The New Conservatives group of MPs have finally launched their well-briefed 12-point manifesto this morning, demanding the PM cuts net migration by roughly 400,000 before the general election. The 25-strong group of 2017 and 2019 intake MPs insist they’re not rebels, although designing a logo, hosting a manifesto launch, and warning Rishi should follow their plans or risk “eroding public trust” suggests they’re not planning on staying quiet over the next year…
The manifesto was written by Ipswich MP Tom Hunt, and is backed by the likes of Lee Anderson* – who missed the launch today due to an “illness” – Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger. It insists Rishi needs to “honour [the] trust” of the 2019 manifesto by reducing migration to around 200,000 a year by implementing strict measures, including a higher £38,000 salary threshold for skilled workers and reduce visas grants by 117,000. They warn the current system “just [isn’t] working”. Given migration is now at roughly 600,000 a year, and now the Rwanda plan is being pushed further down the road, that’s an understatement…
Unless the indigenous economically inactive can be brought back into the workplace, cutting immigrant workers will mean shortages in critical sectors – health and social care. Britain can’t realistically afford to raise wages in the public sector so it is difficult to square without immigration. Despite the fanfare, Downing Street have already poured cold water on the proposals. His spokesperson said today the current measures “strike the right balance currently“. 93% of the country appears to disagree…
* Anderson supports the group, though his name did not appear on its list of supporters this morning because, as Tory Deputy Chairman, he can’t officially endorse outsider policy proposals…
Read the full 12-point plan, and the list of MPs publicly backing the group, below:
After protesters twice disrupted proceedings at today’s National Conservatism Conference, Danny Kruger joked:
“Thanks to the organisers, even though they’re as good as the border force in keeping people out”.
Tory MP Danny Kruger was ordered to pay more than £700 by a court yesterday afternoon after his Jack Russell, Pebble, caused a 200-deer stampede in Richmond Park. Many have compared the clip to the infamous “Fenton” video from 2011. Kruger is said to have been “contrite and apologetic”. Oh dear…
Former Number 10 Political Secretary, son of Bake Off’s Prue Leith, and now MP Danny Kruger has been sharing a 12 point plan for a new social covenant, through a new organisation he’s set up. Guido hears it has has not been well received by all of his colleagues. A screenshot of one of the points is doing the rounds among Tory MPs on WhatsApp, and not in a good way…
One Tory MP tells Guido the initiative is “trying to return to the 1950s”, and that the “whole report is steeped on an ideological, religious viewpoint which is neither in existence or sought after in a modern day Britain.” The blue-on-blue attacks are bubbling over an issue that many Tory MPs believed to have been settled under David Cameron when equal marriage was passed. Another Tory MP tells Guido the initiative reads like it’s trying to re-fight a settled issue…
Guido is sure all Tories are on the side of family, and believe more should be done to encourage families to have children. Claiming the purpose of a marriage is to “regulate baby making” seems poorly phrased to the modern ear. Another Tory MP tells Guido they are “surprised that they continue to actively publish this stuff”. Just goes to show how conservative Christian values are surprisingly unwelcome in some parts of the Conservative Party…
Tory MP and former Number 10 speechwriter Danny Kruger was snapped travelling mask-less on a train, just days after he told constituents “you MUST wear a face covering” when using trains. On September 18 Danny took a Hungerford to Paddington, ignoring rules that the government he supports imposed. Usually that’s a mistake that carries a £100 fine…
Danny tells Guido:
“I boarded an almost empty carriage at Hungerford and quite simply forgot to put on my mask. When I got to Paddington I realised my mistake and covered up for the rest of my journey. If the person had reminded me rather than taking a photo and posting it on social media I would of course have put on my mask then and there. I do apologise for my mistake.”
“Almost empty” save for that person who took a sneaky picture…
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.
