By Chris Mason Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Will Boris Johnson survive as prime minister? It is the only question that matters. There are two mechanisms available to Conservative MPs to eject a prime minister who is gluing himself to the furniture in Downing Street. The first is a flood of cabinet ministers packing it in, all at once, or one after another. For about an hour and a half last night, it looked like that very thing might be playing out. But it didn't. Follow live updates Sunak and Javid resignation letters in full Who has quit, who is staying? Two biggies, more ministers and lots of tiddlers is the current tally. Desperately awkward for a prime minister, without question. But he has bodged together a new cabinet, the kind of emergency reshuffle no party leader wants forced upon them. … [Read more...] about Chris Mason: Boris Johnson facing day of judgement
Uk politics
Ofsted powers boosted to tackle illegal unregistered schools in England
Published 9 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing New legislation would boost the schools regulator's powers to crack down on unregistered schools operating illegally in England, ministers say. The government says its Schools Bill will also introduce compulsory registers so children not receiving a full education can be identified. Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said the bill would ensure "every child has access to an education they deserve". But Labour said the Conservatives were "failing our children". Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was "obsessing over structures instead of improving children's experience in the classroom". She said there was "no plan" to improve teaching or "tackle the exodus of school staff from our classrooms" and that Labour had proposals to boost new teacher numbers by 6,500. Should a school be in … [Read more...] about Ofsted powers boosted to tackle illegal unregistered schools in England
How might Boris Johnson be removed as PM?
By Iain Watson Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing After a wave of high profile resignations, Number 10 will be keen to say they have stabilised the ship - there is a new chancellor, with a new approach, a new health secretary and a new education secretary. One of Boris Johnson's allies claimed that Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid had failed to "tap up" support from other cabinet ministers, before announcing their resignations on Tuesday evening, although one more minister has yet to make his intentions clear. The PM's ally says he will weather this storm - but the political waters remain very choppy. Some of Mr Johnson's Conservative critics - including still-serving ministers - think he is holed beneath the water line. If - and I stress if - his premiership does go under, how might it happen? Further resignations The first possibility … [Read more...] about How might Boris Johnson be removed as PM?
Nicola Sturgeon impending disaster as UK-breakaway could spark Scottish inflation spike
Nicola Sturgeon tells Jon Kay ‘please listen to me’ in clash Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition 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 Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is pushing for a vote on Scottish independence in 2023. Scotland’s top law officer – the Lord Advocate – has sent legislation on the country holding a referendum to the UK Supreme Court, and it has been reported that the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) will be dealt a blow. According to documents published on Tuesday, the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain, "does not have the necessary degree of confidence" that MSPs in Holyrood can legislate for a referendum. Related articles MAPPED: How Scotland voted in … [Read more...] about Nicola Sturgeon impending disaster as UK-breakaway could spark Scottish inflation spike
‘Without UK Russia would have won long ago’ Macron shamed over ’embarrassing’ Ukraine aid
Ukraine: Expert highlights the ‘successes’ against Russia Get our free Ukrainians in the UK email for updates, changes and news 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 According to figures released by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the UK has contributed $3.72bn (£3.1bn) in military aid to Ukraine , second only to the US which contributed $25.45bn (£29.56bn). The figures revealed that some of the biggest EU countries fell quite short of their promises, with Italy and France only contributing $0.11 bn and $0.16bn respectively. Related articles Putin channelling Stalin with terrifying starvation plan Biden sends two warships to Spain to bolster NATO defence Sharing the data, French paper … [Read more...] about ‘Without UK Russia would have won long ago’ Macron shamed over ’embarrassing’ Ukraine aid
General Election: When is the next one and could it be called sooner?
By Tom Edgington Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Following a series of ministerial resignations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing considerable pressure. So under what circumstances can an early election be called and who decides when it's held? When is next general election due? UK general elections - where all 650 MPs are elected to the House of Commons - have to be held no more than five years apart. Unless an earlier one is called, the next election isn't due until January 2025 . How might Boris Johnson be removed as PM? Chris Mason: Boris Johnson facing day of judgement Government resignations: Who has gone, who is staying? Who can call an early election? The decision to hold an early election usually rests with the prime minister. However, until very recently, this wasn't the case. In … [Read more...] about General Election: When is the next one and could it be called sooner?
Minister David Jones loses UK government Brexit job
Published 12 June 2017 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Clwyd West MP David Jones has left his ministerial role in Britain's exit from the EU. He has been replaced as Minister of State at the Department for Exiting the European Union following the UK general election on 8 June, which resulted in a hung parliament. Mr Jones led the Welsh arm of the Vote Leave campaign for the EU referendum. Rt Hon Baroness Anelay DBE has instead been appointed to the role. More on this story Brexit role for Leave campaigner Jones 17 July 2016 May to meet party critics 'head on' 12 June 2017 May praises Tory 'talent' in reshuffle 11 June 2017 Queen's Speech faces delay amid DUP talks 12 June 2017 … [Read more...] about Minister David Jones loses UK government Brexit job
Chris Mason: Boris Johnson’s authority is draining away
By Chris Mason Published 27 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Sometimes politics is subtle. And then there are days like today. Sitting in the Press Gallery in the House of Commons, watching Prime Minister's Questions, you could feel and hear Boris Johnson's authority draining away. I was watching the faces and demeanour of Conservative MPs during the session. Tribalism is measurable in decibels in Westminster, but today the Conservative benches sat in near silence. PM vows to keep going amid pressure from ministers How might Boris Johnson be removed as PM? The noise came from the opposition benches, in what was Boris Johnson's toughest PMQs since the general election. And it was still only lunchtime. By early afternoon, the letters of resignation and no confidence were tumbling in, and even Mr Johnson's most loyal supporters … [Read more...] about Chris Mason: Boris Johnson’s authority is draining away
Michael Gove sacked after he urges PM to resign
Published 1 hour ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Boris Johnson has fired Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove from his cabinet, after he urged the PM to resign. A No 10 source said: "You can't have a snake who is not with you on any of the big arguments who then gleefully tells the press the leader has to go." The PM rang Mr Gove on Wednesday evening to tell him he was sacked. It came at the end of a day when Mr Johnson defied a growing mutiny from his cabinet and calls to stand down . He told senior MPs on the Commons Liaison Committee it would not be right for him to "walk away" amid economic pressures and the war in Ukraine. And a No 10 source rejected speculation Mr Johnson would announce his resignation in Downing Street on Wednesday, saying the "PM fights on". Among those who have talked to the PM is Home Secretary Priti Patel, a former close ally, … [Read more...] about Michael Gove sacked after he urges PM to resign
Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Iraqi refugee to chancellor
Published 22 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. It follows the resignation of Rishi Sunak who departed the government after losing confidence in Prime Minister Boris Johnson. For Mr Zahawi, 55, leading one of the great offices of state might have been unthinkable as a child. "I must be one of the luckiest human beings on earth," the Stratford-upon-Avon MP said reflecting on his early years. Born in Iraq in 1967 he could easily have been sent to fight in the 1980s Iran-Iraq War. "I would have been drafted in to the Iraqi army, had to go to front line and probably die," he told Nick Robinson on the Political Thinking podcast last year. Instead, he and his parents were forced to flee Iraq and he grew up in Britain. His family had been influential in … [Read more...] about Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Iraqi refugee to chancellor