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Sun, 29 December 2024

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Tom Scotson

How Will Kemi Badenoch Rebuild CCHQ?
Political parties
How Will Kemi Badenoch Rebuild CCHQ?
Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) is the party’s campaigning machine, but nowadays you struggle to find many Tories who are happy with it. Senior MPs, veteran Conservatives and regular members say it needs wholesale reform to win elections again. Can Kemi Badenoch give it the shake-up Tories are looking for?
Will Smaller Parties Continue To Rise In 2025?
Political parties
Will Smaller Parties Continue To Rise In 2025?
The Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Greens all had reasons to be delighted by the 4 July General Election. There are signs that smaller parties could enjoy more success in 2025.
Keir Starmer Is 'Highly Capable' But Needs A Stronger 'Message', Says Anthony Seldon
Political parties
Keir Starmer Is "Highly Capable" But Needs A Stronger "Message", Says Anthony Seldon
Political historian Anthony Seldon believes Keir Starmer must assemble a "far, far stronger" Downing Street team in 2025 after the most "naive" start a Labour government has ever made.
Farage-Wary Labour MPs Urge Keir Starmer To Be Vocal About Immigration In 2025
Home affairs
Farage-Wary Labour MPs Urge Keir Starmer To Be Vocal About Immigration In 2025
A number of Labour MPs want Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make reducing immigration a cornerstone of his political strategy in 2025 as the party braces for the growing electoral threat of Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Outgoing Hereditary Peers Criticise 'Nasty' Plans To Abolish Them
Political parties
Outgoing Hereditary Peers Criticise "Nasty" Plans To Abolish Them
A group of hereditary peers on Wednesday tried to make the case for why they should not be removed from the House of Lords, with one affected peer describing Labour's reforms as "nasty". The legislation will almost certainly pass, however.
David Lammy Says UK Should Be 'Cautious' About Regime Change In Syria
Foreign affairs
David Lammy Says UK Should Be "Cautious" About Regime Change In Syria
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK should be “cautious” while welcoming the “opportunity” for the Syrian people after rebels overthrew the Bashar Al Assad regime.
Government Prepares For Fight With Tory Lords Over Football Bill
Culture
By Tom Scotson
Government Prepares For Fight With Tory Lords Over Football Bill
Exclusive: The Government has accused Tory peers of “extraordinary” and cynical behaviour to slow down the Football Governance Bill's progress in the Lords.
Boost BBC World Service Funding To Help Ukraine Fight Russia, Says Labour MP
Culture
Boost BBC World Service Funding To Help Ukraine Fight Russia, Says Labour MP
A Labour MP is leading calls for the BBC World Service to be given a funding boost, arguing that it has helped Ukraine fight Russia by combatting disinformation.
Senior Tory Philip Hammond Says Calls To Cut Off Trade With China Are 'Unrealistic'
Defence
Senior Tory Philip Hammond Says Calls To Cut Off Trade With China Are "Unrealistic"
Former foreign secretary Lord Hammond has urged the Conservative party to be less ideological in its approach to China, saying it is "unrealistic" to call for cutting off trade with the world's second-largest economy.
Ex-Security Advisor Warns Whitehall Lacks Expertise To Deal With China
Defence
Ex-Security Advisor Warns Whitehall Lacks Expertise To Deal With China
Lord Ricketts, the UK's former national security advisor, believes there is not enough institutional knowledge in Whitehall to support Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pursuit of a more "pragmatic" relationship with China.
Who's Who In Kemi Badenoch's Inner Circle?
Political parties
Who's Who In Kemi Badenoch's Inner Circle?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has finalised senior appointments to her backroom team which includes former minister Lee Rowley as her chief of staff and former Boris Johnson adviser Henry Newman as deputy.
Defence Secretary Says British Military Capabilities Are 'Just Not Good Enough'
Defence
By Tom Scotson
Defence Secretary Says British Military Capabilities Are "Just Not Good Enough"
John Healey said the UK’s military capabilities are “just not good enough” in his first appearance before the defence committee since becoming the Secretary of State for Defence.
Lords Want 'Wimbledon Clause' To Give Football Fans Power To Stop Stadium Moves
Culture
Lords Want "Wimbledon Clause" To Give Football Fans Power To Stop Stadium Moves
A group of Lords are pushing the Government to go further in reforming English football by preventing club owners from moving stadiums away from their original locations without fans' consent. 
MPs Urged To Be 'Wary' Of Mobile Phone Theft Near Parliament
Home affairs
MPs Urged To Be "Wary" Of Mobile Phone Theft Near Parliament
Government Whips have urged Labour MPs to be careful when using mobile phones near Westminster after "a number" reported having their devices stolen.
Football Clubs Could Be Named And Shamed For Not Promoting Equality, Diversity And Inclusion
Communities
Football Clubs Could Be Named And Shamed For Not Promoting Equality, Diversity And Inclusion
Football clubs will be named and shamed if they do not promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) targets under a strengthened Football Governance Bill.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Is 'Sure' Government Will Pay Attention To Israeli Jet Court Case
Defence
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Is "Sure" Government Will Pay Attention To Israeli Jet Court Case
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry expects the Government to pay close attention to an upcoming Dutch legal verdict on the sale of parts used to make Israel's F-35 jets.
Reform UK Removes Party Chief In Latest Staff Shake-Up
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Reform UK Removes Party Chief In Latest Staff Shake-Up
The Chief Operations Officer of Reform UK has been removed from his position as the party reorganises, PoliticsHome understands.
