Us politics

Voters in Alaska and Wyoming head to the polls today in primary elections that are likely to shape the future of the Republican Party and further test the strength of former President Donald Trump 's influence. Representative Liz Cheney is facing a stiff challenge from Trump-backed opponent Harriet Hageman, while Senator Lisa Murkowski's results will give an indication of whether she can defeat Trump-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka in November. Tuesday could also see a major political comeback if former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can win a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives arising from the death of Republican Representative Don Young. Here are five things to look out for in today's primaries. Liz Cheney - Win or Lose? Representative Liz Cheney is fighting for her political future in Tuesday's Republican primary for Wyoming's at-large congressional district. She is going up against Harriet Hageman who has been endorsed by former President Trump. Cheney … [Read more...] about Five things to look out for in today’s primaries

By Joseph Lee & Andre Rhoden-Paul Published 13 May comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The government wants to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to save money, the UK's top civil servant says. The aim is to return to 2016 staffing levels within three years, Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said in a letter to civil servants seen by the BBC. Downing Street said it had not ruled out a recruitment freeze or compulsory redundancies as part of planned cuts. A civil service union said the plan was "ill thought-out" and added strike action was "very much on the table". Mr Case, in the letter to civil servants on Thursday night, acknowledged the job cuts would be "challenging" and that civil service staffing had grown "substantially" since 2016, partly because of the pandemic. "We must consider how we can streamline our workforce … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson wants to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs

Composing an immediate response to the attack on Salman Rushdie was the easy part. Political leaders and public figures quickly took to social media on Friday evening to reassure their followers that they were utterly united in condemnation of the attack on the author in New York by a man wielding a knife. “Unacceptable” was the general consensus. And they were, of course, right. But it wasn’t nearly enough. In fact, offering sympathy to the victim – who, mercifully, survived – and condemning the violence that put him in hospital with life-changing injuries is about as fruitful as sending the victims of an earthquake your “thoughts and prayers”. It certainly presents you as a concerned and sensitive human being, and maybe that’s all you care about – the image you present to the world. But it says nothing about what you believe should be done about the root cause of this kind of violence . It’s easy to harp on about the importance of free speech and to concede the fact that … [Read more...] about The Left must never be allowed to ignore the attack on Salman Rushdie

Scotland’s largest city has been shortlisted as a possible host for Eurovision 2023. This is a very big deal. A contest that is much derided among the educated classes as naff, camp and irrelevant, just became important now that Britain is to host it for a record-breaking ninth time. And I wish my adopted city every success. It certainly has the credentials, the experience and the facilities to pull off an unforgettable event. On the other hand, this is Scotland, so Eurovision could be about to become the latest pawn in the interminable debate about Scottish independence . Already the omens are not good: Nicola Sturgeon has tweeted her support for Glasgow. On the face of it, this is simply because Sturgeon is the First Minister and also happens to represent a Glasgow seat in the Scottish Parliament. But in Scotland, everything is about independence, and Eurovision would be no different. So we begin with a grievance in waiting: Glasgow is the only non-English venue to … [Read more...] about Party-pooper Sturgeon would ruin Eurovision for everyone

A total of 11 government whips have announced they are backing Liz Truss's campaign to become the next Conservative leader in the latest blow for rival Rishi Sunak. Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey, herself a supporter of the foreign secretary, revealed the move in a graphic posted on social media on Tuesday morning. The government whips declaring their support for Ms Truss are Sir David Evennett, Stuart Anderson, Adam Holloway, Suzanne Webb, Joy Morrissey, Gareth Johnson, Scott Mann, Craig Whittaker, David TC Davies, James Duddridge and Rebecca Harris. Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris is yet to announce who he is backing. Tories fined by Electoral Commission - Politics latest Mr Heaton-Harris said on 8 July: "The whips' office will stay neutral throughout the Conservative Party leadership contest." But this policy has been lifted, with Mr Mann clarifying in a statement on social media that "the government chief whip has removed the requirement to remain … [Read more...] about Liz Truss backed as next Tory leader by 11 government whips in latest blow for rival Rishi Sunak

