Industry News
13th August 2008
PubAffairs Cricket: PubAffairs vs The NAO, 13 August 2008
PubAffairs win the battle but not quite the war
Match report By Tony Cox: Part-time wicketkeeper, roving journalist and consultant at Linstock Communications
And so the curtain comes down on the inaugural Westminster Cricket League - possibly the last major tournament not to sell its soul to Coca Cola, Gillette or the like. More money has poured into twenty twenty cricket than Robert Mugabe's swiss bank account and I have no doubt the sponsors will be queuing up over the winter after this barnstorming season.
And so to the league winners - the NAO. Despite going down to a ruthless performance from PubAffairs in the final match they topped the league and celebrated their title with post match champagne...Download the full match report below
PubAffairs vs NAO Match Report 13August08.pdf
11th August 2008
PubAffairs News is Taking a Summer Break until September
11th August 2008
Tory Plans to Reform Bail Laws
Shadow Justice Secretary, Nick Herbert, has launched plans that would tighten bail laws and "put public safety first". The suggested reform would alter the decision to bail defendants and the enforcement of conditions when a suspect is bailed. Read more about the plans
11th August 2008
Lords & Commons Joint Committee on UK Bill of Rights
The Lords and Commons Joint Committee on Human Rights has published a report into whether the UK should have a Bill of Rights noting that a 'UK Bill of Rights and Freedoms' should include rights to health, education, housing and a healthy environment. The Report said that "there is considerable scope for a Bill of Rights to add to what is already provided in the [Human Rights Act] and we are therefore satisfied that the case for a Bill of Rights is made out". Read the Report
6th August 2008
Independent's Poll-of-Polls: How Labour Unpopularity Could Translate to Seats
A poll-of-polls taking the weighted average of last month's voter surveys for The Independent shows the Conservatives continuing to ride high with 44% to Labour's 27% and the Lib Dems on 18%. The newspaper points out that "If that were reflected in a general election, the Tories would have 391 MPs and Labour would be banished to its heartlands with just 195 MPs". Read all about it in the Independent's article 'Poll of polls shows Labour at its most unpopular since 1935'
6th August 2008
Commons Leaders Question MPs over Financial Control & Audit
Harriet Harman, Leader of the House of Commons, and Deputy Leader Helen Goodman, have published a Command Paper proposing further action to improve the financial control and audit of the system of allowances claimed by MPs. The paper poses questions to all MPs for achieving better scrutiny of the £93 million of public money claimed annually. MPs have been asked to submit responses to the consultation by 29th September. Download the document
5th August 2008
Former Tory Candidate Pleads Guilty to LibDem Harrassment
Ian Oakley, the former Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Watford, has pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and five counts of criminal damage at St Albans' Magistrates Court. The offences included harassment of Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Sal Brinton who said "I am relieved that Ian Oakley has pleaded guilty and that the nightmare of the last three years may finally be coming to an end. This has been a traumatic period for all those who have suffered from his vile campaign to defame, intimidate and terrorise people, simply for expressing support for a political party". Edward Davey, Chair of Campaigns and Communications for the Liberal Democrats, has written to Conservative Leader David Cameron to demand that an urgent inquiry is held into the activities of Watford Conservative Party. Read the Liberal Democrat press release
5th August 2008
BERR Crack Down on Rogue Employers
The Government has unveiled a drive to crack down on rogue employers from undercuting honest businesses and abusing vulnerable workers. The plan will be overseen by the new Fair Employment Enforcement Board, chaired by the Employment Relations Minister, and charged with co-ordinating government enforcement agencies covering minimum wage, health and safety, employment agencies and gangmasters. Business and trade union representatives will be included in the Board's structure. A telephone helpline for vulnerable workers to report abuses will be created. Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said "We want to prevent unscrupulous employers who undercut honest competition and prey on people who are fearful or so desperate to earn a living that they are open to exploitation".
5th August 2008
Lords Criticises Parliament Involvement in Terror Suspect Detention
The House of Lords Select Committee on theConstitution has criticised the proposed involvement of Parliament in detention of terrorism suspects for up to 42 days. The Report, Counter-Terrorism Bill: The Role of Ministers, Parliament and the Judiciary, notes that "In developing this scheme, the Government have sought to devise ways in which Parliament may be involved in decision-taking about police detention of terrorist suspects. Insofar as the motivation is to ensure democratic accountability, this is understandable; in our view, however, it is muddled. The Bill risks conflating the roles of Parliament and the judiciary". The Lords are concerned that "Parliament would be asked, under the scheme of the bill, to make decisions that in the circumstances it is institutionally ill-equipped to determine".
4th August 2008
Cabinet Meetings Move Around UK, BBC Reports
The BBC is reporting that the first Cabinet Meeting after the summer break may be held outside London. Tuesday morning Cabinet meetings take place in 10 Downing Street, but it is reported the first meeting back could be held in the West Midlands on the 8th September, as part of a shake up to further engage with the public.
4th August 2008
Tory Plan to Strengthen Family Life
Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Michael Gove has promised support for stable family structures to increase equality and opportunity. Gove stressed in his speech that a secure start in life in a stable family environment is the "best guarantee of maximising opportunity" and outlined a series of plans including a universal health visitor service and introducing flexible parental leave. He also criticised the "instant-hit hedonism celebrated by the modern men's magazines targeted at younger males" continuing that "Titles such as Nuts and Zoo paint a picture of women as permanently, lasciviously, uncomplicatedly available. The images they use and project reinforce a very narrow conception of beauty and a shallow approach towards women. They celebrate thrill-seeking and instant gratification without ever allowing any thought of responsibility towards others, or commitment, to intrude. The contrast with the work done by women's magazines, and their publishers, to address their readers in a mature and responsible fashion, is striking". Read the full speech
31st July 2008
PubAffairs Cricket: PubAffairs vs The Conservative Party 30 July, Match Report
PubAffairs take a big political scalp
Match report By Tony Cox. Wicketkeeper, roving journalist and consultant at Linstock Communications
With the Conservative Party flying high in the polls and very much odds on to form the next government one would expect a bunch of self seeking public affairs professionals to roll over and ask Dave's boys to scratch their bellies.
Well I have to say that this match was nothing of the sort. From the off PubAffairs were going for the kill. After the Tories threatened to make them field with only four men (due it must be noted to Boris' tube system) PubAffairs went for the jugular....Download the full report below.
PubAffairs vs Conservative Party Match Report 30July08.pdf
30th July 2008
Conservatives to 'Unite Britain's Divided Cities'
The Conservative Party has launched a programme which urges 'social responsibility, not state control' to unite Britain's divided cities. The five-point plan aims to tackle the "social gulf that exists between rich and poor in our cities" and includes: improving education in divided communities; supporting comunity groups in deprived areas; tackling youth gang crime; and specialist 'welfare to work' programmes in the poorest neighbourhoods". Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Chris Grayling, said "We should not be tolerating a society where the social divide has become so vast". Download the document 'Uniting Britain's Divided Cities'
29th July 2008
More Poll Woe for Brown post-Glasgow East
A Populus poll for The Times newspaper puts the Labour Party on 27%, a drop of 1. The Conservative Party is up 2 points to 43% whilst the Liberal Democrats have 18%, another fall of 1. The survey revealed that only 52% think that removing Gordon Brown as leader could revive the Party's fortunes. Read all about it
29th July 2008
Standards Committee Postpones MP Expenses Inquiry
The Committee on Standards in Public Life has postponed its decision on conducting a review of MPs’ pay and allowances, by taking a "pragmatic approach [to] defer a decision about whether to launch an inquiry until next year" said Sir Christopher Kelly, Chairman of the Committee. This is to allow time to see how the recently announced new arrangements would be implemented in practice and affect the situation. Kelly said "The Committee on Standards in Public Life has been monitoring developments on MPs’ allowances over the last few months following widespread public concern about the current arrangement. We have noted the recent vote in the House of Commons accepting Government proposals for a more robust system of external audit of expenses claims to be conducted by the National Audit Office and a review of the Green Book which sets out the allowances and entitlement to them. We have been assured that the audit will cover all relevant areas including a sampling of allowance transactions and that the review will be both comprehensive and involve independent people from outside the House of Commons. We recognise these as potentially significant developments - particularly when also taking into account progress towards greater transparency about what is claimed by individual Members". Read all about it
28th July 2008
Labour Party's National Policy Forum
Read about the Prime Minister's speech at the Labour Party's National Policy Forum at Warwick University. The Times newspaper reports that Gordon Brown "caved in to unions, allowing a series of concessions - including an extension of the minimum wage - in a move that sent shudders through the business community". UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis "welcomed agreements reached on key issues, such as public services, equalities and workforce protections" and said the agreed package "provides a sound basis for rebuilding support for Labour's core values".
