A Conservative majority government will get Brexit done and deliver the transport investment our country needs by boosting local trains, buses and trams in England's biggest cities, and the towns around them - changing the face of local transport around the country, improving quality and delivering value for commuters.
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Friday, December 06, 2019
Boosting Britain's transport infrastructure
December meeting of Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee
The next meeting of Cumbria's Health Scrutiny committee will be held at 10.30am at County Hall in Kendal on Tuesday 10th December 2019
This is an important opportunity for councillors to hold the NHS in Cumbria accountable. The agenda includes some very significant reports including
6) Primary Care networks
7) Winter preparedness
8) Recruitment and retention
9) Digital records
There are separate reports in all these areas for North Cumbria (e.g. the West, North and East of the county) and for the South Cumbia/Morecambe Bay health areas.
Full details of the agenda including reports to the committee are available on the CCC website here.
This is an important opportunity for councillors to hold the NHS in Cumbria accountable. The agenda includes some very significant reports including
6) Primary Care networks
7) Winter preparedness
8) Recruitment and retention
9) Digital records
There are separate reports in all these areas for North Cumbria (e.g. the West, North and East of the county) and for the South Cumbia/Morecambe Bay health areas.
Full details of the agenda including reports to the committee are available on the CCC website here.
Thursday, December 05, 2019
Copeland's local plan consultation is still open
Here is an important non-election reminder:
Copeland Borough Council's consultation on the local plan is underway and remains open until January 20th.
This is an essential step towards sorting out many of the problems in Copeland. The lack of an up-to-date and approved plan is a huge handicap to the CBC planning panel in trying to make the right decisions on planning applications for new development.
Britain's planning system is based and has on a presumption in favour of applications which meet the policies in the local plan. It is much easier for councillors and officers to resist inappropriate development if you have an agreed plan which sets out what sort of new housing and other developments the community needs and wants.
It is much harder if, as is the current situation in Copeland, your local plan is out of date.
It's not just the issues for which Copeland Borough Council is responsible which can better be addressed if there is an up-to-date plan. It will make it easier for Cumbria County council to assess the requirements for road and transport links and for school places.
The government looks at local plans too. Last month I attended a meeting where county councillors were told by a Director of the Northern Powerhouse that the most important thing we could do if we wanted to get more money to improve vital infrastructure projects in Copeland was encourage Copeland BC to get an up-to-date plan in place.
You can find details of how to respond to Copeland's local plan consultation here.
Copeland Borough Council's consultation on the local plan is underway and remains open until January 20th.
This is an essential step towards sorting out many of the problems in Copeland. The lack of an up-to-date and approved plan is a huge handicap to the CBC planning panel in trying to make the right decisions on planning applications for new development.
Britain's planning system is based and has on a presumption in favour of applications which meet the policies in the local plan. It is much easier for councillors and officers to resist inappropriate development if you have an agreed plan which sets out what sort of new housing and other developments the community needs and wants.
It is much harder if, as is the current situation in Copeland, your local plan is out of date.
It's not just the issues for which Copeland Borough Council is responsible which can better be addressed if there is an up-to-date plan. It will make it easier for Cumbria County council to assess the requirements for road and transport links and for school places.
The government looks at local plans too. Last month I attended a meeting where county councillors were told by a Director of the Northern Powerhouse that the most important thing we could do if we wanted to get more money to improve vital infrastructure projects in Copeland was encourage Copeland BC to get an up-to-date plan in place.
You can find details of how to respond to Copeland's local plan consultation here.
Quote of the day 5th December 2019
"I looked at all the promises on the Labour literature and thought 'how can they afford all this?'
And then John McDonnell admitted the £58 billion promise on pensions which they suddenly added half way through the election wasn't included in the costings for their so-called 'fully costed programme,' and I realised they haven't got a clue how to pay for it either.
"Labour ought to remember the band who sang 'Money for nothing and the cheque's for free' were called 'Dire Straits' and that's what their plans would put the country in."
(Copeland Voter)
And then John McDonnell admitted the £58 billion promise on pensions which they suddenly added half way through the election wasn't included in the costings for their so-called 'fully costed programme,' and I realised they haven't got a clue how to pay for it either.
"Labour ought to remember the band who sang 'Money for nothing and the cheque's for free' were called 'Dire Straits' and that's what their plans would put the country in."
(Copeland Voter)
SEVEN DAYS TO GO
Today, with seven days to go, the Prime Minister has been in the East Midlands where he set out the Conservative action plan for the first 100 days of a majority Government – contrasting it with the gridlock and uncertainty that would follow the election of a hung parliament on 12 December.
The first 100 days of a Conservative majority Government would see the passing of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, a Queen’s Speech to introduce key domestic legislation covering law and order and health and a post Brexit Budget to take advantage of the opportunities before us.
By the 22 March, we will have taken the following actions:
The first 100 days of a Conservative majority Government would see the passing of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, a Queen’s Speech to introduce key domestic legislation covering law and order and health and a post Brexit Budget to take advantage of the opportunities before us.
By the 22 March, we will have taken the following actions:
- Changing the law to end the automatic release of serious violent and sexual offenders at the half way point.
- Launching the biggest review of our defence, security and foreign policy since the end of the Cold War.
- Legislating for a funding increase to our schools – raising minimum funding per pupil.
- Changing the law to increase the amount that migrants pay to use our NHS.
- Beginning cross party talks to find an enduring solution to the challenge of social care.
- Finalising an agreement with mobile phone operators to improve mobile service in the countryside.
Wednesday, December 04, 2019
The New Statesman declines to endorse Corbyn
If there was one endorsement at election time which Labour can usually rely on, it is that of the New Statesman.
Not this time.
I don't agree with their general approach to politics or with most of the rest of the editorial linked to here which refuses to endorse any party in the present election.
But to any reader who thinks that the concerns about Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party are all "smears" put together by the "right-wing press," the fact that a magazine which is sufficiently left-wing to put forward the other views in this article has also published the paragraphs which explain why they cannot endorse Labour under Jeremy Corbyn should come as a wake-up call.
Not this time.
I don't agree with their general approach to politics or with most of the rest of the editorial linked to here which refuses to endorse any party in the present election.
But to any reader who thinks that the concerns about Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party are all "smears" put together by the "right-wing press," the fact that a magazine which is sufficiently left-wing to put forward the other views in this article has also published the paragraphs which explain why they cannot endorse Labour under Jeremy Corbyn should come as a wake-up call.
EIGHT DAYS TO GO
A week tomorrow, Thursday 12th December 2019 is the UK general election.
Probably one of the most pivotal British elections in the lifetimes of the people currently alive.
Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm. If you have a postal vote you can put it in the post or hand it in to your local council: for example Copeland electors with a postal vote can put it into the ballot box at the Market Hall in Whitehaven.
However, you vote, make sure you use your vote. You cannot say you don't have a real choice at this election.
Vote Conservative to leave the EU, with a deal, by 31st January
Vote Lib/Dem to cancel Brexit and stay in the EU
Vote Labour if you want to spend more months if not years arguing about it and have two more referendums.
Probably one of the most pivotal British elections in the lifetimes of the people currently alive.
Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm. If you have a postal vote you can put it in the post or hand it in to your local council: for example Copeland electors with a postal vote can put it into the ballot box at the Market Hall in Whitehaven.
However, you vote, make sure you use your vote. You cannot say you don't have a real choice at this election.
Vote Conservative to leave the EU, with a deal, by 31st January
Vote Lib/Dem to cancel Brexit and stay in the EU
Vote Labour if you want to spend more months if not years arguing about it and have two more referendums.
Quote of the day 4th December 2019
"A People’s Republic is a place where you do what you are told or get shot. National Liberation Movements are organisations that are trying to create People’s Republics.”
(Thomas Sowell, American Economist)
(Thomas Sowell, American Economist)
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Music to relax after campaigning: Summer from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Rather less seasonally appropriate than yesterday's offering, but far too good not to use!
