Press pick up ConHome survey on members’ increasing bullishness about the next election
“Keir Starmer’s implosion has sparked optimism among Conservative Party members, according to a new survey, with hopes they can make an extraordinary comeback at the 2029 election. A new poll of party members by the Conservative Home website has found that the number predicting a Conservative majority at the next election has sharply risen to a sizeable 38%. This marks a 10% rise in just a month, while those forecasting that Sir Keir Starmer will retain his enormous majority has plummeted to just 14%. This is down from 21% when the website asked the same question just four weeks ago. The second most-popular option is a Conservative-led coalition, on 18%, and a Conservative minority government on 11%.” – Daily Express
>Yesterday:
Shadow ministers demand Reeves comes clean over ‘incredibly serious’ allegation she lied on her CV
“Tory shadow ministers tonight demanded Rachel Reeves come clean following accusations the Chancellor lied on her CV. It came as Downing Street refused to say Ms Reeves has followed ministerial integrity rules after her LinkedIn page was quietly edited last week. The Chancellor’s claim that she worked as an economist at the Bank of Scotland between 2006 and 2009 was changed to state that she held a role in “retail banking” for Halifax. When asked on Monday whether lying on a CV is a “breach of the ministerial code, Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson responded: “I think with regards to the Chancellor, the Prime Minister is very clear that the Chancellor has restored fiscal stability.” … No10 also dodged questions over whether Ms Reeves has been “straight with the public” about her past employment.” – The Sun
- Holden sets out six questions Chancellor must answer – Daily Express
- What the Reeves said on her CV vs her actual experience – Daily Telegraph
Tory politician ‘one of up to five charged over betting scandal’
“Up to five people – including a politician – may be prosecuted by the Gambling Commission as part of an investigation into insiders placing bets on when the snap election would take place. At least three people – but potentially as many as five – could be charged. These include a politician and a bodyguard, according to Sky News. Five Conservatives and five Met Police officers were among those investigated as part of the betting scandal, and one cabinet minister claimed he won thousands before backtracking and saying it was a joke. A member of Rishi Sunak’s close protection team was also arrested over an alleged bet.” – Daily Mail
Labour’s plans for migration pale in comparison to scrapped Rwanda plan, top Tory warns
“Labour plans for migration deals pale in comparison to the Rwanda plan, the PM was warned last night. The Home Office is said to be eyeing security agreements with source countries like Vietnam and Iraqi Kurdistan to stop small boat crossings. Government insiders played down fears this would involve paying large sums to nations on smuggling routes, as Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni has done with African states. They say it would involve training local police there, stationing National Crime Agency officials, and a communications blitz to warn against ruthless gangs. But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argued none of these details would work as a deterrent for migrants.”- The Sun
- Stopping migrants is harder than tackling drugs, says crime agency boss – The Times
More:
- Police chief calls for biggest shake-up of England and Wales policing since 1960s – The Guardian
>Today: David Willetts’ column: Badenoch, and her search for the secret of a functioning government machine
>Yesterday: Roger Hirst in Local Government: Don’t blame Essex Police for upholding the law – even if the alleged perpetrator is a powerful journalist
Chris Philp: Scrapping illegal migrant deterrent opens door for traffickers
“Hundreds of millions of pounds. That’s the rumoured cost of Labour’s new border scheme, which they are trying to use to show they have a way to tackle illegal migration. The sad thing is that these expensive measures would be unnecessary if Labour hadn’t scrapped the Rwanda deterrent before it had even started. The first Rwanda flight was due to take off in late July. But Labour cancelled it with no replacement deterrent plan. The National Crime Agency has said without a deterrent it won’t be possible to stop the boats. The National Crime Agency is right – which is why under this Labour Government the boat numbers have gone substantially up.” – Daily Express
- It isn’t right that where you live determines the kind of policing you get – Gavin Stephens, The Guardian
Prime Minister says UK must respect China after talks
“Britain must have a “consistent, durable and respectful” relationship with China, Sir Keir Starmer said after meeting President Xi for the first time. Starmer said strong ties between the two countries were important for the “broader international community”. The leaders met on the fringes of the G20 summit in Brazil. Starmer proposed a full bilateral meeting in the near future. He also said he hoped that Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, would soon visit Beijing to improve economic links between the nations… Starmer said he was “pleased” that David Lammy, the foreign secretary, had raised human rights with Beijing.” – The Times
- Xi backs Starmer and Reeves’ economic plan for growth – Daily Telegraph
- London can reboot UK-China relations, says Chinese president – The Times
- Chinese tech groups build AI teams in Silicon Valley – FT
More G20:
- How Starmer will handle the spectre of Trump at summit – The Times
Sketch:
- Starmer shows a bit of leg to the Chinese, and Xi swipes right – Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph
- Starmer was on a roll with Xi… but then things ‘deteriorated’ – Tom Peck, The Times
Comment:
- Trump must defeat Putin, if he is to prevail against Xi – Charles Moore, Daily Telegraph
- Why Labour will struggle to reset the UK-China relationship – Stephen Bush, FT
- How awkward Starmer can navigate the G20 without being left in the cold – Guy Kelly, Daily Telegraph
- President’s attack on the enemy within will delight America’s real foes – Gideon Rachman, FT
Editorial:
>Yesterday: LeftWatch: Kowtowing to China is obliged by Labour’s delusional decarbonisation crusade
Defence 1) Starmer declines to rule out allowing Ukraine to use Storm Shadow missiles in Russia
“Sir Keir Starmer has declined to rule out allowing Ukraine to use UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles for strikes inside Russia, after President Joe Biden authorised the use of US-supplied long-range weapons. The UK prime minister said he did not want to get into “operational details”, arguing the only beneficiary would be Russian President Vladimir Putin. His intervention came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity as UK defence secretary John Healey spoke to his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Sunday and prepared to speak with his Ukrainian opposite number on Monday. Starmer called on allies to “double down” on support for Kyiv as he arrived at a G20 summit in Rio.” – FT
- But Kiev still banned from deep strikes for now – The Sun
- Starmer blasted over delays that will help dictators – Daily Express
- Prime Minister to urge G20 leaders to ‘double down’ on Ukraine support – FT
- UK upheld some arms export licences to Israel to reassure US – The Guardian
Overseas:
- Biden authorises Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia… – The Times
- …but Scholz refuses to approve such strikes – Daily Telegraph
- Trump Jr accuses Biden of trying to start World War 3 – The Sun
More Russia:
- Critical undersea internet cable severed amid fears of Russian sabotage – Daily Telegraph
- Huge load of ‘explosive’ contaminated Russian fertiliser is dumped in sea off coast of Norfolk – Daily Mail
Analysis:
- America’s long-range missiles won’t save Ukraine – Daily Telegraph
- The final months of Ukraine war could be its bloodiest – Daily Mail
- Why Trump is staying silent on Biden’s missile U-turn – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
- Putin’s reaction to Ukraine getting Storm Shadow tells us everything – Lt Col Stuart Crawford, Daily Express
- Gap-year Keir is toying with Britain and America’s special relationship – Ben Marlow, Daily Telegraph
Editorial:
- Decision welcome but likely to be a case of too little, too late – The Times
Defence 2) Aircraft carriers face being mothballed in Treasury cost-cutting plan
“The UK’s aircraft carriers could be mothballed under a Treasury cost-cutting proposal. It is understood that a discussion between the Ministry of Defence and Rachel Reeves’s department explored what equipment could be cut as part of the forthcoming strategic defence review. The review, which will be published early next year, will address how the Government plans to focus the military on the changing nature of conflict while saving money. A Royal Navy source said it was “unsurprising” that HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth, which both cost more than £3 billion to build, had come under discussion because “they are big expensive pieces of kit that attract a lot of attention”.” – Daily Telegraph
- Homeowners wait six months for heat-pump planning permission – The Times
- It is now quicker to be a pedestrian than catch a bus in London, report says – Daily Mail
Starmer admits economic growth figures are ‘not good enough’
“Anaemic economic growth figures are ‘not good enough’, Sir Keir Starmer admitted yesterday – as he sought to dodge blame for rising mortgage rates. Official figures last week revealed that growth stalled in Labour’s first three months in office following doom-laden warnings about the Budget from the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Sir Keir has declared that economic growth is his ‘number one’ mission and has vowed to make the UK economy the fastest growing in the G7 group of advanced nations. But data from the Office for National Statistics revealed the economy grew by just 0.1 per cent in the three months to the end of September, a fall from 0.5 per cent in the last quarter overseen by the Conservatives.” – Daily Mail
- Prime Minister denies budget to blame for rise in mortgage rates – The Guardian
- Retailers say national insurance rise makes job losses inevitable – The Times
Trade:
- We’d side with EU against Trump in trade war, suggests Cabinet minister – Daily Telegraph
- Starmer to restart UK-India talks after previous negotiations stalled – The Guardian
>Yesterday: Claire Coutinho MP in Comment: Labour’s sums on the promise of cheaper energy really don’t add up
Young people face losing benefits if they don’t take up training…
“Young people will have their benefits docked if they do not take up training or apprenticeship offers under back-to-work plans to be announced this month. As part of a “youth guarantee” councils and mayors will seek out hundreds of thousands of people aged 18-21 who are unemployed or off sick to offer them help finding a job or training. Ministers say they will not be allowed to remain outside the workforce. Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, will publish a three-point plan to get people back to work. She will say that a post-Covid rise in economic inactivity is one of the biggest problems facing the British economy. However, more radical reforms to sickness benefits are being drawn up for early next year amid concerns the plan will not be enough to stem a rise in long-term sickness.” – The Times
