
James Frayne: Five new political parties that could be formed
Specifically for anti-Brexit politicians, the path to creating such a party lies firmly on what we think of as the Left;
Specifically for anti-Brexit politicians, the path to creating such a party lies firmly on what we think of as the Left;
In a balanced economy, the north would produce around £70 billion more. Here is one way to help close that gap.
The combination of crucial Brexit votes, crumbling ministerial discipline, growing grassroots discontent and a rail crisis serves to intensify pressure on Downing Street.
It would be easy, but mistaken, to take the path of least resistance and simply re-enact the dated Cameron ‘modernising’ agenda.
As so many elections have shown in the past, both the main parties only win elections when they move into the centre.
Transport for the North can now set its own priorities and make its own plans – but Westminster must devolve more powers to allow it to reach its full potential.
It would be the logical next step after taking back control from Brussels. And it would pull the rug from under Corbyn’s feet.
Gone is the Conservative certainty of reducing taxes to promote businesses’ own investment and growth.
It is not especially low tax, nor is it unregulated – though it is certainly a more business-friendly environment then the UK. Here is why it works.
You would have to go back more than 20 years to find a time when fewer secretaries of state held northern constituencies.
Decades of under-investment in transport are being corrected – but we need an ambitious strategy for what comes next.
We are waiting for Labour to deliver their proposals. Because this should be too important an issue to become a political football.
Its awards consume roughly a quarter of public spending. It is hard to see where the tax hikes or spending scaleback to fund them will come from if the Chancellor sticks to his guns.
The first article in a five-piece series by the author on how Britain must prepare for March 31 2019 – and has less than 600 days to get it right.
“We’re badly trailing in the polls. Corbyn’s up and you’re down. You hired me to get things done and tell you how I see it. Here goes.”