28th July 2008
Obama in London
US Democratic Presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, has held what have been described by Downing Street officials as "warm and engaging" discussions with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. On the agenda were foreign policy issues including Iraq and the Middle East. Illinois Senator Obama also had a "very positive" meeting with Opposition leader, David Cameron, talking about the "long-term underlying problems" affecting the US and British economies and how best these might be tackled.
28th July 2008
Cameron's Reunited
Conservative Leader David Cameron has been reuninuted with his bicycle, after it was stolen last Wednesday from outside a supermarket in Notting Hill. The bike was found with the front wheel missing, though Mr Cameron's helmet was still attached. The bike was recovered by 60 year old Ernest Theophile who said "You never want to see anyone have their bike nicked - not even a Tory".
28th July 2008
DCMS Consults on Television Product Placement
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport has launched a consultation on video-on-demand services and product placement on television. The new rules form part of the implementation of the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive. The Government consultation includes the introduction of a system for regulating video-on-demand services in the UK, together with controls over the content of non-EU satellite channels that are uplinked from a ground station in the UK. The EU Directive paves the way for Member States to relax prohibitions on product placement. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said “Preserving standards must be the guiding principles as we look to the media of the future. We need to ensure that traditional protections against inappropriate content and advertising standards are secured as technology advances. My instincts remain that if we were to relax the ban on product placement we would put at risk the integrity in British programming that underpins its international reputation. But I’m open to hearing other views. If, as some in the industry are saying, this is a crucial step for broadcasters, then the industry must marshal strong arguments and put forward a convincing case". Download the consultation paper
26th July 2008
Lords Report on Initiation of EU Legislation
The House of Lords EU Committee has published its Report on the Initiation of EU Legislation. Looking at how legislation comes about, the text details the process for draft law preparation. The Report includes sections on lobbying, consultation, the role of national Parliaments, the right of initiative and sources of ideas for legislation. Download the Report
25th July 2008
SNP Wins Glasgow East from Labour with 22% Swing
The SNP's John Mason has won the Glasgow East by-election by 365 votes, cutting down the former Labour safe seat from a previous majority from 13,507 with a 22% swing. Mason received 11,277 votes to Labour candidate Margaret Curran's 10,912. The Conservative candidate Davena Rankin came third with 1,639 to the Liberal Democrats's Ian Robertson on 915. John Mason said "It is an epic win and the tremors will be felt all the way to Downing Street".
24th July 2008
Johnson Tackles Obesity Challenge
In a lecture to the Fabian Society on public health, Health Secretary Alan Johnson called for a national movement to tackle obesity as "the biggest health challenge we face". Johnson set out the role of government in supporting people to take control of their own health. Johnson noted that "Our strategy made clear that in approaching this problem, we reject both the “nanny state,” which polices shopping trolleys and institutes exercise regimes and the neglectful state, which wipes its hands of the problem, and wags the finger in the direction of the most vulnerable families in the vague hope that they will do as they are told" and went on to say that the "gravity of the obesity challenge demands that we grasp the true nature and complexity of its causes, and enable people to adapt their lifestyles in order to avoid the damage that obesity can cause". Read the full speech
24th July 2008
France Removes 35-Hour Working Week Limit
The French Parliament has agreed legislation to allow firms to scrap the 35 hour working week. President Nicolas Sarkozy has not, however, gone all the way in removing the rules completely, firms will be able to negotiate individual deals with trade unions covering working time and overtime hours. Read the new law
24th July 2008
Industry Initiative to Tackle Online File-Sharing
An industry agreement to address unlawful file-sharing of film and music online has been announced by major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the British Phonographic Industry and the Motion Picture Association, endorsed by the Anti-Film Theft Taskforce and Government. On the back of today's publication of a Government consultation on unlawful file sharing online, the approach will see the bodies engaging to educate users and creating with the involvement of Ofcom, a self-regulatory environment. The six ISPs are Virgin Media, Sky, Carphone Warehouse, BT, Orange and Tiscali. Business Secretary of State John Hutton said "This light-touch approach keeps up with the pace set by technology and will protect consumers, creative industries and the use of technology now and in the longer term". Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport said that the announcement "holds out the hope of a sustainable future for music and our other creative industries whilst ensuring that consumers continue to get the full benefits that new technology can offer".
23rd July 2008
Brown Comes Unstuck as Campaigner Glues Himself to PM's Sleeve
Dan Glass, campaigner for Plane Stupid, a network of groups taking action against airport expansion and aviation's climate impact, super-glued himself to the Prime Minister at a Downing Street reception where he was to receive an award for his lobbying work. In a non-violent protest, Glass stuck himself briefly to Gordon Brown's jacket as the two shook hands.
23rd July 2008
Full List of Special Advisors
Click here for the full list of the 73 Special Advisors in post as of 22 July.
23rd July 2008
Government looks to e-petitions to engage public
Harriet Harman, Leader of the House of Commons, has given the go-ahead for an e-petitioning system, in order to improve engagement with the public at large and reinforce the House's "historic role as recipient of public petitions and help to make a major contribution to making the House more accessible to the public". Welcoming the report from the Procedure Committee, the recommendations note that e-petitions would be submitted via the parliamentary website, the petitioner’s constituency MP would be asked to act as facilitator, and after being open for signature for a set period of time they would then be formally presented to the House, caried out either automatically or on the floor of the House. Read the Written Ministerial Statement
22nd July 2008
Labour Claw Back Points in New Poll but Population Fears Recession
A Guardian/ICM poll shows the Conservatives down two to 43 points, still 15 points ahead of Labour who recovered before the long summer up three to 28 points. The Liberal Democrats dropped one to 19 points. Asked about the state of the economy, those polled revealed that 80% believe Britain is heading towards a recession. 60% said they were trying to spend less. Read all about it
22nd July 2008
Government Plans Alcohol Crackdown
The Department of Health has published a major consultation concerning the drinking culture in England, launched alongside independent reviews which show the drinks industry is not adhering to voluntary standards. A Government suggestion points towards the possibility of mandatory regulation and labelling including: selling small and large glasses or measures where a choice is not currently offered; restrictions on the use of happy hours or irresponsible price based promotions; and point of sale information on alcohol units. Manufacturers are to be given until the end of 2008 to place the required warnings and advice on bottles and cans. New figures have put society's cost of alcohol misuse at £17.7 billion to £25.1 billion per year. The cost to the NHS alone is £2.7 billion. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said ""The evidence from this series of reviews, and the hospital admissions data, clearly make this the right time to consult on a far tougher approach to the alcohol industry. The drinks industry has a vital role to play if we are to change the country's attitudes to alcohol. Some sections of the industry are sticking to the voluntary codes, others are blatantly ignoring them. This consultation will decide whether legally binding regulations for retailers and manufacturers to promote sensible drinking are the way forward". Download the consultation and the interim findings from the first stage of the price and promotion review carried out by the University of Sheffield.
