‘Last night details emerged of a proposed deal between Communities Secretary Greg Clark and the housing associations which own the properties. It would create a raft of exemptions where associations could refuse to sell people the home they are living in. The right to buy is instead described as a ‘presumption’ in documents detailing the plan.’ – Daily Mail
‘The Adam Smith Institute estimates that reclassifying just 1.5 per cent of the nation’s green belt would be enough to build 1.4 million new homes. Good people don’t want to build on the green belt because they think it’s all woodland, nature reserves and country parks. In reality much of it is also quarries, derelict land and commercial forestry. Parts of America have land that serves the same function as our green belt but they give it an honest name: “urban growth boundary”. Britain needs to choose where we have green space.’ – Tim Montgomerie, The Times (£)
‘All diesel car models in Britain are to be retested amid fears the Volkswagen scandal is an industry-wide problem. The Vehicle Certification Agency has been ordered to ‘re-run’ laboratory emission tests on cars suspected of cheating. The watchdog will compare the lab results – long criticised for giving unrealistic readings – to ‘real-world driving’ data. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin last night promised to ‘robustly’ tackle Volkswagen’s ‘unacceptable actions’.’ – Daily Mail
>Today: ToryDiary: Volkswagen warns us against the sanctimonious pretence that business people are saintly
‘George Osborne ended a controversial visit to China on Thursday, declaring that next year he wanted to take what might be Britain’s biggest-ever trade delegation to Iran. The chancellor told the Financial Times he was prepared to take risks to boost the British economy, including engaging with a Tehran regime that has only recently come in from the cold.’ – FT
>Today: Cllr Alex Williams on Local Government: Incentives for business growth boost the Northern Powerhouse
‘Cameron’s conduct during the negotiation period is not without its critics. Many on the Conservative benches felt cheated when it later emerged that, contrary to the Tory leader’s claims to them, Labour had not in fact made any offer of AV without a referendum. Even if, as Cameron maintains, Brown was making wild offers that effectively amounted to the same thing, the fact remains that no formal offer could have been made…Any discussions between the two parties were unofficial and taking place through back channels. Additionally, it remains highly unlikely that Brown — or whoever followed him — could have pushed such an agreement through the Labour Party. For some, this amounts to saying that the coalition was built on a lie.’ – Daily Mail
>Today:
‘The government is in talks to privatise Channel 4, according to a document photographed as it was carried by an unnamed official into No 10. After months of denials by ministers, the document reveals that discussions are under way to explore a sell-off, which could raise more than £1 billion.’ – The Times (£)
>Yesterday: To The Point: Will the Government cut the Civil Service down to 380,000 staff?
‘The Conservative party had received repeated complaints about the activities of the so-called Tatler Tory before he is alleged to have bullied a young activist who later committed suicide, it has emerged. Mark Clarke, 37, a former chairman of the party’s youth wing and parliamentary candidate, has been accused of bullying Elliott Johnson, 21, after the younger man made a complaint to party headquarters about his conduct. At least 25 complaints about his conduct had been made to the party’s leadership prior to Mr Johnson’s death on September 15.’ – The Times (£)
‘Jeremy Corbyn has become the first Labour leader to score a negative rating in his debut poll, after a bumpy first fortnight in the job. An Ipsos Mori poll found that Mr Corbyn had a satisfaction rating of -3 per cent, with 33 per cent satisfied with the way he is doing his job, and 36 per cent dissatisfied.’ – The Times (£)
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: The huge shock coming down the track for the Corbynites
‘Mr Corbyn should rely on a representative story rather than a fusillade of statistics: “Is it really necessary, in such a rich and lucky country, that young working families are suffering the indignity of feeding their family from a foodbank? Do you feel no shame at this, Mr Cameron? Mr Osborne? Is this not the broken Britain of which you once spoke? Austerity is a political choice, not a destiny. It is a tragedy for those who take the brunt and we in the Labour party will always speak for them.”‘ – Philip Collins, The Times (£)
‘Jeremy Corbyn last night demanded an end to the benefits cap – and for 1970s-style State control of rents. The new Labour leader said households should be able to claim limitless amounts in benefits – and that imposing a cap has led to ‘social cleansing’.’ – Daily Mail
‘A survey of more than 2,000 executives, published today, shows just 40 per cent expect an exit from the EU to have ‘a negative impact on their overall growth strategy’. A similar amount think quitting Europe would have ‘no impact’ while 14 per cent believe such a move would be ‘positive’ for business. The poll, by the British Chambers of Commerce, also shows that although 63 per cent would vote to remain in the EU if a referendum was held tomorrow, some 50 per cent could change their vote depending on the result of David Cameron’s renegotiation with Brussels.’ – Daily Mail
‘A string of pressure groups and think tanks with thousands of activists between them are coming together with Ukip to back a new umbrella group called “Leave.EU”. It will fight for an end to the UK’s ties with Brussels under the new slogan: “Love Europe, Leave the EU.”’ – Daily Express
‘A BBC presenter has admitted some of the broadcaster’s audiences are politically biased but blamed government cost-cutting for leaving the corporation “cash strapped” and unable to afford help with vetting. Jonathan Dimbleby said he is “against” screening audience members “on principle” because it is too “complicated” and “expensive”.’ – Daily Telegraph