Newslinks for Monday 13th May 2024

Sunak to warn UK faces “dangerous five years” due to war and rising immigration

“The UK faces one of the “most dangerous and transformational five years it has ever known” as it deals with security threats from overseas conflicts, the rise in global immigration and the dawn of artificial intelligence, Rishi Sunak is set to warn. Wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, along with the mass movement of people from poorer parts of the world, coupled with the power of AI and a more interconnected world will bring about more change in the coming five years than the previous 30, the Prime Minister will claim in a speech… Sunak will set out how he will tackle the challenges that are looming for the UK at a time of growing uncertainty. “I have bold ideas that can change our society for the better, and restore people’s confidence and pride in our country,” he will say.” – The I

• China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran will be cited by the Prime Minister as he argues Britain is at a “crossroads” – The Times
• The Prime Minister launches his general election campaign setting out his vision, and says “every aspect of our lives is going to change” – The Daily Telegraph
• Sunak is right to have a plan to navigate is to safety as we teeter on edge of conflict – Editorial, The Sun

>Today:

• Alexander Bowen’s Column: Germany’s CDU has a lesson to teach the Conservatives in how to rapidly rebuild the Right 
• Cameron Smith in Comment: To win back the capital, we need a London Conservative Party 

Cameron 1) The Foreign Secretary says Sunak should call a general election later in the year

“The Prime Minister should go “long” on calling the general election to…benefit from an improving economy, Lord Cameron has said…He told…Sky News: “The longer we have between now and the election, the more you’re going to see the plan is working.” Asked on what his advice to Mr Sunak would be, he said: “I’d say to him ‘stick to the plan’. I think the Prime Minister is a good man doing a great job at a difficult time. And I think you’ve got a very clear choice opening up, and that’s what happens as you get to the end of a parliament. It stops being a referendum on the Government every day and it starts being a choice between two teams.” The Telegraph revealed last week that Downing Street has shelved plans for a general election this summer…” – The Daily Telegraph

• Johnson would ‘relish’ campaigning for the Tories again, says Burns – Daily Express

Cameron 2) His claims a UK ban on arms sales to Israel would only strengthen Hamas

“Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has ruled out the UK banning arms sales to Israel amid growing concerns that a full-scale offensive could be launched in Rafah. He said that halting arms sales was “not a wise path”, but suggested an invasion of Gaza’s southernmost city would be wrong “without a plan to protect people”. Asked whether the UK would echo the US’s threat of banning weapons sales to Israel if it invades Rafah, Cameron said that America was “in a totally different situation” as it provides…more weapons to Israel. “The United States is a massive, bulk, state supplier of weapons to Israel, including 1,000lb bombs and all the rest of it,” he told Sky News… Israel’s operation in Rafah, which it has said is Hamas’s last significant stronghold, has ramped up in recent days…” – The I

• Labour makes first-time call for pause in ‘arms sales to Israel’ – The Daily Telegraph
• Silent majority is on song for Israel – Editorial, The Daily Mail

>Yesterday:

• Video: Cameron says legal advice is that arms sales to Israel can continue
• Video: Sultana – ‘We are aiding and abetting war crimes’ 

Cameron 3) His ‘cozying’ up to China is dubbed ‘pathetic’ by Patten

“David Cameron’s policy of cosying up to China when he was prime minister was ‘absolutely pathetic’, a former cabinet minister and governor of Hong Kong has said. Lord Patten of Barnes, who was governor of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997, criticised the so-called ‘golden era’ of UK-China relations under Lord Cameron, who is now Foreign Secretary. In this period there was a state visit by Chinese premier Xi Jinping, during which he met the late Queen and enjoyed fish and chips in a village pub. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Shadow War: China and the West programme, which starts tomorrow, Lord Patten said: “David Cameron introducing Xi Jinping to his pub near Chequers with a warm pint of beer – for what?”… George Osborne…defended the policy of closer UK-China relations.” – The Daily Mail

McVey ‘to scrap’ civil service equality jobs as ‘common sense’ minister…

“Civil service jobs dedicated to improving equality, diversity and inclusion will be scrapped under plans by the “common sense” minister, Esther McVey. In a speech on Monday, McVey will claim that public money is being wasted on “woke hobby horses” across Whitehall. She wants to stop any more officials devoted to EDI outside of human resources, with no more staff doing it as their primary role. New guidance is being worked on that would stop all external EDI spending across the civil service unless it is authorised by ministers. Arms-length bodies that spend the most on external EDI will also be called in for meetings with McVey to account for how doing so benefits taxpayers… The amount of staff time taken up by diversity programmes was “a major concern”, she said.” – The Times

• Civil servants ‘could go on strike’ over government policies they claim are ‘transphobic’ – The Daily Mail
• Time to end the dominance of DEI – Editorial, The Daily Telegraph
• McVey is right to act – the woke takeover of the civil service is a disaster – Leo McKinstry, Daily Express

…as civil servants ‘oppose crime tables for migrants’

