Odds on next prime minister

A deal with the Democratic Unionist Party will mean Theresa May has a stay of execution at Number 10.  Can we expect her to perform any better than she has done in her first 11 months, which is already being compared to Anthony Eden’s disastrous leadership from 1955-1957 which crashed in flames after his mishandling of the Suez crisis? Prime Ministers usually come to power ill-prepared for what lies ahead and without the willingness to learn. Theresa May was no exception. She appointed two tenacious Chiefs of Staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill , who had worked alongside her with ferocious loyalty at the Home Office. She thought that she could employ the same style in the vastly different world of Number 10. But the job of Prime Minister is one of persuasion, not command and control. Timothy and Hill crafted a meritocratic agenda for her which had much sense: but it never gained traction across Whitehall. Both individuals have become scapegoats for the election defeat and … [Read more...] about Theresa May Mark II could well be the most successful period of her premiership

The General Election on Thursday was the most extraordinary in British history since modern elections began in 1918. We’ve had some exciting votes, from the closer than expected result of 2010 to the transformational victories of Clement Attlee, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair in 1945, 1979 and 1997. But I’ve known nothing like 2017 in the dozen elections I have lived through since February 1974 for sheer unpredictability, drama and emotion . Ted Heath’s February 1974 general election, extraordinary in itself, provides the best mirror through which to view the utterly historic events of the last 36 hours. In both February 1974 and this time, Conservative Prime Ministers who were ill at ease with themselves and not natural communicators called a general election that they need not have triggered only to see it backfire disastrously against them and their party, leaving the country in a desperately vulnerable position at a time of great national need. Probe a little deeper, … [Read more...] about This has been the most extraordinary General Election since 1918

Liz Truss addresses policy change SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info UK households currently face the crippling effects of an energy crisis brought about by the skyrocketing costs of wholesale gas over the past year. With millions of Britons facing fuel poverty this winter as energy bills are set to reach £3,400 a year, tackling this crisis will be at the forefront of the next prime minister’s agenda. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has repeatedly announced her plans to help families by “immediately” scrapping the green levies applied on bills. Related articles Evolution theory shattered as study finds- human brains did not shrink Musk primed to snub EU ‘bureaucracy’ and build new Tesla gigafactor... … [Read more...] about ‘Doesn’t make sense!’ Truss’ energy reform plan could send bills soaring higher

Oxford University has been accused of awarding itself a ‘first class degree in political correctness’ after snubbing Theresa May’s achievements in a series of portraits celebrating diversity. The prime minister is one of a number of notable women absent from the list of former Oxford University students chosen to reflect its ‘commitment to inclusivity’. Oxford has announced the commission of 24 portraits to be displayed around the university reflecting sitters from a variety of backgrounds. The university said last night that Mrs May was omitted from the list because no staff or students currently at Oxford had bothered to nominate her. The row echoes the furore over the university’s refusal to award Margaret Thatcher with an honorary degree in 1985. Among those to be painted or photographed include Ken Loach, the left-wing film director, the BBC journalist Reeta Chakrabarti, the broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen and Kelsey Leonard, the first Native American to graduate … [Read more...] about Oxford University accused of snubbing Theresa May in row over portraits celebrating diversity

The next prime minister is facing calls to immediately increase Universal Credit payments to stop vulnerable people spiralling further into poverty when fuel bills increase again this winter. The poorest in society are suffering three major blows to their income in the year to October 2022, according to a report commissioned by former prime minister Gordon Brown. As well as losing the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit, benefits are failing to keep up with inflation - and a jump in the energy price cap is expected this autumn. It means some families are up to £1,600-a-year worse off because of the cost of living crisis - even after government help is taken into account. Poverty expert Professor Donald Hirsch, who wrote the report, says the package of measures offered by the government falls far short of what low income households need - and urgent action is required. Advertisement He told Sky News that "exceptional measures" are needed, like an … [Read more...] about Calls for emergency increase to Universal Credit as report finds some families £1,600 worse off

