Political news

• Donald Trump Calls Marine Le Pen 'The Strongest' Of French Presidential Candidates

  21-04-2017 23:24
  
  Donald Trump has tacitly endorsed the far right Marine Le Pen for president of France, saying she is the “strongest” of the candidates.
  While the president tried to maintain he was not endorsing the National Front leader ahead of Sunday’s elections, he called her the “strongest on borders”, adding: “She’s the strongest on what’s been going on in France.”
  He added Thursday’s terror attack in Paris, in which a police officer was shot dead
  
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• Tory failure to deliver pollution action plan angers environmentalists

  21-04-2017 22:19 via theguardian.com
  
  Ministers submit court application to delay tackling illegal levels of toxic fumes, deemed by MPs to be a public health emergencyThe government has made a last-minute application to the high court to delay the publication of its plan to tackle the air pollution crisis.Ministers were under a court direction to produce tougher draft measures to tackle illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution, which is largely caused by diesel traffic, by 4pm on Monday. The government’s original plans had
  
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• Philip Hammond signals ditching of Tory 'no tax rise' pledge

  21-04-2017 20:55 via theguardian.com
  
  Labour proclaims ‘Tory tax bombshell’ as chancellor says 2015 election promise has hampered ability to bring down deficitGeneral election 2017 - live updatesPhilip Hammond has given a strong hint that the Conservatives may ditch their pledge not to raise VAT, national insurance or income tax, saying the flagship 2015 policy had constrained his ability to manage the economy.The chancellor, who was recently forced to drop an attempt to raise national insurance for the self-employed, su
  
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• Hammond ‘tax bombshell’ alarms Tory election chiefs

  21-04-2017 20:32
  Labour predicts post-poll rise after chancellor hints at retreat on party pledges
  
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• Hammond sparks ‘tax bombshell’ row over Tory manifesto pledge

  21-04-2017 20:32
  Previous commitment not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT in doubt
  
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• Pinn’s illustration of the week: Election lift-off

  21-04-2017 20:13
  Europe’s political future is up in the air
  
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• Leave.EU investigated by watchdog over referendum 'offences'

  21-04-2017 19:27 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Electoral Commission is examining "potential offences" in referendum donations declared by Leave.EU.
  
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• General election: Len McCluskey wins Unite leadership election - politics live

  21-04-2017 19:13 via theguardian.com
  
  Live coverage of the day’s politics as Jeremy Corbyn tries to switch focus to education – but leaked EU documents cause more Brexit ructionsMay commits Tories to keeping 0.7% international aid targetHammond hints Tories may drop pledge not to raise income tax, NI and VATMay’s speech and Q&A - SummaryAfternoon summary 6.06pm BSTThere is no doubt whatsoever that Theresa May called this election not for all the bogus reasons she claimed about needing a mandate for Brexit. Sadl
  
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• UK hits break-even on £20bn Lloyds Bank rescue

  21-04-2017 19:10
  Dividends and share sales exceed cost of taxpayer rescue at height of financial crisis
  
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• Memo to May: the manifesto must strike a bold note

  21-04-2017 18:56
  The Conservatives have no need to bribe British voters
  
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• Election 2017: Who is staying and who is quitting

  21-04-2017 18:46
  June poll will see familiar faces departing and others unexpectedly standing again
  
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• Len McCluskey re-elected as Unite general secretary

  21-04-2017 18:32 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chief of UK's biggest union sees off "anti-Corbyn candidate," who claims he faced "intimidation" from officials.
  
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• McCluskey gains narrow victory in Unite battle

  21-04-2017 18:28
  Union chief returned after bitter campaign seen as proxy war for future of Labour
  
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• Labour’s new dawn fades, but populism is no answer

  21-04-2017 18:25
  After the financial crisis, we failed to grasp the scale of voters’ disenchantment
  
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• General election 2017: No cut to UK aid spending, says May

  21-04-2017 18:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  PM ends speculation over foreign aid budgets but declines to guarantee current state pension spending.
  
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• Len McCluskey Claims Victory In Unite Union General Secretary Election

  21-04-2017 17:03
  
  Len McCluskey has claimed victory in his fight to be re-elected general secretary of the Unite union.
  The close ally of Jeremy Corbyn had been challenged by rival Gerard Coyne, who was seen as the anti-Corbyn candidate, for the job of running the UK’s biggest trade union.
  McCluskey won 59,067 votes, Coyne won 53,544 votes and the other contender, Ian Allinson, won 17,143 votes.  Unite said turnout was just over 12.2%.Unite, which is the Labour’s biggest financial backer, h
  
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• May says Tories will keep 0.7% overseas aid target

  21-04-2017 16:55
  UK leader makes foreign aid pledge while hinting at drop of ‘triple lock’ pension pledge
  
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• Stormont power-sharing talks deadline set for 29 June

  21-04-2017 16:54 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The move means there will be no NI Assembly election until after the general election.
  
