“The campaign to keep Britain in the EU will launch on Monday amid claims the government is sending mixed signals over the role it wants business to play. At the launch of the cross-party movement in London, its chairman Lord Rose, former Marks and Spencer chief executive and Conservative peer, will rebut claims by anti-EU campaigners that it would be the “patriotic course” for Britain to withdraw from the trading bloc.” – Financial Times
Comment:
Editorial:
“Boris Johnson could become the face of the campaign for Britain to leave the EU, Nigel Farage claimed today. The Ukip leader said it would be ‘good news’ if the London Mayor could be persuaded to join the effort to sever ties with Brussels.” – Daily Mail
“Andrew Duff, a former MEP and well-informed Brussels insider, recently commented that the government’s attempt at renegotiation “continues to distress Britain’s pro-Europeans, antagonise its anti-Europeans and bamboozle its EU partners”. He thinks the government is “overselling its ‘renegotiation’ and under-delivering””. – The Times (£)
>Today: Lord Flight’s column: If Cameron can’t return powers to Britain, he should back Brexit or stand down
“David Cameron will today tell town halls that if they do not draw up plans to build more homes, then the Government will do it for them. All councils have been tasked with drawing up plans to show how many houses are needed in their area, and where they should be built. But almost a fifth of local authorities are dragging their heels – refusing to publish the plans amid local opposition to extensions to towns and villages.” – Daily Mail
>Today:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Cameron’s shrinking renegotiation demands clarify the choice
“The Conservatives risk losing the next election if they fail to cut immigration, David Cameron’s election strategist has warned. Lynton Crosby, the Australian campaign guru credited with helping the Tories win a majority in May, cautioned ministers against dismissing people’s fears over migration. After conducting a poll, he said it was the policy area people most wanted Mr Cameron to address.” – Daily Mail
Comment:
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Clarke says May’s tone was wrong on immigration
“George Osborne hailed the strength of the British economy at the weekend as reports show rapid growth in wages, improved business optimism and a “sugar rush” of consumer spending. But the good news for the chancellor was clouded by the uncertainty hanging over the global economy at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund, forcing him to acknowledge that the future is likely to be more difficult.” – Financial Times
“Thatcherism is often presented as an insurgent movement, sweeping away the tenets and personnel of conventional postwar Conservatism. However, Howe’s career challenges this account. He was already a key figure in the Conservative party before Thatcher’s rise to power and remained so throughout her time in office.” – David Willets, Financial Times
“Supporters of the last British prisoner in Guantanamo Bay are staging a hunger strike to keep up the pressure for his release. MPs, celebrities and members of the public will show solidarity for Shaker Aamer by not eating or drinking for at least 24 hours… Those taking part include his own family, his lawyer Clive Stafford-Smith, MPs including Tory backbencher David Davis and Shadow Justice Minister Andy Slaughter, and actors Mark Rylance and Maxine Peake.” – Daily Mail
Jeremy Hunt has become embroiled in a furious row with the head of the Commons select committee, who last night accused him of suppressing an “inconvenient” report on the case for a sugar tax. Dr Sarah Wollaston said the refusal to disclose a scientific review on how to reduce the country’s sugar intake ahead of an inquiry into child obesity would cause “immense damage” and set a “dangerous precedent”.” – Daily Telegraph
“A Labour MP triggered fury last night after questioning why Jeremy Hunt’s Chinese wife had come to Britain. Helen Goodman faced a backlash over an apparent response to the Tory minister’s suggestion that tax credit cuts could encourage Britons to work as hard as people in fast-growing Asian economies. Miss Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, tweeted: ‘If China is so great, why did Jeremy Hunt‘s wife come to England?’” – Daily Mail
“A Texas-inspired scheme to keep repeat offenders out of jail must not be used just to save cash on Britain’s prison population, a top MP warned last night. Keith Vaz spoke out as cash-strapped Ministry of Justice officials studied radical plans for specialist courts to offer low-level criminals with drink and drug problems alternative sentences.” – The Sun (£)
“Shortly after the Conservatives won their unexpected victory in the general election, I asked a Downing Street aide what he thought would be the key legacy of the Government. His two-word answer surprised me: “Prison reform.” The source added that both the Prime Minister and his new Justice Secretary were determined to sort out a flawed system that locked up so many people and yet failed to stop them reoffending.” – The Independent
“When asked yesterday whether she feared a purge after the creation of the organisation, Ms Creagh, who is the MP for Wakefield, said: “I think it’s not impossible and I think it’s important that Jeremy makes clear what the purpose of this new group is… because if the Labour party descends into factionalism and infighting it’s our electoral chances that are harmed.”” – The Times (£)
“Jeremy Corbyn has refused to comment on new reports of his and shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s alleged “close links” to the IRA. Archived documents showed Mr Corbyn attended several events supporting the IRA in the 1980s and ’90s, and held a high-level position on a left-wing magazine that controversially sympathised with the Brighton Bombing in 1984, according to the Sunday Telegraph.” – The Independent
Comment:
“Scotland Yard is facing disturbing questions about how it was railroaded by Tom Watson into extending its VIP paedophile investigations. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe’s senior officers are accused of allowing Labour’s deputy leader to effectively direct inquiries into Lord Brittan and other high-profile figures.” – Daily Mail
“Labour frontbencher Diane Abbott was today branded an ‘internet troll’ by an MP from her own party in an increasingly bitter row over supporting military action in Syria. More than 50 Labour MPs are said to be ready to back Britain joining airstrikes in Syria, despite leader Jeremy Corbyn vowing not to support efforts to defeat ISIS. However, Ms Abbott rounded on those in favour of action, accusing them of wanting to ‘join with the Tories’.” – Daily Mail
Comment:
“Plans to force landlords to check their tenant’s immigration status could lead to “widespread discrimination” and “everyday racism”, the shadow home secretary has warned. Andy Burnham said the Government’s plans – outlined in the Immigration Bill which will be debated on Tuesday – could make Britain’s housing market a “hostile environment for tenants with foreign-sounding names”.” – The Times (£)
“Nicola Sturgeon has said her party will learn “any lessons that require to be learned” from the growing controversy over a prominent MP’s property deals, which were allegedly linked to mortgage fraud. Interviewed ahead of the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen this week, Sturgeon said her party “should operate to the highest standards”. The former business spokesperson Michelle Thomson resigned from the party last month.” – The Guardian