“Rishi Sunak’s allies are privately bracing to convince him to cling on as Tory leader even if he loses the election. Supporters insist Mr Sunak could survive a ‘narrow’ defeat – pointing to the ‘incredibly difficult situation’ he inherited. They also argue that Labour could quickly ‘implode’ even if Keir Starmer initially takes the keys to Downing Street, insisting that the Tories must be ‘ready to come back’ rather than ‘lurching to the right’. Conservative minds have been turning to the potential aftermath of an election – expected next Autumn. Many MPs are gearing up for Opposition, with polls consistently showing Keir Starmer holding double-digit leads. However, Labour needs a huge swing from the last election to get a majority, after Boris Johnson stormed to an 80-seat win.” – Daily Mail
“Rishi Sunak’s decision not to include a ban on conversion therapy in tomorrow’s King’s Speech has sparked yet more open warfare within the Conservative Party. Tory MPs began firing potshots at their own colleagues on social media today, including accusations pro-Trans Tory MPs are trying to “reinforce bigotry”. After some confusion about whether a conversion therapy ban would appear in tomorrow’s list of forthcoming Government bills, ITV finally confirmed the Government will not be pressing ahead with it. Journalist Paul Brand reported the Government “thinks the shape of a ban isn’t ready yet”, and it’s now “very unlikely it’ll be banned before the next election”. This morning he claimed centrist Tory MPs who had been pushing for the ban “now concede that they have lost the internal battle”.” – Daily Express
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“Unions will be legally required to keep trains running during strikes under new plans announced by Rishi Sunak to stop industrial action “derailing Christmas”. Ambulances and border checks will also continue during staff walkouts under the new minimum service level rules, which the Government wants to introduce by mid-December to avoid a repeat of last year’s festive strikes chaos. During strikes, 40 per cent of scheduled trains will have to run and around three quarters of Border Force officials must work, under the plans. Ambulances must also continue answering emergency 999 calls… Within hours of the announcement trade unions had dubbed the plans “unworkable” and “irrational”. Labour has vowed to scrap the law in its first 100 days in office, should it win power.” – Daily Telegraph
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“New legislation to mandate annual North Sea oil and gas licensing rounds will be at the heart of the King’s Speech on Tuesday, as Rishi Sunak looks to exploit a policy divide with Labour ahead of the next UK general election. The prime minister says the bill, which would allow companies to bid yearly for new licences to drill for fossil fuels in the North Sea, would protect jobs and strengthen Britain’s energy security by reducing its exposure to volatile international markets. Claire Coutinho, energy minister, added on Monday that some of the revenue generated by the licences could help fund the transition to clean energy and other government priorities… The legislation, which comes in the wake of the energy shock sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will allow Sunak to highlight how his “pragmatic, proportionate and realistic” approach to achieving net zero by 2050 contrasts with Labour’s policies.” – FT
Editorial:
“Rishi Sunak’s first king’s speech will include a series of hardline criminal justice measures promising tougher sentences for rapists and killers in the run-up to a general election. With crime and punishment a major point of contention with Keir Starmer’s Labour, the prime minister will confirm the introduction of a new sentencing bill under which murderers whose crimes involved sadistic or sexual conduct will face spending the rest of their lives in jail. The change in the law will mean that a whole life order must be handed down in certain cases, with judges able to choose not to impose one only in exceptional circumstances. Criminals who commit rape and other serious sexual offences will spend every day of their sentence behind bars, the government will say, up from 50% of their sentence when the government came to power in 2010.” – The Guardian
“Since 2010, like for like overall crime has more than halved. The Government’s Criminal Justice Bill will accelerate the fight against crime even further. It will improve public safety and public confidence by giving the police the powers they need to crack down on criminals and ensuring that those who pose the biggest threat are imprisoned for longer. We, the law-abiding majority, all have the right to go about our lawful business safely on our streets. The Criminal Justice Bill will improve our safety and the quality of life in our neighbourhoods thanks to tougher and smarter action on theft, drugs, intimidation, anti-social behaviour and serious and organised crime. Neighbourhoods will not be safe until they are rid of knives and knife carriers.” – Daily Mail
“Boris Johnson insists it will be “obscene” to hold an “anti Semitic” rally against Israel attacks in Gaza on Armistice Day. The ex-Prime Minister made the blistering comments while on a visit to the country to show is solidarity after the October 7 attacks… It comes as senior politicians, ex-military chiefs and war veterans have come together to tell demonstrators not to interfere with the sacred events. Cops have also been urged to use every available power to ensure railway stations aren’t blocked by sit-ins as families head to commemorations. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to descend on the capital to show their support – but top cops appear resistant to call off any marches.” – The Sun