21st July 2008
Brown Shows Israel Support in Jerusalem Parliament Address
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has addressed members of the Israeli Knesset, pledging that Britain would support Israel as a "true friend" in all circumstances. Brown said "to those who mistakenly and outrageously call for the end of Israel let the message be: Britain will always stand firmly by Israel's side". Read the full speech
21st July 2008
Purnell Launches Welfare State Overhaul
James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has announced new proposals aimed at overhauling the welfare state. The welfare Green Paper, titled 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility', includes plans that would take away the Incapacity Benefit system by 2013, moving to a state of two working-age benefits: the Jobseekers' Allowance and the Employment and Support Allowance for people with medical conditions that prevent them working. The plans would see those jobless for over a two year period having to work full time in the community. Purnell said "Our proposals are based on a simple deal: more support in return for greater responsibility...We will help people find work, but they will be expected to take a job". The Conservative Party's Chris Grayling last Friday claimed of the leaked proposals "Once again, it is Conservative ideas that are setting the political agenda". Download the Green Paper and read Purnell's Statement.
18th July 2008
Charity Commission Publishes Smith Institute Inquiry Report
The Charity Commission - the independent regulator for charitable activity in England and Wales - has published its inquiry into the Smith Institute, reconfirming that the Institute is a charity and that it is capable of operating for the public benefit. Among the issues investigated were "Whether the Institute is carrying out political activities inappropriate for a charity by supporting: a) party politics - in particular the Labour Party; b) development or promotion of HM Treasury or wider Government policy; or c) promotion of the aspirations of political figures". The Report includes conclusions that: "sufficient steps had not been taken to identify or manage the perception that the Institute was unacceptably linked to and supported the Labour Party or that it inappropriately promoted Government policy"; "it is also understandable how the perception arose that the Institute was focussed on or was connected to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer [Gordon Brown]. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he had been involved in using the Institute to further his political aspirations"; and that "the trustees were not sufficiently engaged to ensure the proper supervision of the charity, given the nature of its activities, work programme and the political environment in which it operates". The Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, Andrew Hind said “Trustees of charitable ‘think tanks’ have a responsibility to ensure the political neutrality of the work they do. When a charity operates close to the political environment, it must safeguard its independence and ensure that any involvement it has with political parties is balanced". Read the Report
18th July 2008
Electoral Commission Calls to Extend UK Parliamentary Election Timetable
The Electoral Commission has published three reports on the local elections in Wales and England and the London GLA ballot. The English elections report calls for the future UK Parliamentary election timetable to be increased to 25 days, from 17 days.The London report identified a number of concerns about the use of electronic counting, including "Apparent discrepancies between the numbers of ballot papers recorded as having been issued and the numbers scanned".
17th July 2008
London Mayor's Forensic Audit Panel Report Identifies Failings
The investigation into the London Development Agency has recommended streamlining for the organisation after it "identified failings in the [London Development Agency’s] leadership, governance and basic controls". The team's report, commissioned by Mayor Boris Johnson and chaired by Patience Wheatcroft, also suggests huge potential efficiency savings of over £7 million within the Greater London Authority by cutting "waste and unecessary bureaucracy" Johnson said. The Report details the "overall conclusion that the former LDA Board was ineffective" contributing to the "failure to develop appropriate systems for selecting and monitoring projects", that it "lacked clarity and remit...and became “fat and siloed”. It is no wonder the LDA became referred to as “the Mayor’s chequebook”,". Download the Report
17th July 2008
MPs Curb 'John Lewis' List Spending
MPs have rejected the Conservative party's motion to get rid of the so-called "John Lewis" list for furnishing second homes, but agreed to Government plans that would limit spending to £2,400 within the overall £24,000 allowance for running a second home. Read more of the debate in the House
17th July 2008
Darling Finally Ditches 2p Fuel Duty Increase
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, has postponed the two pence per litre increase in fuel duty that had been planned to come into force at the start of October. The move comes as oil prices have been causing fuel price misery for motorists and hauliers. Darling said "The global credit crunch and sharp rises in world oil prices have pushed up prices at the pump. Today's decision will help motorists and businesses get through what is a difficult time for everyone". The Government's decision means that main road fuel duty rates remain at 50.35 pence per litre. Read all about it
16th July 2008
EU Ombudsman Crticises 'Maladministration' of MEPs over Expenses Disclosure Complaint
EU Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has given his Decision to a compaint from a journalist dating back to 2005, reinforcing the earlier view of "maladministration" levelled against the European Parliament in disclosing MEP's expenses. The case concerned the accounts of Malta's MEPs and the denied request to information on the grounds that this was considered personal data. During the investigation by the Ombudsman, a draft Recommendation had been issued in September 2007 advising that the European Parliament should reconsider the application for access to data and grant the complainant's request. Read the Decision
15th July 2008
Straw Puts Forward Lords Reform White Paper
The Government has published the White Paper on further reform of the House of Lords. The Ministry of Justice models propose how the chamber could work,with membership wholly or 80% elected. Jack Straw said "The established primacy of the House of Commons in Parliament should remain, and forms the core of the proposals, which outline how reform of the second chamber could be achieved. In our view, the proposals are a unique opportunity to create a more legitimate, effective and representative chamber". Read the statement from Jack Straw and download the White Paper.
14th July 2008
Brown Toughens Up on Knife Crime
Gordon Brown has laid down outline plans to deal with knife crime through a combination of "enforcement, prevention and prosecution". Speaking at his regular press conference, the Prime Minister made it clear that "if you carry a knife our objective and determination is that you will be caught; you will be prosecuted; you will be punished," the PM said. Read all about it
14th July 2008
Government Consults on Draft Immigration & Citizenship Bill
The Home Office has announced a tough new approach to foreign nationals who want to become British citizens, through the draft Immigration and Citizenship Bill which has been published today and is open for consultation. Proposed rules would require all migrants to speak English, obey the law and will speed up the granting of citizenship to those that contribute to the community. Full access to benefits and social housing will also be reserved for citizens and permanent residents, through the suggested measures. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said "In recent months we have listened to people across Britain and the message is clear - they want those who want to make Britain their home to speak English, to work hard, and to earn the right to stay here. We are making the biggest changes to our immigration system for a generation, and part of that is making sure those who stay in the UK make a positive impact on their local community".
14th July 2008
State Funeral for Thatcher Planned
Former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is understood to have been granted the honour of a full state funeral upon her death, it is being reported. Baroness Thatcher, now 82 years of age, would receive the first state funeral for a former PM since Winston Churchill in 1965.
11th July 2008
Davis Re-Elected to Parliament
David Davis has been re-elected to Parliament with an overwhelming victory in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election. With turnout at just over 34%, this was less than half of the recorded 70% at the last General Election. Davis recorded 17,113 votes winning the ballot with a majority of 15,355 over second placed Green candidate Shan Oakes on 1,758 and English Democrats' Joanne Robinson with 1,714. Neither Labour nor the Liberal Democrats fielded opponents to the former Conservative Shadow Home Secretary. Mr Davis said he had "fired a shot across the bows of Gordon Brown's arrogant, arbitrary and authoritarian government".
10th July 2008
Brown Statement on G8 Summit
Read the Prime Minister's full statement to the House of Commons following the G8 Summit which took place in Toyako in Japan here.
9th July 2008
Tory Leader Sweeps Broom in MEP Expenses Cleaning Campaign
Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron, has announced new measures for the party's Members of the European Parliament in order to try and ensure transparency in their use of expenses. The procedures include clearing up "the issue of payments to family members". Prospective Tory candidates for next year's June Euro elections wil have to agree to the new system which includes following a code of conduct and completion of 'Right to Know' forms detailing office and staffing expenditure. Download the Draft Code for Expenses and Allowance for Conservative MEPs and the Right to Know form.
