Week-in-Review: The Conservative Party risks spiralling further into incoherence
The below content first appeared in Politics.co.uk’s Week-in-Review newsletter, sign-up for free here and never miss this article. One of Britain’s best, and most underrated, election rituals is the concession speech. Dotted throughout results night, the address sees a vanquished incumbent verbally pass the parliamentary baton on to an opponent, all while extolling the virtues of […]
‘Realist’ Shapps first minister to concede Conservative election victory is ‘unlikely’
Grant Shapps has become the first minister to explicitly concede that a Conservative general election victory is “unlikely”. The defence secretary, who recently warned that a Labour is on track for a “super majority” on the 4th July, nonetheless contended that an election victory for his party was “possible”. Asked if the Conservatives can still […]
Grant Shapps warns election could hand Labour ‘unchecked power’ and ‘super majority’
Grant Shapps has urged voters not to hand Labour a “super majority” at the general election.
Government has ‘complete confidence’ in nuclear deterrent despite failed missile test
A cabinet minister has stressed that the government has “complete confidence” in Britain’s nuclear deterrent following reports of a second failed test in eight years. Victoria Atkins, the health and social care secretary, was questioned this morning after a Trident missile, tested as part of the UK’s nuclear deterrent programme, failed. The dummy reportedly “plopped” […]
Sunak ‘absolutely’ can turn things around, says minister as poll predicts 1997-style wipeout
Grant Shapps has insisted the Conservatives “absolutely” can turn around their electoral fortunes in the wake of a poll that suggests the party is heading for a 1997-style wipeout. The poll, conducted by YouGov, predicts that the Conservative Party would win just 169 seats, with Labour on 385. It would give Labour leader Keir Starmer […]
‘This is no Enoch Powell situation’: Braverman defended over speech predicting ‘hurricane’ of migration
Home secretary Suella Braverman’s rhetoric in her speech yesterday was “certainly no Enoch Powell situation”, cabinet minister Grant Shapps has insisted this morning. The defence secretary was asked to give his view on Braverman’s comments that the UK faces a “hurricane” of mass migration. Grant Shapps told Times Radio: “She makes the absolutely correct point […]
Grant Shapps says he will ‘fight’ for higher defence budget ‘in my own way’
Grant Shapps has insisted said he will “fight” for a higher budget for the Ministry of Defence “in my own way”. The defence secretary, who was appointed to the role last Thursday, was asked on Sky News if he will be continue his predecessor Ben Wallace’s legacy of lobbying for more defence funding. As defence […]
Week-in-Review: With another cautious reshuffle, Sunak risks cementing status as tinkerer-in-chief
Some say that reshuffles, if executed well, can sharpen and re-energise governments, set ambitious agendas and boost a prime minister even if their authority is ailing. Rishi Sunak is not one of those people. The prime minister has been presented with opportunity after opportunity to shake up his top team. But, at every turn, he […]
Mini-reshuffle complete as Shapps handed defence and Coutinho confirmed as energy secretary
Grant Shapps has been named the new defence secretary following the resignation of Ben Wallace this morning. Rishi Sunak appears to have selected Mr Shapps, who was serving in cabinet as energy security and net zero secretary, as Mr Wallace’s replacement because he is deemed in Whitehall to be a safe pick. Meanwhile, Claire Coutinho, […]
Cut to price cap hailed as ‘another milestone’ in government’s bid to halve inflation
The energy regulator Ofgem has this morning confirmed a cut to its price cap which will see average household bills come down this autumn. Ofgem said the typical household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity faced an annual charge of £1,923 from October to December. This is down from the £2,074 level set […]