- Reeves sparks jobs panic as ‘tens of thousands’ risk being moved abroad – Daily Express
>Today: ToryDiary: The politics of envy are not only wrong – they lead to bad, damaging, policy
…as ministers could force pension funds to invest more in British assets…
“Emma Reynolds, pensions minister, has left the door open to forcing pension schemes to invest more in British assets if reforms fail to drive savings into domestic infrastructure and companies. The government announced last week it would create a series of “megafunds” to steer more of the UK’s £1.3tn defined contribution and local authority pension industry into productive domestic finance. Reynolds said that while ministers had not taken steps to force pension funds to invest in British assets, it could reconsider “mandation” if the measures did not boost pension investment in the UK.” – FT
- Tax rises in budget sap consumer confidence and will hit pay growth, say reports – The Guardian
- Private schools join global groups to survive VAT shock – The Times
- Every water firm risks financial ruin like Thames, warns Barclays – Daily Telegraph
- NHS emergency funding won’t be dependent on treating more people – The Times
Comment:
- Battle for prosperity will be won by universities – William Hague, The Times
Editorial:
- Councils are using antisocial behaviour powers against pub quizzes and beekeeping – The Times
>Today: Elliot Keck in Local Government: Rayner’s flawed indulgence of the municipal four-day week
…and farmers to march in London over ‘vindictive’ inheritance tax
“Farmers have said the government’s refusal to alter their inheritance tax plans feels “vindictive”, after the environment secretary suggested protesters had not understood “the facts” and need to speak to their accountants. The president of the National Farmers Union described Labour’s plan to charge 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million as “horrific”. Farmers will take to the streets of London in their thousands on Tuesday in protest at the measure announced in the budget. They claim it will force asset-rich but cash-poor farmers to sell land to pay tax bills, making their businesses unviable and ending generations of farming on the land.” – The Times
- Labour’s tax policy puts the future of family farms at risk – Daily Express
- Farmers must pay up for the NHS, says Reeves – The Times
- Starmer’s claims rubbished by legal experts – Daily Mail
Comment:
- Farming industry is feeling betrayed by Labour’s Family Farm Tax – Tim Bonner, Daily Express
>Today: Victoria Atkins MP in Comment: Labour are not just targeting farmers, they simply don’t understand them
>Yesterday: David Gauke’s column: The 2000 fuel blockades are a warning from history for the Tories on farming
Phillipson likely to vote against assisted dying bill as Starmer warns ministers
“Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has said she is likely to vote against the bill to legalise assisted dying, as Keir Starmer issued a veiled warning to cabinet ministers, such as Wes Streeting, to stay neutral on the issue. Starmer, speaking to reporters en route to the G20 summit in Brazil, confirmed for the first time that he would vote on the assisted dying bill later this month, but indicated he would not reveal his position in advance. Phillipson said her views on the issue had not changed since she voted against assisted dying when it was last debated, and urged ministerial colleagues to keep their discussions about the policy “behind the scenes”.” – The Guardian
- How will the assisted dying bill work? – The Times
- How are cabinet ministers likely to vote on assisted dying? – The Guardian
Labour vows to stop ‘profiteering’ by children’s homes
“The owners of children’s homes face a crackdown on “excessive profiteering”, the education secretary has said. Bridget Phillipson described the conditions in which some vulnerable children were kept as “shocking”. She said it was “completely unacceptable” that some companies were making 30 per cent profit on placing children who cannot live with their families, vowing to cap profits if costs did not come down. She promised more money to help children stay at home, as well as to help councils set up their own homes, saying that taxpayers would have to spend more up front to avoid “spiralling costs” in the future.” – The Times
- Government to launch crackdown on ‘subscription traps’ – Daily Mail
Editorial:
- A crackdown on unscrupulous operators is welcome – The Times
MPs call for transparency to help tackle tax evasion in overseas territories
“Forty MPs have called on the foreign secretary to press for faster progress in tackling tax evasion in British overseas territories and crown dependencies ahead of a ministerial summit this week. The cross-party MPs, including former cabinet ministers Andrew Mitchell and Liam Byrne, have written to David Lammy urging him to press for speedier establishment of public registers of beneficial ownership in the territories and dependencies. Their call comes ahead of the annual Joint Ministerial Council on November 19 — the first such meeting since crown dependencies and overseas territories such as the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands missed a December 2023 target for implementation of the registers.” – FT
News in Brief:
- Xi has exposed Labour’s foreign policy hypocrisy – Henry Hill, UnHerd
- The tax and subsidy carousel is killing British farming – Fred de Fossard, CapX
- Labour will not win a war on the countryside – Ian Watts, New Statesman
- Starmer’s choice of Attorney General should concern conservatives – Yuan Yi Zhu, The Spectator
- Junk food? More like junk statistics – Christopher Snowdon, The Critic
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