8th July 2008
London Mayor Scraps Ł25 Congestion Charge Hike
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has scrapped the plans to increase to £25-a-day the cost to drive in the Central London Congestion Charge zone for large cars/ band G vehicles. The hike in price had been due to enter into force from October. Boris Johnson said “My commitment to making the congestion charge fairer and more effective for Londoners is well known. And I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest. I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free". Read all about it
8th July 2008
Slovakia Green Light to Adopt Euro Currency
The European Union's Economic & Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) has agreed the Decision to allow Slovakia to adopt the euro from 1 January 2009. Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs said "This is a major success for Slovakia, the result of determined policies to promote convergence over recent years. Slovakia joins the euro area exactly ten years after its inception. During the last decade the single currency, which is now shared by some 325 million citizens, has been a remarkable success, and Slovakia is well placed to benefit from euro-area participation. Still, this is not the end of the road. Slovakia needs to remain committed to sound policies, particularly in the fiscal and structural domain. This is both in its own interest and part of the responsibility that all members share to ensure that the monetary union functions smoothly". Read all about it
8th July 2008
Lords Inquiry into Government Communications
The House of Lords Communications Committee is to carry out an inquiry into the government communications system. Focussing on the implementation of the reforms recommended by the 2004 Phillis Review, the inquiry will investigate whether the system this is open, impartial, efficient and relevant to the public. Lord Fowler, Chairman of the Committee said "We will investigate whether government communications have improved since the Phillis report of 2004. We want to know if the culture of secrecy and partial disclosure has been changed. We will also examine the rules governing the conduct of special advisers and whether their role in relationship to civil servants is now clear. It is vital that the government communications system should be both open and impartial". The inquiry commences with evidence on 9 July from Sir Robert Phillis and Howell James, the former Permanent Secretary for Government Communications. The next evidence session on the 16 July will hear from journalists Nick Robinson, Tom Bradby, Adam Boulton, Nigel Hawkes, Tim Marshall and Frank Gardner. Read all about it
8th July 2008
Tories Maintain Reduced Lead with Weak Brown in Populus/Times Poll
The latest Populus poll for the Times newspaper shows the Conservative Party suffering a four point fall but still retaining 41%, a 13 point lead over Labour who have increased their standing by three points up to 28%. The Liberal Democrats fell one point to 19%. The poll revealed that 67% of voters regard Prime Minister Brown as weak, as opposed to strong. Read all about it
7th July 2008
Government Launches Food Matters Strategy
The Cabinet Office has launched the results of a 10 month Strategy Unit study into food policy. 'Food Matters: Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century' focuses on UK food issues whilst putting them into a global context. The report recommendations include: promoting the role of agriculture in mitigating and adapting to climate change; launching a new scheme to get the public sector in England providing healthier, more environmentally sustainable food; helping consumers to access healthier choices when eating out. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said “The rise of popular interest in food policy issues, and growing public awareness of the impact of what we choose to eat on everything from animal welfare, to our health and the protection of the environment has seen a massive transformation in Britain's food culture over the past ten years. This cultural change, along with more recent events in global food markets, has brought new and urgent policy challenges to the fore, which governments must act to meet". Read the full news release and further details about the key recommendations
7th July 2008
Glasgow East By-Election Update
Margaret Curran MSP has stepped up to fight the Glasgow East by-election for the Labour Party, although reports suggest that if elected she may not give up her Scottish Parliament seat of Glasgow Baillieston but would instead become a part-time MP. Labour are looking to defend a majority of 13,507. The SNP candidate, John Mason, has today launched his campaign as has Scottish Conservative contender Davena Rankin. Ian Robertson represents the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
7th July 2008
Tory Fair Fuel Stabiliser Plan Launched
The Conservative Party has launched a 'Fair Fuel Stabiliser' plan to ease the impact of future fuel price rises. Under the proposals, which have been opened for consultation, duty on fuel would fall when fuel prices go up and would be increased when prices fall. Read and comment upon the consultation document
5th July 2008
London's Deputy Mayor for Young People Resigns
Ray Lewis has resigned as London's Deputy Mayor for Young People over allegations of financial misconduct. Read the resignation statement in full here
3rd July 2008
New Seven Day Cooling-Off Period for Doorstep Selling
Parliament has approved new doorstep selling Regulations, designed to improve consumer protection when buying products and services from traders at home. The new rules provide the legal protection of a seven day cooling-off period. The new rules will come into force on 1st October. Consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas said "The winners here are honest businesses as well as customers. The regulations will put an end to underhand tactics used by rogues who take advantage of current loopholes in the law to beat their rivals". Read the press release and more information on the BERR website
3rd July 2008
Scottish LibDem Leader Quits Post
The Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Nicol Stephen, has resigned his post after three years in the job. Stephen named strain upon family life as the reason behind the decision, but will remain an MSP for Aberdeen South. He said in a statement "Everyone involved in politics knows that there are stresses and strains on family life. But when it goes beyond that, when it crosses a line, something has to be done. The health and wellbeing of your family has got to come first". Scottish MP Michael Moore has taken over the leadership until an internal election is held. Read the full personal statement
2nd July 2008
Constitution Unit Devolution Update: 2 New Reports Published
The Constitution Unit is pleased to announce the publication of the final two instalments of the spring wave of Devolution Monitoring Reports, covering developments in territorial politics from January to May 2008.
The Devolution and the Centre Monitoring Report, edited by Akash Paun at the Constitution Unit, discusses emerging tensions in British territorial politics as developments in the 'periphery' cause problems for a UK government reluctant to reopen the 1999 devolution settlement.
And the Wales Devolution Monitoring Report, edited by Richard Wyn Jones and Richard Scully of the Institute for Welsh Politics, discusses events including the resignation of Peter Hain as Welsh Secretary, the ongoing piecemeal devolution of legislative powers, the Welsh local election results and their consequences, and the establishment of the new All-Wales Convention.
Both these reports, and all previous outputs of the Constitution Unit's Devolution Monitoring Programme, can be downloaded here
2nd July 2008
Government Housing Measures to Fight Credit Crunch
Housing Minister Caroline Flint has announced increased and immediate measures designed to respond to the impact of the credit crunch on the housing market with a focus on the delivery of new affordable housing. Flint said "I am determined that we do everything possible to continue to promote stability and fairness in the housing market, and maintain our long term focus on increasing housing supply". Read more here
1st July 2008
Financial Stability Consultation Launched
HM Treasury, the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England have launched a consultation on proposals that will strengthen the framework for financial stability and protect depositors. Focussing on five key objectives, the plans include measures that aim to ensure the resilience of financial systems as well as reducing the impact if a bank gets into difficulties and ensuring consumer confidence in effective compensation arrangements. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, said "No system of regulation can or should prevent the failure of each and every institution, but we must do everything possible to prevent problems which could pose a wider threat to stability. The challenge is to ensure that the authorities can act quickly and decisively where necessary to support financial institutions. These proposals will give the authorities the full range of powers they need". Read the press release and download the consultation documents.
1st July 2008
France Takes EU Presidency Helm as Polish President Speaks Out Against EU Treaty
The French Government has taken over the six month rotating European Union Presidency, and immediately hit problems with the Lisbon Treaty as the Polish President Lech Kaczyński spoke out about the 'pointless' continued ratification following the Irish No vote. He has so far refused to put his signature of assent to the text which had been approved by the Polish Parliament in April.
Downloads for French EU Presidency: Main Work Programme, Official Calendar, Provisional Agendas prepared by Coreper 1 and Coreper 2 and the French EU Presidency website
30th June 2008
NHS Review & Reform Plans Launched
Plans have been unveiled to raise the quality of healthcare for patients and reform the NHS as it celebrates 60 years. Following a 12-month review which has been led by 2,000 clinicians and staff across the NHS, and with the involvement of 60,000 patients, public and staff, proposals for change have been brought forward that are intended to provide more patient choice and information, whilst rewarding the hospitals and clinics that offer both the highest quality of care. Health Minister Lord Darzi's final report of the NHS Next Stage Review entitled 'High Quality Care for All' has been published today. Lord Darzi said "This report will enable frontline doctors, nurses and patients - who provide and use NHS services - to put into practice their visions for high quality care. As a surgeon I know how vital it is to balance the quality of the patient's experience - a clean and safe environment, being treated with compassion dignity and respect - with the success of the treatment they receive". Read all about it
30th June 2008
Glasgow East MP Steps Down from Commons
Glasgow East MP David Marshall has resigned from the Commons due to ill health. The date for the by-election may be set for before the end of July.
