No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Pointless urgent questions daily from a Party with no policy, losing mps by the dozen, rudderless, lacking leadership and fading fast to extinction
And polling the same numbers as the Labour party...
...Tim Shipman's essay on Starmer in the Speccy is just tremendous. Shows up the utter hole at the centre of the project. Policy or philosophy both entirely absent!
I have been telling you that since before the election.
(breaks down sobbing)
Yeh, but his dad was a toolmaker.
So there's that.
His dad did actually make tools
A lot different to an engineer but has never spent a day engineering
...Tim Shipman's essay on Starmer in the Speccy is just tremendous. Shows up the utter hole at the centre of the project. Policy or philosophy both entirely absent!
I have been telling you that since before the election.
(breaks down sobbing)
Yeh, but his dad was a toolmaker.
So there's that.
His dad did actually make tools
A lot different to an engineer but has never spent a day engineering
His disgraceful treatment of Bellingham is inexplicable and based on a bias from his days in Bundesleague
Bellingham is a prima donna who, whilst being a very good footballer, is a risk to the performance of the team as he doesn’t seem able to play for England without it being about “him”. I would rather see a very highly functioning team than one where big name players are shoved in on reputation.
Thats complete and utter hogwash
The greatest natural talent since Duncan Edwards
Should be the first name on the team sheet with Kane and the team built around them.
It’s absolute shit
Jude Bellingham is a phenomenal player and a decent person too.
He’s delivering week in week out. He does not live off his reputation.
He’s not delivering week in week out, it’s actually going wrong for him at club level as well as international level. There is something wrong there, and Tuchel spotted it straight away.
These things do happen - there was a cricketer called Peterson who wouldn’t integrate in a dressing room and become with the band of brothers. In football Neymar was the same, and the Brazil dressing room turned against him.
Jude is not being taken to the World Cup. That is what this extension says to me, the employers backing the manager in not taking Jude to the World Cup.
Pietersen.
The difference was with Pietersen he was a Saffer and he always delivered for us, like Jude
Yet he is still the top midfielder in the Spanish top flight.
Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.
Social media tittle tattle is just that.
KRO Jude.
“ Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.” Yes, whether injured or not, that’s what we will be told.
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
What do you feel about Kemi welcoming Ratiffes comments? I saw earlier on you thought they were disgusting but we all know 10 minutes is a long time in politics
His disgraceful treatment of Bellingham is inexplicable and based on a bias from his days in Bundesleague
Bellingham is a prima donna who, whilst being a very good footballer, is a risk to the performance of the team as he doesn’t seem able to play for England without it being about “him”. I would rather see a very highly functioning team than one where big name players are shoved in on reputation.
Thats complete and utter hogwash
The greatest natural talent since Duncan Edwards
Should be the first name on the team sheet with Kane and the team built around them.
It’s absolute shit
Jude Bellingham is a phenomenal player and a decent person too.
He’s delivering week in week out. He does not live off his reputation.
He’s not delivering week in week out, it’s actually going wrong for him at club level as well as international level. There is something wrong there, and Tuchel spotted it straight away.
These things do happen - there was a cricketer called Peterson who wouldn’t integrate in a dressing room and become with the band of brothers. In football Neymar was the same, and the Brazil dressing room turned against him.
Jude is not being taken to the World Cup. That is what this extension says to me, the employers backing the manager in not taking Jude to the World Cup.
Pietersen.
The difference was with Pietersen he was a Saffer and he always delivered for us, like Jude
Yet he is still the top midfielder in the Spanish top flight.
Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.
Social media tittle tattle is just that.
KRO Jude.
“ Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.” Yes, whether injured or not, that’s what we will be told.
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
I think Gazza's knee injury occurred when he himself did an appallingly reckless tackle.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
What do you feel about Kemi welcoming Ratiffes comments? I saw earlier on you thought they were disgusting but we all know 10 minutes is a long time in politics
His disgraceful treatment of Bellingham is inexplicable and based on a bias from his days in Bundesleague
Bellingham is a prima donna who, whilst being a very good footballer, is a risk to the performance of the team as he doesn’t seem able to play for England without it being about “him”. I would rather see a very highly functioning team than one where big name players are shoved in on reputation.
Thats complete and utter hogwash
The greatest natural talent since Duncan Edwards
Should be the first name on the team sheet with Kane and the team built around them.
It’s absolute shit
Jude Bellingham is a phenomenal player and a decent person too.
He’s delivering week in week out. He does not live off his reputation.
He’s not delivering week in week out, it’s actually going wrong for him at club level as well as international level. There is something wrong there, and Tuchel spotted it straight away.
These things do happen - there was a cricketer called Peterson who wouldn’t integrate in a dressing room and become with the band of brothers. In football Neymar was the same, and the Brazil dressing room turned against him.
Jude is not being taken to the World Cup. That is what this extension says to me, the employers backing the manager in not taking Jude to the World Cup.
Pietersen.
The difference was with Pietersen he was a Saffer and he always delivered for us, like Jude
Yet he is still the top midfielder in the Spanish top flight.
Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.
Social media tittle tattle is just that.
KRO Jude.
“ Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.” Yes, whether injured or not, that’s what we will be told.
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
I think Gazza's knee injury occurred when he himself did an appallingly reckless tackle.
Very different era as far as what was allowed tackling compared to today.
