” Following Death Aged 70
Political parties
Alistair Darling Praised For “Calm Expertise And Honesty” Following Death Aged 70
Labour leader Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Alistair Darling’s “calm expertise and honesty”, following the death of the former Labour chancellor aged 70.
Selling the City: Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London
Communities
By Sophie Church
Selling the City: Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London
Michael Mainelli, the new Lord Mayor of London, tells Sophie Church the City needs to improve its ‘customer experience’ but is well-placed to be the ‘world’s coffee house’
What To Expect In The New Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill This Week
Political parties
What To Expect In The New Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill This Week
A Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill will be brought forward in Parliament on Monday afternoon, as campaigners and MPs gear up to widen the Bill’s scope and make it more radical.
Kwasi Kwarteng Says COP28 Should Not 'Bully' Developing Countries To Net Zero
Environment
Kwasi Kwarteng Says COP28 Should Not "Bully" Developing Countries To Net Zero
Britain and the Western world must ensure action and dialogue to tackle climate change does not become part of a “neocolonial bubble” that "bullies" developing countries towards net zero, according to former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng ahead of COP28.
Can Rishi Sunak Curb Migration Without Also Bringing Down The NHS?
Brexit
Can Rishi Sunak Curb Migration Without Also Bringing Down The NHS?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under renewed pressure from restless Conservative MPs to massively reduce net migration before the next general election, but how he does that without putting further strain on the health service and the economy is not clear.
Conservative MPs Welcome Autumn Statement But Demand More Tax Cuts
Economy
Conservative MPs Welcome Autumn Statement But Demand More Tax Cuts
Conservative MPs who are pushing for lower tax have cautiously welcomed Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement, but they stress that it must be followed by further tax cuts at the Spring Budget to limit damage to the Tory party at the next general election.
All The Key Measures In Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement From Tax Cuts To Business Reforms
Economy
All The Key Measures In Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement From Tax Cuts To Business Reforms
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced more than 100 measures in the Autumn Statement, which he said will “boost the economy and drive growth”.
'A fresh start': TSSA's new general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
'A fresh start': TSSA's new general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust
The Labour-affiliated trade union TSSA was rocked by scandal last year. Sienna Rodgers speaks to Maryam Eslamdoust in her first interview as the new general secretary
We need a new independent review of the allegations against Ted Heath
History
By Lord Lexden
We need a new independent review of the allegations against Ted Heath
There is an overwhelming – some say unanswerable – case for an independent review of a number of allegations of child sex abuse made against Ted Heath after his death. The allegations were left unresolved at the end of a deeply flawed police investigation, known as Operation Conifer, in 2017.
Andy Burnham: 'Whitehall has got to get used to places like this answering them back'
Communities
By Sienna Rodgers
Andy Burnham: 'Whitehall has got to get used to places like this answering them back'
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham talks to Sienna Rodgers about Sue Gray, transplanting Westminster to the North, and his plans for no less than ‘the wholesale rewiring of Britain’
Full Account: The Thea Walton interview
Parliament
By Sophie Church
Full Account: The Thea Walton interview
Parliament’s Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) was set up in 2018 to investigate allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. Sophie Church speaks to director Thea Walton about how the scheme is performing, and whether Parliament is a safe place to work
Sajid Javid and the Samaritans: 'Suicide prevention training for MPs will save lives'
Health
By Tali Fraser
Sajid Javid and the Samaritans: 'Suicide prevention training for MPs will save lives'
“I really, genuinely think this kind of training for MPs will save lives,” says Sajid Javid, ahead of his event with the emotional support charity Samaritans in Speakers House tomorrow morning.
