Politics

The UK economy took a huge knock in April as Brexit rumbles on. It contracted by 0.4 per cent compared to the month before, marking its biggest monthly fall since March 2016. It follows a decline of 0.1 per cent in March 2019. Industrial production declined by 2.7 per cent during April, with manufacturing shrinking by an alarming 3.9 per cent. This appears to be due to UK car plants shutting down in April, as manufacturers prepared for a no-deal...

Conservative leadership favourite Boris Johnson has announced he would cut income tax for the highest earners if he became the Prime Minister. Johnson indicated he would raise the 40p threshold from £50 to £80k. Boris used the Telegraph to make his case for the cut, saying: “We should be raising thresholds of income tax – so that we help the huge numbers that have been captured in the higher rate by fiscal drag.” This would cost the country almost £10...

However high the wannabe PMs’ ambitions soar, they are all ignoring the massive come-down when Brexit reality actually kicks in.

Analysis shows households face a 17% surge in grocery shopping basket costs if UK defaults to WTO trade terms Shoppers face being hit with hundreds of pounds extra on food and drink bills if the UK leaves the EU with ‘no deal’, new analysis for GMB union reveals today. The figures show a family's weekly shop could rocket by more than £800 a year. A report by Acuity Analysis for GMB union compares a weekly basket of goods in current...

Theresa May has formally resigned as Conservative party leader officially triggering the start of race to succeed her.  She'll stay Prime Minister until her successor is chosen, probably in mid-July. Applicants to be the new PM have until 5pm on Monday to register their interest in the vacancy, with 11 contenders to be whittled down in votes by Tory MP with the final two to be put to the Tory membership to decide on. The Labour leader today insisted that...

Theresa May has handed in her formal resignation to the Conservative Party. She informed the 1922 Committee of backbench MPs today. Her time as PM has been turbulent and overshadowed with mishaps and mistakes. May will remain as leader until a succesor is chosen, with Boris Johnson the most likely to become PM. A large field of contestants have come forward to battle for the position. The 1922 Committee said in a statement: "Following notification from the Prime Minister, Rt Hon...

A new poll has put Rory Stewart ahead of Boris Johnson as the public’s choice for Prime Minister. The results have been revealed on the day Theresa May officially resigned as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party, with the 1922 Committee inviting nominations from MPs wanting to replace her. Stewart was selected as the preferred successor by 30 per cent of people polled when adjusted for those who selected “don’t know who he/she is”. He is one point ahead...

Nigel Farage has been branded “entitled” today after he handed a letter to the Prime Minister asking for a seat at the negotiating table, despite his party having no MPs. The Brexit Party leader, still reeling from losing the Peterborough by election last night, set out his demands in a note to the leadership contenders. Addressing the letter “Dear Prime Minister” he cc’d in the 11 candidates vying to take the reins from Theresa May. But in a hilarious blunder...

Despite political pollsters and bookmakers predicting Nigel Farage's Brexit Party a shoe-in to win its first MP in Peterborough, a surge of Labour door-knocking and activism helped the party retain the seat. The election of a new MP came about after local people effectively sacked their former Member of Parliament, Fiona Onasanya in a recall petition. The ex Labour politician was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after claiming someone else was behind the wheel of her Nissan...