NINE DAYS TO GO
Nine days to the general election on 12th December
Nine days to what is probably one of the most important elections in British history.
People involved in politics say that at every election but this one really does look pivotal.
On 12th December Britain can either elect a Conservative majority government, which will leave the EU by 31st January with a deal, or a hung parliament which is likely to mean more dither and delay, two more referendums, and another election within a year.
Labour is no longer even bothering to pretend that they can afford all the expensive promises they are making. When Neil Kinnock was Labour leader he once said of one of his shadow cabinet members, the Bennite Michael Meacher, that
"He just cannot be allowed to go on rushing round like a demented Santa Claus, scattering imaginary tenners from his sleigh.”
That quote perfectly describes the Labour campaign in this election.
A Conservative majority government will:
Nine days to what is probably one of the most important elections in British history.
People involved in politics say that at every election but this one really does look pivotal.
On 12th December Britain can either elect a Conservative majority government, which will leave the EU by 31st January with a deal, or a hung parliament which is likely to mean more dither and delay, two more referendums, and another election within a year.
Labour is no longer even bothering to pretend that they can afford all the expensive promises they are making. When Neil Kinnock was Labour leader he once said of one of his shadow cabinet members, the Bennite Michael Meacher, that
"He just cannot be allowed to go on rushing round like a demented Santa Claus, scattering imaginary tenners from his sleigh.”
That quote perfectly describes the Labour campaign in this election.
A Conservative majority government will:
- unleash Britain’s potential.
- Invest in our NHS with 40 major hospital building projects,
- cut crime with 20,000 more police,
- introduce an Australian style points based immigration system, and
- give businesses and families the economic certainty they need to plan for the future with confidence.
Quote of the day 3rd December 2019
"If you handed it to us on a silver platter, we want nothing to do with it."
(President Donald Trump on the NHS, dismissing the suggestion that he would insist on the NHS being included in any UK/USA trade talks.)
(President Donald Trump on the NHS, dismissing the suggestion that he would insist on the NHS being included in any UK/USA trade talks.)
Monday, December 02, 2019
TEN DAYS TO GO
There are only 10 days to go until polling day!
The choice at this election is between a majority Conservative government that will end the paralysis and confusion in Parliament, get Brexit done, and let the country move on OR a hung Parliament bringing more confusion and Corbyn in Downing Street.
Only the Conservatives can win a majority – we only need to win 9 more seats to end the gridlock in Parliament.
Corbyn can’t win a majority but it is still possible that he might win enough seats in a hung parliament to form an administration propped up by the SNP.
Jeremy Corbyn has no plan for Brexit. Under Labour, 2020 would be lost to the chaos of another two referendums – one on Brexit and another on Scottish independence.
But with a Conservative Government we can unleash Britain’s potential. Investing in our NHS with 40 new hospitals, cutting crime with 20,000 more police, introducing an Australian style points based immigration system, and giving businesses and families the economic certainty they need to plan for the future with confidence.
YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYTHING LABOUR SAYS ABOUT THE NHS
Labour would have you believe that the Conservatives would destroy or sell off the NHS. Conservatives have been in power for most of the existence of the NHS: if we were going to do anything of the sort, don't you think we'd have done it by now?
They will tell you that all NHS staff want a Labour government. Actually there are senior NHS professionals such as Lord Darzi, who was a health minister in the last Labour government, who regard Labour proposals on issues like drugs as a grave threat to the NHS. Other senior doctors have slammed what Labour's proposed four day week would do an already serious shortage of NHS skilled staff time.
Remember everything Labour said about the NHS in Copeland during the Copeland by-election? None of their blood-curdling scaremongers about what would happen to specific services if the Conservatives won the by-election came true.
Labour said the Conservatives wanted to shut consultant-led maternity at West Cumberland hospital. We didn't, we haven't and it's been saved.
Labour said the Conservatives wanted to "Abolish A&E" at West Cumberland hospital
Labour said the Conservatives were proposing to "axe all beds"in Keswick Hospital
Actually we were backing the plans for MORE beds at Keswick and the extra beds are now there.
More on this subject to follow.
The choice at this election is between a majority Conservative government that will end the paralysis and confusion in Parliament, get Brexit done, and let the country move on OR a hung Parliament bringing more confusion and Corbyn in Downing Street.
Only the Conservatives can win a majority – we only need to win 9 more seats to end the gridlock in Parliament.
Corbyn can’t win a majority but it is still possible that he might win enough seats in a hung parliament to form an administration propped up by the SNP.
Jeremy Corbyn has no plan for Brexit. Under Labour, 2020 would be lost to the chaos of another two referendums – one on Brexit and another on Scottish independence.
But with a Conservative Government we can unleash Britain’s potential. Investing in our NHS with 40 new hospitals, cutting crime with 20,000 more police, introducing an Australian style points based immigration system, and giving businesses and families the economic certainty they need to plan for the future with confidence.
YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYTHING LABOUR SAYS ABOUT THE NHS
Labour would have you believe that the Conservatives would destroy or sell off the NHS. Conservatives have been in power for most of the existence of the NHS: if we were going to do anything of the sort, don't you think we'd have done it by now?
They will tell you that all NHS staff want a Labour government. Actually there are senior NHS professionals such as Lord Darzi, who was a health minister in the last Labour government, who regard Labour proposals on issues like drugs as a grave threat to the NHS. Other senior doctors have slammed what Labour's proposed four day week would do an already serious shortage of NHS skilled staff time.
Remember everything Labour said about the NHS in Copeland during the Copeland by-election? None of their blood-curdling scaremongers about what would happen to specific services if the Conservatives won the by-election came true.
Labour said the Conservatives wanted to shut consultant-led maternity at West Cumberland hospital. We didn't, we haven't and it's been saved.
Labour said the Conservatives wanted to "Abolish A&E" at West Cumberland hospital
We didn't, we haven't and it's still there.
Labour said the Conservatives were proposing to "axe all beds"in Keswick Hospital
Actually we were backing the plans for MORE beds at Keswick and the extra beds are now there.
More on this subject to follow.
Quote of the day 2nd December 2019
"I see no evidence that the NHS and drug prices would be on the table in a negotiation."
"Indeed there is far greater risk of increases in medicine prices and availability from his [Corbyn's] own policy."
(Lord Darzi, former health minister in the last Labour government and one of Britain's most senior clinicians, dismisses the NHS scaremongers currently being put round by the Labour party and criticises Labour policy on drug pricing, saying it will put research collaboration "under threat.")
"Indeed there is far greater risk of increases in medicine prices and availability from his [Corbyn's] own policy."
(Lord Darzi, former health minister in the last Labour government and one of Britain's most senior clinicians, dismisses the NHS scaremongers currently being put round by the Labour party and criticises Labour policy on drug pricing, saying it will put research collaboration "under threat.")
Sunday, December 01, 2019
Freudian slip award for General Election 2019
The Liberal Democrats in Penrith and the Border have just made the faux-pass of the election campaign so far by putting out a leaflet which says that Lib/Dem policy to tackle climate change will include, quote
"insulting every home."
Definitely a contender for the Freudian Slip award of GE2019. Gave us all good laugh, anyway!
"insulting every home."
One of my colleagues from the constituency responded that the Lib Dems "have been doing it for years."
(I presume they had intended to write "insulating every home.")
Protecting the public: responding to the London Bridge terror attack.
Our thoughts are with the two members of the public have lost their lives in this attack, and with their families, their loved ones and everybody affected by the attack. We pay tribute to the emergency services, the police, for their bravery and professionalism.
We also pay tribute again to the sheer bravery of those members of the public who went to deal with the perpetrator putting their own lives at risk.
Today, the Prime Minister has outlined how a Conservative majority government will keep people safe by stopping terrorists being let out of prison early.
