Spectator boris johnson

When Rishi Sunak admitted that the Government had blundered over the Owen Paterson vote, he was making a bit of a gamble. This is the very apology that Boris Johnson has conspicuously refused to offer. Since becoming Chancellor, Sunak has taken care to be seen as uber-loyal to the Prime Minister, doing his best to conceal the many differences between them. But with the party in crisis – and its leader refusing to express regret – ministers are taking matters into their own hands. As each day passes, Tories have more cause to regret the loyalty showed last week to what they now regard as an incompetent No 10. “The whips are supposed to be the shrewdest among us,” complains one minister. “But Boris has made it a nursery for the thickos.” Backbenchers were not even asked about their opinions on the disastrous “Save Paterson” plan until the day before the vote – by which time everything had been finalised and it was too late to change direction. Almost all of the 247 Tories who voted …

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COVID-19 cases are sweeping Europe once again - here is a breakdown of how each country has reacted to the surge. Measures vary across the continent, from a national lockdown in Austria to the United Kingdom where only light restrictions are in place. Concerns over the Omicron new variant detected in South Africa has prompted many European countries to put curbs on travel. Omicron: What are the symptoms of the latest COVID variant and should we be worried? Earlier this month the World Health Organization warned Europe and Central Asia could face another 700,000 COVID-19 deaths by March 1. Here is a run-down of the latest situation in some of the European countries. United Kingdom Boris Johnson announced new entry rules on Saturday with travellers required to take a PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate until they get their results. He also said that requirements for face coverings in shops and on public transport would be tightened. …

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Former Tory Cabinet minister Baroness Morgan has emerged as an early frontrunner to chair the BBC, although any appointment has been pushed back so the Government can advertise the job. Lady Morgan, who as Nicky Morgan MP was Culture Secretary until February this year, is understood to have been one of two candidates informally approached for the £100,000-a-year job. Number 10 denied claims that an announcement was due to have been made later this month. However, that has now been delayed until the autumn so it can be advertised. Oliver Dowden, Lady Morgan's successor as Culture Secretary, returns to his desk on Monday from a holiday in the UK and the appointment is said to be "at the top of his in-tray". Government sources said they now expected the appointment to replace Sir David Clementi (who stands down in February) in October, around the time of the 'virtual' Conservative party conference. Sources said Lady Morgan is one of two favourites for the role. Another candidate …

[Read more...] about Former culture secretary Nicky Morgan emerges as early front-runner to chair BBC