30th June 2008
Wendy Alexander Quits as Scottish Labour Leader
Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander has resigned following the ruling of the Scottish Parliament's Standards Committee over donations. Cathy Jamieson has become acting leader until an internal election can be carried out. Read all about it
27th June 2008
Tories Beat Labour into Fifth Place in Henley By-Election
The Conservatives held on to the Henley Parliamentary seat, with Labour finishing in fifth place behind both the Green Party and the British National Party. Labour Candidate Richard McKenzie lost his deposit, polling only 1,066 votes. Conservative John Howell won with a total 19,796 votes, beating Liberal Democrat Stephen Kearney's 9,680 votes. The Green Party's Mark Stevenson recorded 1,321 votes and Timothy Rait from the BNP with 1,243. John Howell said "It's clear that the New Labour coalition is falling apart and that the Conservatives under David Cameron's leadership are on the march". Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said "After one year in the job Gordon Brown cannot even get enough support to save his deposit". Howell's 10,116 majority was reduced from the 12,793 majority won by Boris Johnson at the last General Election. Voter turnout was just over 50%.
27th June 2008
Defence Lobbyist to Lose Parliamentary Pass
Robin Ashby, Managing Director of lobbying firm Bergmans Defence Consultancy, is reportedly to lose his Parliamentary pass over potential misinterpretations about his role working for Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Harris of Richmond. Read all about it from the BBC and The Independent
27th June 2008
Parliamentary Suspension Recommended for Wendy Alexander
The Scottish Parliament's Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee has recommended Wendy Alexander MSP "be excluded from all proceedings of the Parliament for the first Wednesday which is a sitting day following agreement by the Parliament". Having taken only a matter of minutes on Wednesday to find that the MSP had breached Parliamentary rules over donations, the Committee took hours to deliberate the proposed sanction which still faces ratification by the full Parliament. Read the Minutes of the Meeting
26th June 2008
Brown sets out Renewable Energy Blueprint
The Government has launched the consultation on a national renewable energy blueprint which is designed to dramatically reduce carbon emissions and the UK's reliance on oil and gas. The plan is intended to ensure that the UK hits the proposed 15% renewable energy target by 2020. Speaking at the Government's Low Carbon Economy Summit the Prime Minister Gordon Brown said "in the 21st century, the global low carbon economy will be a key driver of our economic prosperity". Read the full speech. Business Secretary John Hutton said "We are opening a new chapter in Britain's history as a nation of enterprise and innovation, moving from the old, carbon intensive economy of the industrial revolution to the new low carbon technologies of the 21st century". Download the UK Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation document here
26th June 2008
Government Demolished Labour Rebellion over Planning Bill
The potential Labour rebellion over plans that could 'streamline and improve the planning process' in the Planning Bill have been seen off by the Government. Read the debate
26th June 2008
Scottish Labour Leader Faces Sanctions after Parliamentary Conduct Breach
The Scottish Labour leader, Wendy Alexander, has been found to have broken the Scottish Parliament's rules over donations. The Parliament's Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee found a breach in the declaration of donations to her leadership campaign. The Convener of the Committee, Keith Brown, announced that "the Committee agreed, by a majority of 5 members for to 2 members against, that Wendy Alexander MSP had breached section 5 of the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006, together with paragraph 6 of the schedule to the Act". Read the Minutes of yesterday's Committee meeting here. The Committee has today been discusing any sanctions to be applied.
26th June 2008
Mugabe Stripped of Knighthood & Mandela Critises Zimbabwe Regime
The Queen has stripped Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe of his honorary Knighthood "as a mark of revulsion at the abuse of human rights and abject disregard for the democratic process in Zimbabwe". Last night, former South African President Nelson Mandela chose a star-studded dinner in London celebrating his 90th Birthday to criticise the regime noting the "tragic failure of leadership". Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced the suspension of all bilateral arrangements with Zimbabwe Cricket, cancelling the tourists planned visit next summer.
26th June 2008
House of Lords Register Published
A register of interests of Lords Members' secretaries and research assistants has been published for the first time by the House of Lords. View it here
25th June 2008
Commons Members Estimate Committee Publishes MPs’ Expenses Report
The House of Commons Members Estimate Committee has published its Report on MPs’ expenses noting that "the most important aspect of this report is our commitment to restoring the reputation of the House by providing better assurance for the taxpayer that money is properly spent". Chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, the "conclusions and recommendations of this review do not make life easy for individual Members but we believe they will play a key role in strengthening and upholding the democratic institution in which we are proud to work as well as building the trust and confidence of the people we are elected to represent".
The recommendations include: "from the start of the 2009–10 financial year, the receipt threshold should be reduced from £25 to zero and that all claims, however small, will have to be backed by receipts"; "with immediate effect, Members should no longer be able to claim reimbursement for furniture and household goods or for capital improvements"; "the [Senior Salaries Review Body] proposal that partners of Members should be entitled to the same limited travel arrangements as spouses and civil partners should not be implemented". Download the Report
25th June 2008
Boris' Iraqi Cigar Case Investigated
London Mayor Boris Johnson has handed into police the cigar case that used to belong to Iraq's former deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. Mr Johnson obtained the case from the Iraqi deputy's home during a visit in 2003, "I reached down instinctively, and placed it for safekeeping in my pocket. Amid such wholesale larceny and devastation, who was going to quibble about a cigar case?" writes Boris in The Daily Telegraph. Under a UN Sanctions Order, Iraqi cultural property must be handed over to the appropriate authorities. Read the full article 'How Boris Johnson became a war criminal' written by Boris Johnson here
24th June 2008
UNISON to Kick Off Strike Action mid-July
UNISON members in local government in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted by 55% to 45% for a programme of action over the below-inflation pay offer of 2.45%. Authorisation from the union’s industrial action committee to start the “sustained strike action” will be formaly sought when it meets on 27 June, although 600,000 local government workers are likely to kick off the action by striking on 16 and 17 July.
