Tory

Come election day, I knew the Conservatives would triumph: coworkers, friends and my mother will confirm that I predicted a Tory majority of 40 seats plus. It was based on gut. I woke up that morning and thought: “The British might be eccentric but we’re not mad. Jeremy Corbyn cannot win.” But right up to election day, a lot of us were worried he might – even though the polls told us he was facing a drubbing. Why the disconnect? One answer is that Britain might be a moderate country but our cultural establishment is liberal-Left. We live submerged in a culture that is at odds with most people’s values, yet it does its best to convince us that we are “the few” and they – the comedians, the actors,... … [Read more...] about Britain’s cultural elite think those of us who voted for this Tory landslide are thick racists

Boris Johnson is preparing to unveil his plans for Britain after the Tory election victory. Ahead of this week’s state opening of Parliament the Prime Minister will reshuffle his cabinet today. Then on Thursday, the Queen’s Speech is set to include measures on sentencing for terrorists, curbing rail strikes and protections for renters. Popular policies championed by Labour , including cash for Waspi women hit by pension changes, a bill to ensure the NHS is not part of US trade talks and £10.5billion extra for schools will not get a look-in. The first piece of legislation MPs will vote on is the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, a No10 source said. It is unclear whether this will happen before Christmas. There are fears new laws to curb court powers could be introduced after Mr Johnson’s suspension of Parliament was overturned by the Supreme Court. Read More General election results 2019 And the PM is set to pledge extra spending in former Labour heartlands that … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson preparing to unveil plans for UK – after cabinet reshuffle today

If you want to get this briefing by email, sign up hereJohnson to address new Tory MPsPrime Minister Boris Johnson will address his new intake of Conservative MPs later, for the first time since last week's election gave him an 80-strong majority. He is also expected to fill ministerial posts made vacant by those who stood down or lost their seats in Thursday's election, appointing new culture and Welsh secretaries in the process. The Queen's Speech - setting out the government's legislative plans - will take place on Thursday, while MPs could get back to debating Brexit as soon as Friday. We look at what happens next in the Brexit process, while political correspondent Leila Naithoo goes behind the scenes to see what awaits new MPs at Westminster.Meanwhile, Labour's general secretary is suggesting the timetable for electing a new leader be set at a meeting on 6 January. Jeremy Corbyn, who took the blame for Thursday's "catastrophic" defeat, wants the process to begin "swiftly", so his … [Read more...] about News Daily: Johnson to address new MPs and Ben Stokes wins SPOTY

Top story: Tories to push through policies as Labour leadership race heats up Good morning, I’m Alison Rourke and welcome to this Monday briefing in what’s going to be another blockbuster week of politics. Boris Johnson will tell his new Tory MPs that they have a responsibility to change the party for the better when they start arriving in Westminster today. He will also carry out a minor cabinet reshuffle after Alun Cairns’s resignation as Welsh secretary, Nicky Morgan’s exit from culture and Zac Goldsmith from environment. A much more substantial movement is expected in the new year. The PM also intends to accelerate plans for his Brexit bill this week. The party’s new members, who mostly represent northern and Midlands seats, will be sworn in on Tuesday and Wednesday before a Queen’s speech on Thursday, where much-touted NHS spending changes will top the bill. Johnson is also planning a huge shake-up of Whitehall, undoing many of Theresa … [Read more...] about Monday briefing: Full steam ahead for Johnson

Non-payment of the licence fee could be decriminalised, it is reported. The Sunday Telegraph said Boris Johnson is looking into consulting on whether people who do not pay the £154.50 licence fee for watching television or BBC's iPlayer catch-up service should be prosecuted. It comes after Downing Street refused to appear on BBC Radio 4's Today programme due to what they believe is its supposed pro-Remain bias. Tory chiefs were left enraged when Andrew Neil responded to Boris Johnson chickening out of an interview by 'empty chairing' him in an on-air evisceration of the PM. Despite the BBC is also accused of pro-Tory bias by the left - and always vehemently denies it from both sides. Last financial year, 25.8 million households had TV licences bringing in £3.6 billion to the BBC. A review may recommend replacing the existing criminal sanctions for non-payment of the TV licence fee with a civil system of fines. In the run-up to last week's General Election , Mr Johnson said … [Read more...] about No10 ‘refuse BBC interview’ and mull decriminalising non-payment of licence fee