He said:
‘Since becoming Prime Minister I’ve said we need a big change of direction on violent crime and security. What I have seen over the last 24 hours has made me angry -- it’s absolutely clear that we can’t carry on with the failed approaches of the past…
The terrorist who attacked on Friday was sentenced 11 years ago under laws passed in 2008 which established automatic early release. This system has got to end - I repeat, this has got to end, as I‘ve been saying for four months.
If you are convicted of a serious terrorist offence, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years - and some should never be released. Further, for all terrorism and extremist offences the sentence announced by the judge must be the time actually served - these criminals must serve every day of their sentence, with no exceptions.
These simple changes, in line with what I’ve been saying since becoming Prime Minister, would have prevented this attack. I believe they will help stop further attacks and these changes will be made urgently in the New Year if I am Prime Minister and have a majority in Parliament.’
CONSERVATIVES ARE WORKING TO KEEP BRITAIN SAFE
We are ensuring counter terrorism policing has the resources it needs. At the Spending Round we announced that the budget for counter-terrorism policing would increase in line with inflation, including continuing the additional £160 million announced at Budget 2018, which maintains current counter-terrorism capability and protects officer numbers.
We are developing a new Counter-Extremism Strategy to keep people safe. Our 2015 Counter-Extremism Strategy was the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and our new strategy will reflect the changing nature we face from extremism whilst building on the positive work already delivered.
We are taking action to ensure there is no safe place for terrorists online. We will legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – including ensuring there is no safe space for terrorists to hide online (Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019, link; HO/DCMS, Online Harms White Paper, 26 June 2019, link). In October this year we signed a landmark agreement with the US which will make it dramatically easier and faster to obtain data from US technology companies, including terrorist content.
We are working to improve the safety and security of public venues, following the terrible events in Manchester in 2017.
We’ve committed to update the Human Rights Act so that our security services can defend our country against terrorism. Our 2019 Manifesto states:
‘The ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime is critical. We will update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure that there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government’.
This will include measures designed to ensure that we can extradite or deport those who threaten the people of Britain.
We’re putting 20,000 more police on our streets and giving them the powers they need to keep us safe. More police on the streets will aid our response to terror incidents, and powers such as stop and search will enable them to identify and apprehend knife carriers.
We will end freedom of movement, making it harder for those who intend to cause us harm to enter the UK and easier to deport those who commit offences. Free movement means any EU criminals can come and reside in the UK, but we will take back control of our borders and keep track of those who come in and out of our country.
In government the Conservative Party has extended counter-terrorism powers. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act gives the UK greater powers to crackdown on hostile state activity, ensures sentencing for certain terrorism offences can properly reflect the severity of the crimes, and prevents re-offending and disrupting terrorist activity more rapidly.
The Act also updated existing counter-terrorism legislation to reflect the digital age including the way in which people view content online. It also reflects the speed at which terrorism plots develop.
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle far-right extremism. Following the terrorist attacks in 2017, the joint MI5 and counter-terrorism policing Operational Improvement Review proposed an increased role for MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in extreme right-wing terrorism. Our counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, addresses all forms of terrorism and no individual or group is free to spread hate or incite violence.
We are taking step to encourage integration and openness, addressing the root causes of extremism. We are tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination wherever it occurs while working to break down the barriers which hold different groups face.
We also pay tribute again to the sheer bravery of those members of the public who went to deal with the perpetrator putting their own lives at risk.
Today, the Prime Minister has outlined how a Conservative majority government will keep people safe by stopping terrorists being let out of prison early.
He said:
‘Since becoming Prime Minister I’ve said we need a big change of direction on violent crime and security. What I have seen over the last 24 hours has made me angry -- it’s absolutely clear that we can’t carry on with the failed approaches of the past…
The terrorist who attacked on Friday was sentenced 11 years ago under laws passed in 2008 which established automatic early release. This system has got to end - I repeat, this has got to end, as I‘ve been saying for four months.
If you are convicted of a serious terrorist offence, there should be a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years - and some should never be released. Further, for all terrorism and extremist offences the sentence announced by the judge must be the time actually served - these criminals must serve every day of their sentence, with no exceptions.
These simple changes, in line with what I’ve been saying since becoming Prime Minister, would have prevented this attack. I believe they will help stop further attacks and these changes will be made urgently in the New Year if I am Prime Minister and have a majority in Parliament.’
CONSERVATIVES ARE WORKING TO KEEP BRITAIN SAFE
We are ensuring counter terrorism policing has the resources it needs. At the Spending Round we announced that the budget for counter-terrorism policing would increase in line with inflation, including continuing the additional £160 million announced at Budget 2018, which maintains current counter-terrorism capability and protects officer numbers.
We are developing a new Counter-Extremism Strategy to keep people safe. Our 2015 Counter-Extremism Strategy was the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and our new strategy will reflect the changing nature we face from extremism whilst building on the positive work already delivered.
We are taking action to ensure there is no safe place for terrorists online. We will legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – including ensuring there is no safe space for terrorists to hide online (Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019, link; HO/DCMS, Online Harms White Paper, 26 June 2019, link). In October this year we signed a landmark agreement with the US which will make it dramatically easier and faster to obtain data from US technology companies, including terrorist content.
We are working to improve the safety and security of public venues, following the terrible events in Manchester in 2017.
We’ve committed to update the Human Rights Act so that our security services can defend our country against terrorism. Our 2019 Manifesto states:
‘The ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime is critical. We will update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure that there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government’.
This will include measures designed to ensure that we can extradite or deport those who threaten the people of Britain.
We’re putting 20,000 more police on our streets and giving them the powers they need to keep us safe. More police on the streets will aid our response to terror incidents, and powers such as stop and search will enable them to identify and apprehend knife carriers.
We will end freedom of movement, making it harder for those who intend to cause us harm to enter the UK and easier to deport those who commit offences. Free movement means any EU criminals can come and reside in the UK, but we will take back control of our borders and keep track of those who come in and out of our country.
In government the Conservative Party has extended counter-terrorism powers. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act gives the UK greater powers to crackdown on hostile state activity, ensures sentencing for certain terrorism offences can properly reflect the severity of the crimes, and prevents re-offending and disrupting terrorist activity more rapidly.
The Act also updated existing counter-terrorism legislation to reflect the digital age including the way in which people view content online. It also reflects the speed at which terrorism plots develop.
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle far-right extremism. Following the terrorist attacks in 2017, the joint MI5 and counter-terrorism policing Operational Improvement Review proposed an increased role for MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in extreme right-wing terrorism. Our counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, addresses all forms of terrorism and no individual or group is free to spread hate or incite violence.
We are taking step to encourage integration and openness, addressing the root causes of extremism. We are tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination wherever it occurs while working to break down the barriers which hold different groups face.
Quote of the day for Advent Sunday
Today is both the first of December - which is when many people think is a reasonable time for the Christmas season to start - and also Advent Sunday, which is when the Christian churches, who logically ought to have some say in the matter as it is the celebration by Christians of the birth of Jesus Christ, say that the lead in to Christmas officially starts.
So after weeks of seeing Christmas decorations and lights all over the place, and hearing Christmas "musak" in various shops, the Christmas season has finally officially arrived.
I personally think that the lead in to Christmas is more enjoyable if you celebrate it over the three to four weeks it is supposed to last rather than stretching it for two months starting just before Halloween.
Advent Sunday is the first day of the church's year: it is the start of the season when Christians look forward to the coming of Jesus.
Here is are two quotes, one from Mother Theresa and one from Pope Bendict, which for me sum up what Advent should be about.
So after weeks of seeing Christmas decorations and lights all over the place, and hearing Christmas "musak" in various shops, the Christmas season has finally officially arrived.
I personally think that the lead in to Christmas is more enjoyable if you celebrate it over the three to four weeks it is supposed to last rather than stretching it for two months starting just before Halloween.
Advent Sunday is the first day of the church's year: it is the start of the season when Christians look forward to the coming of Jesus.
