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Sun, 23 February 2025

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Cutting business rates is needed to save our high streets
Economy
By Simon Fell MP, John Stevenson MP and Scott Benton MP
Cutting business rates is needed to save our high streets
As Conservative MPs, there are certain issues we constantly hear on the doorstep. The future of bricks-and-mortar retail is one of them.
Following the disastrous performance of the Europeans in the Ryder Cup, Lord Triesman discusses golf’s new handicap
Culture
By Lord Triesman
Following the disastrous performance of the Europeans in the Ryder Cup, Lord Triesman discusses golf’s new handicap
The fury accompanying the announcement of the football “Super League” was predictable. Hubris, greed and powerful interests were always likely to push the sport toward the interests of JP Morgan, the Glazers and their colleagues. In the eye of the storm, the English contingent backed out and JP Morgan acknowledged it had “clearly misjudged” how the football community would receive revelations of the multi-billion dollar scheme.
Whatever happened to the 2011 Eurosceptic Rebels?
Brexit
By Sebastian Whale
Whatever happened to the 2011 Eurosceptic Rebels?
Ten years on from what was the largest postwar rebellion on Europe, Sebastian Whale looks back at a pivotal moment in the race to secure an EU referendum – and the little-known group of Conservative MPs who helped bring it about
Rishi Sunak Faces A Tightrope Walk Of Pleasing Wary Tories And Reversing Austerity With His Budget
Economy
Rishi Sunak Faces A Tightrope Walk Of Pleasing Wary Tories And Reversing Austerity With His Budget
Rishi Sunak is facing a tough balancing act with this week’s Budget, where he will be hoping to please the public with spending, while keeping his fiscally prudent fans in the Conservative party on side.
Bridget Phillipson: 'We need a plan from the government. There is no plan.'
Economy
By Laurence Sleator
Bridget Phillipson: "We need a plan from the government. There is no plan."
Having grown up in poverty as the child of a single mother, Bridget Phillipson knows as well as anyone how much those on low incomes suffer through lean times. It’s why, she tells Laurence Sleator, she’s determined to defend the red wall – and see the return of a Labour government.
Maiden Voyages: Sarah King; Kim Leadbeater; Jill Mortimer
Political parties
By Patrick Kidd
Maiden Voyages: Sarah King; Kim Leadbeater; Jill Mortimer
In his occasional series, Patrick Kidd looks at maiden speeches of note.
Truck Stop: an EU lorry driver's view of the haulage crisis
Brexit
By Tomasz Orynski
Truck Stop: an EU lorry driver's view of the haulage crisis
As British people walk among empty supermarket shelves, they could be forgiven for being concerned about Christmas. When the government deploys the army and desperately tries to import thousands of foreign temporary workers, the promised post-Brexit “sunlit uplands” seem rather distant. The most acute shortage is that of lorry drivers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Sir David Amess would have been the first to admit that he was one of the more traditional MPs at Westminster. In his recent memoir he rails against everything from the introduction of TV cameras to the Commons chamber – he’d already been an MP for almost seven years when that happened – to Tony Blair’s abolition of routine all-night sittings, which he felt helped MPs get to know each other a little better.
'Parliament has lost one of its finest advocates' - Keir Starmer pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Keir Starmer MP
'Parliament has lost one of its finest advocates' - Keir Starmer pays tribute to Sir David Amess
In the last few days, there have been many tributes to Sir David from politicians of all parties, from his constituents and members of the public, from friends and family and from faith leaders, especially the Catholic Church of which he was such a devoted follower.
'Our Parliament is a poorer and sadder place without him'. Priti Patel pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Priti Patel MP
'Our Parliament is a poorer and sadder place without him'. Priti Patel pays tribute to Sir David Amess
For those of us in the Conservative Party who came of age politically in the late 1980s or early 1990s, David Amess has long held legendary status.
'I will miss his support. I will miss our gossips.' Jackie Doyle-Price tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Jackie Doyle-Price MP
'I will miss his support. I will miss our gossips.' Jackie Doyle-Price tribute to Sir David Amess
“Who is this Price–Doyle woman and what am I doing here?” So said Sir David Amess on a campaign visit to Thurrock before the 2010 general election.
'He was one of life’s optimists: kind, big-hearted and generous'. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle pays Tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP
'He was one of life’s optimists: kind, big-hearted and generous'. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle pays Tribute to Sir David Amess
I was in my office in Chorley, about to address a school assembly, when the call came through, that an MP had been stabbed. That it was Sir David Amess. And he had multiple injuries.