“Civil servants are trying to block plans for league tables of the migrant nationalities with the highest rates of crime. The proposal, backed by 40 Tory MPs as an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, would require the crime rates of each nation’s migrants in England and Wales to be published annually. Ministers would present a report to Parliament each year detailing the nationality, visa status and asylum status of every offender convicted in English and Welsh courts in the previous 12 months. The move…led by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick…would mirror an approach by some US states and Denmark, where league tables show the crime rates of those from Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon and Somalia are far higher than those of Danish nationals.” – The Daily Telegraph

• Mass migration has eroded trust. A new citizenship law could restore it – Nick Timothy, The Daily Telegraph

Gove accuses Labour of ‘using Big Brother tactics’ to hike up council tax on people’s homes

“Michael Gove yesterday accused Labour of ‘using Big Brother tactics’ to hike up council tax on people’s homes. The Housing Secretary hit out after it emerged the Labour-run Welsh Government was using satellites to spy on homeowners living in properties with large gardens or that have undergone renovations and extensions. As well as aerial and street view photography, data from planning applications, information about energy efficiency and statistics on school performance and crime rates are also being assessed as part of an overhaul of council tax bands being drawn up by the Senedd. It means families who live in bigger, better insulated homes, in areas with good schools or lower incidence of crime, could be hit with higher council tax bills.” – The Daily Mail

• Labour’s plans for workers’ rights ‘could add £225 to council tax bills’ – The Daily Telegraph

‘Tory row’ to ignite over subsidies to wood-burning power stations

“Ministers are preparing to extend subsidies to wood-burning power stations despite Tory MPs warning that this risks “ripping off” taxpayers unless tougher conditions are imposed. No more taxpayer money should be handed to biomass electricity until it can prove it does not worsen climate change and offer value for money, dozens of Conservative MPs will say. The MPs say there are “serious questions” about whether generating electricity by burning wood is sustainable and a review is needed to see if options such as wind and solar are becoming better options. Up to 7 per cent of Britain’s electricity comes from biomass, mainly from a Drax power plant in North Yorkshire that was converted from coal to burn wood pellets.” – The Times

Zahawi admits he paid nearly £5 million to HMRC after ‘careless mistake’

“Nadhim Zahawi has admitted for the first time he paid nearly £5m to the tax authority to settle his tax affairs, having previously denied the figure involved and claimed he was being “smeared” by journalists who revealed the issue. The former chancellor told the BBC he had paid HMRC just under £5m after making what he called a “careless mistake” with the tax he paid on the sales of shares in YouGov, the polling company he helped found. It is the first time Zahawi has spoken openly about the issue, which ended up costing him his job as Conservative chair last year after an inquiry by the prime minister’s ethics adviser. He announced this week he was standing down as an MP at the next election… Allegations about Zahawi’s tax affairs began to emerge in 2022…” – The Guardian

>Yesterday:

• Video: ‘I am sorry’ Zahawi says about his £5 million settlement with HMRC 

Labour 1) Starmer ‘under pressure’ to allow Elphicke investigation

“Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to ­allow an independent investigation ­into claims that the new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke tried to lobby a minister over her then-husband’s trial for sexual assault. Jess Phillips, a Labour MP and former shadow minister for tackling domestic violence, said “questions have to be answered now” after allegations were reported by The Sunday Times. Zarah Sultana, another ­Labour MP, broke cover to say publicly that female colleagues had raised concerns over Elphicke’s defence of her husband, Charlie, after he was convicted. Sir Robert Buckland, the justice secretary at the time, accused Elphicke, who defected from the Conservatives on Wednesday, of using a meeting…to ask him to interfere in the trial of her husband and speak to the judge…” – The Times

• Labour MPs voice concern over move by ex-Tory MP accused of lobbying ministers over disgraced ex-husband – The Financial Times
• Cameron brands Labour’s decision to take on Elphicke as ‘naked opportunism’ – The Sun
• Her ‘anti-strike stance’ is ‘incompatible’ with Labour, says TUC president – The Guardian
• The dangers in calling defecting Tory MPs traitors – Kate McCann, The I
• If Labour wins the next election, we’ll just turn the lights out – Trevor Kavanagh, The Sun

>Today:

• ToryDiary: The Rayner and Elphicke stories wouldn’t stop Starmer taking office, but might haunt him once he gets there

>Yesterday:

• Video: ‘No deal was done’ before Elphicke defected to Labour – Ashworth 

Labour 2) Rayner ‘is set to be interviewed under caution’ amid council tax investigation

“Angela Rayner is expected to be interviewed under caution by police in the coming weeks over which of her two homes was her main residence. Greater Manchester Police are understood to have contacted Labour’s deputy leader to arrange an interview at a date and time to be agreed by both. The interview would almost certainly be conducted at a local police station in Manchester and Ms Rayner would be questioned under caution. Ms Rayner has previously said that she has been looking forward “to sitting down with the appropriate authorities… and draw a line under this matter”, suggesting that she will attend the interview voluntarily, obviating any need to arrest her and the embarrassment that would cause.” – The Daily Telegraph

• The deputy leader of the Labour Party said she was “looking forward to sitting down with the appropriate authorities” – The Times

