Starmer’s winter of discontent is kicking off very early in Parliament as members of the PCS union – which represents civilian parliamentary security guards – have called a strike. They’re walking out on the first two Wednesdays of September, refusing to do overtime and working-to-rule…
Parliamentary authorities say they have contingency plans in place and MPs have been told there will be no disruption to business but there may be “some changes” to access to the Palace. Brace for some long queues at PCH…
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was granted an urgent question in the Commons today over migrant crime at asylum hotels as riots grow in Epping following an asylum seeker being charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Policing minister Diana Johnson skirted around the issue, instead giving the public a lecture on keeping quiet:
“These are very serious allegations, but it is vital that the criminal justice procedures are able to run their course. Superintendent Tim Tubbs of Essex Police has said, and I quote, ‘The last thing we want is for any public discussion to hinder an ongoing prosecution.’ Criminal activity of any kind is totally unacceptable wherever it occurs and whoever it is perpetrated by.”
Philp then asked whether the government would shut down the migrant hotel in question. Johnson gave the usual non-answer. Labour once again demonstrating their inability to grasp the depth of public fury right now…
Starmer is up in front of the Liaison Committee for his end-of-term grilling. Watch it here…
Starmer says at the Liaison Committee that the best thing about his first year in government was “walking into Downing Street.” Which says something about what happened afterwards…
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.”