UK News and Discussions

[Time_Traveller]

Bibby Stockholm: 45 arrests as protesters block coach in bid to stop asylum seekers being moved to barge

Thursday 2 May 2024 18:28, UK

Police have arrested 45 people after protesters blocked a coach that was due to take asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset.

A large group of demonstrators, many with their faces covered, surrounded the vehicle and linked arms near the Best Western Hotel in Peckham, southeast London, earlier in the day.

Several people sat down in the road in front of the coach, which had a flat tyre, and some demonstrators were removed by officers.

Police said they were called at around 8.40am to reports of people obstructing a coach, which was parked outside the hotel.

The Metropolitan Police said 45 people were arrested and taken into police custody for offences including obstruction of the highway, obstructing police and assault on police.

https://news.sky.com/story/bibby-stockh ... e-13127510

[Time_Traveller]

Local elections in the UK today. Should be an interesting bellwether for the General Election later this year (we still don't know when that is, but seems likely it'll be October/November. By law, the latest it can be held is January 2025).

Mayoral elections are also being held today. Sadiq Khan (Labour) is likely to gain a 3rd term as Mayor of London, as he's polling 20 points ahead of the Conservative candidate Susan Hall, and she is rather incompetent in radio/TV interviews. The right-wing media has been making a huge deal about the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as though it's a pivotal and damaging issue for Khan, but most Londoners support it.

Local elections 2024: at-a-glance guide to results and declaration times

1 hour ago

The results of Thursday’s elections are being declared over several days, starting shortly after polls close and ending on Sunday, 5 May.

Here is a summary of all the key contests and times.

Thursday 2 May

Polls close across England and Wales in elections for 107 local authorities, 37 police & crime commissioners, 11 mayors, the London Assembly and the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election.

Around a third of councils are due to declare overnight, including Bolton and Hartlepool, where Labour is hoping to win overall control, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock – key tests of Conservative and Labour popularity in Essex – and Redditch in Worcestershire, where the Tories could lose their majority if the party’s vote collapses.

The result of the Blackpool South by-election is likely to be declared halfway through the night, with Labour tipped to gain this marginal seat from the Conservatives, in what would be the Tories’ 11th such defeat so far this parliament.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 38587.html

My cities being declared at 10pm on Friday night (3rd May), so will be looking forward to taking a look at the incoming result then.

[Time_Traveller]

Swinney looks set to be first minister as Forbes backs him

2 May 2024, 00:06 BST

John Swinney looks set to become Scotland's next first minister after Kate Forbes confirmed she would not challenge him for the SNP leadership.

Mr Swinney, the former deputy first minister and party leader, announced his intention to succeed Humza Yousaf and offered Ms Forbes a "significant" role in his government.

Ms Forbes later confirmed in a statement she would not stand in the contest and endorsed Mr Swinney.

The former finance secretary had been the only other SNP politician to publicly state she was considering a leadership bid.

She said in a statement: "I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish government.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c88zvgl9y9go

[wjfox]

The Guardian's Lewis Baston:


Blackpool verdict looks like electoral death sentence for Tories

Fri 3 May 2024 09.43 BST

It was a grim night for the Conservatives and the pain seems likely to extend over the weekend, even if there may be moments of consolation from some mayoral elections.

The Blackpool South byelection was not a routine mid-term setback for the party of government. For a start, it comes well into the fifth year of the parliament and is therefore late-term. The swing is also much higher than normal for mid-terms. We have become used to swings of more than 20 percentage points and Blackpool South is the fifth Conservative seat to fall to Labour on such a large movement in the last year.

No previous parliament since 1945 has had more than two such wins for the main opposition. Blackpool’s verdict looks like an electoral death sentence for the Conservative government. [...]

The swing so far seems to have been particularly high in leave-voting towns, confirming the message of Blackpool South and building on the progress Labour made in the 2023 local elections.

It is very likely that the full results will point to Labour being able to win an overall majority in a general election.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ar ... for-tories

[weatheriscool]

[wjfox]

Excellent. Londoners have rejected hatred, divisiveness, and climate change denial.

[Time_Traveller]

Rishi Sunak 'up for the fight' of a general election despite miserable local results, minister says

Sunday 5 May 2024 16:29, UK

https://e3.365dm.com/24/03/1600x900/sky ... 0322113205

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has insisted Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are "up for the fight" of a general election, despite their terrible results in this week's local contests.

The party lost 474 councillors across the country after Thursday's vote, as well as high-profile mayoral races - seeing the West Midlands mayor Andy Street booted out by Labour in a tightly fought contest.

Yet Mr Harper insisted the best response for the Tories was to support the prime minister and prepare for the general election, which is expected later this year.

