Nadine Dorries says she doesn’t “like” Boris Johnson
Former Conservative President Chris Patten has lashed out at the party’s “moderation and lying” under the leadership of Boris Johnson, saying “every move by the Prime Minister is determined” by his desire to remain at number 10.
Lord Patten warned that a victory in Johnson’s next general election would be a “disaster” for the Tory Party and Britain and accelerate the break-up of the United Kingdom, adding: “We have an English nationalist government with all the consequences. and one you can’t trust “.
His comments come as reports suggest Johnson’s former ethics adviser, who resigned last week, believes claims that the prime minister tried to hire his then-lover Carrie as chief of staff while he was secretary of Foreign Affairs are “ripe for research.”
According to The Daily Telegraph, Lord Geidt believes reports that the prime minister tried to name his future wife for a taxpayer-funded luxury job should be examined by his predecessor.
Downing Street denies the allegations. The Prime Minister has not yet replaced Geidt and has refused to pledge to do so.
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Ministers stress the need for “fiscal discipline” at the cabinet meeting
Ministers stressed the need for “fiscal discipline” at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Downing Street said, adding that double-digit wage increases in line with inflation by public sector workers “were not feasible” .
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Secretary-General of the Treasury then led a discussion on the importance of fiscal discipline.
“The Prime Minister said that the public would expect the government to adjust to its possibilities at a time of global pressure for the cost of living.
“The chancellor stressed that the government had a responsibility not to take any action that would fuel inflationary pressures or reduce the government ‘s ability to lower taxes in the future.
The spokesman added that Boris Johnson noted that “the agreement on the revision of spending was relatively generous” and that public sector wage increases in line with inflation “were not feasible at the moment in general”.
“The consensus is that offering wage increases that chase inflation only add to the problem and it is this act that should bring more money to the citizenry in the long run,” he said.
Matt Mathers21 June 2022 13:53
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No. 10 does not deny that Prime Minister talked about getting taxpayer-funded luxury jobs for his wife Carrie
Downing Street has not refuted allegations that Boris Johnson spoke with aides about getting two prominent jobs for his wife Carrie Johnson while he was prime minister.
Johnson talked about his wife’s environmental roles in the fall of 2020, either for the Cop26 summit or with the royal family, sources told the Daily Mirror.
The latest claim followed reports that Mr Johnson tried to hire her as chief of staff when he was Secretary of State in 2018.
The Prime Minister allegedly suggested that she be given a role as a green ambassador in the run-up to Cop26 or as communications director for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Earthshot Award.
Downing Street said he had never recommended Ms. Johnson for a government role, but did not deny that she considered or discussed the measure.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has never recommended Ms Johnson for a government role, or as part of the Earthshot Award.
“Beyond that, I would not enter into any conversation that the Prime Minister may or may not have had in private.”
Matt Mathers21 June 2022 13:37
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The UK has “an English nationalist government” in which “you can’t trust,” says former party chairman
Here are more details from former Tory Party chairman Chris Patten’s interview with LBC in which he criticized the Johnson administration for its “sordidness and lying.”
Warning that it would be a “disaster” for the Conservatives and the UK, Lord Patten told Andrew Marr: “I don’t think we have a Conservative government right now. I think, as I said, we have an English nationalist government with all consequences, and which you cannot trust “.
He stated that a second term for Mr. Johnson “would accelerate the break-up of the Union” and said he was in favor of “a coalition that keeps the Union united” led by “a decent, competent, generous, energetic and sensible political force in the Union”. half, which no one currently offers ”.
He also accused Johnson of “playing fast and loose” with the Good Friday Agreement threatening to overturn the Northern Ireland Protocol he negotiated and agreed with the EU less than three years ago.
Lord Patten, who played a major role in the Northern Ireland peace process, accused Johnson of “playing fast and loose” with the Good Friday Agreement and suggested that the Prime Minister’s confrontational position on the post-Brexit protocol was driven by the desire to win favor. with the DUP and the Tory right, rather than with the national interest.
