Political news

• SNP's Mhairi Black Complains Scotland Has Fewer MPs Than London, Gets Hostile Reaction

  21-03-2017 23:09
  
  Tensions over Scottish independence are already rising even before its been decided whether a second referendum will take place.
  A landmark debate was today held in the Scottish Parliament as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called for a rerun of the 2014 vote. MSPs will on Wednesday vote on whether to back the demand. 
  The imminent flashpoint has stoked passions, with Mhairi Black, the youngest SNP MP in Westminster, among the most prominent voices spelling out what a vote to break up the U
  
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• Watson warns minister over George Osborne's editor role

  21-03-2017 22:29 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson calls for government assurances in its dealings with George Osborne.
  
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• The Guardian view on Labour: not up to the job | Editorial

  21-03-2017 20:39
  
  As Britain heads for the EU exit door under a government that botched the budget, Jeremy Corbyn’s party is failing to offer a credible visionIn last week’s Dutch general election, only 5.7% of the electorate voted for the Labour party; five years ago, its share was 25%. In France, opinion polls have the Socialist party’s presidential candidate averaging around 13%, compared with 29% in 2012. By such yardsticks, the UK Labour party’s 26% support level in this wee
  
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• Nicola Sturgeon opens first day of Scottish referendum debate – video

  21-03-2017 20:36
  
  First minister Nicola Sturgeon opens the first of a two-day debate on Scotland’s second independence referendum. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson accuses her and the SNP of playing a ‘well-rehearsed game’, adding that most people in Scotland are ‘sick to death’ of gamesNicola Sturgeon accused of hypocrisy as independence debate beginsScottish parliament debates call for second independence referendum - Politics liveContinue reading...
  
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• UK bans laptops and tablets on flights from six Middle East countries

  21-03-2017 20:32
  
  Nothing larger than smartphone allowed in cabins on planes from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia
  The UK government has announced a sweeping cabin ban on laptops and tablets on inbound flights from six countries, following a similar move by the US on Monday. The UK ban on any electronic item larger than a normal smartphone applies to all direct passenger flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.Continue reading...
  
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• World leaders pay tribute to 'peacemaker' Martin McGuinness

  21-03-2017 20:15
  
  Political colleagues voice sorrow at death of former IRA chief of staff who became key figure in Northern Ireland peace process
  Martin McGuinness obituary‘Tough-minded and likable’ - Alastair CampbellFrom paramilitary to architect of peace processWorld leaders, old allies and new political colleagues have expressed sorrow at the death of Martin McGuinness, whose journey from IRA chief of staff to Stormont’s deputy first minister personified the Northern Ireland peace process.Mc
  
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• Media minister 'must act' to avoid conflict of interest over Osborne

  21-03-2017 20:08
  
  Labour says Matt Hancock should recuse himself from policy discussions about Evening Standard after his former boss was appointed editorMatthew Hancock, the media minister, needs to take steps to avoid a conflict of interest on press regulation after George Osborne, his former boss, took a job as the editor of the Evening Standard, Labour said on Tuesday.Tom Watson, the Labour deputy leader and shadow culture secretary, wrote to Hancock asking him to recuse himself from any policy discussions ab
  
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• The Guardian view on the French campaign: a defining election | Editorial

  21-03-2017 20:06
  
  The French start voting in one month – and Marine Le Pen is set to reach the presidential run-off. Whether she can then be defeated is the next big test for Europe and liberal democracyThe French will vote in a month’s time for what has arguably become the most consequential and unpredictable presidential contest since the founding of the Fifth Republic in 1958. These elections will be a defining moment not just for one country but for Europe at large. The second and final round on 7
  
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• Osborne becomes the remainers’ great hope | Letters

  21-03-2017 19:44
  
  I voted to leave the EU last year and your pages have been repeatedly used to castigate and denigrate all who did. However, I’m willing to persevere because I live in the hope that your contributors will eventually realise that, while they may be correct about some, many had and have very good reasons for wishing to follow a different route. Indeed, I note that this trend is slowly seeping into your pages. Now I read that to Polly Toynbee that fine upstanding illuminatus George Osborne is
  