Here is are two quotes, one from Mother Theresa and one from Pope Bendict, which for me sum up what Advent should be about.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Working to keep Britain Safe
Conservatives are ensuring counter terrorism policing has the resources it needs.
At the Spending Round we announced that the budget for counter-terrorism policing would increase in line with inflation, including continuing the additional £160 million announced at Budget 2018, which maintains current counter-terrorism capability and protects officer numbers (HMT, Spending Round 2019, 4 September 2019).
We are developing a new Counter-Extremism Strategy to keep people safe. In October our Commission for Countering Extremism published its report, which will inform our new Counter-Extremism Strategy. Our 2015 Counter-Extremism Strategy was the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and our new strategy will reflect the changing nature we face from extremism whilst building on the positive work already delivered (Home Office, Blog, 7 October 2019).
We are taking action to ensure there is no safe place for terrorists online. We will legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – including ensuring there is no safe space for terrorists to hide online
(Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019; HO/DCMS, Online Harms White Paper, 26 June 2019).
In October this year we signed a landmark agreement with the US which will make it dramatically easier and faster to obtain data from US technology companies, including terrorist content (HO, UK/US Data Access Agreement).
We are working to improve the safety and security of public venues, following the terrible events in Manchester in 2017 (Conservative Party Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
We’ve committed to update the Human Rights Act so that our security services can defend our country against terrorism. Our 2019 Manifesto states: ‘The ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime is critical. We will update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure that there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government’.
This could include things like ensuring we can extradite or deport those who threaten us (Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
We’re putting 20,000 more police on our streets and giving them the powers they need to keep us safe. More police on the streets will aid our response to terror incidents, and powers such as stop and search will enable them to identify and apprehend knife carriers.
We will end freedom of movement, making it harder for those who intend to cause us harm to enter the UK and easier to deport those who commit offences. Free movement means any EU criminals can come and reside in the UK, but we will take back control of our borders and keep track of those who come in and out of our country.
In government the Conservative Party has extended counter-terrorism powers. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act gives the UK greater powers to crackdown on hostile state activity, ensures sentencing for certain terrorism offences can properly reflect the severity of the crimes, and prevents re-offending and disrupting terrorist activity more rapidly.
The Act also updated existing counter-terrorism legislation to reflect the digital age including the way in which people view content online. It also reflects the speed at which terrorism plots develop (Home Office, News Story, 12 February 2019).
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle far-right extremism. Following the terrorist attacks in 2017, the joint MI5 and counter-terrorism policing Operational Improvement Review proposed an increased role for MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in extreme right-wing terrorism. Our counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, addresses all forms of terrorism in order to ensure that no individual or group whatever their ideology, is free to spread hate or incite violence (Home Office, Blog, 20 September 2019).
We are taking step to encourage integration and openness, addressing the root causes of extremism. We are tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination wherever it occurs while working to break down the barriers which hold different groups face (Conservative Party Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
At the Spending Round we announced that the budget for counter-terrorism policing would increase in line with inflation, including continuing the additional £160 million announced at Budget 2018, which maintains current counter-terrorism capability and protects officer numbers (HMT, Spending Round 2019, 4 September 2019).
We are developing a new Counter-Extremism Strategy to keep people safe. In October our Commission for Countering Extremism published its report, which will inform our new Counter-Extremism Strategy. Our 2015 Counter-Extremism Strategy was the first of its kind anywhere in the world, and our new strategy will reflect the changing nature we face from extremism whilst building on the positive work already delivered (Home Office, Blog, 7 October 2019).
We are taking action to ensure there is no safe place for terrorists online. We will legislate to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online – including ensuring there is no safe space for terrorists to hide online
(Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019; HO/DCMS, Online Harms White Paper, 26 June 2019).
In October this year we signed a landmark agreement with the US which will make it dramatically easier and faster to obtain data from US technology companies, including terrorist content (HO, UK/US Data Access Agreement).
We are working to improve the safety and security of public venues, following the terrible events in Manchester in 2017 (Conservative Party Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
We’ve committed to update the Human Rights Act so that our security services can defend our country against terrorism. Our 2019 Manifesto states: ‘The ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime is critical. We will update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure that there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our vital national security and effective government’.
This could include things like ensuring we can extradite or deport those who threaten us (Conservative Party, Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
We’re putting 20,000 more police on our streets and giving them the powers they need to keep us safe. More police on the streets will aid our response to terror incidents, and powers such as stop and search will enable them to identify and apprehend knife carriers.
We will end freedom of movement, making it harder for those who intend to cause us harm to enter the UK and easier to deport those who commit offences. Free movement means any EU criminals can come and reside in the UK, but we will take back control of our borders and keep track of those who come in and out of our country.
In government the Conservative Party has extended counter-terrorism powers. The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act gives the UK greater powers to crackdown on hostile state activity, ensures sentencing for certain terrorism offences can properly reflect the severity of the crimes, and prevents re-offending and disrupting terrorist activity more rapidly.
The Act also updated existing counter-terrorism legislation to reflect the digital age including the way in which people view content online. It also reflects the speed at which terrorism plots develop (Home Office, News Story, 12 February 2019).
We are stepping up our efforts to tackle far-right extremism. Following the terrorist attacks in 2017, the joint MI5 and counter-terrorism policing Operational Improvement Review proposed an increased role for MI5 and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre in extreme right-wing terrorism. Our counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, addresses all forms of terrorism in order to ensure that no individual or group whatever their ideology, is free to spread hate or incite violence (Home Office, Blog, 20 September 2019).
We are taking step to encourage integration and openness, addressing the root causes of extremism. We are tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination wherever it occurs while working to break down the barriers which hold different groups face (Conservative Party Manifesto 2019, 24 November 2019).
Full statement from the PM on the London Bridge Attack
Following yesterday’s appalling incident, please see the Prime Minister’s statement below.
'I've just been briefed by the commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the events at London Bridge this afternoon and while this is an ongoing investigation, the police can confirm that this was a terrorist incident.
And clearly, my thoughts are first with the emergency services, with the police, the bravery that they showed in going towards danger as they do.
I also want to pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery of those members of the public who physically intervened to protect the lives of others and for me, they represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country.
I think we are all very saddened also to learn that some people have been injured in this event and our sympathies are very much with them and with their loved ones.
Clearly, the Metropolitan Police are continuing their investigations and I can assure you, and assure everyone, that anybody involved in this crime and these attacks will be hunted down and will be brought to justice.
And I think the message that we send to them and anyone associated with this type of attack is one that will be familiar, and that is that this country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values will prevail.’
'I've just been briefed by the commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the events at London Bridge this afternoon and while this is an ongoing investigation, the police can confirm that this was a terrorist incident.
And clearly, my thoughts are first with the emergency services, with the police, the bravery that they showed in going towards danger as they do.
I also want to pay tribute to the extraordinary bravery of those members of the public who physically intervened to protect the lives of others and for me, they represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country.
I think we are all very saddened also to learn that some people have been injured in this event and our sympathies are very much with them and with their loved ones.
Clearly, the Metropolitan Police are continuing their investigations and I can assure you, and assure everyone, that anybody involved in this crime and these attacks will be hunted down and will be brought to justice.
And I think the message that we send to them and anyone associated with this type of attack is one that will be familiar, and that is that this country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values will prevail.’
Improving standards in Schools
Yesterday the Conservatives announced how we’ll improve standards in schools by giving Ofsted greater powers and more money – so we can make sure that every child in this country is getting a world class education.
This will mean:
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Campaigning resumes
Campaigning for the election has resumed today following a pause announced last night as a mark of respect for the London Bridge terror attack victims.
Watch for frost and ice
A lot of frost and ice on the ground this morning and through to the early afternoon.
Please do take great care if you are out and about.
Please do take great care if you are out and about.
