Author Archives: Nicholas Watt, Patrick Wintour
Coalition accused of abusing parliament
Labour says it will fight any effort to use special procedures to reverse Lords’ votes on cutting benefits to disabled peopleThe government was warned on Thursday that it is running the risk of abusing parliament in its attempts to reverse a triple def… Continue reading
Parties draw up battle lines over excessive executive pay
The Lib Dems want independent remuneration committees, David Cameron called for shareholder votes, while Labour accused him of dragging his feetBattle lines over “crony capitalism” were clearly drawn up on Sunday as the prime minister called for bindin… Continue reading
Tory eurosceptics gear up for a fight on regaining powers from EU
MPs pile pressure on David Cameron on the eve of the European summitLeading figures on the Tory right were “on manoeuvres” late on Wednesday in an attempt to put pressure on David Cameron to repatriate powers at the EU summit which opens in Brussels on… Continue reading
George Osborne’s flexible friend: the ‘fiscal mandate’
As Ed Balls condemns depth and speed of the chancellor’s cuts, speculation mounts on whether Osborne will unveil plan BGeorge Osborne is planning to drive home a simple message in the runup to his autumn statement at the end of this month. Britain, he … Continue reading
Consumer protection rights overhaul announced by Labour
John Denham to tell party conference that ‘consumers’ champion’ Ed Mayo will lead move to confront ‘bad companies’An overhaul of consumer protection rights, led by the consumers’ champion, Ed Mayo, is to be announced by Labour onMonday as the party mov… Continue reading
Labour demands VAT rethink to remedy ‘flatlining’ economy
Ed Balls issues warning that UK recovery has stalled as gloomy retail figures are releasedEd Balls, the shadow chancellor, has called for an emergency temporary cut in VAT to “jump-start” Britain’s “flatlining” economy that is performing at a slower ra… Continue reading
Kenneth Clarke’s ringside seat for four decades of Tory U-turns
Government U-turns can be seen as the sign of listening, flexible administration – or a weak oneA phlegmatic Kenneth Clarke rolled his eyes when word reached him from Downing Street on Monday night that David Cameron wanted him to abandon key element… Continue reading
Shadow culture secretary withdraws Labour ‘spendthrift’ claim
Ivan Lewis removes remarks before speech in Westminster A member of the shadow cabinet was forced last night to amend a speech in which he planned to warn that some voters believe the party is spendthrift.The shadow culture secretary, Ivan Lewis, made … Continue reading
NHS reforms: Lansley agrees to change health bill
The health secretary acknowledges anxieties about the NHS bill and announces amendments to parts of itAndrew Lansley, the health secretary, has acknowledged that people have “genuine” concerns about his reforms to the NHS as he announced that the gover… Continue reading