Commons sniping has kicked off again this afternoon with Parliament’s return. It was Rayner’s turn first for oral questions on housing. The Tories had some choice words when it came to Labour reducing London’s housing targets and raising them elsewhere…
This month it was revealed Sadiq Khan managed to build just 2% of his affordable housing target. At the same time the government has slashed London’s total target by 17,000 annually. Labour’s explanation: “We will ensure that we are pushing the mayor on a realistic, but achievable, target.” Does that mean the government’s view is that Khan’s own manifesto targets are unachievable…
Badenoch took a dig at Rayner on that line: “She attempts to explain why she’s reduced Sadiq Khan’ London targets and even more when she highlights that he’s consistently under-delivered but my question is: if other local leaders miss their new housing targets, will she reduce their targets too?” Bluster in response..
Taxpayers spent an eye-watering £3.4 billion on private consultants last year, marking a staggering 57% increase over the past five years as the public sector opted to outsource staff for various projects. According to data company Tussell, civil service departments spent the most, accounting for 58% of the total, with the Energy Department spending the most at £339 million. That’s a lot of cash forked out in a single year…
It’s odd the blob feel the need to spend so much on outsourcing workers, considering the number of civil servants has increased to 503,000, with the salary bill rising by 60% – or £5.8 billion – over the seven years up to 2023 Meanwhile, Labour have committed to a 5% pay rise for all civil servants, despite wails of a fiscal “black hole”. Perhaps the never-ending public sector strikes may be driving the government to splash the cash on consultants…
Jeremy Corbyn and four other pro-Gaza Independent MPs have formed the ‘Independent Alliance’ Parliamentary group, making them the joint fifth biggest grouping in the Commons with the same “strength” as Reform and the DUP. The Corbynistas are turning up the heat in their crusade against Starmer…
Independent MPs Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed join the former Labour leader to “hold the government to account” on issues closest to their hearts: winter fuel allowance, the two child benefit cap and ending arms to Israel. Unfortunately for Starmer, now the famous five are a Parliamentary group, they’ll be allotted more airtime at PMQs. If you can’t join them…
MPs are finally getting their parliamentary offices set up. Nigel has just found his…
Guido hears that Deputy PM Rayner has done a bit of window shopping herself. After deciding that Oliver Dowden’s well-sized office in the lower ministerial corridor wasn’t quite grand enough for her, she’s found a new home. The Attorney General’s office…
The AG’s parliamentary office is a very well-endowed one just off Central Lobby – positioned between the Commons and Lords thanks to the position’s proximate work with both Houses of Parliament. As far as Guido is aware this is the first time it will be inhabited by someone other than the Attorney General for over 100 years…
A bemused Labour figure tells Guido it’s “very on brand for Ange” to seek out a swankier office and boot out Richard Hermer. She should have enough space for those DJ decks now…
Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly is launching his Tory leadership campaign today, where he’s expected to highlight the need for capitalism and a smaller state to boost economic growth and give younger people a stake in society. Like most of the other candidates, he’ll also promise to “unite” the party…
🎥 Watch live as I deliver the first major speech of my campaign to be leader of the Conservative Party https://t.co/hPkBZME9rQ
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) September 2, 2024
Kemi Badenoch is launching her leadership bid Renewal2030 with a speech in a “modern” stage in Westminster. Meanwhile, her ‘teaser’ video of the party needing someone who “isn’t afraid of Doctor Who” has racked up more likes and views on X in the last 12 hours than any other the other candidates’ videos. As Guido reported last week, Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho took to the stage to give a fresh endorsement of Kemi…
Join me at 11am as I launch my @Renewal2030 campaign to become the next leader of our great Conservative Party. https://t.co/hDwprbj5mJ
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) September 2, 2024
In her bid to appeal to the party, Kemi spoke of the importance of personal responsibility, citizenship, equality, family and truth. Covering a lot…
UPDATE: A rival camp source says:
“Kemi’s spot-on. We need to keep attacking Dr Who, not cap migration, and just relax. No wonder her campaign has written off the next general election.”
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.”