Earlier this month Guido revealed the government’s draconian plans to ban the sale of mobile phones to under 16-year-olds. Now Guido understands it’s been kicked into the long grass…
A consultation paper was meant to be published this week, though supporters of the ban have been told that this has been delayed – without a future date set for its release. Still, Labour officials are said to be fans of the ban, so even if this government puts it off until – if you believe the polls – they’re out of office, it could make a comeback. Guido hopes it doesn’t, and like some other bans the government has put off, it is kicked down the road until it dies…
Guido revealed a recording earlier today of Khan’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, hosting a meeting at City Hall urging the room to come out and help people vote for Labour. Now, Neil Garratt – group leader of the City Hall Conservatives – has written to the GLA to call for an investigation into the incident. Bad timing for Khan…
The potential breach of GLA’s Guidance on Political Restriction wasn’t the only thing on the Tories’ mind. They also point out that Dawber may have breached the GLA Use of Resource guidance, as the meeting appeared to be political, having been chaired on behalf of SME4Labour. The guidance clearly states that GLA facilities and funds should not be used for “party political activity and electoral campaigning”. Double trouble for Dawber…
Read the letter in full below:
The regulatory burden hitting businesses in the UK has risen by a whopping £6 billion a year under the Tories, according to a report by the Centre for Policy Studies. The equivalent of a 2p increase in corporation tax…
Despite cries from the Tories of being the party for business – a core Tory value – they’ve done little to promote them. Sunak announced an increased corporation tax from 19% to 25% in 2021. And now, despite assurances to cut red tape – much of what Brexit promised – the report points to more than 3,500 pieces of legislation over almost a decade that weigh down enterprises. Ten years to save British businesses?
The new Ipsos poll will do little for the few hopeful Tories left, as the party hits an all-time low of 19% – the lowest in 45 years. The Tories won’t seek comfort in Rishi’s personal ratings either, as he drops to a record low -59 points. The same level as Jezza Corbyn…
Meanwhile, Labour stayed relatively stable at 44% and Reform hit 13%, their highest score yet in an Ipsos poll. A whopping 37% of people think the Tories should change leader before the election, compared to 33% who don’t. Still, at least the ‘grown ups’ are back in charge…
Lord Ashcroft’s new poll will make more grim reading for the Tories. Labour poll higher than the government on every major political issue, from education and healthcare to the economy, Brexit and immigration. Crucially, and surprisingly, the public trust Labour more on defence than the Tories, from 22% to 15%. While war rages in Ukraine and the Middle East, it’s an issue that Downing Street would hope the public had faith in them about…
Guido consistently receives word from Tory MPs furious that Rishi Sunak still hasn’t committed to a date to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP yet. Meanwhile, Ashcroft’s analysis states Sunak should consider cutting his losses and head for an earlier election instead – things may only get worse. Labour tanks are firmly on the Tories’ lawn…
SpAds across government are preparing for their next jobs – some are planning on staying closer to politics than others. Local Tories have spotted Will Tanner, the PM’s Deputy Chief of Staff and founder of centrist Tory think tank Onward, on visits to Tory functions in Essex, including recent association social events in Basildon and Billericay – majority 20,412 and held by standing down MP John Baron. Guido also notices an incognito Tanner popped up in the back of a group of Tory canvassers in Epping three days ago. He won’t thank Richard Holden for posting that one…
Tanner is joining the rest of the Onward crew in visiting safe(ish) seats. Deputy Director Adam Hawksbee has dropped into association meetings in Tory safe seat Solihull and is seen as a top contender there. Nick Timothy has already bagged the selection for Matt Hancock’s West Suffolk. Seb Payne has had no luck yet. Guido hears the crew have a gentleman’s agreement not to apply against one another…
While its staff look for seats Onward is quietly preparing a large-scale initiative with a six-figure price tag to push the Tory Party leftwards following a bruising election defeat. To have its generals in Parliament would aid that project…
