logo
Times letters: Ten-step plan to rescue the Conservative Party

Times letters: Ten-step plan to rescue the Conservative Party

Times07-05-2025

Write to letters@thetimes.co.uk
Sir, William Hague suggests a sensible plan to revive the Conservative Party ('Kemi, here's my 10-step plan to save the Tories', May 6). He is right to give the economy centre stage in step five. Governments that back the right industries with financial support, invest in retraining their employees, see IT as a bedrock of the economy, allow for immigration to support said industries and collaborate with the 'right minds' are in fact driving many of the other steps listed by Hague. As he says, backing stronger defence and better healthcare cannot be achieved without economic growth. Hence, why do politicians disregard evidence showing that UK productivity from the public sector grew by 0 per cent from 1997 to 2022

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fiat's next SUV is giving big Multipla vibes
Fiat's next SUV is giving big Multipla vibes

Auto Car

time34 minutes ago

  • Auto Car

Fiat's next SUV is giving big Multipla vibes

Fiat's forthcoming Dacia Bigster rival could channel the spirit of the cult-classic Multipla MPV when it arrives in 2027. The new SUV is one of two C-segment models that the Italian brand is set to launch in the next two years, alongside a rakish, raised hatchback. They were previewed by Panda-inspired SUV and Fastback concepts unveiled early last year. Those models will be a maximum of 4.5 metres long and sit on the same cost-conscious Stellantis Smart Car platform as the smaller Grande Panda, enabling them to be offered with electric and hybrid powertrains. While the new SUV will sit broadly as part of the Panda design family and distinct from the range inspired by the classic 500, Fiat bosses have hinted it won't necessarily feature that name. Asked about the risks of Fiat expanding beyond its core city car market into the C-segment, Fiat Europe boss Gaetano Thorel said: 'It will be a challenge, because [it seems] we don't have the same legacy with family movers as we do with [the] 500 and Panda, but in reality we have, because when you think about the Multipla, then Fiat has a story on that. 'But thanks to Stellantis, we have a possibility to offer our customers and dealers a full passengercar line-up from 2.5 metres to 4.4 metres. That is the Fiat territory.' The Multipla arrived in 1998 as a 4m-long compact MPV with two rows of three seats and a host of space-saving features. The styling was divisive and the model was not a commercial success, but it won praise for its design, with Autocar's 2000 road test calling it 'the most innovative and exciting car in its class'. The new model will have more of a traditional SUV appearance but could echo the Multipla in terms of maximising space in a small footprint. The Citroën C3 Aircross, which uses the same Smart Car platform as the Grande Panda, seats seven.

Riot police deployed in Northern Ireland as violence continues
Riot police deployed in Northern Ireland as violence continues

The Independent

time35 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Riot police deployed in Northern Ireland as violence continues

Riot police were deployed in Ballymena in Northern Ireland for a third night following public disorder that erupted after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the area. Masked individuals set fire to Larne Leisure Centre in County Antrim, which had been designated as an emergency rest centre, prompting the relocation of families. Police in Ballymena faced attacks from masked protesters throwing fireworks, glass bottles, and metal, leading to the use of riot police, dog units, water cannon, and plastic baton rounds. Six individuals have been arrested for public order offences, and one person has been charged. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Stormont ministers, have condemned the violence and appealed for calm, emphasising the need to allow the justice process to proceed.

Lanarkshire has third highest number of suspected drug-related deaths in Scotland in first three months of 2025
Lanarkshire has third highest number of suspected drug-related deaths in Scotland in first three months of 2025

Daily Record

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Lanarkshire has third highest number of suspected drug-related deaths in Scotland in first three months of 2025

From January to March of this year, there were 33 suspected drug-related deaths in the Lanarkshire police division, compared to 25 in the final quarter of 2024 and 29 in the equivalent quarter of 2024. Lanarkshire had the third highest number of suspect drug-related deaths in Scotland in the first three months of 2025. From January to March of this year, there were 33 suspected drug-related deaths in the Lanarkshire police division, compared to 25 in the final quarter of 2024 and 29 in the equivalent quarter of 2024. ‌ Only Glasgow (61) and Ayrshire (36) recorded more deaths in 2025. ‌ East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Joani Reid has pinned the blame on the Scottish Government. She said: 'The SNP have treated drug deaths as an opportunity for photocalls and ideologically driven politics. 'Instead of tackling the root causes of drug deaths they have promoted their drug consumption room, something that has made the life of too many people in Glasgow's East End a misery and has plainly utterly failed but had the political advantage of being something not being tried in England. 'The SNP could have tried fixing the local authority budgets they have ruthlessly slashed over their 20 wasted years in government, putting money back into support services, tackling poverty and fixing public health. But they have never been interested in any of that. Instead, there is renewed speculation that John Swinney plans another round of council tax freezes and council spending cuts ahead of next year's polls.' Ms Reid's Labour colleague, the Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon added: 'This tragic rise in drug deaths shows just how badly the SNP is failing vulnerable people and their families. ‌ 'SNP ministers must provide proper access to recovery, treatment and rehab services, because substance use deaths are preventable. 'Each of these deaths is a tragedy – the SNP must act urgently to prevent the crisis spiralling further out of control.' ‌ Across Scotland, there were 308 such deaths over the period January to March, with this total up by 33 per cent on the last three months of 2024. The figures come after the UK's first safer drugs consumption room, the Thistle centre in Glasgow, opened for a three-year pilot in January this year as part of Scottish Government efforts to reduce Scotland's drugs deaths. They said that 'suspected drug deaths in Scotland remain at a high level' - with such cases up by 76 when compared to the final three months of 2024. ‌ Speaking as this week's figures were published, Health Secretary Neil Gray, who is also the MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, said: 'Every death is a tragedy and through our £250 million national mission we are determined to continue our efforts to reduce harm and deaths. My condolences go to anyone who has lost a loved one. ' Mr Gray added: 'While these figures show a quarter-on-quarter rise in suspected drug deaths, they also note a year-on-year fall. ‌ 'We want every person experiencing harm to be able to access the support they need. 'We are taking a wide range of evidence-based measures including opening the UK's first safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards drug-checking facilities and widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone.' Article continues below *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store