Labour 3) Debbonaire ‘could toughen rules on MP presenters’ amid rise of GB News

“Labour is looking at toughening Ofcom’s powers around politicians hosting their own TV and radio shows due to concerns around impartiality, the shadow Culture Secretary has hinted. Thangam Debbonaire revealed that she has already held talks with regulator Ofcom to discuss how it can better uphold the rules around impartiality when it comes to broadcast channels. It comes after a raft of complaints were made about mainly Conservative MPs interviewing one another on the right-wing channel GB News, with several Tories, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, hosting their own shows. Similar complaints were made about shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who hosts his own radio slot on LBC on Sundays.” – The I

Labour 4) A future Starmer government would be in ‘pole position’ for a US green trade deal with a future Democratic administration

“A Labour government would be in pole position to sign a green free trade agreement with the United States, a former adviser to President Biden has said, praising the UK opposition’s “bold” climate policies. Jennifer Harris, a former chief economic adviser to the White House’s National Security Council, told The Times that a future Democratic administration and a Labour-led UK would be better placed than the European Union to agree a prized trade deal built on shared climate goals. “I’m a staunch advocate for the Biden second term and Labour inking a free trade agreement that can be the proving ground for a new generation of trade deals, rather than the project of the last 30 years, which has been about lowering tariffs,” Harris said.” – The Times

• The West will soon pay for Biden’s betrayal – John Bolton, The Daily Telegraph
• Why Biden’s policies on Gaza and Ukraine are driven more by America’s Muslim voters, and the price of oil, than what’s happening on the ground – Dominic Lawson, The Daily Mail

SNP to push ahead with conversion therapy ban

“Ministers are committed to moving forward with plans to ban conversion therapy in Scotland, the country’s health secretary has said. Neil Gray said that the government will reflect on responses to a consultation on the issue, but that it is an “important piece of legislation”. The consultation document outlined plans to ban the controversial practice, which sees people attempt to change or suppress the gender identity or sexual orientation of another person. Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Greens co-leader, has said that John Swinney must not water down the policies pursued by his party before the end of the power-sharing deal with the SNP…Some have raised concerns about the conversion therapy plans and how they could affect parenting and the pastoral care offered by religious leaders.” – The Times

• Swinney is following votes by ‘unwoking’ SNP – Iain Macwhirter, The Times

Lib Democrats ‘broke equality laws’ over deselection of Christian candidate

“The Liberal Democrats have been accused of deselecting a candidate “based on his Christian faith” in a breach of equality law. Members have reported the party to the equalities watchdog over accusations that the party has tolerated a “hostile environment” for people of faith, failed to investigate serious allegations of discrimination and harassment and “emboldened those who believe Christians should be driven out of public life”. The complaint to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) concerns the treatment of David Campanale…who is set to be replaced as a prospective MP candidate for Sutton and Cheam after a two-year campaign against him by members of his local party and a number of LGBT activists.” – The Daily Telegraph

• Former BBC journalist Campanale will not stand for parliament after alleged campaign against him – The Times
• Campanale, the Lib Dem candidate ‘punished’ for his faith – The Daily Telegraph

Reform UK reliant on Tice for ‘80 per cent of funding’ since 2021…

“Reform UK’s election efforts are being hampered by a lack of money and resources and the party has so far largely relied on £1.4m of loans from its leader, Richard Tice. The party is ultimately owned by Nigel Farage, but electoral and corporate filings show it has been mainly bankrolled by Tice, who has contributed about 80% of its declared funding in loans and donations since he took over in 2021. Farage is still undecided about whether to return to a frontline role in the party at this year’s election. The party has been ticking up in the polls even without his active presence, reaching 9%-15% nationally. In the Blackpool South byelection on 2 May, its candidate came within 120 votes of the Conservatives, with 17% of the vote.” – The Guardian

…as Farage says Britain ‘must be prepared’ to leave WHO over pandemic treaty

“Britain should leave the World Health Organization rather than hand it the power to force the country into lockdown during pandemics, Nigel Farage has told The Telegraph. The president of Reform UK described the WHO as “a failing, expensive, unelected, unaccountable, supranational body” that wants to “run roughshod” over nation states…The WHO is proposing a pandemic treaty that would be legally binding on all 194 member states, and is pushing for mandatory lockdowns and vaccinations. It hopes to reach an agreement later in May. The Government has insisted it would never hand over authority to the WHO over whether lockdowns should be imposed, but Mr Farage says ministers should be prepared to go further and leave the Geneva-based body if necessary.” – The Daily Telegraph

• Britain must reject a proposed United Stations treaty forcing it to surrender vaccines – Editorial, The Times
• We must stop the pandemic treaty and take back control from the WHO – Nigel Farage, The Daily Telegraph

News in Brief:

• Why are the Yakuza stealing Pokemon cards? – Philip Patrick, The Spectator 
• The real aim of Russia’s Kharkiv campaign – Aris Roussinos, UnHerd 
• How soap helped civilisation to survive – Henry Oliver, The Critic 
• The slow death of academia – Joseph Dinnage, CapX 
• The Right’s future must be parallel, and counter-revolutionary – N.S. Lyons, The Upheaval 

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