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• Election 2017: Which MPs are standing down and which hope to return?

  21-04-2017 16:32 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Who is joining George Osborne in stepping down as an MP, and who plans to return?
  
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• Labour needs more than just a good sales rep

  21-04-2017 16:26
  
  Yvette Cooper is being touted as Labour's saviour, but it's not clear what she stands for
  
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• Tory MP John Redwood Says We Don't Need European Wine, Cheese And Cars Post-Brexit

  21-04-2017 16:08
  
  A Tory MP has been roundly mocked for suggesting the British public will be well-catered for by UK-produced cars, wine and cheese in the event the EU imposes high import tariffs post-Brexit.
  John Redwood, the Oxford-educated MP for Wokingham and director of the NM Rothschild merchant bank, wrote a blog titled “Buying things from the EU” and helpfully tweeted some choice snippets.You do not have to buy German or French cars. There is a good choice of models, prices & specification
  
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• Who's in Brandreth's political review?

  21-04-2017 16:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Gyles Brandreth and a few Doctor Who extras review the week an election was announced
  
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• General election 2017: Headlines from Westminster week

  21-04-2017 15:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A 60-second round-up of the political headlines in the week a surprise general election was announced.
  
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• The most important election issue?

  21-04-2017 15:58 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Will voters decide on Brexit or other issues when it comes to casting a vote on 8 June?
  
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• Peer calls on union to explain why Coyne was suspended

  21-04-2017 15:50 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Labour peer Baroness Prosser, a supporter of Mr Coyne, is "shocked" by the Unite union's actions.
  
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• How Theresa May won the hearts of Britain’s Brexiters

  21-04-2017 15:39
  
  Prime minister goes into election on wave of trust and support from Eurosceptics
  
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• Theresa May loses two senior Downing St advisers

  21-04-2017 15:15
  Departures put prime minister’s management style in the spotlight
  
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• Theresa May Commits To Spending 0.7% Of GNI On International Development Aid

  21-04-2017 15:14
  
  Theresa May has pledged to maintain the government’s commitment to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on international development aid should the Conservative Party win the general election.
  Speaking at a GSK factory in her Maidenhead constituency this afternoon, the prime minister said she was “proud” of the UK’s record around the world.
  “Let’s be clear, the 07.% commitment remains and will remain,” she said.
  The decision not to ditch th
  
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• Mixed benefits for a Tory election victory

  21-04-2017 15:14
  Views are divided on how Brexit talks will be influenced if Theresa May wins
  
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• High heels row: Petition for work dress code law rejected

  21-04-2017 13:31 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The government says it will introduce guidelines on dress codes instead of changing the law.
  
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• Government extends Sky takeover inquiry

  21-04-2017 13:29 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Election means competition regulators are given more time to investigate Fox's bid for Sky.
  
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• General election 2017: Corbyn confirms Labour would abolish zero-hour contracts – politics live

  21-04-2017 13:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Live coverage of the day’s politics as Jeremy Corbyn tries to switch focus to education – but leaked EU documents cause more Brexit ructionsLeaked documents say EU wants Britain kept under European courtsThe Snap: sign up for the daily election briefing and read today’s 12.09pm BSTThis is a bit tangential to British politics, but Donald Trump has just weighed into French politics. In one of his latest tweets he claimed last night’s terrorist attack in Paris will “ha
  
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• Brexit risks undermining NHS without quick government action

  21-04-2017 13:00
  
  If the government wants to avoid an NHS crisis it must focus on pay and nursing shortages
  
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• General election 2017: Lib Dem raise £500,000 in 48 hours

  21-04-2017 12:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Tim Farron says donors have been "flocking" to the party since the snap election was called.
  
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• Sturgeon launches SNP council election manifesto

  21-04-2017 12:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Nicola Sturgeon launches her party's campaign for May's council elections as a "clear choice" between the SNP and Tories.
  
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• Momentum Tells Members To Place Bets On Jeremy Corbyn Winning To 'Shorten The Odds'

  21-04-2017 12:27
  
  Momentum, the pro-Jeremy Corbyn grassroots left-wing campaign organisation, has encouraged its supporters to place bets on Labour winning the election in order to change the odds.
  The group’s Hackney branch has also encouraged members to bombard the BBC with complaints if they believe the broadcaster is being biased against Corbyn.
  “The odds against Labour, but if enough of us bet a tenner on Labour to get the most seats or Corbyn to be the next PM, the odds will shorten and the nar
  
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• Momentum Branch Tells Members To Place Bets On Jeremy Corbyn Winning To 'Shorten The Odds'

  21-04-2017 12:27
  
  A branch of Momentum, the pro-Jeremy Corbyn grassroots left-wing campaign organisation, has encouraged its supporters to place bets on Labour winning the election in order to change the odds.
  The group’s Hackney branch has also encouraged members to bombard the BBC with complaints if they believe the broadcaster is being biased against Corbyn.
  “The odds against Labour, but if enough of us bet a tenner on Labour to get the most seats or Corbyn to be the next PM, the odds will shorten
  