Quotes of the day 30th November 2019
Responses to the London Bridge terror attack:
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said she wanted "to thank the members of the public who have helped, either by showing extraordinary courage by stepping in to tackle this attacker".
"Speechless. Members of the public with nothing but a narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher tackle a murderous terrorist. Heroism, pure and simple."
(Matthew Thompson on Twitter)
One member of the public ‘ran to the attacker and stamped on his wrist to make him drop the knife he was clutching. ‘Thomas Gray, 24, said he was “just a Londoner doing his bit” and went to the pub for a pint afterwards “to shake it off”’
(Henry Jones on twitter, quoting the Times)
"It only gets more British: "Thomas Gray, who was driving his classic mini over London Bridge at the time of the attack, said "One thought was going through my mind - stop the dude. I’ve played rugby for most my life and the rule on and off the pitch is ‘one in, all in’."" (Tim Stanley on twitter.)
"The handling of the lock down inside the cathedral by the clergy and stewards was astonishingly good. Obviously they must have an established protocol but even so top notch."
(David Morton, a Whitehaven resident who was visiting Southwark Cathedral at the time of the attack, on Twitter)
Mr Johnson praised emergency services and said members of the public "who physically intervened to protect the lives of others" showed "extraordinary bravery". "For me they represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country," he says
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said she wanted "to thank the members of the public who have helped, either by showing extraordinary courage by stepping in to tackle this attacker".
"Speechless. Members of the public with nothing but a narwhal tusk and a fire extinguisher tackle a murderous terrorist. Heroism, pure and simple."
(Matthew Thompson on Twitter)
One member of the public ‘ran to the attacker and stamped on his wrist to make him drop the knife he was clutching. ‘Thomas Gray, 24, said he was “just a Londoner doing his bit” and went to the pub for a pint afterwards “to shake it off”’
(Henry Jones on twitter, quoting the Times)
"It only gets more British: "Thomas Gray, who was driving his classic mini over London Bridge at the time of the attack, said "One thought was going through my mind - stop the dude. I’ve played rugby for most my life and the rule on and off the pitch is ‘one in, all in’."" (Tim Stanley on twitter.)
"The handling of the lock down inside the cathedral by the clergy and stewards was astonishingly good. Obviously they must have an established protocol but even so top notch."
(David Morton, a Whitehaven resident who was visiting Southwark Cathedral at the time of the attack, on Twitter)
Mr Johnson praised emergency services and said members of the public "who physically intervened to protect the lives of others" showed "extraordinary bravery". "For me they represent the very best of our country and I thank them on behalf of all of our country," he says
Friday, November 29, 2019
Social Media campaigning suspended
As a mark of respect to the victims of the London Bridge terror attack, social media campaigning for the general election has been suspended.
I will therefore not be putting any party-political posts on this blog until further notice.
I will therefore not be putting any party-political posts on this blog until further notice.
The London Bridge terror attack
Horrified to learn of another terror attack in London in which, at the time of posting, the attacker and two innocent members of the public have lost their lives and three more members of the public have been seriously injured.
I gather that the Met Police's commissioner, Cressida Dick told a press conference the stabbing attack in the London Bridge area, which has been declared a terrorist incident, began at an event at Fishmonger's Hall this afternoon. Within five minutes of being called officers confronted the suspect - who was shot dead by police - she said.
The suspect was wearing what is now thought to have been a hoax explosive device. He was a former prisoner and had been convicted of a terrorist offence, "sources" have told the BBC.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to Downing Street from his constituency, convened a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee at 21:30. He said the emergency services and members of the public who intervened "represent the very best of our country".
"This country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values, will prevail," Mr Johnson added.
Thoughts and prayers are with all the people who were hurt and their families.
I gather that the Met Police's commissioner, Cressida Dick told a press conference the stabbing attack in the London Bridge area, which has been declared a terrorist incident, began at an event at Fishmonger's Hall this afternoon. Within five minutes of being called officers confronted the suspect - who was shot dead by police - she said.
The suspect was wearing what is now thought to have been a hoax explosive device. He was a former prisoner and had been convicted of a terrorist offence, "sources" have told the BBC.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who returned to Downing Street from his constituency, convened a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee at 21:30. He said the emergency services and members of the public who intervened "represent the very best of our country".
"This country will never be cowed or divided or intimidated by this sort of attack and our values, our British values, will prevail," Mr Johnson added.
Thoughts and prayers are with all the people who were hurt and their families.
Everything to play for
The biggest mistake anyone could think about the 2017 general election would be to imagine that the outcome is certain.
Anyone who thinks that could not be more wrong.
One reason so many opinion polls have got recent elections and referendum result "wrong" is not because the polls failed to reflect what people were thinking when the fieldwork was carried out but because they generated a self-defeating prophecy.
If some voters who would back Boris Johnson to win a small majority think that he is heading for a landslide (which he almost certainly isn't) they might be tempted to cast a protest vote for someone else to limit the size of that landslide. The result could be another hung parliament which means at best another election in six months and at worst a Corbyn government.
Of course, it is by no means certain that this will happen again. Perhaps people have learned not to take any opinion poll as an infallible predictor of election results - which even opinion pollsters themselves, the wiser ones anyway, would warn them not to do. What Harold MacMillan called "Events, dear boy, Events" could yet intervene on either side.
As James Johnson writes on CAPX here, it is all still to play for.
The only poll that matters is the one on 12th December.
Anyone who thinks that could not be more wrong.
One reason so many opinion polls have got recent elections and referendum result "wrong" is not because the polls failed to reflect what people were thinking when the fieldwork was carried out but because they generated a self-defeating prophecy.
If some voters who would back Boris Johnson to win a small majority think that he is heading for a landslide (which he almost certainly isn't) they might be tempted to cast a protest vote for someone else to limit the size of that landslide. The result could be another hung parliament which means at best another election in six months and at worst a Corbyn government.
Similarly there are voters who like Labour but detest Jeremy Corbyn, some of whom will vote Labour as long as they don't think Jeremy Corbyn will actually become Prime Minister as a result but could not face doing so if they think he might win.
There have been similar effects at many of the elections over the past thirty years. I am convinced that Neil Kinnock's "Nuremberg Rally comes to Sheffield" speech in 1992 helped to cost him that election because voters thought he was going to win and didn't like what they saw: the belief among voters that David Cameron was going to win in 2010 probably cost him a majority and an opposite belief that he was going to lose in 2015 helped him to get one.
And the closest potential parallel to 2019 is the 2017 election, where at the outset everyone thought that Theresa May was heading for a landslide and Jeremy Corbyn could not possibly win: there were other reasons for the fact that this didn't happen but there is no doubt in my mind that it was a self-defeating prophecy which helped to stop Theresa May from getting a majority at all and nearly put Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street.
Of course, it is by no means certain that this will happen again. Perhaps people have learned not to take any opinion poll as an infallible predictor of election results - which even opinion pollsters themselves, the wiser ones anyway, would warn them not to do. What Harold MacMillan called "Events, dear boy, Events" could yet intervene on either side.
As James Johnson writes on CAPX here, it is all still to play for.
The only poll that matters is the one on 12th December.
Six Conservative pledges
Here are our guarantees for you and your family:
- Extra funding for the NHS, with 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more GP surgery appointments a year.
- 20,000 more police and tougher sentencing for criminals.
- An Australian-style points-based system to control immigration.
- Millions more invested every week in science, schools, apprenticeships and infrastructure while controlling debt.
- Reaching Net Zero by 2050 with investment in clean energy solutions and green infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and pollution.
- We will not raise the rate of income tax, VAT or National Insurance.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Making poor mobile signal a thing of the past
We set out this week how Conservatives will make poor mobile phone signal a thing of the past, ensuring no community is held back because of poor digital infrastructure.
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Getting people in work
New figures show that the number and proportion of children living in a workless household is at a record low; there are more working households than ever before; and 12.5 million households have all members over 16 in employment, up 331,000 over the past year.
