Boris Johnson tells planning critics they’re wrong despite by-election humiliation
The government has been sent a “warning shot” by voters in the Chesham and Amersham by-election, the co-chairman of the Tories has said.
Amanda Milling said voters’ concerns over planning reforms and HS2 were “loud and clear” following the party’s defeat to the Liberal Democrats.
Boris Johnson has been warned more “blue wall” seats could be in danger following Thursday’s historic win for the Lib Dems.
Senior Tories say the prime minister must change course or face more defeats in southern seats, with a warning the Lib Dems could become the “natural party for the home counties”.
Former Cabinet ministers are among worried Conservatives calling on the prime minister to accept the danger that his “blue wall” will crumble – in a “mirror image” of Labour’s plight in the north.
Andrew Lloyd Webber rejects Boris Johnson’s offer of help for Cinderella
Andrew Lloyd Webber has rejected Boris Johnson’s offer for his musical Cinderella to be included in a pilot scheme for live events.
Earlier this week the PM said he was in talks with Lord Lloyd-Webber about including the West End show in the scheme, saying he will “do whatever we can to be helpful”.
Lord Lloyd-Webber was criticised by a government source after he rejected the offer on Friday.
Read more on this story below:
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 11:20
Businessman jailed for a year over ‘vile’ threats to MPs who criticised Brexit
A businessman who sent death threats to MPs in a series of emails warning them not to block Brexit has been jailed for 12 months.
Paul Ritchie, 35, targeted more than a dozen different politicians including ex-Commons speaker John Bercow, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, former home secretary Amber Rudd and current Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.
My colleague Peter Stubley has the full story here:
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 11:00
For politicos, geeks or anyone with a memory — a reminder of the Liberal Democrats’ long history of by-election upsets.
The Chesham and Amersham result is the latest in a long line of mid-term milestones for the party.
Alastair Jamieson19 June 2021 10:44
‘Window’ remains open to solve Northern Ireland dispute, says EU negotiator
The EU’s post-Brexit negotiator has said a “window” remains open to solve the Northern Ireland dispute after the UK sought to co-operate on sausages.
But Maros Sefcovic, a European Commission vice-president, warned in a speech on Friday that a “downward spiral” in relations could ensue if Britain continues with unilateral action.
Brexit minister Lord Frost praised his counterpart’s positive words on further political dialogue but warned that “time is now very pressing if we are to find solutions together”.
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 10:40
Tory MP to go on trial accused of sexually assaulting teenage boy
The Conservative MP for Wakefield is facing trial accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2008.
Imran Ahmad Khan, 47, is alleged to have groped the teenager in Staffordshire.
My colleague Alastair Jamieson has more on this below:
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 10:20
Use by-election defeat as ‘opportunity to rethink planning reform’, says former environment secretary
Former environment secretary Theresa Villiers urged ministers “to use this as an opportunity to rethink their approach to planning reform”.
“This by-election result should pave the way for a reduction in housing targets for the London suburbs and the South East,” the Tory MP for Chipping Barnet wrote in the Telegraph.
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 10:00
Tories could become ‘disconnected’ from voters if party fails to listen, former minister warns
Tory former Cabinet minister Damian Green warned the Conservatives could become “disconnected” from voters if the party fails to listen following the by-election defeat by improving the “thin” level of oversight in the plans.
“People want some form of local control … people don’t want to feel that they’re going to have developments dumped on green fields near them when they and their local representatives have had no say over it,” the MP for Ashford, in Kent, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“It’s a fairly thin form (of oversight) frankly and people don’t think it gives them enough protection.”
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 09:46
Key aide to Keir Starmer quits after Labour’s fresh by-election woes
One of Keir Starmer’s closest advisers is standing down after Labour’s worst ever performance in a by-election.
Ben Nunn announced on Friday that he was quitting as the Labour leader’s director of communications after the party won just 622 votes in the Buckinghamshire constituency of Chesham and Amersham.
My colleague Peter Stubley has more details below:
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 09:26
Boris Johnson urged to listen to voters and rethink planning reforms
Tory former Cabinet minister Damian Green has told Boris Johnson to listen to voters and rethink his planning reforms following the election defeat in Chesham and Amersham.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What you have to do as a political party is listen and what I really don’t want to happen to the Conservative Party, my party, is to repeat the mistakes of the Labour Party that disconnected itself from voters it thought it could take for granted.
“People want some form of local control … people don’t want to feel that they’re going to have developments dumped on green fields near them when they and their local representatives have had no say over it.
“It’s a fairly thin form (of oversight) frankly and people don’t think it gives them enough protection.”
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 08:55
Royal British Legion to stop selling poppies in EU due to Brexit
The Royal British Legion will no longer sell poppies in the European Union due to red tape following Brexit, according to reports.
The charity, which provides support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, is said to have sent an email to supporters stating it will “need to cease sales to customers in countries in the EU” for the foreseeable future until legislation surrounding Brexit is reviewed.
The i newspaper reported it could not justify the expense, including customs charges, to send poppies overseas following Britain’s departure from the EU’s customs union on 1 January.
Chiara Giordano19 June 2021 08:36
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