Appallingly reckless then would be an outrageous red today, and what is reckless today might be a caution or less then.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
What do you feel about Kemi welcoming Ratiffes comments? I saw earlier on you thought they were disgusting but we all know 10 minutes is a long time in politics
To play fair, I instantly thought it an awkward one for Kemi and the Conservatives.
The voters the Conservatives need back agree with Ratty and Farage. Kemi cannot come out and say the voters are wrong, or she will never get them back.
Mel Stride agreed with the sentiment, not the old fashioned words and language used.
The problem is that what she says about the night time economy is equally applicable to every other part of it, or at least those parts in the private sector. Much of what she said about the uncertainty, the lack of interest in business and the indifference to the cost of employment there is true but what we need is a government focused on growth across the economy.
This government's idea of growth is to announce yet more public spending. And then bump up business taxes to pay for it. The result is there for us all to see. 2 quarters in a row of 0.1% growth. Utterly, utterly pathetic.
His disgraceful treatment of Bellingham is inexplicable and based on a bias from his days in Bundesleague
Bellingham is a prima donna who, whilst being a very good footballer, is a risk to the performance of the team as he doesn’t seem able to play for England without it being about “him”. I would rather see a very highly functioning team than one where big name players are shoved in on reputation.
Thats complete and utter hogwash
The greatest natural talent since Duncan Edwards
Should be the first name on the team sheet with Kane and the team built around them.
It’s absolute shit
Jude Bellingham is a phenomenal player and a decent person too.
He’s delivering week in week out. He does not live off his reputation.
He’s not delivering week in week out, it’s actually going wrong for him at club level as well as international level. There is something wrong there, and Tuchel spotted it straight away.
These things do happen - there was a cricketer called Peterson who wouldn’t integrate in a dressing room and become with the band of brothers. In football Neymar was the same, and the Brazil dressing room turned against him.
Jude is not being taken to the World Cup. That is what this extension says to me, the employers backing the manager in not taking Jude to the World Cup.
Pietersen.
The difference was with Pietersen he was a Saffer and he always delivered for us, like Jude
Yet he is still the top midfielder in the Spanish top flight.
Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.
Social media tittle tattle is just that.
KRO Jude.
“ Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.” Yes, whether injured or not, that’s what we will be told.
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
I think Gazza's knee injury occurred when he himself did an appallingly reckless tackle.
Very different era as far as what was allowed tackling compared to today.
Appallingly reckless then would be an outrageous red today, and what is reckless today might be a caution or less then.
His tackle on Gary Charles in the cup final being case in point and his vicious lunge at Garry Parker. Rumour has it he was on something that day, but we will never know.
For those that don’t know, London has only just rid of the Nightlife Czar who did absolutely nothing.
The actual issue is accommodation being built near venues. And councils taking the position that even a slack handful of noise complaints are enough to not renew license for long established businesses.
So the number of late night venues has been shrinking for years.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
She’s right there should be a proper process for these things, it’s not what conservatives done themselves in power though.
In fact how was Sir Humphrey appointed, was there ever an interview process for these sorts of promotions?
Kemi is the most aggressive attack dog LOTO. Is there anything she has agreed with Starmer and supported the government on, or is everything fair game? I don’t think if you are doing LOTO properly, everything to twist a knife and crank up the blood pressure in number 10 is fair game. I view it as LOTO and government front bench are a team for the national interest, first and foremost.
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
So prices are going to go through the roof shortly, then.....
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
So prices are going to go through the roof shortly, then.....
Time to republish all those peak oil editorials from the mid-00s .
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
She’s right there should be a proper process for these things, it’s not what conservatives done themselves in power though.
In fact how was Sir Humphrey appointed, was there ever an interview process for these sorts of promotions?
Kemi is the most aggressive attack dog LOTO. Is there anything she has agreed with Starmer and supported the government on, or is everything fair game? I don’t think if you are doing LOTO properly, everything to twist a knife and crank up the blood pressure in number 10 is fair game. I view it as LOTO and government front bench are a team for the national interest, first and foremost.
Spot on
She's like an 11 year old having first experience of debating
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A charge per person per day, imagine the extra cost on a family of four or six staying in a caravan on a Haven or Parkdean park. Especially when these are marketed as cheap holidays for the less well off to enjoy.
Still, it ticks the box for the middle classes here so all is good.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
So prices are going to go through the roof shortly, then.....
Time to republish all those peak oil editorials from the mid-00s .
Net migration is going to continue to fall but a lot of the public still think it’s going up .
The problem for the Treasury is this impacts growth . Unless people start having more children the worker to pensioner ratio is going to become unsustainable.
The public want immigration to be similar to the early/mid 1990s when it was around 50,000 a year. Anything else and they'll think it's too high. Reducing it from, say, 500k to 400k isn't going to do it.
The last figure we have is, I think, 204k, which is nearer to 50k than it is to 400k.
"I can't be bought" says the man with 13 jobs, a combined income of well over £1,000,000 a year and who routinely travels around the globe at the behest of foreign billionaires.. https://x.com/Heccles94/status/2021883194262401197
And people say North Korea isn't progressive. Honestly!
I recall when there was a transfer of power in Zimbabwe from Mugabe to Mngagwa The Guardian had an op Ed bemoaning the blatant sexism on show as Mugabe’s wife, Gucci Grace, had been sidelined 😂😂😂😂
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
So prices are going to go through the roof shortly, then.....