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• Islington blues for Corbyn and Wenger | Letters

  21-03-2017 19:38
  
  Two leaders based in Islington, both with rapidly dwindling support from their teams and supporters. Neither able to set out a clear vision as to how to reach the commanding position their organisations once enjoyed. Both deaf to pleas to resign with some semblance of dignity. I can’t be the only Arsenal-supporting member of the Labour party who has noticed the similarities?
  Ian Wilson
  Thames Ditton, Surrey• Why on earth was Andy Brassell (Sport, 21 March) allowed so much space to spe
  
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• Martin McGuinness: Sinn Féin leaders help carry coffin home in Derry

  21-03-2017 19:33
  
  Gerry Adams and Michelle O’Neill among mourners accompanying coffin through Derry, a city riven by sectarian divisionMartin McGuinness obituaryAs sleet began to fall on the funeral procession, an Irish tricolour flag at half-mast fluttered in the bitingly cold wind. Another was draped over Martin McGuinness’s coffin.Related: Tough-minded, abrupt, likable, human: Martin McGuinnessContinue reading...
  
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• Brexit: EU summit on 29 April to discuss way ahead

  21-03-2017 19:30 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Summit of EU member states to discuss Brexit to be held on 29 April, a month after UK triggers Article 50.
  
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• Irish Republicans will mythologise McGuinness

  21-03-2017 19:29
  He led the most dangerous terrorist movement in western European history
  
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• Nicola Sturgeon accused of hypocrisy as independence debate begins

  21-03-2017 19:13
  
  Tories and Labour says first minister ignores will of Scottish parliament on issues she disagrees with yet wants Westminster to back Holyrood’s decisionOpposition parties have accused Nicola Sturgeon of hypocrisy after she insisted Theresa May had to respect Holyrood’s call for a second independence referendum.The Conservatives and Labour said the first minister repeatedly ignored majority votes in the Scottish parliament on issues she disagreed with yet claimed the UK government had
  
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• George Galloway to contest Manchester Gorton byelection

  21-03-2017 18:58
  
  Former Respect MP could attempt to exploit ethnic divisions in local Labour party in contest to replace the late Gerald KaufmanGeorge Galloway has confirmed he will contest the Manchester Gorton byelection as an independent candidate in an attempt to benefit from a divided local Labour party and re-enter parliament.Galloway, 62, who has represented constituencies in London, Bradford and Glasgow during a political career spanning more than 40 years, said the “all-Asian shortlist” sele
  
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• Jewish and Muslim women MPs 'face most abuse'

  21-03-2017 18:46 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Muslim and Jewish women MPs are getting support to help deal with social media threats and abuse.
  
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• UK wages will soon lag behind prices – voters will demand action | Larry Elliott

  21-03-2017 18:17
  
  The Bank of England appears unconcerned about inflation, but it will have to justify its inactivity as real incomes fallJudging by his comments, Mark Carney is blissfully unconcerned about inflation rising above its 2% target for the first time since 2013. The governor dismissed the unexpectedly sharp rise in the cost of living as a “single data point” when quizzed about it at a conference on ethics in banking held at the Bank of England. “We are talking about much bigger issue
  
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• The big bike helmet debate: 'You don’t make it safe by forcing cyclists to dress for urban warfare'

  21-03-2017 18:00
  
  The question of whether cyclists should wear helmets provokes fury – often from those on four wheels. But which has the bigger benefit: increased physical safety, or creating a better environment for people to cycle helmet-free?As a cyclist, I don’t object to helmets or to high-visibility clothing. Like the majority of people I know in London, I wear a helmet most of the time when on a bike. I do, however, have serious worries about efforts to make the use of hi-vis clothes or helmet
  
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• Len McCluskey Talked Of 'Entryism' Plan To 'Recapture' Labour Party For The Left