“We have all lost a friend and Parliament has lost a fine man”. Theresa May pays tribute to Sir David Amess
Obituaries
By Theresa May MP
“We have all lost a friend and Parliament has lost a fine man”. Theresa May pays tribute to Sir David Amess
I cannot imagine the House of Commons without David Amess. For as long as I have been in the House David has been a presence in the Chamber, making us laugh, challenging governments on the issues he cared about and always, always a champion of his constituency.
“A man of true integrity”. Robert Buckland pays tribute to James Brokenshire
Obituaries
By Robert Buckland
“A man of true integrity”. Robert Buckland pays tribute to James Brokenshire
Whilst James would laugh at himself, and there were plenty of times when we would have a very good laugh indeed, he cared deeply about getting things right - the very essence of public service and the true mark of the man.
More Trouble For Boris Johnson’s Plans To Reshape The Economy As Car Industry Calls For Help
Brexit
More Trouble For Boris Johnson’s Plans To Reshape The Economy As Car Industry Calls For Help
Boris Johnson has made it clear he wants to use the current supply chain crisis to reshape the British economy, but businesses are warning he risks breaking it this winter as staff shortages continue to cause major issues across a host of industries.
Has The Conservative Party Got A Woman Problem?
Political parties
Has The Conservative Party Got A Woman Problem?
Much was made of the 50-50 gender split in Boris Johnson’s top team following the recent cabinet reshuffle, with Liz Truss’s promotion to Foreign Secretary alongside Priti Patel as Home Secretary meaning that two of the four most significant roles in government are now held by women.
Conservative Party Conference Was The Boris Johnson Show – But Can His Act Survive The Winter?
Political parties
Conservative Party Conference Was The Boris Johnson Show – But Can His Act Survive The Winter?
Deprived of flagship policy announcements and relegated to a makeshift 600-seat auditorium at the back of the exhibition hall, ministers at this week’s Conservative Party Conference in Manchester at times felt like little more than a warm up act for Boris Johnson.
My Dream Manifesto: Tory MPs on what they'd like to see from the party
Political parties
By Karen Bradley MP, Jackie Doyle-Price MP, Chris Grayling MP and Andrea Jenkyns MP
My Dream Manifesto: Tory MPs on what they'd like to see from the party
In 2019 it was “getting Brexit done” – but what about the next manifesto? Four Conservative parliamentarians set out what they would like to see from the party at the next general election
Where next for the Prime Minister?
Coronavirus
By Mark Wallace
Where next for the Prime Minister?
Boris Johnson’s agenda was eclipsed by Covid. But with Britain beginning to emerge from the pandemic, the clock is ticking for the government to deliver the changes it promised in 2019. Mark Wallace, chief executive of ConservativeHome, provides his analysis of the challenges facing the Prime Minister.
Who Are The Tory Tribes?
Political parties
By Robert Hutton
Who Are The Tory Tribes?
The Wets and Drys. The Maastricht Rebels. The Notting Hill Set. The Conservative Party has long done a first class job of factionalism. Whereas Labour splits seem carved in stone, based on decades-old feuds and theoretical arguments, Tory gangs form and break up with great pace, something accelerated in recent years by both the changing demographic of its voters and ease of setting up a WhatsApp group. Robert Hutton reports.
Ben Houchen: “Teesside does not need a politician or prime minister that looks and sounds like them”
Communities
By Georgina Bailey
Ben Houchen: “Teesside does not need a politician or prime minister that looks and sounds like them”
When Ben Houchen won the Tees Valley metro mayoralty for the Conservatives in 2017, it was the shock of the night. Four years later, he is the darling of the Tory party. He speaks to Georgina Bailey about levelling up, his future plans and whether he’s friends with the PM.
Tory Faithful Gush Over Rishi Sunak's Ode To 'Fiscal Responsibility'
Economy
Tory Faithful Gush Over Rishi Sunak's Ode To "Fiscal Responsibility"
“What's not to like about Rishi Sunak? He's great,” one Conservative activist enthusiastically said as they left the Chancellor’s first in-person speech at party conference.
Jeremy Hunt: rise in national insurance to fund the NHS and social care was the easy bit – now comes the graft
Coronavirus
By Jeremy Hunt MP
Jeremy Hunt: rise in national insurance to fund the NHS and social care was the easy bit – now comes the graft
My job as Health Select Committee chair is to hold the government to account, and I haven’t shied away from doing that during the pandemic. But that means also giving credit where it’s due.
