“A junior Treasury minister is considering whether to quit the government over the decision to review the decision to build a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point, it was reported last night. Jim O’Neill, a former Goldman Sachs executive brought into government by ex-Chancellor George Osborne, has told friends he will leave the government in September unless the Prime Minister, Theresa May, convinces him to stay.” – Daily Mail
Analysis:
>Today: ToryDiary: How do you rate May’s new ministers? Please take our monthly survey.
“It had not been due to be approved by the EDF board until September, but Levy rushed his colleagues to give it the final go- ahead last week. The new British PM – who in her previous job as Home Secretary was known to have expressed reservations about the involvement of the Chinese state in a security-sensitive project designed to provide seven per cent of Britain’s energy – was being bounced.” – Daily Mail
“Baroness Altmann, who lost her job as pensions minister last month, yesterday attacked the protection as an expensive gimmick, saying it ‘didn’t make sense’ when inflation was so low. But her demands were yesterday rebuffed by Number Ten, with aides to Prime Minister Theresa May indicating the safeguard – a key plank of the 2015 Tory election manifesto – will remain in place at least until 2020.” – Daily Mail
More policy:
Personnel:
“A group of Tory MPs have warned the Secretary General of Nato that Spain’s behaviour towards Gibraltar is a threat to British security could lead to a “serious” incident at sea. The MPs have written to the head of Nato expressing concern over 210 “unlawful incursions” of Spanish state vessels into British Gibraltarian waters.” – Daily Telegraph
“David Cameron was accused of ‘sticking up two fingers’ to the country last night over plans to lavish gongs on pro-EU campaigners and political cronies. Tory MPs led furious attacks on the ex-Prime Minister after a leaked list suggested he will shower knighthoods and other honours on a staggering 48 aides, allies and donors.” – Daily Mail
Analysis:
Comment:
Editorial:
>Yesterday: MPs Etc.: Revealed. Boris Johnson, CH. Sir Penny Mordaunt. And a CBE for Matthew Elliott’s hairdresser. Cameron’s real honours list.
“A cross-party coalition in the House of Lords is pursuing plans to block Brexit. Baroness Wheatcroft, the former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal Europe and former business editor of The Times, said that it was “imperative that we don’t press the button on Article 50”. She said that if the courts ruled that legislation was needed to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, the House of Lords should reject it.” – The Times (£)
More Brexit:
Comment:
Editorial:
>Today: Howard Flight’s column: Conundrums of economic policy in the wake of Brexit
>Yesterday: Emma McClarkin in Comment: Now to trade with the world
“Two former economic advisers to Jeremy Corbyn have said they do not believe he can win the next election and the party would have a better chance under Owen Smith. David Blanchflower, a former member of the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee, and Simon Wren-Lewis, a professor at Oxford University, were both members of Labour’s economic advisory committee but are now expressing reservations about Corbyn’s leadership.” – The Guardian
“The contest to replace Nigel Farage as Ukip leader descended into farce last night when the red-hot favourite failed to submit his nomination papers on time. The MEP Steven Woolfe – the favoured candidate of Nigel Farage – was forced to issue a statement insisting he was still in the running. His papers were not submitted until 17 minutes after the official deadline owing to ‘technical’ problems with the party’s website – raising the prospect of a legal challenge if he wins.” – Daily Mail
Analysis: