Political news

• Heavy defeat could allow Labour’s hardliners to elect another Corbyn

  29-04-2017 23:14 via theguardian.com
  
  Critics of leader could be swept away, leaving the left proportionately strongerHeavy general election losses for Labour will make it easier for leftwing MPs to install a Jeremy Corbyn mark II as the next party leader, according to senior officials who have analysed the possible make-up of the parliamentary party after 8 June.Some moderate MPs and those on the right of the party fear the total number of Labour members in the Commons could fall from 229 to about 160, leaving Theresa May with a ma
  
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• Labour party pledges to outlaw all zero-hours contracts

  29-04-2017 23:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Shadow chancellor John McDonnell says Labour will put an end to the ‘rigged economy’ after election winLabour has pledged to ban all zero-hours contracts, put a halt to unpaid internships and end the pay cap on public sector staff in an unashamedly leftwing pitch to British workers.In a move welcomed by union leaders but that will be attacked as “anti-business” and unaffordable by opponents, the 20-point blueprint also includes commitments to double paid paternity leave t
  
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• Paul Nuttall says Ukip must stay strong amid squabbles

  29-04-2017 22:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Party’s support dropping in polls as it pins its hopes on HartlepoolPaul Nuttall revealed on Saturday that he is to stand for Ukip in the heavily Brexit-supporting constituency of Boston and Skegness in what is widely regarded as his last throw of the dice as party leader.Polls show that support for Ukip is dropping by the week with many voters defecting to the Tories. In an apparent admission that the party is facing a battle for its survival, months after Britain’s vote for Brexit
  
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• Brexit: EU demands 'serious UK response' on citizens' rights

  29-04-2017 21:59 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The top EU figure puts rights centre stage as the EU-27 formally approve negotiating guidelines.
  
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• When the very idea of France is being threatened, everybody should vote

  29-04-2017 21:43 via theguardian.com
  
  Many French voters are abstaining, but everyone should do their civic duty on polling day and put an X in a box on 7 MayThe 15 years between 2002 and 2017 feel like an eternity. In 2002, the shock of seeing Jean-Marie Le Pen, the leader of the French extreme right, scrape through to the second round of the presidential elections pushed millions of people on to the streets for two weeks, while every politician called for a vote for Jacques Chirac, with or without pegs on their nose.Chirac might h
  
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• Scottish Conservatives plot return from brink of political oblivion

  29-04-2017 21:27 via theguardian.com
  
  Tory leader Ruth Davidson’s sense of humour and PR skills lead party to hope it can achieve breakthrough in JuneScottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson was in her office in the Scottish parliament at about 9am on Tuesday, 18 April working on a speech for that evening when the call came through. It was Theresa May on the line to tell her, before the cabinet and two hours before the public announcement in Downing Street, that she was calling a general election for 8 June.In the recent pas
  
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• EU threatens Theresa May on trade talks and its citizens' rights

  29-04-2017 20:55 via theguardian.com
  
  European leaders take hard line on Brexit at special summit, agreeing unanimously on rigid stance in just four minutesThe European Union has called on Theresa May to provide immediate “serious and real” guarantees to its citizens living in Britain. The EU leaders took just four minutes at a special summit to agree unanimously an uncompromising opening stance in the Brexit negotiations. Related: Michael Heseltine: ‘Signing article 50 is the worst decision we’ve made’
  
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• Jack Monroe to stand for National Health Action Party

  29-04-2017 20:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The food blogger and activist will fight for the Tory-held seat of Southend West.
  
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• Theresa May accused by Labour of 'hiding' while campaigning in Scotland

  29-04-2017 19:58 via theguardian.com
  
  Prime minister repeats mantra of strong and stable leadership from tiny community hall where live coverage was impossibleTheresa May has fuelled accusations from Labour she has been “hiding from the public” during the general election campaign after she held her latest rally in a tiny community hall in Aberdeenshire with such poor phone reception that live coverage of the event was impossible.About 200 Conservative campaigners crammed into Crathes hall, Banchory, a tin-roofed single-
  
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• General Election 2017: May urges Scots to 'strengthen Union'

  29-04-2017 18:55 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The prime minister speaks at a rally during her first election campaign trip to Scotland.
  
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• EU Leaders Agree 'Firm' Brexit Negotiating Stance

  29-04-2017 18:24
  
  European Union leaders have unanimously agreed to adopt a “firm” negotiating approach for Brexit talks with the UK.
  On Saturday the heads of the remaining 27 states approved within a minute the draft guidlines issued by European Council President Donald Tusk on 31 March.
  Tusk tweeted that the mandate agreed by the 27 country leaders was also “fair”.Guidelines adopted unanimously. EU27 firm and fair political mandate for the #Brexit talks is ready.#EUCO— Donald Tusk
  
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• Pensioners will carry on hoarding cash if state won’t step in

  29-04-2017 18:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Without government investment in care and housing, the baby boomers will naturally hold on to their moneyThe row brewing over the state pension triple lock plays into a wider debate about incomes and wealth in old age and how, as a society, we adapt to the escalating costs of improved life expectancy, increasing care costs and, crucially, property prices.It is becoming clear that the answer for many people is to take the Italian approach. In addition to eating pizza and pasta, they do everything
  
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• General Election 2017: Vote for me, vote for Union - May

  29-04-2017 17:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The prime minster promises to strengthen ties with Scotland if she wins the election.
  
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• General Election 2017: Corbyn defends leadership style

  29-04-2017 17:49 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Labour leader says people can make up their own minds - and criticises "presidential" Theresa May.
  
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• General election 2017: Jeremy Corbyn defends leadership style

  29-04-2017 17:02 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Labour leader also used his speech to urge young people to register to vote and back him.
  
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• EU leaders agree on tough stance at special Brexit summit

  29-04-2017 16:30 via theguardian.com
  
  Leaders of EU27 adopt draft guidelines from Donald Tusk as European council says ‘firm and fair mandate’ now readyEU leaders have unanimously agreed tough negotiating guidelines for Brexit talks with the UK, suggesting they will demand that Britain agrees on payments to the bloc before considering a new trade deal.The heads of the remaining 27 EU countries agreed to adopt the draft guidelines issued by Donald Tusk last month less than 15 minutes into a special summit in Brussels on S
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn gets personal in one-off campaign speech

  29-04-2017 15:29 via theguardian.com
  
  Labour leader departs from usual focus on issues and policies by talking about his personal history and motivationsJeremy Corbyn has diverted from his usual campaign stump speech to deliver a rare retelling of his personal history, his motivations and his views on leadership.The speech at his former university in London recalled the election tactics of the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and former Conservative prime minister John Major, who released video biographies in an attempt to woo vote
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn On What Makes A Strong Leader As He Targets Young Voters

  29-04-2017 15:23
  
  Jeremy Corbyn wants to use his position as Labour leader to “empower others to make up their minds”, he said on Saturday.
  In a speech in Bethnal Green and Bow this morning, the Labour leader made a direct plea to young people to “step up” and register to vote to stop the Conservatives “holding them back”.
  The MP of 34 years said: “Whereas insecure leaders want to feel stronger by asking you to give them more power, I recognise strong leadership as equipp
  
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• General election 2017: UKIP leader Paul Nuttall to stand in Boston and Skegness

  29-04-2017 15:03 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The UKIP leader will seek votes in the seat that recorded the highest Leave vote last year.
  
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• Michael Heseltine: ‘Signing article 50 is the worst decision we’ve made’

  29-04-2017 15:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Lord Michael Heseltine, 84, the senior politician and businessman, reflects on what he owes his dyslexia, his fears over Brexit and why he has no plans to retireAt my age there is no such thing as a good winter. There is a wonderful day in mid-March when you feel the sun on your back for the first time, and it straightens you.I was no good at games and the only time I came top of the form was when my parents offered to buy me a new bike if I did so. I found an outlet for my energy by going to th
  
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• EU summit approves Brexit negotiation stance

  29-04-2017 14:33 via ft.com
  Leaders warn Theresa May over ‘completely unreal’ trade deal expectations
  
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• EU calls May’s Brexit stance “completely unreal”

  29-04-2017 14:33 via ft.com
  European leaders put on show of unity as they adopt guidelines for Brexit talks
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn election bid to promote ‘warmer’ style of leadership

  29-04-2017 13:47 via theguardian.com
  
  Labour strategists take on Tory attacks and depict leader as willing to engage with ordinary people, in contrast to Theresa May Theresa May is slipping into a “presidential bunker mentality” because she is an insecure leader who wants to feel stronger, Jeremy Corbyn has said, as he seeks to contrast his own leadership qualities with those of the prime minister. The Labour leader compared his belief in “empowering others to make up their minds and come on board when they are rea
  
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• Donald Trump Contradictions Quiz: Can You Spot The Trump Quote?

  29-04-2017 12:55
  
  In celebration of Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, we’ve been looking back over his track record for consistency, both during and before his presidency.
  Let’s say it’s not great.
  So we’ve created a special spot the Trump quote quiz to look at his views on all sorts of things, from China’s currency to Hillary Clinton.type=type=RelatedArticlesblockTitle=SEE ALSO: + articlesList=58ff479ce4b0c46f07822d8e,5902fb5fe4b02655f83b72b8,5903440de4b05c39767e447b --
  
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• Parliament’s lack of diversity is shocking. This election is a chance for change | Simon Woolley

  29-04-2017 12:30 via theguardian.com
  
  With such a short run-up to this election, parties have the chance to select more representative candidatesThough many of us agreed with Brenda from Bristol about this general election (“You’re joking. Not another one”), it actually offers a great opportunity for change – regardless of which party wins.That’s because now the snap election has been called, the normal rules for selecting party candidates no longer apply. Under these rules, constituency parties select
  
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• Analysis: What Slough's HuffPost UK-Edelman Focus Group Tells Us About Labour

  29-04-2017 12:29
  
  “I’m a Labour supporter, always have been,” said Ricky, an HGV driver. “But I’ll vote Conservative to get Jeremy Corbyn out.”
  Like several of our focus group, Ricky had a visceral dislike of Labour’s leader - in a seat that has been held by the party since Tony Blair’s landslide of 1997.
  When Slough’s long-serving Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart announced she was quitting this month, she said one of the reasons was she was “bored by politica
  
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• Labour will promise not to increase VAT or NI, McDonnell hints

  29-04-2017 12:19 via theguardian.com
  
  Shadow chancellor says he cannot pre-empt Labour manifesto but signals opposition to rises and says party should rule out mansion taxJohn McDonnell has signalled that Labour’s manifesto will pledge no VAT or national insurance rise, and has said he will argue the party should rule out reviving Ed Miliband’s mansion tax policy.Speaking to the Guardian, the shadow chancellor said he could not pre-empt the party’s manifesto, which is agreed through its national executive committee
  
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• Ukip Leader Paul Nuttall To Stand In Boston And Skegness In General Election

  29-04-2017 11:49
  
  Ukip leader Paul Nuttall will be standing in Boston and Skegness in the forthcoming General Election.
  Nuttall confirmed earlier this week that he will stand for Parliament on June 8 but refused to reveal which seat he will contest.
  Nuttall described it as “a great honour and a privilege” to be standing for Ukip in the seat, adding: “The constituency voted overwhelmingly for Leave inspired in part by the massive betrayal of our fishing industry by successive governments, so
  
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• 'If I Were Prime Minister...' Slough Voters Tell HuffPost UK Their Priorities

  29-04-2017 11:43
  
  As part of our Beyond Brexit series, getting the views of self-described working class voters outside the political ‘bubble’, we talked to four women from Slough.
  Each was asked what one thing they would do if they were Prime Minister.
  Louise, a training assessor for 16 to 17-year olds, said: “I would have very, very tough controls of our borders. I would certainly do something, not about everyone that’s here, but about more to come. That’s fine, we’re full n
  
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• 'If I Were Prime Minister...' Slough Voters Tell HuffPost UK-Edelman Their Priorities

  29-04-2017 11:43
  
  As part of our Beyond Brexit series, getting the views of self-described working class voters outside the political ‘bubble’, we talked to four women from Slough.
  Each was asked what one thing they would do if they were Prime Minister.
  Louise, a training assessor for 16 to 17-year olds, said: “I would have very, very tough controls of our borders. I would certainly do something, not about everyone that’s here, but about more to come. That’s fine, we’re full n
  
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• Slough: The Immigration Town That Backed Brexit

  29-04-2017 11:37
  
  ”And you know just where you’ll be heading, it’s equidistant ‘tween London and Reading…Oh Slough, My kind of town, I don’t know how anyone could put you down.”
  David Brent, the fictional manager from the BBC’s hit comedy The Office, loved it so much that he wrote his very own song of praise.
  But as both the snap general election and longer-term Brexit loom, Slough symbolises the uneasy mood of Britain and its voters.
  On several measures, the Berks
  
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• New computer systems are sending our fire engines to the wrong places

  29-04-2017 11:37 via theguardian.com
  
  Stress levels are soaring at my fire brigade control room because our systems always crash and are riddled with errors. I worry lives are put at riskI have worked in a fire brigade control room for two decades – and things have changed drastically for the worst in the past two years. Now, every time I take a call my heart stops. Related: Emergency services face 'potentially catastrophic' communication gapContinue reading...
  
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• Student horrified by MP 'gay comments'

  29-04-2017 11:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Esther Poucher, 16, asked MP Andrew Turner a question at college - hours later he stepped down.
  
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• Jeremy Corbyn Turning Off Labour Voters, HuffPost UK-Edelman Focus Group Finds

  29-04-2017 11:01
  
  Jeremy Corbyn is seen by voters as “scary”, “silly”, “a joke”, “a wet blanket” – and  the biggest obstacle to them backing Labour in the general election, a new HuffPost UK-Edelman focus group has found.
  Men and women from ‘ordinary working families’ in the key seat of Slough were scathing about everything from the scruffy state of the Labour leader’s garden to his failure to sing the national anthem.
  Several liked Lab
  
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• 'What do we do now?': the New Labour landslide, 20 years on

  29-04-2017 10:00 via theguardian.com
  
  David Miliband, Peter Mandelson, Alastair Campbell, Ed Balls and others remember the day they wonThey all remember the sunshine. Talk to those who were there on 1 May 1997, and everyone mentions the way the whole country seemed to glow under bright blue skies and a warm sun. It had been that way for much of the campaign, but those at the centre had barely had a chance to enjoy it. Now, on polling day, time at last seemed to slow down. For those few hours, there was nothing more that the small, t
  
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• Theresa May remains 'absolutely committed' to HS2 rail link

  29-04-2017 09:27 via theguardian.com
  
  PM ends speculation that she was preparing to drop new north-south railway from Tory general election manifesto Theresa May has committed to delivering the HS2 high-speed rail link. The prime minister was reportedly coming under pressure from Tory MPs in the south to cancel HS2, which the government projects will cost £55.7bn.Continue reading...
  
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• Ukip MEP's 'death cult' remarks spark new Islamophobia row

  29-04-2017 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Party leader Paul Nuttall refuses to say whether he agrees with views of Brexit spokesman Gerard BattenUkip is facing renewed criticism over its attitudes towards Islam after it emerged that one of its senior MEPs said non-Muslims should have a “perfectly rational fear” of the faith, which he described as a “death cult” steeped in violence.The Liberal Democrats and Greens described the comments, written in a blogpost by Ukip’s Brexit spokesman, Gerard Batten, as &ld
  
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• Sir Eric Pickles says female MPs are 'by and large better' than men

  29-04-2017 09:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Former Conservative party chair tells BBC Radio 4 that women wanting to enter politics face an ‘enormous glass ceiling’Sir Eric Pickles, the former cabinet minister and Conservative party chair, has said female MPs tend to be better than their male counterparts.The Brentwood and Ongar MP, who is retiring from parliament after representing the Essex constituency for 25 years, said women who wanted to enter politics faced an “enormous glass ceiling”. Continue reading...
  
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• EU leaders to insist UK pays its Brexit bills as precursor to trade talks

  29-04-2017 08:40 via theguardian.com
  
  Summit to toughen stance as one diplomat says Britain is not only on a different planet but in a different galaxy over divorceEU leaders will toughen their stance on Britain paying its Brexit bills when they agree negotiating guidelines at a special summit on Saturday.EU diplomats have agreed unanimously that Britain must settle its bills before embarking on trade talks. The position has been set out by EU leaders from the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, to the EU’s chief negotiator, Mic
  
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• Imagine there’s no Sgt Pepper. It’s all too easy in the era of Trump and May | John Harris

  29-04-2017 07:00 via theguardian.com
  
  This great Beatles album is as thrilling a listen as ever on its 50th anniversary: but it’s a melancholy time for the one-world counterculture the record soundtracked“At the time Sgt Pepper was released,” the American writer Langdon Winner once recalled, “I happened to be driving across the country on Interstate 80. In each city where I stopped for gas or food – Laramie, Ogallala, Moline, South Bend – the melodies wafted in from some far-off transistor radio o
  
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• Brexit could trigger worse crash than 2008, says Vince Cable

  29-04-2017 06:58 via theguardian.com
  
  Liberal Democrat former business secretary launches election bid with warning of dire consequences of leaving EU without a good deal
  Quitting the EU could could trigger an economic crisis even greater than the 2008 financial crash, former business secretary Vince Cable has said. Cable predicted that job losses, inflation and falling consumer confidence could send the UK economy into a recession even harsher than the credit crunch if Theresa May presses ahead with a hard Brexit.The Liberal Democr
  
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• Triple lock traps May between pensions and polls

  29-04-2017 06:32 via ft.com
  The PM’s choice — retiree anger or tackling cost and imbalance
  
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• Ukip steps aside to thwart Lib Dem’s south-west revival

  29-04-2017 05:01 via ft.com
  Party pulls out in favour of Tories in three Somerset seats to ‘protect Brexit’
  
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• 'Strong leadership'

  29-04-2017 02:52 via bbc.co.uk
  
  There is a stark difference between a strong leader and a strong leadership, says Archie Brown.
  
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• First rung

  29-04-2017 02:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A father and son's experiences of starting out on the housing ladder
  
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• Fond farewell to one MP who will be sorely missed after June | John Crace

  29-04-2017 01:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Under Andrew Tyrie’s chairmanship, the Treasury select committee became guaranteed box office successGeneral elections are increasingly stage-managed affairs with party leaders seldom allowed out in public with anyone other than their most loyal party activists. So thank God for Ukip, which can be relied on to rustle up events at which almost everything is guaranteed not to go to plan. Continue reading...
  
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