Robert Jenrick as Judge Dredd
Photo byKeir Starmer is unpopular. So Neal Lawson, chief of the Compass think tank, was on to something when he declared, 'We've had New Labour and Blue Labour – it's now time for Lou Labour,' at a jamboree in the Ministry of Sound nightclub. Some of the party's MPs regard Louise Haigh – ousted as transport secretary by Morgan McSweeney last November – as a dark horse for the crown should the PM fall. Aside from soft-left credentials, she has a safe seat (Sheffield Heeley, majority 15,304), whereas other possible contenders Wes Streeting (528), Angela Rayner (6,791) and Bridget Phillipson (7,168) cannot be so confident of staying in the game.
Quick – can you name the shadow health secretary? What about shadow transport? No one expects them to be household names outside the Westminster bubble when even the actual cabinet enjoys limited name recognition. But something is wrong if many Conservative MPs, ex-MPs and strategists struggle to recall who represents their party. Quizzing Tory insiders on their front bench is a Westminster party trick, and an insight into the invisibility of Kemi Badenoch's team. Can anyone get the full set?
One shad cab member far from invisible is Robert Jenrick. The shadow justice secretary's viral videos savaging Richard Hermer and playing Judge Dredd on London's Tube are glimpses of what a dynamic opposition could look like. Jenrick is widely viewed as manoeuvring against his plodding leader, but Badenoch is putting on a brave face. Her reaction to his antics can be summed up as 'a rising tide lifts all boats'. In other words, she's happy to have someone else do the work for her. Or too weak to keep him in line.
Rhondda rhymer Chris Bryant seemingly has a quote for all occasions. The minister peppers performances with high-brow literary references yet went poppy on Good Morning Britain during a discussion about AI. 'In the words of Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton, 'I do not fear change, I embrace change,'' he announced. Hmm… Lady W is the gossipy pseudonym of secret scandal-spreader Penelope Bridgerton and therefore not the best example to promote accuracy, integrity and authority.
There was a Freudian slip from Jeremy Hunt, who ran for Con leader in 2019 and 2022. He told the New Statesman podcast: 'I don't think I'll be leader. I mean, I've tried three times and failed three times, and I think there's got to be a message in there somewhere.' Three? Did he secretly take soundings in October 2022, before Rishi Sunak was foisted unopposed as Liz Truss's successor, or in 2024 after the election bloodbath? Or is the chronic hopeful always fighting a leadership contest in his head? (The Spectator's alternative magazine cover had he beaten Johnson in 2019 – 'Hunt wins' – is framed above his desk.) Or perhaps the one-time chancellor always struggled with numbers.
Zarah Sultana spent her weekend batting away a Mail on Sunday smear about the fiery independent MP and her hubby, a Fire Brigades Union (FBU) senior policy officer. The right-wing tab claimed Sultana failed to declare a conflict of interest before speaking in the Commons about key FBU demands. Sultana released a rebuttal but may have had to pull off the riposte operation alone. Rumours swirl she's sacked her staff. What next: Sultana hiring her husband?
The Hertfordshire Labour MP Chris Hinchliff – de facto leader of what the Labour Growth Group dismisses as a 'vegetable lobby' and who drafted 14 amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill – is in a flap. Low turnout for a quiz has left his office window shrouded in unclaimed Duolingo owl prizes. He's tried without joy to offer them to colleagues and visitors. What a hoot.
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Reform leader Nigel Farage's son, Sam, is a British migrant working in Hong Kong. Deputy Richard Tice's partner, Isabel Oakeshott, is a migrant in Dubai. 'For a hard-right, anti-migrant party,' growled a Tory snout, 'that's a lot of 'do as I say, not what my family's doing'.' Tice is particularly touchy on the issue, turning on a journalist who asked him about the contradiction. Inconsistency is their consistency.
Johnson fanboys and girls still dreaming of yanking Cincinnatus back from his plough to rescue the Tories evidently don't include the second Mrs J, Marina Wheeler. In a note to neighbours apologising should a wedding bash for one of their daughters prove noisy, the lawyer quipped: 'Luckily I don't expect her to get married again, or at least not for a while.' Unlike Wheeler's wandering ex who was spliced thrice before the ink was dry on divorce papers.
Parliament's wage-slaves are upset, specifically the caterers who feed and water the medium-sized town. One chef complained they'll lose £300 a month from binning a loyalty payment to stop them defecting to higher-paid jobs in London's better restaurants and hotels. 'It's a privilege to serve parliament,' said the seasoned cook, 'but this is an invitation for skilled, devoted staff to leave.' MPs and peers should beware what flavours the soup.
