SNP calls for full fiscal autonomy for Scotland but Tory minister slams it as a “shambles” June 16, 2015 The SNP is using its newly acquired Westminster clout to push for more powers to be devolved to Scotland. The party, which is now the third largest in Parliament, has sent a letter to the government's Scottish secretary David Mundell calling for more Holyrood powers. Under its plans, Scotland would be able to control corporation tax, capital [...]
London mayor election: Poll shows Zac Goldsmith would lose to Tessa Jowell but tie with Sadiq Khan June 16, 2015 Tessa Jowell is Labour's best bet to replace Boris Johnson with one of its own candidates, according to the latest polling by YouGov. The poll indicates that Zac Goldsmith, the favourite candidate for the Tories, would lose to Dame Tessa Jowell – while he would be in a dead heat against Sadiq Khan. The former [...]
Labour leadership race: Burnham, Cooper, Kendall and Corbyn are nominated June 16, 2015 Four candidates in the Labour leadership race have attained the necessary support to be placed on the ballot paper to succeed Ed Miliband. Jeremy Corbyn, the left-leaning candidate in the race, gained the support of 36 MPs just two minutes before the deadline – just above the quota needed to be considered for the leadership [...]
Foreign secretary Philip Hammond tells ambassadors not to fly gay pride flag during marches June 16, 2015 UK embassies around the world have been told not to fly the rainbow flag during this year's gay pride parades. Philip Hammond, the foreign secretary, has insisted that the flag – a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement – should not replace the union flag. With William Hague as foreign secretary last [...]
Cameron to promise more Eurosceptic concessions as he limits public money for yes campaign June 16, 2015 David Cameron will today concede to his Tory backbenchers that he will limit public money for a pro-EU campaign in the upcoming referendum. In a bid to pacify its slim majority, the government will reassure its Eurosceptic MPs that there will be no taxpayer-funded push for the UK to remain in the EU. Read more: [...]
Labour frontbenchers plan to launch separate pro-EU campaign June 12, 2015 A group of Labour frontbenchers is planning to launch a pro-European campaign group for the upcoming EU referendum. Senior figures in the party will be launching the "unashamedly" pro-EU group, separate to the Conservatives' campaign. It is reported that they have begun discussions for funding and office space in order to launch their campaign as [...]
Gordon Brown: UK on “life support” with government giving up on Scotland June 12, 2015 Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned that the UK is on "life support" because the government has given up on saving the union. He claimed that the Conservatives' positioning as "the English Nationalist party" threatened the union, which has lasted 308 years. His intervention comes as the Tories bring forward plans to limit Scottish [...]
Labour leadership race: Who is backing who in the battle to succeed Ed Miliband? June 12, 2015 Labour leadership nominations are nearing the end of their first week, as candidates weigh up their options for their prospective bids for power. While Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall each have enough MPs backing them for a place on the leadership ballot, two more candidates for leader are currently vying for a place. [...]
David Cameron’s migrant welfare reforms rejected as he holds “open and frank” EU talks June 12, 2015 David Cameron has held "open and frank" discussions with EU leaders in his ongoing campaign to renegotiate the UK's relationship with the EU. The Prime Minister met with leaders from Belgium, Spain, Finland and Romania as he continued to push his agenda for EU reform in Brussels. Migrant benefits become a sticking point Each of the [...]
Rio Tinto prices $1.2bn of 10-year notes and redeems $1.2bn of 2016 notes June 12, 2015 Rio Tinto has said it would issue $1.2bn of 10-year bonds, allowing the Anglo-Australian mining company to repay debts due next year. It said it had priced the 10-year fixed rate debt securities with a 3.75 per cent coupon. They will be issued by Rio Tinto Finance and will mature on 15 June 2025. Citigroup [...]