24th June 2008
Tory Green Paper on Improving UK Health Service
In a speech to the Royal College of Surgeons, Conservative Party leader David Cameron has launched a Green Paper on how a Conservative Government will create a health service that is "truly the envy of the world". Entitled 'Delivering some of the best health in Europe: Outcomes not Targets' outlines Tory ambitions for improving healthcare outcomes such as cancer survival rates, after-care service and patient satisfaction. Download the Green Paper here and read David Cameron's speech
24th June 2008
Action Plan for Safer Internet & Video Games for Kids and Young People
A comprehensive Action Plan detailing how the Government intends to make the internet and video games safer for children and young people has been launched by Children's Minister Kevin Brennan, Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and Culture Minister Margaret Hodge. The plan will implement Dr Tanya Byron's recommendations from the Byron Review "Safer Children in a Digital World". The Byron Action Plan includes: setting up the new UK Council for Child Internet Safety; development of a self regulatory system for industry; and plans for awareness raising of e-safety issues among children, young people, parents and other adults. Download the Byron Action Plan here
24th June 2008
Government Consultation on Moving Election Polling Days
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on moving election polling days to weekends. The consultation forms part of an effort to increase engagement in the democratic process through a programme of constitutional renewal. Michael Wills, Constitutional Renewal Minister, said "Decisions are made by those who vote. The Government wants to make it easier for people to turn up to vote. As part of this process, we want to look at different options for the day on which elections take place. The reason elections are traditionally held on Thursdays is obscure. We should not be afraid to try a new voting day that fits in better with people's busy lives, while also recognising the constraints of money and belief". Download the consultation paper here
23rd June 2008
Tsvangirai Withdraws from Zimbabwe Election Amid Mounting Violence
The leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, Morgan Tsvangirai, has announced that he will not contest the Presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe to be held on 27 June. The UK Government has agreed with his assessment that a "free and fair" election in the country is impossible. Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the most recent "state-sponsored violence" had made talk of a viable election "farcical". Miliband said "[Robert Mugabe] has made, and his thugs have made, an election impossible and so now we face a critical crisis of legitimacy because it's clear that the only people with any shred of democratic legitimacy are the people who won the 29th of March first round, and that was the opposition". Read all about it
23rd June 2008
Prime Minister's Commons Statement on EU Council
Read the Prime Minister's oral statement to the Commons on last week's EU Council here
23rd June 2008
Brown Launches Vision for UK Social Mobility
Speaking at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in London, Prime Minister Gordon Brown set out his vision for an "upwardly mobile" Britain where "everyone can make the most of their potential" through the power of education and knowledge. Brown said "Our ambition: that for every child we can say that their destiny is not written for them, but written by them. To create a Britain where what counts is not where you come from but what you aspire to become - not who you know but what you know. A Britain where everyone, no matter what their background, should be able to rise as far as their talents can take them; where everyone can make the most of their potential". Read all about it
23rd June 2008
London Mayor's Political Aide in Race Row
James McGrath, the Director of Political Strategy to the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, is reportedly to step down from his post after allegedly being quoted as responding to a journalist's question about Caribbean immigrants who might leave the UK if Boris became Mayor "well, let them go if they don't like it here". The Mayor has said his political adviser McGrath is not racist and that he had been quoted out of context. Read the original article from The-Latest.com and the latest online editorial from the journalist from The-Latest.com together with the BBC story.
20th June 2008
EU Leaders Delay Lisbon Treaty Decision
EU leaders have agreed to delay a decision on the future of the Lisbon Treaty until October. The Presidency Conclusions from the summit detailed that "The European Council agreed that more time was needed to analyse the situation. It noted that the Irish government will actively consult, both internally and with the other Member States, in order to suggest a common way forward...The European Council agreed to Ireland's suggestion to come back to this issue at its meeting of 15 October 2008 in order to consider the way forward. It underlined the importance in the meantime of continuing to deliver concrete results in the various policy areas of concern to the citizens". Download the full Conclusions here
20th June 2008
UK Ratifies Lisbon Treaty, Judicial Review Rejected
The Lisbon Treaty has been granted Royal Assent after the Tory Amendment to delay the Bill was rejected in the House of Lords. Conservative MP for Stone, Bill Cash, sought judicial review from the High Court over the Ratification process, which has been turned down. Mr Justice Collins ruled that "It will be for Parliament, not the Court, to decide whether the Bill should be passed". Cash's argument included that because Ireland had failed to ratify the Treaty last week, the Lisbon text was therefore obsolete as having failed the hurdle of Member State ratifications, and in turn the use of Royal Prerogative to the document was therefore illegal.
19th June 2008
PubAffairs Cricket: PubAffairs vs Dods, 18 June 2008 Match Report
Honours even after titanic battle. Match report By Tony Cox: Wicketkeeper, roving journalist and consultant at Linstock Communications.
In a thrilling encounter, played out in deepest south london, honours ended even in an incredibly close fought game. With Dods needing 13 off the last over in what would kindly be described as fading light they forced 2 from the last ball of the match to ensure it ended in a tie and the points were shared. Think England against Zimbabwe in 1996 and multiply the tension tenfold.
PubAffairs began the game in sprightly fashion...Read more by downloading the Full Match Report below
PubAffairs vs Dods Match Report 18June08.pdf
18th June 2008
Lords Amendment to Delay UK's Lisbon Treaty Ratification
Lord Howell, the Conservative peer, has tabled an amendment to the EU (Amendment) Bill at Third Reading that would delay the UK's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty to 20th October at the earliest. The Lords are due to vote today, and the delay would allow a full response to be thought through following last week's Irish No vote in the country's referendum.
18th June 2008
No Labour Party Candidate Against David Davis
The Labour Party has confirmed that it will not field a candidate against David Davis in the forthcoming Haltemprice and Howden by-election. Former Sun newspaper editor, Kelvin MacKenzie has yet to confirm whether he will stand against Davis. The Liberal Democrats have already said they will not contest the seat.
17th June 2008
Survey Reveals Public Split on David Davis
Ipsos MORI's survey for The Independent about David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary, who resigned over the Government's terror detention plans "suggests that the public are somewhat divided on the issue of his resignation". The survey found that 48% felt he had been wrong to resign his Parliamentary seat to stand again in protest against the Government. Nontheless, 35% said that they would vote for Davis in the by-election if they lived in his constituency. Read the Release on the Ipsos MORI website and download the topline results
17th June 2008
Baker MP Pay Review Report
The Review of Parliamentary Pay and Pensions by Sir John Baker has been published, looking into the options for determining MPs remunerations and identifying an independent mechanism so that Parliamentarians do not have to vote on their own pay. The principal recommendation is for "MPs’ pay to be increased each year in line with the previous year’s increase in public sector average earnings, to keep MPs’ pay in line with the earnings of public sector workers generally". It is understood from this morning's Cabinet meeting that all Government Ministers have 'agreed' not to take up their 1.5% increase for the financial year. Download the Review together with the Government's Memorandum.
17th June 2008
MEPs Approve Slovakia Joining Euro Club
Voting in the Strasbourg Plenary, MEPs have approved the Slovak Republic's adoption of the euro. The report by Maltese MEP David Casa said that although Slovakia meets the criteria, care should be taken concerning inflation and more efforts are required to explain the benefits of the euro to citizens. With a final decision due by Member States, once agreed, the country will take on the currency from 1 January 2009 and will be the 16th EU Member State to join the euro club. Read all about it
15th June 2008
Tories Stretch Poll Lead
A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times shows the increasing Conservatives on 47%, Labour with 25% and Liberal Democrats on 18%.
15th June 2008
Commons Lobbying Inquiry: Ministers in Spotlight
The Public Administraion Select Committee Inquiry on Lobbying will hear oral evidence on Thursday 19th June at 10am from: Tom Watson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Cabinet Office; Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DCLG; and Tom Harris MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport.
15th June 2008
Europe's Mixed Messages over Lisbon Treaty's Future
EU Member States and Institutions have been grappling with the future of the EU and the Lisbon Treaty following the No vote in Ireland. Major members, such as Germany and France believe that the implementation of the new Treay, set to come into force on 1st January 2009, should not be delayed. France takes over the EU Presidency at the start of July, and was one of the countries to vote no to the Lisbon Treaty's predecessor. The Czech Republic's President on the other hand has said that the Treaty is finished. This week's European Council meeting in Brussels will hear directly from Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowan on the result. European Commission President Barroso said in a statement that the "European Commission believes that the remaining ratifications should continue to take their course". Only 18 of the 27 Member States have so far ratified the Treaty. In the UK, the third reading of the Lisbon Treaty is still set to take place this Wednesday. Conservative leader David Cameron said the Lisbon Reform Treaty should be "declared dead".
