“Labour has snatched two previously safe Tory seats from the Conservatives in what has been described as a “political earthquake” for Rishi Sunak and his government. Sir Keir Starmer’s party overturned strong Conservative majorities in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth, with the leader claiming Labour was “redrawing the political map” ahead of a general election…In Mid Bedfordshire, Alistair Strathern, the new MP, delivered the largest majority overturned by Labour at a by-election since 1945. He won by just over 1,000 votes after a bitter three-way race between Labour, the Lib Dems, and the Tories. In Tamworth, Sarah Edwards countered a 19,000 Conservative majority. The result in Tamworth was the second-highest-ever by-election swing to Labour.” – The Times
>Today:
“Joe Biden has warned Vladimir Putin and Hamas terrorists are “tyrants” who must be defeated, as he urged Congress not to let “petty partisan” politics block his impending aid package to Ukraine and Israel. In a rare address to the nation, the US President said “conflict and chaos could spread” if America’s allies do not prevail. Mr Biden, who returned a day ago from Tel Aviv, said the assault on Israel “echoes the nearly 20 months of war, tragedy and brutality inflicted on the people of Ukraine”. He said: “Hamas and Putin represent different threats. But they share this in common. They both want to completely annihilate a neighbouring democracy.” Mr Biden said he would deliver an “urgent budget request” to Congress on Friday…” – The Daily Telegraph
“Britain wants Israel “to win” and will stand by the country in its “darkest hour” after the attack by Hamas, Rishi Sunak said as he visited Tel Aviv on Thursday. The Prime Minister said Israel had suffered “an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism” on Oct 7, when Hamas gunmen rampaged through the country’s south, killing 1,400 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages. “I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you,” Mr Sunak said shortly after landing in Tel Aviv. His trip came on the heels of a visit by US President Joe Biden, with Western allies attempting to balance support for Israel with efforts to prevent the conflict escalating further and spiralling outwards into the wider region.” – The Daily Telegraph
>Yesterday:
“When Starmer spoke of Israel’s right to defend itself, he received a standing ovation. A minute’s silence for those murdered by Hamas was observed impeccably. These are gestures his advisers cite as proof of a party changed utterly…Yet after 13 bloody days in Israel and Gaza, that spirit of unanimity has evaporated: the trust in Starmer’s judgment has been damaged, in some cases irreparably. And as events pile misery upon misery, they could change Labour in the eyes of an electorate whose loyalty some have taken for granted. Across party and country, talk is turning to a crisis of confidence among British Muslims… At least 13 councillors have quit the party in protest: dozens more could follow…MPs who feel they owe their seats to Muslim voters are beginning to panic.” – The Times
>Today:
“Michael Gove will bring his bill banning British public bodies from boycotting Israel next week in a move that some Conservatives say could exacerbate British community tensions in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war. The communities secretary will bring the bill back in front of MPs on Wednesday, allowing them a chance to amend it before the government tries to push it through after the king’s speech next month. It is designed to stop councils and other public authorities conducting boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns against other countries, and in particular Israel. The government has criticised two Labour-led councils for boycotting Israel and some in the Conservative party hoped the bill would divide the Labour party.” – The Guardian
>Today:
“Officials have warned cabinet ministers that holding a general election while the US also went to the polls would come with “huge” security risks. The prime minister is considering holding an autumn election in the hope that the economy will have improved enough to close the gap with Labour. An autumn contest could overlap with the US election on November 5 next year — a scenario not seen for decades. A Whitehall source said ministers were advised of the security risks involved in an election that coincided with a US presidential race… A second Whitehall source said: “Far more care would have to be taken around national security and meddling from hostile countries.” Both officials said their standing advice to ministers was that clashing elections were best avoided.” – The Times
“Senior Conservatives have urged Rishi Sunak to build four million homes on green belt land, arguing it could raise almost £1 trillion for the Treasury. Mr Sunak is under pressure from Tory backbenchers to ramp up his offer on house building after Sir Keir Starmer confirmed last week that Labour would order the construction of 1.5 million houses and build towns across the country. A paper published by the Adam Smith Institute (ASI)…calls for the use of compulsory purchase orders to buy land in metropolitan areas. Shares issued to landowners, local residents, councils and central government could then be traded on the stock market… Three former cabinet ministers – Sir Brandon Lewis, Sir Jake Berry and Sir Robert Buckland…– have backed the ASI’s proposals.” – The Daily Telegraph
“The government’s chief scientific adviser sent a secret message calling Rishi Sunak “Dr Death the chancellor” during a meeting attended by both in the Covid crisis, the official inquiry into the pandemic has been told. Prof Dame Angela McLean, who at the time was the chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence, made the comment in a WhatsApp message to another leading scientist in apparent reference to Sunak’s “eat out to help out” scheme that ran during the summer of 2020. John Edmunds, a professor of infectious disease modelling who was the recipient of McLean’s messages, told the inquiry that he remained angry at Sunak’s scheme, which incentivised people to eat at restaurants and cafes, saying it sent the wrong message to the public.” – The Guardian
“Migrants were moved back on to the Bibby Stockholm today after the giant barge was given the all clear from health officials. For two months the vessel had sat empty after deadly legionella bacteria was found on board. The Home Office confirmed today that tests for the bacteria, as well as improved fire safety protocols, have been completed. Around 38 migrants have been told to move back on the ship. They were transported by coach to the vessel this afternoon after being briefly delayed by Just Stop Oil yobs. The eco-loons pressed their bodies against the front of the bus but the Home Office driver kept moving forward slowly. Today Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced a new set of strict rules for migrants not wanting to board.” – The Sun
“The Health Secretary has slammed NHS bosses for wasting taxpayers’ money on costly diversity officers rather than spending it on frontline care. Steve Barclay yesterday told managers to axe the posts or publicly explain why they think they are more valuable than doctors and nurses. In a letter to health leaders, he also told them to stop paying fees to external diversity advisers, such as controversial LGBT+ group Stonewall. Mr Barclay is understood to have acted after discovering a hospital is trying to recruit a ‘director of equality, diversity and inclusion’ on a salary of up to £96,376… The Health Secretary has already slashed one in six jobs at the Department of Health and Social Care as part of an efficiency drive, and it has no standalone diversity roles.” – The Daily Mail
“Labour raised almost £400,000 from corporate Britain on Wednesday after tickets for its business conference in February sold out in four hours, the latest sign of companies trying to woo the UK’s main opposition party. The event in south London will be a chance for corporate leaders to meet senior Labour front benchers as the party leads in the polls ahead of a general election expected next year. The sales came as Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, separately praised Sir Keir Starmer for moving Labour away from the “populism” of the party under previous leader Jeremy Corbyn. Fink told the Wall Street Journal the Labour leader had demonstrated “real strength” by pushing the party to the centre ground. BlackRock said Fink was not offering an endorsement.” – The Financial Times