Work is the best route out of poverty, and we want to help people into work, so they have the security of a regular pay packet and can provide for their children. Labour won’t allow the country to move on from Brexit and their dangerous plans would wreck the economy – meaning higher taxes, more debt and fewer jobs.
Key facts:
Under the Conservatives an average of 1,000 people have gone into work every day, supporting people to take control of their lives and build themselves a better future. We’ve seen over 3.7 million more people get the security of bringing home a regular pay packet.
The unemployment rate is at its lowest in 45 years.
Work is the best route out of poverty, and we want to help people into work, so they have the security of a regular pay packet and can provide for their children. Labour won’t allow the country to move on from Brexit and their dangerous plans would wreck the economy – meaning higher taxes, more debt and fewer jobs.
Key facts:
- More children than ever before are living in a working home. More children than ever before are now living in a household with a working adult, as the proportion of children in a home with at least one adult in work is 91 per cent.
- The number of children in households with all adults in work has increased by 262,000 in the last year, to 7.7 million – a rise of 1.7 million since 2010.
- The number of children in workless households is at a record low. Fewer than 1 in 11 children now live in a workless household, a record low.
- The number of children in workless households is down 760,000 since 2010 – a drop of almost 40 per cent – and a record low.
- The number of children living in households where all members had never worked, decreased by 58,000 over the year to 172,000.
- There are more working households than ever before. There are 12.5 million households in which all people are working, up over 1.5 million since 2010, a record high.
- This means there are 23.1 million people aged 16 to 64 in working households, up 1.1 percentage points over the year – to a new record high.
Under the Conservatives an average of 1,000 people have gone into work every day, supporting people to take control of their lives and build themselves a better future. We’ve seen over 3.7 million more people get the security of bringing home a regular pay packet.
The unemployment rate is at its lowest in 45 years.
Two weeks to go
Two weeks today is polling day in one of the most important general elections I can ever remember.
People involved in politics always describe the current election as important, but this one really is.
Cynics often say tat there is little real difference between the parties but you cannot say that this time. The policies offered by the major parties are more different than any I can ever remember.
The Conservatives will deliver Brexit: a Conservative majority government will leave the EU with the deal which is on the table, on or before 31st January 2020.
Conservatives will also increase government spending by a moderate amount to pay for 20,000 more police, the biggest every programme of building and improving hospitals, increasing the number of nurses by 50,000 compared with what will happen if nothing is done (partly by recruiting more, partly by making the profession more attractive so that fewer nurses leave) and improve school funding.
The Lib/Dems will stop Brexit: a Liberal Democrat majority government will revoke article 50, stop Brexit and effectively tell 17.4 million people that they don't give a f*** about their votes, as Caroline Lucas so eloquently put it.
They will increase government spending by a considerable amount.
Labour will spend months and years arguing about Brexit. Labour are talking about negotiating yet another different deal with the EU and then putting it back to the British people in a referendum in which they can't appear to decide which side they would be on. At one point Labour appeared to be saying they would vote against their own deal and they still have not ruled this out. The one aspect of Labour's Brexit policy which is certain is more delay and more argument, prolonging the uncertainty which is doing more damage to British business than almost any Brexit policy could.
Labour will also spend a vast amount of money, doubling the size of the state, which it is clear they don't have the faintest idea how to pay for: Labour claims that this could be funded by taxes on business and those who earn more than £80,000 a year have been exposed as nonsense.
Half way through the campaign Labour offered an extra £58 billion bribe which they don't even pretend to have included in their costings, not just to those WASPI women who actually need help but to all women of a certain age whether they need it or not: for example, former Prime Minister Theresa May would receive £22,000 under this policy. Labour have no idea how they would pay for this: it would probably mean people on low incomes paying more tax to give Theresa May and
women in her financial position a £22,000 payoff!
However, Labour have not repeated their previous promise to cancel student debt and have even tried to pretend Jeremy Corbyn never said he would like to do this (which he did.)
The one thing of which we can be certain: whatever the opinion polls suggest, the one poll which matters is a fortnight today on 12th December.
People involved in politics always describe the current election as important, but this one really is.
Cynics often say tat there is little real difference between the parties but you cannot say that this time. The policies offered by the major parties are more different than any I can ever remember.
The Conservatives will deliver Brexit: a Conservative majority government will leave the EU with the deal which is on the table, on or before 31st January 2020.
Conservatives will also increase government spending by a moderate amount to pay for 20,000 more police, the biggest every programme of building and improving hospitals, increasing the number of nurses by 50,000 compared with what will happen if nothing is done (partly by recruiting more, partly by making the profession more attractive so that fewer nurses leave) and improve school funding.
The Lib/Dems will stop Brexit: a Liberal Democrat majority government will revoke article 50, stop Brexit and effectively tell 17.4 million people that they don't give a f*** about their votes, as Caroline Lucas so eloquently put it.
They will increase government spending by a considerable amount.
Labour will spend months and years arguing about Brexit. Labour are talking about negotiating yet another different deal with the EU and then putting it back to the British people in a referendum in which they can't appear to decide which side they would be on. At one point Labour appeared to be saying they would vote against their own deal and they still have not ruled this out. The one aspect of Labour's Brexit policy which is certain is more delay and more argument, prolonging the uncertainty which is doing more damage to British business than almost any Brexit policy could.
Labour will also spend a vast amount of money, doubling the size of the state, which it is clear they don't have the faintest idea how to pay for: Labour claims that this could be funded by taxes on business and those who earn more than £80,000 a year have been exposed as nonsense.
Half way through the campaign Labour offered an extra £58 billion bribe which they don't even pretend to have included in their costings, not just to those WASPI women who actually need help but to all women of a certain age whether they need it or not: for example, former Prime Minister Theresa May would receive £22,000 under this policy. Labour have no idea how they would pay for this: it would probably mean people on low incomes paying more tax to give Theresa May and
women in her financial position a £22,000 payoff!
However, Labour have not repeated their previous promise to cancel student debt and have even tried to pretend Jeremy Corbyn never said he would like to do this (which he did.)
The one thing of which we can be certain: whatever the opinion polls suggest, the one poll which matters is a fortnight today on 12th December.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Quote of the day 27th November 2019
"For as long as we think the problem we face is one of anti-Semites and not as one of anti-Semitism we will misdiagnose it.
The "virus" metaphor has been one factor - albeit one among several others - that has stood in the way of Labour facing up to its problem.
Jewish leaders and their allies habitually reach for the "virus" or "poison" metaphor, and this prevents them from calling Labour to account more effectively.
When Labour leaders and supporters say there are few anti-Semites in the party, they are right. But this leads them to imagine mistakenly that they can address anti-Semitism by ejecting "a few bad apples."
The reality is that Labour’s anti-Semitism problem is neither so simple nor contained: the issue is one of anti-Semitism, not anti-Semites.
This is something that will only be addressed by education, contrition and a leadership able to recognize and explain to members how racism can enter a political party, even one that conceives itself as the embodiment of anti-racist principles."
(David Feldman, Director of the Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism at Birkbeck, University of London where he is also a Professor of History. He was a Vice Chair of the Chakrabarti Inquiry into Antisemitism and other forms of racism in the British Labour Party.
This is the conclusion of an excellent and original article into how we can more effectively oppose Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, which can be read in full here.)
The "virus" metaphor has been one factor - albeit one among several others - that has stood in the way of Labour facing up to its problem.
Jewish leaders and their allies habitually reach for the "virus" or "poison" metaphor, and this prevents them from calling Labour to account more effectively.
When Labour leaders and supporters say there are few anti-Semites in the party, they are right. But this leads them to imagine mistakenly that they can address anti-Semitism by ejecting "a few bad apples."
The reality is that Labour’s anti-Semitism problem is neither so simple nor contained: the issue is one of anti-Semitism, not anti-Semites.
This is something that will only be addressed by education, contrition and a leadership able to recognize and explain to members how racism can enter a political party, even one that conceives itself as the embodiment of anti-racist principles."
