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Sun, 1 August 2021

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Blur Drummer Warns Post-Brexit Touring Costs Will Destroy Next Generation Of Bands
Culture
Blur Drummer Warns Post-Brexit Touring Costs Will Destroy Next Generation Of Bands
Exclusive: The next generation of Blurs will be "gone" unless the government secures new post-Brexit arrangements for the UK's musicians and other touring performers, a member of the iconic Britpop band has warned.
Inside Westminster's history of contested monuments
Culture
By Lord Wallace
Inside Westminster's history of contested monuments
Oliver Cromwell as a regicide was originally absent from the line of statues of former rulers within the Palace. Walking around Parliament should remind us that arguments about our country’s history have a long history themselves.
Labour Insiders Fear Keir Starmer's Make-Or-Break Conference Could Be Overshadowed By Job Losses
Political parties
Labour Insiders Fear Keir Starmer's Make-Or-Break Conference Could Be Overshadowed By Job Losses
Labour’s plan to axe 90 jobs as part of a bid to save £5m in costs could overshadow Keir Starmer’s pivotal conference next month, according to staffers.
Without protections, spy law reform will criminalise journalists and civil servants
Home affairs
By Alex Bailin QC
Without protections, spy law reform will criminalise journalists and civil servants
Without a general public interest defence, the law lacks a vital safety valve to ensure that governmental secrecy is not abused to cover up serious wrongdoing.
Doctors Warn Rise In ‘Staycations’ Could Put Pressure On Stretched NHS In Holiday Hotspots
Coronavirus
Doctors Warn Rise In ‘Staycations’ Could Put Pressure On Stretched NHS In Holiday Hotspots
NHS staff have warned they are bracing for a summer "like no other" with the increase in Brits holidaying in the UK likely to put excess pressure on frontline services already stretched by the pandemic.
Weird world of Dungeness
Energy
By John Johnston
Weird world of Dungeness
The strikingly barren landscape of Dungeness sits in the shadow of two nuclear plants, neither of which are producing power. John Johnston visits one of Britain’s most unusual places.
Our capital city will be among the cleanest and greenest in the world
Environment
By Sadiq Khan
Our capital city will be among the cleanest and greenest in the world
The climate emergency is one of the biggest threats we face today. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a true crisis in every sense of the word, but it may pale in comparison to the impact of the climate breakdown, which could be even more damaging and disruptive to our way of life. In London, we are committed to making the capital a zero-carbon city by 2030, faster than any comparable city, and we have developed a climate action plan that is compatible with the highest ambitions of the Paris Agreement.
Ministers Are Holding Their Nerve That Their Summer Covid Gamble Will Defeat The Third Wave
Coronavirus
Ministers Are Holding Their Nerve That Their Summer Covid Gamble Will Defeat The Third Wave
MPs have set off for summer not knowing what they will return to in September, the government having taken a foot off the brakes by removing all Covid legal restrictions this week as infections continue to rise. 
Earth, Wind and Fire: Can UK Power Hit Net-Zero?
Energy
By Georgina Bailey
Earth, Wind and Fire: Can UK Power Hit Net-Zero?
In order to meet our emission goals by 2050, the UK must move away from using coal and gas-fired power to electricity generated from renewables, nuclear power and technologies such as carbon capture. Georgina Bailey looks at what steps the government must take now to stay on the Climate Change Committee’s ‘balanced pathway’ to net-zero.
Recommended reads for Recess
Books & culture
By Lord Cormack, Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Tim Farron MP & Baroness Bennett
Recommended reads for Recess
From the fields of espionage through to the history of colonial struggles, the historical reliability of the gospels and a deep dive deep into multicultural 14th-century London, four parliamentarians offer their suggestions for a great holiday book
Calorie Counting Regulations take wrong approach to tackling obesity
Health
By Baroness Bull
Calorie Counting Regulations take wrong approach to tackling obesity
As Parliament winds down for summer recess, I’m gearing up for my first ever regret motion, setting out why I believe the impending Calorie Labelling Regulations take a wrong-headed approach to the obesity challenge.
For faith groups, progress on loss and damage is essential at the Glasgow climate summit
Environment
By Barry Gardiner MP
For faith groups, progress on loss and damage is essential at the Glasgow climate summit
“The Earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” Psalm 24:1. What relevance might an ancient Hebrew poem, written millennia ago, have to the climate crisis?
