• Ruling by information commissioner criticises Tory secrecy • Ashcroft’s domicile tax undertakings to be revealed in 35 daysThe Conservative leadership is today accused of being “evasive and obfuscatory” over the tax status of Lord Ashcroft, the party’s deputy chairman and biggest donor, in a ruling by the information commissioner that sharply criticises the secrecy [...]
A Conservative government would not slash public spending on taking power after election, leader saysA Tory government would not make immediate “swingeing cuts” to public spending on taking office David Cameron said today, after the party was forced to deny a policy rift between the leader and the shadow chancellor, George Osborne.Cameron said while [...]
• Conservative leader: action swift but not extensive• Sources deny Cameron rowing back on pledge to tackle deficitDavid Cameron today gave a clear sign that Tory spending cuts designed to prevent Britain facing a Greek-style debt crisis would begin in modest fashion this summer.Speaking in Davos, the Conservative leader said that his party would want [...]
Party’s reticence could be connected to the problems, both political and personal, it is facingAt the time of writing, five of the main Northern Ireland assembly parties remain locked in talks at Hillsborough Castle.Even after the departures of Gordon Brown to London and Brian Cowen to Dublin, the parties are still engaged in discussions aimed [...]
First of 73 appeals results in ‘vindication’ for Lib DemA Liberal Democrat frontbencher accused of wrongly claiming nearly £18,000 in expenses has become the first MP to successfully appeal.Jeremy Browne, the party’s Treasury spokesman, was initially ordered to repay the money after Sir Thomas Legg audited MPs’ expenses last year. He is one of 73 [...]
If any general election could be said to be a good one to lose, it may be this oneBritain’s unexpectedly fragile return to economic growth has the potential to dent both of the core slogans at any general election. “Don’t let the opposition ruin it,” may ring hollow after six quarters of recession. But so [...]
A special all-party session of talks aimed at averting the collapse of Northern Ireland’s devolved government over policing powers is under way.
Tories increasingly seen as upper class but poll shows party increasing lead over Labour as voters think Gordon Brown’s leadership made recession worseSteve Bell…
The SNP’s failure to publish a referendum bill on independence hints at a possible realignment of Scottish politicsThe SNP are driven by one overriding factor, the restoration of Scottish statehood and independence. More than left v right, this is what matters in the party. The SNP government has undertaken a “national conversation” and published a [...]
Tories seen increasingly as upper class, but lead over Labour widens to 11 points thanks to a rise in the Lib Dem voteThe Conservatives are losing the battle over class, according to a Guardian/ICM poll published today, which shows a third of voters see the Tories as the party of the upper classes.Overall, Labour has [...]