Time to republish all those peak oil editorials from the mid-00s .
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
His disgraceful treatment of Bellingham is inexplicable and based on a bias from his days in Bundesleague
Bellingham is a prima donna who, whilst being a very good footballer, is a risk to the performance of the team as he doesn’t seem able to play for England without it being about “him”. I would rather see a very highly functioning team than one where big name players are shoved in on reputation.
Thats complete and utter hogwash
The greatest natural talent since Duncan Edwards
Should be the first name on the team sheet with Kane and the team built around them.
It’s absolute shit
Jude Bellingham is a phenomenal player and a decent person too.
He’s delivering week in week out. He does not live off his reputation.
He’s not delivering week in week out, it’s actually going wrong for him at club level as well as international level. There is something wrong there, and Tuchel spotted it straight away.
These things do happen - there was a cricketer called Peterson who wouldn’t integrate in a dressing room and become with the band of brothers. In football Neymar was the same, and the Brazil dressing room turned against him.
Jude is not being taken to the World Cup. That is what this extension says to me, the employers backing the manager in not taking Jude to the World Cup.
Pietersen.
The difference was with Pietersen he was a Saffer and he always delivered for us, like Jude
Yet he is still the top midfielder in the Spanish top flight.
Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.
Social media tittle tattle is just that.
KRO Jude.
“ Anyway his injury will be what keeps him out of the World Cup.” Yes, whether injured or not, that’s what we will be told.
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
I think Gazza's knee injury occurred when he himself did an appallingly reckless tackle.
Very different era as far as what was allowed tackling compared to today.
Appallingly reckless then would be an outrageous red today, and what is reckless today might be a caution or less then.
His tackle on Gary Charles in the cup final being case in point and his vicious lunge at Garry Parker. Rumour has it he was on something that day, but we will never know.
I will always believe that a truly fir Gascoigne would have connect with the cross in the WC semi and put us through. Those pints add up.
"I can't be bought" says the man with 13 jobs, a combined income of well over £1,000,000 a year and who routinely travels around the globe at the behest of foreign billionaires.. https://x.com/Heccles94/status/2021883194262401197
The idea of buying politicians only works on the most stupid of them.
Mostly you rent them by the hour (other time intervals are available)
@LadPolitics · 11s It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%) ➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%) 🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%) 200/1 bar
So in spite of the Labour ramping theyre sliding in the odds.
Do we have anything in the way of reliable or even unreliable data regarding G&D? There are two-ish
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
@LadPolitics · 11s It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%) ➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%) 🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%) 200/1 bar
So in spite of the Labour ramping theyre sliding in the odds.
Do we have anything in the way of reliable or even unreliable data regarding G&D? There are two-ish
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
The problem is finding real data. Short of Lord Ashcroft (or similar) commissioning a proper constituency poll…. And then you have issues of weighting, with two major contenders being of very recent origin.
I would say that any of Green, Labour and Reform have a chance. What chance? Well, you can do demographic guesses.
The truth is that we don’t know.
Edit: further we have Burnham vigorously campaigning for the Labour candidate. He carrys a big personal vote - how will that affect things?
Walking home from Barking, as you do, I was musing on the Shipman critique of Starmer.
Does a Prime Minister NEED a philosophy? Put another way, should the solutions to all problems be viewed through an ideological prism? Sometimes, it’s just a solution rather than being a conservative, socialist, liberal or social democratic solution.
I’d rather we had a Prime Minister and Government who implemented the correct solutions rather than the wrong solution which adhered to a specific ideology.
Ironically, Boris Johnson, possibly the most ideology lite Prime Minister of recent times ended up a prisoner of the technocrats during the pandemic.
As for policies, I do agree an incoming Government should have a legislative heavy agenda waiting to be enacted. Yes, unforeseen problems can arise from minute one but a part of Government has to be about having the mechanisms in place to deal with these rather than running round like headless chickens if and when a crisis occurs.
The 24/7 news cycle and social media is unforgiving of perceived or actual vacillation but there’s a lot to be said for masterly inactivity on occasions.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
The places they stay pay the local taxes for local services so arguably these businesses are already covering those costs and the visitor, in paying the hotel or caravan is contributing to that. However it is an excuse to rinse more money from people so will happen.
@LadPolitics · 11s It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%) ➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%) 🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%) 200/1 bar
So in spite of the Labour ramping theyre sliding in the odds.
Do we have anything in the way of reliable or even unreliable data regarding G&D? There are two-ish
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
The problem is finding real data. Short of Lord Ashcroft (or similar) commissioning a proper constituency poll…. And then you have issues of weighting, with two major contenders being of very recent origin.
I would say that any of Green, Labour and Reform have a chance. What chance? Well, you can do demographic guesses.
The truth is that we don’t know.
Edit: further we have Burnham vigorously campaigning for the Labour candidate. He carrys a big personal vote - how will that affect things?
I honestly wonder if Labour are hoping people think Burnham is the candidate.
@LadPolitics · 11s It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%) ➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%) 🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%) 200/1 bar
So in spite of the Labour ramping theyre sliding in the odds.
Do we have anything in the way of reliable or even unreliable data regarding G&D? There are two-ish
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
All we have is Green and Labour bigging themselves up and Reform are somewhat quiet.
Hmm. Perhaps the 'Starmer is a friend and enabler of child sex traffickers' line that elements of the Right have been propagating is seen as a bit OTT. Is he perceived as handling a situation well that others have dumped upon him? The 'There but for the grace of God go I' effect?
