Today we got our first female Chancellor. However you vote, that’s a big deal. You could tell from the cheers of approval that Rt Hon Rachel Reeves message resonated well inside the Treasury when said that her appointment should show every young girl and woman that there is no limit to your ambition 💪
Of course, at least one other woman has *played the role* of Chancellor… If you thought the Cabinet appointments today were slick, then I’ll let you into a secret - it’s because the small but mighty private office and events teams within No10 probably staged a dry run yesterday; back in 2015 my team and I were part of the practice: dispatched on polling day to wait in the Red Lion; called up by Switch to be invited in to Downing Street; walking up the street to go into the House and meet with the PM, before being shuffled out again seamlessly whilst the next has their moment on the door.
Whilst events today have moved quickly, the civil service has been planning and preparing for months. Thinking today of all my brilliant former colleagues within No10, HMT, Cabinet Office and across departments who will be working at full speed tonight. They are - as they always are - ready and willing to be the engine for the Government of the day’s agenda.
3 more B.C. NDP ministers say they won't seek re-election
▶11 current Eby-NDP MLA's not seeking re-election this fall?
↪ Rob Fleming, minister
↪Bruce Ralston, minister
↪Harry Bains, minister
↪Murray Rankin, minister
↪Katrine Conroy, minister
↪George Heyman, minister
↪Doug Routley,
↪Jennifer Rice,
↪Katrina Chen,
↪Fin Donnelly
↪Nicholas Simons.
▶7 of them are current "experienced cabinet ministers".
▶Is this just retirement or is it something a little more sinister going on?
▶Maybe some tensions between the captain and the bridge officers?
▶Maybe some unreconcilable differences?
▶Maybe some guilty consciences for screwing the BC Forest Industry ?
▶Maybe some saving-face chess move to not get tarred & feathered?
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS_ the Tories recent losses in ‘safe seat’ By Elections probably won’t serve as a wake-up call because they are notoriously anti-woke_
They’ll continue inflicting their nightmares by lurching further to the right, stoking more division, creating a more hostile environment, and making a laughing stock of themselves, at tax payers expense.
According to some reports, Tories lost the By Elections because their own loyal stalwarts didn’t turn up - hardly a confidence vote, not because Labour won. But Labour did win, love them or loathe them, they overturned a huge Tory majority in a supposedly safe seat.
What next for the Tories predicted to lose seats in droves at the next General Election, or already announcing they will step down in an attempt to stave off the proverbial Portillo moment, to avoid hiding in fridges, scurrying out of the results hall as bad losers, only to end up on GB News in a questionable transfer of non-existent skills?
Most of them are probably not that bothered. Their pockets are lined, their coffers are full, they've emptied the public purse, decimated public services, and have left public finances floundering in the red as the aftermath of the Lettuce Truss experiment and the Kamikwasi budget fiasco takes hold.
Tax revenue has decreased, excess deaths have increased, the rich are richer, the lifeblood is being squeezed out of middle incomes, the poor are out of touch, the sick are suffering and dying as they wait for treatment in a 7.75 million NHS queue.
Austerity Mk2 is going to be difficult to implement because there is nothing left to cut, and local councils are already facing bankruptcy. So, the Tory go to is to target the disabled, the vulnerable, and the unemployed, even though they know this won’t plug the gap.
Collectively, the Tories have systematically failed the country so that they, their donors, and the others in the dark money think tanks which pull their strings can succeed, at any cost.
Polls and recent Elections indicate they are on target for a resounding defeat at the next General Election, they’ll keep us waiting for that though. The petition calling for a General Election is being ignored by government, but you can still sign it here: https://lnkd.in/ejknxW9c
Meanwhile, Silly Fishy Rishi lavishly jets about in private air craft and continues to repeat on loop that he is ‘delivering for the British people’. He’s actually delivering a sack of potatoes and pie in the sky. And given his lack of transparency and leadership on professionalism, integrity, and accountability, he’s delivering failures not change, just same old same old. The Tory murmurings and votes of no confidence are already starting to trickle in, again.
For those soon to be outgoing Tories in search of next steps who need help, they can flog second hand PPE, write a ‘How not to…’ book about HS2, rent a berth on the empty Bibby Stockholm, or migrate to Rwanda_
#toriesunfittogovern
Honorary Doctor of Science - Awarded for having an inspirational career as a disability and rights champion, and social entrepreneur.