As a natural Tory supporter, I am deeply uncomfortable with the direction of the party
Political parties
By Isabel Oakeshott
As a natural Tory supporter, I am deeply uncomfortable with the direction of the party
What is the point of the Tory Party? I ask because so much of what this government has done since last Party Conference is so breathtakingly un-Conservative that many have been left wondering who is actually in power.
Boris Johnson: Only the Conservatives can deliver the recovery Britain needs and deserves
Coronavirus
By Boris Johnson MP
Boris Johnson: Only the Conservatives can deliver the recovery Britain needs and deserves
Two years ago in Manchester was the last time we were able to come together face-to-face, over a warm wine or two, at Conservative Party Conference. Back then, I was telling a packed auditorium how we would Get Brexit Done. And we did.
Oliver Dowden: Conservative Conference will pave the way to a stronger future – and election victory
Political parties
By Oliver Dowden MP
Oliver Dowden: Conservative Conference will pave the way to a stronger future – and election victory
When I walked into CCHQ a few weeks back as the new Conservative Party chairman, I felt like the kid that used to stack the shelves and is now running the shop. Many moons ago I was a researcher in the famous Conservative Research Department – to now be chairman of this great party is a privilege and an honour.
MPs have a responsibility to continue wearing face coverings to protect parliamentary staff
Coronavirus
By Jawad Raza
MPs have a responsibility to continue wearing face coverings to protect parliamentary staff
House staff have been mandated to wear face coverings and willingly do so to protect their colleagues and friends. Why won’t so many of our elected MPs do the same to protect the health of their colleagues and the staff on whom they so rely?
Labour Left Rally Around Zarah Sultana After Being Cast 'Into The Wilderness'
Political parties
Labour Left Rally Around Zarah Sultana After Being Cast "Into The Wilderness"
Coventry MP Zarah Sultana has emerged from Labour Party Conference in Brighton this week as a leading figure of the party's left.
Andy Burnham Accused Of 'Overplaying His Hand' At Labour Party Conference
Political parties
Andy Burnham Accused Of "Overplaying His Hand" At Labour Party Conference
From selfies with young fans to policy speeches and pub karaoke, Andy Burnham was never far from the limelight at this year’s Labour’s party conference.
Keir Starmer Is Emerging From A Make Or Break Labour Conference With Quiet Confidence
Political parties
Keir Starmer Is Emerging From A Make Or Break Labour Conference With Quiet Confidence
Keir Starmer seems to be leaving Brighton in his strongest position yet, despite the row over Angela Rayner’s “scum” comments and a surprise frontbench resignation threatening to derail his first in-person party conference as Labour leader.
Whatever happened to the class of 1997?
Political parties
By Sebastian Whale
Whatever happened to the class of 1997?
Some got a seat at the cabinet table; one even nabbed the Speaker’s chair, but did Labour’s class of ’97 live up to expectations? With Things Can Only Get Better echoing down the years, Sebastian Whale discovers how the intake has fared – just don’t call them ‘Blair’s babes’
Dream Labour Manifesto: from the Right to Food to tackling corruption
Political parties
By Lord Blunkett, Dawn Butler MP, Ian Byrne MP and Margaret Hodge MP
Dream Labour Manifesto: from the Right to Food to tackling corruption
With the next general election as close as 20 months away, four Labour parliamentarians from across the party set out what they would like to see from a Labour policy platform
Matt Zarb-Cousin: don't look back in anger
Political parties
By Matt Zarb-Cousin
Matt Zarb-Cousin: don't look back in anger
The Labour leadership’s aversion to proposing any coherent alternative to government policy was once premised on their desire not to appear as though they were opposing for opposition’s sake. But while adopting this style was supposed to signal a return to “grown-up politics” it has instead failed on its own terms.
Maiden Voyages - Labour Conference Edition
Political parties
By Patrick Kidd
Maiden Voyages - Labour Conference Edition
Tony Blair couldn’t bring himself to use the C word, though everyone expected it.
Keir Pressure: The State of Labour
Political parties
By Sienna Rodgers
Keir Pressure: The State of Labour
After a challenging 18 months as the new Labour leader, Keir Starmer and his party now share a single focus: 2023.
Lisa Nandy: 'I'm desperate to have a woman lead the Labour party'
Foreign affairs
By Kate Proctor
Lisa Nandy: "I'm desperate to have a woman lead the Labour party"
Lisa Nandy found the experience of running for the Labour leadership a bruising one — to the extent she rules out standing again. But as shadow foreign secretary she's found her voice, convinced that as a champion for internationalism she can play a part in healing a divided party. Kate Proctor meets her ahead of Labour's party conference in Brighton.