“Rishi Sunak has declared that chants of “jihad” at protests were a threat to British democracy as plans were drawn up to make sure extremists are arrested at future rallies. The prime minister said that the government would “clarify” guidance given to police after Scotland Yard faced criticism for declining to arrest protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday. He insisted that police officers already have the power to arrest those who incite violence or racial hatred and said these should be used to detain people who called for “jihad” against Israel at the rally… Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, defended his officers for not making the arrests.” – The Times
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Editorial:
>Today: ToryDiary: The Met needs to learn the difference between actively upholding public order and merely keeping the peace
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Ozymandian multiculturalism?
“France and EU leaders have backed a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, setting up a clash with Britain and the US as ground troops ready themselves to invade Gaza. Elisabeth Borne, the French prime minister, called for a “humanitarian truce” for more aid to enter Gaza in a move that mirrored Western divides over Ukraine. Josep Borrell, the EU’s top foreign diplomat, argued that a halt to Israeli bombing would allow for more time to negotiate the release of hundreds of hostages held captive by Hamas. A number of EU leaders are also set to back a “pause” in fighting in a confidential draft statement seen by The Telegraph. It came as Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons it would be “difficult” to push for a ceasefire as he argued for Israel’s right to defend itself.” – Daily Telegraph
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>Yesterday: David Gauke’s column: Israel will be right to remove Hamas. But what happens to Gaza then?
“We support, absolutely, Israel’s right to defend itself against this murderous enemy. More than a right, it has a duty to its citizens to restore the country’s security and bring the hostages home. That is what I told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog when I met them this week – being clear this must be done in line with international humanitarian law and taking every possible step to avoid harming civilians. Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering terribly at the moment, with the casualty numbers climbing constantly. They are the victims of Hamas too, who use the innocent as human shields. The terrorists murder Israeli children, then run and hide behind Palestinian children.” – Daily Telegraph
“Michael Gove has told Tory MPs that he will delay implementing a ban on no-fault evictions in the face of a backbench rebellion. The Conservatives promised in 2019 to ban section 21 eviction notices, known as “no-fault evictions”, to protect renters. The pledge has been backed by a succession of Tory prime ministers. However, it is strongly opposed by a significant number of Tory MPs, who see it as anti-landlord and believe it will exacerbate the shortage of private rented accommodation. Research published this year showed that 87 MPs earn an income from residential property, including 68 Conservatives. The bill was due for its second reading in the Commons on Monday and several Tory MPs have already gone public to say they cannot support the bill in its present form.” – The Times
>Yesterday: Neil Garratt in Local Government: London can’t thrive if couples hoping to start or grow their family are forced out
“Mulling over the general election campaign to come, an influential Tory familiar with planning was recently asked which members of the Cabinet were rated for their skills as message carriers. James Cleverly was one, the Foreign Secretary’s easy manner in interviews so liked by the centre that a move to a domestic brief before polling day is under consideration. Claire Coutinho, the recently appointed Energy Security Secretary, was another, the manifestation of a new generation of Tory leaders that No 10 is keen to publicise. Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, is seen as having an appeal to a Right-leaning, tough-talking section of the electorate, whom the Tories believe they need for any chance of re-election.” – Daily Telegraph
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>Today: Eddie Reeves in Local Government: Defending the Blue Wall in Oxfordshire
>Yesterday:
“The business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, has reportedly dealt another blow to the scandal-hit Confederation of British Industry (CBI) by turning down an invitation to speak at the lobby group’s annual conference. Badenoch’s team has told the CBI that she would not be able to address the conference due to scheduling clashes leading up to the chancellor, Jeremy Hunt’s, autumn statement on 22 November, according to Sky News. It leaves the CBI without a high-profile speaker at the annual event, which is scheduled to take place at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in London on 20 November. However, the Guardian understands that a speaker for the event – aimed at showing fruits of the organisations re-engagement efforts – may be announced in coming days.” – The Guardian
>Yesterday:
“Schools must share sex education materials with parents because they have a right to know what their children are taught, the education secretary has said. Gillian Keegan is writing to schools to tell them that the default position should be to share their material on relationships, sex and health education (RHSE). Some agencies had refused permission for copyright reasons, but in her letter Keegan said those contracts were “void and unenforceable” because they were trumped in law by a parent’s right to know. The Department for Education is also providing template letters to fight off claims of copyright infringement.” – The Times
>Today:
“Britain’s deputy prime minister will on Tuesday announce the creation of a new UK public-private forum on economic security challenges, as he warns of the risk that the “world’s next shock will be a tech shock”. Oliver Dowden will speak at the Saudi-hosted Future Investment Initiative, known as “Davos in the desert”, to highlight the threats as well as the opportunities that technological advances present to the UK and its allies. His speech, which comes ahead of the British government holding its own summit on AI safety at Bletchley Park next week, will outline the need for greater economic security to prevent hostile state actors exploiting sensitive technologies and to safeguard investor confidence.” – FT
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“An SNP councillor has become the latest political figure to quit the party in protest over the way his MP wife Lisa Cameron was bullied before and after her defection to the Conservatives. Mark Horsham, a councillor in South Lanarkshire, branded the SNP “divisive and agressive” in a parting shot to Humza Yousaf’s leadership as he headed for the exit to become an independent. It comes after his wife Dr Cameron quit earlier this month and joined the Tories following more than a year of alleged bullying and being frozen out and ignored by the party. In the days which followed the couple and their daughters were even forced to go into hiding because of death threats issued by SNP supporters.” – Daily Express
“Private schools will be barred from claiming back past VAT receipts under Labour’s plan to apply the tax to the industry for the first time, The Telegraph can reveal. Under the current law, any organisation that starts charging VAT for the first time is able to claim back money previously spent on VAT for certain goods, services and building projects. But Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to change the law to charge VAT on private school fees will also block those schools from making any historical claims before the new tax comes into force. There has been anger from the independent schools sector, given it means a private school will now have harsher VAT conditions than any other body that starts paying the tax.” – Daily Telegraph
“Plans for the mass closure of railway ticket offices in England have gone “too far, too fast” and should be reconsidered, MPs have told the government. In a letter published on Monday, the House of Commons transport select committee warned that the proposals risked “excluding some passengers from the railway”, including disabled travellers and “those with access needs”. It also raised concerns over the public consultation process launched by the industry. The pushback came after train companies in July outlined government-backed plans to close nearly every ticket office in England to save money, triggering a backlash from unions, passenger lobby groups and disability charities.” – FT
“NatWest staff gloated about the closure of Nigel Farage’s bank accounts and suggested they had “single-handedly driven him out of the country”, The Telegraph can reveal. Workers reacted to news that the former Ukip leader had been debanked by NatWest subsidiary Coutts by saying: “Hope that knocked him down a peg or 2.” Internal messages handed over to Mr Farage by NatWest also show that staff suggested he had “dodgy Russian connections”, and was involved in fraud. Another described him as “sketchy”. Staff also referred to him as a “crackpot” and an “awful human being”, while one said: “The money I’d have paid to have been the agent ringing him to tell him [that he had been debanked].”” – Daily Telegraph