  21-03-2017 17:55
  
  The leader of Britain’s biggest union has been caught on camera boasting about an “entryism” plan to take over the Labour party, HuffPost UK can reveal.
  Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told a meeting of left-wingers that he wanted to “recapture” the party and “reclaim” it at every level from local constituencies to regional and national levels, including annual conference.
  Speaking alongside John McDonnell at the Labour Representation Committee eve
  
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• City minister in right and proper pickle over financial crime

  21-03-2017 17:53
  
  We want British banks to lead the way in money laundering, jabbers Simon Kirby, whose floundering doesn’t wash with MPsCometh the hour, cometh the man. With Philip “the Undertaker” Hammond still sulking about his budget and refusing to talk to anyone, it was left to Simon Kirby, the City minister who looks like a cross between Swiss Toni and Geert Wilders – though without the gravitas – to take the hit for the government.Kirby was on a warning. Having recently been
  
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• Gina Miller Warns Scotland Will Vote For Independence If Theresa May Pursues 'Hard' Brexit

  21-03-2017 17:40
  
  Gina Miller has warned she thinks Scotland will vote for independence if the Theresa May continues seeking a “hard” Brexit.
  The lawyer, who was behind a successful landmark legal case that ruled Parliament had to approve the triggering of Article 50, said it would be “very difficult” to see a United Kingdom that did not include Scotland. 
  But she predicted Scots would vote for independence because of the type of Brexit the prime minister was pursuing.
  “Economi
  
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• After Martin McGuinness, peace in Ireland will face renewed pressure | Jonathan Powell

  21-03-2017 17:27
  
  The former IRA man made the Good Friday Agreement work. But now power-sharing is under threat, and the stage is set for a return to grievance politicsWhen I first met Martin McGuinness in October 1997 I declined to shake his hand. As far as I was concerned he was a terrorist and a member of an organisation that had shot and wounded my father, and put my brother on a death list for eight years.A few months later McGuinness called me and asked if I would come to Derry incognito with
  
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• The BBC Brexit bias row is just another example of blame the messenger | Jane Martinson

  21-03-2017 16:57
  
  Bashing the BBC says more about our political climate than the broadcaster. If our leaders keep criticising every report they disagree with, our future will be gloomyWhen even the BBC’s Countryfile, the sleeper Sunday night hit much beloved of weather watchers, is accused of “cropaganda” by the Daily Mail, the corporation knows it is in the eye of a storm.
  A report this week about a strawberry grower’s fears over his seasonal workforce was yet more evidence that the corpo
  
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• Martin McGuinness’s violent past made peace in Northern Ireland possible | Ed Moloney

  21-03-2017 16:43
  
  Only McGuinness’s credibility as an ‘operator’ enabled Gerry Adams to lead the IRA into a ceasefire and the Good Friday agreementFor reasons that are entirely understandable, Martin McGuinness’s role in the latter years of the peace process – his emollient time as deputy first minister at Stormont, his unlikely friendship with Ian Paisley, his willingness to charm and delight the Queen – have figured most prominently in the commentary that has followed his exp
  
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• Northern Ireland leaders tackle McGuinness’s legacy

  21-03-2017 16:42
  Talks held to revive power-sharing coalition after months of deteriorating relations
  
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• Donald Trump And 5 Reasons Day 60 Was His Worst As President

  21-03-2017 16:29
  
  Monday was a bad day for Donald Trump - so bad in fact he seemed determined to forget it (and eight others) before it was even over.Pres Trump loses count. Says he's only been in office 52 days. Actually today is Day 60.— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) March 21, 2017Today is day 60 of the Trump presidency. He just said he's only been in office for "52 days" and then "51 days."— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) March 20, 2017
  Despite these attempted feats of memory trickery, the president coul
  
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• Top judge defends system of big divorce payouts

  21-03-2017 16:20
  Lord Wilson says critics ‘believe too readily what they read in the papers’
  
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• Scottish parliament debates call for second independence referendum - Politics live