Angela Rayner is currently making some huge attacks on Rachel Reeves over business rates, energy bills and hospitality VAT.
Speaking at the nighttime economy summit in Liverpool, Rayner also appears to be doing some major pro-business positioning ahead of the inevitable leadership contest.
She says: "Confidence in politics matters. Businesses need to believe they will be treated fairly. That the rules won't shift without warning. That the long-standing structural issues will finally be addressed, not deferred again."
She says the government needs to drop ideology and be pragmatic to help businesses 👀
She is right though and sensible take on business
Meh. It's words. Does anyone seriously think Rayner's political instincts, or the interest groups she intends to serve, are pro-business ?
She pioneered the so-called workers rights bill at the behest of the Unions. A few token watering down of a couple of its elements doesn’t change that.
People might be missing the point. The most important part of what Rayner said is about stability: That the rules won't shift without warning. By and large, businesses (and people) can cope with or manage around policies they don't like, but they can't handle repeated, arbitrary lurches.
Labour politics-wise, this might be a repeat of the prawn cocktail offensive but more likely she has been talking to Andy Burnham.
She's more beholden to left wing ideology and has more populist instincts than Reeves (or Starmer, to the extent one can detect any coherent political philosophy or instincts in him at all). That is a recipe for more tax on business and more arbitrary changes, not less.
I like her, I'd want her fighting my corner if I was in her client group, but I'm not.
The focus on energy prices is an interesting one. Those are pretty much back at their 2021 prices in real terms this year, and the Govt will meet their manifesto reduction pledge.
If Starmer gets his f*cking comms sorted out (a very big if), it is potentially a winning issue.
(Forecast is 2026, not 2025. I looked over the numbers.)
Petrol is cheaper in cash terms, never mind real terms, than in 2012.
AEP of Telegraph reckons further to go as there is a global glut.
In my part of the world petrol is now cheaper than at any time offer the pandemic. 49p/litre for Super 98.
......Britain sits awkwardly outside this structure..
Well yes, but there are reasons for that. European defence cooperation inevitably runs into two major problems: the French and the Germans. The French never compromise and will either "win" the negotiations or leave. (NATO has a similar problem: everybody talks about what they want, then the Americans force the choice to USA). The Germans will always want most of the stuff to be built in Germany regardless of their contributions. Successful cooperations usually avoid the French.
Our defence priorities are similar to the Europeans but not the same. We have to defend the GIUK gap (the "Atlantic Bastion"), maintain some kind of global defence to defend shipping and preserve far-flung colonies like the Falklands, and mount an air and space defence. The Europeans don't need a global reach nor a strategic transport command, since they can usually just drive to a site of Russian attack, so they need a lot of tanks and ground attack capability.
So European cooperation is good but it should revolve around integration into the command structures and ensuring that inter-army communication is fast, secure and works. Hardware cooperation is also good (eg a common bullet calibre, which we have via NATO) but it's a nice-to-have rather than a must-have.
That doesn't really address the premise of the article, which is the need for Europe (and by extension, the UK) to create some degree of strategic independence from the US, on whom we're far too dependent. You can't ignore the growing unreliability of that alliance just because we're in a slightly more awkward position.
We could certainly collaborate more in land forces. Both Ajax and the Challenger upgrade are costly and essentially useless compared to the European systems which we could have chosen (some of which, like CV90 we already participate in).
You also ignore the very real EU effort to change the dynamic you describe above. Brexit has meant that we don't get to help shape it, but it's almost certainly worth joining on the right terms. Up until now, over three quarters of major weapons systems deployed in Europe are supplied by the US. That needs to change.
@LadPolitics · 11s It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%) ➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%) 🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%) 200/1 bar
So in spite of the Labour ramping theyre sliding in the odds.
Do we have anything in the way of reliable or even unreliable data regarding G&D? There are two-ish
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
The only other thing has been strategic leaks of canvassing data to friendly journalists. The Times said Reform's data had them in the lead and Greens second, the Greens gave similar data to Owen Jones. But both of those were over a week ago, and are from parties themselves. We never got a proper constituency poll in Runcorn and Helsby, and I doubt we will here either.
And people say North Korea isn't progressive. Honestly!
I recall when there was a transfer of power in Zimbabwe from Mugabe to Mngagwa The Guardian had an op Ed bemoaning the blatant sexism on show as Mugabe’s wife, Gucci Grace, had been sidelined 😂😂😂😂
She did her PhD in 2 months. Clearly a great talent. There is no other possible explanation for how she did something that normally takes 3+ years so quickly.
Walking home from Barking, as you do, I was musing on the Shipman critique of Starmer.
Does a Prime Minister NEED a philosophy? Put another way, should the solutions to all problems be viewed through an ideological prism? Sometimes, it’s just a solution rather than being a conservative, socialist, liberal or social democratic solution.
I’d rather we had a Prime Minister and Government who implemented the correct solutions rather than the wrong solution which adhered to a specific ideology.
Ironically, Boris Johnson, possibly the most ideology lite Prime Minister of recent times ended up a prisoner of the technocrats during the pandemic.
As for policies, I do agree an incoming Government should have a legislative heavy agenda waiting to be enacted. Yes, unforeseen problems can arise from minute one but a part of Government has to be about having the mechanisms in place to deal with these rather than running round like headless chickens if and when a crisis occurs.
