If you’re going to grant someone citizenship, perhaps a background check is in order. The European parliament managed to do it before awarding a freedom of thought prize; British citizenship is a bigger prize than that.
This isn’t just about getting a scalp or an opposition win, this is about a very bad signal sent to China that, in a bid to stay ‘onside’ with trade and co-operation, with this government tricky demands will somehow just fall China’s way.
One of the key issues was local government reorganisation which could see the abolition of England’s smallest (and most perfectly formed) county.
The Shadow Foreign Minister adds that: “We made difficult decisions during the pandemic to save people’s jobs and save people’s livelihoods.”
The Prime Minister looked pained, as well he might, by the many impossible questions put to him by the Liaison Committee.
We have become a party for whom the grotesque is the primary mode of communication. Just to reiterate, I’m not talking about policy or principle here, but a predilection for the odd and off-putting in presentation.
But every speaker at this ConHome/AECON fringe conveyed the conviction that Ukraine will emerge stronger from the war.
The UK has led the world in providing military aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. How can we now go further and help Ukraine begin to rebuild its towns, cities and infrastructure? And what more can the government do to encourage the private sector to boost trade and investment in Ukraine’s economy?
Opportunities to do useful spying (as opposed to covert PR) in the employ of a backbench MP seem extremely limited. Doing the politicians’ thinking for them, on the other hand…
The decision involves children, parents, schools and doctors, and has implications for rights, mental health, responsibilities and culture – as well as the management of a restive parliamentary party.
The visit by Xi Jinping to Moscow last week underscored the threat to democratic nations of expansionist tyrants who believe it their mission, even their right, to overwhelm and overcome their smaller neighbours.
Birmingham Live reports that “the dad-of-five has spoken out about death threats he has suffered during his time in the role, while there have also been a number of attacks on his Chapel Ash office”.
This is a Review that is as interested in not upsetting Washington as it is Beijing. Labelling China a ‘challenge’ rather than a ‘threat’ mirrors the language of the Biden administration.
An empowered membership, including much greater say over the selected – and deselection – of MPs, is the best way to keep our Party true to its principles.