13th June 2008
Defra Targets Dumping of Illegal Waste
The Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on targetting and tackling the criminals behind organised fly-tipping and the illegal dumping of waste. The plans would provide local authorities and the Environment Agency with new powers to stop, search and instantly seize vehicles suspected of being involved in waste offences. Environment Minister Joan Ruddock said "Fly-tipping poses a serious threat to humans and wildlife. It damages our environment and spoils our enjoyment of our towns and countryside. There are a large number of rogue operators out there claiming to dispose of waste responsibly but then dumping it in public areas as the high profile case in Essex this week highlighted. These are the people we've got in our sights". Download the Consultation documents
13th June 2008
Ireland Rejects EU Lisbon Treaty
In the only referendum to be held across the Member States on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, Irish voters have firmly rejected the proposal. With a turnout of 51%, the No vote outweighed those in favour by 53.4% to 46.6% per cent. Of the 43 constituencies, only eight supported the new measure. In a statement following the announcement of the result, Taoiseach Brian Cowan said "In a democracy, the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box is sovereign. The Government accepts and respects the verdict of the Irish people". Read his statement here
12th June 2008
Davis Shock Resignation over 42 Day Terror Law
David Davis, the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Haltemprice and Howden, has taken the political world by surprise by announcing his resignation as a Member of Parliament to force a by-election over the Government's 42 day pre-charge detention plan. In a statement, Davis said "I will argue this by-election against the slow strangulation of fundamental British freedoms by this Government" and that "at least my electorate and the nation, as a whole, would have had the opportunity to debate and consider one of the most fundamental issues of our day". David Cameron has replaced Davis with Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve. Read David Davis' statement in full in The Times here
11th June 2008
Brown Scrapes Through 42 Day Commons Vote
The Prime Minister has won the hotly fought Commons vote to extend the maximum time terror suspects can be held in pre-charge detention from 28 to 42 days. The narrow vote was won by 315 to 306 votes. Read more about the Bill's progress here
11th June 2008
BERR Launches Joint Industry Sustainable Construction Strategy
A joint industry-Government Strategy for Sustainable Construction has set out new targets to improve the productivity, efficiency and sustainability of the UK's construction sector. Challenging but achievable targets to be delivered by industry include: achieving a 50% reduction in the amount of construction, demolition and excavation waste to landfill; ensure 25 per cent of materials used in construction projects are responsibly sourced by 2012; cut the number of work-related deaths by 10 per cent year on year; and recruit 230,000 additional trained construction workers by 2010. Business Minister Shriti Vadera said "Our aim is to become a world leader in sustainable construction. An efficient construction sector is essential for the investment in infrastructure and buildings that underpin our competitiveness". Download the Strategy
11th June 2008
Government Actions to Manage Migration
Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, has laid out the Government's actions for managing migration, including a £12m programme of improvements in the collection of migration data, assistance for local services in managing the transitional impacts of migration, together with stricter penalties for those that exploit vulnerable workers and undercut the minimum wage.
11th June 2008
EU Employment Ministers Compromise on Working Time & Agency Workers Directives
Meeting in Luxembourg, EU Employment Ministers reached political agreement on both the Working Time Directive and the Temporary Agency Workers Directive. After years of negotiations within the Employment and Social Affairs Council, the draft laws have now passed through the first reading by both European Parliament and Council. The Working Time Directive maintains the opt-out mechanism from the maximum 48 hour working week, and deals with integration of the European Court rulings concerning on-call time. As for the other measure, Agency Workers will receive equal treatment to that of employees at the place of work from day one. This is the norm across many EU countries already, though the UK is understood to have secured a carve-out from the measure to allow the recently reached social partners agreement. The texts will next be sent back to MEPs for further deliberation. Read more detail about both agreements here
10th June 2008
Manchester Congestion Charging Given Green Light - Subject to Public Consultation
Secretary of State for Transport Ruth Kelly has given the go-ahead for the introduction of congestion charging in Manchester from 2013. Alongside transport improvements to the city which include up to 22 miles of extension to the Metrolink tram, extra buses and major improvements to rail infrastructure, the newly announced package is due to "ensure that people have real choices over how and when they travel". The majority of improvements are set to be delivered before the local congestion charge comes into effect, whilst the Government notes that the "charging scheme will operate only at peak times, when congestion is at its worst". Ruth Kelly said "The Manchester authorities will now work towards 'Conditional' and ultimately 'Full' approval for their plans. They will conduct a full public consultation on their proposals to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to have their say. Subject to the outcome of the public consultation, we expect an application for Conditional approval in the autumn".
10th June 2008
Tory Chairman's Self-Referral to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
Conservative Party Chairman Caroline Spelman has met with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon over allegations of the misuse of funds. Spelman approached the Commissioner to investigate the "circumstances of the employment of her then secretary in 1997". A statement from the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said that "The Commissioner is considering carefully this matter against the procedures agreed by the Committee on Standards and Privileges for the investigation of complaints against Members. This includes the nature of the information he has received, the passage of time since the circumstances in question and acting on a referral from the Member concerned rather than a complainant. It would be exceptional for the Commissioner to institute an inquiry into matters which go back more than 7 years. It would also be exceptional for him to do so on a self-referral. In either of these circumstances, the procedure is that the Commissioner consults the Committee on Standards and Privileges before deciding to initiate an inquiry".
9th June 2008
GMB Union Plans for Cutting Labour MPs Funding
General Secretary of the GMB Union, Paul Kenny has outlined plans that could see the removal of financial support for Labour MPs and a cut in overall levels of funding for the Labour Party. Addressing the union's Congress in Plymouth, Kenny said "We know the Government are keen on assessment tests. I think they are called SATS. So we have been running our own tests. We call them “SAPTS”, which are Standard Assessment Political Tests. We have monitored all of our MPs, 108 of them, who we have given financial or organisation support to from election to election. We have monitored their performance in close conjunction with the regions. The aim is very, very simple. If they do not match up on a regional or national basis to a level of performance, then the position is absolutely crystal clear. We are removing funding, support and all organisational support from those MPs and their constituencies until they actually follow and be responsive to the needs of working people in this country". Read the full speech here
7th June 2008
PubAffairs Cricket: PubAffairs take opening match in political league
PubAffairs take opening match in political league. Match report By Tony Cox: Wicketkeeper, roving journalist and consultant at Linstock Communications.
Wandsworth common on a sunny evening in June, what better way to kick off the inaugral political hacks cricket league. The opening fixture was between two old foes, the professional lobbyists, PubAffairs, and the defenders of all those consumer loving lenders, the ABI. Having been on the wrong end of a heavy defeat the previous season ABI captain, the effervescent Jon French, was intent on revenge.
However, it was first blood to PubAffairs captain Martin Koder of Lansons, standing in for Ben Wilson of lewis, as he won the toss and elected to bat first...download the Full Match Report below
PubAffairs vs ABI Match Report 6June08.pdf
5th June 2008
Competition Commission Report into Payment Protection Insurance
The Competition Commission has published provisional findings on Payment Protection Insurance (PPi). The report details that companies face little or no competition when selling to their credit customers. As a consequence, customers appear to be overcharged by over £1.4 billion a year. Inquiry Chairman Peter Davis said: "We've found serious problems with the PPI market and customers are paying for the lack of competition. The way PPI is sold as an 'add-on' to a loan or other credit product means distributors escape the pressure they should face from competing suppliers. Distributors don't appear to compete much with each other on either price or quality of PPI; neither do they appear to do much direct advertising of PPI to win customers from each other". Download the Report
click here for further information
5th June 2008
Government Toughens Up Knife Crime Sanctions
The Government has announced a crackdown on knife crime, targeting those over 16 years of age. Anyone over 16 now caught in possession of a knife can expect to be prosecuted on the first offence. Under 16s committing offences without aggravating factors should still receive a formal caution together with referral to a knife education scheme. The new sanctions come after a Downing Street meeting with Ken Jones the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers and Ken Macdonald, the Director of Public Prosecutions to discuss new national guidance for police and prosecutors. The Prime Minister said "We have to send out a message and reinforce it with immediate action. It is completely unacceptable to carry a knife. Young people need to understand that carrying knives doesn't protect you, it does the opposite - it increases the danger for all of us, destroys young lives and ruins families. Recent tragic events have reminded us of that. I am pleased to see the Police and the Courts working with us to tackle this and make the streets safe in all our communities". Read all about it
4th June 2008
Obama Claims US Democratic Party Nomination
Barack Obama has claimed the Democratic Presidential nomination, even though Hilary Clinton has yet to concede victory. Speaking in St Paul, Minnesota where Republicans will meet in September formally to proclaim John McCain as their nomimee, Obama said "I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States" and that "we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another". The final two primaries were won by Mrs Clinton (South Dakota) and Barack Obama (Montana). Clinton said "In the coming days, I'll be consulting with supporters and party leaders to determine how to move forward with the best interests of our party and our country guiding my way". It is understood that Hilary is open to the idea of being the Vice-Presidential running-mate.
