Archive of August 2014

Tories face Ukip thrashing in Clacton by-election

David Cameron faces his biggest by-election defeat yet at the hands of Ukip defector Douglas Carswell in Clacton.

Crisis for Cameron as Tory MP defects to Ukip

Extraordinary scenes in central London, as Douglas Carswell defects from the Conservative party and joins Ukip
Rotherham child sexual exploitation: 'Culture of disbelief' warning as scapegoating continues

Mandatory reporting of all child sexual exploitation is needed to end the "culture of disbelief" revealed in Rotherham, Keir Starmer has insisted.

Cameron 'naked against Russia' as Nato summit approaches

David Cameron should spend more time playing war games, a former senior RAF officer has told Politics.co.uk, as Nato prepares to deploy its forces in eastern European bases for the first time.
Down to the wire: Salmond aims for Scottish independence victory after debate win

Supporters of Scottish independence aim for a knife-edge win following Alex Salmond's comprehensive victory in the TV debate on Monday

Rotherham abuse: Senior MP demands resignations

Officers at Rotherham council should lose their jobs over the child sexual exploitation scandal which saw 1,400 young people victimised, Clive Betts has told Politics.co.uk.
Oil, currency and the BBC: Salmond's economic case falls apart

Alex Salmond hit by triple-whammy of bad news, with serious questions asked about North Sea oil, plans for currency union and Scots' access to the BBC

'Labour failures to blame' for Scottish independence referendum

Labour's failure to modernise in Scotland led to the risk of independence in a referendum, one of the party's senior MPs has told Politics.co.uk.
Grayling in a state of unparalleled denial, experts warn

The entire English justice system is in crisis, a senior lawyer has said, after a damning report by the prisons inspector was dismissed by Chris Grayling.

One month to go: Poll bump gives Salmond hope for Scottish independence

Alex Salmond goes into the last month of campaigning for the Scottish independence referendum with a spring in his step, after two polls show a boost in support for the 'Yes' camp
Back to Iraq: British boots on the ground once more

British special forces have been operating on the ground in Iraq for six weeks, it has emerged, as David Cameron retreats from a larger military involvement.

Scottish independence: 'Dishonest' Salmond hurting yes campaign

Alex Salmond is perceived as "dishonest" by women voters, a poll out today has revealed.
Guantanamo Bay deal helps good times return for security firm G4S

Controversial security services firm G4S has been awarded a $118 million contract to service the US' Guantanamo Bay prison.

Britain needs 'Chinese' approach to climate change

China is showing a "leadership" on climate change which the UK is lacking, the chair of the Commons' environmental audit committee has told Politics.co.uk.
No, Christians – Trojan Horse reforms won't downgrade Christmas

Christian lobbyists are taking the government to court over plans to force independent schools to teach British values including "tolerance of those of different faiths".

Grim reading for Salmond as poll shows independence fading from view

Further evidence the Better Together campaign is cruising to victory, after poll shows voters are unconvinced by Salmond's plans for currency union
Foreign Office churn continues as another minister quits

A second minister has resigned from the Foreign Office in as many weeks, forcing David Cameron to make yet more changes to his government.

Farage stays silent over Ukip MEP's 'copy Hitler' comments

Nigel Farage is remaining silent over a newspaper story revealing one of its MEPs encouraged young people to emulate Adolf Hitler.
Protest outside Home Office as authorities clamp down on anti-detention movement

Activists will gather outside the Home Office tomorrow, as they respond to reports that authorities violently broke up a protest in a detention centre

Scottish independence: Poll shows 'No' campaign heading for landslide with 22% lead

The 'No' campaign could win by a landslide in the Scottish independence referendum next month, with a new poll giving it a 22% lead
The Sun backs calls for relaxation of drugs laws

Newspaper endorses calls by Nick Clegg for a radical rethink of the law

Toddler 'extremism' to be tackled by new education secretary

Nurseries to be instructed to teach 'fundamental British values' to children.
The evidence that Israel deliberately targeted hospitals and ambulances

Amnesty International publishes evidence that Israeli Defence Forces specifically targeted hospitals, health workers and ambulance personnel during the attack on Gaza