Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge was at Tory centrist think tank Onward’s headquarters today to announce a fresh Tory policy to ring fence money allocated to the defence estate to expand home ownership and reduce rents for the Ministry of Defence and armed forces. He pointed to a new survey revealing 64% of military personnel are mulling quitting due to the toll on their personal lives, while 30% say the dire state of service accommodation might be the final straw…
Cartlidge insisted the policy is about “retaining” troops, particularly as the Army shrank by 1,340 last year alone. Guido asked whether the Tories had a target for regular service personnel numbers, Cartlidge replied:
“No, I don’t have a target. I think the crucial point is you’ve got to stop the level of the number of people leaving. These issues are fundamental so you know you’ve got to be pretty brave to think you can suddenly stop this.”
Still no word from Kemi on a defence spending target either. Labour is screwing up armed forces recruitment, the Tories need a position…
Despite spin this morning Labour is refusing to join in with substantive efforts by European countries to deal with the ECHR. No surprise there…
MoJ spinners have pre-briefed some of Shabana Mahmood’s pro-ECHR reform remarks which she will deliver to a closed-doors meeting in Strasbourg shortly. There is nothing new in them – Shabana is essentially repeating what the attorney general has already said…
Nine European countries have written to the Council of Europe asking for reform. When MoJ ministers were asked if they would do the same they this month confirmed there would be no joint action: “The UK participates in regular engagement with the Council of Europe and its member States – including on the important issues raised in this letter.” We’re trying really hard behind closed doors, believe us…
Shabana’s excuse for not co-signing this month – given in the Commons to Jenrick – was that “if the shadow Secretary of State ever paid any attention to detail, he would know that that letter was sent by EU member states and we are no longer a member of the European Union.” Facepalm – the Council of Europe has nothing to do with the EU…
The Tories are edging towards proposing an exit from the ECHR by party conference. Richard Hermer has already promised that Labour will never challenge it on anything…
In pollster More in Common’s latest voting intention poll Labour is at its lowest point yet. Gulp…
Among 2,032 adults from 13 to 16 June Reform leads by seven points. The Tories are ahead of Labour by a point on 22 vs 21…
Starmer is on the back foot as he enters ‘Phase 2’ of Labour government. Which appears to consist only of a series of embarrassing U-turns…
Another headache for Rachel Reeves as the Confederation of British Industry hacks down its UK growth forecast to just 1.2% this year – a hefty drop from its earlier estimate of 1.6%. Next year is looking even worse: 2026 slashed from 1.5% to a limp 1%…
Business investment is set to slow in Q3 and actually drop at the start of 2026 – thanks again to Reeves’ cocktail of a national insurance hike and the minimum wage rise. Chief economist at the business group Louise Hellem said:
“Those decisions at the autumn Budget to increase taxes on National Insurance contributions alongside the increases in the national living wage have had a material impact on business decisions. They have made costs of being in the UK increase and they have meant many businesses have had to make tough choices, particularly on hiring decisions – they are pausing those.”
The report also pointed to uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs. Starmer being snubbed again by failing to secure 0% tariffs on steel won’t help…
A big blow to Reeves, who’s been flogging the ‘G’ word as a means to fund Labour’s spending splurge. Tax rises inbound…
Once again Starmer has pinched from Jenrick for policy. Not the first time…
Downing Street has now briefed that they will now suspend visas for countries that don’t co-operate on deportations. Not a new idea…
Co-conspirators may remember that Robert Jenrick proposed this policy along with the suspension of foreign aid last year. Catching up…
It comes after Downing Street pinched his proposals to cut foreign aid to fund defence increases and to sack Amanda Pritchard for presiding over falling productivity. Got to get the ideas from somewhere….
Last summer internal Labour sources said Jenrick’s analysis “could be most problematic for Labour.” Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…
New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the Consumer Prices Index rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to May 2025. Still high…
Last month was unofficially revised by the statistician from 3.5% to 3.4%. A hold…
The ONS says transport cost drops were offset by food, and furniture, and household goods. Closely watched on Threadneedle Street for tomorrow’s rate decision…
Speaking at his speech on how to achieve “progressive capitalism” Wes Streeting fired a dig and Andy Burnham:
“Bond markets are not bond villains and fiscal rules matter.”