Talking to Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, the minister said: "It is always incredibly disappointing when you lose hardworking councillors, police and crime commissioners and fantastic mayors like Andy Street… it was a testament to him that that result was so close… so I can understand people being disappointed by that.

"But I think the key thing that people need to do now is get behind the prime minister, focus on the things the government is focused on delivering - the British people's priorities around the economy, dealing with migration - and get out there and take that fight to the country ahead of the general election."

https://news.sky.com/story/rishi-sunak- ... r-13129629

Ah Mark Harper, one of my old counties MPs until he was promoted by Rishi, in my opinion what a load of dribble from him. The Tories are done, the public have had enough of 14 years of this party time for Rishi to pack his bags and let someone else move into 10 Downing Street.

[Time_Traveller]

Single-sex toilets mandatory in new bars, restaurants and offices under proposed laws

Monday 6 May 2024 08:56, UK



Single-sex toilets are set to become a legal requirement for all new bars, restaurants, offices and shopping centres under new laws proposed by the government.

Self-contained toilets for both sexes may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, or if there isn't enough space.

Care homes, hotels, schools, cells in custodial facilities, and buildings used for early years provision are all exempt from the proposed legislation.

The law would affect England only and applies to new buildings as well as existing premises that undergo a material change of use.

The government said that in a consultation on the proposals, 81% of respondents agreed "with the intention for separate single-sex toilet facilities" while 82% "agreed with the intention to provide universal toilets where space allows".

https://news.sky.com/story/single-sex-t ... s-13130415

[Time_Traveller]

John Swinney wins SNP leadership unopposed

6 May 2024, 12:21 BST



John Swinney has moved a step closer to becoming Scotland's seventh first minister after being confirmed as SNP leader.

A contest was avoided after a veteran SNP activist withdrew a rival bid following talks with Mr Swinney.

The former deputy first minister is expected to be nominated by MSPs as first minister as early as Tuesday.

Current first minister Humza Yousaf - who announced his resignation last week - said he would formally quit once a new SNP leader was confirmed.

Mr Swinney, who led the SNP between 2000 and 2004, will speak at an event in Glasgow later.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72pk2qpqevo

[Time_Traveller]

Lib Dems to table no confidence motion in Rishi Sunak to force June general election

1 hour ago



The Liberal Democrats will try to force Rishi Sunak into calling a June general election by tabling a motion of no confidence in the government on Tuesday.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey will table the motion as soon as parliament returns after a brutal set of local elections for the Conservatives.

The motion is unlikely to pass, as it would need the backing of Conservative MPs to bring down Mr Sunak’s government, but Sir Ed said the PM should not be allowed to “desperately cling on to power”.

The prime minister has repeatedly come under pressure to name the date of the general election, with Labour the the Lib Dems accusing him of “squatting” in Downing Street until he is finally forced to go to the polls.

He has said there will be a general election in the “second half” of 2024, but refused to offer details about when.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 40284.html

[Time_Traveller]

Fury as Green Party member quits London Assembly just three days after being elected

1 hour ago



The former leader of the Green Party has sparked fury after quitting the London Assembly just three days after being re-elected to her seat.

Sian Berry, who is standing to become an MP for the Greens in Brighton this year, passed the role to the party’s mayoral candidate, Zoe Garbett, instead.

It means Ms Garbett, who received 9,646 votes in the London mayoral contest, will take Ms Berry’s place in the London Assembly without the need for a by-election.

Ms Garbett said she was “excited to join the Assembly and get to work for Londoners”, adding that there is “so much to do”.

And Ms Berry said her colleague had “shown how much of a difference she will make in City Hall”.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/p ... 40945.html

[Time_Traveller]

Chris Mason: Another wounding Conservative defection to Labour

2 hours ago



Another defection. Another Conservative MP giving up on the Conservatives and crossing the floor to Labour.

Defections don't happen very often - or at least they don't in normal times - but barely days after former Tory minister Dan Poulter switched to Labour, Natalie Elphicke has too.

Little wonder there was chat before Prime Minister's Questions began that Sir Keir Starmer wanted to talk about small boat crossings in the Channel.

Natalie Elphicke is the MP for Dover.

Defections are head-spinning for Westminster, which is a tribal place.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68977175

[Time_Traveller]

A week is a long time in politics: Panesar quits Workers party after seven days

Wed 8 May 2024 12.34 BST

The former England cricketer Monty Panesar has pulled out of standing for George Galloway’s Workers party of Great Britain after only one week, after admitting he needs more time to “mature and find my political feet ”.

Panesar had been selected to contest the Ealing Southall seat, currently held by Labour with a majority of 16,084, last Tuesday. But after a series of interviews where he displayed a sketchy understanding of the party’s policies he announced that he would no longer stand.