The 24/7 news cycle and social media is unforgiving of perceived or actual vacillation but there’s a lot to be said for masterly inactivity on occasions.
You can fly a plane for a long time without a compass or destination. Just keep the plane in the air, go up when winds blow down, veer left when the wings dip right, easy. And at certain times that's all that's needed. But it's dangerous to do it for any length of time.
President GW Bush described himself as "The Decider". And he was right. If you want a technocrat in charge, give me the job, and I'll do calm, measured, logical governance all day. But it's really not enough. And Starmer is worse than me.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
There's a few different ways you could implement the tax, though. It could be as a percentage on the cost of the room/rental. Or it could be as a holiday poll tax, per person, per night.
What's the surprise ? The approval figures are still very low, and somewhere around Labour's core vote. That Starmer has come out fighting isn't going to make many/any converts, but it's probably strengthened his position with the Labour faithful.
And about half of the Mandelson reaction is from those who ought to have known better at the time of his appointment (cf Dan Hodges). You don't get to be outraged if you lauded it as brilliant, or a stroke of machiavellian cunning at the time.
Hmm. Perhaps the 'Starmer is a friend and enabler of child sex traffickers' line that elements of the Right have been propagating is seen as a bit OTT. Is he perceived as handling a situation well that others have dumped upon him? The 'There but for the grace of God go I' effect?
Yeah, if this is a real shift and not just sampling error, I get some sense from the exceedingly unrepresentative people I know that people are wondering why should Starmer be in trouble over Epstein, with whom he had no contact ever, while actual Epstein associates remain in their positions.
I just don’t understand how Starmer is now net zero after that crisis with Labour voters. Bizarre.
He's got shut of the poisonous and incompetent McSweeney and Mandelson. That alone has improved him in my eyes.
He's shown emotion
He's shown contrition
He's shown anger
He's actually shown a loss of temper
PASSION
He's trending Sir Alex. See everything, act on emption
He's losing Arsene, see nothing, dull
Voters want their politicians to show passion. Too few of them do. It seems to me that they are discouraged by their minders from acting human. Their minders are wrong.
What's the surprise ? The approval figures are still very low, and somewhere around Labour's core vote. That Starmer has come out fighting isn't going to make many/any converts, but it's probably strengthened his position with the Labour faithful.
And about half of the Mandelson reaction is from those who ought to have known better at the time of his appointment (cf Dan Hodges). You don't get to be outraged if you lauded it as brilliant, or a stroke of machiavellian cunning at the time.
......Britain sits awkwardly outside this structure..
Well yes, but there are reasons for that. European defence cooperation inevitably runs into two major problems: the French and the Germans. The French never compromise and will either "win" the negotiations or leave. (NATO has a similar problem: everybody talks about what they want, then the Americans force the choice to USA). The Germans will always want most of the stuff to be built in Germany regardless of their contributions. Successful cooperations usually avoid the French.
Our defence priorities are similar to the Europeans but not the same. We have to defend the GIUK gap (the "Atlantic Bastion"), maintain some kind of global defence to defend shipping and preserve far-flung colonies like the Falklands, and mount an air and space defence. The Europeans don't need a global reach nor a strategic transport command, since they can usually just drive to a site of Russian attack, so they need a lot of tanks and ground attack capability.
So European cooperation is good but it should revolve around integration into the command structures and ensuring that inter-army communication is fast, secure and works. Hardware cooperation is also good (eg a common bullet calibre, which we have via NATO) but it's a nice-to-have rather than a must-have.
That doesn't really address the premise of the article, which is the need for Europe (and by extension, the UK) to create some degree of strategic independence from the US, on whom we're far too dependent. You can't ignore the growing unreliability of that alliance just because we're in a slightly more awkward position.
We could certainly collaborate more in land forces. Both Ajax and the Challenger upgrade are costly and essentially useless compared to the European systems which we could have chosen (some of which, like CV90 we already participate in).
You also ignore the very real EU effort to change the dynamic you describe above. Brexit has meant that we don't get to help shape it, but it's almost certainly worth joining on the right terms. Up until now, over three quarters of major weapons systems deployed in Europe are supplied by the US. That needs to change.
Oh I see. If you were meaning "disconnect from the US", then yes that's good idea. But if you meant "enmesh ourself further in European complexity" then that might be a bad idea.
No 10 claims it still has cabinet secretary - but won't say who it is, and won't comment on reports Chris Wormald being sacked The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished but, on the issue of the fate of Chris Wormald (see 10.07am), reporters emerged no wiser than when they went in.
The PM’s spokesperson refused to say what is happening to Wormald and refused to say whether or not he is still cabinet secretary.
At one point the spokesperson said that the Cabinet Office was '“still being supervised by the cabinet secretary” – implying that someone is actually doing the job. But, when reporters asked who this mysterious individual was, the spokeperson refused to say.
Guardian live blog
Just incredible. Chaos.
My cabinet secretary goes to another school etc etc etc Unacceptable and shows government has ceased functioning.
There was an urgent question this morning re the release of the information from the cabinet office saying the cabinet secretary shouldn’t be changed before all the information is released to the Intelligence Committee
No response from government
Utter shambles
Given it could take months to release everything and specifically because the Metropolitan Police and CPS will dictate many of the timescales then no job can be on limbo to soothe the obsession of right wing media and hawks.