What are we going to do with all these Ex-Tory MPs next year? Do they have any transferable skill sets?
Perhaps, we could set up some sort of an apprentice scheme? To stop them being long term unemployed…
“Jeremy Hunt is expected to stand down as an MP before the next election, according to senior Conservatives, who say the chancellor is aware he could suffer a “Michael Portillo” moment on polling day.”
“Rumours have been swirling among Surrey Conservatives and at Westminster to this effect, amid cataclysmic predictions of wipeout for several serving cabinet ministers after more than 13 years in power.”
“Last weekend the Liberal Democrats confirmed that Hunt’s old political adversary in Surrey, Paul Follows, the Liberal Democrat leader on Waverley council, had been chosen as its candidate for the Godalming and Ash seat.
Minutes after being selected, Follows told the local party that he would “work to ensure that the Portillo moment in the public mindset will become the Hunt moment”.
“Recent polls have suggested that several cabinet ministers including Hunt, party chairman Greg Hands, the deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, and leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt – as well as Hunt – could lose their seats at the next election.”
House of CommonsUK House of Lords#UK#PMThe Conservative PartyHM TreasuryRishi Sunak
Ed Davey launches campaign for UK Prime Minister in uncertain times.
In today's uncertain times, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, is launching a for UK Prime Minister in an effort to offer the wider public hope for strong leadership and capable governance to address current challenges. With new challenges such as climate change and economic instability, the choice of a new prime minister is crucial for guiding the UK towards success. The opportunity to choose a leader who can effectively represent citizens' interests and lead the country with vision and determination is now critical. Ed Davey aims to bring new energy and perspective to the political scene and show that he possesses the necessary skills and experience to become prime minister. Emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration, Davey seeks to offer a clear direction for the country's future. At a time when the UK faces numerous challenges and uncertainties, the decision of whom to elect to lead the country is key to achieving stability and success. It is therefore up to the voters to carefully assess the candidates and choose a leader who can bring positive change and prosperity to the UK. If Ed Davey were to be elected as prime minister, his positive direction could bring new hope and stability to the UK. His focus on environmental protection and combating climate change could lead to a more sustainable future for future generations. With his experience and abilities, he could effectively govern the country and implement policies that support economic growth and social justice. His emphasis on unity and cooperation could help overcome political divisions in society and strengthen citizens' solidarity. Under his leadership, the UK could move forward and achieve a thriving and inclusive society for all.
Josef Anger CEO Owner and Board Member of #CNBC#UnitedKingdom#UKGeneralElection#VoteWiselyUK#DemocracyMatters#DecideYourFuture#YourVoiceYourVote#MakeYourMark#VoteUK2024#PowerToThePeople#VoteForChange#StrongerTogetherUK#ElectionDayUK#VoteWithPurpose#InformedVoting#EngageTheYouth#ProtectOurDemocracy#YourVoteMatters#BeAVoter#UKDecision2024#VoteForProgress#UniteForUK#ShapeOurFuture
The Conservative Party held its annual party conference this past week when the party’s many (warring) tribes descended on Manchester. If you thought, with a general election looming next year, that you would hear prescriptions as to how the party intends to address the very real concerns about inflation, the cost of living crisis, housing shortages, the crisis in the NHS and care homes, and the like, you would have been disappointed.
There were, in effect, two conferences taking place this past week, the official one – with Cabinet ministers holding forth in the main hall (often times half empty), and the unofficial one – on the fringes, with packed houses listening to the likes of Liz Truss at her Rally for Growth, and trying to guess what a noteworthy invitee, former UKIP and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, was up to. And in a sense the conference also had two narratives – Rishi Sunak attempting to demonstrate that his party has a vision and plan sufficiently coherent and robust to deserve another five years in office, and the contenders in effect auditioning to replace him as party leader, on the assumption the party loses the next election.
The conference was long on culture war attacks and short on policy ideas that voters really should care about. Perhaps the most talked about announcement was the U-turn on the most ambitious infrastructure project in decades – the high speed rail project linking London with the Midlands and north of England (HS2). Admittedly one should not read to much into party conferences, but the rightward shift in the party (from attacks on “woke” to U-turns on the transition to net zero) is unmistakable, and if as so many assume the Tories move into the opposition later next year, and if they resurface in No 10 five years later, these trends could have significant implications for Britain in the short to medium term.