“I’m a proud Brit who has had the honour to represent my country at the highest level of cricket,” Panesar wrote on the social media platform X. “I now want to do my bit to help others but I recognise I am at the beginning of my journey and still learning about how politics can help people.

“So today I am withdrawing as a General Election candidate for The Workers party. I realise I need more time to listen, learn and find my political home, one that aligns with my personal and political values.”

“I wish The Workers party all the best,” he added. “But look forward to taking some time to mature and find my political feet so I am well prepared to deliver my very best when I next run up to the political wicket.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/artic ... seven-days

[Time_Traveller]

Nadhim Zahawi to stand down as MP at next general election

Thu 9 May 2024 08.40 BST



Nadhim Zahawi, a former chancellor under Boris Johnson, has become the latest Conservative MP to announce he will not be standing again at the general election.

First elected in 2010, Zahawi said on Thursday he “had come to feel that the time is right for a new, energetic Conservative to represent Stratford-on-Avon”.

Zahawi, who was sacked last year by Rishi Sunak as Conservative party chair after he was found to have breached the ministerial code by failing to declare an HMRC investigation into his tax affairs, added: “My mistakes have been mine and my successes have come from working with amazing people.”

His announcement brings the number of Conservative MPs who will be standing down at the next general election to 64.

Zahawi declined to comment on Sunak’s stewardship of government but he said “the prime minister and the Conservative party will continue to have my unswerving support into and beyond the next general election”.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/art ... l-election

[Time_Traveller]

Keir Starmer vows to scrap Rwanda asylum scheme 'straight away'

15 minutes ago

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to scrap the government's Rwanda scheme "straight away" if his party wins the election.

The Labour leader said he would use money saved to hire specialist investigators to tackle small boats crossing the Channel.

He also wants to use counter-terror powers to "smash" people smuggling gangs.

Rishi Sunak said ministers had already recruited extra police in this area.

Speaking to broadcasters, the prime minister said "we've got a plan, and we're going to get our planes off".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68984778

[Time_Traveller]

Labour and unions reach agreement on workers’ rights proposals

Tue 14 May 2024 17.56 BST

Labour has reached agreement with the unions on its flagship workers’ rights proposals after weeks of tension over the prospect of the original plans being watered down.

Keir Starmer and his senior team met union leaders on Tuesday for a crunch meeting where they thrashed out a deal on the plans, which were originally agreed last July.

One union source told the Guardian the general secretaries had presented a united front and told the Labour leader he should agree to return to the language agreed at the national policy forum last summer.

In a joint statement after the talks, Labour and the unions said: “Labour and the affiliated unions had a constructive discussion today.

“Together we have reiterated Labour’s full commitment to the ‘New deal for working people’ as agreed in July. We will continue to work together at pace on how a Labour government would implement it in legislation.”

[Time_Traveller]

Royal Mail owner backs £3.5bn takeover offer by Czech billionaire

Wed 15 May 2024 16.35 BST



The owner of Royal Mail has backed a £3.5bn offer for the postal company from a Czech billionaire after he sweetened the value of his planned takeover, creating a political headache for the government.

Last month, Royal Mail’s parent company, International Distributions Services (IDS), rejected a preliminary offer worth 320p a share, or £3.1bn, from Daniel Křetínský, the part-owner of West Ham United whose company, EP Group, is the postal service’s shareholder.

However, on Wednesday the group – which also includes the international parcels arm GLS – said it was likely to recommend a higher 370p a share offer to its investors if it was formally lodged.

Keith Williams, the IDS chair, said: “The board is minded to recommend this offer price, which it considers to be fair and reflects the value of GLS’ current growth plans and … the progress being made on change at Royal Mail to adapt the business to a significant fall in the demand for letters and growth in parcels.”

IDS said its suitor had agreed to “protect employees’ current rights and continue to recognise the existing unions”, as well as keeping the Royal Mail brand and maintaining its headquarters in the UK.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/ar ... illionaire

[Time_Traveller]

Plaid Cymru withdraw from Co-Operation Agreement with Labour Welsh Government

Friday 17 May 2024, 3:26pm

Plaid Cymru has pulled out of the Co-Operation Agreement that has seen it working with the Labour Welsh Government on a programme of government for the last two and a half years.

The party’s leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said the decision was related to controversies surrounding the First Minister Vaughan Gething and what he called “a significant lack of judgement.”

In turn the First Minister said that he was “disappointed Plaid Cymru has decided to walk away from their opportunity to deliver for the people of Wales.”

The Co-Operation Agreement was signed in December 2021 by the former First Minister Mark Drakeford and the former Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price.

It was set to last for three years, which means that ending it now comes seven months early.

https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-05- ... government

[wjfox]

[Time_Traveller]

Oh good, right at the top of the list Severn Trent, the one thats in Gloucestershire.