“David Cameron urged Angela Merkel on Friday to help keep Britain in the EU, amid concerns in senior Tory circles that many hedge fund chiefs will throw their financial muscle behind the “Brexit” campaign. The UK prime minister entertained the German chancellor at Chequers with a dinner intended to accelerate his EU renegotiation, which is making slow progress in Brussels.” – Financial Times
Comment:
>Yesterday:
“The North is “more Tory” after the election, David Cameron claimed at a Conservative party conference in a city where it lacks a single councillor. Manchester, which hosted the Tories this year, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Hull remain no-go zones for the party, despite being cities at the heart of the “Northern Powerhouse” concept. The Conservatives are polling in single-digits in many of these council wards.” – Financial Times
>Today: Mike Freer MP in Comment: We should make more use of our many Blue Collar Conservatives
“The public could be charged to submit Freedom of Information requests for the first time, the head of an official review said last night. The issue of fees will be examined by the independent committee into the future of the transparency laws, as part of a wider look at the ‘burden’ the act places on public authorities.” – Daily Mail
“The man who initiated paedophile claims against Leon Brittan admitted yesterday that he was “right up for witch-hunts against rightwing Tories”. Chris Fay, a former social worker and Labour councillor in south London, passed allegations about Lord Brittan of Spennithorne to Tom Watson, now the Labour deputy leader, who has led the campaign to expose what he claims is a “powerful paedophile network” linked to Westminster. Mr Fay’s apparent admission of a political motive will increase pressure on Mr Watson, who has faced criticism over his role.” – The Times (£)
Comment:
Editorial:
“Poor old Leon Brittan went to his grave under a cloud of rape allegations of which Scotland Yard knew he was innocent. I believed the allegations, and reviled him for it, because I didn’t dare not. The harrying, hysterical haters of the political left, under a convenient banner of “feminism” (I’m thinking mostly of that vile, hate-fuelled, monstrous little toad, Tom Watson) have created an atmosphere where it is safest now simply to turn away and leave innocent men to be mauled, maligned, ruined.” – The Times (£)
>Today: Tories circle as Watson starts to fail the smell test
“Labour is to make a fresh attempt to overturn the cuts to tax credits introduced in the summer budget by tabling changes to the welfare bill due to be debated next week. Owen Smith, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said the Labour amendment would give Tory MPs one last chance to reverse tax credit cuts for 3 million families before they face a storm of protest in their constituencies about the changes when voters’ pay packets are hit next year.” – The Guardian
“John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, has suggested that staff should spit in their employers tea to help build up a “climate of dissent”. Speaking at a rally in 2011 the Labour MP praised a woman who spat in the tea of P&O bosses during an employment dispute and called on staff to follow her lead and decide “we’re not taking it any more, we’re going to give it back”.” – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
>Yesterday: LeftWatch: The Corbynites move to ensure their control of the Labour Party is permanent
“The idea of cutting housing benefit for tenants who have unused bedrooms was doing the rounds in Whitehall at least 12 years ago and was considered by Tony Blair’s government, a former chancellor has said. Alistair Darling said that he was presented with the policy, criticised as the “bedroom tax”, while he was secretary of state for work and pensions between 1998 and 2002.” – The Times (£)
“A cross-party group aimed at persuading Britons to vote to leave the EU was launched today with a punchy advert – and immediately created a divide in Ukip… Ukip’s only MP, Douglas Carswell, this morning came out in favour of Vote Leave, while his party leader, Nigel Farage, pledged to work “hand-in-hand” with Leave.EU.” – The Times (£)
“It’s here! After weeks of preparation, a cross-party, business-backed campaign group to the leave the EU has launched today – and I am delighted to be 100 percent behind it… Being able to work alongside decent, patriotic MPs from all parties, such as Labour’s Kate Hoey, former colleagues Bernard Jenkin and Steve Baker, and John Mills, Labour’s largest single donor, is a pleasure.” – Daily Telegraph
“Mhairi Black, the youngest politician in the House of Commons, has revealed she is getting patted on the back and “patronised” by older MPs. Speaking at London’s Women in the World Summit, the 21-year-old SNP MP said the condescending behaviour is far worse than she expected before entering Parliament.” – Daily Telegraph