Any replacement would be under strict Job guidelines and protocols.
This is just puerile nonsense
If Wormold is being sacked
Sack him
The speaker again warned the government this morning not to use the police as an excuse as the information has to be sent to the Intelligence Committee who will decide not the cabinet office
Even the speaker is losing patience
Starmer’s likely has more control of his stuffed and rigged Intelligence Committee than his whips have over the backbenches right now. 😆
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
She’s right there should be a proper process for these things, it’s not what conservatives done themselves in power though.
In fact how was Sir Humphrey appointed, was there ever an interview process for these sorts of promotions?
Kemi is the most aggressive attack dog LOTO. Is there anything she has agreed with Starmer and supported the government on, or is everything fair game? I don’t think if you are doing LOTO properly, everything to twist a knife and crank up the blood pressure in number 10 is fair game. I view it as LOTO and government front bench are a team for the national interest, first and foremost.
Spot on
She's like an 11 year old having first experience of debating
Totally aggressive Out of her depth Showboating
Well, maybe.
But the brutal truth in politics is that a successful opposition grinds down its opponent. Day in, day out. New Labour, when in opposition, were the kings of this. No point being in a LOTO team if you're not prepared to do that. Nice guys come last in this world.
If there's one thing Kemi is showing, it's that she does have an aptitude for doing this stuff. Of course, it's not the only attribute required, but it is one.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
There's a few different ways you could implement the tax, though. It could be as a percentage on the cost of the room/rental. Or it could be as a holiday poll tax, per person, per night.
In my part of the world it’s a flat 20dhm (£4) per room per night. Even for a fancy £400 room.
Hmm. Perhaps the 'Starmer is a friend and enabler of child sex traffickers' line that elements of the Right have been propagating is seen as a bit OTT. Is he perceived as handling a situation well that others have dumped upon him? The 'There but for the grace of God go I' effect?
Yeah, if this is a real shift and not just sampling error, I get some sense from the exceedingly unrepresentative people I know that people are wondering why should Starmer be in trouble over Epstein, with whom he had no contact ever, while actual Epstein associates remain in their positions.
Or indeed why the US congress is only interested in questioning non-Americans. Not a fan of MBW but the UK should clean it's own house rather than have US politicians trample all over it.
Hmm. Perhaps the 'Starmer is a friend and enabler of child sex traffickers' line that elements of the Right have been propagating is seen as a bit OTT. Is he perceived as handling a situation well that others have dumped upon him? The 'There but for the grace of God go I' effect?
Yeah, if this is a real shift and not just sampling error, I get some sense from the exceedingly unrepresentative people I know that people are wondering why should Starmer be in trouble over Epstein, with whom he had no contact ever, while actual Epstein associates remain in their positions.
Or indeed why the US congress is only interested in questioning non-Americans. Not a fan of MBW but the UK should clean it's own house rather than have US politicians trample all over it.
There’s an ‘unofficial’ enquiry into the subject we can’t talk about here, going on in Parliament this week.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
There's a few different ways you could implement the tax, though. It could be as a percentage on the cost of the room/rental. Or it could be as a holiday poll tax, per person, per night.
In my part of the world it’s a flat 20dhm (£4) per room per night. Even for a fancy £400 room.
I would favour a fixed percentage of the bill, but with exemptions for small businesses, such as people with a couple of B&B rooms in their own home or 5 pitch caravan and motorhome pitches in a farmer’s field. I would not exclude AirB&B type properties, though.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
There's a few different ways you could implement the tax, though. It could be as a percentage on the cost of the room/rental. Or it could be as a holiday poll tax, per person, per night.
In my part of the world it’s a flat 20dhm (£4) per room per night. Even for a fancy £400 room.
I would favour a fixed percentage of the bill, but with exemptions for small businesses, such as people with a couple of B&B rooms in their own home or 5 pitch caravan and motorhome pitches in a farmer’s field. I would not exclude AirB&B type properties, though.
There’s already a fixed 20% of the bill in tax on UK hotel rooms.
The center asked Tsemberis to send in his slides before the event. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – a federal agency funding the event – wanted to see them, an event organizer told him.
When Tsemberis got them back, there were red lines throughout. Among other things, a federal official had deleted sections referencing the idea that racially discriminatory government policy is one cause of homelessness, as well as the terms “harm reduction” and “trauma-informed”, and mentions of Tsemberis being the founder of Housing First. What’s more, the term “Housing First” was deleted throughout.
"Staycations could cost £100 more if holiday tax introduced The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
A staycation won't cost more, as that means staying at home and going on day trips.
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
There's a few different ways you could implement the tax, though. It could be as a percentage on the cost of the room/rental. Or it could be as a holiday poll tax, per person, per night.
In my part of the world it’s a flat 20dhm (£4) per room per night. Even for a fancy £400 room.
I would favour a fixed percentage of the bill, but with exemptions for small businesses, such as people with a couple of B&B rooms in their own home or 5 pitch caravan and motorhome pitches in a farmer’s field. I would not exclude AirB&B type properties, though.
There’s already a fixed 20% of the bill in tax on UK hotel rooms.
I would favour anything where the money was kept locally - because otherwise it becomes another toy that the Government can control...
The center asked Tsemberis to send in his slides before the event. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – a federal agency funding the event – wanted to see them, an event organizer told him.