3rd June 2008
Official Opening of EU Chemicals Agency
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has been officially opened in Helsinki. ECHA is responsible for managing the implementation of the REACH requirements in relation to the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes of chemical substances. Whilst ECHA formally began activities last year, the work to date has been devoted to preparation, including staff recruitment and establishing support structures and procedures. On 1st June this year two key processes of REACH entered into operation: Registration of chemicals and pre-registration of the 30,000 chemicals currently in use. Visit the ECHA website
2nd June 2008
Government Targets Youth Drinking
The Government has launched a new Youth Alcohol Action Plan aimed at helping young people to make the right decisions about drinking, to stop them drinking in public and to assist parents about the risks. An initiative between the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Department of Health and the Home Office, the plan sets out the involvement of the police and the courts, parental responsibility in the home and how the alcohol industry should continue the good progress it has made to reduce the sale of alcohol to under-18s but how marketing and promoting alcohol should be carried out in a more responsible way. Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said "Tougher enforcement powers are needed to tackle under-age binge drinking but enforcement measures alone are not the solution. We need a culture change about drinking with everyone from parents, the alcohol industry and young people all taking more responsibility". Download the Action Plan here
1st June 2008
Paisley Formally Replaced by Robinson
Peter Robinson has formally replaced Dr Ian Paisley as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, and is due to take over as First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Thursday.
31st May 2008
Henley Conservatives Select Howell
Henley Conservatives have confirmed Councillor John Howell as the selection to fight the forthcoming by-election. Howell is a former partner in City accountants Ernst & Young, and was awarded an OBE in 2000.
31st May 2008
Commons Report on Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry
The House of Commons' Public Administration Committee has reported on a mechanism for Parliament to initiate and conduct its own inquiries. Read all about it and download the report from here
30th May 2008
Labour Slumps to Record Low in Poll
A YouGov poll for the Daily Telegraph shows Labour slumped to a record low of 23 points compared to the Conservatives with 47. The LibDems polled 18.
29th May 2008
Tory Local Shortlist for Henley By-Election
The Conservative Party has shortlisted three local councillors in the run up the to Henley by-election: John Howell, Ann Ducker and John Cotton. Stanley Johnson, the father of outgoing MP Boris Johnson who had expressed an interest in standing has not been taken forward. Richard McKenzie is standing for Labour, Stephen Kearney for the Liberal Democrats and Mark Stevenson for the Green Party. No date has yet been set for the by-election.
28th May 2008
EU on ‘home-grown players’ football club rules
The European Commission has published an independent study on UEFA's ‘home-grown players’ football rule. The rule requires clubs participating in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup to have a minimum number of ‘home-grown players’ in their squads. Compared with FIFA's '6+5' plan, which is incompatible with EU law, the Commission considers that UEFA has opted for an approach which appears to comply with the EU principle of free movement of workers.
28th May 2008
Green Light for Increased UK Oil Production
Business Secretary John Hutton has announced measures which aim towards improving the UK oil supply via two new field developments in the North Sea together with changes to the North Sea licensing system. Read all about it
28th May 2008
Brown Oils Energy Future
Writing in the Guardian newspaper, the Prime Minister has called the current oil price rises "the third great oil shock in recent decades". Gordon Brown said: "The oil price, just $10 a barrel a decade ago, has reached $135 in recent days, pushing up the price of petrol and domestic heating as well as contributing to higher food prices....every country must find ways of being more efficient and diversifying supply. And as continuing high oil prices present us all with an immense challenge, the way we confront these issues will define our era". Read all about it
click here for further information
27th May 2008
MPs Second Home Lump Sum Payment Plan Mooted
The Times newspaper reports that one suggestion of the Members Estimate Committee, that is looking into MP's expenses, could be to award them an automatic lump sum payment of £23,000 a year for second homes. This would get around MPs having to disclose receipted claims.
27th May 2008
Lorry Drivers Take to London Streets in Fuel Protest
Lorry drivers have begun demonstrating in London against the rising costs of fuel and associated fuel duty. In the largest protest of this type in the capital, truckers are taking over parts of the A40 in central London before a rally in Marble Arch then a delegation descending upon Downing Street to air demands for essential user rebates. In response, the Business Secretary John Hutton has hinted that the planned 2p fuel duty increase detailed in the Budget might again be postponed. Chancellor Alistair Darling is reported to be in listening mode with backbench Labour MPs over the issue. Read more about the campaign at the TransAction 2007 website
23rd May 2008
Labour Suffer Dramatic Crewe & Nantwich Defeat
The Conservative candidate, Edward Timpson, secured a massive 17% swing to take the Crewe and Nantwich Parliamentary seat in the by-election following the death of long-serving MP Gwyneth Dunwoody. With 20, 539 votes he beat Labour candidate Tamsin Dunwoody into second place on 12,679. Elixabeth Shenton finished third for the Liberal Democrats with 6,040 votes. It is the first Tory victory over Labour in a by-election for 26 years. Conservative Leader, David Cameron said: "I know that winning a by-election and winning a general election are two different things and we've still got a huge amount of work to do". He continued that the result marked "the end of New Labour".
23rd May 2008
Johnson To Stand Down as Henley MP
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will stand down as MP for Henley, which he has held since 2001 when he took over the seat from Michael Heseltine. The by-election looks set to take place at the end of June or early July. Johnson won at the last general election with a 12,793 majority for the Tories.
21st May 2008
Equal Treatment of Agency Workers Agreement Announced
An agreement has been announced by BERR that will mean agency workers will receive the same rights as full time employees after a 12 week qualifying period of being at an organisation. The deal from the Government comes on the back of Andrew Miller's Private Members Bill and the proposed EU measure on Temporary Agency Workers. The CBI has called the agreement the "least worst option" whilst the TUC hailed the result as a "victory". Business Secretary John Hutton said "This is the right deal for Britain. Today's agreement achieves our twin objectives of flexibility for British employers and fairness for workers. It will give people a fair deal at work without putting their jobs at risk or cutting off a valuable route into employment". Read the press releases here from the CBI & TUC.
21st May 2008
Dalai Lama Addresses Parliamentarians in Westminster
The Dalai Lama today addressed members of both Houses of Parliament. The Prime Minister has been criticised for not granting the Tibetan spiritual leader an audience in No. 10 Downing Street. The Dalai Lama will also meet the leaders of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties.
21st May 2008
Abortion Time Limit Reduction Amendments Defeated
MPs have voted against proposals to reduce the time limit for abortions from 24 weeks in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill . See how MPs voted in the amendments defeating a 20 week time limit by 332 to 190 and 22 week time limit by 304 to 233.
20th May 2008
Hybrid Embryo Research Supported by MPs
The Government survived attempts to defeat plans for the use of hybrid human animal embryos in a free vote, by 336 to 176.
18th May 2008
Brown Backs Controversial Embryology Bill
The Prime Minister has said that in Monday's Commons vote, he will be voting in favour of stem cell research using human-animal embryos. Writing in the Observer, Gordon Brown said "The scientists I speak to are committed to what they see as an inherently moral endeavour, that can save and improve the lives of thousands and over time, millions".
17th May 2008
The Health Hotel at Autumn Party Conferences
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