Non-League Teams Fear New Anti-Terror Law Could Be Too Costly To Follow
Home affairs
Non-League Teams Fear New Anti-Terror Law Could Be Too Costly To Follow
There is concern within English football that new anti-terror legislation will be too expensive for some smaller clubs to follow.
Changes To Pensions Could Affect Army Retention, Rachel Reeves Warned
Defence
Changes To Pensions Could Affect Army Retention, Rachel Reeves Warned
Members of the British Armed Forces have warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that changes to pensions in the Budget would damage the military's “trust” in government and make it harder to keep hold of personnel.
Labour MP Praises Theresa May For Bringing Modern Slavery To 'Centre' Of Political Debate
Home affairs
Labour MP Praises Theresa May For Bringing Modern Slavery To "Centre" Of Political Debate
Labour MP Tom Hayes has heaped praise on the “impressive” former Conservative prime minister Theresa May for dragging modern slavery from the “margins” to the centre of the political debate.
Government To Meet UEFA As It Prepares New Football Regulator
Culture
Government To Meet UEFA As It Prepares New Football Regulator
The Government is set to meet with Europe's top football body in the coming weeks as it prepares to introduce an independent football regulator.
Keir Starmer Says Middle East Must 'Step Back From The Brink' On 7 October Anniversary
Home affairs
Keir Starmer Says Middle East Must "Step Back From The Brink" On 7 October Anniversary
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged all sides in the Middle East to "step back from the brink" and said there is no "military solution" to unrest in the region.
New Tory MP Warns Next Leader The Party Will Be “Shafted” Without Unity
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
New Tory MP Warns Next Leader The Party Will Be “Shafted” Without Unity
A new Conservative MP has warned the next Tory leader the party will be “shafted” if they don't include MPs who backed other candidates in their "team".
Reform Faces 'Headache' Over New Press Officer's 'Immigration, Diversity And Gays' Comments
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Reform Faces "Headache" Over New Press Officer's "Immigration, Diversity And Gays" Comments
There is growing discontent within Reform UK over the decision to replace the party's long-standing head of press.
Liz Truss Claims She Would Have Performed Better Than Rishi Sunak At The Election
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Liz Truss Claims She Would Have Performed Better Than Rishi Sunak At The Election
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has claimed she would have performed better at the general election than Rishi Sunak.
Cabinet Minister Warns Of 'Lifelong Cost' To Taxpayers If Youth Unemployment Isn't Addressed
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Cabinet Minister Warns Of "Lifelong Cost" To Taxpayers If Youth Unemployment Isn't Addressed
A cabinet minister has said failing to get young people into work could result in a “lifelong cost” for “them and for the taxpayer”, as the Government announced its plans for a new youth guarantee.
Government Minister Says New Hillsborough Law Will Help Deliver The 'Truth'
Home affairs
Government Minister Says New Hillsborough Law Will Help Deliver The "Truth"
A government minister has said the upcoming Hillsborough Law is a forward-looking Bill which will help deliver the “truth” to victims and their dependents after major disasters.
Government Is Not Budging On Plans To Set Up An Independent Football Regulator
Communities
Government Is Not Budging On Plans To Set Up An Independent Football Regulator
The new Labour Government is preparing to face down opposition to its plans to introduce an independent football regulator.
New Labour MP Says Keir Starmer Is Leading The Most “Socialist Friendly Government” Of His Lifetime
Political parties
New Labour MP Says Keir Starmer Is Leading The Most “Socialist Friendly Government” Of His Lifetime
A new Labour MP believes Keir Starmer is leading the most “socialist friendly government” he has ever seen as the party comes together for its first conference since winning the July General Election.
New Labour MP Living In London Student Accommodation For £80 Per Night
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
New Labour MP Living In London Student Accommodation For £80 Per Night
A new Labour MP has been living in £80-per-night student accommodation since the election to get the best value for money for taxpayers.
Seasoned MPs Are Annoyed By The Number Of Newbies Bidding To Chair Committees
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Seasoned MPs Are Annoyed By The Number Of Newbies Bidding To Chair Committees
The number of newly-elected MPs vying to lead influential committees is irritating more experienced back benchers ahead of votes to appoint chairs on Wednesday.
Rachel Reeves Doubles Down On Winter Fuel Cut Despite Threat Of Labour Rebellion
Economy
By Tom Scotson
Rachel Reeves Doubles Down On Winter Fuel Cut Despite Threat Of Labour Rebellion
The Government is not budging on its decision to cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners despite unease within the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Priti Patel Knocked Out Of Tory Leadership Race
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Priti Patel Knocked Out Of Tory Leadership Race
Priti Patel has been eliminated from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.
Government Suspends Some Arms Export Licenses To Israel
Foreign affairs
By Tom Scotson
Government Suspends Some Arms Export Licenses To Israel
The Government has suspended 30 arms export licenses of the 350 it has with Israel, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has announced. 
Kemi Badenoch Claims Tories Promising To Leave the ECHR Are Offering 'Easy Answers'
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
Kemi Badenoch Claims Tories Promising To Leave the ECHR Are Offering "Easy Answers"
Kemi Badenoch accused people who are committed to leaving the European Convention of Human Rights of offering "easy answers" on illegal migration, as she launched her official campaign to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party leader.
New Tory Leader Will Have Limited Cabinet Experience to Work With
Political parties
By Tom Scotson
New Tory Leader Will Have Limited Cabinet Experience to Work With
The next leader of the Conservative Party will have relatively little Cabinet experience to draw upon when they appoint their senior team to oppose the Labour Government from the opposition benches, new research shows.