(David Feldman, Director of the Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism at Birkbeck, University of London where he is also a Professor of History. He was a Vice Chair of the Chakrabarti Inquiry into Antisemitism and other forms of racism in the British Labour Party.
This is the conclusion of an excellent and original article into how we can more effectively oppose Anti-Semitism and other forms of racism, which can be read in full here.)
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim prejudice
Last year I successfully proposed, in a non-partisan manner which was able to obtain all-party support, that Cumbria County Council should adopt the IHRA working definition of Anti-Semitism.
I said while proposing that motion that no party is completely free of Anti-Semitism and that no party can afford to be complacent about it.
I also said while proposing the same motion that there are other forms of prejudice which are also very worrying and called out prejudice against Muslims as one of them. The previous comment about Anti-Semitism applies to these forms of prejudice too - that no party is completely free of such prejudice or can afford to be complacent also applies.
The extraordinary comments by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, warning that the Labour party is not doing enough to root out Anti-Semitism should be treated very seriously.
I think it is almost impossible to credibly dispute that the worst problem with a form of racism in a mainstream political party on the UK mainland is Anti-Semitism in the Labour party, a problem currently being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights commission.
It is my personal impression that another significant problem, which does not get called out anything like as often as it should be, is Anti-English bigotry in the Scottish National Party.
Almost every political party has either had to expel or suspend members, or should have, because of a wide range of hate speech or unacceptable conduct. Anti-Jewish or Anti-Muslim prejudice are the most common, but the Labour party was also called out this week for Anti-Hindu prejudice.
While I do not for one second think that the Conservative party has anything like as serious a problem with either Anti-Semitism or Anti-Muslim prejudice as Labour has with Anti-Semitism, we cannot afford to ignore either.
That's why I welcome the fact that, when he was asked about this today, the Prime Minister did apologise for anti-Muslim prejudice in the Conservative party and confirmed that an inquiry into "every manner of prejudice and discrimination" in the party would begin by Christmas.
Former Conservative chairman Baroness Warsi, who has been calling for an inquiry, said the apology was "a good start".
The difference between Boris Johnson's willingness to apologise, admit that there is a problem and describe what will be done about it, and Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to apologise for Labour's Anti-Semitism problem was glaring.
I said while proposing that motion that no party is completely free of Anti-Semitism and that no party can afford to be complacent about it.
I also said while proposing the same motion that there are other forms of prejudice which are also very worrying and called out prejudice against Muslims as one of them. The previous comment about Anti-Semitism applies to these forms of prejudice too - that no party is completely free of such prejudice or can afford to be complacent also applies.
The extraordinary comments by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, warning that the Labour party is not doing enough to root out Anti-Semitism should be treated very seriously.
I think it is almost impossible to credibly dispute that the worst problem with a form of racism in a mainstream political party on the UK mainland is Anti-Semitism in the Labour party, a problem currently being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights commission.
It is my personal impression that another significant problem, which does not get called out anything like as often as it should be, is Anti-English bigotry in the Scottish National Party.
Almost every political party has either had to expel or suspend members, or should have, because of a wide range of hate speech or unacceptable conduct. Anti-Jewish or Anti-Muslim prejudice are the most common, but the Labour party was also called out this week for Anti-Hindu prejudice.
While I do not for one second think that the Conservative party has anything like as serious a problem with either Anti-Semitism or Anti-Muslim prejudice as Labour has with Anti-Semitism, we cannot afford to ignore either.
That's why I welcome the fact that, when he was asked about this today, the Prime Minister did apologise for anti-Muslim prejudice in the Conservative party and confirmed that an inquiry into "every manner of prejudice and discrimination" in the party would begin by Christmas.
Former Conservative chairman Baroness Warsi, who has been calling for an inquiry, said the apology was "a good start".
The difference between Boris Johnson's willingness to apologise, admit that there is a problem and describe what will be done about it, and Jeremy Corbyn's refusal to apologise for Labour's Anti-Semitism problem was glaring.
Conservatives promise Whitehaven Relief Road.
Conservatives promise Whitehaven relief road
Chancellor Sajid Javid and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were in Cumbria today to launch the Conservative party's North West manifesto.
Speaking in Cleator Moor this afternoon, they promised a Conservative majority government will proceed with the scheme which had massive local support in a recent public consultation.
The announcement was warmly welcomed by the audience.
Sajid Javid and Grant Shapps also promised to proceed with other proposals to unlock the potential of the North West, including making the transpennine A66 route a dual carriageway, providing better trains on local rail services, and reviewing the possibility of reactivating the rail line to Silloth as part of a programme of reversing the Beeching-era cuts to the rail network.
Chancellor Sajid Javid and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps were in Cumbria today to launch the Conservative party's North West manifesto.
Speaking in Cleator Moor this afternoon, they promised a Conservative majority government will proceed with the scheme which had massive local support in a recent public consultation.
The announcement was warmly welcomed by the audience.
Sajid Javid and Grant Shapps also promised to proceed with other proposals to unlock the potential of the North West, including making the transpennine A66 route a dual carriageway, providing better trains on local rail services, and reviewing the possibility of reactivating the rail line to Silloth as part of a programme of reversing the Beeching-era cuts to the rail network.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Follow on quote of the day 26th November 2019
"The Chief Rabbi is, sadly, quite justified in saying what he says. I can't vote to put the appalling people at the head of the Labour party into power. I'm stunned at some of the people who can."
(Philip Collins @PCollinsTimes on Twitter today)
(Philip Collins @PCollinsTimes on Twitter today)
Quote of the day 26th November 2019
"The way in which the leadership of the Labour Party has dealt with anti-Jewish racism is incompatible with the British values of which we are so proud - of dignity and respect for all people."
"It has left many decent Labour members and parliamentarians, both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired."
Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, writing in today's Tunes.
He added that it was "not my place to tell any person how they should vote" but he urged the public to "vote with their conscience".
The Chief Rabbi also said that the response of Labour's leadership to threats against parliamentarians, members and staff has been "utterly inadequate" and said it "can no longer claim to be the party of equality and anti-racism".
"It has left many decent Labour members and parliamentarians, both Jewish and non-Jewish, ashamed of what has transpired."
Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, writing in today's Tunes.
He added that it was "not my place to tell any person how they should vote" but he urged the public to "vote with their conscience".
The Chief Rabbi also said that the response of Labour's leadership to threats against parliamentarians, members and staff has been "utterly inadequate" and said it "can no longer claim to be the party of equality and anti-racism".
Monday, November 25, 2019
Boris in Wales
Today, the Prime Minister is in Wales – launching our Welsh Conservative manifesto. The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic union in history. Together, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are safer, stronger and more prosperous. And as the Conservative and Unionist Party, we believe our best days lie ahead.
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The key things a majority Conservative government will deliver for Wales are:
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Quote of the day 25th November 2019
“All Labour governments end with an economic crisis.
As far as I can tell, the only difference with Corbyn and John McDonnell is they intend to start with an economic crisis.”
(Boris Johnson)
As far as I can tell, the only difference with Corbyn and John McDonnell is they intend to start with an economic crisis.”
(Boris Johnson)
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Conesrvative manifesto launched
The Prime Minister has launched the 2019 Conservative General Election Manifesto.
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If there is a majority of Conservative MPs on 13 December, we will get our new deal through Parliament. We will get Brexit done in January and unleash the potential of our whole country.
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We guarantee:
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Please support a majority Conservative Government so our country can move on instead of going backwards.
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Here are some other key commitments:
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How not to conduct a politicsl discussion
A sad reflection on the state of British politics provided today by a tweet from an SNP parliamentary candidate:
Now I have not always been the greatest fan of the Liberal Democrats and am seriously out of sympathy with the platform on which they are fighting the current election.
But I cannot see that shouting obscenities at canvassers who you think are Lib/Dems - or any other party for that matter - is exactly constructive or commendable.
