Would it have killed Kemi to throw Tory centrists a bone? Politics Speaking to CityAM at the start of this week the former John Lewis boss and West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, insisted that the Tories can beat Reform if they embrace the centre-right and resist the urge to fight Nigel Farage on his own turf. The new vehicle launched to make this case is called [...]
In defence of Ruth Davidson, Andy Street and the Tory ‘wets’ Opinion The right has no path to victory without also winning back voters who defected from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats in 2024. Recent Tory defections to Reform have made that job easier for Kemi Badenoch, says Alys Denby Wet Wet Wet is the name of the musical outfit behind “Love is All Around”, which [...]
Andy Street: Conservatives can beat Reform with centre-right policies Politics The Conservatives can beat Reform UK if it leans into pro-business policies put forward by a new centre-right group, former Birmingham mayor Andy Street has said. Street said his new political group co-founded with former Scottish Conservatives leader Baroness Davidson – and backed by dozens of former Cabinet ministers and policy officials – can help [...]
Ben Houchen proves Tories can win – as long as they don’t run as Tories May 8, 2024 Ben Houchen held onto the Tees Valley mayoralty by forcefully rejecting the Conservative brand. Other Tory candidates will take note, says Fintan Smith The Conservative Party have suffered a massive blow following last Thursday’s elections. And it was personal for Rishi Sunak – Tories did best when they distanced themselves from the Prime Minister. Labour [...]
The City is a model of good local government (kind of) May 8, 2024 Local government in the UK is a mess, but the ancient system we have in the City is more accountable than most – and the whole country benefits, says James Price Mothin Ali, an accountant who also runs a gardening blog, declared his election as councillor for the Gipton and Harehills ward in Leeds a [...]
‘How am I doing?’ – the big question mayors are asking of voters April 9, 2024 The dynamics of mayoral races are very different to Westminster election mud-slinging, writes Adam Hawksbee.
Work on £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub to begin after extra funds injected February 29, 2024 Design work on the £1.75bn Midlands Rail Hub project is set to start after the government provided an extra £123m.