“Playing hardcore in the DUP is really dangerous,” he said. “You’re actually giving in to the mob in a very meaningful and unattractive way.”
Our political editor Andrew Woodcock has the full report:
Andy Gregory June 21, 2022 1:13 PM
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Brexit is “completely” to blame for airport chaos, says the head of Ryanair
The chaos at the airport, which has suffered constant delays and flight cancellations, has “everything to do with Brexit,” said Ryanair chief.
Michael O’Leary said Brexit had been an “abject failure” and said resolute labor shortages were behind the disruption at UK airports, adding: “This government could not lead. a candy store “.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has denied that Brexit is to blame for the ongoing travel problems and has accused airlines of “severely selling” flights since the Covid pandemic.
Asked about the minister’s comments, Ryanair’s chief executive told Sky News: “It has a whole lot to do with Brexit. Many of these issues would be resolved very quickly if we could incorporate European workers.”
Ryanair chief says airport chaos “completely has to do with Brexit”
Our policy correspondent Adam Forrest has more details here:
Andy Gregory June 21, 2022 12:46 PM
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Angela Rayner supports the rail strike, saying “workers have not been left without a choice”.
Angela Rayner has challenged Keir Starmer in supporting the railroad workers’ decision to go on strike, saying “there is no choice”.
The Labor deputy leader gave the party’s strongest support so far for the largest industrial action on the railways for 30 years, after its leader was accused of “hiding” from the dispute.
Our Deputy Political Editor Rob Merrick has the full report:
Andy Gregory June 21, 2022 12:31 p.m.
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He calls for the resumption of cuts in international aid in response to the blockade of cereals
Today in the Commons, ministers have faced calls to restore major government cuts to international aid to help build a “coalition” against Russian President Vladimir Putin over grain blockades in the global south.
Suggesting Foreign Minister James Cleverly that “it is very clear that Putin is using the hunger of the world’s poorest people as a tool of war,” Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron asked, “As we seek fight Putin and use All diplomatic powers, the minister agrees that it would be easier to build a coalition against Putin around the developing world in particular, and of course morally correct, if we were to cut back on international aid or would we keep them?
Cleverly stated that Mr. Farron was “combining two fundamentally different issues” and said: “The world should be clear that it is only Vladimir Putin who is creating these problems with his blockade on Ukrainian grain exports.
“It could open the food tap in the global south, and we demand it.”
Cleverly added: “The world should be clear that it is up to him and the Russian blockade of these ports on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov that is creating this famine, and he should be responsible for that.”
Andy Gregory June 21, 2022 12:23 PM
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The government still refuses to say how much taxpayer money it spent on a landed flight to Rwanda
The Boris Johnson government still refuses to clarify how much taxpayer money it spent on renting the landed flight to Rwanda.
In response to a written question from Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shadow of the Interior Tom Pulsgrove, Home Secretary, said: “The costs of our broken asylum system are at a record high. 20 years, and currently costs the UK taxpayer more than £ 1.5 billion a year, with £ 4.7 million a day in hotels alone. Rwanda is a key part of our plans to reform the system and end the unsustainable costs that affect the taxpayer.
“The government’s efforts to facilitate the full and legitimate return of people who have entered the UK illegally are all too often thwarted by late appeals filed hours before the flight. These claims are often unfounded and completely without merit, but they are given a full legal consideration which may result in the removal being rescheduled. “
He added: “The cost of individual flights will vary based on a number of factors and will be reviewed periodically to ensure that the best value for money is balanced with the need to eliminate those who are not entitled to stay in the UK.
We do not routinely disclose commercial or operational information related to individual charter flights. “
Matt Mathers21 June 2022 12:05 PM
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The Cabinet Office remains open to the future of the role of ethics
The Cabinet Office is keeping a close eye on whether or not Boris Johnson will abolish the post of independent adviser in the interests of ministers following the resignation of Lord Geidt.
In response to a written question from Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of Labor, Micahel Ellis, Minister of the Cabinet Office, …