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• If we overreact to this attack on Paris then terrorism will ‘just never end’ | Simon Jenkins

  21-04-2017 12:15 via theguardian.com
  
  When politicians such as Donald Trump rush to publicise terrorist incidents they turn violent crimes into global events and bestow celebrity on fanatics
  “It just never ends,” says Donald Trump, referring to the shooting in Paris last night. He is right, but not as he means it. What never ends is the readiness of politicians to rush to publicise and thus enhance and promote terrorist incidents. Once again Islamic State’s useful idiots are turning a violent crime on a Paris stree
  
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• Online political advertising is a black box and democracy should be worried

  21-04-2017 12:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Companies are promising to sway the electorate using high-tech targeting of voters in ways that aren’t easy to keep track ofAs your mind wearily contemplates being exposed to yet another political campaign, are your dreams haunted by battle buses, billboards and TV debates? Or is it Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Google? On the evidence of last year’s EU referendum, much of the campaigning, and much of the money spent on political advertising, will be online. And it will happen in a
  
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• The Labour Brexit group which donated to Ukip

  21-04-2017 11:56
  
  Labour MEP on why he is hoping to get some answers over £18,500 donation to Ukip
  
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• Paris Terror Attack Raises Questions Over French Presidential Election Voting Intentions

  21-04-2017 11:54
  
  The latest terror attack in Paris has raised speculation of a swing towards far-right Front National leader Marine Le Pen, with just two days until polls open for the nation’s presidential election.
  Thursday’s shooting, claimed by the Islamic State group, saw President Francois Hollande calling together the government’s security council while his would-be successors in the presidential election campaign treaded carefully with their responses.
  One of the key questions was i
  
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• UK government drops plan to raise probate fees

  21-04-2017 11:49 via theguardian.com
  
  Ministry of Justice says snap election means plan to increase fees to as much as £20,000 would not be completed in time
  The government has dropped plans to sharply increase probate fees before the election, raising the possibility that the proposals could be dropped altogether.The controversial Ministry of Justice scheme to raise £300m a year extra on the fees by charging up to £20,000 for large estates was authorised by the justice secretary, Liz Truss.Continue reading...
  
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• Conservatives warn they ‘could lose’ general election

  21-04-2017 10:43
  Tories talk down polling in attempt to scare voters with possibility of Corbyn victory
  
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• The Waugh Zone April 21, 2017x

  21-04-2017 10:27
  
  The five things you need to know on Friday, April 21…1) ROLLING IN THE DEEP
  The news from Paris, where the latest terror attack may bolster Marine Le Pen’s chances of becoming French President, throws into sharp relief our own general election and the sense of voter fatigue it has so far engendered. Over the Channel, the contest is deadly serious. Over here, it’s seen by many voters as either a joke non-contest or a needless distraction.
  One thing the French impose from midni
  
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• UK shelves plans for ‘stealth death tax’

  21-04-2017 10:11
  Government had proposed increasing probate fees by up to 9,000 per cent
  
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• Snap election pulls plug on ‘stealth death tax’

  21-04-2017 10:11
  Government proposed increasing probate fees by up to 9,000%
  
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• Who are the rich? The question these MPs won't answer

  21-04-2017 09:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Who are 'the rich'? These MPs think it's not the right question to ask.
  
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• European Parliament President Antonio Tajani Says UK Would Be Welcomed Back If It Dropped Brexit

  21-04-2017 09:00
  
  The UK would be welcomed back by the EU if it abandoned Brexit following the general election, the European Parliament’s president has said.
  Antonio Tajani said all 27 other countries in the European Union would be in favour if a new government decided to reverse the Article 50 process following the June 8 election, the Press Association reported.
  In a sign of the difficulties Theresa May will face if she remains in power after the election, Tajani indicated that any agreement on the right
  
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• Green Investment Bank sell-off: only time will tell how green it is | Nils Pratley

  21-04-2017 08:20 via theguardian.com
  
  The government has secured green ‘commitments’ after the £2.3bn sale. In reality it has secured only ‘good intentions’ The charge that Macquarie is a ruthless asset-stripper that, given half a chance, would dismember the Green Investment Bank clearly stung. As the government unveiled the inevitable sale, for £2.3bn, to a consortium led by the Australian finance house, all sides were anxious to emphasise the buyer’s long-term enthusiasm for its new purcha
  
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• No dissent, no risks, no TV debates: May’s election stall offers only cynicism | Alex Salmond

  21-04-2017 08:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Lynton Crosby’s influence in this campaign is already plain. And with Corbyn and Farron looking feeble, only the SNP can be relied on to resistThe UK as a political entity is notoriously difficult to change. Progress is often in inches not metres, and in small drips rather than flash floods. Thus the House of Lords is reformed but unelected, and the House of Commons is only elected by an unreformed system. The Scottish parliament and its sister assemblies in our neighbouring nations are th
  
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