The fact that a parliamentary candidate thought it was OK to give a "Big shout out" to someone who did this - or for apologising when she realised she had shouted at the wrong party, which should make no difference at all - is a very good metaphor for the deplorable state of political discourse in this country.
Now I have not always been the greatest fan of the Liberal Democrats and am seriously out of sympathy with the platform on which they are fighting the current election.
But I cannot see that shouting obscenities at canvassers who you think are Lib/Dems - or any other party for that matter - is exactly constructive or commendable.
The fact that a parliamentary candidate thought it was OK to give a "Big shout out" to someone who did this - or for apologising when she realised she had shouted at the wrong party, which should make no difference at all - is a very good metaphor for the deplorable state of political discourse in this country.
Professor Angus Dalgleish on Labour's NHS policy
Following up my quote of the day from this morning.
"I don't think the NHS would survive a Labour government."— Sun Politics (@SunPolitics) November 23, 2019
45-year NHS veteran Prof Angus Dalgleish gives his devastating take on Labour's NHS policy. pic.twitter.com/OJKztbR5Lh
Campaign update from Kells
Copeland Conservatives were out again today campaigning in Kells.
Struck by the number of lifelong Labour voters who will not be backing them this time.
One gentleman said to me that he will be voting Conservative for the first time in his life. Another told a colleague that he just cannot vote Labour while Jeremy Corbyn is their leader.
Yesterday in Cleator Moor, another voter who is switching from Labour to the Conservatives told me that if you had told him ten years ago he'd ever vote Conservative rather than Labouir he'd not have believed you.
I said "No, but it's not the same Labour party you used to vote for, is it?" and he agreed.
These were not one-off comments.
The only test of support which matters will be the one in the ballot box on 12th December and there is still everything to play for, but I am now cautiously optimistic.
Struck by the number of lifelong Labour voters who will not be backing them this time.
One gentleman said to me that he will be voting Conservative for the first time in his life. Another told a colleague that he just cannot vote Labour while Jeremy Corbyn is their leader.
Yesterday in Cleator Moor, another voter who is switching from Labour to the Conservatives told me that if you had told him ten years ago he'd ever vote Conservative rather than Labouir he'd not have believed you.
I said "No, but it's not the same Labour party you used to vote for, is it?" and he agreed.
These were not one-off comments.
The only test of support which matters will be the one in the ballot box on 12th December and there is still everything to play for, but I am now cautiously optimistic.
Policy update: bursaries for trainee nurses to be reinstated
Great news that the Conservative manifesto includes re-introduction of bursaries for trainee nurses.
Of all the economies which were made to reverse the financial crisis inherited by the coalition in 2010 when the government was spending a pound for every found pounds coming in, this was the one which most cried out to be reversed as soon as financial circumstances permit.
Very welcome announcement.
Of all the economies which were made to reverse the financial crisis inherited by the coalition in 2010 when the government was spending a pound for every found pounds coming in, this was the one which most cried out to be reversed as soon as financial circumstances permit.
Very welcome announcement.
Cartoon of the campaign to date ...
Boris Johnson used a very old, but entirely appropriate, line making the same point about Jeremy Corbyn's Brexit position:
"He used to be indecisive, now he's not so sure."
The old ones are the best ones.
Quote of the day 24th November 2019
"When I read the reports that Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party is proposing a four-day working week, I could not believe any supposedly serious politician was contemplating something so fundamentally stupid.
"Yes, I can see it might buy Labour some cheap votes at the ballot box, especially from those won over by the economically illiterate, but electorally compelling, footnote — that a shorter week (32 hours) would involve no loss of pay.
"But this completely ignores the fact that reducing the hours of public-sector employees — doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc — would impose an extra cost on the Treasury, because the workforce would have to expand to ensure productivity and service delivery.
"What Corbyn and his Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, are choosing to ignore is that this proposal would spell the end of the NHS as we know it. That's the same NHS the Labour Party is supposed to love and cherish. The same NHS that Mr Corbyn insists — over and over — won't be safe in Tory hands.
"Well, you might — just might — be able to produce enough widgets of the appropriate standard in a four-day week, but you certainly can't produce good doctors or nurses, or deliver first-class healthcare.
"I have worked in the NHS for more than 40 years, and I can tell Mr Corbyn that his radical plan would be a catastrophe."
(Professor Angus Dalgleish, a consultant oncologist at St George's, London, extracts from an article which anyone thinking of voting Labour in the naïve and untrue belief that they will be helping the NHS, and also any Labour politician who is sincere about helping the NHS and wants to understand the downside of their policies, should read in full here.)
He has also said this week,
"I don't think the NHS would survive a Labour government."
"Yes, I can see it might buy Labour some cheap votes at the ballot box, especially from those won over by the economically illiterate, but electorally compelling, footnote — that a shorter week (32 hours) would involve no loss of pay.
"But this completely ignores the fact that reducing the hours of public-sector employees — doctors, nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc — would impose an extra cost on the Treasury, because the workforce would have to expand to ensure productivity and service delivery.
"What Corbyn and his Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, are choosing to ignore is that this proposal would spell the end of the NHS as we know it. That's the same NHS the Labour Party is supposed to love and cherish. The same NHS that Mr Corbyn insists — over and over — won't be safe in Tory hands.
"Well, you might — just might — be able to produce enough widgets of the appropriate standard in a four-day week, but you certainly can't produce good doctors or nurses, or deliver first-class healthcare.
"I have worked in the NHS for more than 40 years, and I can tell Mr Corbyn that his radical plan would be a catastrophe."
(Professor Angus Dalgleish, a consultant oncologist at St George's, London, extracts from an article which anyone thinking of voting Labour in the naïve and untrue belief that they will be helping the NHS, and also any Labour politician who is sincere about helping the NHS and wants to understand the downside of their policies, should read in full here.)
He has also said this week,
"I don't think the NHS would survive a Labour government."
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Supporting our NHS
The National Health Service is near the top of the priority list of the vast majority of voters.
We need to give the NHS more support to deal with the challenges it faces
We need to give the NHS more support to deal with the challenges it faces
And so today, we’ve announced that a Conservative majority government will:
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All this is in sharp contrast to Labour’s four day week which would cripple our NHS, and leave it with less funding.
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Unleashing Britain's potential
Here are some of the Conservatives' plans to unleash the potential of this dynamic country. A Conservative majority Government will:
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More in our manifesto which will be launched tomorrow.
Chris Moncrieff RIP
Christopher Moncrieff CBE, a political reporter who covered Westminster for more than 50 years for the Press Association, died yesterday at the age of 88.
Chris Moncrieff continued to file stories long after he officially retired in 1994 and published articles in local newspapers in Cumbria until very recently - if my memory is not playing tricks he wrote at least one column in the Whitehaven news earlier this year.
He was once described by Sir John Major as a "National Treasure" and by the Press Association's current editor-in-chief Pete Clifton as a "legend".
In 2007, the House of Commons press bar was renamed in Mr Moncrieff's honour.
The new House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who first met Mr Moncrieff in 1997 when he was elected to Parliament, said:
"Chris was the last of the great old journalists, the old school that everybody respected."
He is survived by the four children he had with his late wife, Margaret.
Rest in Peace.
Chris Moncrieff continued to file stories long after he officially retired in 1994 and published articles in local newspapers in Cumbria until very recently - if my memory is not playing tricks he wrote at least one column in the Whitehaven news earlier this year.
He was once described by Sir John Major as a "National Treasure" and by the Press Association's current editor-in-chief Pete Clifton as a "legend".
In 2007, the House of Commons press bar was renamed in Mr Moncrieff's honour.
The new House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who first met Mr Moncrieff in 1997 when he was elected to Parliament, said:
"Chris was the last of the great old journalists, the old school that everybody respected."
He is survived by the four children he had with his late wife, Margaret.
Rest in Peace.
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