My summary of the conference and the emerging dynamics in the Tory party is available here: https://bit.ly/3Q6RorC
Senior Account Executive, Lucas Patrick Short, watched Keir Starmer’s speech today so you don’t have to:
In front of the backdrop of the Bristol and Bath Science Park, the man expected by most to be the Prime Minister within a year, chose not to outline policy or commit to legislation, rather, in the spirit of new year and new beginnings, Sir Keir Starmer used his first keynote speech of 2024 to announce ‘Project Hope’ – a ‘call for unity’ amid the ‘despair’ that many currently feel following what will soon be 14 years of Tory rule.
While not setting out huge policy changes, Starmer instead led an impassioned plea to voters to open their mind to ‘national renewal’ (a term that is increasingly looking to be central to Labour’s campaign at the next general election) and convince the electorate to vote for Labour, rather than against the Tories.
Starmer reiterated Labour’s position as the party of competency, not just planning to repair the effects of the previous Tory Government, but to usher in a period of renewal.
Starmer’s speech did not outline new policy promises or pledges, rather it espoused a commitment to competence and capability.
Taking questions, however, Starmer:
♻️ Outlined that Labour’s planned £28 billion green investment is reliant on Labour’s fiscal rules
🧊 Did not commit to unfreezing tax thresholds
💰Claimed Labour do not support cutting inheritance tax
🧳 Floated offshore processing as a potential alternative to dealing with illegal migration
🥊 Dispelled claims that he did not want to go head-to-head with Sunak in a TV debate
With Rishi Sunak today stating his ‘working assumption’ is an election in the second half of 2024, we’re looking at an autumn or winter poll. Westminster experts, including Lowick MD Kevin McKeever are citing November 14 as the potential date.
It’s game on for British politics in 2024.
#politics#generalelection#labour#publicaffairs
UK Cabinet Reshuffle: Rishi Sunak's Vision Takes Center Stage
In a dynamic political move, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has undertaken a significant cabinet reshuffle, shaping a team more aligned with his vision for the UK. Former cabinet ministers, including Dame Andrea Leadsom and Damian Hinds, assume new roles in this strategic restructuring, reflecting Sunak's determination to influence the political landscape.
Dame Andrea Leadsom, once a contender for Conservative leader, takes on the role of a junior health minister, while Damian Hinds transitions to the minister of state position. The reshuffle aims to bring fresh perspectives and realign the government with Sunak's priorities.
This shake-up in the UK's political scene comes at a crucial time, setting the tone for the government's direction under Chancellor Sunak.
Stay tuned for comprehensive coverage and analysis of the evolving political dynamics.
#UKPolitics#CabinetReshuffle#RishiSunak
We congratulate the new Prime Minister and his team on their decisive election victory – and to all Scotland’s newly elected and re-elected MPs.
This very clear result gives us hope that political stability can lead to economic stability and recovery.
Any new government needs to hit the ground running and the first 100 days of this new administration offers a golden opportunity to lay the foundations of sustained small business growth.
There are many levers the UK government can pull to make Scotland a better place to start and run a small business – easing the cost of doing business and supporting cashflow, employment and investment. These range from tackling poor payment practices by big businesses to their smaller suppliers to giving smaller firms a fairer crack of the whip when bidding for UK Government contracts.
The upcoming King’s Speech should include a Small Business Bill to enshrine in legislation much-needed changes to better support small firms and the self-employed.
We’re looking forward to getting down to business and working in partnership with the soon-to-be-appointed ministers – especially the new Scotland Office team.
Andrew McRae
FSB Scotland Policy Chair
The First Minister will change but the issues facing Scotland’s housing sector won’t until those running the country immediately tackle the cost of renting through increasing the supply of homes and reviewing the cost of providing rented property and purchasing a home to live in. Humza Yousaf’s resignation is a chance for his replacement to re-evaluate plans for rent control, boost investment and set out a road map for the property sector to reduce its carbon footprint with clear funding incentives and achievable targets.
Digital design, strategy, transformation, policy and media professional.
2wChris Martin and Digicomms - all feels like a million years ago!