Liz Truss has been warned to take special care in dealing with a “deeply divided” Tory and try to include senior figures from across the party – including critics of Boris Johnson – in her cabinet. A former Tory cabinet minister and critic of Mr Johnson said on Saturday there would be a critical situation if Ms Truss allies such as Duncan Smith and Nadine Dorries were appointed to top jobs. He feared the situation could become “explosive” if both leaders tried to influence a parliamentary inquiry into whether the outgoing prime minister deliberately misled parliament. “If she wins, then on policy matters, including budget matters, most colleagues will feel she deserves a chance to implement her plans. He will get things through parliament,” the Guardian quoted the former cabinet minister as saying. “But if her government tries to do things on the integrity issues, I think there could be a problem very early on. That would be explosive.”
Basic points
Show latest update 1662273018 Sam Rkaina4 September 2022 07:30 1662270306
Truss pledges ‘immediate action’ on energy bills
Liz Truss said she would take “immediate action” on energy bills in her first week in office if she becomes prime minister on Tuesday. The foreign secretary, who is widely tipped to defeat rival Rishi Sunak when the Tory leadership winner is announced on Monday, said she would be able to make “difficult decisions” as prime minister to get the UK out of the energy crisis. There have been increasingly loud calls in recent weeks for the government to step in to support the most vulnerable, with energy bills rising to around £3,500 this winter for the average household. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Mrs Truss said she would appoint a council of economic advisers to help her and her chancellor. She says: “I understand how difficult the cost of living crisis is for everyone. These are difficult times and the coming months will be difficult. He said he would take “immediate action” to tackle the cost of living crisis for families and businesses, while also delivering a “broader plan to grow our economy, make it more resilient and more competitive”. If elected, I plan within the first week of my new administration to set out our immediate action on energy bills and energy supply. Liz Truss “This will be followed by a budget event later this month from my chancellor, with a wider package of action for the economy.” “We have to make the tough decisions to make sure we’re not in this position every fall and winter. “Plastering and kicking the can down the road won’t do. I am ready to take the tough decisions to rebuild our economy.” Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 6:45 am 1662267328
Cost of living support to be “front and centre” of the first minister’s plan
Support to tackle the cost of living crisis will be “front and centre” in the Scottish Government’s plans for next year, Nicola Sturgeon has said. The first minister will set out her government’s legislative agenda for next year when Holyrood returns on Tuesday and the program for government is published. The announcements come at a time of great concern for Scots as household energy bills and costs rise. But the first minister also hit out at the UK government, which she claimed was in “hibernation” as a result of the ongoing Tory leadership contest, with the winner to be announced on Monday before taking office the following afternoon. “On Tuesday, the Scottish Government will publish its Program for Government for next year and tackling the cost crisis will be front and center in our plans,” Ms Sturgeon said in a statement. “The steps we are outlining this week will build on the actions we have already taken with the Scottish Parliament’s limited powers to support household budgets, such as Scotland’s Child Pay, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Tax Cut Scheme council”. Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 5:55 am 1662264906
Tory MPs ‘cooperate leadership vote before Christmas’ to reinstate Boris Johnson
A dozen Conservative MPs unhappy with the party’s leadership candidates plan to submit letters of no confidence to the new prime minister as early as this week, it has been reported. In defiance of widely regarded front-runner Liz Truss, MPs plan to submit letters to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee, to signal their intentions to challenge the new prime minister, according to the Sunday Mirror. The newspaper reports that plotting MPs want a leadership vote by Christmas to restore Boris Johnson as leader.
Tory MPs ‘cooperate leadership vote before Christmas’ to reinstate Boris Johnson
Disgruntled MPs have said they want a leadership vote by the end of the year Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 5:15 am 1662263601
Liz Truss warned to look after ‘deeply divided’ Tories
Liz Truss has been warned to take special care in dealing with a “deeply divided” Tory and try to include senior figures from across the party – including critics of Boris Johnson – in her cabinet. A former Tory cabinet minister and critic of Mr Johnson said on Saturday there would be a critical situation if Ms Truss allies such as Duncan Smith and Nadine Dorries were appointed to top jobs. He feared the situation could become “explosive” if both leaders tried to influence a parliamentary inquiry into whether the outgoing prime minister deliberately misled parliament. “If she wins, then on policy matters, including budget matters, most colleagues will feel she deserves a chance to implement her plans. He will get things through parliament,” the Guardian quoted the former cabinet minister as saying. “But if her government tries to do things on the integrity issues, I think there could be a problem very early on. That would be explosive.” Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 4:53 am 1662263560
Good morning! We continue our coverage of all the latest in UK politics for 4 September 2022. Stuti Mishra September 4, 2022 4:52 am 1662227553
We are pausing our live updates for the evening. Katy Clifton3 September 2022 18:52 1662220827
ICYMI: No, Tory party members should not be allowed to choose our next prime minister
As the votes drew to a close, John Redbull argued that Conservative members should not be allowed to choose their leader. Read John’s full article here:
No, Tory party members should not be allowed to choose our next Prime Minister
As polls close, John Redbull argues Tory members should not be allowed to choose their leader Matt Mathers September 3, 2022 5:00 p.m 1662219031
ICYMI: Rwanda, asylum seekers and the rule of law
Rwanda’s policy does not have parliamentary approval. Using a memorandum of understanding rather than a formal treaty meant there was no parliamentary scrutiny before it was announced, writes Nicolas Bratza. Read Nikola’s entire article here:
Opinion: Rwanda, asylum seekers and the rule of law
Rwanda’s policy does not have parliamentary approval. Using a memorandum of understanding instead of a formal treaty meant there was no parliamentary scrutiny before it was announced, writes Nicolas Bratza Matt Mathers3 September 2022 16:30 1662216833
New UK PM has chance to ‘reset’ UK-Ireland relationship – Martin
The Irish prime minister said the imminent announcement of a new British prime minister offered an opportunity to “restore” the fractured relationship between the UK and Ireland. Michael Martin said he was “concerned” that a window of opportunity was opening to restore relations between the two governments. Mr Martin made the comments at the British-Irish Union conference in Oxford, just days before the Conservative Party announced its new leader. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is widely tipped to beat Rishi Sunak to become the new prime minister. Mr Martin told RTE: “We are very concerned that a window of opportunity is opening up, the election of a new British Prime Minister and a new government is an opportunity to restore the British-Irish relationship and also the European Union-UK relationship under the Protocol. “The spirit in which we approach the next week and beyond is constructive. We believe that the breadth and depth of the UK-Ireland relationship is such that it is imperative that we all work together constructively. “We are ready to do that and also in the context of Northern Ireland, in terms of resolving issues around the protocol.” Matt Mathers3 September 2022 15:53