Liz Truss was not ruling out future cost of living support when she said she would reject "handouts", her supporters have said, with prominent backer Penny Mordaunt claiming the comments were "misinterpreted". Leadership rival Rishi Sunak attacked the comments saying the foreign secretary needs to "get real", while claiming her plan to cut taxes immediately will do little to help the most vulnerable. But Penny Mordaunt , who is backing Ms Truss to become the next prime minister after her own leadership bid failed, claimed on Sky News that her remarks had been "misinterpreted". Ms Truss told the Financial Times that as prime minister she would "look at what more can be done" to help families facing spiralling fuel bills. But she added: "The way I would do things is in a Conservative way of lowering the tax burden, not giving out handouts." Advertisement Ms Mordaunt insisted Ms Truss was making a "general point about the merits of enabling … [Read more...] about Liz Truss ‘misinterpreted’ over ‘no handouts’ remark, her supporters say

Teenagers should study core subjects including maths and English beyond GCSE as part of a new “British Baccalaureate”, Rishi Sunak has said. Setting out his education policies,  the Conservative leadership contender criticised the current A-level curriculum as overly narrow, saying it fails  to prepare young people for future ­economic opportunities. The former chancellor pointed to other countries in Europe and Asia where students have to study maths until the age of 18. Mr Sunak also vowed to create a ‘Russell Group’ of technical colleges to provide young people with a prestigious alternative to university if he becomes Prime Minister. Setting out his education policies, the Conservative leadership contender also said he would increase the use of AI in schools and continue a crackdown on poor value universities courses. The Russell Group was established in 1994 and now covers 24 universities - including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London - with a reputation … [Read more...] about Teenagers should study maths and English beyond GCSE, says Rishi Sunak

With housing constantly in the news these days it’s worth considering New Zealand’s responses to housing issues in the past. Foremost in government approaches to housing those in need was the First Labour Government’s introduction of their radical state housing programme following the 1935 election. In towns all over New Zealand the Government purchased blocks of land for new residential estates with the houses to be rented to those in need. Palmerston North was included. It was reported in the Manawatū Standard on November 27, 1936 that “Sixty acres of land, an educational reserve …. have been acquired for the purpose, and there will be no delay in putting the scheme into effect, stated Mr J. Hodgens, M.P…. The block will be subdivided according to the latest town-planning principles, and will not have the rectangular severity of older streets. Corners will be rounded and breathing spaces provided, possibly with a central square or reserve.” READ MORE: Couple reflect … [Read more...] about Back Issues: Palmerston North’s model suburb of state housing

The UK Supreme Court said Thursday it will hold hearings in October on whether Scotland can call an independence referendum without the consent of the British government. Scotland's pro-independence First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends to hold a fresh vote on independence on 19 October 2023. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government in London says it won’t allow a vote to take place because Scots rejected independence in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a "once-in-a-generation" vote. A vote held without the approval of the London government would not be legally binding. Sturgeon’s Scottish government has asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether it has the power to legislate for a consultative referendum, even if the UK government does not give the go-ahead. The court said Thursday it would hear the arguments from both sides on 11 and 12 October. 'Now is the time': Nicola Sturgeon lays out her plans for new Scotland independence … [Read more...] about UK Supreme Court to hear Scottish independence case in October

Sir Anthony Seldon stood down as vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham amid an investigation that uncovered serious financial mismanagement, The Telegraph has learnt. The political historian and honorary historical adviser to 10 Downing Street left the university in 2020, months after the Charity Commission began looking into the university’s governance - including a risky deal to create a medical campus 120 miles away in Crewe, Cheshire. An internal investigation found that the deal agreed by the university with Apollo Hospitals, an Indian healthcare provider, and Michael Jones, a former Conservative councillor, was signed with “no independent due diligence”. It also found that the deal locked the university into paying £40 million in rent over a decade - far more than the income that it was likely to receive from the campus. The university’s latest accounts for 2019 - delayed by more than a year as a result of the investigation - revealed that the deal created … [Read more...] about Political historian Sir Anthony Seldon quit university in row over ‘serious financial mismanagement’