Labour-linked campaign group Hope Not Hate hosted a love-in panel event at Party Conference this afternoon. While discussing how Labour in government can “heal division”, MP Gareth Snell led the panel in emphasising that “language is important” when discussing cultural issues, and even managed to complain that Twitter is a “cesspit” under Elon. Co-conspirators may raise an eyebrow considering Snell’s own language on the platform…
Those are some choice words from an MP whose long Twitter history includes describing women as “bitchy,” “sour faced,” “stupid,” and “f***ing annoying.” The repository of fruity comments goes on and on…
Sadly Gareth forgot to mention any of his past comments while pontificating on responsible language and stating that the Reform Party is “dangerous.” Snell even reminisced about dealing with offensive comments on the doorstep during his 2017 Stoke by-election. The fact he had to apologise twice in one day during that campaign for, among other things, saying a woman needed “a good slap” didn’t make its way into his reflections. Never fear, Guido’s here…
Rachel Reeves is back in the spotlight as the Tories accuse her of potentially breaching parliamentary rules by failing to fully declare a holiday gifted by Labour donor – and notably now Labour Mayor for West Midlands – Richard Parker. True to form of a Labour politician, Reeves enjoyed a week at Parker’s £1,400 holiday home in Padstow last July. Though while she logged the stay, she conveniently omitted that family members also enjoyed the trip…
In a revealing chat with Nick Ferrari on LBC this morning, Reeves admitted to taking a “family holiday,” a slip that could land her in serious trouble. The Code of Conduct is clear: MPs must register any benefit given to third parties if they are aware of it. Shadow Exchequer Secretary Gareth Davies weighed in, highlighting the potential fallout from this oversight:
“It appears that Rachel Reeves has broken parliamentary rules as she has failed to properly declare a donor gifted family holiday. This Chancellor has endlessly preached about the importance of integrity and honesty but now it appears she might well have broken the rules, just like the Deputy PM.”
Labour are fast becoming the party of opacity and cronyism…
While Rachel Reeves goes on about making savings in government, over at HMRC the nation’s tax overlords have been busy designing more “learning products” to enforce the agency’s equality and diversity goals. If only they could be bothered to pick up the phone…
HMRC’s 25-strong Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion team spent 2023 putting together an optional “Building an Inclusive Workplace” training module to “allow colleagues to upskill themselves in inclusive practices.” That’s £4 million in salaries for woke jobs well spent…
It turns out the training is so boring that the EDI team itself can’t even be bothered to do it. Guido can reveal that as of last month a measly 4 out of 25 had bothered to complete it. A completion rate of 16% – no inclusivity here…
A protester interrupted the Chancellor’s speech, decrying arms sales to Israel and “funding oil” before he was booted out. Reeves’ response: “This is not the party of protest!”. Protestors crashing speeches is becoming a Labour conference tradition…
UPDATE I: A group called Climate Resistance has claimed responsibility for disrupting Rachel Reeves’ speech:
“How can we trust this govt to take the urgent action we need when they’re so clearly in the pockets of fossil fuel and arms companies?”
UPDATE II: According to the protester, when he shouted ‘Free Palestine’, the officer shouted back: “You weasel!”. He’s got quite the marks from when he was dragged out of the room…
Hat tip: Owen Jones
Chancellor Rachel Reeves tried her hand as a cheerleader today, declaring there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Though in that tunnel there’ll be budget cuts, a tough spring review, squabbles over freebies, and a showdown with trade unions over her winter fuel payments cut. Things will get worse before they get better…
WATCH LIVE: My conference speech at 12pm.#lab24https://t.co/hafXbEk1TB
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 23, 2024
Here are the key takeaways:
- Rachel Reeves and Jonathan Reynolds will introduce their plans for “A New Industrial Strategy for Britain” next month, aimed at fostering sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.
- Reeves emphasised that “there will be no return to austerity,” committing to a budget with “real ambition”.
- Share wealth across the country, promised that people will see “Shovels in the ground, cranes in the sky, the sounds and the sight of the future, arriving. ” Specific…
- She promised that income tax will not be raised, and working people will not face additional tax burdens. At the same time, they plan to intensify efforts against tax avoidance and evasion, increase levies on oil and gas producers, and eliminate non-dom tax loopholes.
- Defended the private school raid as “the Britain I believe in”.
- Promised to begin the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary school from April 2025.
- Boasted about settling pay disputes in public services. At the exact moment nurses rejected the government’s pay award of a 5.5% rise…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”
