“Michael Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, has claimed Conservative ministers and MPs campaigning to leave the EU are “turning on the policies” that got them elected in 2015. Pointing to similarities between the infighting under John Major in the 1990s and the party’s split before the 23 June referendum, the Tory peer said he found the actions of Brexit campaigners within the party “mind-blowing”.” – The Guardian
Debates:
Miliband:
“Core member states, such as Germany and France, might opt to move towards tighter integration. But any core would probably be a small one. Britain, meanwhile, may well be joined by other nations, freeing themselves from what they see as a monetary and fiscal straitjacket, in a larger outer circle.” – FT
>Today: ToryDiary: Half of our survey Party member respondents blame Cameron and Osborne most for Tory EU referendum divisions
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Duncan Smith deserves a place in the referendum TV debates
“Headteachers could go on strike later this year after voting overwhelmingly against schools being forced being forced to become academies. Members the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) agreed that a walk-out would be an option ‘as a last resort’ if the government does not reconsider the scheme.” – Daily Mail
“Mrs Morgan is the new Thomas Gradgrind, hellbent on sucking the joy out of learning, reducing reading to a tick-box exercise of right and wrong facts and turning our primary schools into battery-hen exam factories. Seven-year-olds across England and Wales will next week be forced to undertake a week of tests, placing enormous pressure on their young minds.” – The Times (£)
“A cabinet dispute has broken out over ‘ridiculous’ aid projects funded by the Foreign Office. International Development Secretary Justine Greening is said to be furious that they are undermining her efforts to win public support for Britain’s aid budget. Treasury Chief Secretary Greg Hands is also alarmed at the perception that taxpayers’ money is used to fund frivolous overseas projects such as TV game shows and theatre workshops in developing countries.” – Daily Mail
“Restaurants could be stopped from adding a discretionary service charge to bills under Government plans to remind consumers that they do not have to tip when eating out. Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, is today launching a consultation on tipping amid concerns that restaurants are confusing customers by not being transparent about the charges and who actually receives any tips.” – Daily Telegraph
“A Cabinet minister yesterday became the most senior Tory MP to suggest he could rebel in a Commons vote against David Cameron’s refusal to let child refugees in Europe into Britain. Sir Eric Pickles said he was ‘not entirely convinced’ by the Prime Minister’s argument that taking in 3,000 children would encourage more to make the dangerous crossing.” – Daily Mail
“What worries me is the return of another aspect of Livingstone-ism; and that is an irresponsible and unaffordable approach to the funding of the city. At the heart of Sadiq Khan’s pitch is a piece of classic Ken-ery. He wants to hold transport fares down so low that he would take £2 billion out of the budgets for London transport. This is a huge mistake.” – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Khan – not an extremist, but an opportunist. Which is almost as problematic.
“Labour frontbenchers are threatening to resign within weeks over Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of the antisemitism row, amid claims that Jewish donors have abandoned the party. As the crisis engulfing Labour intensified, one of its most generous donors said that its future as a political force was in jeopardy unless it dealt with the problem.” – The Times (£)
Hard Left:
Comment:
>Today: Nadhim Zahawi MP’s column: I won’t take lectures on racism from Labour
>Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Marr skewers Abbott on Labour anti-Semitism
“First Minister Carwyn Jones will today issue a plea to supporters of smaller parties to back Labour in marginal seats where it is in a tight fight with the Conservatives. In a speech to be delivered in North Wales, where Labour-held seats like Vale of Clwyd, Delyn and Wrexham are under threat from the Tories, Mr Jones will say: “These next few days will be absolutely crucial in determining the shape of the next Welsh Government.” – Wales Online
“Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of being “anti-democratic” by ignoring the result of the independence referendum as she struggled during a live TV debate to reconcile her desire for a rerun with her claim she respects the 2014 result. Opposition party leaders were enthusiastically applauded and cheered by the audience during the BBC One Scotland showdown at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh as they took turns to round on the First Minister.” – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
“As Donald Trump closes in on the Republican presidential nomination, Washington has begun to ask who he would pick as his vice-presidential candidate — and, just as importantly, who would say yes if offered the job… With Mr Trump expected to be the nominee, a striking number of senior Republicans have emphatically ruled out taking the job if it were offered to them.” – The Times (£)