The Sir John Armitt interview: ‘I’m not sure the government is really serious about nuclear’
Home affairs
By Tali Fraser
The Sir John Armitt interview: ‘I’m not sure the government is really serious about nuclear’
Britain’s infrastructure tsar heavily criticised the cancellation of the second phase of HS2. Now Sir John Armitt intensifies his attack on the ‘governance’ holding Britain back in an interview with Tali Fraser
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron must be accountable to MPs
Foreign affairs
By Ruth Fox
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron must be accountable to MPs
It is a long-established practice that MPs and peers speak and vote only in the Chamber of the House of which they are a member. If the government follows precedent, the new Foreign Secretary’s appearances before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee will be the primary - and possibly the only - way in which David Cameron will be held to account by the House of Commons.
Haven, have not: Jersey's inequalities awakened
Communities
By Andrew Kersley
Haven, have not: Jersey's inequalities awakened
Green with envy: The politics of decarbonisation
Environment
By Adam Bell
Green with envy: The politics of decarbonisation
By installing heat pumps and buying electric vehicles, the wealthy are insulating themselves from current and future energy price shocks while avoiding paying for the investment needed to help the less well-off join the party. That’s not going to help the politics of decarbonisation, says Adam Bell. Illustration by Tracy Worrall
Labour Is Scrambling To Avoid A Fresh Row On Gaza Ceasefire Vote
Political parties
Labour Is Scrambling To Avoid A Fresh Row On Gaza Ceasefire Vote
Labour will spend the weekend deciding how or even whether to order its MPs to vote in parliament on a ceasefire in Gaza as deep divisions in the party over the issue persist.
Mother knows best: are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums?
Economy
By Sienna Rodgers
Mother knows best: are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums?
The government is planning to make childcare more affordable for parents of younger children – but some MPs aren’t happy. Are we overlooking the value of stay-at-home mums? Sienna Rodgers reports
Downing Street Dismisses Claims That Rishi Sunak's King's Speech Is 'Empty'
Home affairs
Downing Street Dismisses Claims That Rishi Sunak's King's Speech Is "Empty"
Some restless Tories have complained that Rishi Sunak's King's Speech lacks substance, with one senior MP saying it is "empty". But Downing Street has defended what was included in the Prime Minister's agenda between now and the general election.
The John Glen interview: 'I am alarmed at the amount of tax'
Economy
By Tali Fraser
The John Glen interview: 'I am alarmed at the amount of tax'
Repairing public finances to cope with future shocks means Tories must endure the ‘discomfort’ of a rising tax burden, insists John Glen. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury talks to Tali Fraser about AI in public services, why the NHS needs to explain ‘intolerable’ variations in productivity, and his love of Peloton. Photography by David Bebber
All The Legislation Included In The King's Speech
Parliament
All The Legislation Included In The King's Speech
Measures ranging from criminal justice and rental reform to economic and health protections have been announced by King Charles III, who delivered his first King’s Speech to mark the State Opening of Parliament.
What To Expect On Government Leasehold Reform
Home affairs
What To Expect On Government Leasehold Reform
A Leasehold Bill is widely expected to be included in the King’s Speech on Tuesday, and campaigners are pushing the Government to reform the system.
Trussworld: What is life like for the former PM?
Home affairs
By Tali Fraser
Trussworld: What is life like for the former PM?
Liz Truss will take her place among other former PMs at the Cenotaph, unabashed at the brevity of her time in No 10 or the manner of her departure. Tali Fraser reports on the former Tory leader’s plans for the future
The Baroness Moyo interview: 'We’re going to be fine. But we want to be more than fine. We want to be making progress'
Economy
By Sophie Church
The Baroness Moyo interview: "We’re going to be fine. But we want to be more than fine. We want to be making progress"
Politicians from all parties agree that growing the economy is vital. The question is, how do we do it? Baroness Moyo speaks to Sophie Church about plans to boost productivity, trade-offs that have to be made on net-zero and why the Bank of England’s relationship with government is repairable. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Rishi Sunak Under Pressure To Start 'Acting, Not Talking' After King's Speech
Political parties
Rishi Sunak Under Pressure To Start "Acting, Not Talking" After King's Speech
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's allies admit that November is an "important month" for him, kicking off with the King's Speech on Tuesday, as time runs out to spark a major revival of the Conservative party's electoral prospects.
