“The controversial plans would see the introduction of a new parliamentary stage for laws that do not affect other parts of the UK. English or English and Welsh MPs would scrutinise such legislation alone and then accept or veto it. All MPs would then continue to debate and vote on the legislation at second reading, third reading and report stage. Ministers have argued the system is the best way to address the so-called West Lothian Question as devolution progresses.” – Daily Express
> Today: Chris Grayling MP on Comment: Today’s vote on EVEL offers a stronger, fairer Union
“The BoE governor said: “Broadly speaking, the evidence suggests that the UK has successfully harnessed the benefits of openness afforded by its EU membership while avoiding some of the drawbacks of reduced flexibility from which some continental European economies suffer”…Mr Carney stressed that the central bank had not conducted a “comprehensive assessment” of the pros and cons of the UK being in the EU, but had limited its analysis to the effect of membership on the BoE’s ability to do its wide-ranging job.” – Financial Times
…But he warns that its rules and directives need to be “flexible and effective” – The Sun (£)
“I supect that Mark Carney set out to strengthen the case for Britain staying in the European Union with his remarks in Oxford tonight, but his intervention may end up having the reverse effect. First, the Bank of England governor did not talk about the advantages of staying inside the EU. He spoke about the advantages of Britain being part of a free trade block; as Boris Johnson argues in the new Spectator this is still likely even if we vote to leave.” – The Spectator
> Yesterday: WATCH – Ici Londres: Daniel Hannan MEP on the miracle of the market
“Figures in No 10 are signalling to MPs that the government is open to giving additional help to those worst affected by the cuts to tax credits for low-paid workers, as Treasury ministers and aides dig in their heels over the issue. The move to save £4.4 billion is part of the chancellor’s cuts to the welfare budget, designed to balance the books while protecting health and defence spending.” – The Times (£)
> Yesterday:
“David Cameron hailed a promise from Beijing to stop stealing Britain’s economic secrets yesterday, as he signed a nuclear deal with a Chinese firm linked to cyber-espionage. The prime minister waved aside security fears and objections over China’s human rights record to welcome the £6 billion investment that could lead to construction of Britain’s first new nuclear power station in a generation starting within weeks at Hinkley Point, Somerset.” – The Times (£)
“The home secretary will tell Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan police commissioner, and his officers to end “knee-jerk” reactions on the basis of false claims about links between stop and search and the carrying of knives. Mrs May will also criticise the police service for its record on the employment of women and ethnic minority officers.” – The Times (£)
> Today: Does May’s closest adviser joining the Vote Leave campaign signal her intentions?
“Committee chairman Keith Vaz challenged Mr Watson: “Was that your job? You’re not Sherlock Holmes?” Met Police chiefs were also in the firing line for reopening the case on the basis of allegations from two unreliable witnesses, one identified only as Jane. Ex-Tory Home Secretary Lord Brittan was quizzed after Jane said he raped her in 1967. Cops found he had no case to answer but said nothing until after he died in January.” – The Sun (£)
“The public spending watchdog, Audit Scotland, laid bare a litany of problems in its report, including tightening budgets, rising costs, higher demand for services, pressure to meet targets and increased staff vacancies…opposition MSPs called it a “damning analysis” and accused the Scottish Government of operating “a sticking-plaster approach” to problems within the NHS.” – Scotsman
“Michael Meacher was a remarkable environment minister because for six years, at the start of the Blair government, he almost single-handedly fought to defend the natural world from road-building, the first generation of GM crops and rampant industrialisation. While junior environment ministers usually accept the Treasury or No 10 line without question, “the Meach”, as he was widely known, stood up to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and possibly saved the administration from political embarrassment by urging caution at key moments.” – John Vidal, The Guardian
“His years as a Guardian columnist have certainly allowed us the benefit of his Stalinist take on world affairs. Such as choosing, two days after the murder of 3,000 people on 9/11, to sneer at the US for lacking “any glimmer of recognition” about why they were attacked, and arguing that “the Americans are once again reaping a dragons’ teeth harvest they themselves sowed”. – Stephen Pollard, The Times (£)
> Yesterday: LeftWatch – Corbyn’s judgement is proving to be worse than even his enemies expected
* This is not a breaking news story from “Call Me Dave”.