Inequality is the biggest barrier to reducing baby loss and improving maternity safety
Health
By Cherilyn Mackrory MP
Inequality is the biggest barrier to reducing baby loss and improving maternity safety
Babies from minority ethnic or socioeconomically deprived backgrounds continue to be at significantly greater risk of perinatal death than their white or less deprived peers.
In conversation: Alexander Stafford, Alan Brown and Baroness Worthington debate energy
Environment
By Adam Payne
In conversation: Alexander Stafford, Alan Brown and Baroness Worthington debate energy
Three parliamentarians with strongly-held views on energy, Conservative BEIS committee member Alexander Stafford, the SNP’s energy and climate change spokesperson Alan Brown, and life peer Baroness Worthington discuss what more the government should be doing to meet its green targets — and have a fierce debate about the energy topic of the day: hydrogen. Chaired by Adam Payne
The Saturday View: How The Culture War Backfired On The Tories
Culture
The Saturday View: How The Culture War Backfired On The Tories
“I do not want to engage in a political culture war of any kind." Those were the words of Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions this week, after a bruising few days for his party off the back of the row kicked up by the England football team’s defeat in the final of Euro 2020.
Government must take responsibility for mask guidance, not pass the buck to businesses
Coronavirus
By Seema Malhotra MP
Government must take responsibility for mask guidance, not pass the buck to businesses
New workplace safety guidance has been branded chaotic and confusing, replacing legal guidance with vague exhortations to do the right thing.
Doctors Warn NHS Could Be “Dead In The Water” If Summer Surge Increases A&E Demand
Coronavirus
Doctors Warn NHS Could Be “Dead In The Water” If Summer Surge Increases A&E Demand
Medical professionals have warned that a surge in coronavirus cases could overwhelm the NHS as the health service continues to battle with coronavirus alongside a return to pre-pandemic demand.
Elton John's Agent Accuses No.10 Of Blocking Progress On Post-Brexit European Touring
Culture
Elton John's Agent Accuses No.10 Of Blocking Progress On Post-Brexit European Touring
A leading music promoter who is pushing the government to renegotiate post-Brexit arrangements for the UK's touring performers says there is a refusal to do so at "the highest level," pointing the finger of blame at Downing Street.
Chi Onwurah MP: 'There’s nothing more caring than saving the planet'
Coronavirus
By Radhika Sanghani
Chi Onwurah MP: "There’s nothing more caring than saving the planet"
As one of the few MPs with a background in science and engineering, Chi Onwurah has plenty of ideas for how the government could build back better and save the planet. She tells Radhika Sanghani greater urgency is needed to drive change.
'The government is late with its action and where it has acted, it tends to miss the mark': Lord Deben talks to The House
Environment
By Isabella Kaminski
'The government is late with its action and where it has acted, it tends to miss the mark': Lord Deben talks to The House
The UK has set bold targets to tackle climate change, but is the government up to the task? Lord Deben has his doubts. Blaming slow progress on a disconnect between ambition and delivery, he tells Isabella Kaminski the world is looking to us as COP26 hosts for action, not promises.
Taking the knee is about empathy – that's why we should support those who wish to do it
Communities
By Johnny Mercer MP
Taking the knee is about empathy – that's why we should support those who wish to do it
I’m away from Parliament for a while. I am busy refreshing my Constituency operations; taking up causes I perhaps let slide whilst I was a Minister that really got me going in Politics; fighting for the poor and delivering real tangible change for the people who voted for me in Plymouth.
The Key Scientific Advice Boris Johnson Was Given Before Ending Covid Restrictions
Coronavirus
The Key Scientific Advice Boris Johnson Was Given Before Ending Covid Restrictions
Boris Johnson has toned down his calls for 19 July to be England's "freedom day" after the scientific data concluded the future course of the pandemic will be highly uncertain.
Maiden Voyages: Boris Johnson
History
By Patrick Kidd
Maiden Voyages: Boris Johnson
In his occasional series, Patrick Kidd looks at maiden speeches of note.