When Tsemberis got them back, there were red lines throughout. Among other things, a federal official had deleted sections referencing the idea that racially discriminatory government policy is one cause of homelessness, as well as the terms “harm reduction” and “trauma-informed”, and mentions of Tsemberis being the founder of Housing First. What’s more, the term “Housing First” was deleted throughout.
Government censorship of fact based research because it contradicts... Project 2025 ideology.
Vladyslav Heraskevych has announced that he intends to take the IOC to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after his disqualification from the skeleton earlier today.
Meanwhile Zelenskyy has awarded him the equivalent of a knighthood, and a Ukrainian bank has given him 1m hyrivnas, around £23,000. He also intends to auction off his controversial helmet.
Oh, and it’s going to be *THE* story today from every broadcaster who’s at the Games in Italy.
Vladyslav Heraskevych has announced that he intends to take the IOC to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, after his disqualification from the skeleton earlier today.
Meanwhile Zelenskyy has awarded him the equivalent of a knighthood, and a Ukrainian bank has given him 1m hyrivnas, around £23,000. He also intends to auction off his controversial helmet.
Oh, and it’s going to be *THE* story today from every broadcaster who’s at the Games in Italy.
Is it wrong of me to laugh at the term ‘controversial helmet’
Comments
Even the speaker is losing patience
A lot different to an engineer but has never spent a day engineering
“All the right votes, but not necessarily in the right order”
Andrew Teale"
https://andrewspreviews.substack.com/p/previewing-the-bradford-and-peterborough
I agree it’s sad really.
My dad tells me Paul Gazcoin was a once in a generation player, but booze and knee injury in nightclub fight meant although played on, he couldn’t fulfil his potential.
Tories ought to hold Worth Valley though, its classic Rural Yorkshire Tory
You notice how the Speaker keeps giving us the second line of his sentences first, and first line second? He is going to have to stand down and make way for a Conservative Speaker very soon.
https://x.com/i/status/2021936047475597715
Appallingly reckless then would be an outrageous red today, and what is reckless today might be a caution or less then.
https://x.com/i/status/2021925402940260472
The voters the Conservatives need back agree with Ratty and Farage. Kemi cannot come out and say the voters are wrong, or she will never get them back.
Mel Stride agreed with the sentiment, not the old fashioned words and language used.
This government's idea of growth is to announce yet more public spending. And then bump up business taxes to pay for it. The result is there for us all to see. 2 quarters in a row of 0.1% growth. Utterly, utterly pathetic.
Nightlife is a defining part of our city, but too many venues struggle to get the licences they need.
I’m working to fix that with a fairer, simpler system that'll end the licensing postcode lottery & help businesses, boroughs & Londoners succeed.
https://x.com/MayorofLondon/status/2021908363777638681
The actual issue is accommodation being built near venues. And councils taking the position that even a slack handful of noise complaints are enough to not renew license for long established businesses.
So the number of late night venues has been shrinking for years.
The price of a holiday in England could rise if the government pushes ahead with plans to introduce a holiday tax, hospitality and leisure bosses have warned.
In a letter, the heads of the leading UK accommodation firms - including Butlin's, Hilton and Travelodge - told Rachel Reeves that "holidays are for relaxing, not taxing" and urged her to scrap plans for a visitor levy in England."
https://news.sky.com/story/money-live-personal-finance-tips-consumer-sky-news-latest-13040934
https://x.com/i/status/2021920964959731848
In fact how was Sir Humphrey appointed, was there ever an interview process for these sorts of promotions?
Kemi is the most aggressive attack dog LOTO. Is there anything she has agreed with Starmer and supported the government on, or is everything fair game? I don’t think if you are doing LOTO properly, everything to twist a knife and crank up the blood pressure in number 10 is fair game. I view it as LOTO and government front bench are a team for the national interest, first and foremost.
If only a Government that claims to be concerned about 'cost of living' could understand this.
The Government are NOT enforcing anything.
They are giving Local Councils and Tourist bodies Full Discretionary powers.
Torbay is Conservative run
To be fair they have diligently passed some of the double Council Tax for 2nd homes directly in to local improvement in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
I applaud them 100% for that af if THEY chose to implement Tourist Tax I will support that.
I'm a grockle / blow in in local terms. I respect locally born people and elected representatives to make decisions.
Not some partisans sat on a computer not understanding the rules nor the facts.
And people say North Korea isn't progressive. Honestly!
So lacking basic understanding
The Cabinet Secretary is A ROLE
The incumbent is duty bound to abide by the rules.
She really is playing to the educationally delinquent or blindly partisan.
Show boating as usual
She's like an 11 year old having first experience of debating
Totally aggressive
Out of her depth
Showboating
Still, it ticks the box for the middle classes here so all is good.
Worth a read
·
11s
It's been a volatile day in the betting markets for Gorton & Denton
Here's how we bet currently:
🟢Greens - 1/3 (75%)
➡️Reform UK - 3/1 (25%)
🔴Labour - 10/1 (9%)
200/1 bar
Straight out of the Trump book of crap.
"I can't be bought" says the man with 13 jobs, a combined income of well over £1,000,000 a year and who routinely travels around the globe at the behest of foreign billionaires..
https://x.com/Heccles94/status/2021883194262401197
I would urge you to tone down the government propaganda and Kemi nonsense and maybe you can make a case for your views
https://x.com/telegraph/status/2021927322224390230?s=46
The majority of companies have a tourist tax, it recognises that tourists use local services but don't pay into them. It doesn't seem too unjust to me.