  21-03-2017 15:54
  
  Sinn Féin politician and Northern Ireland’s former first minister dies aged 66Martin McGuinness, key figure in peace process, diesTusk calls EU leaders to special summit to decide their Brexit strategy
  Global Laundromat scandal UQ - SummaryGlobal Laundromat scandal UQ - Verdict 2.54pm GMTHarvie says leaving the EU is “an act of political wreckage”.He says other EU countries will get a vote on the Brexit deal. 2.52pm GMTHarvie says many leave campaigners said there was no
  
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• Voters want hard borders and free trade

  21-03-2017 15:52
  Conservative electorate may be hard to please, with 93% in favour of single market
  
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• Voters want Brexit with hard borders and EU perks

  21-03-2017 15:52
  Tory electorate may be hard to please, with 93% in favour of free trade with the bloc
  
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• Brexit: What is Scottish fishing industry angling for?

  21-03-2017 15:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The fishing industry played a big role in the EU referendum campaign.
  
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• Brexit study shows we want free trade as well as immigration control

  21-03-2017 15:43
  
  NatCen study shows ‘pick and mix attitude to EU’, as 88% of participants back free trade with bloc but 69% also want customs checks Many Britons are taking an ambitious approach to the sort of Brexit they want, with significant majorities seeking both a tough approach to EU migration and continued free trade with Europe, a study has found.The research from the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) said more than two-thirds of participants overall wanted to see arrivals from th
  
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• Len McCluskey says Tom Watson lives in 'world of skulduggery'

  21-03-2017 15:15
  
  Unite union leader accuses Labour’s deputy leader of backstabbing and seeking to influence election of general secretaryLen McCluskey, the Jeremy Corbyn ally standing for re-election as head of Britain’s biggest union, has launched a scathing attack on Tom Watson for allegedly seeking to influence the election of Unite’s general secretary. In a personal critique, the incumbent union leader called Labour’s deputy leader a backstabber who lives in a “world of skuldugg
  
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• Unite’s McCluskey hits back at Labour’s Tom Watson

  21-03-2017 15:10
  Trade unionist claims MP is trying to influence outcome of Unite’s internal election
  
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• Martin McGuinness: A life of two halves

  21-03-2017 15:08
  
  Martin McGuinness' life shows us what happens when politics doesn't work and when it does
  
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• TrumpWatch: 5 Things You May Have Missed During The Whole Donald Trump/FBI Saga

  21-03-2017 15:04
  
  1) WHITE HOUSE INFIGHTING
  White House insiders have revealed two factions within the administration battling for the President Donald Trump’s attention.
  On one side are the more progressive so-called ‘New Yorkers’, led by Gary Cohn and Dina Powell - aligned with Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner.Ivanka, Jared, Gary Cohn, Dina Powell--this is the bloc of Goldman-New York-aligned allies to watch.— Robert Costa (@costareports) March 16, 2017
  They are reportedly referred to, moc
  
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• Cashing out of the European Investment Bank

  21-03-2017 14:57
  
  Deciding what happens to UK’s 16% shareholding will be akin to a divorce
  
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• Police to examine 'Global Laundromat' money laundering allegations

  21-03-2017 14:52
  
  Minister tells MPs FCA and police will look closely at Guardian reports that UK banks processed $740m from Russian operationThe Financial Conduct Authority and fraud police will examine allegations that Britain’s high street banks processed nearly $740m from a vast money laundering operation run by Russian criminals, a Treasury minister has told MPs.Simon Kirby, the economic secretary to the Treasury, said the government would pursue anyone seeking to abuse the financial system but also cl
  
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• EU to hold first Brexit summit a month after article 50 notice

  21-03-2017 14:43
  
  Council president Donald Tusk says main priority for negotiations is to ensure UK’s departure is least painful for EUThe European Union will not hold its first Brexit summit until 29 April, a month after Theresa May triggers article 50, underlining how Britain will no longer be in control of the process.Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, announced that he would call a summit on the last Saturday in April to allow the EU’s 27 remaining members to agree on Brexit guide
  
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• Martin McGuinness – a timeline of his IRA and political life

