“David Cameron faced a barrage of protest over migrant benefits last night – but claimed he had made ‘really good progress’ in securing a deal to keep Britain in the EU. Countries in Eastern Europe led the charge in dismissing the Prime Minister’s ‘discriminatory’ proposals to stop EU workers accessing in-work benefits for the first four years after arriving in the UK.” – Daily Mail
Silver linings:
Meanwhile in London:
Labour:
Editorial:
“The biggest threat he faces isn’t a 2020 general election, but losing a referendum campaign… the Chancellor has decided, whatever happens on migrant benefits, that Britain’s future lies in the European Union – and to bet everything on his ability to persuade the country.” – Daily Telegraph
>Today: ToryDiary: How will Cameron manage Cabinet ministers who want Brexit?
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Risk
“The Prime Minister said in one of dozens of government announcements on Thursday that “membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism”… But Mr Cameron stopped short of banning the group, with a Downing Street spokesperson adding that the review did not introduce any change in policy towards the brotherhood.” – Financial Times
Comment:
“A plan to level the playing field which is tilted against Britain’s poor families has been published as the Government’s child poverty watchdog warned social mobility could go backwards without a crusade to improve it. In their annual state-of-the nation report, advisers warned David Cameron he will not deliver his post-election pledge to create One Nation without a concerted drive by employers, the education system and the Government.” – The Independent
“More than 300 quangocrats and Whitehall mandarins earn more than the Prime Minister, official figures show. The total is the highest in five years – despite David Cameron’s pledge to slash the cost of politics and tackle the Whitehall gravy train.” – Daily Mail
“Around 90 per cent of social housing tenants on the Government’s new Universal Credit benefits system are currently behind with their rent because of the way the scheme is structured, a new report by housing providers has revealed. The research, conducted by two housing industry groups, found that a built-in seven-week wait for tenants before they could receive their first payment meant that nearly everyone on the scheme goes straight into arrears.” – The Independent
“The chairman of Heathrow has accused ministers of putting politics before the economy by delaying a decision on a third runway, in a scathing attack that came shortly after he announced his shock retirement from the airport. Sir Nigel Rudd said opponents of a third runway were holding the rest of the country “to ransom” and fired an extraordinary broadside at Zac Goldsmith and his suitability to stand as the Conservative candidate for London mayor.” – Daily Telegraph
“The Charity Commission has reprimanded the Badger Trust for unlawfully campaigning against the Conservatives in the last election. The trust broke laws that require charities to remain independent of party politics and to take special care to remain neutral before elections. It promoted an anti-cull march in April in Worcester entitled Stop Cameron’s Cull.” – The Times (£)
“Mr Cameron appointed Lord Strathclyde to review the powers of the Upper Chamber. David Davis, the former minister, told the New Statesman that “at least a dozen” Tory MPs would oppose ending the veto. Downing Street said it would respond in the new year.” – The Independent
>Today: Rehman Chishti MP in Comment: The Lords need reforming, not replacing
“A Conservative MP is facing allegations of bullying after members of her staff claimed they had been subjected to “vicious” abuse. Lucy Allan, the Tory MP for Telford, has been accused of in recent months berating young researchers in her office.” – Daily Telegraph
“One of the founders of the Momentum has privately admitted he is “quite disturbed” by the behaviour of some members and demanded they stop indulging in “personal attacks or harassment”. Jon Lansman admitted the hard-Left group backing Jeremy Corbyn had made mistakes when it first launched in a candid message on a Facebook page for its organisers.” – Daily Telegraph
“Ministers should abandon planned curbs on freedom of information laws because they do not have the public’s support, Labour’s deputy leader will insist today. Tom Watson, who is leading a cross-party review of the laws, which were introduced a decade ago by Tony Blair and have been used to expose waste and wrongdoing, will accuse the government of trying to “reverse the transparency Labour introduced”.” – The Times (£)
“Shirley Williams is retiring from the House of Lords after 50 years in politics. The Lib Dem peer will step down in the new year and will be honoured by her party with a reception on Thursday night. Lady Williams, 85, was a Labour cabinet minister in the 1970s before becoming one of the gang of four who formed the Social Democratic party.” – The Guardian