Kemi told me to say that
Mostly you rent them by the hour (other time intervals are available)
The FON poll saying Reform in the lead. Discarded because it smelt rank and had a weeny sample size
The Labour canvass saying they were second everywhere, losing to the Greens in one half and Reform in another, leading to an overall win. Plausible but may be bullshit.
Neither of these two are reliable enough to bet on.
I would say that any of Green, Labour and Reform have a chance. What chance? Well, you can do demographic guesses.
The truth is that we don’t know.
Edit: further we have Burnham vigorously campaigning for the Labour candidate. He carrys a big personal vote - how will that affect things?
Favourable: 22% (+4 from 15-16 Jan)
Unfavourable: 69% (-6)
Net: -47 (+10)
https://x.com/yougov/status/2021887427875414447
Labour voters are now split on their opinion of Keir Starmer, having previously seen him unfavourably by a 16 point margin
Favourable: 46% (+7 from 15-16 Jan)
Unfavourable: 46% (-9)
Net: =0 (+16)
Farage on -37
Walking home from Barking, as you do, I was musing on the Shipman critique of Starmer.
Does a Prime Minister NEED a philosophy? Put another way, should the solutions to all problems be viewed through an ideological prism? Sometimes, it’s just a solution rather than being a conservative, socialist, liberal or social democratic solution.
I’d rather we had a Prime Minister and Government who implemented the correct solutions rather than the wrong solution which adhered to a specific ideology.
Ironically, Boris Johnson, possibly the most ideology lite Prime Minister of recent times ended up a prisoner of the technocrats during the pandemic.
As for policies, I do agree an incoming Government should have a legislative heavy agenda waiting to be enacted. Yes, unforeseen problems can arise from minute one but a part of Government has to be about having the mechanisms in place to deal with these rather than running round like headless chickens if and when a crisis occurs.
The 24/7 news cycle and social media is unforgiving of perceived or actual vacillation but there’s a lot to be said for masterly inactivity on occasions.
What about day trippers ? How do they pay ?
Trump and Xi may roll back tariffs for a year.
Let’s face it, these won’t happen.
https://x.com/firstsquawk/status/2021707997102453133?s=61
That alone has improved him in my eyes.
I’m still comfortable with my £12.50 on the Greens at 11/2
AEP might actually be right for a change.
We could certainly collaborate more in land forces. Both Ajax and the Challenger upgrade are costly and essentially useless compared to the European systems which we could have chosen (some of which, like CV90 we already participate in).
You also ignore the very real EU effort to change the dynamic you describe above. Brexit has meant that we don't get to help shape it, but it's almost certainly worth joining on the right terms. Up until now, over three quarters of major weapons systems deployed in Europe are supplied by the US. That needs to change.
He's shown contrition
He's shown anger
He's actually shown a loss of temper
PASSION
He's trending Sir Alex. See everything, act on emption
He's losing Arsene, see nothing, dull
President GW Bush described himself as "The Decider". And he was right. If you want a technocrat in charge, give me the job, and I'll do calm, measured, logical governance all day. But it's really not enough. And Starmer is worse than me.
The approval figures are still very low, and somewhere around Labour's core vote. That Starmer has come out fighting isn't going to make many/any converts, but it's probably strengthened his position with the Labour faithful.
And about half of the Mandelson reaction is from those who ought to have known better at the time of his appointment (cf Dan Hodges).
You don't get to be outraged if you lauded it as brilliant, or a stroke of machiavellian cunning at the time.
Reform 5.2
Labour 10.5
Britain is providing an extra half a billion pounds in urgent air defence to Ukraine and will play a central part in NATO’s Arctic security mission.
This is how we are stepping up in this new era of threat and hard power
https://x.com/JohnHealey_MP/status/2021897283319533664
Since they stopped contributing, the US is probably turning a profit on the war in Ukraine.
The upside is that the bulk of the contribution goes on weapons manufactured in the UK.
But the brutal truth in politics is that a successful opposition grinds down its opponent. Day in, day out. New Labour, when in opposition, were the kings of this. No point being in a LOTO team if you're not prepared to do that. Nice guys come last in this world.
If there's one thing Kemi is showing, it's that she does have an aptitude for doing this stuff. Of course, it's not the only attribute required, but it is one.
We get to judge his character for oursrlves Wes. For me he is neither.
And its your governments toxic culture, not some flown in team of ignorami
Not a fan of MBW but the UK should clean it's own house rather than have US politicians trample all over it.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2026/feb/12/sam-tsemberis-homelessness
The center asked Tsemberis to send in his slides before the event. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – a federal agency funding the event – wanted to see them, an event organizer told him.
When Tsemberis got them back, there were red lines throughout. Among other things, a federal official had deleted sections referencing the idea that racially discriminatory government policy is one cause of homelessness, as well as the terms “harm reduction” and “trauma-informed”, and mentions of Tsemberis being the founder of Housing First. What’s more, the term “Housing First” was deleted throughout.
Meanwhile Zelenskyy has awarded him the equivalent of a knighthood, and a Ukrainian bank has given him 1m hyrivnas, around £23,000. He also intends to auction off his controversial helmet.
Oh, and it’s going to be *THE* story today from every broadcaster who’s at the Games in Italy.
Have a guess