Comment:
Editorial:
>Today: Dr Limor Simhony Philpott in Comment: Hezbollah speaks, Hamas miscalcuated – and how Israel has united in the face of terror
>Yesterday:
“Rishi Sunak today distanced himself from Suella Braverman’s claim that rough sleeping is sometimes a “lifestyle choice”. Visiting the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk, the PM refused to say whether the Home Secretary’s comment was “offensive”. Instead he told reporters: “I don’t want anyone to sleep rough on our streets. “That’s why the Government is investing £2 billion over the next few years to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. But of course there is more to do and we’ll keep going so that nobody has to sleep rough on our streets.” Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho also moved to distance herself from the remarks. Ms Braverman ruffled feathers after announcing plans to ban homeless people sleeping in tents on the street. The ban is set to be established as a civil offence in tomorrow’s King’s Speech.” – The Sun
Editorial:
>Yesterday: ToryDiary: On rough sleeping, Braverman once again buries potentially fair arguments with poor messaging
“The Chancellor is facing mounting demands to cut taxes as new analysis shows that he has twice as much money to spend as previously expected. Jeremy Hunt’s “fiscal headroom” – the amount he can spend and still hit his target of getting debt falling within five years – had been estimated to be £6.5billion. But using more recent economic data since that official estimate in the spring, the Resolution Foundation has estimated that the new figure will be around £13billion. It means Mr Hunt has more taxpayer cash to spend on a tax cut between now and the general election. He is understood to be considering a £10billion cut in business taxes to help head off recession next year. It could mean an extension of a temporary tax break for firms investing in their businesses.” – Daily Express
Comment:
>Today: Tony Devenish in Local Government: Councils must be rigorous in setting budgets for next year – with a freeze on recruitment
>Yesterday: David Gauke’s column: Don’t sack Hunt
“Allegations that a Conservative MP committed a series of rapes are “very serious” and anyone with information about criminal activity should contact the police, Rishi Sunak has said. The UK prime minister spoke out on Monday following reports that Sir Jake Berry, a former Tory chair, wrote to the police warning that a “failure of others to act” had allowed the accused MP to “continue to offend and to victimise women”. Berry said there were up to five victims who had been “subject to a range of offences including multiple rapes” by the unnamed MP, according to the correspondence seen by the Mail on Sunday. According to the newspaper, he also reportedly said in his letter that the matter had been “ongoing for over two years” and that he was aware that one individual linked to the allegations “was receiving ongoing support at the expense of the Conservative party”.” – FT
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“Boris Johnson referred to the Treasury under Rishi Sunak as the “pro-death squad” as he pushed for its support in easing lockdown restrictions, the Covid inquiry has been told. Sir Patrick Vallance, who was chief scientific adviser at the time, said in his diary that the prime minister used the phrase during a meeting in January 2021 as he pushed for all lockdown restrictions to be eased by September. Dermot Keating, counsel for the inquiry, suggested that Sunak and the Treasury were referred to “pejoratively” as “pro-death”… Sunak will face questions at the Covid inquiry in December. It has previously been told that Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, described the then chancellor’s flagship scheme to save restaurants from ruin as “Eat Out to Help Out the Virus”. Dame Angela McLean, now the government’s chief scientific adviser, called Sunak “Dr Death” because of the scheme.” – The Times
“Britain has become an international trading powerhouse thanks to Brexit, Kemi Badenoch has insisted. She said our economy is “nimbler” now it is free from mindless EU red tape, meaning UK firms can be more ruthless on the global marketplace. Mrs Badenoch used a speech at the Institute of Economic Affairs to set out how Brexit has boosted British business as she kicked off International Trade week. She said a shipment between Britain and Singapore illustrates how the UK “is an international trading powerhouse”… The Cabinet Secretary said Britain’s economic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region since Brexit is vital to boosting growth and jobs.” – Daily Express
>Today: ToryDiary: Our Cabinet League Table. Cleverly goes top for the first time.
“Brits are still overwhelmingly prepared to make sacrifices in support of Ukraine, a poll has found. Nearly two years on from Putin’s invasion, 60 per cent of voters say the UK should stand squarely with President Zelensky’s struggle – “even if it makes life harder”. Whereas just 20 per cent think Rishi Sunak should not row behind Ukraine if it puts the squeeze on families here at home, and 14 per cent don’t know. While just 6 per cent are not bothered about Ukraine defeating Russia, 48 per cent declare victory “very important”, and a further 27 per cent “somewhat important”. The More In Common poll shatters unguarded claims from Italian PM Giorgia Meloni that the West is growing tired of the war.” – The Sun
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