Monday evening UK news briefing: Why France is ‘in a bad way’
Ms Le Pen said her defeat was “a victory” yet her far-Right rival Éric Zemmour, who was knocked out in the first round of the presidential election,…
Boris Johnson writes to Angela Rayner to insist ‘Basic Instinct’ claim was not in his name
The claims were also condemned by ministers. Mr Johnson’s message was retweeted by Simon Clarke, Treasury minister, and Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, posted the same tweet. Sajid…
Boris Johnson pushes for families to take up childcare support in cost-of-living crisis
Government officials are preparing to launch a new campaign to raise awareness about the tax-free childcare allowance, a scheme under which parents can claim up to £500…
British conservatism used to be the model, now it is a cautionary tale
It all seemed so different a year ago. Arriving in the United States in early 2021, I assumed that there was much for US conservatives to learn…
Boris Johnson warns UN chief that Vladimir Putin will ‘manipulate’ his Russia visit
Earlier this month, Karl Nehammer, the Austrian chancellor, held a “not friendly” meeting with Putin at his official residence outside Moscow. He was criticised for attempting to…
Boris Johnson tells Tories Downing Street ‘Abba party’ was work event
Another senior MP said: “I actually heard a Cabinet minister saying ‘maybe a period in opposition is what we need’.” According to the MP, the minister said:…
Ousting the Prime Minister for being in the vicinity of a cake? That’s just nuts
If Boris Johnson really has lied to Parliament, he will have to go. Ministers can get away with many misdeeds – drunkenness, fornication, witchcraft, folk dancing –…
End this Tory drift
Partygate is not the only problem haunting the Government. Voters are increasingly critical of its handling of the economy, while the latest consumer confidence figures point to…
‘Partygate’ payback as Tory support in the Red Wall collapses
The Conservative Party is haemorrhaging support in the Red Wall in the wake of the “partygate” scandal, a new poll has shown, as Boris Johnson prepares for…
Boris Johnson braces for second fine over Downing Street ‘bring your own booze’ garden party
Boris Johnson is braced to receive a further “partygate” fine after it emerged that Scotland Yard had begun issuing sanctions to attendees of a Downing Street “bring…
Boris will only survive if he trusts his instincts
Perhaps this time it really is all over for Boris Johnson. Downing Street clearly overestimated Tory support for the Prime Minister this week. The Government’s last-minute U-turn…
House rains down fire and brimstone on Boris Johnson
Pity the minister who decides to defend the Government. They’ll usually end up not just marching down the hill like the Grand Old Duke of York’s men,…
Partygate delays are not justified
The public would be forgiven for wondering if the saga known as partygate will ever end. Not only does the Prime Minister now face yet another inquiry…
The Tories won’t back Boris Johnson, but they aren’t ready to sack him either
For once, Keir Starmer was right on target. In calling for a vote on whether Parliament was misled over partygate, he exposed an embarrassing fact: the Tories…
Boris Johnson buckles over inquiry into whether he lied about ‘partygate’
The decision to launch a fresh investigation – the third into the “partygate” allegations following inquiries by the Met Police and senior civil servant Sue Gray –…
Energy bill green levies won’t be scrapped despite cost-of-living crisis
Green levies on energy bills will not be scrapped to help with the cost-of-living crisis, Boris Johnson indicated as he rebuffed a proposal backed by prominent Tories….
Who are the Tory MPs that could decide Boris Johnson’s future in ‘partygate’ investigation?
If Mr Johnson were to be found guilty, the privileges committee could suggest sanctions including oral or written apologies, suspension from the House – which would take…
The gig’s up for Boris Johnson, says Steve Baker as he withdraws backing over ‘partygate’
Boris Johnson on Thursday lost the support of one of his most influential backbenchers, who declared that he cannot forgive him over the “partygate” scandal. Steve Baker…
JCB demolition row threatens to bulldoze first day of Boris Johnson’s India trip
Boris Johnson has been embroiled in controversy on the first morning of his long-awaited diplomatic visit to India after inaugurating a new JCB factory, one day after…
The church of ‘partygate’ was in no mood to turn the other cheek for Boris Johnson
Pity the minister who decides to defend the Government. They’ll usually end up not just marching down the hill like the Grand Old Duke of York’s men,…
Boris is the British Macron – and he’s condemning our country to declinism and despair
When I moved to Britain from France 27 years ago, it was like stepping into a radically different world. The UK was an exciting, dynamic, go-getting boom-time…
Boris Johnson faces backlash after inaugurating controversial JCB factory on first day of India trip
On Wednesday, JCB machinery was deployed by the authorities in Delhi, after a request by India’s ruling BJP, to demolish Muslim-owned shops and properties in the neighbourhood…
Boris Johnson is condemning Britain to French-style declinism and despair
When I moved to Britain from France 27 years ago, it was like stepping into a radically different world. The UK was an exciting, dynamic, go-getting boom-time…
Boris Johnson opens door to increased immigration from India in exchange for trade deal
The Prime Minister has announced the UK will stop importing Russian oil by the end of the year and will phase out Russian gas imports. Mr Johnson…
Boris Johnson pushes for delay into investigation on whether he misled Parliament
Boris Johnson on Wednesday night urged MP critics to focus on issues that “matter” to voters rather than the “partygate” scandal, as he pushed to delay a…