  21-03-2017 14:35
  
  McGuinness rose through Provisional IRA ranks before entering politics and playing a key role in Northern Ireland power sharing1950 – Martin McGuinness is born in the Bogside area of Derry, the second of seven children. His family had few republican connections.1965 – On leaving the Christian Brothers technical college he attended after failing the 11-plus, he is turned down for a job as a car mechanic because he is Catholic. McGuinness becomes a butcher’s assistant instead, ag
  
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• BBC boss defends news coverage after MPs claim Brexit bias

  21-03-2017 14:31
  
  Tony Hall speaks out as about 70 MPs accuse corporation of failing to break out of ‘pre-referendum pessimism’The BBC’s director-general has hit back at claims of bias from MPs, insisting the broadcaster’s news coverage of Brexit is impartial.About 70 MPs – the majority of whom were Tories – signed a letter to Tony Hall accusing the corporation of failing to break out of “pre-referendum pessimism”. Continue reading...
  
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• Jonathan Powell describes meeting Martin McGuinness

  21-03-2017 14:16 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Jonathan Powell, who worked with Sinn Fein on the Good Friday Agreement, describes meeting Martin McGuinness.
  
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• Kebab king of London talks beer and Brexit

  21-03-2017 14:14
  Notebook: The Kurdish impresario behind a culinary hub where food and politics meet
  
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• How an immigrant nourished the Great British kebab

  21-03-2017 14:14
  Notebook: The Kurdish impresario behind a culinary hub where food and politics meet
  
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• The big revelation from Theresa May’s Vogue interview: just how dull she is | Anne Perkins

  21-03-2017 14:12
  
  The prime minister has copied John Major in her determination to be as boring as it is possible to be while also leading a major western powerThe last time a new prime minister matched Theresa May’s double-digit personal approval ratings so far into their first year in power, it was John Major back in the 1990s. The “not Thatcher” bounce saw him all the way to an unexpected election victory in 1992, but it ended swiftly, thereafter, as he dropped into the bottomless pit of pain
  
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• State pension review to oppose early access for sick

  21-03-2017 14:02
  Cridland report ready to recommend against flexible payments because of complexity
  
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• BBC Bias Open Letter Sent To Director General Tony Hall

  21-03-2017 13:59
  
  More than 70 MPs have signed an open letter accusing the BBC of bias in its coverage of Brexit.
  In a letter to director general Tony Hall, the group, led by Tory MP Julian Knight, said it “pains us to see how so much of the economic good news we’ve had since June has been skewed by BBC coverage which seems unable to break out of pre-referendum pessimism and accept new facts.”.
  It added: “We fear that, by misrepresenting our country either as xenophobic or regret
  
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• Hogg made ‘honest mistake’ at Bank of England, says Carney

  21-03-2017 13:35
  Governor defends central bank’s response to conflict of interest claims
  
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• Len McCluskey Accuses Tom Watson Of 'Skulduggery, Smears And Secret Plots'

  21-03-2017 12:39
  
  Len McCluskey has attacked Tom Watson for engaging in a “world of skulduggery, smears and secret plots”, after Labour’s deputy leader said the Unite union was involved in a “hard-left” plot to take over the party.
  Writing for The Huffington Post UK today, McCluskey said at a time Labour needed “loyalty” from its MPs, Watson was “sharpening his knife looking for a back to stab”.
  McCluskey, who is seeking re-election as general secretary of th
  
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• Exclusive: Len McCluskey Accuses Tom Watson Of 'Skulduggery, Smears And Secret Plots'

  21-03-2017 12:39
  
  Len McCluskey has attacked Tom Watson for engaging in a “world of skulduggery, smears and secret plots”, after Labour’s deputy leader said the Unite union was involved in a “hard-left” plot to take over the party.
  Writing for The Huffington Post UK today, McCluskey said at a time Labour needed “loyalty” from its MPs, Watson was “sharpening his knife looking for a back to stab”.
  McCluskey, who is seeking re-election as general secretary of Un
  
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