Former ConservativeHome co-editor Jonathan Isaby is taking over as the Chief Executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance
He had – and missed – a chance to talk seriously about the future of his country and his party.
He’s not right in every particular – far from it – but the Planning Minister’s speech was a big, brave confrontation of the Conservative Party’s electoral problems.
“The Liberal Democrats have shown they do not believe in press freedom. We Conservatives are the party of freedom.”
A variety of reactions are pasted in this blog. The names of those calling for some change of message, priority or operational changes are emboldened. We have also included the contributions of MPs who have not advocated substantial changes. 5.45pm A little round-up of what Tory MPs have said during the day: David Ruffley MP […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter. In a statement to the House on North Africa and the Middle East this afternoon, William Hague announced the government's intention to abstain on the United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood. The Foreign Secretary said: "Mr Speaker, the events in the Arab Spring and mounting concern over Iran's nuclear programme do […]
By Joseph Willits Follow Joseph on Twitter In an over-subscribed Urgent Question debate in the Commons yesterday, on the Palestinian statehood bid, foreign office minister Alistair Burt (standing in for Hague who was in Libya) refused to be drawn on whether the government would officially support a Palestinian bid for UN membership. On Tuesday, ConservativeHome reported that […]
By Matthew BarrettFollow Matthew on Twitter Yesterday saw the Second Reading in the Commons of the Pensions Bill – the legislation currently in the news which accelerates the existing timetable for increasing the State Pension age to 66. This will mean the pension age will be increased from 60 to 65 for women by 2018, before being […]
By Matthew Barrett On Monday, William Hague opened a debate about the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Questions about Libya, UN and NATO involvement came up initally, but events in Israel and Palestine – especially the new agreement between Hamas and Fatah – were also raised, with Conservative members firmly advocating that Hamas […]
Nicholas Boles is Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford. Although we have a funny way of showing it, the Conservative Party has rarely been more united on the vexed and vexatious question of our relationship with the European Union. After forty years' of conflict between Europhiles and Europhobes, the vast majority of contemporary Conservatives have […]