Revolution or rhetoric? What’s the verdict on Boris Johnson’s plans to kick start the UK economy?
One man who knows the Prime Minister better than most is his former political secretary, Danny Kruger MP. Kruger has also served as a policy adviser for the Conservative Party and became David Cameron’s chief speechwriter in 2006.
Tonight he’ll join the IEA’s Syed Kamall for an in depth discussion on No. 10’s vision for Britain – and what further steps can be taken to avert economic catastrophe. The MP for rural Devizes will also be quizzed on his view that, post-Brexit, Britain’s farmers should come before free trade.
JOIN IN THE DEBATE – LIVE at 6.00 pm – HERE or on YouTube.
During today’s “Build, Build, Build” speech Boris told the nation that while the nation has, rightly, applauded health workers over the past week, it is was also a clap those who make the NHS possible; the wealth creators, innovators, capitalists and financiers. Guido completely agrees, Thursday evening cheering for him was all about recognising the hard-working money-makers, without whom the NHS would not exist. You can download the poster for your living room window here…
During a debate on the Immigration and Social Security Bill, Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe suffered a very unparliamentary interruption. Someone’s trying to connect to the Webbe…
Dominic Raab told the House of Commons this morning that “we are waiting for [China’s national security legislation] to be published so we can see the details and assess it.” Sources close to the Foreign Office tell Guido that as soon as there is confirmation of the wording of the law, the UK will be ready to “push back hard” against Beijing if it breaks the Joint Declaration. Later Raab released a statement saying:
“Despite the urging of the international community, Beijing has chosen not to step back from imposing this legislation. China has ignored its international obligations regarding Hong Kong. This is a grave step, which is deeply troubling.
We urgently need to see the full legislation, and will use that to determine whether there has been a breach of the Joint Declaration and what further action the UK will take.”
The Foreign Office is privately bullish about standing up to its responsibilities, yet publicly it is running on China’s timetable. While the UK waits for Beijing to publish the law they have passed, Hong Kongers already understand its gravity. Pro-democracy literature is already being torn down to avoid punishment. The UK should not wait until it is convenient for China in order to act and save the freedoms of people it has an international obligation to protect…
UPDATE: Analysis of the freshly published legislation is revealing that under the law, jury trial will be rendered inapplicable for national security related cases, and anyone seeking to overthrow or disrupt the system of one-party rule in China or Carrie Lam’s regime in Hong Kong faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, jury trial will be rendered inapplicable for national security related cases when the Secretary for Justice considers it necessary to "protect national secrets". Such trials should be handled by 3 judges at the court of first instance.
— Stuart Lau (@StuartKLau) June 30, 2020
(2) Subversion: Anyone seeking to "overthrow or disrupt" PRC's "foundational system" (i.e. one-party rule), PRC's regime or HK's regime, faces a max of life imprisonment. Again, active participants face 3-10 yrs behind bars pic.twitter.com/P3UhbCoXnl
— Stuart Lau (@StuartKLau) June 30, 2020
Pro-democracy protests by implication appear to have been made illegal. Raab has a statement in the Commons tomorrow…
Interviewing Anneliese Dodds on GMB this morning, Piers went in hard on last week’s sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey, saying “it’s hard to imagine a more antisemitic trope than that”. Guido can think of something more antisemitic, Piers…
Herr Morgan also asked whether Becky should apologise, saying “she can’t seem to bring herself to say the word ‘sorry'”. Two weeks ago, the Campaign Against Antisemitism put out a statement in response to Guido’s exclusive photo of Piers’ party wear, saying:
Mr Morgan must clarify what exactly happened and, if the claims are true, make amends.
Over a fortnight on from Guido’s story, Piers is keeping stum…
There may be more to the former Prime Minister’s anger in the Commons earlier today than the immediate issue of the appointment of David Frost as National Security Adviser. Guido understands Theresa May has been fuming all day about reports she was “bullied and humiliated” by Donald Trump over the phone during her premiership. Her commons performance allowed her to both let off steam and appear less of a victim…