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[See also: Reform needs Zia Yusuf]
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Glasgow Times
9 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Badenoch to call for end to oil and gas windfall tax and ban on new licences
The energy profits levy was put in place under the previous Conservative government but extended when Labour entered power. Designed to fund interventions to bring down household bills, the policy has been criticised by those in the industry. Speaking at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Mrs Badenoch is expected to tout the oil and gas sector, accusing the UK Government of 'killing' it, claiming 'renewing our party and our country means standing up for our oil and gas industry'. She will add: 'When the oil and gas windfall tax, the energy profits levy, was brought in, the oil price was near a historic high, at the exact time as energy bills for the British people were sky-rocketing. 'But there is no longer a windfall to tax. It has long gone. And the longer this regressive tax on one of our most successful industries remains, the more damaging it becomes. 'Labour have extended and increased this tax. They are killing this industry.' If the measure remains in place to 2030 as intended, Mrs Badenoch will say 'there will be no industry left to tax'. She will add: 'So, today, I say enough. Labour must remove the energy profits levy. Labour must speed up the process of replacing it with a system that rewards success and incentivises investment. 'Because we shouldn't have this energy profits levy at all. 'We must scrap the ban on new licences. 'We must overturn the ban on supporting oil and gas technology exports. Kemi Badenoch will say the energy profits levy should end (PA) 'And we must champion our own industry. 'We must let this great British, great Scottish industry thrive, grow and create jobs – ensuring our energy security for generations to come, driving growth and making this country richer in the process.' Mrs Badenoch will address her first Scottish party conference as leader on Friday while her counterpart north of the border Russell Findlay will deliver his inaugural address on Saturday. Responding to Mrs Badenoch, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said her comments were 'out of touch', adding: 'Even with the windfall tax in place, the energy industry made over £115 billion in profits in 2024 alone. 'Meanwhile, average household energy bills remain hundreds and hundreds of pounds higher than they were before the energy crisis started. 'While the Government is right to be consulting on reform of the windfall tax, maintaining a profits levy could help fund home upgrades and a social tariff which would bring down energy bills for the most vulnerable in society.' SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: 'The Tories wrecked our economy, presided over soaring household bills and ripped Scotland from the EU against our will. 'And now they're lurching further to the right as they haemorrhage votes to Nigel Farage. 'This weekend will be an important reminder of how Westminster has failed Scotland. Only the SNP is offering hope and a brighter future as an independent nation.' Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'While the Tories and SNP let energy workers down by failing to plan for the future, Scottish Labour is committed to taking action towards reaching net zero, creating jobs and cutting energy bills. 'The Tories are on the side of oil and gas giants rather than working Scots, but Scottish Labour will work with the UK Government and use devolved powers to deliver a just transition for the industry. 'With Kemi Badenoch desperately attempting to rally the few remaining Scottish Tories, it seems like it won't be long until they can fit all of their MSPs in a single taxi.'
Western Telegraph
14 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Badenoch to call for end to oil and gas windfall tax and ban on new licences
The energy profits levy was put in place under the previous Conservative government but extended when Labour entered power. Designed to fund interventions to bring down household bills, the policy has been criticised by those in the industry. Speaking at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Mrs Badenoch is expected to tout the oil and gas sector, accusing the UK Government of 'killing' it, claiming 'renewing our party and our country means standing up for our oil and gas industry'. She will add: 'When the oil and gas windfall tax, the energy profits levy, was brought in, the oil price was near a historic high, at the exact time as energy bills for the British people were sky-rocketing. 'But there is no longer a windfall to tax. It has long gone. And the longer this regressive tax on one of our most successful industries remains, the more damaging it becomes. 'Labour have extended and increased this tax. They are killing this industry.' If the measure remains in place to 2030 as intended, Mrs Badenoch will say 'there will be no industry left to tax'. She will add: 'So, today, I say enough. Labour must remove the energy profits levy. Labour must speed up the process of replacing it with a system that rewards success and incentivises investment. 'Because we shouldn't have this energy profits levy at all. 'We must scrap the ban on new licences. 'We must overturn the ban on supporting oil and gas technology exports. Kemi Badenoch will say the energy profits levy should end (PA) 'And we must champion our own industry. 'We must let this great British, great Scottish industry thrive, grow and create jobs – ensuring our energy security for generations to come, driving growth and making this country richer in the process.' Mrs Badenoch will address her first Scottish party conference as leader on Friday while her counterpart north of the border Russell Findlay will deliver his inaugural address on Saturday. Responding to Mrs Badenoch, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said her comments were 'out of touch', adding: 'Even with the windfall tax in place, the energy industry made over £115 billion in profits in 2024 alone. 'Meanwhile, average household energy bills remain hundreds and hundreds of pounds higher than they were before the energy crisis started. 'While the Government is right to be consulting on reform of the windfall tax, maintaining a profits levy could help fund home upgrades and a social tariff which would bring down energy bills for the most vulnerable in society.' SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: 'The Tories wrecked our economy, presided over soaring household bills and ripped Scotland from the EU against our will. 'And now they're lurching further to the right as they haemorrhage votes to Nigel Farage. 'This weekend will be an important reminder of how Westminster has failed Scotland. Only the SNP is offering hope and a brighter future as an independent nation.' Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'While the Tories and SNP let energy workers down by failing to plan for the future, Scottish Labour is committed to taking action towards reaching net zero, creating jobs and cutting energy bills. 'The Tories are on the side of oil and gas giants rather than working Scots, but Scottish Labour will work with the UK Government and use devolved powers to deliver a just transition for the industry. 'With Kemi Badenoch desperately attempting to rally the few remaining Scottish Tories, it seems like it won't be long until they can fit all of their MSPs in a single taxi.'