Labour Tone On Israel Has Evolved But Pressure To Go Further Remains
Foreign affairs
Labour Tone On Israel Has Evolved But Pressure To Go Further Remains
The Labour frontbench has appeared more hawkish on Israel in the days since Keir Starmer's Tuesday speech on the crisis, but a growing number of Labour figures still want the party to go further and call for a ceasefire – and think as the situation deteriorates in Gaza, it will have to support one.
AI Safety Summit Lauded As 'Success' But MPs Question What's Next
Foreign affairs
AI Safety Summit Lauded As "Success" But MPs Question What's Next
The government's landmark AI Safety Summit has been largely celebrated as a success, achieving multiple agreements between international governments and technology developers to work together on preventing existential risks.
Key Players Remain Unconvinced About The Government’s AI Safety Summit
Foreign affairs
Key Players Remain Unconvinced About The Government’s AI Safety Summit
Figures across the technology and political landscape are still having doubts over whether the landmark AI Safety Summit, kicking off this week at Bletchley Park, has the right focus to steer the development of artificial intelligence in the UK and the rest of the world.
Public Supports AI Safety Summit But Thinks Big Tech Has Too Much Influence
Technology
Public Supports AI Safety Summit But Thinks Big Tech Has Too Much Influence
A majority of the public think it is important that the UK hosts the AI Safety Summit, but more than half believe large technology firms hold too much influence over developing AI policy, according to a new poll.
Labour Tensions Over Gaza Could Last Longer Than Ceasefire Row
Foreign affairs
Labour Tensions Over Gaza Could Last Longer Than Ceasefire Row
Labour figures are hopeful that Keir Starmer is over the worst of the Israel-Gaza row that has engulfed his leadership this week.
The Misinfo Election: Will it be a fake news nightmare?
Social affairs
By Tom Phillips
The Misinfo Election: Will it be a fake news nightmare?
Generative AI has made the production of misleading content easy for anyone with the most basic of computer skills. Tom Phillips asks whether the next general election could become a fake news nightmare
Going digital: Will the public realise the value of digitising NHS data?
Health
By Sophie Church
Going digital: Will the public realise the value of digitising NHS data?
The NHS is about to make it far easier for hospitals to share data, including patient records, in the latest stage of its digitisation drive. But is enough being done to win public backing for moves to realise its huge value, asks Sophie Church
Why Britain’s AI minister isn’t a tech bro
Foreign affairs
By Tali Fraser
Why Britain’s AI minister isn’t a tech bro
Viscount Camrose, the government’s AI minister, has high hopes for the benefits of the technology. Tali Fraser asks what makes him so optimistic. Photography by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
Tory MPs Are Rattled After Their Double By-Election Disaster
Political parties
Tory MPs Are Rattled After Their Double By-Election Disaster
The scale of the Tory by-election defeats on Thursday night was a wake-up-and-smell-the-coffee moment for some Conservative MPs, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not planning to deviate from his existing plan for turn around the party's fortunes.
Liberal Democrats Could Focus On Fewer Seats After Stalled By-Election Winning Streak
Political parties
Liberal Democrats Could Focus On Fewer Seats After Stalled By-Election Winning Streak
The Liberal Democrats may have to “concentrate their efforts” and target fewer seats at the next election, after the party failed to win in Mid-Bedfordshire and came a distant third in Tamworth.
Did Protest 'Non-Vote' Cost The Tories Two By-Elections?
Political parties
Did Protest "Non-Vote" Cost The Tories Two By-Elections?
Conservative peer and polling expert Lord Robert Hayward has said he believes a “protest non-vote” for the Conservatives in the Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire by-elections aided their defeat, but some data suggests plenty of 2019 Tories would have turned out.