Italian politician Giorgia Meloni is riding a wave of support that could see her become the country's first female prime minister and its first far-right leader since World War II. Even though her Brothers of Italy party has neo-fascist roots, and promotes a message of Christianity, patriotism, motherhood and traditional family values, Meloni has sought to dispel concerns about its legacy, saying voters have grown tired of such discussions. Still, there are nagging signs that such a legacy can't be shaken off so easily: Her party's symbol includes an image of a tricoloured flame, borrowed from a neo-fascist party formed shortly after the end of the war. If the Brothers of Italy prevails at the polls on 25 September, and the 45-year-old Meloni becomes premier, it will come almost 100 years to the month after Benito Mussolini, Italy’s fascist dictator, came to power in October 1922. Meloni proudly introduced Caio Giulio Cesare Mussolini, a great-grandson of the … [Read more...] about Italy election: Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni rides wave of support

The Tories have been accused of "losing control" of the economy as fresh statistics show real-terms pay has fallen by a record 3%. Figures from the Office for National Statistics paint a bleak picture of a deepening cost of living crisis when adjusted for inflation between April and June. Regular pay has slumped by the fastest decline since records began in 2001, the statistics show, as prices continue to rise. Inflation has only just hit a new 40-year record of 9.4% in June and is expected to peak at around 11% later this year, hammering families already facing the cost of living squeeze. Shadow Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband described said the fall in workers' pay as a "very grim moment". Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi ( Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock) The Resolution Foundation think tank insists the fall in real average weekly earnings marks the biggest fall since 1977. Nye Cominetti, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation said the scale of … [Read more...] about Workers’ pay falls at record levels as Tories ‘have lost control of the economy’

Labour will cut energy bills for the 4million poorest customers using prepayment meters, the Shadow Chancellor has said. Rachel Reeves said the party would end the “unjustifiable” practice of charging people who pay by pre-payment meter more than those who have a direct debit. However, the change would not be nearly enough to stop bills soaring overall. On the current price cap - set to rise in October - the difference is worth only £46 a year. Currently the price cap is £1,971 for direct debit customers and £2,017 for those who pre-pay for energy. Labour said the saving would likely be £84 a year from October and £100 a year from March, when bills skyrocket overall. Labour would reimburse energy firms for the cost of cutting pre-paid bills, costing around £113m between October and March. The party insists this would be paid for by closing "gaps" in the Tories' energy windfall tax. The party has been mulling over proposals to help struggling households with skyrocketing … [Read more...] about Labour will cut energy bills for 4million poorest Brits feeding the meter, Rachel Reeves says

Dozens of local government leaders have issued a desperate plea to Boris Johnson to pledge more cash and rip up rules so they can help vulnerable families with food, water and energy bills . More than 70 Labour council bosses and around 1,000 councillors from across England are writing to the PM urging him to double the Household Support Fund (HSF) cash and scrap "not fit for purpose" distribution regulations. They say families with children are missing out on holiday food vouchers because of rules imposed by the government. Between last October and March this year, councils handed out nearly £500m in cash, vouchers and other support, with over 80% of funding going to families with children. But even though energy bills are expected to triple, campaigners say the budget has not risen to match the challenge. Since April councils have been told that a third of their allocation must go to families with children and a third to pensioners - regardless of whether there's a … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson must double cash and rip up rules NOW plead dozens of council chiefs

Published 18 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Boris Johnson will be kept informed of any "urgent issues" while on holiday this week, Downing Street has said. The prime minister - who was criticised for taking a holiday earlier this month amid growing economic turmoil - is now on another break. It comes as removal vans were spotted in Downing Street earlier on Monday. The PM's spokesman confirmed Mr Johnson would return from holiday at the weekend, when he will have two weeks to move out of his No 10 flat. The prime minister, who was forced to announce his departure in July after a cabinet mutiny, will officially stand down on 6 September. It is not known if he will return to the Downing Street flat before it is handed over to Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, who are competing to take over as Conservative leader and prime minister. Labour vows to freeze … [Read more...] about No 10 defends PM’s holiday as removal vans seen in Downing Street