IPSA clashes with Stella Creasy MP over maternity cover
Political parties
By Georgina Bailey
IPSA clashes with Stella Creasy MP over maternity cover
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) been criticised for rejecting Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy’s request for a locum to cover her maternity leave.
NHS Parliamentary Awards: the most competitive year yet
Coronavirus
By Sir Simon Stevens
NHS Parliamentary Awards: the most competitive year yet
To state the obvious, this has been a year like no other for the National Health Service, so the judges of the NHS Parliamentary Awards have faced an even tougher job.
Northern Ireland's Future Is Hanging In The Balance, Says DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
Brexit
Northern Ireland's Future Is Hanging In The Balance, Says DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson
Unionists cannot afford to lose the next year's election in Northern Ireland, the DUP’s new leader Jeffrey Donaldson has warned.
Kwasi Kwarteng MP: 'People should look at history with a bit more humility'
Culture
By Georgina Bailey
Kwasi Kwarteng MP: "People should look at history with a bit more humility"
Kwasi Kwarteng is a man on a mission, overseeing arguably the most important period in the UK’s route to net-zero. The BEIS secretary and keen historian talks to Georgina Bailey about the free-market case for decarbonisation – and why he won’t be drawn into the culture wars
NHS Awards celebrates the best of the health service
Coronavirus
By Rosa Prince
NHS Awards celebrates the best of the health service
The best of the NHS have been honoured for their work during the most challenging time in the health service’s 73 year history.
The 'good guys' won in Batley and Spen, says new Labour MP Kim Leadbeater
Political parties
By Sally Dawson
The 'good guys' won in Batley and Spen, says new Labour MP Kim Leadbeater
Recently elected Labour MP, Kim Leadbeater, says the “good guys” won in Batley and Spen last week, following an ugly by-election campaign marked by dirty tricks, homophobia and personal intimidation.
Why Boris Johnson Might Be Forced To Ditch His “Irreversible” Lockdown Promise
Coronavirus
Why Boris Johnson Might Be Forced To Ditch His “Irreversible” Lockdown Promise
The Prime Minister's promise of an "irreversible" return to normality from 19 July could come under significant pressure as the UK enters uncharted territory in the pandemic.
Government can help end the scourge of domestic abuse by taking robust action on perpetrators
Home affairs
By Baroness Bertin
Government can help end the scourge of domestic abuse by taking robust action on perpetrators
There are proven methods to change the behaviour of those who commit violent crimes against women. Government must include long-term funding for these strategies in the comprehensive spending review
Keir Starmer Has Bought Himself The Summer To Steady His Leadership After Batley By-Election Victory
Political parties
Keir Starmer Has Bought Himself The Summer To Steady His Leadership After Batley By-Election Victory
Travelling to Batley in West Yorkshire from his home in North London on Friday morning, Keir Starmer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief. For weeks rumours have swirled that his days as leader would be numbered if Labour allowed another seat to fall into Tory hands.
Our frontline shop workers are too important to treat this way
Coronavirus
By Nick Thomas-Symonds and Paddy Lillis
Our frontline shop workers are too important to treat this way
This pandemic has taught us all a great deal about what really matters in life. One of the key lessons has been that our society cannot function without the dedication and hard work of our frontline workers. Yet all too often they are undervalued and underpaid.
Keir Starmer Has Swerved A Leadership Challenge After Labour Cling Onto Batley and Spen
Political parties
Keir Starmer Has Swerved A Leadership Challenge After Labour Cling Onto Batley and Spen
An unexpected victory for Labour in the Batley and Spen by-election will come as a welcome relief for Keir Starmer, whose leadership of the party was once again thrown into question this week when the race tightened in favour of the Conservatives.
The MP on the Vax front line
Coronavirus
By Alain Tolhurst
The MP on the Vax front line
Fresh from his 10-week stint leading military vaccination teams, former defence minister and Royal Navy medic Andrew Murrison tells Alain Tolhurst he wants government to grasp the nettle of pandemic planning rather than continue to sacrifice liberty and livelihood with future lockdowns
Northern Ireland: in the balance
Defence
By Adam Payne
Northern Ireland: in the balance
How to deal with Northern Ireland is one the biggest conundrums in the government’s in-tray. Plans to grant amnesty to British soldiers are mired in controversy, while the trade border is continuing to disrupt day-to-day life. Adam Payne reports