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
New House of Lords front door that cost almost £10 million does not work
The project has been described as 'a complete white elephant and a disaster'. Peers heard a member of parliamentary staff had to be permanently stationed at the door to press a button to open it. It also emerged that the price tag of the project spiralled by nearly 60% from the original estimate of £6.1 million. Leader of the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon said it was 'completely unacceptable' to have a door that did not work properly, and she shared the frustrations, upset 'and every other adjective' members wished to use. There was also a question over whether it would ever be fully operational, she suggested. The bill for what has been described at Westminster as 'one of the most expensive front doors in the world' was made public after peers raised concerns that their requests for the cost of the scheme had been repeatedly stonewalled by the authorities on security grounds. They also said they had warned from the start that the design would not work. Members of the Lords vented their annoyance as they heard plans for commercial procurement in Parliament to be transferred into a new joint department of both Houses. While welcoming the administrative changes, Tory former Cabinet minister Lord Forsyth of Drumlean pressed Lady Smith, who sits on the House of Lords Commission, over the cost of the new front door at the Peers' Entrance. He said: 'Very senior members of this House and members of the commission have been told repeatedly that they cannot know the cost of the front door, because if they knew the cost of the front door that would enable terrorists to work out what the security is surrounding it. 'I suspect that the costs of the front door make it one of the most expensive front doors in the world, and it is a front door that does not work. 'Various Members from all sides of the House protested right at the beginning that this design would not work, as it would result in people having to queue outside to get in and they would therefore be more vulnerable. 'We were told that no, it had been carefully designed and the system had been looked at, but we now discover that we need somebody permanently there to press the button to open the door. 'The other evening someone in a wheelchair was unable to access the House. It is a complete white elephant and a disaster.' The Conservative peer added: 'I do not wish to be unkind to any of the staff who serve this House or to underestimate the difficulties of dealing with a historic building of this kind, but it is simply not acceptable that public money should be spent in this way with such disastrous consequences, with no-one being held to account and no knowledge of the associated costs.' Tory former minister Lord Robathan said: 'If this were in the private sector, I am afraid that people would be sacked.' Lady Smith said: 'On the door itself, there are two issues, cost and operability. 'It is completely unacceptable that we have a door that does not operate as it should.' On the cost she said there was 'wildly exaggerated and incorrect information', adding: 'It is important that we are secure, so the costs of the door are very high. It is not just the security issue but also the heritage issue. 'The initial estimate was £6.1 million for the door. That increased because it was the request of members that it should remain open during the duration of the works when the House was sitting. 'The fact that it could not be closed off to get on with the work meant the cost increased – plus some other issues around heritage were discovered. The total cost has been £9.6 million.' She added: 'That is high, but what is more serious is that, having spent that money, the door does not work. 'That is a huge frustration to everybody. 'One of the reasons that it is not the same as other security pods on the estate is that it has to be fully accessible for those who have mobility issues and wish to use mobility aids or wheelchairs. 'The information I have is that the work that has been ongoing to address the problems has not cost the House any more beyond that. 'However, there is a window where a decision has to be taken on whether or not it will ever be fully operational and serve the needs of this House. 'I share the frustrations, the upset and every other adjective members may wish to use.' Lady Smith told peers: 'When we spend that much money on something that does not work, the key thing is that it is resolved, and that is what I am focused on.'
